KYUHEIKAN!
(KOTOKU MARU prewar)
IJN KOTOKU MARU:
Tabular Record of Movement
© 2011 Bob Hackett
Revision 2
13 October 1936:
Nagasaki. Laid down at Mitsubishi Zosenho, K. K. as a 6,702-ton refrigerated cargo ship for Hiroumi Shoji K. K. (Ocean Trading Co., Ltd.), Osaka.
30 January 1937:
Launched and named KOTOKU MARU.
15 May 1937:
Completed.
19 September 1937:
Requisitioned by the IJN and registered in the
Sasebo Naval District as an auxiliary transport at the Sasebo Naval Arsenal.
20 September 1937:
Captain (later Rear Admiral) Sato Seishiro (38) is
appointed Supervisor.
26 September 1937:
Completes conversion to an auxiliary ammunition
ship.
27 September 1937:
Departs Sasebo.
3 October 1937:
Arrives at Chejudo (now Jeju-do) Island, Korea.
7 October 1937:
Departs Chejudo.
15 October 1937:
Arrives at Sasebo
30 October 1937:
Departs Sasebo. Arrives at Kure.
1 November 1937:
Departs Kure.
11 November 1937:
Arrives at Sasebo and departs at an unknown date for
Port Arthur, Manchuria.
15 November 1937:
Captain Minowa Chugo (38) (former CO of TAIGEI) is appointed Supervisor.
19 November 1937:
Departs Port Arthur for Sasebo.
24 November 1937:
Arrives at Sasebo.
5 December 1937:
Departs Sasebo for Kirun (Keelung), Formosa (now
Taiwan).
11 December 1937:
Arrives at Mako, Pescadores.
16 December 1937:
Arrives at Minami, Amami-Oshima, Ryukyus.
24 December 1937:
Departs Mako.
2 January 1938:
Arrives at Sasebo.
January 1938:
Departs Sasebo.
7 January 1938:
Arrives at Nagayama archipelago
8 January 1938:
Departs Nagayama towards North China
17 January 1938:
Arrives at Ujina.
6 February 1938:
Arrives at Mako.
12 February 1938:
Arrives at Takao.
14 February 1938:
Departs Takao.
20 February 1938:
Arrives at Sasebo. Later, departs for Kure.
27 February 1938:
Departs Kure.
21 March 1938:
Arrives at Sasebo.
28 March 1938:
Departs Sasebo.
30 April 1938:
Arrives at Sasebo
4 May 1938:
Departs Sasebo.
21 May 1938:
Arrives at Sasebo.
1 June 1938:
Departs Sasebo.
6 June 1938:
Arrives at Amoy (now Xiamen), China. Embarks 60 men of the 5th torpedo squadron’s headquarters for transfer to KINUGASA MARU.
10 June 1938:
Arrives at Sasebo.
29 June 1938:
Departs Sasebo.
13 July 1938:
Arrives at Sasebo
21 July 1938:
Departs Sasebo and arrives at Kure. Departs Kure.
25 July 1938:
Arrives at Sasebo.
4 August 1938:
Departs Takao
10 August 1938:
An unknown officer is appointed Supervisor. Captain Minowa is posted CO of ATAGO18 August 1938:
Arrives at Mako
15 September 1938:
Departs Mako.
22 September 1938:
Arrives at Sasebo.
4 October 1938:
Departs Yokosuka towards South China.
3 November 1938:
Arrives at Sasebo
26 November 1938:
Arrives at Sasebo.
4 December 1938:
Departs Sasebo.
8 December 1938:
Arrives at Mako.
13 December 1938:
Departs Takao.
22 December 1938:
Arrives at Takao.
10 January 1939:
Departs Sasebo.
14 January 1939:
Arrives at Takao. Departs at an unknown date.
24 January 1939:
Arrives at Sasebo.
1 February 1939:
Departs Sasebo.
9 February 1939: Hainan Island Operation:
At midnight, a convoy under Vice Admiral (later Admiral) Kondo Nobutake’s Fifth Fleet, South China Naval Force, enters and anchors in Tsinghai Bay, northern Hainan Island. Kondo's forces include cruisers MYOYO (F), NAGARA and NATORI and eight destroyers that cover transports KOTOKU, KAGU, KATSURAGI, KINUGASA, and MANKO MARUs. Carrier AKAGI and seaplane tender CHIYODA provide air cover.
