Japanese Subchasers

KUSENTEI!

IJN Subchaser CH-28: Tabular Record of Movement
© 2005-2017 Bob Hackett, Sander Kingsepp and Peter Cundall
Revision 11

1941:
Tsurumi. Laid down at Nippon Kokan K.K 's yard.
17 December 1941:
Numbered CH-28. Tentatively attached to Maizuru Naval District.
30 January 1942:
Launched.
15 May 1942:
Completed and registered in the Sasebo Naval District. Assigned directly to the Combined Fleet and attached to SubChasDiv 32.
8 June 1942:
Departs Sasebo escorting a convoy to Rabaul.
1 July 1942:
CH-28, CH-29 and CH-30 depart Lae.
3 July 1942:
Arrives at Rabaul.
4 July 1942:
CH-28 departs Rabaul.
5 July 1942:
Arrives at Kavieng.
7 July 1942:
Departs Rabaul.
14 July 1942:
Reassigned to Vice Admiral Mikawa Gunichi's (38) newly created Eighth Fleet in the 7th Base Force at Rabaul. Thereafter, conducts convoy escort duties.

20 July 1942: Operation "RI" - The Invasion of Buna, New Guinea:
At 2000, CH-28 departs Rabaul for Buna with CH-29 and CH-30, CruDiv 18's light cruisers TATSUTA and TENRYU, minelayer TSUGARU and destroyers ASANAGI, YUZUKI and UZUKI escorting troop transports AYATOSAN, KINRYU and RYOYO MARUs.
21 July 1942:
At 1413, UZUKI separates from the convoy and heads for Buna. At 1610, she is attacked by a lone B-17 "Flying Fortress" heavy-bomber. At 1754, she probably rejoins the convoy. Soon thereafter, UZUKI is detached to escort transport AYATOSAN MARU bound for Basabua, near Buna. At 1900, they arrive at Gona. AYATOSAN MARU starts to unload.
22 July 1942:
At 0610, American aircraft begin a series of attacks; at 0710, AYATOSAN MARU takes a direct bomb hit and bursts into flames. At 0723, UZUKI, who remained patrolling in the area, arrived and attempted to assist the burning AYATOSAN MARU, but she had to be run aground becoming a total constructive loss. Five troops and three crewmen are killed. From 1240, UZUKI began rescuing survivors. At 1323, UZUKI departs for Rabaul.
31 July 1942:
CH-28 and minelayer TSUGARU depart Buna for Buka, Bougainville escorting transport NANKAI MARU. The group is attacked by aircraft and forced to abandon the mission. Returns to Rabaul.

3 August 1942:
Arrives back at Rabaul.
9 August 1942:
Departs Rabaul.
15 August 1942:
Arrives at Rabaul.
16 August 1942:
Departs Rabaul.
17 August 1942:
Arrives at Rabaul.
18 August 1942:
Departs Rabaul with CH-29.
19 August 1942:
Arrives at Rabaul and departs later that day with CH-29 and CH-30.
23 August 1942:
Arrives at an unknown reef (illegible).
25 August 1942:
Departs and arrives back at Rabaul later that day.
28 August 1942:
Departs Rabaul.
5 September 1942:
Partly refueled by auxiliary seaplane tender KIYOKAWA MARU.
8 September 1942:
Refueling completed by KIYOKAWA MARU.
10 September 1942:
Departs Saipan escorting NAGISAN MARU.
November 1942:
Reassigned to the 1st Base Force. Arrives at Shortland, Bougainville. Performs convoy escort and patrol duties.
2 November 1942:
At 1200 arrives at Rabaul.
3 November 1942:
At 1700 departs Rabaul escorting YAMASHIMO MARU.
5 November 1942:
At 1000 arrives at Shortland.
7 November 1942:
At 0600 departs Shortland and patrols the western approaches.
16 November 1942:
At 0800 arrives at Shortland.
18 November 1942:
At 0700 departs Shortland and patrols the southern approaches.
19 November 1942:
At 0800 arrives at Shortland.
20 November 1942:
At 0800 departs Shortland and patrols the southern approaches.
23 November 1942:
At 1800 arrives at Shortland.
