KOKAI HOKAN!
(IKUTA MARU, prewar)
IJN IKUTA MARU:
Tabular Record of Movement
© 2022 Gilbert Casse, Berend van der Wal and Peter Cundall
5 June 1936:
Yokohama. Laid down by Yokohama Dock K.K. as a 2,968-tons passenger/cargo ship for Kinkai Yusen K.K.
29 October 1936:
Launched and named IKUTA MARU.
28 December 1936:
Completed and registered at Tokyo. Her gross registered (GRT) tonnage and net registered tonnage (NRT) respectively are 2,968-tons and 1,696-tons. Her call sign is JKEL. [2]
5 September 1937:
Requisitioned by the IJN.
8 September 1937:
Registered as a miscellaneous auxiliary transport attached to the Yokosuka Naval District under instruction No. 585. Tactically assigned to the Sasebo Naval District under instruction No. 586. Navy LtCdr Onishi Kenji (52) is appointed supervisor temporarily.
15 September 1937:
Departs Ryojun (Port-Arthur, Lushun), Manchuria (now Lushunkou, northern China) for mid Chinese waters.
19 September 1937:
Arrives at Sasebo.
21 September 1937:
Departs Sasebo for mid Chinese waters.
26 September 1937:
Arrives at Sasebo.
2 October 1937:
Departs Sasebo for mid Chinese waters.
11 October 1937:
Arrives at Sasebo.
28 October 1937:
Departs Jeju Island, Chosen (now Jeju Island, South Korea) for mid Chinese waters.
1 November 1937:
Arrives at Ryojun.
14 November 1937:
Departs Ryojun for mid Chinese waters.
18 November 1937:
Arrives at Sasebo.
21 November 1937:
Departs Sasebo for mid Chinese waters.
30 November 1937:
Arrives at Sasebo.
1 December 1937:
Navy Capt Ito Takata is appointed supervisor.
10 December 1937:
Departs Sasebo for mid Chinese waters.
22 December 1937:
Arrives at Sasebo.
25 December 1937:
Departs Jeju Island for mid Chinese waters.
31 December 1937:
Arrives at Sasebo.
13 January 1938:
Departs Sasebo for mid Chinese waters.
18 January 1938:
Arrives at Kirun, Formosa (now Keelung, Taiwan).
24 January 1938:
Departs Mako, Pescadores (now Magong, Penghu islands, Taiwan) for southern Chinese waters.
4 February 1938:
Arrives at Sasebo.
14 February 1938:
Departs Sasebo for southern Chinese waters.
17 March 1938:
Arrives at Sasebo.
15 April 1938:
Departs Takao, Formosa (now Kaoshiung, Taiwan) for southern Chinese waters.
27 April 1938:
Arrives at Sasebo.
3 May 1938:
Attached to Vice Admiral (later Admiral) Oikawa Koshiro‘s (31) China Area Fleet.
4 May 1938:
Departs Sasebo for Kinmen Island, (Quemoy) Island, China.
9 May 1938:
Arrives at Yanglu, Amoy (now Xiamen), China.
10 May 1938:
Participates in an amphibious assault on Amoy.
18 May 1938:
Arrives at Sasebo.
24 May 1938:
Departs Sasebo for mid Chinese waters.
6 June 1938:
Arrives at Sasebo.
13 June 1938:
Departs Sasebo.
15 June 1938:
Arrives off Wenchow (now Wenzhou), China.
16 June 1938:
Departs Wenchow waters.
21 June 1938:
Arrives at Mako. Departs later for Takao.
23 June 1938:
Departs Takao for southern Chinese waters.
3 July 1938:
Arrives at Mako.
9 July 1938:
Navy Capt Maesawa Sukeji is appointed supervisor.
13 July 1938:
Departs Sasebo for mid Chinese waters.
31 July 1938:
Arrives at Sasebo.
17 August 1938:
Departs Kisarazu for Naka area.
24 August 1938:
Arrives at Sasebo.
31 August 1938:
Departs Sasebo.
18 September 1938:
Arrives at Wenchow Bay, China.
19 September 1938:
Auxiliary gunboat DELHI MARU lies alongside.
0845 ~ 1035: supplies 40-tons of coal.
1000 ~ 1035: supplies 23-tons of fresh water to DELHI MARU. Departs Wenchow Bay later this day.
