Japanese Auxiliary Netlayers

KYUSETSUMOKAN!

HOKAKUMOTEI!
(UJI MARU, sistership of KUMANO MARU, prewar)

IJN KUMANO MARU:
Tabular Record of Movement

© 2023 Gilbert Casse, Berend van der Wal and Peter Cundall

24 August 1939:
Innoshima. Laid down by Urabe Zosen Tekkosho G.K. as an 872-tons cargo ship for Sankyo Kaiun K.K.
3 November 1940:
Launched and named KUMANO MARU. [1]
25 April 1941:
Completed and registered at Osaka. Her Gross Registered tonnage (GRT) and Net Registered Tonnage (NRT) respectively are 872-tons and 454-tons. Her call sign is JDMP. [2]
1 December 1941:
Requisitioned by the IJN.
10 December 1941:
Registered as an auxiliary netlayer in the Sasebo Naval District under internal order No. 1625.
31 December 1941:
Attached to the Sasebo Defense Corps under instruction No. 1780. Tactically assigned to Sasebo Base Defense Unit, in Rear Admiral Tashiro Sohei’s (41) Sasebo Guard Force, Sasebo Local Defense Squadron.
1 January 1942:
Rated as the Shijiki Unit, First Patrol Unit under Sasebo Guard Force Command order No. 28.
15 January 1942:
Attached to the Coastal Defense Forces, Sasebo Area Guard Forces under Sasebo Naval Base order No. 14. Rated as the Shijiki Unit, First Patrol Unit under Sasebo Coastal Defense Unit order No. 31.
17 January 1942:
Arrives at Sasebo.
18 January 1942:
Departs Sasebo on outer harbor guard mission.
25 January 1942:
Arrives at Sasebo.
28 January 1942:
Departs Sasebo on outer harbor guard mission.
4 February 1942:
Arrives at Sasebo.
5 February 1942:
Attached to the Coastal Defense Forces, Sasebo Area Guard Forces under Sasebo Naval Base order No. 16. Rated as the Shijiki Unit, First Patrol Unit under Sasebo Coastal Defense Unit order No. 31.
6 February 1942:
Departs Sasebo on outer harbor guard mission.
13 February 1942:
Arrives at Sasebo.
16 February 1942:
Departs Sasebo on outer harbor guard mission.
23 February 1942:
Arrives at Sasebo.
27 February 1942:
Departs Sasebo on outer harbor guard mission.
E 28 February 1942:
Attached to Sixth Division, First platoon.
7 March 1942:
Arrives at Sasebo.
9 March 1942:
Departs Sasebo on outer harbor guard mission.
16 March 1942:
Arrives at Sasebo.
21 March 1942:
Departs Sasebo on outer harbor guard mission.
4 April 1942:
Scheduled for an anti-submarine sweep with the First Sweeping Unit W Me Shima on 6 Apr ‘42 under Sasebo Sea Surface Defense Unit instruction No. 34.
5 April 1942:
Arrives at Sasebo.
10 April 1942:
Attached to Coastal Defense Forces, Sasebo Area Defense Force under Sasebo Naval Base order No. 22.
12 April 1942:
Scheduled for an anti-submarine sweep in the rectangle enveloping the 200° line passing through Osezaki Ushijima and 290° line passing through Osezaki and Me Shima under Sasebo Defense Force order No. 36.
Departs Sasebo on outer harbor guard mission that same day.
14 April 1942:
Rescues and tows a flying boat which made an emergency landing.
15 April 1942:
Rated as the Shijiki Unit, First Patrol Unit under Sasebo Defense Force Command order No. 35.
17 April 1942:
Sasebo Sea Defense Force order No. 34 comes into effect after 1900 under Sasebo Sea Defense Force order No. 37. First shift from 18 Apr ‘42.
18 April 1942:
Arrives at Sasebo.
19 April 1942:
Departs Sasebo.
22 April 1942:
Scheduled for an anti-submarine sweep with the First Sweeping Unit W Me Shima from 25 Apr ‘42 under Sasebo Sea Surface Defense Unit telegram No. 2.
26 April 1942:
Arrives at Sasebo.
2 May 1942:
Departs Sasebo on outer harbor guard mission.
12 May 1942:
Arrives at Sasebo.
16 May 1942:
Departs Sasebo.
26 April 1942:
Arrives at Sasebo.
