Japanese Auxiliary Gunboats

KOKAI HOKAN!

(DAIDO MARU, prewar)

IJN DAIDO MARU:
Tabular Record of Movement

© 2021 Gilbert Casse, Berend van der Wal and Peter Cundall

20 July 1935:
Uraga. Laid down by Uraga Senkyo K.K. shipyard as a 2,962-tons cargo ship for Osaka Shosen K.K.
19 August 1935:
Launched and named DAIDO MARU.
3 December 1935:
Completed and registered at Osaka. Her gross registered (GRT) tonnage and net registered tonnage (NRT) respectively are 2,962-tons and 1,724-tons. Her call sign is JZUH. [1]
1936:
Her NRT is changed to 1,725-tons. [1]
12 January 1939:
Departs Kobe for Seito (Tsingtao, now Qingdao, China).
26 January 1939:
Departs Kobe on N Chosen (now North Korea) service.
15 September 1940:
Requisitioned by the IJN.
1 November 1940:
Registered as an auxiliary gunboat with minelayer capabilities attached to the Sasebo Naval District under instruction No. 770. Navy LtCdr Moritomo Shinichi (40) is appointed CO. Transferreded to the Yokosuka Naval District under instruction No. 772.
5 November 1940:
Navy LtCdr Ichisubo Masao (45) is appointed CO.
15 November 1940:
Attached to Vice Admiral (later Admiral) Takasu Shiro’s (35) Fourth Fleet, 5th Base Force, 8th Gunboat Division under instruction No. 837.
18 December 1940:
Undocked.
28 December 1940:
Departs Yokosuka for the South Seas (Japanese Mandated Islands).
15 January 1941:
Arrives at Yokosuka. Attached to Vice Admiral (later Admiral) Takasu Shiro ‘s (35) 4th Fleet, in Rear Admiral (Vice Admiral posthumously) Yatsushiro Sukeyoshi ‘s (40) 6th Base Force, 8th Gunboat Division. Rated as an auxiliary gunboat engaged in minelaying under instruction No. 56.
4 February 1941:
Rated as gunboat No. 83.
12 February 1941:
Departs Yokosuka for the South Seas.
3 July 1941:
Departs Kwajalein, Marshalls.
4 July 1941:
Arrives at Jabor, Jaluit Atoll, Marshalls.
5 July 1941:
Lies alongside auxiliary gunboat NAGATA MARU. Loads coal.
6 July 1941:
Separates from auxiliary gunboat NAGATA MARU.
7 ~ 9 July 1941:
Alongside to auxiliary repair ship MATSUEI (ex-SHOEI (5,644 GRT)) MARU for bridge front panels repairs.
9 July 1941:
Undergoes outer hull fresh coating.
11 July 1941:
Loads coal.
12 ~ 13 July 1941:
Undergoes outer hull fresh coating.
14 July 1941:
Departs Jabor and arrives at Imiedji, Marshalls later this day.
16 July 1941:
Departs Imiedji and arrives at Jabor later that day.
18 July 1941:
Departs Jabor and returns there later this day.
22 July 1941:
Departs Jabor and returns to port later this day.
30 July 1941:
Loads coal.
1 August 1941:
Loads HQ mobile property.
3 August 1941:
Loads HQ mobile property.
6 ~ 7 August 1941:
Loads HQ mobile property.
9 August 1941:
Departs Jabor.
10 August 1941:
Arrives at Kwajalein.
11 August 1941:
Auxiliary collier/oiler ASAKAZE MARU supplies fresh water.
11 ~ 13 August 1941:
Unloads HQ mobile property. Auxiliary collier/oiler ASAKAZE MARU supplies fresh water.
12 August 1941:
Auxiliary water tanker TAIHOZAN MARU supplies fresh water.
13 ~ 14 August 1941:
Performs buoy setting work.
15 August 1941:
Departs Kwajalein.
16 August 1941:
Arrives at Jabor.
16 ~ 17 August 1941:
Loads six mobile properties.
18 August 1941:
Departs Jabor.
19 August 1941:
Arrives at Kwajalein.
19 ~ 20 August 1941:
Unloads six mobile properties. Auxiliary water tanker TAIHOZAN MARU supplies fresh water.
21 August 1941:
Departs Kwajalein.
22 August 1941:
Arrives at Jabor.
