Japanese Auxiliary Gunboats

KOKAI HOKAN!

(KAMITSU MARU, prewar- Berend van der Wal collection)

IJN KAMITSU MARU:
Tabular Record of Movement

© 2022 Gilbert Casse, Berend van der Wal and Peter Cundall

9 February 1937:
Aioi. Laid down by Harima Zosensho K.K. as a 2,723-tons cargo ship for Setsuyo Shosen K.K.
27 May 1937:
Launched and named KAMITSU MARU.
10 September 1937:
Completed and registered at Osaka. Her Gross Registered tonnage (GRT) and Net Registered Tonnage (NRT) respectively are 2,723-tons and 1,540 tons. Her call sign is JHKL. [1]
1937 ~ 1939:
In service on the Osaka ~ Jinsen, Shosen (now Incheon, South Korea) ~ Chinnampo, Chosen (now North Korea) route.
1938:
Her GRT and NRT are respectively changed to 2,721-tons and 1,538-tons. [1]
5 April 1939:
Arrives at Samah (Sanya) Hainan Island, China.
2 December 1940:
Requisitioned by the IJN.
4 December 1940:
Osaka. Conversion for military duty begins at the Osaka Zosensho K.K. shipyard.
16 December 1940:
Registered as an auxiliary gunboat attached to the Maizuru Naval District under instruction No. 980. Navy Capt. Horiuchi Kaoru (40) is appointed CO.
23 December 1940:
Navy Capt. Miyasaki Ichiro (41) is appointed CO.
15 January 1941:
Attached to 2nd Gunboat Division under instruction No. 28. Designated as an auxiliary gunboat engaged in minelaying under instruction No. 56. Attached to Vice Admiral (Fleet Admiral posthumously) Koga Mineichi’s (34) Second Fleet, 2nd Base Force, 2nd Gunboat Division.
17 January 1941:
Conversion for military duty is completed.
5 February 1941:
Rated as gunboat No. 22.
24 March 1941:
Departs Sasebo for Naka waters and then Tachibana Bay.
10 April 1941:
Attached to Vice Admiral Takahashi Ibo’s (36) Third Fleet in Rear Admiral Hirose Sueto’s (39) 2nd Gunboat Division.
1 May 1941:
Navy (Resv) LtCdr. Segawa Iwao is appointed CO.
10 June 1941:
Departs Sasebo for southern Chinese waters.
8 July 1941:
Arrives at Takao, Formosa (now Kaoshiung, Taiwan).
10 July 1941:
Participates in Operation ‘FU’ (invasion of French Indochina) in No. 1 escort squadron.
11 July 1941:
Departs Takao for Saigon, French Indochina (now Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam).
27 August 1941:
Arrives at Sasebo.
29 September 1941:
Enters drydock.
15 October 1941:
Attached to the 2nd Gunboat Division under instruction No. 1250. Navy (Resv) LtCdr. Segawa Iwao remains CO.
3 December 1941:
Departs Nakagusuku Bay.
5 December 1941:
Arrives at Kirun, Formosa (now Keelung, Taiwan).
10 December 1941:
Departs Kirun on port entrance patrol.
12 December 1941:
Arrives at Kirun.
15 December 1941:
Departs Kirun on port entrance patrol.
16 December 1941:
Arrives at Kirun. Rated as the 3rd escort unit under Philippines Command order No. 1.
17 December 1941:
Departs Kirun escorting the 3rd Transport Convoy.
20 December 1941:
At 0540, joins the 1st and 2nd escort units.
22 December 1941:
Arrives at Lingayen Bay, Luzon, Philippines. At 0755, attacked with five enemy torpedoes near Lingayen Bay but sustains no damage. Lays mines later this day. They are part of the 2nd minefield.
23 December 1941:
Engages in anti-air combat.
25 December 1941:
Lays mines in Santo Tomas Bay, Luzon, Philippines.
26 December 1941:
At 1225, departs Lingayen with auxiliary gunboats MANYO, OKUYO, TAIKO and YODOGAWA MARUs escorting a convoy consisting of KOAN and SENDAI MARUs and 10 unidentified merchant ships.
28 December 1941:
At 1810, arrives at Takao outer harbor.
29 December 1941:
Lies alongside auxiliary gunboat MANYO MARU and is supplied with coal and mines.
30 December 1941:
Loads mines.
31 December 1941:
Loads food and supplies.
1 January 1942:
At 0800, departs Takao with auxiliary gunboats MANYO, OKUYO and TAIKO MARUs escorting a convoy consisting of KOAN, SENDAI, KOSEI, ASAYAMA, KIKU and YODOGAWA MARUs and KUREHA MARU No. 1.
3 January 1942:
At 2039, arrives at Camiguin, Philippines. Departs there later that day .
8 January 1942:
Arrives at Davao , Mindanao, Philippines.
9 January 1942:
Engages in anti-air combat. Auxiliary stores ship KOSEI MARU supplies food later this day.