The invasion force lands Special Naval Landing Force (SNLF) troops in southern Hainan. In the next few days, IJN and IJA forces act together to subjugate the entire island.
24 February 1939:
Departs Hainan.
3 March 1939:
Arrives at Sasebo
13 March 1939:
Arrives at Mako.
16 March 1939:
Departs Takao.
21 March 1939:
Arrives at Haikou, Hainan Island, China.
2 April 1939:
Departs Haikou.
7 April 1939:
Arrives at Mako.
16 April 1939:
Arrives at Sasebo.
1 May 1939:
Departs Sasebo.
5 May 1939:
Arrives at Mako.
8 May 1939:
Departs Takao.
4 June 1939:
Arrives at Sasebo. Departs at an unknown date for Okinawa.
21 June 1939:
Arrives at Nakagusuku Bay, Okinawa. Departs at an unknown date.
16 July 1939:
Arrives at Takao, Departs at an unknown date for Sasebo.
30 July 1939:
Departs Sasebo.
4 August 1939:
Arrives at Mako. Departs at an unknown date for Takao.
6 August 1939:
Departs Takao.
29 August 1939:
Arrives at Mako. Departs at an unknown date for Sasebo.
3 September 1939:
Arrives at Sasebo.
6 October 1939:
Departs Sasebo.
13 October 1939:
Arrives at Mako. Departs at an unknown date.
16 October 1939:
Arrives at Takao.
2 November 1939:
Departs Takao.
26 November 1939:
Arrives at Sasebo.
10 December 1939:
Departs Sasebo.
15 December 1939:
Arrives at Mako.
19 December 1939:
Departs Takao.
15 December 1939:
Arrives at Sasebo.
21 January 1940:
Departs Sasebo.
26 January 1940:
Arrives at Mako.
31 January 1940:
Departs Takao.
25 February 1940:
Arrives at Takao. Departs at an unknown date.
7 March 1940:
Arrives at Sasebo
12 March 1940:
Departs Sasebo. Departs at an unknown date.
3 April 1940:
Arrives at Sasebo. Departs at an unknown date.
20 April 1940:
Captain (later Rear Admiral) Shibata Zenjiro (38) is appointed Supervisor.
25 April 1940:
Departs Naha, Okinawa.
30 April 1940:
Arrives at Mako. Departs at an unknown date.
3 May 1940:
Departs Takao.
23 May 1940:
Arrives at Takao. Departs at an unknown date.
6 June 1940:
Departs Sasebo.
9 June 1940:
Arrives at Mako. Departs at an unknown date.
14 June 1940: Departs Takao. Departs at an unknown date.
4 July 1940:
Arrives at Mako. Departs at an unknown date.
17 July 1940:
Departs Sasebo.
22 July 1940:
Arrives at Mako. Departs at an unknown date.
26 July 1940:
Departs Takao.
13 August 1940:
Arrives at Takao. Departs at an unknown date.
25 August 1940:
Arrives at Sasebo.
3 October 1940:
Departs Sasebo.
8 October 1940:
Arrives at Mako
12 October 1940:
Departs Takao.
4 November 1940:
Arrives at Takao.
15 November 1940:
Captain Shimizu Iwao (Rear Admiral, posthumously)(39)(former CO of ABUKUMA) is appointed Supervisor.
17 November 1940:
Departs Sasebo.
22 November 1940:
Arrives at Mako.
25 November 1940:
Departs Takao.
18 December 1940:
Arrives at Yawata. Departs at an unknown date.
4 January 1941:
Arrives at Moji, then departs for Sasebo.
15 January 1941:
Departs Sasebo.
19 January 1941:
Arrives at Mako.
22 January 1941:
Departs Takao.
15 February 1941:
Captain Kuribayashi Kesakiti is appointed Supervisor.
18 February 1941:
Arrives at Sasebo.
26 February 1941:
Arrives at Koniya, Amami–Oshima. Departs at an
unknown date.
3 March 1941:
Arrives at Mako.
8 March 1941:
Departs Takao. Departs at an unknown date.
5 April 1941:
Arrives at Moji. Departs at an unknown date.
15 April 1941:
Departs Sasebo.
21 April 1941:
Arrives at Mako.
