Japanese Transports

ZATSUYOSEN!

(HIYOSHI MARU, prewar – Cundall Collection)

IJN HIYOSHI MARU No. 2 GO:
Tabular Record of Movement

© 2014 Gilbert Casse, Bob Hackett and Peter Cundall

15 June 1936:
Tsurumi. Laid down by Seittsu Zosen K.K. shipyard for Konan Kisen K.K. as a 1,287-tons cargo ship.
7 October 1936:
Launched and named HIYOSHI MARU.
10 November 1936:
Completed and registered in Tokyo.
17 June ~ 10 August 1938:
Chartered to Nippon Suisan K.K.
5 December 1941:
Requisitioned by the IJN.
6 December 1941:
Starts conversion to military duty at Uraga Dock K.K. shipyard.
20 December 1941:
Registered in the IJN as an auxiliary gunboat attached to the Yokosuka Naval District under instruction No. 1700. Assigned from 25 December to Yokosuka Naval District Guard Force, Coastal Guard Squadron under instruction No. 29. Reserve Lt Kobayashi Masaharu is appointed CO.
31 December 1941:
The conversion is completed. Renamed that same day HIYOSHI MARU No. 2 GO under Navy’s instruction No. 12675. Assignment confirmed to Yokosuka Naval District Guard Force, Coastal Guard Squadron under Yokosuka Naval District secret instruction No. 31.
6 January 1942:
Departs Uraga, Kanagawa Prefecture on trials outside Tokyo Wan (Bay) and arrives back there later in the day.
8 January 1942:
Departs Uraga and arrives at Tateyama, Chiba Prefecture. Departs there escorting auxiliary transport KENSHO MARU.
9 January 1942:
Ends escort and engages in ASW sweep and crew rescue for Government requisitioned cargo ship (C-AK) TEIAN (ex-Italian VENEZIA GIUILA) MARU.
11 January 1942:
Arrives at Uraga.
12 January 1942:
Departs Uraga. Engages in ASW sweep about 22 nautical miles from Nojima-Zaki.
13 January 1942:
Arrives at Nagaura, Chiba Prefecture.
15 January 1942:
Departs Nagaura and arrives at Uraga.
17 January 1942:
Departs Uraga escorting auxiliary transport TENRYU MARU.
18 January 1942:
Arrives back at Uraga.
20 January 1942:
Departs Uraga and meets auxiliary storeships CHICHIBU and CHIYO MARUs that have departed Yokosuka, and starts escorting them. At an unknown point HIYOSHI MARU No. 2 GO detaches and returns to Uraga.
21 January 1942:
Arrives back at Uraga.
22 January 1942:
Departs Uraga escorting auxiliary storeship TAKUNAN MARU.
23 January 1942:
Arrives back at Uraga.
26 January 1942:
Departs Uraga.
26 ~ 28 January 1942:
Engages in ASW sweep about 11 nautical miles off Oshima Mountain.
28 January 1942:
Arrives at Yokosuka. Assignment confirmed to Yokosuka Naval District Guard Force, Coastal Guard Squadron under Yokosuka Naval District secret instruction No. 45.
31 January 1942:
Departs Yokosuka and arrives at Uraga later that day.
2 February 1942:
Reserve Lt Tasaki Sueo is appointed CO.
5 February 1942:
Departs Uraga.
6 February 1942:
Arrives in Hachijo-Jima, Ogasawara Gunto (Bonins) waters. Departs there later in the day.
7 February 1942:
Arrives at Uraga.
13 February 1942:
Departs Uraga on ASW sweep.
14 February 1942:
Assists in refloating auxiliary patrol craft NITTO MARU No. 1 stranded on a reef. Arrives at Uraga later that day.
15 February 1942:
Departs Uraga on ASW sweep and arrives back there later that same day.
17 February 1942:
Departs Uraga.
17 ~ 18 February 1942:
Patrols on ‘M’ picket line.
18 February 1942:
Arrives at Yokosuka.
20 February 1942:
Departs Yokosuka and arrives at Uraga later in the day.
21 February 1942:
Departs Uraga.
21 ~ 23 February 1942:
Patrols off Nojima coast.
23 February 1942:
Arrives at Uraga.
24 February 1942:
Instructed to patrol off Yokosuka from 25 Feb at 0900, under Coastal Defence secret instruction No. 4 and to troop transport mission to Miyake, Mikura and Hachijo-Jima under instruction No. 65.
25 February 1942:
Departs Uraga and arrives at Yokosuka later that day.
27 February 1942:
Departs Yokosuka.
28 February 1942:
Arrives in Hachijo-Jima waters. Departs there later that day.
1 March 1942:
Arrives at Mikura-Jima, Izu Shoto (Islands). Departs there and arrives at Niijima, Izu Shoto later in the day.
2 March 1942:
Departs Niijima.
3 March 1942:
Arrives at Nagaura.
4 March 1942:
Assigned to escort mission South route under Coastal Defence secret instruction No. 28. At 1430, off Futtsu coast. Scheduled to complete the second consecutive round trip to Mikura-Jima within 2400.
5 March 1942:
Departs Uraga heading South escorting auxiliary transport AZUMA MARU.
6 March 1942:
Arrives in Mikura-Jima waters and reverses course East, arriving back at Uraga later in the day. Departs there again, arrives off Futtsu coast, engages in ASW sweep and provides indirect escort to a convoy.
7 March 1942:
Arrives in Mikura-Jima waters and reverses course East, arriving back at Uraga later that same day.
9 March 1942:
Departs Uraga, arrives off Futtsu coast. Departs there and escorts Fleet auxiliary oiler SHIRETOKO.
10 March 1942:
Arrives off Minato coast. Departs there and escorts auxiliary transport SHIROGANE MARU coming from Mikura-Jima. Later that day, patrols between Oshima and Nojima.
11 March 1942:
Arrives at Uraga.
12 March 1942:
Departs Uraga and arrives at Tateyama later that day.
13 March 1942:
Departs Tateyama and arrives off Futtsu coast. Departs there later that day for Mikura-Jima. That same day, instructed to escort auxiliary transport KENSHO MARU and on her way back from Wake Island, auxiliary storeship CHICHIBU MARU under Coastal Defence secret instruction No. 685.
14 March 1942:
Arrives at Mikura-Jima. Departs there to escort auxiliary storeship CHICHIBU MARU. About 30 nautical miles SW of Mikura-Jima. At 0620, LtCdr (later Cdr) Donald McGregor’s (USNA ’26) USS GAR (SS-206) hits with two torpedoes and set afire CHICHIBU MARU. The hulk drifts and later sink at 33-50N, 139-32E with the loss of four crewmen and 22 passengers. HIYOSHI MARU No. 2 GO rescues 58 crewmen and passengers.