10 January 1942:
Auxiliary collier/oiler KOSEI MARU supplies coal. Departs Davao on patrol in Zone No. 2. At 2000, engages in anti-submarine warfare. Her 12cm guns fire 9 rounds and her Type 93 13mm MGs fire 56 rounds at an enemy surfaced submarine and then drops four depth charges.
16 January 1942:
Arrives at Davao.
17 January 1942:
Departs Davao.
19 January 1942:
Arrives at Tarakan, Borneo, Netherlands East Indies (now Indonesia).
20 January 1942:
Transfers auxiliary minelayer SHINKO MARU’s landing craft and service personnel to auxiliary transport KUMAGAWA MARU.
21 January 1942:
Auxiliary stores ship BANSHU MARU No. 2 supplies food.
26 January 1942:
Anchors near auxiliary netlayer SEIAN MARU.
30 January 1942:
Auxiliary water tanker KOAN MARU supplies fresh water.
2 February 1942:
Departs Tarakan escorting auxiliary water tanker KOAN MARU and auxiliary stores ship SENDAI MARU.
4 February 1942:
Rated as a Celebes, Netherlands East Indies (now Sulawesi, Indonesia) Guard Unit.
5 February 1942:
Arrives at Davao with auxiliary water tanker KOAN MARU and auxiliary stores ship SENDAI MARU.
5 ~ 6 February 1942:
Unloads mines.
7 February 1942:
Auxiliary collier/oiler KOSEI MARU comes alongside and supplies coal.
8 February 1942:
Navy supply ship MAMIYA supplies food. Departs Davao later this day.
10 February 1942:
Arrives at Bangka anchorage, Netherlands East Indies (now Indonesia).
14 February 1942:
Departs Bangka anchorage.
17 February 1942:
Arrives at Macassar, Celebes, Netherlands East Indies (now Sulawesi, Indonesia).
19 February 1942:
Moors at a wharf and loads coal and fresh water.
20 February 1942:
Unmoor.
21 February 1942:
Departs Macassar on patrol in her assigned area.
24 February 1942:
Arrives at Macassar. Engages in anti-air combat. Type 93 13mm MGs fire 950 rounds and Type 38 Arisaka rifles fire 350 bullets. Later that day, departs Macassar on patrol in her assigned area.
25 February 1942:
Arrives at Macassar.
26 February 1942:
Departs Macassar on patrol in her assigned area.
27 February 1942:
Arrives at Macassar.
28 February 1942:
Moors at a wharf and loads coal and fresh water.
1 March 1942:
Departs Macassar on patrol in her assigned area.
2 March 1942:
Arrives at Macassar. Later, departs Macassar on patrol in her assigned area.
4 March 1942:
Sweeps mines in W Channel and Hoven Channel; thereafter departs on patrol in her assigned area.
6 March 1942:
Arrives at Macassar.
7 March 1942:
Loads a landing craft and embarks part of Sasebo Combined 2nd SNLF. Departs Macassar later that day.
10 March 1942:
Arrives at Menado (now Manado), Celebes, Netherlands East Indies (now Sulawesi, Indonesia). 2nd Gunboat Division is attached to Vice Admiral Takahashi Ibo’s (36) 2nd Southern Expeditionary Fleet.
14 March 1942:
Embarks three passengers. Departs Menado later this day.
18 March 1942:
Arrives at Macassar.
19 March 1942:
Auxiliary stores ship SENDAI MARU supplies food.
20 March 1942:
Detached from 2nd Gunboat Division under instruction No. 477. Attached to Vice Admiral Hosogaya Boshiro’s (36) Fifth Fleet. Rated as Northern Troop Patrol’s, 1st Patrol Unit under Northern Area Fleet Command No. 19.
1 April 1942:
Assigned to participate in future Operation ‘RY’ (Occupation of Nauru and Ocean Islands).
6 April 1942:
Arrives at Kagoshima.
8 April 1942:
Departs Kagoshima.
10 April 1942:
Rated as Northern Troop Patrol’s, 1st Patrol Unit.
11 April 1942:
Arrives at Yokosuka. Remains there the rest of the month for maintenance and repairs.
5 May 1942:
Attached to the Main Command to be implemented on 10 May 42’ under Northern Troops Wireless Command No. 74.
6 May 1942:
Scheduled to be equipped with a Type 2 Ka-Mi amphibious tank under instruction No. 5497.
20 May 1942:
Departs Yokosuka.
23 May 1942:
Arrives at Ominato.
25 May 1942:
Departs Ominato.
26 May 1942:
Assigned to weapons supply under instruction No. 6452.
30 May 1942:
Arrives at Kakumabetsu Bay.
20 June 1942:
Departs Kakumabetsu Bay. Returns there later that day.
3 July 1942:
Departs Kakumabetsu Bay.
14 July 1942:
Stationed at Attu, Kiska garrison .
17 July 1942:
Arrives at Kakumabetsu Bay.
12 August 1942:
Receives Fifth Fleet instruction No. 31:
1 - Tow destroyer SHIRANUHI quickly to Narakumi Island (Kiska Island) and then to Kakamabetsu or Kataoka Bay depending on current situation.
2 - Ship tows destroyer SHIRANUHI to Maizuru from Narukami Island.