24 April 1941:
Departs Takao. Departs at an unknown date.
1 May 1942:
Captain Kuribayashi is assigned additional duty as Chief Equipping Officer of ASHIZURI.
10 May 1941:
Arrives at Mako. Departs at an unknown date.
6 July 1941:
Arrives at Koniya, Amami–Oshima. Departs at an unknown date.
12 July 1941:
Arrives at Mako. Departs at an unknown date.
17 July 1941:
Departs Takao. Departs at an unknown date.
11 August 1941:
Arrives at Takao. Departs at an unknown date.
1941:
At an unknown date, Navy Captain Kesakiti Kuribayasi is appointed Supervisor.
11 September 1941:
Departs Takao. Operates off French Indochina.
6 October 1941:
Arrives at Takao.
14 November 1941:
Operates in the Southern Area.
20 November 1941:
Arrives at Sasebo from Takao.
21 November 1941:
Receives Secret Sasebo Naval District order No. 795
to transport staff, materiel and conduct replenishments.
27 November 1941:
Departs Sasebo.
30 November 1941:
Arrives at Mako. Unloads mines and torpedoes and 278 tons of other materiel ‘til 1 Dec.
1 December 1941:
Departs Mako. Arrives at Takao. Docks at No. 10 quay.
2 December 1941:
Disembarks 77 passengers. Unloads approximately 173 tons of aeronautical weapon, food and assorted goods ‘til 3 Dec.
3 December 1941:
Departs Takao.
5 December 1941:
Arrives at Samah, Hainan Island. Disembarks 252
passengers. Unloads pyrotechnics weapon, supplies, and torpedoes.
7 December 1941:
Departs Samah.
8 December 1941: The Pacific War Begins.
Arrives at Camranh Bay. Transfers 20 passengers to auxiliary transport HOKURIKU MARU. Departs Camranh.
9 December 1941:
Arrives at Saigon. Docks at MM2 quay. Disembarks 500 passengers. Unloads explosives, an AA gun, gun mount and a transformer.
15 December 1941:
Departs Saigon.
16 December 1941:
Arrives at Camranh Bay. Repair ship ASAHI MARU comes alongside and is re-munitioned. Embarks 19 men and materials rescued and recovered from auxiliary transport ship NIKKOKU MARU that ran aground off Hainan on 13 Dec, then departs Camranh Bay.
18 December 1941:
Arrives at Samah, Hainan Island. Disembarks the 19 passengers. Unloads equipment and special materials, one landing boat and rescue staff.
23 December 1941:
Embarks 96 passengers and departs Samah.
24 December 1941:
Arrives at Haikou, Hainan. Disembarks 96 passengers, Unloads heavy oil and assorted goods.
28 December 1941:
Departs Haikou.
3 January 1941:
Arrives at Sasebo. Disembarks 14 passengers.
4 January 1941:
A harbor vessel comes alongside and between 0845-1550 loads assorted goods and drums.
5 January 1941:
A harbor vessel comes alongside and between 0930-2100 loads assorted goods and drums. From 1100-1530, an oil barge comes alongside and loads 350 tons of heavy oil. From 1130-1700 a water barge comes alongside and loads 300 tons of water.
6 January 1941:
From 0900-2000, a harbor vessel comes alongside and loads bombs. Between 1030-1700, an oil barge comes alongside and loads 350 tons of heavy oil.
7 January 1942:
From 0700-1200, an oil barge comes alongside and loads 300 tons of heavy oil. Between 0800-0200, a harbor vessel comes alongside and loads bomb and drums.
8 January 1942:
From 0830-2000, a harbor vessel comes alongside and loads drums and coal. Between 1030-1700, a water barge comes alongside and loads 300 tons of water.
9 January 1942:
From 0920-2300, a harbor vessel comes alongside and loads drums, coal and an airplane. Between 1025-1400, a water barge comes alongside and loads 300 tons of water.
10 January 1942:
From 0830-0100, a harbor vessel comes alongside and loads mines and materiel.
11 January 1942:
From 0830-1650, a harbor vessel comes alongside and loads mines.
12 January 1942:
From 0830-1600, a harbor vessel comes alongside and loads utility poles. A special harbor vessel comes alongside and loads a cutter.
13 January 1942:
From 1010-1030, a harbor vessel comes alongside and loads an ambulance. One passenger is embarked. Departs Sasebo. Experiments with paravane navigation and test-fires machine gun.