22 ~ 23 August 1941:
Loads six mobile properties.
25 August 1941:
Departs Jabor.
26 August 1941:
Arrives at Kwajalein.
26 ~ 27 August 1941:
Unloads six mobile properties. Auxiliary water tanker TAIHOZAN MARU supplies fresh water.
1 September 1941:
Attachment to 6th Base Force, 8th Gunboat Division is confirmed under Fourth Fleet Wireless No. 228.
7 September 1941:
Loads coal.
12 ~ 13 September 1941:
Undergoes fresh coating to inner and outer hull.
15 September 1941:
Undergoes fresh coating to inner and outer hull.
18 September 1941:
Auxiliary water tanker AMAKUSA MARU No. 1 supplies fresh water.
20 September 1941:
Navy (Resv) Lt Matsumoto Shiro is appointed Commanding Officer.
23 September 1941:
Departs Kwajalein.
24 September 1941:
Arrives at Imiedji. Departs there later that day.
25 September 1941:
Arrives at Jeh Island, Airingurapurapu Atoll (now Ailinglaplap Atoll).
27 September 1941:
Removes water base.
29 September 1941:
Departs Jeh Island.
30 September 1941:
Arrives at Beran (now Berangu) Passage, Airingurapurapu Atoll.
1 October 1941:
Departs Beran Passage and arrives at Jeh Island later this day. Removes water base.
2 October 1941:
Departs Jeh Island.
3 October 1941:
Arrives at Imiedji. Departs there for Kwajalein later that day.
4 October 1941:
Arrives at Kwajalein.
6 October 1941:
Departs Kwajalein escorting auxiliary gunboat CHOKAI MARU.
7 October 1941:
Arrives at Bikini, Marshalls.
10 October 1941:
New CO, Navy (Resv) Lt Matsumoto Shiro embarks.
11 October 1941:
Departs Bikini.
14 October 1941:
Auxiliary gunboat CHOKAI MARU runs aground on Minto Reef, Carolines. Arrives there later this day to provide assistance.
15 October 1941:
Attached to the 8th Gunboat Division under Wireless Order No. 1250.
19 October 1941:
Former CO Navy LtCdr Mitsuo Tsubotsu disembarks.
29 October 1941:
Takes over security duties from auxiliary repair ship MATSUE MARU standing by wrecked auxiliary gunboat CHOKAI MARU. Departs Minto Reef later that day.
30 October 1941:
Arrives at Truk, Central Carolines.
1 ~ 3 November 1941:
Loads coal.
3 November 1941:
Small vessel YACHIYO MARU and one other vessel supply fresh water. Departs Truk later this day.
4 November 1941:
Arrives at Minto Reef.
5 November 1941:
Auxiliary water tanker TATEYAMA MARU supplies boiler water.
6 November 1941:
Transfers security duties to auxiliary gunboat IKUTA MARU. Departs Minto Reef.
11 November 1941:
Arrives at Kwajalein.
13 November 1941:
Departs Kwajalein and arrives at Bigej (Begej), Kwajalein Atoll later that day. Performs a mine equipment test for Bigej mines.
15 November 1941:
Auxiliary water tanker AMAKUSA MARU No. 1 supplies fresh water.
23 November 1941:
Departs Bigej and arrives at Kwajalein later this day.
23 ~ 24 November 1941:
Auxiliary transport NAGISAN MARU supplies coal.
26 November 1941:
Departs Kwajalein and arrives at Jeh Island later that day.
27 November 1941:
Lays mines in Mezetcoku Passage.
28 November 1941:
Lays mines in S Passage.
29 November 1941:
Lays mines in E (Kubar) Passage.
30 November 1941:
Lays mines in Naucharin Passage. Departs Airingurapurapu Atoll later this day.
1 December 1941:
Rated as Sixth Base Force, 8th Gunboat Division, 2nd Squadron’s First Unit. Attached to Marshalls, Jaluit Defense Force minelaying unit, detached from 8th Gunboat Division and transferred to 2nd Squadron to organize the minelaying unit. Depart Jaluit to lay the Jaluit Atoll 1st and 9th minefield. Arrives at Jabor later that day.
3 December 1941:
Loads equipment for 6th Communication Squadron. Departs Jabor later this day.
