Japanese Auxiliary Netlayers

KYUSETSUMOKAN!

BOSEMMOTEI!

(KOA MARU No. 2 Go Plan – Peter Cundall Collection)

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

© 2020 Gilbert Casse, Berend van der Wal and Peter Cundall

10 May 1939:
Kobe. Laid down by Kawakami Zosen K.K. as a 572-tons cargo ship for Koa Kisen K.K.
8 September 1941:
Launched and named KOA MARU No. 2 GO.
E December 1941:
Completed and registered at Osaka. Her call sign is JEFR.
22 December 1941:
Scheduled for requisition.
4 March 1942:
Requisitioned by the IJN.
12 March 1942:
Registered as an auxiliary netlayer attached to Kure Naval District under instruction No. 443.
10 April 1942:
Attached to Saeki Defense Force under instruction No. 821. Tactically assigned to Rear Admiral Matsuyama Misuharu s’ (40) Kure Guard Force, Kure Local Defense Squadron, Saeki Defense Force.
4 May 1942:
Osaka. Completes conversion to military duty at Nakata Shipyard. Navy Lt(jg) Okita Ishiro is appointed CO.
7 May 1942:
Departs Osaka and arrives at Ikeda Bay later this day.
8 May 1942:
Departs Ikeda Bay and arrives at Hiuchi Bay later that day.
9 May 1942:
Departs Hiuchi Bay and arrives at Kure later this day.
10 May 1942:
Renamed KOA MARU No. 2 GO under instruction No. 5212.
17 May 1942:
Departs Kure and arrives at Saeki later that day.
21 May 1942:
Departs Saeki and returns there later this day.
22 May 1942:
Departs Saeki and returns to port later that day.
24 May 1942:
Departs Saeki and arrives at Mizunokojima later this day.
28 May 1942:
Departs Mizunokojima and arrives at Saeki later that day.
2 June 1942:
Departs Saeki and arrives at Mizunokojima later this day.
3 June 1942:
Departs Mizunokojima and arrives at Saeki later that day.
5 June 1942:
Departs Saeki and arrives at Mizunokojima. Departs there later this day.
6 June 1942:
Arrives at Mizunokojima, departs there and arrives at Saeki later that day.
8 June 1942:
Departs Saeki and arrives at Mizunokojima later this day.
9 June 1942:
Departs Mizunokojima and arrives at Saeki later that day.
10 June 1942:
Departs Saeki and returns there later this day.
11 June 1942:
Departs Saeki and arrives at Mizunokojima later that day.
12 June 1942:
Departs Mizunokojima and arrives at Saeki later this day.
14 June 1942:
Departs Saeki and arrives at Mizunokojima later that day.
15 June 1942:
Departs Mizunokojima and arrives at Saeki later this day.
17 June 1942:
Departs Saeki and arrives at Mizunokojima later that day.
18 June 1942:
Departs Mizunokojima and arrives at Saeki later this day.
19 June 1942:
Departs Saeki and returns to port later that day.
20 June 1942:
Departs Saeki and arrives at Mizunokojima later this day.
21 June 1942:
Departs Mizunokojima and arrives at Saeki later that day.
23 June 1942:
Departs Saeki and arrives at Mizunokojima later this day.
24 June 1942:
Departs Mizunokojima and arrives at Saeki later that day.
25 June 1942:
Departs Saeki and returns there later this day.
26 June 1942:
Departs Saeki and arrives at Mizunokojima later that day.
27 June 1942:
Departs Mizunokojima and arrives at Saeki later this day.
29 June 1942:
Departs Saeki and arrives at Mizunokojima later that day.
30 June 1942:
Departs Mizunokojima and arrives at Saeki later this day.
2 July 1942:
Departs Saeki and arrives at Mizunokojima later that day.
3 July 1942:
Departs Mizunokojima and arrives at Saeki later this day.
5 July 1942:
Departs Saeki and arrives at Mizunokojima later that day.
6 July 1942:
Departs Mizunokojima and arrives at Saeki later this day.
8 July 1942:
Departs Saeki and arrives at Mizunokojima later that day.
9 July 1942:
Departs Mizunokojima and arrives at Saeki later this day.
10 July 1942:
Departs Saeki and returns to port later that day.
11 July 1942:
Departs Saeki and arrives at Mizunokojima later this day.
12 July 1942:
Departs Mizunokojima and returns there later that day.
13 July 1942:
Departs Mizunokojima and returns to port later this day.
15 July 1942:
Departs Mizunokojima and arrives at Saeki later that day.