16 January 1942:
Arrives at Amoy, (now Xiamen) China. From 1140-1415, a water barge comes alongside and loads 300 tons of water and materiel.
17 January 1942:
Departs Amoy.
18 January 1942:
Arrives at Takao. Anchors at No. 8 quay. Unloads mail bags.
19 January 1942:
Unloads mines, spars and airplane parts.
20 January 1942:
Disembarks 13 passengers then embarks 35 passengers.
Unloads a vehicle and materiel ‘til 21 Jan.
21 January 1942:
Departs Takao.
23 January 1942:
Arrives at Samah. Disembarks 15 passengers. From 1500-1515, a water barge comes alongside and transfers mai bags.
25 January 1942:
From 0900-1730, a harbor vessel comes alongside and loads weapons and stores sustenance items.
26 January 1942:
Embarks 68 passengers. Departs Samah.
28 January 1942:
Arrives at Camranh Bay. At 1150, re-provisions repair ship ASAHI MARU that comes alongside. Between 1320-1900, disembarks 17 passengers and transfers assorted goods. Between 1530-1650, replenishes 60 tons of water.
29 January 1942:
From 0850-1400, lands assorted goods and materiels.
At 1412, separates from ASAHI MARU. At 1530, comes alongside the military
supplies section pier. Between 1620-2400 lands drums, food and assorted goods.
30 January 1942:
From 0845-0310 lands stores and sustenance items.
31 January 1942:
Between 0940-1830, a harbor vessel comes alongside and lands stores sustenance items. Embarks 12 passengers and departs Camranh.
1 February 1942:
Arrives at St. Jacques and departs. Arrives at Saigon. Docks at MM2 quay. Disembarks 454 passengers. Unloads vehicles and materiel.
2 February 1942:
Between 0830-1930, unloads bombs, equipment and materiel. From 1150-1400, an oil barge comes alongside and loads 243 tons of heavy oil.
3 February 1942:
Between 0920-2400, lands bombs and drums.
4 February 1942:
From 0900-1930 lands bombs, coal and materiel.
Between 2200-2400, lands bombs, coal and materiel.
5 February 1942:
Lands coal ‘til 6 Apr. Loads captured American empty drums.
6 February 1942:
Loads captured American empty drums 'til 8 Apr.
9 February 1942:
Embarks 26 passengers. Departs Saigon.
10 February 1942:
Arrives at Camranh Bay. From 1300-1350, a harbor vessel comes alongside auxiliary submarine tender NAGOYA MARU and unloads cargo.
At 1400, a harbor vessel comes alongside and transfers food. From
1515-1900, destroyer FUMIZUKI and patrol boat PB-35 come alongside and load heavy oil and water. From 1925-2100, destroyer SATSUKI comes alongside and loads heavy oil and water.
11 February 1942:
From 0750-1130, destroyers HATAKAZE and HARUKAZE
come alongside and load heavy oil and water. Between 0950-1500, a harbor vessel come alongside and loads heavy oil and water. From 1230-1725, destroyers MATSUKAZE and ASAKAZE also come alongside and load heavy oil and water. Departs Camranh Bay.
18 February 1942:
Arrives at Mutsure. From 1310-1330, a quarantine vessel comes alongside. KOTOKU MARU departs Mutsure. Later that day, arrives at Moji and anchors at No. 4 buoy.
19 February 1942:
From 0900-1830, a harbor vessel comes alongside. American POWs are transferred ashore.
20 February 1942:
From 0730-1900, a harbor vessel comes alongside. American POWs are transferred ashore.
21 February 1942:
Departs Moji.
22 February 1942:
Arrives at Sasebo.
22 February 1942:
At 1100. Anchors at No. 6 buoy. Between 1130-1700, a harbor vessel comes alongside and empty drums are transferred.
23 February 1942:
From 0900-1500, a harbor vessel comes alongside and empty drums are transferred.
24 February 1942:
From 1615-2000, an oil barge comes alongside and loads 100 tons of heavy oil.
25 February 1942:
Enters dock.
4 March 1942:
Undocked.Anchors at No. 2 buoy. A type 40 8-cm gun is fitted.