Receives Fifth Fleet instruction No. 342:
1 - On 12 Aug’, at 1108, scheduled to depart now, detect and attack an enemy submarine off Kakumabetsu.
2 - KUMAKUWA, KIKUGAWA, TEIYO and SHUNRIN MARUs will sail to Kashiwara bay escorted by TAKATSU MARU and destroyer SHIOKAZE.
Warning: be considerable vigilant.
Departs Kamabetsu Bay towing destroyer SHIRANUHI. Calls at Kashiwara Bay. Departs there and arrives at Kataoka Bay later that day.
18 August 1942:
Scheduled for receiving additional 30cm binoculars under instruction No. 10375.
21 August 1942:
Departs Kataoka Bay towing destroyer SHIRANUHI.
27 August 1942:
Arrives at Otaru.
30 August 1942:
Departs Otaru.
3 September 1942:
Arrives at Maizuru.
20 September 1942:
Completes installation of additional 30cm binoculars.
26 September 1942:
Departs Maizuru.
9 October 1942:
At 1825, meets up with auxiliary gunboat KOWA MARU.
14 October 1942:
Arrives at Yokosuka.
23 October 1942:
Departs Yokosuka.
4 November 1942:
At 1200, arrives at assigned patrol area.
7 November 1942:
Arrives at Yokosuka.
19 November 1942:
Departs Yokosuka.
25 November 1942:
Detached from patrol unit under Northern Command Wireless Command No. 153.
Attached to Vice Admiral Hosogaya Boshiro’s (36) Fifth Fleet, 22nd Squadron under Secretariat secret order No. 574-54.
1 December 1942:
At 1200, arrives at her assigned patrol area.
6 December 1942:
Arrives at Yokosuka.
21 December 1942:
Departs Yokosuka.
23 December 1942:
Arrives at Yokosuka.
5 January 1943:
Departs Yokosuka.
8 January 1943:
Arrives at assigned patrol area.
18 January 1943:
Departs assigned patrol area.
21 January 1943:
Arrives at Yokosuka.
8 February 1943:
Departs Yokosuka.
11 February 1943:
Arrives at assigned patrol area.
21 February 1943:
Departs assigned patrol area.
24 February 1943:
Arrives at Yokosuka.
9 March 1943:
Departs Yokosuka.
13 March 1943:
At 0740, at 35-53N, 151-48E avoids torpedo attacks. Engages in anti-submarine warfare. Drops 8 depth charges.
20 March 1943:
At 1400, together with auxiliary patrol boat SHINSEI MARU provides accommodation for victims.
22 March 1943:
Takes command of 2nd patrol unit.
27 March 1943:
Command of 2nd direct patrol unit ends.
31 March 1943:
Arrives at Yokosuka.
6 April 1943:
Departs Yokosuka.
8 April 1943:
At 1200, arrives at assigned patrol area.
9 April 1943:
At 0850, meets up and communicates with auxiliary gunboat UNYO MARU No. 1.
14 April 1943:
Deception. Check communication until returned at base under Patrol Corps Wireless Command No. 90.
18 April 1943:
At 1200, arrives at assigned patrol area.
21 April 1943:
Arrives at Yokosuka. Deception. Checking communication is cancelled under Patrol Corps Wireless Command No. 93.
5 May 1943:
Departs Yokosuka.
8 May 1943:
At 1200, arrives at assigned patrol area.
12 May 1943:
Promptly advance to ‘Y’ patrol line (152° line) under Patrol Troops Wireless Command No. 100. Thereafter moves to ‘Yu’ patrol line.
13 May 1943:
At 1513, meets up with auxiliary gunboat UKISHIMA MARU.
17 May 1943:
Order received to immediately withdraw, then quickly sail to Kushiro. Wait for completion of preparations for northward advancement under Patrol Corps Wireless Command No. 101.
Withdrawal is undertaken later that same day.
22 May 1943:
Arrives at Kushiro.
23 May 1943:
Promptly sail to Paramushiro, Kuriles (now Shelekhovo, Paramushir, Kuriles, Russia) as soon as ready under Patrol Corps Wireless Command No. 103.
26 May 1943:
At 0800, departs Kushiro.
30 May 1943:
At 0400, arrives at Paramushiro.
1 June 1943:
Performs patrol anchorage and S entrance under Northern Troop Patrol Command Order No. 14.
22 June 1943:
Auxiliary gunboat HINO MARU No. 2 lies alongside and supplies 110-tons of boiler water.
1 July 1943:
Navy (Resv) LtCdr Segawa Iwao is CO.
15 July 1943:
Navy (Resv) LtCdr Akagi Tsuyoshi is appointed CO.
18 July 1943:
1130 ~ 1435: auxiliary gunboat UNYO MARU NO. 1 lies alongside and supplies fresh water.
20 July 1943:
Departs Paramushiro.
21 July 1943
At 47-50N, 154-08E attacked with two torpedoes fired by an enemy submarine but sustains no damage.
24 July 1943:
Arrives at Kushiro.
29 July 1943:
Departs Kushiro.
1 August 1943:
Arrives at Yokosuka for maintenance and repairs.