21 September 1938:
Arrives at Sasebo.
5 October 1938:
Departs Sasebo for mid Chinese waters.
29 October 1938:
Arrives at Sasebo.
3 November 1938:
Departs Sasebo for mid Chinese waters.
27 November 1938:
Arrives at Sasebo.
2 December 1938:
Departs Sasebo for Shanghai, China.
7 December 1938:
Departs Shanghai.
15 December 1938:
Arrives at Sasebo. Removed from the Navy’s list under instruction No. 1113.
21 December 1938:
Released to her owners.
16 August 1939:
Her ownership is changed to Nippon Yusen K.K.
1 October 1940:
Under command of Capt Ishikawa Jirohachi. Requisitioned that same day by the IJN. Transfers to Yokohama Port. Departs there and arrives at Yokosuka later that day.
2 October 1940:
Departs Yokosuka and arrives at Tsurumi later this day.
1 November 1940:
Registered as an auxiliary gunboat attached to the Yokosuka Naval District under instruction No. 770. Navy Capt Kurama Hidetaka (49) is appointed CO.
15 November 1940:
Attached to the 8th Gunboat Division under instruction No. 837. Attached to Vice Admiral (later Admiral) Takasu Shiro’s (35) Fourth Fleet, 5th Base Force, 8th Gunboat Division.
25 November 1940:
Yokohama. Completes conversion for military duty at Asano Senkyo K.K.
7 December 1940:
Departs Yokosuka.
December 1940:
On security duty around Ponape Island (now Pohnpei), Carolines.
15 January 1941:
Attached to Fourth Fleet, 6th Base Force, 8th Gunboat Division.
February 1941:
Departs Marshalls for Kwajalein, Marshalls.
4 February 1941:
Rated as gunboat No. 82 (second ship in 8th Gunboat Division).
4 July 1941:
At Eniwetok (Brown), Marshalls, auxiliary water tanker TAIHOZAN MARU supplies fresh water. Departs there later this day.
9 July 1941:
Arrives at Saipan, Marianas.
12 July 1941:
Departs Saipan but reverses course due to stormy weather.
13 July 1941:
Arrives back at Saipan.
15 July 1941:
Departs Saipan again.
20 July 1941:
Arrives at Yokosuka outer port.
21 July 1941:
Departs Yokosuka outer port and tethers to buoy No. 9, Yokosuka later that day.
23 July 1941:
Unloads ammunition and explosives.
25 July 1941:
Departs Yokosuka and arrives at Yokohama later this day. Enters Nihonkokan K.K. Asano dock No. 2.
25 July ~ 13 August 1941:
Undergoes repair of damaged parts due to grounding. New water generator is installed. Four fresh water tanks with a capacity of 50 tons are fitted in front of hold No. 3. New light oil storage (250 drums per pack) is installed at hold No. 3’s rear. New light oil tank (1-ton) is installed under battery No. 4. Type 95 floatplane mounting base is fitted above hold No. 3. New food storage, canned storage and sake warehousing is established at hold No. 2’s rear. New portholes for 6 crew rooms (3 on each side) are installed.
14 August 1941:
Undocked.
22 August 1941:
Navy (Resv) LtCdr Ouchi Yoshibumi is appointed CO.
28 August 1941:
Departs Yokohama and arrives at Yokosuka later this day.
29 August 1941:
LtCdr Ouchi arrives and Capt Kurama disembarks.
29 ~ 31 August 1941:
Loads coal.
1 September 1941:
Attached to 6th Base Force, 8th Gunboat Division under Fourth Fleet wireless instruction No. 228. Loads ammunition.
2 September 1941:
Loads food.
3 September 1941:
Departs Yokosuka on a compass calibration. Returns to port later that day.
4 September 1941:
Loads consumer and consignment goods.
8 September 1941:
Departs Yokosuka.
19 September 1941:
Arrives at Kwajalein.
20 September 1941:
At 1200, comes alongside auxiliary water tanker AMAKUSA MARU No. 1. AMAKUSA MARU No. 1 begins supplying fresh water. At 1545, fresh water supply is completed. Unloads consignment goods later this day.
23 September 1941:
Departs Kwajalein.
24 September 1941:
Arrives at Imidji, Marshalls. Loads 19th IJNAF base property.