5 March 1942:
From 0900-1630, an oil barge comes alongside and loads 500 tons of heavy oil. Between 0930-0400, a harbor vessel comes alongside and loads coal.
6 March 1942:
From 0800-0630, a harbor vessel comes alongside and loads spar and iron material. Between 0900-1730, a water barge comes alongside and loads 400 tons of water. From 0900-1700, an oil barge comes alongside and loads and loads 500 tons of heavy oil.
7 March 1942:
From 0730-1700, a water barge comes alongside and loads 400 tons of water. Between 0800-0400, a harbor vessel comes alongside and loads bombs.
8 March 1942:
Receives Secret Sasebo Naval District order No. 130 to transport staff, materiel and conduct replenishments. From 0820-2300, a harbor vessel comes alongside and loads materiel and drums. Between 0910-1630, loads 17 autos and trucks. From 0925-1430, a water barge comes alongside and loads 400 tons of water.
9 March 1942:
From 0930-1230, a water barge comes alongside and loads 300 tons of water. Between 1000-1100, loads six automobiles and trucks. From 1350, loads eight automobiles and trucks. Embarks 723 passengers.
10 March 1942:
Departs Sasebo. After departure, test fires the 8-cm gun.
13 March 1942:
Arrives at Mako and anchors at the third buoy. Disembarks 17 passengers. From 1100-1800, a harbor vessel comes alongside and loads eight automobiles and trucks.
14 March 1942:
From 0900-1530, a harbor vessel comes alongside and loads materiels.
15 March 1942:
Departs Mako
16 March 1942:
KOTOKU MARU’s crew discovers a moored mine and her crew fires machine guns and rifles to deal with it.
17 March 1942:
Arrives at Samah. Disembarks 706 passengers.
18 March 1942:
0830-0700, a harbor vessel comes alongside and loads materials, drums, spars and 17 automobiles.
19 March 1942:
From 0830-0630, a harbor vessel comes alongside and loads coal. Between 0930-1615, an oil barge comes alongside and loads 500 tons
of heavy oil.
20 March 1942:
From 0830-2045, a harbor vessel comes alongside and loads lumber.
21 March 1942:
Departs Samah. Arrives at Yulin. From 1330-0630, a harbor vessel comes alongside and loads iron ore.
22 March 1942:
From 0730-0630, a harbor vessel comes alongside and loads iron ore.
23 March 1942:
From 0730-0700, a harbor vessel comes alongside and loads iron ore and materiel. Embarks 326 passengers.
24 March 1942:
Embarks another 168 passengers. Departs Yulin.
25 March 1942:
Arrives at Hong Kong. Anchors at A8 buoy. From
1600-1735, an oil barge comes alongside and loads 100 tons of heavy oil. Between
1630-1930, a harbor vessel comes alongside and loads assorted goods.
26 March 1942:
From 0740-1200, a harbor vessel comes alongside and
loads materiel. Between 1800-0200, an oil barge comes alongside and loads 130
tons of heavy oil.
27 March 1942:
From 0830-1300, a harbor vessel comes alongside and
loads flax sacks. Four passengers are embarked.
28 March 1942:
Departs Hong Kong.
1 April 1942:
Arrives at Sasebo.
2 April 1942:
At 0837, anchors at No. 2 buoy. 498 passengers
disembark. From 1315-1045, a harbor vessel comes alongside and loads materiel.
3 April 1942:
Departs Sasebo.
4 April 1942:
Arrives at Mutsure, then departs. Arrives at Yawata.
Unloads iron ore ‘til 6 Apr.
5 April 1942:
Anchors at No. 8 quay.
6 April 1942:
Departs Yawata.
7 April 1942:
Arrives at Sakito coal yard quay. Loads coal and
departs.
9 April 1942:
Arrives at Yokkaichi. Anchors at No. 4 buoy. From
1400-1800, a harbor vessel comes alongside and loads aviation fuel drums.
10 April 1942:
Assigned to the Department of the Navy. From 0700-1900, a harbor vessel comes alongside and loads aviation fuel drums.
11 April 1942:
Departs Yokkaichi. Arrives off Yokosuka.
12 April 1942:
At 0830, anchors at No. 12 buoy. Between 1430-1700, a harbor vessel comes alongside and loads materiel.