4 December 1941:
Arrives at Kwajalein. Unloads equipment and materials and disembarks personnel for the 6th Communication Squadron.
6 December 1941:
Departs Kwajalein and arrives at Bigej later that day. Loads 30 Type 94 mines. Then departs Bigej on patrol.
10 December 1941:
Arrives at Mili, Marshalls. Lifts one floating mine. Later this day departs Mili on patrol.
18 December 1941:
Arrives at Mili. Blows up one floating mine.
19 December 1941:
Departs Mili on patrol.
20 December 1941:
Arrives at Jabor.
20 ~ 21 December 1941:
Loads coal.
22 December 1941:
Loads boiler water.
23 December 1941:
Departs Jabor and arrives at Imiedji later that day. Delivers 30 Type 94 mines to 51st Guard Unit.
24 December 1941:
Departs Imiedji on patrol and calls at Jabor. Departs there later that day.
26 December 1941:
Arrives at Jabor.
27 December 1941:
Embarks one POW from minelayer OKINOSHIMA and loads food.
28 December 1941:
Embarks seven POW from minelayer TSUGARU. Departs Jabor later this day.
29 December 1941:
Arrives at Kwajalein. Transfers eight POW to 6th Base Force Command.
30 December 1941:
Loads coal. Requests auxiliary repair ship MATSUE MARU to repair five anchor chains. Thereafter, transfers to auxiliary transport AKIBASAN MARU. AKIBASAN MARU supplies fuel and lubricating oil.
31 December 1941:
Rated as 6th Base Force, 8th Gunboat Division, 2nd Squadron.
3 January 1942:
Undergoes anchor chain repairs
5 January 1942:
Departs Kwajalein and arrives at Bigej later that day. Attached to Marshalls Defense Forces, Jaluit Defense Force. Unloads 76 Type No. 5 mines.
6 January 1942:
Departs Bigej and arrives at Kwajalein later this day.
7 January 1942:
Departs Kwajalein on patrol.
9 January 1942:
Arrives at Mili. Departs Mili and arrives at Rebiyoen (now Dobweoen), Mili Atoll later that day. Recovers two land mines.
10 January 1942:
Departs Rebiyoen and arrives at Arbar, Mili Atoll later this day. Blows up one land mine.
11 January 1942:
Departs Arbar on patrol.
13 January 1942:
Arrives at Jabor. Departs there on patrol later that day.
15 January 1942:
Arrives at Imiedji, Jaluit. Loads 300-tons of boiler water.
16 January 1942:
Departs Imiedji on patrol.
20 January 1942:
Arrives at Jabor.
21 January 1942:
Loads 72-tons of coal and 48-tons of boiler water.
22 January 1942:
Departs Jabor on patrol.
24 January 1942:
Arrives at Jabor. Departs there and arrives at Imiedji later this day.
28 January 1942:
Departs Imiedji on anti-submarine patrol.
30 January 1942:
Arrives at Jabor. Departs there and arrives at Imiedji later this day.
1 February 1942:
Departs Imiedji.
2 February 1942:
Arrives at Imiedji.
4 February 1942:
Departs Imiedji and arrives at Jabor later that day.
6 February 1942:
Departs Jabor and calls at Imiedji. Departs there later that day.
11 February 1942:
Arrives at Kwajalein.
12 February 1942:
Loads coal and fresh water.
13 February 1942:
Loads aviation fuel for Makin Air Base, Gilberts and loads coal. Departs Kwajalein later this day.
15 February 1942:
Arrives at Imiedji. Departs there later that day.
17 February 1942:
Arrives at Makin. Lies alongside auxiliary gunboat NAGATA MARU. Supplies her with fresh water and delivers material.
18 February 1942:
Unloads fuel for Makin Air Base.
20 February 1942:
Attached to Jaluit Sea Defense Force under Marshalls Defense Forces Wireless Command No. 74.
23 ~ 25 February 1942:
Undergoes fresh coating to inner and outer hull.
26 February 1942:
Lies alongside auxiliary gunboat NAGATA MARU. Supplied with fresh water. Departs Makin later this day.
28 February 1942:
Arrives at unknown location Ka-Mi-Sun (?) Departs there and arrives at Jabor later that day. Loads aviation fuel for Makin Air Base and loads fresh water.
1 March 1942:
Departs Jabor.