15 March 1942:
Arrives at Yokosuka.
19 March 1942:
Departs Yokosuka and arrives at Uraga later in the day.
20 March 1942:
Departs Uraga. Engages for the first time in gunnery drill with Coastal Defence Forces and arrives back at Uraga later that day.
24 March 1942:
Departs Uraga escorting South auxiliary collier SHIN YUBARI MARU.
25 March 1942:
Arrives back at Uraga. Assigned that same day to patrol between Ishinomaki Wan (Bay) and Inubo Saki under Coastal Defence telegram No. 35. Departs Uraga and engages in ASW sweep N of Inubo Saki.
26 March 1942:
Arrives at Ishinomaki, Miyagi Prefecture.
28 March 1942:
Departs Ishinomaki. Patrols between Kinkasan and Shiogama and arrives back at Ishinomaki later that day.
30 March 1942:
Departs Ishinomaki. Patrols between Kinkasan and Shiogama and arrives back at Ishinomaki later that same day.
31 March 1942:
Assigned to patrol off Ishinomaki Wan under Coastal Defence secret telegram No. 792. Departs Ishinomaki.
1 April 1942:
Assignment confirmed to Yokosuka Naval District Guard Force, Coastal Guard Squadron under Yokosuka Naval District secret instruction No. 72/1. Assigned to ASW sweep in No. 5 picket line zone under Coastal Defence secret instruction No. 801.
2 April 1942:
Arrives at Nagaura.
9 April 1942:
Assigned to departs Yokosuka 10 April and patrol ‘O’ and ‘Q’ picket lines under Coastal Defence secret telegram No. 854.
10 April 1942:
Assignment confirmed to Yokosuka Naval District Guard Force, Coastal Guard Squadron under Yokosuka Naval District secret instruction No. 74. Departs Nagaura. Later that day, assigned to ASW sweep in ‘O’ picket line under Coastal Defence telegram No. 858. Engages in ASW sweep.
11 April 1942:
On patrol in ‘O’ picket line.
12 April 1942:
Again on patrol in ‘O’ picket line.
13 April 1942:
Arrives at Uraga.
17 April 1942:
Departs Uraga. Engages in ASW sweep in ‘M’ picket line. Assigned that same day to patrol 4th and 5th picket lines under Coastal Defence secret telegram No. 907.
18 April 1942:
Assigned to patrol 4th and 5th picket lines under Coastal Defence secret telegram No. 924. At 2020, about five nautical miles SSW Shuno lighthouse, engages in ASW combat and drops four DCs. Later that same day, assigned to patrol ESE off Inubo Saki under Coastal Defence secret telegram No. 930.
19 April 1942:
Assigned to ASW sweep from outside Uraga to 5th, ‘K’, ‘M’ and ‘T’ picket lines.
21 April 1942:
Assigned to patrol Tokyo Wan (Bay) waters from 1300 to 1600 under Coastal Defence secret telegram No. 972.
25 April 1942:
On patrol off Izu Peninsula. Arrives at Uraga later in the day.
1 May 1942:
Assignment confirmed to Yokosuka Naval District Guard Force, Coastal Guard Squadron under Yokosuka Naval District secret instruction No. 78.
2 May 1942:
Departs Yokosuka.
2 ~ 3 May 1942:
On ASW sweep.
4 May 1942:
Assigned to ASW sweep in ‘O’ picket line under Coastal Defence secret instruction No. 80. On patrol in ‘O’ picket line later that day.
5 May 1942:
On patrol off Izu Peninsula. Later that day, on patrol off Minato coast and later that same day off Niijima East coast.
6 May 1942:
Assigned to provide distant escort to auxiliary collier KAMOI MARU and auxiliary collier/oiler IWASHIRO MARU under Coastal Defence secret instruction No. 108. After mission completion, assigned to patrol ‘OP’ picket line and off Niijima, Shimoda, etc.
Departs Uraga. Patrols off the Izu Peninsula. Together with auxiliary minelayer TAKACHIHO MARU meets up and escorts auxiliary collier KAMOI MARU and auxiliary collier/oiler IWASHIRO MARU.
7 May 1942:
Resumes escort of KAMOI and IWASHIRO MARUs and arrives at Shimoda, Shizuoka Prefecture later in the day.
8 May 1942:
On patrol off Izu Peninsula. Arrives back at Shimoda later in the day.
9 May 1942:
Departs Shimoda and patrols ‘OQ’ picket line.
10 May 1942:
Patrols ‘OQ’ picket line.
11 May 1942:
On patrol near Hachijo-Jima. Meets up and escorts German cargo ship blockade runner TANNENFELS later in the day en route to Yokohama.
12 May 1942:
Patrols ‘OQ’ picket line and arrives at port later in the day.
13 May 1942:
Departs Shimoda.
15 May 1942:
Assigned to Chinkai Guard District, Chinkai Guard Force, under Navy’s secret instruction No. 39. Patrols off Futtsu coast and later meets up and escorts auxiliary oiler SAN RAMON MARU and IJA transport SHUNSHO MARU and departs from off Futtsu escorting them at 1030. Arrives back off port later in the day.
16 May 1942:
At anchorage. Patrols off Futtsu and later meets up and escorts South a convoy that departed Shibaura at 1430 consisting of auxiliary transport KENSHO MARU and auxiliary storeship CHIYO MARU.
17 May 1942:
Off Futtsu and later at anchorage.
18 May 1942:
Weighs anchor. Assigned that same day from 19 May 1030 to 2400, to escort civilian cargo ships (C-AK) MISHIMA and KOWA (4,520 GRT) MARUs and IJN requisitioned cargo ship (B-AK) KYOWA MARU off Futtsu under Coastal Defence secret telegram No. 210.
19 May 1942:
Off Futtsu. Later on convoy escort and return to off Futtsu later that same day.
22 May 1942:
Off Futtsu. At 1430, departs there escorting a southbound convoy consisting of auxiliary oiler KYOKUYO MARU bound for Saipan and then Rabaul, and auxiliary transport TOYO MARU No. 2 and civilian cargo ship (C-AK) KAIRYU MARU, the latter two bound for Chichi-Jima.
25 May 1942:
On patrol duties off Hachijo-Jima and other Izu Shoto islands.
26 May 1942:
On patrol duties in Oshima waters.
27 May 1942:
Arrives at Uraga. Departs later.
28 May 1942:
Early that day, departs Tokyo Wan (Bay) escorting a westbound convoy consisting of IJA transports SHINRYU (ex-auxiliary transport) and BELGIUM MARUs. Arrives at Yokosuka later that day. Departs later.