13 April 1942:
From 0800-1630, a harbor vessel comes alongside and
loads materiel. Between 0900-1400, a water barge comes alongside and loads 300 tons of water. From 1400-1700, an oil barge comes alongside and loads 710 tons of heavy oil.
14 April 1942:
From 0630-1240, a harbor vessel comes alongside and loads materiel. Between 1815-2200, an oil barge comes alongside and loads 300 tons of heavy oil.
15 April 1942:
Departs Yokosuka. Arrives at Tokyo and anchors at No. 10 buoy.
16 April 1942:
From 0700-1605, a harbor vessel comes alongside and loads materiel.
17 April 1942:
From 0700-1404, a harbor vessel comes alongside and
loads materiel, two automobiles and 15 trucks.
18 April 1942:
Embarks ten passengers. Departs Tokyo.
27 April 1942:
Comes under air attack. Her 8-cm gun fires 11 rounds
and her Type 92 7.7-mm light machine-gun discharges 553 shots. Later, arrives at
Rabaul.
28 April 1942:
From 1115-1400, a harbor vessel comes alongside and and
loads items. Disembarks 10 passengers. Unloads two boats and five automobiles
and trucks.
29 April 1942:
From 0830-1640, a harbor vessel comes alongside and
loads items. Unloads ten automobiles and trucks and materiel.
30 April 1942:
Rabaul. Between 0515-0730, KOTOKU MARU replenishes mine
sweeper W-20 with water. From 0515-0730, loads W-20 with heavy oil and water.
Between 0700-0500, a harbor vessel comes alongside and loads bombs. From
0830-1120, destroyer HAKAZE comes alongside and loads heavy oil
and water. At 1300, auxiliary transport ship NANKAI MARU No. 2 comes alongside and electric welding is performed. Between 1635-0500, a harbor vessel comes alongside and loads and aviation fuel drums.
1 May 1942:
From 0630-0500, a harbor vessel comes alongside and loads aviation fuel drums. Between 1300-1600, auxiliary transport ship NANKAI MARU No. 2 comes alongside and loads 90 tons of water.
2 May 1942:
At 0600, auxiliary gunboat SHOEI MARU comes alongside and
loads a drum of aviation fuel and coal. At 0800, auxiliary transport NANKAI MARU
No. 2 loads drums. From 0925-0935, comes under air attack. Her 7.7 mm machine
gun fires 235 shots. Between 1245-1345, SHOEI MARU comes alongside and loads 100
tons of water.
3 May 1942:
Rabaul. From 0322-0330 KOTOKU MARU undergoes an air
attack. At 0800, SHOEI MARU comes alongside, then separates. Between 1300-1600,
KOTOKU MARU transfers coal to mine sweeper W-20. At 1430, KOTOKU MARU separates
from NANKAI MARU No. 2.
4 May 1942:
From 0630, a harbor vessel comes alongside and loads
aviation fuel drums. Between 0830-0920, transfers coal to mine sweeper W-20.
From 1015-1745, transfers coal to auxiliary transport ship NANKAI MARU No. 2.
Between 1430-1530 replenishes destroyer ASAKAZE with 27 tons of heavy oil.
5 May 1942:
Between 0700-1630, a harbor vessel comes alongside and
loads materiel.
6 May 1942:
From 0615-0700, a harbor vessel comes alongside and loads
materiel. At 0745, docks at pier No. 5. Lands materiel.
7 May 1942:
Lands materiel, lumber and aviation fuel drums ‘til 9 May.
9 May 1942:
Rabaul. Between 0830-0920, transfers coal to mine sweeper
W-20. From 1345-1600, a harbor vessel comes alongside and unloads cargo. Between
1500-1730, comes alongside destroyer HAKAZE and replenishes her with 235 tons of
heavy oil.
10 May 1942:
From 0600-1600, a harbor vessel comes alongside and
loads, materiel and aviation fuel drums
11 May 1942:
From 0600-1600, a harbor vessel comes alongside and loads
assorted goods, aviation fuel drums. Between 0900-1500 brings alongside and
transfers coal to auxiliary net layer NISSHO No. 5.
12 May 1942:
At 0700, comes alongside NANKAI MARU No. 2 and transfers
coal and aviation fuel drums.
13 May 1942:
From 1105 comes alongside auxiliary water carrier WAYO MARU and transfers coal. At 1330, comes alongside NANKAI MARU No. 2.