3 March 1942:
Arrives at Makin.
3 ~ 4 March 1942:
Unloads aviation fuel for Makin Air Base
6 ~ 8 March 1942:
Loads empty aviation fuel drums.
9 March 1942:
Departs Makin.
11 March 1942:
Arrives at Jabor.
14 March 1942:
Departs Jabor and arrives at Imiedji later this day. Unloads empty aviation fuel drums.
15 March 1942:
Loads aviation fuel for Makin Air Base.
16 March 1942:
Departs Imiedji.
18 March 1942:
Arrives at Makin. Unloads aviation fuel for Makin Air Base
20 March 1942:
Departs Makin.
21 March 1942:
Arrives at Tarawa, Gilberts. Departs there later that day.
22 March 1942:
Arrives at Makin.
23 March 1942:
Loads empty aviation fuel drums. Departs Makin later this day.
25 March 1942:
Arrives at Jabor. Loads coal.
26 March 1942:
Loads fresh water.
27 March 1942:
Departs Jabor and arrives at Imiedji later that day.
28 March 1942:
Unloads empty aviation fuel drums.
29 March 1942:
Loads aviation fuel for Makin Air Base. Departs Imiedji later this day.
31 March 1942:
Arrives at Makin.
31 March ~ 1 April 1942:
Unloads aviation fuel for Makin Air Base.
2 April 1942:
Loads empty aviation fuel drums.
5 April 1942:
Departs Makin.
7 April 1942:
Arrives at Jabor.
9 April 1942:
Departs Jabor and arrives at Imiedji later that day.
21 April 1942:
Loads aviation fuel for Makin Air Base. Departs Imiedji later this day.
23 April 1942:
Arrives at Makin.
24 ~25 April 1942:
Unloads aviation fuel for Makin Air Base.
25 April 1942:
Departs Makin.
27 April 1942:
Arrives at Jabor.
27 ~ 28 April 1942:
Loads coal.
30 April 1942:
Departs Jabor and arrives at Kwajalein later this day. Loads fresh water.
1 May 1942:
Departs Kwajalein.
13 May 1942:
Arrives at Yokosuka.
16 May 1942:
Transfers to Yokohama.
18 May 1942:
Enters Mitsubishi Heavy Industries K.K. shipyard 2nd drydock for maintenance and repairs.
21 May 1942:
Undocked.
22 May 1942:
Lies alongside to auxiliary aircraft transport KANTO MARU.
1 June 1942:
Loads boiler water.
6 June 1942:
Transfers to Yokosuka.
8 ~ 9 June 1942:
Fitted with a new bulletproof plate around the MG platform. Loads ammunition and coal.
10 ~ 11 June 1942:
Loads boiler water and food.
12 June 1942:
Rated as a fighting unit under Marshalls Defense Forces Wireless Command No. 106.
13 June 1942:
Departs Yokosuka.
26 June 1942:
Arrives at Kwajalein.
27 June 1942:
Loads coal.
28 June 1942:
Departs Kwajalein.
29 June 1942:
Arrives at Imiedji.
3 July 1942:
Loads food.
6 July 1942:
Departs Imiedji.
7 July 1942:
Arrives at Ebon, Marshalls. Departs there and engages in anti-submarine warfare: drops eight Type 95 DCs and fires 14 12cm rounds. Arrives at Makin later this day.
10 July 1942:
Detached from the 8th Gunboat Division under instruction No. 1215. Attached to Vice Admiral (later Admiral) Inoue Shigeyoshi’s (37) Fourth Fleet, 6th Base Force. Departs Makin that same day.
11 July 1942:
Arrives at Mili. Depart there and calls at Imiedji. Departs there and returns to port later this day.
30 July 1942:
Departs Imiedji.
31 July 1942:
Arrives at Kwajalein.
1 August 1942:
Departs Kwajalein.
2 August 1942:
Arrives at Jaluit.
5 August 1942:
Rated as a Marshalls Defense Unit Fighting Unit.
14 August 1942:
Departs Jaluit.
15 August 1942:
Arrives at Mili.
17 August 1942:
Departs Mili.
18 August 1942:
Arrives at Imiedji.
19 August 1942:
Departs Imiedji.
21 August 1942:
Arrives at Makin. Lands a troop party.
23 August 1942:
Departs Makin.