5 August 1943:
Assigned to Vice Admiral Totsuka Michitaro’s (38) Northeast Area Fleet, 2nd Air Force Base, as patrolling unit.
September 1943:
Rated as 1st Patrol Unit B.
5 September 1943:
Departs Yokohama.
10 September 1943:
Receives instruction for gyrocompass maintenance under instruction No. 4628.
23 September 1943:
Arrives at Yokohama.
30 September 1943:
At 0805, raises Command Flag received from auxiliary gunboat FUKUEI MARU No. 10.
11 October 1943:
Command Flag is transferred to auxiliary gunboat UNYO MARU No. 1. Departs Yokohama.
27 October 1943:
Arrives at assigned patrol area.
2 November 1943:
Arrives at Yokohama.
16 November 1943:
Her owners are changed to Osaka Shosen K.K (OSK).
21 November 1943:
Departs Yokohama.
16 December 1943:
Arrives at Yokohama . At 0900, raises Command Flag received from auxiliary gunboat UKISHIMA MARU.
27 December 1943:
Command Flag is transferred to auxiliary gunboat UNYO MARU No. 1.
27 ~ 28 December 1943:
Loads coal.
29 December 1943:
Loads canteen goods.
30 December 1943:
Departs Yokohama.
1 January 1944:
Rated as a patrol unit under 2nd Air Base Command Order No. 1.
4 January 1944:
Meets up with auxiliary picket boats KOJO MARU, NANSHIN MARU No. 26 and ASAHI MARU No. 2.
5 January 1944:
Meets up with auxiliary picket boat KAIRYU MARU.
7 January 1944:
Meets up with auxiliary picket boats EIKICHI MARU and KAIHO MARU No. 2.
8 January 1944:
Meets up with auxiliary picket boat LUZON MARU.
That same day, auxiliary picket boat RYUJU MARU No. 1 becomes unnavigable due to mechanical failure. At 1730, a 3 foot crack forms at stern hull waterline. She starts to flood. At 2020, completes emergency repairs and begins draining water.
9 January 1944:
At 1040, 1st cylinder crank chamber fails. At 1205, KAMITSU MARU heads on rescue mission towards location of auxiliary picket boat RYUJU MARU No. 1.
10 January 1944:
Receives instructions to load machine equipment transferred by Yokosuka Naval Yard under instruction No. 109. At 0205, at 36-04N, 156-04E meets up with auxiliary picket boat RYUJU MARU No. 1. At 0350, lies alongside RYUJU MARU No. 1 and specific equipment is transferred. At 0430, all mobile equipment is transferred. At 0450, crew is transferred. Soon thereafter, RYUJU MARU No. 1 sinks.
12 January 1944:
Meets up with auxiliary picket boat MATSUMORI MARU No. 3.
15 January 1944:
Arrives at Yokohama.
19 January 1944:
Arrives at Mitsubishi Kogyo K.K. Yokohama Shipyard Shiori No. 5 wharf.
24 January 1944:
Receives Command Flag from auxiliary gunboat UKISHIMA MARU.
25 January 1944:
Moors at Shiori No. 2 Wharf.
28 January 1944:
Moors at No. 1 Wharf.
31 January 1944:
Loads coal and storage goods.
1 February 1944:
Attached to the Yokosuka Naval District under instruction No. 277. Attached to 2nd Picket Boat Division under instruction No. 278. Attached to Vice Admiral Kawase Shiro’s (38) Fifth Fleet, 22nd Squadron, 2nd Picket Boat Division.
2 ~ 3 February 1944:
Loads coal and food.
3 February 1944:
Loads food.
4 February 1944:
Departs Yokohama.
7 February 1944:
At 0300, arrives at assigned patrol area. Meets up with auxiliary picket boats FUKUKYU MARU No. 1, SEIYU MARU and NANSHIN MARU No. 33.
8 February 1944:
Meets up with auxiliary picket boats NANSHIN MARU No. 33, LUZON MARU and NANSHIN MARU No. 26.
9 February 1944:
Meets up with auxiliary picket boats LUZON MARU, NANSHIN MARU No. 26 and KAIHO MARU No. 2.
10 February 1944:
Meets up with auxiliary picket boat HACHIRYU MARU 12 GO.
11 February 1944:
Meets up with auxiliary picket boat HACHIRYU MARU 12 GO.
14 February 1944:
Meets up with auxiliary picket boat OEBISU MARU No. 3.
17 February 1944:
Meets up with auxiliary picket boats KAIRYU MARU and KAINAN MARU No. 6,
21 February 1944:
Arrives at Yokohama. Attached to Vice Admiral Totsuka Michitaro’s (38) Northeastern Area Fleet, 22nd Squadron, 2nd Picket Boat Division.
28 February 1944:
At 0800, receives Command Flag from auxiliary gunboat UKISHIMA MARU.
7 March 1944:
At 0800, transfers Command Flag to auxiliary gunboat UNYO MARU No. 1.
8 March 1944:
Departs Yokohama.
11 March 1944:
At 0800, arrives at assigned patrol area.