24 November 1942:
At 1100 departs Shortland and patrols the southern approaches.
25 November 1942:
At 0730 arrives at Shortland.
27 November 1942:
At 1550 departs Shortland and patrols the southern approaches.
28 November 1942:
At 0700 arrives at Shortland. At 1200 departs port.
29 November 1942:
Arrives at Buin. Later that day departs port.
30 November 1942:
At 1100 arrives at Shortland. Later departs port to escort KAMOI MARU. At some point CH-18 likely joins escort.
2 December 1942:
At 1400 arrives at Rabaul.
4 December 1942:
At 1600 departs Rabaul escorting unknown vessel/s.
8 December 1942:
at 0900 arrives at Shortland. At 1400 departs Shortland and patrols the southern approaches.
16 December 1942:
At 0800 arrives at Shortland.
18 December 1942:
At 0700 departs Shortland and patrols the northern approaches.
21 December 1942:
At 1430 meets unknown vessel/s and escorts them to Shortland arriving at 2200.
22 December 1942:
At 0800 departs Shortland and patrols the northern approaches.
23 December 1942:
At 0850 arrives at Shortland.
24 December 1942:
At 1800 departs Shortland escorting unknown vessel/s.
26 December 1942:
At 1100 arrives at Rabaul.
30 December 1942:
At 1600 departs Rabaul escorting unknown vessel/s.
1 January 1943:
Arrives at Shortland. Later that day departs and patrols the northern approaches.
8 January 1943:
Switches to patrolling the western approaches.
18 January 1943:
Arrives at Shortland.
20 January 1943:
Departs Shortland to disaster (incident) site on rescue mission (probably to assist OYO MARU that had been damaged in an air attack that day).
22 January 1943:
Early am commences escorting vessel/s to Shortland.
24 January 1943:
Arrives at Shortland and departs soon after escorting YAMAFUKU MARU.
26 January 1943:
In the early am arrives at Rabaul and departs shortly, arriving later in the day at Buka.
29 January 1943:
Departs Buka escorting ammunition ship SOYA.
30 January 1943:
Arrives at Rabaul.
3 February 1943:
Departs Rabaul.
4 February 1943:
Arrives at Shortland.
5 February 1943:
Departs Shortland and meets up and escorts incoming vessel/s.
6 February 1943:
At 0830 arrives at Shortland.
8 February 1943:
At 1630 departs Shortland escorting unknown vessel/s.
10 February 1943:
Arrives at Rabaul.
14 February 1943:
At 1500 departs Rabaul escorting FLORIDA MARU and survey/ammunition ship SOYA. SOYA is detached en route to Kieta.
16 February 1943:
At 0400 arrives at Buin. Later that day departs escorting unknown vessel/s [SOYA?].
17 February 1943:
Begins patrolling the southern approaches to Shortland and continues this till month end. Early in March switches to patrolling the western approaches.
13 March 1943:
At 1530 begins escorting a convoy consisting of MIYADONO and TAIKO MARUs carrying Guadalcanal Island evacuees.
15 March 1943:
At 0500 arrives at Rabaul.
19 March 1943:
At 1700 departs Rabaul with destroyer MINAZUKI escorting TOYU MARU.
21 March 1943:
At 0440 arrives at Shortland. At 0545 departs and patrols the southern approaches.
26 March 1943:
At 1100 escorts a five Daihatsu barges to Kolombangara.
27 March 1943:
At 0830 begins patrolling the southern approaches.
29 March 1943:
At 0712 arrives at Shortland and departs later that day at 1415.
Poporang Island, Shortlands. A joint-service fighter sweep by led by Captain Tom Lanphier with five Lockheed P-38 “Lightnings” of the USAAF 70th Fighter Squadron, and one Marine Chance-Vought F-4U-1 “Corsair” of VMF-124, hits the Faisi-Poporang seaplane base. They set fire to eight Pete floatplanes, originally attached to KUNIKAWA and KAMIKAWA MARUs, and damage three others. [1]
On their way back to base the American pilots spot a “destroyer” cruising about six miles E of the Shortlands. Each plane makes four strafing passes on CH-28 and set her afire. She takes on a 15 degree list.