4 June 1942:
Departs Sasebo on outer harbor guard mission.
15 June 1942:
Arrives at Sasebo.
20 June 1942:
Departs Sasebo on outer harbor guard mission.
23 June 1942:
Arrives at Sasebo.
4 July 1942:
Departs Sasebo on outer harbor guard mission.
8 July 1942:
Arrives at Sasebo.
10 July 1942:
Departs Sasebo on outer harbor guard mission and returns to base later this day.
12 July 1942:
Departs Sasebo on outer harbor guard mission.
16 July 1942:
Arrives at Sasebo.
20 July 1942:
Departs Sasebo on outer harbor guard mission.
24 July 1942:
Arrives at Sasebo.
26 July 1942:
Departs Sasebo on practice shooting and returns to port later that day.
2 August 1942:
Departs Sasebo on outer harbor guard mission.
6 August 1942:
Arrives at Sasebo.
8 August 1942:
Departs Sasebo on outer harbor guard mission.
12 August 1942:
Arrives at Sasebo.
14 August 1942:
Departs Sasebo on outer harbor guard mission. Disposes of one floating mine. Arrives at Iojima later this day.
16 August 1942:
Disposes of one floating mine.
18 August 1942:
Departs Iojima and arrives at Sasebo later that day.
20 August 1942:
Departs Sasebo and arrives at Kata Shima later this day.
22 August 1942:
Departs Kata Shima and arrives at Sasebo later that day.
24 August 1942:
Departs Sasebo on outer harbor guard mission.
26 August 1942:
Arrives at Sasebo.
28 August 1942:
Departs Sasebo on outer harbor guard mission.
31 August 1942:
Arrives at Sasebo.
5 September 1942:
Departs Sasebo on outer harbor guard mission.
9 September 1942:
Arrives at Sasebo.
13 September 1942:
Departs Sasebo on outer harbor guard mission.
16 September 1942:
Arrives at Sasebo.
21 September 1942:
Departs Sasebo.
24 September 1942:
Arrives at Sasebo.
27 September 1942:
Departs Sasebo on outer harbor patrol.
29 April 1942:
Performs practice shooting.
30 April 1942:
Disposes of one floating mine.
1 October 1942:
Arrives at Sasebo.
9 October 1942:
Departs Sasebo on outer harbor patrol.
16 October 1942:
Arrives at Sasebo.
24 October 1942:
Arrives at Sasebo Naval Yard and enters drydock No. 6 for repairs and maintenance.
28 October 1942:
Undocked.
9 November 1942:
Departs Sasebo on outer harbor patrol.
10 November 1942:
Attached to Coastal Defense Forces, Sasebo Area Defense Forces under Sasebo Naval Base order No. 33.
11 November 1942:
Arrives at Sasebo.
13 November 1942:
Departs Sasebo on outer harbor patrol.
17 November 1942:
Arrives at Sasebo.
19 November 1942:
Departs Sasebo on outer harbor patrol.
23 November 1942:
Arrives at Sasebo.
27 November 1942:
Departs Sasebo on outer harbor patrol. Disposes of one floating mine.
4 December 1942:
Arrives at Sasebo.
6 December 1942:
Attached to Coastal Defense Forces, Sasebo Area Defense Forces under Sasebo Naval Base order No. 34.
8 December 1942:
Departs Sasebo on outer harbor patrol.
15 December 1942:
Arrives at Sasebo.
17 December 1942:
Rated as the Shijiki Unit, First Patrol Unit under Sasebo Defense Force Command order No. 47.
19 December 1942:
Departs Sasebo on outer harbor patrol.
26 December 1942:
Arrives at Sasebo.
30 December 1942:
Departs Sasebo on outer harbor patrol.
6 January 1943:
Arrives at Sasebo.
10 January 1943:
Departs Sasebo on outer harbor patrol.
15 January 1943:
Arrives at Sasebo. Undergoes maintenance and repairs.
25 February 1943:
Completes repair of anchor’s windlass.
26 February 1943:
Departs Sasebo for inspection and returns there later this day.
3 March 1943:
Departs Sasebo on outer harbor patrol.
6 March 1943:
Disposes of one floating mine.
10 March 1943:
Arrives at Sasebo.
15 March 1943:
Departs Sasebo for training and returns to base later that day.