14 May 1942:
Rabaul. From 0812-0820 , undergoes an air attack. KOTOKU MARU's 7.7 mm machine gun fires 150 rounds. Between 0500-0930, transfers coal to
mine sweeper W-20. At 1630, WAYO MARU comes alongside.
15 May 1942:
Separates from WAYO MARU. From 0545-0755, transfers coal and heavy oil to salvage vessel OJIMA. Between 0630-1330, auxiliary gunboat NIKKA MARU comes alongside and loads coal. From 1350, auxiliary gunboat SEIKAI MARU comes alongside and loads coal.
16 May 1942:
From 0600-1630, a harbor vessel comes alongside and loads aviation fuel drums. At 1200, SEIKAI MARU comes alongside.
17 May 1942:
Separates from SEIKAI MARU. From 0630, comes alongside auxiliary transport ship AKIBASAN MARU and loads coal.
18 May 1942:
From 1500, comes alongside AKIBASAN MARU.
19 May 1942:
Separates from AKIBASAN MARU. Embarks one passenger. Departs Rabaul.
23 May 1942:
KOTOKU MARU receives Second Fleet secret message No. 554 that attaches her to the Combined Fleet as a troop transport for the Third Phase.
27 May 1942:
Arrives at Sasebo. Anchors at No. 2 buoy. Disembarks one passenger.
29 May 1942:
From 0830-1545, A water barge comes alongside and loads 700 tons of water.
30 May 1942:
A water barge comes alongside and loads 500 tons of water.
31 May 1942:
From 0730-1310, a water barge comes alongside and loads
300 tons of water.
1 June 1942:
From 0805-1200, an oil barge comes alongside and loads
150 tons of heavy oil.Between 0900-0600, a harbor vessel comes alongside and
loads lumber and SNLF ammunition.
2 June 1942:
From 0800-1420, a water barge comes alongside and loads
150 tons of water. Between 0810-0200, a harbor vessel comes alongside and loads
lumber, food, automobiles and trucks.
3 June 1942:
From 0800-2030, a harbor vessel comes alongside and
loads food, automobiles and trucks
4 June 1942:
From 0930-1445, a harbor vessel comes alongside and
loads food and automobiles and trucks. Between 0945-1440, a water barge comes
alongside and loads 150 tons of water.
5 June 1942:
From 1200-1500, loads fresh fish. Between 1515-1830, a
harbor vessel comes alongside and loads drums and lumber.
6 June 1942:
From 1320-1710, a harbor vessel comes alongside and
loads 5 boats.
7 June 1942:
Embarks 294 passengers.
8 June 1942:
KOTOKU MARU departs Sasebo in a convoy consisting of
auxiliary cruiser KINRYU MARU and possibly others escorted by subchaser CH-32.
At 2400, that night CH- 32 is detached.
14 June 1942:
At 1800, KINRYU MARU is detached.
17 June 1942:
Arrives at Truk. Unloads cargo and the five boats.
19 June 1942:
KOTOKU MARU receives secret message No. 855 that
temporarily reassigns her from the Second Fleet to the Fourth Fleet.
20 June 1942:
Recalled Captain-Ret Sato Koichi (35)(former CO of TONE)
is appointed Supervisor.
21 June 1942:
From 0800-1600, a harbor vessel comes alongside and
loads food and assorted goods.
22 June 1942:
From 0630-1500, a harbor vessel comes alongside and
loads aviation fuel drums and assorted goods.
23 June 1942:
0715-1600, a harbor vessel comes alongside and loads
aviation fuel drums.
24 June 1942:
0730-1625, a harbor vessel comes alongside and loads
aviation fuel drums and lumber.
25 June 1942:
From 0600-1100, a harbor vessel comes alongside and
loads aviation fuel drums. Between 1300-1700, a harbor vessel comes alongside
and loads equipment. New Supervisor, retired IJN Captain Sato Koichi (35)
arrives. Passengers disembark.
26 June 1942:
Captain Kuribayasi disembarks. From 0800-1800, a harbor
vessel comes alongside and loads equipment.
27 June 1942:
From 0700-1200, a harbor vessel comes alongside and
loads a tank. Embarks 418 passengers. Between 2000-0300, a harbor vessel comes
alongside and loads lumber.