24 August 1942:
Arrives at Jaluit.
29 August 1942:
Attached to Apamama (now Abemama), Gilberts, Nauru and Ocean (Banaba, now Tapiwa) invasion unit. Departs Jaluit that same day.
30 August 1942:
Arrives at Makin.
31 August 1942:
Departs Makin.
2 September 1942:
Arrives at Apamama. Supports the landing and thereafter departs.
3 September 1942:
Arrives at Tarawa.
14 September 1942:
Departs Tarawa and joins convoy No. 6 consisting of auxiliary ammunition ship HITACHI MARU, auxiliary collier KAMOI MARU and auxiliary gunboat SHOTOKU MARU escorted by destroyer YUZUKI and auxiliary subchasers SHONAN MARU No. 3 and FUMI MARU No. 3. Later that day, at 1500, the convoy arrives at Tarawa.
15 September 1942:
At 1300, departs Tarawa.
16 September 1942:
Arrives at Apamama. Lands 76th Yokosuka Special Naval Landing Force (SNLF) Apamama Detachment. Departs there later that day.
17 September 1942:
Arrives at Tarawa. Departs there later this day.
19 September 1942:
Arrives at Ocean. Departs there later that day.
21 September 1942:
Arrives at Imiedji. Departs there later this day.
24 September 1942:
Arrives at Tarawa. Departs there later that day.
25 September 1942:
Arrives at Maiana, Gilberts.
26 September 1942:
Departs Maiana.
27 September 1942:
Arrives at Nonouti, Gilberts. Departs there later this day.
29 September 1942:
Arrives at Kuria, Gilberts. Departs there later that day.
30 September1942:
Arrives at Tarawa.
1 October 1942:
Departs Tarawa.
3 October 1942:
Arrives at Beru, Gilberts. Departs there and arrives at Nonouti later this day.
4 October 1942:
Rated as a Marshalls Defense Unit, fighting unit. Departs Nonouti that same day.
5 October 1942:
Arrives at Tarawa.
6 October 1942:
Departs Tarawa.
8 October 1942:
Arrives at Jaluit.
12 October 1942:
Attached to Marshalls Guard Unit.
14 October 1942:
Detached from Marshalls Guard Unit.
18 October 1941:
Departs Jaluit.
19 October 1942:
Arrives at Kwajalein.
25 October 1942:
Departs Kwajalein.
26 October 1942:
Arrives at Imiedji.
28 October 1942:
Departs Imiedji.
30 October 1942:
Arrives at Makin.
2 November 1942:
Departs Makin.
4 November 1942:
Arrives at Imiedji.
1 November 1942:
Navy (Resv) Lt Matsumoto Shiro is confirmed as CO.
4 November 1942:
Departs Imiedji.
6 November 1942:
Arrives at Kwajalein.
7 November 1942:
Departs Kwajalein.
9 November 1942:
Arrives at Eniwetok (Brown), Marshalls.
11 November 1942:
Departs Eniwetok. Arrives at Bogon, Eniwetok.
20 November 1942:
Departs Eniwetok.
21 November 1942:
Arrives at Bikini.
16 November 1942:
Departs Bikini.
17 November 1942:
Arrives at Rongelap, Marshalls.
27 November 1942:
Departs Rongelap.
28 November 1942:
Arrives at Kwajalein.
4 January 1943:
Departs Kwajalein.
5 January 1943:
Arrives at Rongelap.
6 January 1942:
Departs Rongelap.
7 January 1943:
Arrives at Bikini.
8 January 1943:
Departs Bikini.
9 January 1943:
Arrives at Eniwetok. Departs there later that day.
12 January 1942:
Arrives at Kwajalein.
13 January 1943:
Departs Kwajalein.
15 January 1943:
Arrives at Jaluit.
16 January 1943:
Departs Jaluit.
17 January 1943:
Arrives at Ailinglaplap, Marshalls.
20 January 1943:
Departs Ailinglaplap.
21 January 1943:
Arrives at Kwajalein.
15 February 1942:
Attached to Kwajalein Defense Force under Marshalls Defense Force Command Order No. 1.
28 February 1943:
Departs Kwajalein searching for missing auxiliary transport SHINKOKU MARU (3,991 GRT). [2]
7 March 1943:
Arrives at Kwajalein.
13 April 1943:
OHARA MARU supplies fresh water.