16 March 1943:
Departs Sasebo on outer harbor patrol and returns there later this day.
18 March 1943:
Departs Sasebo on transport mission and returns to base later that day.
26 March 1943:
Departs Sasebo on transport mission and returns there later this day.
E 27 March ~ 1 April 1943:
Departs Sasebo.
2 April 1943:
Arrives at Sasebo.
7 April 1943:
Departs Sasebo for compass adjustment and returns to base later that day. Rated as main escort unit under Sasebo Sea Defense Force Command order No. 54.
E 8 April 1943:
Equipped with 20 depth charges (DCs).
9 April 1943:
Departs Sasebo.
10 April 1943:
Arrives at Yamakawa.
13 April 1943:
Kumano Maru telegram No. 130800:
- At 1200, on 13 Apr ‘42 convoy ROKU-02 consisting of TAISEI, RYUKYU, KAIJO and KANATO MARUs departed Yamakawa with a speed of 8 knots.
- Sail direct from Yakushima Strait to Naze (Naze). Scheduled arrival at Naze at 1100 on 14 Apr ‘43. KAIJO MARU scheduled to depart Naze at 1500 on 14 Apr ‘43 with a speed of 10 knots.
- From Oroshika (Yokoura) Bay anchor W Iheya Island.
- Scheduled to arrive at Naha port at 0930 on 15 Apr ‘43 via W Ie Island.
Departs Yamakawa escorting convoy ROKU-2.
14 April 1943:
Arrives at Naze and departs there later this day.
16 April 1943:
Arrives at Naha.
Kumano Maru telegram No. 161445:
- KAIJO MARU scheduled to depart Naha at 1430 on 17 Apr ‘43 and scheduled to arrive at Naze at 1000, on 18 Apr ‘43.
- Plan to escort the OKI convoy from Naze to Kagoshima.
17 April 1943:
Departs Naha escorting convoy OKI-2 consisting only of KAIJO MARU.
18 April 1943:
Kumano Maru telegram No. 181415:
- KAIJO MARU scheduled to depart Naze at 1900 on 18 April 1943. Scheduled to arrive at 8 nautical miles SW Cape Sata (Sata Misaki) Lighthouse (LH) on 19 Apr ‘43.
Arrives at Naze and departs there later that day escorting convoy OKI-2.
19 April 1943:
Arrives at Kagoshima.
22 April 1943:
Kumano Maru telegram No. 220915:
- Escort ROKU-4 convoy consisting of KAIJO, TAICHU, and UNTEN MARUs and [tanker] SEIKO MARU No. 2.
- Scheduled to depart Yamakawa at 1200, on 22 Apr ‘43. Speed 8 knots.
- Sail direct from Yakushima Strait to Naze.
- Scheduled arrival at Naze at 1100 on 23 Apr ‘43.
- Scheduled departure from Naze at 1300.
- Scheduled to arrive at Iheya Island N coast from Cape Sotsuko (Sotsutaka-saki, Sokko Zaki), Amami Oshima.
- Scheduled to arrive at Naha at 1200 on 24 Apr ‘43.
Departs Kagoshima escorting convoy ROKU-4.
23 April 1943:
Arrives at Naze and departs there later that day.
24 April 1943:
At 1300, arrives at Naha.
27 April 1943:
Kumano telegram No. 270935:
- Escort 2 ships of convoy OKI-4. KAIJO MARU bound for Kagoshima and [tanker] SEIKO MARU No. 2 bound for Shimonoseki from Iheya Island S coast directly to Cape Sotsoku.
- Scheduled to arrive at Naze at 1100 on 28 Apr ‘43 and depart Naze that same day at 1300.
- Scheduled to arrive off Yamakawa via the Yakushima Straits at 1100 on 29 Apr ‘43. KAIJO MARU will detach.
- Scheduled to depart off Yamakawa at 1600 this same day. Detach at 0000 on 30 Apr ‘43 at 45 nautical miles of Tsurigake Saki.
- SEIKO MARU No. 2 is scheduled to make contact with minelayer UKISHIMA and head to Shimonoseki via Aizaki (Aizakino) Seto.
Departs Naha escorting convoy OKI-4.
28 April 1943:
Kumano Maru telegram No. 281245:
- Scheduled to arrive at Naze at 1000. Two ships of convoy OKI-4, TAISEI MARU and KONAN MARU are detached at 5 nautical miles of Tsurigake Saki LH at 0000 on 30 Apr ‘43 and sail to Ki-shima (O Shima) and via Aizaki Seto head to Osaka.