29 May 1942:
About six nautical miles WSW of Kazehaya Saki. Following a submarine sighting report from Tateyama Naval Air Corps aircraft, engages in ASW combat and drops two DCs.
30 May 1942:
Assigned to patrol off Kazehaya for potential enemy threat under Coastal Defence secret instruction No. 320. Engages in ASW sweep and at 1500, meets up with auxiliary netlayer KOKAI MARU. Arrives outside Nagaura port later in the day. Loads supplies.
31 May 1942:
Departs Nagaura. Engages in ASW sweep between Oshima and Niijima. Assigned to patrol between Niijima and Oshima the coming night under Coastal Defence secret telegram No. 334.
1 June 1942:
Arrives at Uraga.
7 June 1942:
Departs Uraga. Escorts IJA transports TAIAN and TOYO MARUs, civilian cargo ship (C-AK) KIYOTADA MARU and IJN requisitioned cargo ship (B-AK) KOJUN MARU. Arrives at Shimoda later in the day.
8 June 1942:
Departs Shimoda.
9 June 1942:
Escorts IJA transports YASUKUNI, YUKI and SHICHISEI MARUs, IJN shared cargo ship (B/C-AK) TETSUYO MARU, civilian cargo ship (C-AK) TSUKUSHI MARU No. 2 and civilian passenger/cargo ship (C-APK) GENBU MARU.
10 June 1942:
Escorts IJA transports MEIZAN (ex-Norwegian VEN-KOH), TASMANIA, HOKUTAI, TOUN, TAIKO and HARUNA MARUs and civilian cargo ship (C-AK) MUNAKATA MARU. Arrives off Shimoda coast later that day.
12 June 1942:
Departs Tokyo Wan (Bay) escorting a convoy consisting of IJA transports FUKUJU, KOSHU, KOKURYU, SEIWA and ASOSAN MARUs and civilian cargo ship (C-AK) KASUGASAN MARU.
13 June 1942:
Escorts IJA transport ASO MARU.
14 June 1942:
Arrives at Yokosuka.
15 June 1942:
Assigned to Chinkai Guard District, Chinkai Guard Force under Yokosuka Naval District secret instruction No. 99 and instruction No. 42. Departs Yokosuka later in the day.
17 June 1942:
Departs Tokyo Wan escorting a westbound convoy consisting of IJA transports HORAI and SHORYU MARUs, government cable ship (C-ARC) NANYO MARU and civilian ore carrier (C-AC) TSUKUSHI MARU.
19 June 1942:
Arrives outside port.
20 June 1942:
Departs Tokyo Wan escorting a westbound convoy consisting of auxiliary transport KIZUGAWA MARU bound for Yawata, and IJA transports KISHUN and GOSEI and MARUs.
22 June 1942:
Departs Tokyo Wan escorting a westbound convoy consisting only of government owned cargo ship (C-AK) TAI (ex-Greek VALENTINE) MARU.
23 June 1942:
Arrives at Uraga.
24 June 1942:
Departs Uraga and meets up with and escorts a westbound convoy consisting of auxiliary storeship MINATO MARU and IJA transports HINO MARU No. 1, HORAI, SHINWA, TOUN and YAMAZURU MARUs.
25 June 1942:
Arrives at Nagaura.
26 June 1942:
Departs Nagaura and arrives at Uraga later that day. Assigned to escort a northbound convoy until 2400, under Coastal Defence secret telegram No. 521. Departs Uraga later that same day.
27 June 1942:
Escorts the northbound convoy consisting of auxiliary transport TAMASHIMA MARU bound for Otaru, IJA shared transport A/C-AK) YOSHU MARU and civilian cargo ship (C-AK) TSUKUSHI MARU No. 2.
28 June 1942:
Calls at Tateyama. Departs there and arrives at Uraga later that same day.
29 June 1942:
Tethered to shore.
21 July 1942:
Departs Uraga. Escorts a northbound convoy.
22 July 1942:
On convoy escort.
24 July 1942:
On convoy escort.
25 July 1942:
On convoy escort.
27 July 1942:
Assigned to escort the 28th southbound convoy under Coastal Defence instruction No. 788 consisting of auxiliary transport KAIHEI MARU and civilian passenger/cargo ship (C-APK) SHIBASONO MARU.
28 July 1942:
Assigned to escort the 29th westbound convoy consisting of auxiliary oiler KYOEI MARU No. 2 and civilian cargo (C-AK) KASUGASAN MARU under Coastal Defence secret instruction No. 794.
29 July 1942:
At 1030, departs off Futtsu, Tokyo Wan escorting the 29th westbound convoy auxiliary oiler KYOEI MARU No. 2 and civilian cargo (C-AK) KASUGASAN MARU. Assigned to escort the 30th northbound convoy under Coastal Defence secret instruction under Coastal Defence secret instruction No. 802.
30 July 1942:
Escorts the 30th northbound convoy consisting of IJA transports TAIKAI, UCHIDE, CHOSEN and HITORA (ex-Panamanian RAMONA) MARUs and IJN requisitioned cargo ship (B-AK) MEIWA MARU.
31 July 1942:
Assigned to escort the 1st westbound convoy under Coastal Defence secret instruction No. 814. After mission completion scheduled to get replenishment at Yokosuka.
1 August 1942:
At 1030, departs off Futtsu escorting a convoy consisting of auxiliary oiler KIYO MARU IJA transport SHICHISEI MARU is meant to join but drops out of the convoy. Arrives back at Yokosuka later that day.
4 August 1942:
Departs Yokosuka.
5 August 1942:
Escorts a westbound convoy consisting of auxiliary transport KIMPOSAN MARU and another unidentified ship. Assigned that same day to escort the 6th northbound convoy consisting of IJA transports BIFUKU and KOSEI MARUs under Coastal Defence secret instruction No. 841. Arrives at Uraga later that day.
9 August 1942:
Departs Uraga. Engages in gunnery fire drill outside Tokyo Wan. Later that day, escorts a westbound convoy consisting of government owned cargo ship (C-AK) REIAN (ex-American (P.I.) LEPUS) MARU, IJA transport GOSEI MARU and auxiliary transport HIYOSHI MARU.
10 August 1942:
Escorts a northbound convoy consisting of IJA transports TAIKAI and SHANGHAI MARUs, IJN requisitioned cargo ship YUKIKAWA MARU, civilian collier (C-AC) TSUKUSHI MARU and civilian cargo ship KOSHIN MARU.
12 August 1942:
Escorts a northbound convoy from Kinkasan to seven nautical miles E of Hachinohe, Aomori Prefecture. (This is possibly the same convoy as the 10 August entry or could be the convoy consisting of HIBI, TOHO, TAIBUN and RYO MARUs that was originally escorted by auxiliary gunboat DELHI MARU).
14 August 1942:
Arrives at Nagaura.