31 March 1943:
At 2300 arrives at Rabaul. Undergoes temporary repairs.
8 April 1943:
At 1400 departs Rabaul.
18 April 1943:
At 0900 arrives at Yokosuka.
May 1943:
Arrives at Sasebo and undergoes repairs.
May 1943:
Reassigned to the 4th Base Force at Truk. Thereafter, escorts convoys between Truk and Rabaul.
7 June 1943:
At 1400 departs Yokosuka with the torpedo boat OTORI escorting convoy 3607 to Truk consisting of CHIHAYA (ex Dutch TJISAROEA), FUJIKAWA and AMAGISAN MARUs. The convoy sails at 10.5 knots.
10 June 1943:
In position 24-55N 145-36E the USS FLYING FISH launches a series of unsuccesful attacks.
15 June 1943:
At 1140 arrives at Truk.
19 June 1943:
At 1510 departs Truk on an escort mission.
21 June 1943:
At 1650 arrives back at Truk.
24 June 1943:
At 1000, departs Truk with destroyer SHIGURE escorting the Nauru No. 3 convoy consisting of AKIBASAN MARU to Nauru Island.
29 June 1943:
At 0430, arrives at Nauru Island. Departs that same day.
5 July 1943:
At 1850 arrives at Truk.
9 July 1943:
At 0900 departs Truk for Rabaul escorting convoy 1091 consisting of KOAN MARU.
13 July 1943:
At 1800 arrives at Rabaul.
14 July 1943:
At 1400 departs Rabaul on an escort mission.
17 July 1943:
At 1115 arrives at Truk.
18 July 1943:
At 1740 departs Truk on an anti submarine sweep.
19 July 1943:
50 miles S of Wake Island. LtCdr (later Cdr) Carter L. Bennett's (USNA ’33) old USS PORPOISE (SS-172) attacks and sinks transport MIKAGE MARU No. 20 at 18-45N, 166-04E. Three crewmen are KIA. The transport was engaged in reinforcing Tarawa. Subchaser Div 32's CH-28, CH-29 and CH-30 counterattack USS PORPOISE unsuccessfully. Bennett evades and slips away.
22 July 1943:
At 0810 arrives back at Truk.
23 July 1943:
At 1117 departs Truk with the destroyer TAMANAMI escorting convoy 7233 consisting of ttankers TOA, NICHIEI and FUJISAN MARUs.
27 July 1943:
At 1020 arrives at Palau.
30 July 1943:
Departs Palau escorting convoy 8301 consisting of the converted tanker TENNAN MARU. Sails at 10 knots.
4 August 1943:
Arrives at Truk.
6 August 1943:
CH-28 and destroyer YUZUKI depart Truk escorting convoy 1064 consisting of YAMAGIRI, ASAKAZE and HOKKAI MARUs and the ammunition ship SOYA.
10 August 1943:
Arrives at Rabaul.
12 August 1943:
Departs Rabaul with destroyer YUZUKI in convoy 2022 consisting of TAGONOURA and HOKKAI MARUs.
17 August 1943:
Arrives at Truk.
21 August 1943:
Departs Truk with destroyer USHIO escorting AIKOKU and GOKOKU MARUs that are bound for Kure.
26 August 1943:
Returns to Truk.
28 August 1943:
At 0800, TATSUURA MARU escorted by CH-28 departs Truk's S channel on a 195 degree course en route to Rabaul.
1 September 1943:
Arrives at Rabaul.
3 September 1943:
Departs Rabaul with minelayer SOKUTEN and minesweeper W-4 escorting a convoy consisting of KIYOSUMI and TOKYO MARUs. At some point into the journey SOKUTEN is apparently detached.
6 September 1943:
At 0930, the convoy arrives at Kimishima Channel, Truk.
8 September 1943:
Departs Truk on an anti submarine sweep.
10 September 1943:
At 1500, CH-28 and auxiliary subchasers CHa-28, and CHa-46 depart Truk's Kimishima channel escorting SHOEI MARU, the sole member of convoy No. 5101.
16 September 1943:
Arrives at Kwajalein.