25 September 1941:
Departs Imidji.
26 September 1941:
Arrives at Ebeye, Kwajalein Atoll. Unloads 19th IJNAF base property. At 1030, comes alongside to port of IJN requisitioned cargo ship (B-AK) (ex-IJA transport No. 91) HAGURO MARU and begins loading coal. At 1610, completes loading coal.
27 September 1941:
Departs Kwajalein on 6th Base Force second combined training.
30 September 1941:
Arrives at Kwajalein.
2 October 1941:
Departs Kwajalein.
3 October 1941:
Arrives at Imidji.
3 ~ 22 October 1941:
Undergoes engine repairs.
15 October 1941:
Attached to the 8th Gunboat Division under instruction No. 1250.
22 October 1941:
Departs Imidji and arrives at Jabor, Jaluit Atoll, Marshalls later that day.
22 ~ 27 October 1941:
Loads coal.
28 October 1941:
Departs Jabor.
29 October 1941:
Arrives at Kwajalein.
31 October 1941:
0705 ~ 1115: lies alongside to port of auxiliary water tanker TAIHOZAN MARU and is replenished with fresh water.
2 November 1941:
Departs Kwajalein.
6 November 1941:
Arrives at Minto Reef, Ponape Atoll, Carolines. Takes over security duties from auxiliary gunboat DAIDO MARU.
7 November 1941:
Begins loading weapons and equipment of wrecked auxiliary gunboat CHOKAI MARU. [3]
12 November 1941:
1030 ~1430: lies alongside tugboat NAGAURA. Loads rescue equipment.
22 November 1941:
Completes loading weapons and equipment of wrecked auxiliary gunboat CHOKAI MARU.
23 November 1941:
Departs Minto Reef.
24 November 1941:
Arrives at Truk, Central Carolines.
26 November 1941:
Departs Truk.
28 November 1941:
Arrives at Ponape.
28 ~ 30 November 1941:
Loads four 8cm AA guns. Departs Ponape.
3 December 1941:
Arrives at Roi, Kwajalein Atoll. Unloads four 8cm AA guns. Attached to 6th Base Force First Squadron, 8th Gunboat Division also consisting of DAIDO and NAGATA MARUs. Assigned to Marshalls Defense Unit, Jaluit Sea Defense Unit. Transfers weapons and equipment to auxiliary cruiser KINRYU MARU.
5 December 1941:
Departs Roi and arrives at Kwajalein later this day.
6 December 1941:
Lies alongside auxiliary transport NAGISAN MARU. NAGISAN MARU supplies coal. Departs Kwajalein on patrol later that day.
16 December 1941:
At 0900, in Marshall Islands, encounters civilian cargo ship TERUKAWA MARU. Each takes the other for an enemy vessel, but error is realized before any damage occurs.
18 December 1941:
Arrives at Jaluit.
20 December 1941:
Departs Jaluit.
21 December 1941:
Arrives at Mili, Marshalls. Departs there later this day.
22 December 1941:
Arrives at Jaluit. Comes alongside to port of auxiliary water tanker AMAKUSA MARU No. 1. AMAKUSA MARU No. 1 supplies fresh water. Thereafter, loads coal.
24 December 1941:
Departs Jaluit on patrol.
5 January 1942:
Attached to Marshalls Defense Force, Jaluit Sea Defense Force.
6 January 1942:
Arrives at Jabor.
10 January 1942:
Departs Jabor and arrives at Imidji. Departs there later that day.
12 January 1942:
Arrives at Jabor. Departs there on patrol later this day.
17 January 1942:
Arrives at Jabor.
18 January 1942:
Departs Jabor on patrol later this day.
25 January 1942:
Arrives at Jabor.
31 January 1942:
Departs Jabor and arrives at Imidji later that day.
1 February 1942:
Departs Imidji.
2 February 1942:
Arrives at Jabor.
3 February 1942:
Departs Jabor and arrives at Imidji later this day.
13 February 1942:
Departs Imidji.
15 February 1942:
Arrives at Jabor. Departs there and arrives at Imidji later that day.
20 February 1941:
Departs Imidji and arrives at Jabor later this day.
21 February 1942:
Loads coal.
25 ~ 26 February 1942:
Loads coal.
26 February 1942:
Departs Jabor and arrives at Imidji later that day.