29 August 1942:
Departs Nagaura. At 1200, departs from off Futtsu escorting a northbound convoy consisting of IJN requisitioned cargo ship (B-AK) SEIKO MARU, government owned cargo ship (C-AK) REIAN (ex-American (P.I.) LEPUS) MARU, government owned cargo ship (C-AK) MINAMI (ex-Panamanian CAPELLA) MARU, IJA transports HITORA (ex-Panamanian RAMONA), SAIHO, NIIGATA, SHOGEN, REIYO, and WOOSUNG MARUs and TAMON MARU No. 5.
30 August 1942:
At 1200, departs off Futtsu escorting a convoy consisting of government owned cargo ships (C-AK) TAI (ex-GreekVALENTINE) MARU and KONRI GO.
31 August 1942:
At 1200, departs off Futtsu escorting a northbound convoy consisting of IJA transports TAIKYU, SHUNSHO, SHORYU, KATSURAGISAN and CHINZEI MARUs. KATSURAGISAN MARU drops out of the convoy. Arrives at Uraga later in the day.
2 September 1942:
Undergoes maintenance.
3 September 1942:
Departs Uraga. At 1000, departs from off Futtsu escorting a northbound convoy consisting of government owned cargo ship (C-AK) TAI (ex-Greek VALENTINE) MARU and IJA transports TSUKIKAWA and ATAGO MARUs. Later that day assigned to search and destroy an enemy submarine under Coastal Defence radio-transmission No. 2220.
4 September 1942:
Engages in ASW sweep. At 1400, escorts a convoy consisting of civilian passenger/cargo ship (C-APK) HOZAN MARU, IJA transports KORYU and RIZAN (ex-British MUNLOCK) MARUs and auxiliary collier/oiler TAGONOURA MARU. Later that day assigned to escort current convoy to Hachinohe under Coastal Defence radio-transmission No. 1907. Arrives later between Hachinohe and Miyako Wan (Bay), Iwate Prefecture.
5 September 1942:
Continues to escort the convoy and later engages in ASW sweep off Kuji coast. Tactically temporarily assigned to Ominato Guard District under Navy’s instructions No. 122 and No. 129 and telegram No. 57. Placed under Tsugaru Guard Force command under Ominato Guard District No. 93/1. Assigned to Miyako Guard Unit under Tsubo secret telegram No. 408.
23 September 1942:
Released from Miyako Guard Unit under Navy’s instruction No. 139. Released from Ominato Guard District under Navy’s secret instruction No. 10 and No. 124. Assigned to proceed to Onagawa Port and Miyako Wan under Coastal Defence radio transmission No. 2025. Escorts a convoy between Shioyazaki and Hachinohe. Later that day, patrols Miyako Wan waters.
24 September 1942:
Patrols between Shioyazaki and Kinkasan.
25 September 1942:
Patrols between Shioyazaki and Kinkasan.
26 September 1942:
Patrols between Shioyazaki and Kinkasan.
27 September 1942:
Escorts merchant ships in Miyako waters.
28 September 1942:
Escorts merchant ships in Miyako waters.
29 September 1942:
On escort duties between Miyako and Hachinohe.
30 September 1942:
On ASW sweep between Miyako and Hachinohe.
1 October 1942:
On patrol off Miyako.
2 October 1942:
On patrol off Miyako. Arrives there later that day.
3 October 1942:
Departs Miyako. Escorts a northbound convoy.
4 October 1942:
At 0430, ends convoy’s escort off Samekado coast, Aomori Prefecture and engages in ASW sweep. At 2000, about six nautical miles off Kuji coast, rushes to a point where an enemy submarine has been reported. At 2030, engages in ASW sweep.
5 October 1942:
Engages in ASW sweep off Miyako Port.
6 October 1942:
Escorts two merchant ships from Miyako Wan bound to Hachinohe, 12 nautical miles E of Samekado Ligthouse.
7 October 1942:
At 1730, takes over from destroyer NAMIKAZE, escort of a southbound convoy consisting of seven ships.
8 October 1942:
Arrives at Tateyama. Departs there and arrives at Uraga later that day.
9 October 1942:
Departs Uraga and arrives at Yokosuka later that same day.
19 October 1942:
Departs Yokosuka. Escorts auxiliary water tanker ASAYAMA MARU up to 34N.
20 October 1942:
Arrives at Uraga.
21 October 1942:
Departs Uraga. Patrols off Futtsu coast and from 1200 to 1800, escorts a northbound convoy. Arrives at Tateyama later that day.
22 October 1942:
Departs Tateyama. Escorts Fleet auxiliary oiler SHIRIYA to East.
23 October 1942:
Arrives at Uraga. Departs there and arrives at Nagaura later that day.
24 October 1942:
Departs Nagaura escorting the 12th northbound convoy.
27 October 1942:
Arrives at Muroran, Hokkaido. Departs there and arrives at Kobui, Hokkaido later that day.
28 October 1942:
Departs Kobui escorting the 11th southbound convoy.
29 October 1942:
On ASW sweep.
1 November 1942:
Arrives at Muroran. Departs later.
6 November 1942:
Departs Tateyama and arrives at Funagata, Yamagata Prefecture. Departs there later in the day, escorting the 30th northbound convoy consisting of IJA transports SUMIDA and ESUTORI (ESTORU) MARUs.
8 November 1942:
Off the coast of Kinkasan auxiliary netlayer MATSU MARU takes over escort of nortbound convoy No. 30.
9 November 1942:
Ends escort off Kobui coast and arrives at Kobui later in the day.
10 November 1942:
Departs Kobui and escorts a southbound convoy.
13 November 1942:
Arrives at Uraga. Departs later.
16 November 1942:
Off Futtsu, escorts the 40th northbound convoy. At 1500, off Tateyama, IJA transports SHOGEN and SAKAE MARUs join the convoy.
18 November 1942:
Arrives at Onagawa, Miyagi Prefecture.
20 November 1942:
Departs Onagawa, still escorting the 40th northbound convoy and arrives at Kobui later that day.
21 November 1942:
Departs Kobui, escorting the 40th southbound convoy.
23 November 1942:
Arrives at Tateyama.
24 November 1942:
Departs Tateyama and arrives at Nagaura. Departs later.
26 November 1942:
From off Futtsu, escorts the 50th northbound convoy.
29 November 1942:
Arrives at Muroran.
30 November 1942:
Departs Muroran escorting the 53th southbound convoy and arrives at Kobui later that same day. Departs later.
December 1942:
Assigned to direct military escort duties.
1 December 1942:
Escorts the 53th southbound convoy.
2 December 1942:
Arrives at Tateyama.
3 December 1942:
Departs Tateyama and arrives at Nagaura. Departs there and arrives at Yokosuka later in the day.