18 September 1943:
CH-28, CH-31 and auxiliary subchasers KYO MARU No. 6, TAKUNAN MARU No. 10 and torpedo boat HIYODORI depart Kwajalein escorting convoy No. 6188 consisting of KEMBU, CHIHAYA, MINATO, TSUNESHIMA, SHIGANOURA, MUKO and KENRYU MARUs.
25 September 1943:
Arrives at Truk.
28 September 1943:
At 1600, CH-28 departs Truk's Kimishima channel then the south channel escorting a convoy consisting of KUNIKAWA and GOSHU MARUs.
4 October 1943:
Arrives at Rabaul.
5 October 1943:
Departs Rabaul for Truk with torpedo boat HIYODORI escorting passenger/cargo ship AMAGISAN MARU.
8 October 1943:
CH-28 and HIYODORI are escorting AMAGISAN MARU when she is attacked by LtCdr Robert J. Foley's (USNA ’27) USS GATO (SS-212). Foley hits AMAGISAN MARU with a dud Mark-14 torpedo. Although the torpedo does not explode, it causes flooding in hold No. 6. CH-28 remains behind to conduct an ASW sweep. The remainder of the convoy, escorted by HIYODORI, continues on its way.
9 October 1943:
CH-28, HIYODORI and AMAGISAN MARU arrive at Truk.
11 October 1943:
CH-28 and CH-29 depart Truk on an anti submarine sweep.
21 October 1943:
Arrives back at Truk and remains there till the end of the month.
1 November 1943:
Departs Truk to undertake escort of a fishing boat convoy.
2 November 1943:
LtCdr (later Rear Admiral) Roy M. Davenport's (USNA ’33) USS HADDOCK (SS-231) makes a surface radar-assisted attack on what Davenport takes to be one of a group of three destroyers. He fires torpedoes at CH-28 at 09-12N, 150-13E. CH-28's crew see the tracks of three torpedoes pass closeby, then CH-28 counterattacks unsuccessfully. Davenport claims sinking the "destroyer".
5 November 1943:
At 0430, arrives at Truk via N channel escorting a convoy consisting of GIYU MARU and nine fishing boats.
7 November 1943:
At 1500, CH-28, and probably netlayer KATSURA MARU, depart Truk via S channel escorting convoy No. 5075 consisting of ASAKAZE, KEMBU, KENSHIN, KITAGAMI MARUs and oiler No. 6010.
13 November 1943:
At 1520, arrives at Kwajalein.
16 November 1943:
Departs Kwajalein and later joins up with convoy 6162 consisting of HASSHU and KAIKO MARUs escorted by auxiliary sub-chasers SHONAN MARU No. 5 and SHONAN MARU No. 8.
22 November 1943:
At 1800, CH-28 and auxiliary subchaser SHONAN MARU No. 5 arrive at Truk's south channel escorting convoy a convoy consisting of HASSHU and KAIKO MARUs.
24 November 1943:
At 1200, CH-28 departs Truk escorting convoy No. 7242 consisting of oilers OGURA MARU No. 3 and HAKUBASAN MARU.
29 November 1943:
At 0800, arrives at Palau.
1 December 1943:
At 0800 departs Palau escorting convoy No. 8012 consisting of tankers SHINSHU MARU and HISHI MARU No. 2.
4 December 1943:
At 1830 at 07-45N, 143-10E CH-28 engages in anti submarine warfare.
8 December 1943:
At 2210, arrives at Truk's north channel.
10 December 1943:
Departs Truk on an escort mission.
12 December 1943:
Arrives back at Truk.
18 December 1943:
At 1600, departs Truk with torpedo boat OTORI escorting convoy No. 1182 consisting of transports TSUNESHIMA and NAGISAN MARUs to Rabaul.
20 December 1943:
NE of Manus Island, Admiralties. At 1537, LtCdr Robert J. Foley's (USNA ’27) USS GATO (SS-212) attacks and sinks troop transport TSUNESHIMA MARU at 01-26N, 148-36E. All of her crewmembers are rescued. CH-28 and OTORI conduct a counterattack, dropping a total of 19 depth-charges.
22 December 1943:
The convoy is attacked by USAAF bombers. The NAGISAN MARU suffers minor damage.