Arrives at Naze and departs there later this day escorting convoy OKI-4. Scheduled to return to Sasebo after convoy OKI-4’s escort has ended under Sasebo Sea Defense Force order No. 6.
29 April 1943:
Arrives at Yamakawa.
7 May 1943:
Receives conversion instructions for minesweeping equipment. As soon as possible at Sasebo all netlaying nets and related equipment will be landed and replaced by minesweeping equipment. Netlaying equipment stand will be replaced by a minesweeping equipment stand. A new towing eye ring will also be fitted as well as a stern’s roller under instruction No. 2167.
8 May 1943:
Departs Sasebo for Yamakawa. En route communication training is undertaken.
10 May 1943:
KUMANO MARU telegram No. 101015:
- Convoy ROKU-8 consisting of 6 ships: KEIUN MARU bound for Naze via Naha route, NICHINAN (1,945 GRT) MARU bound for Mako, RYUKYU MARU bound for Naze, BANSHU MARU bound for Bangkok, Thailand via Takao, Formosa (now Kaoshiung, Taiwan), AMOY MARU bound for Naha via Naze, RYUTO MARU bound for Kirun, Formosa (now Keelung, Taiwan).
- Scheduled to depart Yamakawa at 1300 on 10 May 1943.
- Speed 8.5 knots.
- Scheduled to arrive from Yakushima Straits at Naze at 1000 on 21 May ‘43.
- Scheduled to depart Naze at 1300 for Cape Sotsuko and then Iheya Island W coast.
- Scheduled to arrive at Naha at 1100 on 12 May ’43.
Departs Yamakawa escorting convoy ROKU-8.
12 May 1943:
Arrives at Naze and departs there later that day. NICHINAN MARU is detached due to engine and hull issues.
13 May 1943:
Arrives at Naha.
15 May 1943:
Rated as Marine Defense Force, Escort Main Unit under secret Sasebo Naval Base order No. 42.
Naha Maritime Transport Protection Department telegram No. 150900: Convoy OKI-8
- KUMANO MARU, KEIUN MARU and AMOY MARU departed Naha at 0830 on 15 May ‘43. BOKO MARU (ex-British SAGRES) bound for Sasebo joined the convoy outside the port at 0900.
- Scheduled to arrive at Naze on 16 May and at Kagoshima on 17 May ‘43.
- BOKO MARU is scheduled to sail independently to Sasebo from off Cape Sata’s coast.
At 0830 departs Naha escorting convoy OKI-8.
16 May 1943:
Arrives at Naze and departs there later this day.
17 May 1943:
At 1500, arrives at Kagoshima.
24 May 1943:
KUMANO MARU telegram No. 242130:
- Six ships of convoy ROKU-11: KAIJO and KAGI (2,346 GRT) MARUs bound for Naha via Naze, TAICHU MARU bound for Kirun via Naha, tanker KOAN MARU and WAKO GO (ex-Chinese HOHSING) bound for Takao via Kirun and escort RYUKYU MARU bound for Naze.
- Scheduled to depart Yamakawa at 1200 on 25 May ‘43. Speed 8 knots, via Yakushima Straits.
- Scheduled to arrive at Naze at 1100 on 26 May.
- Scheduled to depart Naze at 1600 via Iheya Island E coast.
- Scheduled to arrive at Naha at 1300 on 27 May.
25 May 1943:
Departs Yamakawa escorting convoy ROKU-11. KAGI and KAIJO MARUs, under orders, proceed ahead alone.
26 May-1943:
Drops eight DCs after LtCdr Anthony H. Dropp's (USNA '32) USS SAURY (SS-189) sinks KAGI MARU with two torpedoes at 28-49N, 129-40E about 10 nautical miles N Amami Oshima. 321 passengers and crewmen perish. Arrives at
28 May 1943:
The rest of the convoy arrives at Naze. RYUKYU MARU is detached and SHIROGANE MARU joins. Later that day departs Naze.
29 May 1943:
Arrives at Naha.
4 June 1943:
Departs Naha with auxiliary netlayer KOGA MARU escorting convoy OKI-403 consisting of three unidentified merchant ships.