12 March 1944:
Meets up with auxiliary picket boat KAIJIN MARU.
13 March 1944:
Meets up with auxiliary picket boats KAINAN MARU No. 7, ASAHI MARU No. 2 and CHIYO MARU No. 3.
14 March 1944:
Meets up with auxiliary picket boats SEIJU MARU No. 5, LUZON MARU and NANSHIN MARU No. 33.
15 March 1944:
Meets up with auxiliary picket boat SEIYU MARU.
16 March 1944:
At 1000, moves to patrol area on the 150° line.
17 March 1944:
At 1200, arrives at 150° line.
18 March 1944:
Meets up with auxiliary picket boats KAIHO MARU No. 2 and CHIYO MARU No. 3.
22 March 1944:
Arrives at Yokohama.
23 March 1944:
Crew quarters are renovated.
29 March ~ 9 April 1944:
Installation of two sets of Type 96 25mm guns and relocation of Type 3 6.5mm MG.
31 March 1944:
At 0800, receives Command Flag from auxiliary gunboat UKISHIMA MARU.
7 April 1944:
Loads food.
7 ~ 8 April 1944:
Loads coal.
9 April 1944:
Departs Yokohama. Executes a compass correction and test fires Type 96 25mm guns.
10 April 1944:
At 0800, meets up with auxiliary picket boats LUZON MARU and KAIJIN MARU.
13 April 1944:
At 0200, arrives at the 155° patrol line area.
14 April 1944:
Meets up with auxiliary picket boat KAIRYU MARU.
15 April 1944:
Meets up with auxiliary picket boats NANSHIN MARU No. 33, LUZON MARU, KAIJIN MARU and FUKUKYU MARU No. 1.
16 April 1944:
Meets up with auxiliary picket boats SEIJU MARU No. 5, HOSHO MARU No. 3 and MATSUMORI MARU No. 3.
17 April 1944:
At 1000, heads towards 158° line.
18 April 1944:
Meets up with auxiliary picket boats EIKICHI MARU and KAIHO MARU No. 2.
22 April 1944:
At 1000, heads towards 155° line. Meets up with auxiliary picket boat HOSHO MARU No. 3.
23 April 1944:
Meets up with auxiliary picket boat KASEI MARU.
24 April 1944:
Meets up with auxiliary picket boat SEIJU MARU No. 5.
25 April 1944:
At 1000, arrives at assigned patrol area.
29 April 1944:
Arrives at Yokohama.
1 May 1944:
Navy (Resv) LtCdr Akagi Takeshi remains CO.
2 ~ 3 May 1944:
Loads coal.
8 May 1944:
Transfers to Takashima Pier.
13 May 1944:
Transfers to Yamashita Pier A.
14 May 1944:
Loads coal and boiler water.
15 May 1944:
Departs Yokohama.
19 May 1944:
Meets up with auxiliary picket boat KOEI MARU No. 11.
20 May 1944:
Meets up with auxiliary picket boat KOEI MARU No. 11.
21 May 1944:
At 1000, moves to 160° line.
22 May 1944:
Meets up with auxiliary picket boat YAKUSHI MARU No. 3.
23 May 1944:
Meets up with auxiliary picket boats HOSHO MARU No. 3 and SEIJU MARU No. 5.
24 May 1944:
Meets up with auxiliary picket boats LUZON MARU and ISUZU MARU No. 3.
26 May 1944:
Meets up with auxiliary picket boats KOJO MARU, LUEI MARU, EIKICHI MARU, KAIRYU MARU and KOEI MARU No. 11.
28 May 1944:
Meets up with auxiliary picket boat KAIHO MARU No. 2. At 1000, moves to 155° line.
30 May 1944:
Meets up with auxiliary picket boat KASEI MARU.
31 May 1944:
Meets up with auxiliary picket boats MATSUMORI MARU No. 3 and HOSHO MARU No. 3. At 1000, arrives at assigned patrol area.
4 June 1944:
Arrives at Yokohama.
7 June 1944:
Loads fresh water.
7 ~ 8 June 1944:
Loads coal.
9 June 1944:
At 1330, moors at Mitsubishi Dock Shioiri No. 1.
11 ~ 15 June 1944:
Relocation of 2 Type 93 single 13mm MGs at the rear of both deck sides.
11 ~ 16 June 1944:
Relocation of 75mm searchlight at lifeboat deck rear part. Installation of a single Type 93 single 13mm MG on lifeboat deck starboard center.
11 ~ 19 June 1944:
Relocation of one Type 93 single 13mm MG to lifeboat deck port center.
13 June 1944:
At 0849 moors at buoy No. 20. At 1013, moors at Shiori 1 Wharf.
19 June 1944:
Removes Command Flag.
20 June 1944:
Departs Yokohama.
22 June 1944:
At 2330, arrives at 151° line.
23 June 1944:
Meets up with auxiliary picket boats LUZON MARU, NANSHIN MARU No. 38, KASEI MARU, KOJO MARU and MATSUMORI MARU No. 3.