23 December 1943:
At 1100, arrives at Rabaul.
25 December 1943:
Departs Rabaul with torpedo boat OTORI escorting convoy No. 2252 consisting of HOKUYO and KIMISHIMA MARUs.
30 December 1943:
Auxiliary minelayer KINJO MARU jopins the convoy. At 1930 arrives at Truk. Departs Truk with destroyer UMIKAZE escorting a troop convoy consisting of TAJIMA and HIBI MARUs to Ponape, then to Eniwetok and Kwajalein.
31 December 1943:
Truk. CH-28 is assigned to guardship duties with destroyer TACHIKAZE, minesweeper W-22, SHONAN MARU No. 11 and GENYO MARU.
3 January 1944:
Returns to Truk.
7 January 1944:
Departs Truk for Saipan with Auxiliary submarine chasers SHONAN MARU No. 3 and SHONAN MARU No. 11 and auxiliary patrol boat KENKAI MARU escorting convoy No.4107 consisting of FUKUYAMA, KAIKO, CHIYO and SUMIYOSHI MARUs and possibly others.
11 January 1944:
Arrives at Saipan.
14 January 1944:
CH-28 and auxiliary minelayer URARA MARU depart Saipan for Truk escorting convoy 3231B consisting of NIKKO, AWAJI, HAKUHO and TAINAN (3175 grt) MARUs and salvage tug KURE No. 5.
16 January 1944:
375 miles NNW of Truk. At 2010, LtCdr (later Captain-Ret) Slade D. Cutter's (USNA ’35) USS SEAHORSE (SS-304) attacks and sinks NIKKO MARU at 12-48N, 150-18E. Eight crewmen are killed.
19 January 1944:
Arrives at Truk.
24 January 1944:
Departs Truk on an escort mission.
28 January 1944:
Returns to Truk.
15 February 1944:
At 2200, CH-28 and destroyer OITE depart Truk for Japan escorting damaged light cruiser AGANO running on only two of her four screws.
16 February 1944:
160 miles N of Truk. At 1644, LtCdr William P. Gruner (USNA ’33), on his first war patrol as skipper of USS SKATE (SS-305), torpedoes AGANO and sets her afire. Between 2000 and 2330, OITE rescues 461 survivors and CH-28 rescues 125 men.
17 February 1944:
At 0517, the AGANO sinks at 10-11N, 151-42 E.
19 February 1944:
CH-28 breaks off the rescue mission and begins the journey back to Truk.
22 February 1944:
CH-28 departs Truk escorting CHOUN MARU and KOKOKU MARU to Mortlock Island.
23 February 1944:
On that day, FRUMEL decrypts the following order transmitted by Truk Base Force:
"Subchasers 5, 31 and 33 attack the submarine inside the reef with depth charges and force her to the surface. Subchaser 28 is to proceed to the atoll off Sarashima and Hanashima Channels and cut off line of escape."
25 February 1944:
Arrives back at Truk.
26 February 1944:
CH-28 and CH-31 depart Truk on an escort mission to Mereyon.
1 March 1944:
CH-28 and CH-31 depart Mereyon on an escort mission to Truk.
3 March 1944:
Arrives at Truk.
4 March 1944:
CH-28 and CH-31 depart Truk on an escort mission to Saipan.
6 March 1944:
Arrives at Saipan.
10 March 1944:
At 0528, CH-28, CH-31 and auxiliary minesweepers No. 2 FUMI MARU and SEKI MARU depart Saipan for Truk escorting convoy 3310 consisting of TOYOKAWA and IKUSHIMA MARUs. After departure, the convoy's destination is changed to Palau.
15 March 1944:
Arrives at Palau. Departs soon after on an anti submarine sweep
17 March 1944:
Arrives at Truk.
17 March 1944:
At 2345 CH-28, CH-31 and CH-32 and auxiliary minesweepers SEKI MARU No. 3 and FUMI MARU No. 2 depart Truk escorting a convoy to Mereyon and Saipan consisting of BINGO, TATSUHARU and IKUSHIMA MARUs and possibly others.
22 March 1944:
At 0630 arrives At Saipan.