6 December 1942:
Departs Yokosuka and arrives at Tateyama. Departs there escorting the 60th northbound convoy consisting of IJA transports JOGU, GOZAN and TENKAI MARUs and civilian ore carrier (C-AC) TSUKUSHI MARU.
E 9 December 1942:
Arrives at Muroran. Departs later.
10 December 1942:
Departs Kobui, escorting the 68th southbound convoy consisting of IJA transports TSURUSHIMA and ZUISHO MARUs.
12 December 1942:
Arrives off Minato.
13 December 1942:
Arrives at Uraga. Departs later.
16 December 1942:
Arrives at Yokohama. Enters drydock for maintenance and repairs.
11 January 1943:
Repairs are completed. Undocked and departs Yokohama, arriving at Yokosuka later in the day.
12 January 1943:
Departs Yokosuka and arrives at Yokohama later that day.
13 January 1943:
Departs Yokohama escorting convoy No. 1113B consisting of IJA transports KATSURAGISAN, TAIKYU and KONAN MARUs, government owned cargo ship (C-AK) HIGASHI (ex-Chinese MAO LEE) MARU and civilian ore carriers (C-AC) DAIKOKU and NOBORIGAWA MARUs.
16 January 1943:
Arrives at Muroran. Departs later.
18 January 1943:
At 1300, departs Kobui escorting convoy No. 2118A consisting of IJA transports HEIAN, TAKAO MARUs and TAMON MARU No. 5 and civilian cargo ship (C-AK) ASAMA MARU.
23 January 1943:
Departs Yokohama escorting convoy No. 1123 consisting of auxiliary transport SHINYO MARU No. 8, IJA transport SHOZAN (2,937 GRT) MARU, IJA shared transport (A/C-AK) FUKUURA MARU, civilian cargo ships (C-AK) MASAJIMA and JINBU MARUs and IJN requisitioned cargo ship (B-AK) SHINTO (KAMISHIMA) MARU.
26 January 1943:
Arrives at Hakodate. Departs later.
28 January 1943:
At 1300, departs Kobui escorting convoy No. 2128 consisting of auxiliary transport SHINYO MARU No. 8, IJA shared transports A/C-AK) FUKUYAMA (ex-British FEDERLOCK) MARU and DAIBOSHI MARU No. 6, IJA transports IKOMASAN MARU and UNKAI MARU No. 7 and civilian cargo ship (C-AK) SAPPORO MARU No. 11.
2 February 1943:
Arrives at Yokosuka.
4 February 1943:
Departs Yokosuka and arrives at Yokohama later in the day. Departs there escorting convoy No. 1204 consisting of IJA transports IKOMASAN MARU and UNKAI MARU No. 7 and civilian cargo ship (C-AK) SAPPORO MARU No. 11.
E 7 February 1943:
Arrives at Miyako.
8 February 1943:
Departs Miyako.
10 February 1943:
Arrives at Ominato, Aomori Prefecture.
19 February 1943:
Inspection of leaking tank is completed.
20 February 1943:
Departs Ominato and arrives at Hakodate. Departs there and arrives at Muroran later that day.
21 February 1943:
Departs Muroran escorting convoy No. 2221 consisting of auxiliary transport KINSEN MARU, IJN requisitioned cargo ship (B-AK) JUZAN MARU, IJA transports SHINFUKU, HOKURYU and FRANCE MARUs, civilian passenger/cargo (C-APK) ATAKA (ex-Italian ADA) MARU and civilian cargo ship (C-AK) BANEI MARU No. 2.
24 February 1943:
Ends convoy’s escort at Tokyo Wan (Bay) and arrives at Uraga later that same day. Departs later.
26 February 1943:
Departs Yokohama and arrives off Yokosuka coast later in the day. Departs there escorting convoy No. 1226 consisting of civilian cargo ship (C-AK) HANASAKI MARU and civilian passenger/cargo ship (C-APK) DAISHIN MARU.
E 29 February 1943:
Arrives at Muroran.
3 March 1943:
Departs Muroran escorting convoy No. 2303B consisting of civilian tanker (C-AO) KOTAI MARU, IJA transports BANSEI and SUMIDA MARUs, IJN requisitioned cargo ship (B-AK) TAISEI MARU and civilian cargo ship (C-AK) HOKUTO MARU.
4 March 1943:
At 0630 in 39-33N 142-07E HOKUTO MARU loaded with 2,080-tons of coal, is torpedoed and sunk by LtCdr (later Rear Admiral-Ret) Wreford G. Chapple’s (USNA ’30) USS PERMIT (SS-178). A single torpedo hits hold No. 1 and fails to explode but penetrates the hull. In attempting to ram the submarine the inrush of water is increased and at 0643, after an unsuccessful beaching attempt the ship sinks without casualties. HIYOSHI MARU No. 2 GO rescues the survivors.
E 5 March 1943:
Arrives at Shimizu, Shizuoka Prefecture. Departs later.
7 March 1943:
Arrives at Yokosuka.
14 March 1943:
Departs Yokosuka.
30 March 1943:
Arrives at Yokosuka.
2 April 1943:
Departs Yokosuka escorting convoy No. 7402 consisting of IJA transports KISHUN and KENWA MARUs and HAKUTETSU MARU No. 11.
8 April 1943:
Arrives at Nagoya.
15 April 1943:
Departs Nagoya.
19 April 1943:
Arrives at Yokosuka, escorting convoy No. 8419A consisting of auxiliary transport (ex-gunboat) NAGATA MARU, auxiliary water carrier NIPPO MARU, IJA transport TAIKO MARU and one unidentified merchant ship. Departs later.
E 21 April 1943:
Arrives at Yokkaichi, Mie Prefecture. Departs there and arrives at Yokosuka later that day.
24 April 1943:
Departs Yokosuka escorting convoy No. 1424 consisting of IJA transports KOYO, SHINFUKU, MEISEI, SUMIDA and FUKUYAMA (ex-British FEDERLOCK) MARUs.
4 May 1943:
Arrives at Yokosuka.
7 May 1943:
Departs Yokosuka.
16 May 1943:
Arrives at Yokosuka.
21 May 1943:
Departs Yokosuka escorting convoy No. 155 (sic) consisting of IJA transports TENSHO, SHOZAN, SHORYU and WAKATSU (ex-Greek ANDREAS) MARUs and auxiliary minelayer KOEI MARU. The convoy is bound for Hokkaido and then Ebisutori, Karafuto.
28 May 1943:
Arrives at Yokosuka.
6 June 1943:
Departs Yokosuka.
13 July 1943:
Arrives at Yokosuka.
21 July 1943:
Departs Yokosuka.