24 June 1944:
Meets up with auxiliary picket boats FUKUKYU MARU No. 1, FUKUYOSHI MARU No. 2 GO, KAIJIN MARU and ISUZU MARU No. 3.
25 June 1944:
Meets up with auxiliary picket boats LUZON MARU, KOEI MARU No. 11 and KAIRYU MARU.
26 June 1944:
Meets up with auxiliary picket boats SEIJU MARU No. 5, HACHIRYU MARU 12 GO, KAIRYU MARU, KOEI MARU No. 11 and KASEI MARU.
27 June 1944:
At 0845, disposes of a floating mine. Meets up with auxiliary picket boats EIKICHI MARU, MATSUMORI MARU No. 3, ISUZU MARU No. 3 and KAIJIN MARU.
28 June 1944:
Meets up with auxiliary picket boats FUKUKYU MARU No. 1 and FUKUYOSHI MARU No. 2 GO. At 0600, moves to 152° line.
29 June 1944:
Meets up with auxiliary picket boats MATSUMORI MARU No. 3, HOSHO MARU No. 3, EIKICHI MARU, KOJO MARU and LUZON MARU. At 1029, disposes of a floating mine. At 1806, disposes of another floating mine.
30 June 1944:
Meets up with auxiliary picket boats NANSHIN MARU No. 38 and KASEI MARU.
1 July 1944:
Meets up with auxiliary picket boats SEIJU MARU No. 5, HACHIRYU MARU 12 GO, KOEI MARU No. 11 and NANSHIN MARU No. 38.
2 July 1944:
Meets up with auxiliary picket boats KOJO MARU, EIKICHI MARU, HOSHO MARU No. 3, MATSUMORI MARU No. 3, ISUZU MARU No. 3 and KAIJIN MARU.
3 July 1944:
At 0600, moves to 151° line. Meets up with auxiliary picket boats FUKUYOSHI MARU No. 2 GO and KAIJIN MARU.
4 July 1944:
Meets up with auxiliary picket boats FUKUKYU MARU No. 1, FUKUYOSHI MARU No. 2 GO, KAIJIN MARU and ISUZU MARU No. 3. At 1400, moves to 145° line.
6 July 1944:
At 1354, arrives at 145° line.
7 July 1944:
Meets up with auxiliary picket boats MATSUMORI MARU No. 3, HOSHO MARU No. 3, EIKICHI MARU and KOJO MARU.
8 July 1944:
Meets up with auxiliary picket boats KOEI MARU No. 11, NANSHIN MARU No. 38, KASEI MARU and LUZON MARU. At 1600, arrives at assigned patrol area.
9 July 1944:
At 1745, arrives at Tateyama Bay.
10 July 1944:
At 0738, departs Tateyama Bay. Arrives at Yamashita Pier, Yokohama later that same day.
11 ~ 12 July 1944:
Loads coal.
12 July 1944:
Loads boiler water.
17 July 1944:
At 0800, Command Flag is received from auxiliary gunboat UKISHIMA MARU.
25 July 1944:
Loads coal and ice.
26 July 1944:
Loads fresh water and food.
27 July 1944:
At 0800, Command Flag is transferred to auxiliary gunboat CHOUN MARU. Departs Yokohama later that day.
30 July 1944:
At 0540, arrives at assigned patrol area. Meets up with auxiliary picket boats MATSUMORI MARU No. 3, HOSHO MARU No. 3, KAINAN MARU No. 6 and EIKICHI MARU.
31 July 1944:
Meets up with auxiliary picket boats MATSUMORI MARU No. 3, NANSHIN MARU No. 38 and LUZON MARU (two times).
1 August 1944:
Meets up with auxiliary picket boats KAIJIN MARU, ISUZU MARU No. 3, KASEI MARU and FUKUYOSHI MARU No. 2 GO. Attached to 22nd Squadron, 2nd Picket Boat Division. Navy (Resv) LtCdr Ikeda Eikeshiro is appointed CO.
2 August 1944:
Meets up with auxiliary picket boats KOJO MARU, HACHIRYU MARU 12 GO, KAIRYU MARU and KOEI MARU No. 11. At 1755, moves to ‘NU’ line.
3 August 1944:
Meets up with auxiliary picket boat NANSHIN MARU No. 38.
4 August 1944:
Meets up with auxiliary picket boats EIKICHI MARU, KAINAN MARU No. 6, HOSHO MARU No. 3 and MATSUMORI MARU No. 3.
7 August 1944:
Meets up with auxiliary picket boats HACHIRYU MARU 12 GO and KOJO MARU.
8 August 1944:
Meets up with auxiliary picket boats KOEI MARU No. 11, KAIJIN MARU, ISUZU MARU No. 3 and KASEI MARU.
9 August 1944:
Meets up with auxiliary picket boats FUKUYOSHI MARU No. 2 GO, LUZON MARU, NANSHIN MARU No. 38, MATSUMORI MARU No. 3 and HOSHO MARU No. 3.
10 August 1944:
Meets up with auxiliary picket boats YAKUSHI MARU No. 3, EIKICHI MARU and KAINAN MARU No. 6.
11 August 1944:
At 1000, arrives at assigned patrol area.