27 March 1944:
CH-28, CH-31 and CH-32 departs Saipan on an escort mission to Truk.
4 April 1944:
CH-28 undertakes an escort mission from Guam to Mereyon.
10 April 1944:
Departs Mereyon and undertakes an escort mission to Saipan.
14 April 1944:
Arrives at Saipan.
15 April 1944:
Departs Saipan on an escort mission to Truk.
17 April 1944:
Arrives at Truk.
22 April 1944:
At 0400 departs Truk escorting a convoy consisting of TATEBE (KEMBU), SHOZUI, auxiliary storeship SHINYO, CHIYO and SHIMA MARUs, storeship KINEZAKI and possibly others. En route CH-28 is detached to rescue shipwrecked crews.
26 April 1944:
SubChasDiv 32 is disbanded.
29 April 1944:
Arrives at Saipan.
May 1944:
Arrives at Maizuru. Undergoes repairs.
3 July 1944:
At 2000, CH-28 departs Moji with with destroyer HARUKAZE and kaibokan CD-11, CD-20, CD-26 and CD-28 escorting convoy MOMA-01 consisting of KASHII, TAMATSU, TOZAN, NISSHO, MAYASAN, MIZUHO, ARABIA, RAKUYO and NICHIRAN MARUs. The convoy is transporting the IJA's 5th Field Heavy Artillery and 58th Independent Mixed Brigade.
7 July 1944:
Formosa Straits. Convoy MOMA-01 is ordered to turn back to Keelung, Formosa.
9 July 1944:
Departs Keelung escorting MOMA-01. ARABIA MARU joins the convoy at this point.
12 July 1944:
Bashi Strait. At 0330, LtCdr (later Cdr) Walter P. Schoeni's (USNA ’31) USS APOGON (SS-308) fires a full bow spread of torpedoes MAYASAN MARU. Schoeni fails to damage her, but USS APOGON is rammed during the attack and forced to abort patrol. At 0720, LtCdr Harold E. Rubles' (USNA ’33) USS PIRANHA (SS-389) torpedoes and sinks NICHIRAN MARU at 18-50N, 122-40E. KASHII MARU rescues survivors, but 1,245 troops and 15 crewmen are KIA. The convoy seeks shelter in Aparri Harbor, Philippines.
13 July 1944:
At 0800, departs Aparri.
15 July 1944:
At 1400, arrives at Manila.
25 August 1944:
At 1650, CH-28 departs Manila escorting convoy HI-71 consisting of AZUSA, KYOKUTO, HOKKAI, ZUIHO, KYOKUHO and AWA MARUs also escorted by destroyer FUJINAMI, kaibokan HIRADO, KURAHASHI, MIKURA and CD-11. At 1845, KYOKUHO MARU develops engine trouble and drops behind escorted by FUJINAMI. Later, they catch up with the convoy.
1 September 1944:
At 1356, arrives at Singapore.
5 September 1944:
At 1900, convoy TAMA-25 departs Takao for Manila consisting of KOGYO, EIJI, MANSHU, EIMAN, ATSUTA, SHOKOKU, NANREI, ROZAN, EIMAN, TOYOOKA and HOKUSEN MARUs escorted by destroyers HATSUHARU, HIBIKI, kaibokan CD-1, CD-3, CD-7, CD-8, minesweeper W-20, subchaser CH-63, torpedo-boat HIYODORI and auxiliary subchaser CHa-67. The convoy is carrying reinforcements, equipment and ammunition for the defense of the Philippine Islands.
6 September 1944:
At about 0423, EIJI MARU carrying units of the Kwantung Army's 8th. Infantry Division and 2nd Tank Division, strikes a mine at 22-19N, 120-30E. HIBIKI comes alongside to assist, but also strikes a mine that severely damages her bow. She returns to Takao. At about 0500, EIJI MARU is ordered abandoned. At 0800, there is another explosion and EIJI MARU sinks. The ship is carrying a party of 2345 soldiers of the 2nd and 8th Army Divisions together with a full load of boxes of ammunition. 611 troops and six crewmen are killed, a total of 617 lost.