27 February 1942:
Auxiliary water tanker AMAKUSA MARU No. 1 replenishes fresh water.
12 March 1942:
Departs Imidji.
15 March 1942:
Arrives at Imidji.
19 March 1942:
Departs Imidji searching for auxiliary patrol craft MYOJIN MARU No. 5 missing since 14 Mar ‘42.
24 March 1942:
Arrives at Imidji.
26 March 1942:
Departs Imidji on rescue mission for a Type 95 floatplane that had made an emergency sea-landing. Returns to port later this day.
29 March 1942:
Departs Imidji and arrives at Jabor later that day.
30 March ~ 1 April 1942:
Loads coal.
2 April 1942:
Departs Jabor and arrives at Imidji later in the day.
10 ~ 11 April 1942:
Loads aviation gasoline for Makin.
13 April 1942:
Departs Imidji.
14 April 1942:
Arrives at Makin, Gilberts.
15 ~ 16 April 1942:
Unloads aviation gasoline.
17 April 1942:
Departs Makin.
20 April 1942:
Arrives at Imidji.
22 April 1942:
Departs Imidji and arrives at Jabor later this day.
23 ~ 24 April 1942:
Loads coal.
26 April 1942:
Disposes of one drifting mine.
28 April 1942:
Loads coal.
30 April 1942:
Departs Jabor and arrives at Imidji later that day.
1 ~ 2 May 1942:
Lies alongside auxiliary water tanker AMAKUSA MARU No. 1 which replenishes fresh water.
3 May 1942:
Departs Imidji.
4 May 1942:
Arrives at Ailinglaplap, Airingurapurapu Atoll (now Ailinglaplap Atoll), Marshalls.
5 May 1942:
Blows up two drifting mines.
6 May 1942:
Blows up one drifting mine.
8 May 1942:
Departs Ailinglaplap.
9 May 1942:
Arrives at Imidji. Comes alongside auxiliary stores ship HARUNA MARU which supplies food.
10 May 1942:
Loads ammunition.
11 May 1942:
Auxiliary stores ship KOA MARU supplies food.
13 May 1942:
Departs Imidji and arrives at Jabor later this day.
15 ~ 17 May 1942:
Loads coal.
16 ~ 17 May 1942:
Loads fresh water.
21 May 1942:
Loads fresh water.
22 May 1942:
Departs Jabor and arrives at Imidji later that day.
25 May 1942:
Departs Imidji.
27 May 1942:
Arrives at Kwajalein.
28 May 1942:
Comes alongside auxiliary collier KAMOI MARU which supplies coal.
29 May 1942:
Auxiliary stores ship UNKAI MARU No. 3 comes alongside and supplies food.
30 May 1942:
At 1400, departs Kwajalein.
10 June 1942:
Arrives at Yokosuka.
10 June 1942:
Unloads explosives.
12 June 1942:
Rated as gunboat unit under Marshalls Defense Forces Wireless Command No. 106.
14 June 1942:
Departs Yokosuka for Yokohama.
15 June 1942:
Begins installing new bridge bulletproof panels.
20 June 1942:
Scheduled for installation of a 6m ‘Naika’ launch (M786) kept at Kure Navy Yard at June’s end under instruction No. 125.
29 June 1942:
Yokohama. Enters Mitsubishi Kogyo K.K. Yokohama Senkyo Dock No. 3.
30 June 1942:
New bridge bulletproof panels installation is completed.
4 July 1942:
Undocked.
7 July 1942:
Installation of Type 2 Ka-Mi amphibious tank is completed.
9 July 1942:
Departs Yokohama on a trial run and compass calibration. Returns to port later this day.
10 July 1942:
Departs Yokohama and arrives at Yokosuka later that day. Detached from 8th Gunboat Division under instruction No. 1215. Attached to Vice Admiral (later Admiral) Inoue Shigeyoshi’s (37) Fourth Fleet, 6th Base Force.
19 July 1942:
Departs Yokosuka.
31 July 1942:
Arrives at Kwajalein.
1 August 1942:
Departs Kwajalein.
2 August 1942:
Arrives at Taroa, Maloelap Atoll, Marshalls. Attached to Marshalls Defense Force, Taroa Sea Defense Force.
5 August 1942:
Rated as a Marshalls Defense Force, Direct Fighting Unit.