7 June 1943:
Arrives at Sasebo.
14 June 1943:
Departs Sasebo escorting Army shared oiler (A/C-AO) NIKKAKU MARU towing an oil barge.
15 June 1943:
Arrives at Kagoshima.
17 June 1943:
Departs Kagoshima escorting convoy ROKU-707 consisting of KEIUN MARU and six unidentified merchant ships.
19 June 1943:
Arrives at Naha.
21 June 1943:
Departs Naha escorting convoy OKI-101 consisting only of AMOY MARU.
23 June 1943:
Arrives at Kagoshima.
25 June 1943:
Departs Sasebo escorting general requisitioned (B-AO) oiler SHOYU MARU towing oil barge NANYU No. 27.
27 June 1943:
Arrives at Kagoshima. Departs there later that day escorting convoy ROKU-704 consisting of four unidentified merchant ships.
28 June 1943:
Arrives at Kagoshima.
29 June 1943:
Departs Kagoshima probably escorting general requisitioned (B-AO) oiler SHOYU MARU and oil barge NANYU No. 27.
1 July 1943:
Arrives at Naha.
4 July 1943:
Departs Naha escorting convoy OKI-402 consisting of KONAN MARU and one unidentified merchant ship.
5 July 1943:
Arrives at Naze and departs there later this day. The unidentified merchant ship is apparently detached.
6 July 1943:
Arrives at Oniki. Departs there later that day escorting KONAN MARU. Escort ends at Koshiki Kaikyo.
7 July 1943:
Arrives at Sasebo.
8 ~ 19 July 1943:
Undergoes minesweeping equipment construction and instruction work.
19 July 1943:
Departs at Sasebo.
20 July 1943:
Arrives at Kagoshima.
21 July 1943:
Departs Kagoshima escorting convoy ROKU-102 consisting of two unidentified merchant ships.
23 July 1943:
Arrives at Naha.
25 July 1943:
At 1500, departs Naha escorting convoy OKI-501 consisting only of KONAN MARU.
26 July 1943:
Arrives at Naze and departs there later this day.
27 July 1943:
Arrives off Kagoshima.
28 July 1943:
Arrives at Kagoshima.
2 August 1943:
Departs Kagoshima escorting convoy ROKU-202 consisting of RYUKYU and SEKKO MARUs. KUMANO MARU apparently detaches soon after departure.
3 August 1943:
Arrives at Sasebo.
8 August 194 3:
Departs Sasebo.
9 August 1943:
Arrives at Kagoshima.
11 August 1943:
KUMANO MARU telegram No. 111945:
- Convoy ROKU-205 consisting of KAIJO MARU, KONAN MARU, MIYAKO MARU, AMOY MARU and RYUTO MARU.
- From Kagoshima scheduled to arrive at Iwo Jima at 0800 on 12 Aug ‘43.
- From Kuchinurabujima W coast bound for Naze.
- From Akusejima scheduled to arrive at Naze at 1200 on 13 Aug ‘43.
- Scheduled to depart after 1700 bound for the Amami Islands W coast and then arrive at Naha.
Due to mechanical failure general requisitioned oiler (B-AO) NICHIYOKU MARU towing an oil barge is scheduled to join the next convoy at 1300 on 14 Aug ‘43.
12 August 1943:
Departs Kagoshima escorting convoy ROKU-205.
13 August 1943:
Arrives at Naze and departs there later that day.
14 August 1943:
Arrives at Naha.
19 August 1943:
Naha Maritime Transport Protection Department telegram No. 191247:
- Convoy OKI-005 consisting of KAIJO MARU, KONAN MARU and EIGEN GO.
- Scheduled to depart Naha at 1200 on 20 Aug ‘43 for Amami Oshima Islands W coast.
- Scheduled to arrive at Naze at 1000 on 21 Aug ‘43.
- At 1400 RYUKYU MARU and AMOY MARU depart Akuseki Island for Tokara Islands W coast.
- Scheduled to arrive at Kagoshima at 1600 on 22 Aug ‘43.
- EIGEN GO departs Io Jima, Osumi Islands W coast for round trip. Speed 8 knots.
- Escorts to Naze will be KUMANO MARU and HOKOKU MARU No. 3 and escort from Naze will be HAKATA MARU No. 7.
20 August 1943:
Departs Naha escorting convoy OKI-005.