At 2050, USN codebreakers intercept and decrypt a message that reads: "Am having personnel rescued [from EIJI MARU] by Coast Defense Ship #28 transferred to HATSUHARU and HATSUHARU return to Takao as escort ship for HIBIKI. There are about 500 rescued survivors aboard HIBIKI."
9 September 1944:
At 0722, CH-28, CH-30 and CH-33 depart Miri, Borneo escorting a convoy consisting of OKIKAWA, KYOKUTO and KYOKUHO MARUs also escorted by destroyer SATSUKI. about 30 minutes after leaving port, KYOKUHO MARU suffers engine problems and returns to Miri. At 1117, CH-28 also reverses course and heads back to Miri.
15 September 1944:
At 1500, CH-28 departs Miri for Manila, Philippines with kaibokan, CD-8, CD-25 and CD-32 escorting convoy MIMA-11 consisting of TACHIBANA, URAL, YAMAMIZU No. 2, KYOKUHO, SHIKISAN, HOKKI, ZUIYO, TATSUHARU, TENSHIN, SHOEI (2764 gt), IMAHARU (ex-Dutch De KLERK), OMINE, and KYOEI MARU and SHINSEI MARU No. 1 and KYOEI MARU No. 6. The convoy hugs the coast calling at various small anchorages.

17 September 1944:
At 0700 departs Kimanis Bay. That same day at 1830, arrives at White Rocks Bay, NW Borneo, British Malaya (now Sabah, Malaysia).
18 September 1944:
At 0100 departs White Rocks Bay. That same day at 1800, arrives off Tarahican Island (Darahikan/Dalahican) between Palawan Island and Balabac Island.
19 September 1944:
At 0100 departs Tarahican Island. That same day at 0850, arrives at Eran Bay, Palawan island.
20 September 1944:
At 0400 departs Eran Bay. That same day at 1800, arrives at Saint Paul’s Bay, Palawan Island, Philippines.
21 September 1944:
At 0700 departs St Paul’s Bay. That same day at 1800, arrives at Bacuit Bay, Palawan Island.
24 September 1944:
At 0700 departs Bacuit Bay, but later returns at 1830.
25 September 1944:
At 0845 the convoy departs Bacuit Bay. Due to fears of air attacks on Manila KYOEI, SHIKISAN, TATSUHARU and TENSHIN MARUs and SHINSEI MARU No. 1 and KYOEI MARU No. 6 all detach, escorted by kaibokan CD-32. After escorting these MARUs to a safe zone CD-32 departs and joins the escort of convoy SHIMA-11. The convoy is now consisting of TACHIBANA, URAL, KYOKUHO, HOKKI, OMINE, ZUIYO MARUs, YAMAMIZU MARU No. 2 and likely SHOEI MARU (2764 gt)
26 September 1944:
At 0400 the detachment arrives back at Bacuit Bay. TATSUHARU MARU supplies coal for cooking to KYOEI MARU. Meanwhile the main convoy steams on.
27 September 1944:
At 0807, LtCdr (later Rear Admiral) Reuben T. Whitaker's (USNA ’34) USS FLASHER (SS-249) torpedoes and sinks URAL MARU at 15-32N, 117-16E. 144 passengers, five gunners and 40 out of 189 crew are killed. Two hours later, LtCdr Donald G. Baer's (USNA ’37) USS LAPON (SS-260) torpedoes and sinks HOKKI MARU at 15-50N, 117-41E. Two crewmen are killed.
28 September 1944:
At 1000, the convoy arrives at Santa Cruz.
30 September 1944:
At 0710 the convoy departs Santa Cruz.
1 October 1944:
At 0700, departs Santa Cruz. At 1100, LtCdr William C. Thompson's (USNA ’35)USS CABRILLA (SS-288) torpedoes and sinks ZUIYO MARU at 16-07N, 119-43E. 45 survivors of URAL MARU, two Gunners and 19 crewmen are KIA. At 1155, USS CABRILLA also torpedoes and sinks KYOKUHO MARU loaded with crude oil, at 16-11N, 119-44E. 43 of the 112 troops on board, nine watchmen and 66 crewmen are KIA.
2 October 1944:
Arrives at North San Feranando.