15 August 1942:
Departs Taroa.
16 August 1942:
Arrives at Kwajalein.
20 August 1942:
Departs Kwajalein.
21 August 1942:
Arrives at Imidji.
22 August 1942:
Departs Imidji.
23 August 1942:
Arrives at Mili.
24 August 1942:
Departs Mili.
25 August 1942:
Arrives at Imidji.
27 August 1942:
Departs Imidji.
28 August 1942:
Arrives at Mili.
29 August 1942:
Departs Mili and arrives at Imidji later that day.
11 September 1942:
Departs Imidji.
12 September 1942:
Arrives at Makin. Disembarks Yokosuka 6th SNLF Makin detachment advance unit.
15 September 1942:
Rated as Guadalcanal Island distant patrol ship.
17 ~ 28 September 1942:
Patrols between Makin and Gilbert-Ellis Islands.
30 September 1942:
Arrives at Tarawa, Gilberts later this day.
3 October 1942:
Departs Tarawa on a Gilberts’ Sea Surface patrol.
4 October 1942:
Rated as Marshalls Defense Force, Direct Patrol Unit.
12 October 1942:
Attached to Marshalls Guards.
15 October 1942:
At 1500, arrives at Kwajalein. Later departs.
16 October 1942:
At 0930, at 03-10N, 175-50E meets up with auxiliary patrol boats RYUJIN MARU No. 3, TAKENOURA MARU and MIWASAKI MARU.
17 October 1942:
At 1200, meets up with auxiliary patrol boat TAHEI MARU No. 1 GO. At 1250, departs. At 1700, meets up with auxiliary patrol boats RYUJIN MARU No. 3, TAKENOURA MARU and MIWASAKI MARU.
20 October 1942:
Arrives at Jabor.
25 October 1942:
Released from the Marshalls Guards.
2 November 1942:
Departs Jaluit.
3 November 1942:
Arrives at Taroa.
1 December 1942:
Attached to the IJNAF Auxiliary Service (Makin Security).
8 December 1942:
Departs Jaluit on a base construction team transport mission.
8 ~ 21 December 1942:
Patrols between Makin and Jaluit. Transports aviation gasoline to Makin base.
21 December 1942:
Departs Taroa.
22 December 1942:
Arrives at Kwajalein.
23 December 1942:
Departs Kwajalein.
26 December 1942:
Arrives at Tarawa.
3 January 1943:
Departs Tarawa and arrives at Makin later that day.
8 February 1943:
Departs Makin.
10 February 1943:
Arrive at Kwajalein.
15 February 1943:
Attached to Vice Admiral Samejima Tomoshige’s (37) Fourth Fleet, 3rd Special Base Force. Attached to Gilberts Defense Unit, Makin Sea Defense Unit. Departs Tarawa later that same day.
E 15 February ~ 3 March 1943:
Operates in Tarawa waters.
4 March 1943:
Arrives at Tarawa.
5 March 1943:
Departs Tarawa.
14 March 1943:
At Emidji, auxiliary stores ship KITAKAMI MARU supplies fresh food.
21 March 1943:
Arrives at Tarawa.
E 21 ~ 27 March 1943:
Embarks 307 soldiers detached at Nauru Island, Marshalls.
27 March 1943:
Departs Tarawa for Nauru.
9 April 1943:
Departs Jaluit with auxiliary water tanker GORYU MARU escorted by auxiliary subchaser TAKUNAN MARU No. 6.
11 April 1943:
At 1104, arrives at Tarawa with auxiliary water tanker GORYU MARU and escort auxiliary subchaser TAKUNAN MARU No. 6. TAKUNAN MARU No. 6 ends escort.
13 April 1943:
Departs Tarawa.
23 April 1943:
Arrives at Tarawa.
26 April 1943:
Departs Tarawa.
6 May 1943:
At 0725, arrives at Kwajalein.
9 May 1943:
Auxiliary patrol boat TAIYO MARU No. 3 comes alongside and transfers a mine.
21 May 1943:
Departs Kwajalein for Jaluit.
5 June 1943:
At 1000, departs Jaluit with auxiliary water tanker GORYU MARU escorted by auxiliary subchaser TAKUNAN MARU No. 6.