24 July 1943:
Engages in ASW combat and drops eight DCs. Later meets up and escorts convoy No. 7724 consisting of three unidentified merchant ships.
4 August 1943:
Arrives at Yokosuka.
13 August 1943:
Departs Yokosuka.
3 September 1943:
Arrives at Muroran.
6 September 1943:
Departs Muroran.
25 September 1943:
Arrives at Uraga.
28 September 1943:
Scheduled to be converted to an auxiliary transport under Navy’s secret directive No. 4917.
1 October 1943:
Removed from the Navy’s list under instruction No. 2038. Registered that same day in the Navy’s list as an auxiliary transport (Otsu) category attached to the Yokosuka Naval District with Yokosuka as home port under instruction No. 2041. [1]
5 October 1943:
Departs Yokosuka.
12 October 1943:
Arrives at Yokosuka.
22 October 1943:
Departs Yokosuka.
26 October 1943:
Arrives at Chichi-Jima, Ogasawara Gunto (Bonins).
31 October 1943:
Departs Chichi-Jima.
3 November 1943:
Arrives at Yokosuka. Departs there and arrives at Yokohama later that day.
E 4 November ~ 9 December 1943:
Enters Mitsubishi Heavy Industries shipyard drydock and begins conversion to actual military duty.
10 December 1943:
The conversion is completed. Undocked.
16 December 1943:
Departs Yokohama and arrives at Yokosuka later in the day.
18 December 1943:
Departs Yokosuka.
21 December 1943:
Arrives at Kasado-Jima, Yamaguchi Prefecture. Departs there and arrives at Tokuyama, Yamaguchi Prefecture later in the day.
22 December 1943:
Departs Tokuyama.
23 December 1943:
Arrives at Osaka.
27 December 1943:
Departs Osaka.
29 December 1943:
Arrives at Moji. Departs there and arrives at Chinkai, Chosen (now Jinhae, South Korea) later that same day.
31 December 1943:
Departs Chinkai and arrives at Masan, Chosen (now Chongwon City, South Korea) later that same day.
4 January 1944:
Departs Masan.
5 January 1944:
Arrives at Miyajima, Seto Nada.
6 January 1944:
Departs Miyajima and arrives at Kure later that day.
8 January 1944:
Departs Kure.
9 January 1944:
Arrives at Hesaki, N of Kyushu. Departs there and arrives at Wakamatsu, Fukuoka Prefecture later in the day.
10 January 1944:
Departs Wakamatsu and arrives at Mutsure-Jima later that same day.
11 January 1944:
Departs Mutsure-Jima.
12 January 1944:
Arrives at Hanashima, Miyagi Prefecture. Departs there and arrives at Chinkai later that day.
15 January 1944:
Departs Chinkai and arrives at Masan later in the day.
16 January 1944:
Departs Masan.
17 January 1944:
Arrives at Miyajima.
18 January 1944:
Departs Miyajima and arrives at Kure later in the day.
20 January 1944:
Departs Kure and arrives at Yawata, Fukuoka Prefecture later that day.
24 January 1944:
Departs Yawata.
25 January 1944:
Arrives at Wada-Misaki.
26 January 1944:
Departs Wada-Misaki.
27 January 1944:
Arrives at Gokasho, Shiga Prefecture.
28 January 1944:
Departs Gokasho.
29 January 1944:
Arrives at Yokosuka.
31 January 1944:
Departs Yokosuka and arrives at Yokohama later in the day.
3 February 1944:
Departs Yokohama and arrives at Tateyama later that day.
4 February 1944:
Departs Tateyama and arrives at Yokohama later that same day.
5 February 1944:
Departs Yokohama and arrives at Futtsu. Departs later that day.
6 February 1944:
Arrives at Yokohama. Departs there later in the day.
7 February 1944:
Arrives at Nakayama Suido (Channel), Shizuoka Prefecture.
8 February 1944:
Departs Nakayama Suido and calls at Owase, Mie Prefecture. Departs there later in the day.
10 February 1944:
Arrives at Hesaki.
11 February 1944:
Departs Hesaki and arrives at Azuchi-Oshima, Nagasaki Prefecture later that same day.
12 February 1944:
Departs Azuchi-Oshima and arrives at Miike, Fukuoka Prefecture later that day.
15 February 1944:
Departs Miike and arrives at Kabayama, Aomori Prefecture later that day.
16 February 1944:
Departs Kabayama and calls at Karatsu, Saga Prefecture. Departs there later that day.
17 February 1944:
Arrives at Wakamatsu. Departs there and arrives at Yawata later in the day.
18 February 1944:
Departs Yawata.
19 February 1944:
Arrives at Kure. Departs there later that day.
20 February 1944:
Arrives at Osaka.
24 February 1944:
Departs Osaka and arrives at Wada-Misaki later that same day.
25 February 1944:
Departs Wada-Misaki and arrives at Yura Wan (Bay), Wakayama Prefecture later that day.
26 February 1944:
Departs Yura Wan and calls at Owase. Departs there later in the day.
27 February 1944:
Arrives at Nagoya.
29 February 1944:
Departs Nagoya.
1 March 1944:
Arrives at Tateyama. Departs there and arrives at Yokosuka later that day.
2 March 1944:
Departs Yokosuka and arrives at Yokohama later that day.
4 March 1944:
Departs Yokohama.
5 March 1944:
Arrives at Nakayama Suido.
6 March 1944:
Departs Nakayama Suido and arrives at Owase later that day.
7 March 1944:
Departs Owase.
8 March 1944:
Arrives at Hesaki.
9 March 1944:
Departs Hesaki and calls at Wakamatsu. Departs there and arrives at Yawata later that same day.
12 March 1944:
Departs Yawata.
13 March 1944:
Arrives at Osaka.
16 March 1944:
Departs Osaka.
17 March 1944:
Arrives at Moji. Departs there later in the day.
18 March 1944:
Arrives at Toba, Mie Prefecture.
19 March 1944:
Departs Toba and arrives at Kagoshima, Kyushu later that same day.
25 March 1944:
Departs Kagoshima and arrives off Yamakawa coast, Tokushima Prefecture, Shikoku later that day.
26 March 1944:
Departs Yamakawa waters and arrives at Kuchinoerabu-Jima, Satsunan Shoto (Islands) later in the day.
27 March 1944:
Departs Kuchinoerabu-Jima.
28 March 1944:
Arrives at Koniya, Amami-Oshima.
30 March 1944:
Departs Koniya and arrives at Sesoko, Kakeroma Island (S of Amami-Oshima).
31 March 1944:
Departs Sesoko and arrives at Naha, Okinawa.
6 April 1944:
Departs Naha and arrives outside Naha Port.
7 April 1944:
Departs Naha waters and arrives at Koniya later in the day.