21 August 1943:
Arrives at Seso and departs there later this day.
22 August 1943:
Arrives at Kagoshima.
24 August 1943:
KUMANO MARU telegram No. 242045:
- Convoy ROKU-506 consisting of KAIJO MARU, TAICHU MARU, RYUKYU MARU, TAIKYU MARU, NAZE MARU and HORAI MARU. [NB NAZE MARU is omitted from telegram].
- Scheduled to depart Kagoshima at 0800 on 25 Aug ‘43 for Io Jima W coast and then for Tokara Islands.
- Scheduled to sail direct from Akuishijima to Naze.
- Scheduled to arrive at Naze at 1300 on 26 Aug ‘43.
- Speed 8 knots. Cooperation boat will be auxiliary gunboat CHITOSE MARU.
25 August 1943:
Departs Kagoshima escorting convoy ROKU-506.
26 August 1943:
Arrives at Naze and departs there later that day.
27 August 1943:
Arrives at Naha.
30 August 1943:
At 1200, departs Naha escorting convoy OKI-004 consisting of KAIJO and RYUKYU MARUs, NANKAI MARU No.1 and tug KURE No. 5.
31 August 1943:
Naha Maritime Transport Protection Depatment telegram No. 311027: Kure, Convoy OKI-005.
- KAIJO MARU scheduled to depart Naha at 1200 on 30 Aug ‘43 passing along the Amami Oshima Islands W coast.
- Scheduled to arrive at Naze at 1000 on 31 Aug ‘43.
- NANKAI MARU No. 1 and RYUKYU MARU are scheduled to depart Akuseijima at 1200 for Tokara Islands W coast.
- Scheduled to depart Io Jima for Kagoshima in one day. Scheduled to arrive at 1800 at Kagoshima.
- Escort minelayer TAKASHIMA joins at 1200, 3 nautical miles N Koshijima on 29 Aug ‘43.
- KUMANO MARU scheduled to return to Sasebo after escorting convoy OKI-004 under Sasebo Naval Base Marine Defense Force telegram No. 20.
Arrives at Naze and departs there later this day.
1 September 1943:
Arrives at Makurazaki and departs there later that day.
2 September 1943:
Arrives at Sasebo.
7 September 1943:
Enters drydock for maintenance and repairs.
13 September 1943:
Undocked.
17 September 1943:
Departs Sasebo.
18 September 1943:
Arrives at Kagoshima.
22 September 1943:
Departs Kagoshima escorting convoy ROKU-204 consisting of four unidentified merchant ships.
24 September 1943:
At 0800, arrives at Naha.
27 September 1943:
Departs Naha escorting convoy OKI-703 consisting of three unidentified merchant ships.
28 September 1943:
Arrives at Naze and departs there later this day.
29 September 1943:
At 1800, arrives at Kagoshima.
4 October 1943:
Departs Kagoshima escorting convoy ROKU-406 consisting of TAICHU and KAITO MARUs and four unidentified merchant ships.
6 October 1943:
At 0815, arrives at Naha.
7 October 1943:
KUMANO MARU telegram No. 071425: Convoy OKI-801.
- DAISHIN MARU is scheduled to depart Naha at 1000 on 8 Oct ‘43, passing along Amami Oshima Islands W coast.
- Scheduled to arrive at Naze on 9 Oct ‘43.
- Scheduled to depart Akuseijima at 0800 for Tokara Islands.
- Scheduled to arrive at Kagoshima from Io Jima W coast at 1000 on 10 Oct ‘43.
8 October 1943:
Departs Naha escorting convoy OKI-801. Convoy departure is then cancelled and convoy returns to Naha later that day.
KUMANO MARU telegram No. 081315: Departure of convoy OKI-801.
11 October 1943:
Departs Naha escorting convoy OKI-801 consisting only of DAISHIN MARU.
12 October 1943:
Arrives at Naze and departs there later this day.
13 October 1943:
Arrives at Kushikino and departs there later that day.
14 October 1943:
Arrives at Sasebo.
17 October 1943:
Departs Sasebo.
18 October 1943:
Arrives at Kagoshima.
19 October 1943:
Departs Kagoshima escorting convoy ROKU-908 consisting of KOGEN, KIYO, SEISHO and MIIKESAN MARUs and four unidentified merchant ships.
20 October 1943:
Arrives at Naze and departs there later this day.