16 July 1942:
Departs Saeki and arrives at Mizunokojima later this day.
18 July 1942:
Departs Mizunokojima and arrives at Saeki later that day.
19 July 1942:
Departs Saeki and returns there later this day.
20 July 1942:
Departs Saeki and arrives at Mizunokojima later that day.
21 July 1942:
Departs Mizunokojima and arrives at Saganoseki later this day.
22 July 1942:
Departs Saganoseki and returns there later that day.
23 July 1942:
Departs Saganoseki and arrives at Saeki later this day.
24 July 1942:
Departs Saeki and arrives at Mizunokojima later that day.
27 July 1942:
Departs Mizunokojima and returns there later this day.
28 July 1942:
Departs Mizunokojima and arrives at Saeki later that day.
29 July 1942:
Departs Saeki and arrives at Mizunokojima later this day.
31 July 1942:
Departs Mizunokojima and arrives at Saeki later that day.
1 August 1942:
Departs Saeki and arrives at Mizunokojima later this day.
3 August 1942:
Departs Mizunokojima and arrives at Saeki later that day.
4 August 1942:
Departs Saeki and arrives at Mizunokojima later this day.
5 August 1942:
Departs Mizunokojima and arrives at Saeki later that day.
6 August 1942:
Departs Saeki and returns to port later this day.
7 August 1942:
Departs Saeki and returns there later that day.
27 August 1942:
Departs Saeki on a trial run and returns to port later this day.
28 August 1942:
Departs Saeki and returns there later that day.
5 September 1942:
Departs Saeki and arrives at Mizunokojima later this day.
6 September 1942:
Departs Mizunokojima and returns there later that day.
8 September 1942:
Departs Mizunokojima and arrives at Saeki later this day.
9 September 1942:
Departs Saeki and arrives at Mizunokojima later that day.
11 September 1942:
Departs Mizunokojima and arrives at Saeki later this day.
12 September 1942:
Departs Saeki and arrives at Mizunokojima later that day.
14 September 1942:
Departs Mizunokojima and arrives at Saeki later this day.
15 September 1942:
Departs Saeki and returns there later that day.
16 September 1942:
Departs Saeki and arrives at Mizunokojima later this day.
17 September 1942:
Departs Mizunokojima and arrives at Saeki later that day.
18 September 1942:
Departs Saeki and arrives at Mizunokojima later this day.
20 September 1942:
Departs Mizunokojima and arrives at Saeki later that day.
21 September 1942:
Departs Saeki and arrives at Mizunokojima later this day.
23 September 1942:
Departs Mizunokojima and arrives at Saeki later that day.
24 September 1942:
Departs Saeki and arrives at Mizunokojima later this day.
26 September 1942:
Departs Mizunokojima and arrives at Saeki later that day.
27 September 1942:
Departs Saeki and arrives at Mizunokojima later this day.
29 September 1942:
Departs Mizunokojima and arrives at Saeki later that day.
30 September 1942:
Departs Saeki and returns to port later this day.
2 October 1942:
Departs Saeki and arrives at Mizunokojima later that day.
3 October 1942:
Departs Mizunokojima and arrives at Saeki later this day.
5 October 1942:
Departs Saeki and arrives at Mizunokojima later that day.
6 October 1942:
Departs Mizunokojima and arrives at Saeki later this day.
8 October 1942:
Departs Saeki and arrives at Mizunokojima later that day.
9 October 1942:
Departs Mizunokojima and arrives at Saeki later this day.
11 October 1942:
Departs Saeki and arrives at Mizunokojima later that day.
12 October 1942:
Departs Mizunokojima.
13 October 1942:
Arrives at Saeki.
14 October 1942:
Departs Saeki and arrives at Mizunokojima later this day.
15 October 1942:
Departs Mizunokojima and arrives at Saeki later that day.
17 October 1942:
Departs Saeki and arrives at Mizunokojima later this day.
18 October 1942:
Departs Mizunokojima and returns there later that day.
19 October 1942:
Departs Mizunokojima and returns to port later this day.
20 October 1942:
Departs Mizunokojima and arrives at Saeki later that day.
22 October 1942:
Departs Saeki and arrives at Mizunokojima later this day.
23 October 1942:
Departs Mizunokojima and arrives at Saeki later that day.
24 October 1942:
Departs Saeki and arrives at Furue later this day.
27 October 1942:
Departs Furue.
28 October 1942:
Arrives at Furue.
29 October 1942:
Departs Furue and arrives at Saeki later that day.
31 October 1942:
Departs Saeki and arrives at Mizunokojima later this day.
1 November 1942:
Departs Mizunokojima and returns there later that day.
3 November 1942:
Departs Saeki and arrives at Mizunokojima. Departs and returns there later this day.
4 November 1942:
Departs Mizunokojima and arrives at Saeki later that day.
6 November 1942:
Departs Saeki and arrives at Mizunokojima later this day.
7 November 1942:
Departs Mizunokojima and arrives at Saeki later that day.
8 November 1942:
Departs Saeki and arrives at Mizunokojima later this day.
9 November 1942:
Departs Mizunokojima and returns there later that day.
10 November 1942:
Departs Mizunokojima and arrives at Oshima. Departs there and arrives at Saeki later this day.
12 November 1942:
Departs Saeki and arrives at Mizunokojima later that day.
13 November 1942:
Departs Mizunokojima and arrives at Saeki later this day.
15 November 1942:
Departs Saeki and arrives at Mizunokojima later that day.
16 November 1942:
Departs Mizunokojima and arrives at Saeki later this day.
18 November 1942:
Departs Saeki and arrives at Mizunokojima. Departs and returns there later that day.
19 November 1942:
Departs Mizunokojima and arrives at Kashiwa. Departs there later this day.
20 November 1942:
Arrives at Saeki.
21 November 1942:
Departs Saeki and arrives at Mizunokojima later that day.
22 November 1942:
Departs Mizunokojima and returns there later this day.
23 November 1942:
Departs Mizunokojima and arrives at Saeki later that day.
24 November 1942:
Departs Saeki and arrives at Mizunokojima later this day.
25 November 1942:
Departs Mizunokojima and arrives at Saeki later that day.
30 November 1942:
Departs Saeki and arrives at Mizunokojima later this day.
1 December 1942:
Departs Mizunokojima and arrives at Saeki later that day.
3 December 1942:
Departs Saeki and arrives at Mizunokojima later this day.
4 December 1942:
Departs Mizunokojima and arrives at Saeki later that day.
6 December 1942:
Departs Saeki and arrives at Mizunokojima later this day.
7 December 1942:
Departs Mizunokojima and arrives at Saeki later that day.
9 December 1942:
Departs Saeki and arrives at Mizunokojima later this day.
10 December 1942:
Departs Mizunokojima and arrives at Saeki later that day.
12 December 1942:
Departs Saeki and arrives at Mizunokojima later this day.
13 December 1942:
Departs Mizunokojima and arrives at Saeki later that day.
14 December 1942:
Departs Saeki.
15 December 1942:
Arrives at Saeki.
16 December 1942:
Departs Saeki.
18 December 1942:
Arrives at Saeki.
19 December 1942:
Departs Saeki and returns to port later this day.
20 December 1942:
Receives Kure Defense instruction no. 37: Saeki Defense Force Command dispatch KOA MARU No. 2 Go with auxiliary netlayer HIRO MARU to Kure within 21 days. KOA MARU No. 2 GO shall escort in accordance with the instructions of Kure Guard Command.
21 December 1942:
Departs Saeki escorting auxiliary netlayer HIRO MARU. Both ships arrive at Kure later that day.
26 December 1942:
Departs Kure and arrives at Kamagari-Jima.
27 December 1942:
Departs Kamagari-Jima and arrives at Awashima later this day.
28 December 1942:
Departs Awashima.
29 December 1942:
Arrives at Osaka.
January 1943:
Navy (Resv) Lt(jg) Matsushita Saburo is appointed CO.
2 January 1943:
Departs Osaka escorting a sailing vessel and arrives at Iwaya, Awaji Island.
3 January 1943:
Departs Iwaya and arrives at Sumoto, Awaji Island later that day.
4 January 1943:
Departs Sumoto and arrives at Yura later this day.
6 January 1943:
Departs Yura.
8 January 1943:
Arrives at Tateyama.
10 January 1943:
Changes anchorage.
11 January 1943:
Departs Tateyama escorting a sailing vessel and arrives at Yokosuka later that day.
31 January 1943:
Assigned to pilot and direct escort missions of the sailing vessels convoy under Kure Defense instruction No. 9. Under command of Yokosuka Naval District , escort the sailing vessels convoy between Yokosuka and Saipan, Marianas under Kure Defense instruction No. 28.
7 February 1943:
At 1800, departs Kobe in convoy No. 8207 with two unidentified ships bound for Yokosuka.
11 February 1943:
Departs Yokosuka escorting a sailing vessels convoy.
12 February 1943:
Arrives at Shimizu harbor.
17 February 1943:
Departs Shimizu harbor and returns to port later this day.
20 February 1943:
Departs Shimizu harbor.
24 February 1943:
Arrives at Chichi-Jima, Ogawasara Gunto (Bonins).
5 April 1943:
Assigned to escort missions of sailing vessels convoy under wireless instruction No. 83.
June 1943:
Sustains engine failure.
30 June 1943:
Departs Saipan with auxiliary minesweepers KEINAN MARU and MISAGO MARU No. 11.
1 July 1943:
Navy Lt (Resv) Matsushita Saburo is confirmed asCO.
8 July 1943
Arrives at Saeki, departs and returns there later that day.
19 July 1943:
Depart Saeki and arrives at Kodomari, Yashiro Island.
20 July 1943:
Departs Kodomari and arrives at Kure later this day.
26 July 1943:
Departs Kure and returns there later that day. Enters drydock.
24 September 1943:
Undocked.
25 September 1943:
Departs Kure on a trial run and returns to port later this day.
13 October 1943:
Her owners are changed to Sanko Kisen K.K.
5 November 1943:
Under instruction No. 051742, scheduled to remove netlaying and minesweeping equipment and make the ship suitable for transport missions. Armament is to be increased with a Type 93 13mm MG.
November 1943:
Navy Lt(jg) Sasaki Masaru is appointed CO.
10 November 1943:
Still in Kure. Attached to Vice Admiral Kusaka Jinichi’s (37) Southeastern Area Fleet under instruction No. 2381. Tactically assigned to the Southeastern Fleet. Rated as a Southeastern unit. Rated as a RC area defense unit under NTB decree No. 140. Navy Lt(jg) Hakamada Norio is appointed CO.
11 November 1943:
Undergoes weapons storage and maintenance.
15 November 1943:
Undergoes weapons maintenance. Fitted with a depth charge storage container for 6 depth charges and depth charge dropping equipment and construction of a bulletproof dropping platform begins.
16 November 1943:
Undergoes repairs of outer hull.
17 ~ 26 November 1943:
Undergoes removal of netlaying equipment.
22 November 1943:
Loads government supplies.
24 November 1943:
Prepares to enter drydock.
25 November 1943:
Enters Kure Navy Yard drydock No. 4.
3 December 1943:
Undocked.
4 December 1943:
Attached to the West Guard Naval Escort Unit under New Guinea Corps wireless instruction No. 3. Completes construction of bulletproof dropping platform and depth charge storage container for 6 depth charges.
8 December 1943:
Organizes cargo handling equipment.
9 ~ 12 December 1943:
Undergoes derrick accessory maintenance.
11 ~ 13 December 1943:
Undergoes installation of a Type 1 hydrophone.
16 ~17 December 1943:
Undergoes ship boats maintenance.
18 December 1943:
Loads supplies.
20 December 1943:
Loads various weapons.
21 December 1943:
Carries out a trial run, speed test and hydrophone test.
22 December 1943:
Loads food and begins installing Type 93 13mm MG.
23 December 1943:
Carries out a derrick loading test.
24 December 1943:
Completes installing Type 93 13mm MG.
26 December 1943:
Begins loading transport goods and position change of 7.7mm MGs.
28 December 1943:
Completes position change of 7.7mm MGs.
29 December 1943:
Completes loading transport goods.
30 December 1943:
Undergoes weapons maintenance.
31 December 1943:
Carries out a trial run and compass calibration.
2 January 1944:
Ready for combat.
4 January 1944:
Ready for departure.
5 January 1944:
Departs Kure.
6 January 1944:
Off Cape Wada (near Kobe) valve arm of engine No. 4 breaks. As a result seawater leaks to the first cylinder lid. Arrives at Kobe later that same day.
7 January 1944:
Inspection reveals 10 cracks in the cylinder lid which won’t endure the voyage. Kawasaki shipyard is entrusted with the repair but the needed spare parts aren’t on stock and will be delivered on 3 Mar ‘44.
8 January 1944:
Carries out cargo handling.
11 January 1944:
Transfers 400 bales of milled rice for the eight Army Division and personnel property for the 88th Security Guard to auxiliary netlayer KUDAMATSU MARU.
14 ~ 15 January 1944:
Performs boat handling.
22 ~ 24 January 1944:
Undergoes maintenance.
26 ~ 27 January 1944:
Undergoes repairs of outer hull.
1 February 1944:
Undergoes weapons maintenance.
3 February 1944:
Performs boat handling.
7 February 1944:
Ship boats engage in a rowing regatta.
8 ~10 February 1944:
Undergoes weapons maintenance.
11 February 1944:
Ship boats engage in a rowing regatta.
14 ~ 16 February 1944:
Undergoes weapons maintenance.
3 March 1944:
Departs Kobe on a trial run and speed test and returns there later that day.
6 March 1944:
Prepares for her next voyage.
7 March 1944:
Departs Kobe.
8 March 1944:
Arrives at Owase. Departs there later that day.
9 March 1944:
Arrives at Gamagori, Aichi Prefecture.
10 March 1944:
Encounters stormy weather off Omaezaki. Sustains crack in main engine, cylinder No. 2 lid. Carries out an emergency repair and arrives at Shimizu later this day.
12 March 1944:
Departs Shimizu and arrives at Shimoda later that day.
13 March 1944:
Departs Shimoda and arrives at Yokosuka. Then undergoes boat handling.
14 March 1944:
Carries out work at Yokosuka Navy Yard.
18 March 1944:
Undergoes ship boats pulley maintenance.
20 March 1944:
Undergoes steering gear maintenance.
22 March 1944:
Loads food.
23 March 1944:
Undergoes weapons maintenance.
27 March 1944:
Undergoes steering gear maintenance.
12 May 1944:
Rated as a direct escort unit under wireless instruction No. 352.
14 May 1944:
Scheduled to depart Yokohama for Chichi-Jima escorting convoy No. 3515 under Yokohama instruction No. 115.
15 May 1944:
At 1200, departs Yokohama with subchaser CH-52 and auxiliary netlayer KOGI MARU escorting convoy No. 3515 (part 1- also called 3516) consisting of TOHO MARU and SEIGA MARU bound for Chichi Jima. At an unknown date SEIGA MARU drops out and KOA MARU No.2 GO is detached.
17 May 1944:
Departs Yokosuka. Meets up with convoy No 3515 (part 2) consisting of auxiliary transports NIPPONKAI and HAKUSAN MARUs, IJN requisitioned cargo ships (B-AK) REIKAI, EIKO, NATSUKAWA, AKISHIMA, CHIYO MARUs and UNYO MARU No. 8, IJA transports TOYO and HINKO MARUs, civilian cargo ships (C-AK) KINSHU and SEIGA MARUs and together with destroyer HATAKAZE, kaibokan MIKURA, and MIYAKE, minesweeper W-20, subchaser CH-48 and minelayer SARUSHIMA begins to escort it.
20 May 1944:
Tactically assigned to Ogasawara Force under instruction No. 374.
23 May 1944:
At about 0900, W-20 detaches from the convoy.
25 May 1944:
At 0708, arrives with convoy No. 3515 at Saipan.
26 May 1944:
Rescues the crew of auxiliary stores ship CHIYO MARU about 92 nautical miles W Farallon de Pajaros, Marianas. Arrives at Saipan later this day. [1]
30 May 1944:
Released from Ogasawara Force under Ogasawara Corps wireless No. 112.
11 November 1944:
At 2000, departs Bacolod loaded with war supplies bound for Manila. The Allied air superiority means that an avoiding route is taken. Nevertheless, that same day, undergoes an air attack about one nautical mile N Cape Matuko , Batangas, Philippines (13-39N, 121-03E ). A bomb hits the fuel bunker and the ship catches fire, Runs aground at unknown location off Mabacong coast, Philippines. Eight crewmen and two gunners are KIA and ship is burnt out.
17 November 1944:
Deemed irreparable.
3 May 1947:
Removed from the Navy’s list under instruction No. 327.

Authors' Notes:
[1] CHIYO MARU was torpedoed and sunk that same day at 20-30N, 141-45E by LtCdr (later Cdr) Russell Kefauver's (USNA '33) USS TAMBOR (SS-198) with the loss of 13 crewmen.

Thanks go to Gengoro S. Toda of Japan.

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

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