8 April 1944:
At 2400, departs Koniya in a convoy also consisting of auxiliary transports NICHIRIN (ex-British MATA HARI) and TOYOSAKA MARUs escorted by subchaser CH-58. The convoy sails at 9 knots.
10 April 1944:
Arrives at Sasebo.
11 April 1944:
Departs Sasebo and arrives at Miike later that day.
12 April 1944:
Departs Miike.
13 April 1944:
Arrives at Tsurushima, Ehime Prefecture.
14 April 1944:
Departs Tsurushima and arrives at Kure later in the day.
15 April 1944:
Departs Kure.
16 April 1944:
Arrives at Kobe.
18 April 1944:
Departs Kobe and calls at Wakaura, Wakayama Prefecture. Departs there later in the day.
19 April 1944:
Arrives at Yura. Departs there and arrives off Gobo coast, Wakayama Prefecture later that same day.
20 April 1944:
Departs Gobo vicinity and arrives at Yokkaichi later in the day.
23 April 1944:
Departs Yokkaichi and arrives Off Ito coast, Shizuoka Prefecture later that day.
24 April 1944:
Departs Ito waters and arrives at Yokosuka later that same day.
25 April 1944:
Departs Yokosuka and arrives at Yokohama later in the day.
2 May 1944:
Departs Yokohama.
3 May 1944:
Arrives at Nagoya.
4 May 1944:
Departs Nagoya in convoy No. 7503 also consisting of one unidentified merchant ship escorted by minelayer NARYU and auxiliary minesweeper SENYU MARU No. 3, and arrives at Toba later that day.
5 May 1944:
Departs Toba and arrives at Owase Wan (Bay) later that same day.
6 May 1944:
Departs Owase Wan and arrives at Wada-Misaki later in the day.
7 May 1944:
Departs Wada-Misaki and arrives at Kobe later that day.
9 May 1944:
Departs Kobe.
11 May 1944:
Arrives at Tanoura, Miyagi Prefecture.
13 May 1944:
Departs Tanoura and arrives at Yawata.
18 May 1944:
Departs Yawata.
19 May 1944:
Arrives at Kure.
20 May 1944:
Departs Kure.
21 May 1944:
Arrives at Moji.
23 May 1944:
Departs Moji.
24 May 1944:
Arrives at Kobe.
25 May 1944:
Departs Kobe.
28 May 1944:
Arrives at Tokyo.
30 May 1944:
Departs Tokyo and arrives at Yokohama later that day.
1 June 1944:
Departs Yokohama.
2 June 1944:
Arrives at Nagoya.
3 June 1944:
Departs Nagoya.
4 June 1944:
Arrives at Kushimoto, Wakayama Prefecture.
5 June 1944:
Departs Kushimoto.
6 June 1944:
Arrives at Tokuyama.
7 June 1944:
Departs Tokuyama.
8 June 1944:
Arrives at Sasebo.
12 June 1944:
Departs Sasebo and arrives at Nagasaki later that same day.
15 June 1944:
Departs Nagasaki.
17 June 1944:
Arrives at Osaka.
20 June 1944:
Departs Osaka.
21 June 1944:
Arrives at Kure.
22 June 1944:
Departs Kure.
23 June 1944:
Arrives at Gobo.
24 June 1944:
Departs Gobo and arrives at Gokasho later in the day.
25 June 1944:
Departs Gokasho and arrives at Nagoya later that day.
27 June 1944:
Departs Nagoya.
28 June 1944:
Arrives at Yokosuka.
30 June 1944:
Departs Yokosuka and arrives at Yokohama later that same day.
2 July 1944:
Departs Yokohama.
3 July 1944:
Arrives at Nagoya.
4 July 1944:
Departs Nagoya alone.
5 July 1944:
Arrives at Toba. Departs there later in the day.
6 July 1944:
Arrives at Kobe.
7 July 1944:
Departs Kobe.
8 July 1944:
Arrives at Kure.
9 July 1944:
Departs Kure.
10 July 1944:
Arrives at Kobe.
11 July 1944:
Departs Kobe and arrives at Gobo later that same day.
12 July 1944:
Departs Gobo.
14 July 1944:
Arrives at Yokosuka.
20 July 1944:
Departs Yokosuka in convoy No. 3720 consisting of civilian passenger/cargo ship (C-APK) SHIBAZONO MARU and civilian cargo ship (C-AK) NANYO MARU No. 1 escorted by kaibokan OKI, YASOJIMA and IOJIMA (ex-Chinese cruisers re-rated kaibokan), auxiliary subchaser SEKI MARU No. 2 and auxiliary minesweeper SHOWA MARU No. 7. HIYOSHI MARU No. 2 GO is detached from the convoy and arrives at Yokohama later that day.
22 July 1944:
Departs Yokohama in convoy No. 3722 consisting only of HIYOSHI MARU No. 2 GO escorted by auxiliary subchasers CHa-155 and CHa-163.
25 July 1944:
Arrives at Hachijo-Jima, Ogasawara Gunto (Bonins).
29 July 1944:
Departs Hachijo-Jima and arrives at Yokohama later that day.
15 August 1944:
Departs Yokohama and joins convoy No. 3815 that departed Yokosuka that same day, consisting of IJN requisitioned cargo ship (B-AK) SHORYU MARU escorted by kaibokan CD-4, CD-12, YASOJIMA and IOSHIMA, auxiliary minesweeper TOSHI MARU No. 8 and Naval transport landing ship T-134. The warships are carrying supply drums with ammunition and food for the garrison of Iwo Jima. The merchant ships only proceed as far as Haha-Jima. The convoy arrives at Tateyama and anchors there later that same day.
17 August 1944:
Convoy No. 3815 departs Tateyama.
21 August 1944:
Arrives at Haha-Jima.
23 August 1944:
Departs Haha-Jima.
28 August 1944:
Arrives at Gokasho.
29 August 1944:
Departs Gokasho and arrives at Yokkaichi.
30 August 1944:
Departs Yokkaichi.
31 August 1944:
Arrives at Yokosuka.
2 September 1944:
Departs Yokosuka and arrives at Yokohama later that day.
10 September 1944:
Departs Yokohama in convoy No. 3910 also consisting of IJN requisitioned cargo ship (B-AK) KISARAGI MARU escorted by minelayers AJIRO and NARIU (NARYU), and arrives at Tateyama later that day.
11 September 1944:
The convoy departs Tateyama.
16 September 1944:
At 0730, the convoy Arrives at Chichi-Jima.
18 September 1944:
Departs Chichi-Jima in convoy No. 4917 also consisting of civilian cargo ship (C-AK) MUTSUKI MARU and IJN requisitioned cargo ship (B-AK) KISARAGI MARU escorted by minelayers AJIRO and NARIU (NARYU).