28 June 1942:
From 0500-1900 a harbor vessel comes alongside and loads and loads a wireless radio. KOTOKU MARU transfers two Type 96 triple 25-mm AA guns to auxiliary transport MEIYO MARU to replace her previous dual Type 93 13.2-mm twin MGs, the latter being transferred to KOTOKU MARU.
29 June 1942: “SN” Operation: Establishment of airbases in the South Pacific
Truk. At 1230, KOTOKU MARU is joined by two subchasers of the 21st and 23rd Subchaser Divs. At 1430, test fires the 13.2-mm machine guns discharging 60 rounds.
Later, KOTOKU MARU departs Truk via Bougainville to Guadalcanal carrying airfield construction workers in a convoy also consisting of auxiliary transports AZUMA, AZUMASAN, HOKUROKU, MEIYO, KANTO and MATSUMOTO MARUs escorted by light cruiser YUBARI (F) DesDiv 29’s YUZUKI and OITE, DesDiv 30's UZUKI and DesDiv 34's AKIKAZE. The convoy carries a Special Naval Landing Force (SNLF) and 11th and 13th construction units.
6 July 1942:
Arrives at Lunga Point, Guadalcanal. Disembarks the 11th and 13th construction units. YUBARI is detached and departs for Truk the same day.
9 July 1942:
KOTOKU MARU arrives at Guadalcanal and lands 250 members of the Hara Construction Force and security troops to build Lunga Airfield, Then delivers fifty more construction crewmen to Gavutu to build installations.
19 July 1942:
KOTOKU MARU receives Secret RZJ capture unit order No. 4 that attaches her to the RZJ Eastern New Guinea capture unit’s Landing Ship Division. Her principal duty is to transport 250 Army troops, 150 tons of food
and automobile fuel in three transport movements.
27 July 1942:
Departs Rabaul, New Britain in an unidentified convoy
to resupply Buna and Gona, New Guinea escorted by destroyer YUZUKI.
29 July 1942:
Near Gona, New Guinea. In the afternoon, disembarkation
begins near the village of Basabua. The ships of the convoy are attacked by
seven USAAF Douglas A-24 “Banshee” (Army version of USN SBD) dive bombers of the
3rd Bomb Group, escorted Bell P-39 “Airacobras” of the 41st and 80th Fighter
Squadrons of the 35th Fighter Group from the Port Moresby area. At 1643, KOTOKU
MARU is hit by a bomb from the second wave that damages hatch No. 5. She floods
and takes on a heavy list to starboard, forcing her to disembark 263 troops,
mostly 15th Independent Engineers. They reach shore in motor launches, but the
ship's cargo is unable to be unloaded.
A6M2 "Zekes" of
the Tainan Naval Air Group (Kokutai) attack the A-24s and all but one is shot
down. The P-39’s again prove ineffective against the nimble A6Ms. Several
crewmen are captured, but are executed by the Japanese.
KOTOKU MARU, although damaged, departs the area under reduced power and
returns to Lae late that same day for temporary repairs, then attempts to return
to Buna to unload her cargo.
30 July 1942:
Near Salamaua, New Guinea. At 1651, KOTOKU MARU is
bombed by Boeing B-17 “Flying Fortress” heavy bombers of the 19th Bomb Group and
hit by at least three 500 lb bombs that render her unnavigable, but she is run
aground to keep from sinking. Captain Sato is KIA. He is promoted Rear Admiral,
posthumously. Light cruiser TATSUTA and destroyer YUZUKI help rescue survivors
and return them to Rabaul.
Allied coast watchers observe the Japanese performing salvage on the
shipwreck, removing cargo then abandoning the hulk.
10 June 1943:
Removed from the Navy List.
15 July 1944:
After the Allies occupy Salamaua, Australian CALEDONIAN
SALVOR removes winches and other gear from KOTOKU MARU’s wreck. The wreck
remains upright until at least 1945. At some point, the bow section is removed,
cut off or severely damaged.
1970s:
The wreck is still largely intact, resting on its side.
1980s:
Only the stern section is visible above water and the rest of
the wreck has settled in about 80 feet of water.
Author's Notes:
Thanks and photo credit goes to Gilbert Casse of France. Thanks also go to Matthew Jones for additional IJN officers and to Alan Alsleben about Operation SN.
- Bob Hackett
Back
to Ammunition Ships Page