7 June 1943:
At 0900, arrives at Tarawa with auxiliary water tanker GORYU MARU and escort auxiliary subchaser TAKUNAN MARU No. 6.
9 June 1943:
At 0900, departs Tarawa escorted by auxiliary subchaser TAKUNAN MARU No. 6.
11 June 1943:
At 1500, arrives at Ocean Island, Marshalls escorted by auxiliary subchaser TAKUNAN MARU No. 6.
12 June 1943:
At 0600, departs Ocean Island escorted by auxiliary subchaser TAKUNAN MARU No. 6.
13 June 1943:
At 1000, arrives at Tarawa escorted by auxiliary subchaser TAKUNAN MARU No. 6.
18 June 1943:
Departs Tarawa escorted by auxiliary subchaser TAKUNAN MARU No. 6.
19 June 1943:
At 1200, arrives at Jaluit escorted by auxiliary subchaser TAKUNAN MARU No. 6.
20 June 1943:
At 0500, departs Jaluit with auxiliary stores ship AZUCHI MARU escorted by auxiliary subchaser TAKUNAN MARU No. 6.
21 June 1943:
At 0827, arrives at Kwajalein with auxiliary stores ship AZUCHI MARU and escort auxiliary subchaser TAKUNAN MARU No. 6.
27 June 1943:
At 0500, departs Kwajalein for Roi. Arrives there later this day.
29 June 1943:
At 0600, departs Roi escorted by auxiliary subchaser TAKUNAN MARU No. 6.
30 June 1943:
At 1000, arrives at Taroa escorted by auxiliary subchaser TAKUNAN MARU No. 6. Auxiliary subchaser KYO MARU No. 7 departs Taroa to patrol the route to Kwajalein ahead ship.
1 July 1943:
Navy (Resv) LtCdr Ouchi is confirmed as CO.
2 July 1943:
At 0400, departs Taroa with IJN requisitioned cargo ship (B-AK) YAMAKUNI MARU escorted by auxiliary subchaser TAKUNAN MARU No. 6.
3 July 1943:
Auxiliary subchaser KYO MARU No. 7 arrives at Kwajalein. At 0714, arrives at Kwajalein escorted by auxiliary subchaser TAKUNAN MARU No. 6.
6 July 1943:
At 1430, departs Kwajalein escorted by auxiliary subchaser TAKUNAN MARU No. 6.
7 July 1943:
At 1147, arrives at Jaluit escorted by auxiliary subchaser TAKUNAN MARU No. 6.
9 July 1943:
At 0430, departs Jaluit escorted by auxiliary subchaser TAKUNAN MARU No. 6.
10 July 1943:
At 1105, arrives at Makin escorted by auxiliary subchaser TAKUNAN MARU No. 6.
11 July 1943:
At 1403, departs Makin escorted by auxiliary subchaser TAKUNAN MARU No. 6.
12 July 1943:
At 0500, arrives at Tarawa escorted by auxiliary subchaser TAKUNAN MARU No. 6.
14 July 1943:
At 0530, departs Tarawa escorted by auxiliary subchaser TAKUNAN MARU No. 6.
15 July 1943:
At 1000, arrives at Ocean Island escorted by auxiliary subchaser TAKUNAN MARU No. 6. Departs there at 1417, escorted by auxiliary subchaser TAKUNAN MARU No. 6.
16 July 1943:
At 0620, arrives at Nauru escorted by auxiliary subchaser TAKUNAN MARU No. 6. Departs there at 1350, escorted by auxiliary subchaser TAKUNAN MARU No. 6.
17 July 1943:
At 0850, arrives at Ocean Island escorted by auxiliary subchaser TAKUNAN MARU No. 6. Departs there at 1520, escorted by auxiliary subchaser TAKUNAN MARU No. 6.
19 July 1943:
At 0614, arrives at Tarawa escorted by auxiliary subchaser TAKUNAN MARU No. 6.
20 July 1943:
At 1430, departs Tarawa escorted by auxiliary subchaser TAKUNAN MARU No. 6.
21 July 1943:
At 0518, arrives at Makin escorted by auxiliary subchaser TAKUNAN MARU No. 6.
23 July 1943:
At 0530, departs Makin escorted by auxiliary subchaser TAKUNAN MARU No. 6.