13 August 1944:
Arrives at Yokohama.
15 ~ 16 August 1944:
Loads coal.
17 August 1944:
Loads boiler water.
21 August 1944:
Former CO, Navy (Resv) LtCdr Akagi Takeshi disembarks.
25 August 1944:
Loads supplies.
30 August 1944:
Loads coal, fresh water and food products.
31 August 1944:
Departs Yokohama.
3 September 1944:
Meets up with auxiliary picket boats FUKUKYU MARU No. 1, SEIRYO MARU, HACHIRYU MARU 12 GO and NANSHIN MARU No. 38. At 1350, arrives at 153° line.
4 September 1944:
Meets up with auxiliary picket boats KAIHO MARU No. 2, YAKUSHI MARU No. 3, SEIJU MARU No. 5 and NANSHIN MARU No. 26.
5 September 1944:
Meets up with auxiliary picket boats SEIJU MARU No. 5, NANSHIN MARU No. 26 and ISUZU MARU No. 3.
6 September 1944:
Meets up with auxiliary picket boats YAKUSHI MARU No. 3, FUKUYOSHI MARU No. 2 GO and KAIRYU MARU. At 1525, moves to assigned patrol area.
7 September 1944 :
At 0530, arrives at 154° patrol area. Meets up with auxiliary picket boats LUZON MARU and SEIYU MARU.
8 September 1944:
Meets up with auxiliary picket boats KAIJIN MARU, OEBISU MARU No. 3 and MATSUMORI MARU No. 3.
9 September 1944:
Meets up with auxiliary picket boats LUZON MARU, NANSHIN MARU No. 33, FUKUKYU MARU No. 1, SEIRYO MARU, HACHIRYU MARU 12 GO and NANSHIN MARU No. 38.
10 September 1944:
Meets up with auxiliary picket boats KAIHO MARU No. 2, NANSHIN MARU No. 26, ISUZU MARU No. 3 and SEIJU MARU No. 5.
11 September 1944:
At 0600, moves to assigned patrol area. Performs shooting training later that day.
12 September 1944:
At 0200, arrives at 151° line patrol area. Meets up with auxiliary picket boats YAKUSHI MARU No. 3, NANSHIN MARU No. 38, HACHIRYU MARU 12 GO, FUKUKYU MARU No. 1 and SEIRYO MARU.
13 September 1944:
Meets up with auxiliary picket boats OEBISU MARU No. 3, KAIJIN MARU, MATSUMORI MARU No. 3, NANSHIN MARU No. 33, LUZON MARU and SEIYU MARU.
15 September 1944:
At 1000, arrives at assigned patrol area.
17 September 1944:
Arrives at Yokohama outer port.
18 September 1944:
Moors at Yamashita Pier.
21 September 1944:
Moors at Shiori No. 1 wharf.
22 September 1944:
Loads canteen goods.
25 September 1944:
At 0900, receives Command Flag from auxiliary gunboat UKISHIMA MARU.
27 September 1944:
Loads food supplies.
28 September ~ 30 October 1944:
Removal of the 12/40cm gun (second gun) and single Type 93 13mm MG.
1 ~ 30 October 1944:
Installation of Type 96 25 mm single guns at front and rear decks.
5 October 1944:
Command Flag is transferred to auxiliary gunboat CHOUN MARU.
6 October 1944:
At 1400, enters Mitsubishi Kogyo K.K. Yokohama Shipyard drydock.
12 ~ 30 October 1944:
Installation of Type 96 25mm twin guns on deck both sides and modified Type 1 lifeboat.
22 October 1944:
Undocked.
23 October 1944:
Receives Command Flag from auxiliary gunboat CHOUN MARU.
31 October 1944:
At 0945, moors at Shiori No. 5.
1 November 1944:
Departs Yokohama. Transfers towards outer port. Returns there later this day.
2 November 1944:
Departs Yokohama on a trial run. Returns to port later that day.
4 November 1944:
Loads coal and ammunition.
5 November 1944:
Departs Yokohama. Transfers towards outer port. Returns to port later this day.
6 November 1944:
Loads coal.
7 November 1944:
Loads food.
9 November 1944:
Loads coal.
10 November 1944:
Departs Yokohama.
12 November 1944:
At 1800, arrives at ‘RI’ patrol line.
14 November 1944:
Meets up with auxiliary picket boat SEIRYO MARU.
16 November 1944:
Meets up with auxiliary picket boats SEIRYO MARU, EIKICHI MARU, NANSHIN MARU No. 26 and FUKUYOSHI MARU No. 2 GO.
17 November 1944:
Meets up with auxiliary picket boat LUZON MARU.
18 November 1944:
At 0040, at 31-14N, 141-50E avoids a torpedo attack.
At 0043, engages in anti-submarine warfare and drops two depth charges.
At 0324, avoids a torpedo attack.
At 0329, engages in anti-submarine warfare and drops two depth charges.
20 November 1944:
Meets up with auxiliary picket boat SEIRYO MARU.
21 November 1944:
Meets up with auxiliary picket boats NANSHIN MARU No. 33 and KAIHO MARU No. 2.