6 October 1944:
At 0618, CH-28, CH-30, CH-33 and CH-41 depart N San Fernando as part of escort of combined MATA-28 and MIMA-11 convoys consisting of KOHOKU, HOKUREI, BUNZAN, SHOEI (2764 gt), HOKUSEN, TERUKUNI, HISHIGATA and OMINE MARUs and SHINYO MARU No. 8 with oilers KAMOI and TACHIBANA MARU and YAMAMIZU MARU No. 2 escorted by kaibokan CD-8, CD-32 and CD-25, and minesweeper W-20.
At about 0800, LtCdr Henry C. Stevenson's (USNA ’30) USS ASPRO (SS-309) attacks the convoy. Stevenson fires three torpedoes by periscope at a tanker and claims one hit, but actually achieves no results. At 1530, LtCdr William C. Thompson's (USNA ’35) USS CABRILLA (SS-288) torpedoes HOKUREI MARU and YAMAMIZU MARU No. 2. YAMAMIZU MARU No. 2 sinks with the loss of 56 crewmen. Only two survivors are rescued. HOKUREI MARU is badly damaged and beached off Vigan. Five passengers and four crewmen are killed in the torpedo attack.
At 1830, the convoy retires to Lapoc Bay, Philippines.
7 October 1944:
At 0030, the rest of convoy departs except for TERUKUNI and OMINE MARUs and SHINYO MARU No. 8. CH-30 and CH-31 probably remain behind at Lapoc Bay. At 0600, TACHIBANA MARU and KAMOI accompanied by kaibokan CD-8 split off and forge ahead.
November 1944:
Reassigned to the Southwest Area Fleet. Escorts convoys between Formosa and the Philippines.
30 November 1944:
At 0900, CH-28, kaibokan IKUNA, KANJU, SHINNAN, CD-41, CD-66, destroyer ASAGAO and auxiliary subchaser CHa-223 depart Moji escorting a convoy consisting of CLYDE, BRAZIL, MEIRYU, HAWAII, ENOURA, TAII, KAMOI, ENGEN, ENCHO, AKIKAWA, KONAN and KAZUURA MARUs and HOSHI MARU No. 11 (JUICHISEI MARU) and KONAN MARU No. 1.
2 December 1944:
At 0400, LtCdr (later Cdr) Ralph C. Styles' (USNA ’33) USS SEA DEVIL (SS-400) torpedoes HAWAII MARU. On HAWAII MARU at the time were 1843 troops of 23rd Army Division and all of these together with 60 others, 83 gunners, and 148 crew were killed. There were no survivors documented. The ship was also carrying 60 Explosive Motor Boats (EMBs), gasoline and 50 motor vehicles when sunk. About 0430, Styles attacks AKIKAWA MARU loaded with 409 troops, structural steel and stores; hitting her with two torpedoes. At 0607, she sinks claiming about 300 lives. From AKIKAWA MARU 244 troops, seven gunners, 18 of the crew and one other man are KIA. KONAN MARU No. 1 rescues survivors from her. The convoy dissolves at sea with its ships making for various ports in the Ryukyus and Formosa.
1 February 1945:
Luzon Strait, Balintang Channel. CH-28 is escorting landing ship T-115 when they are attacked by 22 USAAF North American P-51 "Mustang" fighters of the 3rd and 4th Fighter Squadrons of the 3rd Air Commando Group. The planes drop 500 pound bombs and sink both CH-28 and T-115 at 20-00N, 121-00E.
30 September 1945:
Removed from the Navy List.

Authors' notes:
[1] The following month, Captain Lanphier is credited with downing Admiral Yamamoto's GM4 "Betty" over Bougainville. Later, the kill is credited to Lt Rex T. Barber.

Thanks go to reader Charles Bogart for info on the 3rd Air Commando Group. Thanks also go to Bill Somerville for info about the Buna landing.
Thanks also go to Tracy White for additional details on the 29 Mar '43 attack on Poporang Island, Shortlands in Revision 5. Finally thanks to Mr. Gilbert Casse of France for general assistance.

-Bob Hackett, Sander Kingsepp and Peter Cundall.

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