22 September 1944:
Arrives at Yokohama.
28 September 1944:
At 1200, departs Yokohama in convoy No. 3928 also consisting of auxiliary storeship TAKUNAN MARU escorted by torpedo boat CHIDORI, minesweeper W-29 and auxiliary subchaser SHONAN MARU No. 8. At 1630, the convoy anchors at Tateyama.
29 September 1944:
The convoy departs Tateyama.
1 October 1944:
At 0328, Cdr (later Rear Admiral) Roy M. Davenport's (USNA ’33) USS TREPANG (SS-412), on her first war patrol, torpedoes and sinks storeship TAKUNAN MARU, loaded with foodstuffs, at 30-30N, 138-27E. One crewman is KIA.
3 October 1944:
At 1400, arrives at Haha-Jima.
4 October 1944:
Departs Haha-Jima in convoy No. 4004B as only merchant ship escorted by torpedo boat CHIDORI and minesweeper W-29. Arrives at Chichi-Jima and departs there later in the day.
8 October 1944:
Arrives at Shimizu.
9 October 1944:
Departs Shimizu and arrives at Yokohama. Enters drydock at Nippon Kokan K.K. Asano shipyard.
9 October ~ 2 November 1944:
Undergoes maintenance and repairs.
3 November 1944:
Undocked.
6 November 1944:
Assigned to direct military escort with torpedo boat CHIDORI, kaibokan AMAKUSA, and minesweeper W-29, of convoy No. 3108 consisting of IJN requisitioned cargo ship (B-AK) JUZAN MARU I GO under telegram No. 291. Assigned to direct military escort the 506th AA unit aboard under telegram No. 292.
8 November 1944:
At 1300, departs Yokohama and arrives at Tateyama later that day.
9 November 1944:
At 1500, the convoy departs Tateyama with HIYOSHI MARU No. 2 GO, torpedo boat CHIDORI and minesweeper W-29 bound for Chichi-Jima and JUZAN MARU I GO escorted by kaibokan AMAKUSA bound for Haha-Jima.
14 November 1944:
Arrives at Chichi-Jima.
15 November 1944:
At 1730, departs Chichi-Jima in convoy No. 4115 as only merchant ship escorted by torpedo boat CHIDORI and minesweeper W-29. The convoy is joined by JUZAN MARU I GO and AMAKUSA that departed Haha-Jima that same day.
19 November 1944:
At 1340, arrives at Yokosuka.
27 November 1944:
Assigned to direct military escort with kaibokan AMAKUSA and CD-56, subchaser CH-42, auxiliary minesweepers Wa-12, Wa-14 and auxiliary subchaser TAKUNAN MARU No. 2 of convoy No. 3129 consisting of IJA transports KAIKO and YAEI MARUs and civilian passenger/cargo ship (C-APK) SHIBAZONO MARU under telegram No. 309.
28 November 1944:
IJA transport KAIKO MARU is released from convoy No. 3129 and HIYOSHI MARU No. 2 GO detached from the escort and incorporated in the convoy.
29 November 1944:
The convoy departs Yokosuka and arrives at Tateyama later in the day.
30 November 1944:
At 1000, the convoy departs Tateyama with HIYOSHI MARU No. 2 GO bound for Haha-Jima (with AMAKUSA and CD-56 as designated escorts) and YAEI and SHIBAZONO MARUs (with W-29, CH-42, Wa-12, Wa-14 and TAKUNAN MARU No. 2 as designated escorts) bound for Chichi-Jima. At 1600, heavy seas cause damage to YAEI MARU's hull and wash a Daihatsu landing craft overboard. The ship returns to Tateyama via Hachijo-Jima escorted by TAKUNAN MARU No. 2 while the convoy continues its voyage.
1 December 1944:
Arrives at Haha-Jima.
5 December 1944:
At 1400, departs Haha-Jima in convoy No. 4205 as only merchant ship escorted by kaibokan AMAKUSA and CD-56. Shortly after departing they meet up with auxiliary submarine chaser TAKUNAN MARU No. 2 and SHIBAZONO MARU that have left that same day from Chichi-Jima.
9 December 1944:
At 1030, the convoy arrives at Yokohama. Departs later for Yokosuka.
13 December 1944:
Assigned to direct military escort with kaibokan AMAKUSA, CD-4, CD-56, minesweeper W-27 and auxiliary subchaser TAKUNAN MARU No. 2, of convoy No. 3217 consisting of IJA transports AITOKU MARU and UNYO MARU No. 6 under telegram No. 326.
16 December 1944:
At 0830, parts of the convoy departs Yokosuka and arrives at Tateyama later in the day.
17 December 1944:
The fully assembled convoy departs Tateyama.
20 December 1944:
Arrives safely at Chichi-Jima, but at 0737, enroute to her anchorage, HIYOSHI MARU No. 2 strikes a mine that causes flooding in the engine room and at 0900, has to be beached. AMAKUSA is also looking for a place to drop anchor in the S part of Futami Bay when a Mark-13 magnetic mine explodes under her keel. It causes slight flooding and knocks out her gyro-compass. AMAKUSA's pumps, plus two borrowed from CD-56, bring the flooding under control.
6 January 1945:
Refloated after emergency repairs completion. Departs later for Futami Harbor.
27 January 1945:
At 1715, departs Futami Harbor in convoy No. 4127 also consisting of IJA transports NAGATSU and MIYO MARUs and Oil Barge No. 3998 escorted by kaibokan AMAKUSA and CD-4, subchasers CH-42 and CH-44 and auxiliary subchaser SHONAN MARU No. 8. Shortly after departure, due to rudder breakdown, HIYOSHI MARU No. 2 GO escorted by CH-44 and SHONAN MARU No. 8 return back to Futami Harbor.
28 January 1945:
Replenishes coal and undergoes emergency repairs to rudder. Departs Futami and anchors outside harbor.
15 February 1945:
Undergoes further repairs.
17 February 1945:
Hit and heavily damaged by Vice Admiral (later Admiral) Marc A. Mitscher’s (USNA ’10) TF-58 carrier-based aircraft.
18 February 1945:
HIYOSHI MARU No. 2 GO sinks at 27-05N, 142-11E with the loss of five crewmen.
10 April 1945:
Removed from the Navy’s list under instruction No. 317.

Authors' Notes :
[1] There were two categories of Zatsuyosen. (Ko) category with an IJN Captain as supervisor aboard and (Otsu) category without.
Thanks go to Gengoro S. Toda of Japan. Thanks also go to Jeff Donahoo of Iowa for Officers’ info.

Gilbert Casse, Bob Hackett and Peter Cundall.

Back to IJN Transports Page