23 April 1943: At 1450, arrives at Kwajalein. 29 April 1943:
Departs Kwajalein.
1 May 1943:
Arrives at Eniwetok.
6 May 1943:
Departs Eniwetok and arrives at Meriren (Parry, now Medren), Eniwetok later this day.
7 May 1943:
Departs Meriren.
9 May 1943:
Arrives at Meriren.
10 May 1943:
Departs Meriren and arrives at Eniwetok later that day.
12 May 1943:
Departs Eniwetok.
15 May 1943:
Arrives at Kwajalein.
17 May 1943:
Auxiliary patrol boat FUKUGAMI No. 1 supplies fresh water.
20 May 1943:
At 0316, departs Kwajalein with auxiliary subchaser SHONAN MARU No. 11.
21 May 1943:
Arrives at Taroa, Maloelap, Marshalls.
21 ~ 24 May 1943:
Loads torpedoes.
24 May 1943:
At 0300, departs Taroa.
28 May 1943:
At 0600, arrives at Otoroshima (Wake).
28 May 1943:
Unloads torpedoes. Departs Otoroshima later that day.
1 June 1943:
At 1015, arrives at Kwajalein.
1 July 1943:
Navy (Resv) Lt Matsumoto Shiro is confirmed as CO.
July 1943:
At Kwajalein.
1 August 1943:
Navy (Resv) LtCdr Shimizu Shiro is appointed CO.
19 August 1943:
Departs Kwajalein and arrives at Roi, Kwajalein later this day.
22 August 1943:
Departs Roi and arrives at Kwajalein later that day.
25 August 1943:
At 0800, departs Kwajalein with auxiliary netlayer KATSURA MARU and auxiliary subchaser SHONAN MARU No. 7 escorting convoy No. 6252 consisting of IJN general requisitioned ship (B-AK) KENSHIN MARU. The convoy sails at 9.5 knots.
31 August 1943:
Arrives at Truk.
4 September 1943:
Departs Truk. Possibly joins convoy No. 4908 but unconfirmed.
19 September 1943:
Arrives at Yokohama.
October 1943:
Rated as a 6th Base Force, auxiliary gunboat and minelayer. Rated as a Marshalls Defense Unit, fighting unit under Marshalls Defense Force Order No. 10.
4 October 1943:
Departs Truk.
15 October 1943:
Arrives at Yokosuka.
19 October 1943:
Transfers to Yokohama.
14 November 1943:
At 0800, departs Yokosuka in convoy No. 3114A also consisting of IJN general requisitioned ship (B-AK) TATEBE MARU escorted by kaibokan MIKURA.
27 November 1943:
At 0950, arrives at Truk.
4 December 1943:
At 1430, departs Truk in convoy No. 5012 also consisting of TATEBE MARU escorted by auxiliary minesweeper Wa-6. About 135 nautical miles NNE Ponape, Cdr Walter P. Schoeni's (USNA '31) USS APOGON (SS-308) fires three torpedoes of which two hit DAIDO MARU, one hits the stern, the other hits near the foremast. She sinks in eight minutes at 09-06N, 159-02E 250.
5 February 1944:
Removed from the Navy’s list under instruction No. 305.

Authors' Notes:
[1] NRT is a ship's cargo volume capacity expressed in "register tons", one of which equals to a volume of 100 cubic feet (2.83 m3). It is calculated by subtracting non-revenue-earning spaces i.e. spaces not available for carrying cargo, for example engine rooms, fuel tanks and crew quarters, from the ship's gross register tonnage (GRT). Net register tonnage (NRT) is not a measure of the weight of the ship or its cargo, and should not be confused with terms such as deadweight tonnage or displacement.
[2] SHINKOKU MARU was reported missing after 18 February. Most sources credit LtCdr Phillip H. Ross’s (USNA ’27) USS HALIBUT (SS-232) for the sinking, probably 280 nautical miles NW of Eniwetok Atoll, at 15-09N, 159-30E. Another source states the ship was en-route to Kwajalein from Ponape when sunk. Casualties also are contradictory. Most sources state the ship sank with all hands but some Japanese source reports only 11 crewmen KIA.
Thanks go to Gengoro S. Toda of Japan.

- Gilbert Casse, Berend van der Wal and Peter Cundall.

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