24 July 1943:
At 1350, arrives at Jaluit escorted by auxiliary subchaser TAKUNAN MARU No. 6. TAKUNAN MARU No. 6 ends escort.
26 July ~ 5 August 1943:
Auxiliary subchaser TAKUNAN MARU No. 6 lies alongside while her engine is being repaired.
9 August 1943:
Departs Jaluit escorted by auxiliary subchaser TAKUNAN MARU No. 6.
10 August 1943:
At 1105, arrives at Makin escorted by auxiliary subchaser TAKUNAN MARU No. 6.
11 August 1943:
At 1403, departs Makin escorted by auxiliary subchaser TAKUNAN MARU No. 6.
12 August 1943:
At 0528, arrives at Tarawa escorted by auxiliary subchaser TAKUNAN MARU No. 6.
16 August 1943:
At 0520, departs Tarawa escorted by auxiliary subchaser TAKUNAN MARU No. 6.
17 August 1943:
At 0715, arrives at Ocean Island escorted by auxiliary subchaser TAKUNAN MARU No. 6. Departs there at 0921, escorted by auxiliary subchaser TAKUNAN MARU No. 6.
18 August 1943:
At 0430, arrives at Nauru escorted by auxiliary subchaser TAKUNAN MARU No. 6. Departs there at 0825, escorted by auxiliary subchaser TAKUNAN MARU No. 6.
19 August 1943:
At 0340, arrives at Ocean Island escorted by auxiliary subchaser TAKUNAN MARU No. 6. Departs there at 0615, escorted by auxiliary subchaser TAKUNAN MARU No. 6.
20 August 1943:
At 1259, arrives at Tarawa escorted by auxiliary subchaser TAKUNAN MARU No. 6.
25 August 1943:
At 1430, departs Tarawa escorted by auxiliary subchaser TAKUNAN MARU No. 6.
26 August 1943:
At 0434, arrives at Makin escorted by auxiliary subchaser TAKUNAN MARU No. 6.
27 August 1943:
At 0530, departs Makin escorted by auxiliary subchaser TAKUNAN MARU No. 6.
28 August 1943:
At 1329, arrives at Jaluit escorted by auxiliary subchaser TAKUNAN MARU No. 6. TAKUNAN MARU No. 6 ends escort.
5 September 1943:
Arrives at Kwajalein.
25 September 1943:
Navy (Resv) Lt Ishii Tomekichi is appointed CO.
6 October 1943:
Due to depart Taroa for Nauru escorted by auxiliary subchasers CHa-25 and CHa-33 and probably auxiliary subchaser KYO MARU No. 6.
29 October 1943:
Arrives at Tarawa escorted by auxiliary subchaser CHa-33.
November 1943:
Undergoes engine repairs at Kwajalein. Apparently significant engine damage makes ship inoperable from Nov-Dec ‘43.
14 December 1943:
Auxiliary transport (ex-auxiliary gunboat) KATORI MARU comes alongside and transfers shells.
1 January 1944:
Attached to Marshalls Defense Force under South Seas Command Order No. 6.
3 January 1944:
Towed by auxiliary transport KENSHO MARU from Kwajalein to Roi.
5 January 1944:
Attached to Vice Admiral Kobayashi Masashi’s (38) Fourth Fleet, 4th Base Force.
11 January 1944:
Departs Roi and arrives at Enubuj anchorage , Kwajalein Atoll later that day. Unloads aviation gasoline and undergoes engine repairs.
12 January 1944:
Bombed and subsequently sunk by VB-108 and VB-109 Consolidated PB4Y ‘Privateer’ aircraft at 08-42N, 167-44E, Kwajalein. One ship’s gunner is KIA.
10 March 1944:
Removed from the Navy list under instruction No. 427.
Authors' Notes:
[1] Not to be confused with IJA transport No. 1039 (485 GRT, ‘34), IJA shared tanker (A/C-AO) No. 5114 (1,018 GRT, ’44) and Ministry of Interior Kobe Civil Engineering Branch Office (Kobe) tugboat (‘12).
[2] 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.
[3] Auxiliary gunboat CHOKAI MARU struck Minto Reef on 14 Oct ’41, was declared CTL and removed from 8th Gunboat Division on 25 Nov ’41.
Thanks go to Gengoro S. Toda of Japan.
- Gilbert Casse, Berend van der Wal and Peter Cundall.
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