22 November 1944:
Meets up with auxiliary picket boats YAKUSHI MARU No. 3 and KAINAN MARU No. 6.
23 November 1944:
Meets up with auxiliary picket boats SEIYU MARU, KAINAN MARU No. 7 and FUKUKYU MARU No. 1.
24 November 1944:
Meets up with auxiliary picket boats NANSHIN MARU No. 26, EIKICHI MARU and FUKUYOSHI MARU No. 2 GO.
25 November 1944:
At 0600, arrives at assigned patrol area.
26 November 1944:
Arrives at Tateyama.
27 November 1944:
Departs Tateyama and arrives at Yokohama later that day.
3 December 1944:
Loads canteen goods. Departs Yokohama and transfers towards outer port later in the day.
4 December 1944:
Arrives at Yokohama.
7 December 1944:
Loads war supplies.
11 December 1944:
Loads food supplies.
13 December 1944:
Departs Yokohama. Transfers towards outer port.
14 December 1944:
Arrives at Yokohama. Loads food.
16 December 1944:
Loads coal.
18 December 1944:
Departs Yokohama.
21 December 1944:
At 0600, arrives at assigned patrol area. Meets up with auxiliary picket boats ASAHI MARU No. 5 and LUZON MARU.
22 December 1944:
Meets up with auxiliary picket boats EIKICHI MARU and KASHIMA MARU No. 5.
23 December 1944:
Meets up with auxiliary picket boat KAINAN MARU No. 6.
24 December 1944:
Meets up with auxiliary picket boats EIKICHI MARU and FUKUKYU MARU No. 1.
25 December 1944:
Meets up with auxiliary picket boats and KAIHO MARU No. 2, KOEI MARU No. 11 and SHINKO MARU No. 15.
26 December 1944:
At 0748, disposes of floating mines. Meets up with auxiliary picket boats SEIYU MARU, TAKA MARU No. 5 and YAKUSHI MARU No. 3.
27 December 1944:
Meets up with auxiliary picket boats SHINKO MARU No. 15, NANSHIN MARU No. 33, KAINAN MARU No. 7 and HOSHO MARU No. 3.
28 December 1944:
Meets up with auxiliary picket boats KOEI MARU No. 11, KAIHO MARU No. 2, NANSHIN MARU No. 26 and SEIRYO MARU.
29 December 1944:
Meets up with auxiliary picket l boats KASHIMA MARU No. 5, KASEI MARU, SHINYO MARU and KAINAN MARU No. 6.
2 January 1945:
Arrives at Yokohama.
February 1945:
Rated as 2nd patrol unit. Navy (Resv) LtCdr Morimoto Jiro is appointed CO. Departs Yokohama later this day.
25 February 1945:
At 0802, at 130° and one nautical mile off Honmoku buoy, a formation of 10 small aircraft is sighted.
At 0803, engages in anti-air combat with 15 Grumman F6-F ‘HELLCAT’ aircraft.
At 0805, begins firing. 25mm guns fire 1351 rounds, 13mm MGs fire 444 rounds and Type 3 year MGs fire 30 rounds.
At 0810, nautical department warehouse catches fire after being hit. 22 people are killed including her former CO: LtCdr (Resv) Ikeda Eikeshiro.
At 0818, fire is extinguished.
At 0825, stops firing. Arrives at Yokohama later that day.
1 March 1945:
Departs Yokohama.
May 1945:
Withdrawn from patrol line deployment.
20 May 1945:
Detached from 2nd Picket Boat Division under instruction No. 449. Transferred as an auxiliary transport attached to the Yokosuka Naval District under instruction No. 450. Assigned to the Naval Department as a general miscellaneous transport attached to the Yokosuka Naval District. Navy (Resv) LtCdr Morimoto Jiro remains CO.
24 June 1945:
Departs Yokosuka for Hakodate, Hokkaido in convoy No. 1624 also consisting of merchant cargo ship EIKAN MARU ( Std.Type 2A) and Fleet supply SOYA escorted by kaibokan SHISAKA and subchaser CH-51. Ships are loaded with heavy industrial machinery from Tokyo Yokahama industrial complex. The machinery's final destination is Manchukuo (Manchuria).
26 June 1945:
At 0902, LtCdr (later Rear Admiral) Woodrow W. McCrory's (USNA '38) USS PARCHE (SS-384) sights a convoy consisting of three ships escorted by 6 escorts. At 1027, McCrory fires three torpedoes at the second ship in the column believed to be a Navy auxiliary because of the flag hoisted she is flying and he also fires three torpedoes at the third ship in the column. At 1029, KAMITSU MARU and EIKAN MARU are both hit by two torpedoes. KAMITSU MARU is hit in starboard’ amidships. She sinks at 39-25N, 142-01E near Shirasaki, Funakoshi Peninsula, Iwate Prefecture. 192 crewmen are lost. EIKAN MARU is heavily damaged and is beached at Iwate Ken. One crewman is lost.
10 August 1945:
Removed from the Navy’s list under instruction No. 727.

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.
Thanks go to Gengoro S. Toda of Japan.

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

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