21 October 1943:
Arrives at Naha.
25 October 1943:
Departs Naha escorting convoy OKI-502 consisting of two unidentified merchant ships.
26 October 1943:
Arrives at Naze and departs there later this day.
27 October 1943:
Arrives at Kagoshima.
29 October 1943:
Departs Kagoshima escorting convoy ROKU-904 consisting of four unidentified merchant ships.
30 October 1943:
Arrives at Naze and departs there later this day.
31 October 1943:
Arrives at Naha.
1 November 1943:
Rated as Marine Defense Force Escort Main Unit under Sasebo Naval Base order No. 49. Attached to the Escort Main Corps, Second Escort Unit.
2 November 1943:
KUMANO MARU telegram No. 021650: Convoy OKI-303.
- RYUKYU MARU scheduled to arrive at Kagoshima via Naze. SHINTO MARU, KOAN MARU and others scheduled for Moji via Kagoshima.
- Scheduled to depart from Naha at 1200 on 3 Nov ‘43.
- Scheduled to arrive at Naze at 0800 on 4 Nov ‘43.
- Scheduled to depart Naze at 1000, passing along Io Jima W coast to Tokara Islands.
- Scheduled to arrive at Kagoshima at 1000 on 5 Nov ‘43. Speed 9 knots.
3 November 1943:
Departs Naha escorting convoy OKI-303.
4 November 1943:
Arrives at Naze.
Receives Sasebo Naval Base Marine Defense Unit telegram No. 6:
- 1 - KIGAWA, KUMANO and AGATA MARUs are assigned to Vice Admiral Tayui Minoru’s (39) 1st Southern Expeditionary Fleet.
- 2 - KUMANO MARU should return to Sasebo after completing escorting convoy OKI-303.
- 3 - In order to prepare for sortie, AGATA MARU should return to Sasebo as soon as possible after briefing. If necessary, change her CO.
- After OKI convoy departs on 8 Nov ‘43 for the time being the route to Okinawa will be Yamakawa, Naze for Yamakawa Unit. Naze, Naha for Oshima Unit and minelayer TSUBAME should be appointed as a relay escort.
Departs Naze later this day.
5 November 1943:
At 0630, arrives at Kagoshima. Detaches from the convoy.
Receives instruction No. 051742:
- It is necessary to work as a subordinate and maintain an auxiliary capture netboat and an auxiliary anti-submarine netboat by Omi secret instruction No. 290930. However due to convenience behavior part of construction work is outsourced to work department of the new affiliation.
- 1 - Boat name Maintenance staff
- MATSU, TATSU and KASHI MARUs: Yokosuka.
- HIRO, SHOSEI and KUDAMATSU MARUs and KOA MARU No. 2 GO: Kure
- EIRYU MARU: Ominato
- AGATA, KUMANO, KOGA, SHUNSEN, SHOEKI and KANKO MARUs: Sasebo
- 2 - Remove netlaying and minesweeper equipment and prepare for transport missions. If necessary, ammunition should be stored in the gun side ammunition housing and ammunition storage should be abolished.
- 3 - MATSU, TATSU and KASHI MARUs will be equipped with one Type 96 25mm gun. Other ships will be equipped with one Type 93 13mm MG.
6 November 1943:
Arrives at Sasebo.
10 November 1943:
Attached to Vice Admiral Tayui Minoru’s (39) 1st Southern Expeditionary Fleet under order No. 2381. Attached to Vice Admiral (later Admiral) Takasu Shiro’s (35) Southwest Area Fleet in Vice Admiral Tayui Minoru’s (39) 1st Southern Expeditionary fleet.
15 December 1943:
At 1800, KUMANO MARU departs Naha escorting an unknown number of small ships, likely fishing boats, in the KUMANO MARU convoy.
18 December 1943:
At 0800, due to arrive at Takao.
22 December 1943:
At 1600, departs Takao with torpedo boat TOMOZURU, auxiliary netlayer KOGA MARU escorting convoy No. 782 consisting of IJA shared oiler (A/C-AO) FUSHIMI MARU No. 3 and auxiliary oiler OGURA MARU No. 2.
25 December 1943:
At 1600, arrives at Manila, Philippines.
28 December 1943:
Departs Manila escorting the Rin convoy consisting of auxiliary oiler OGURA MARU No. 2 and Army shared oiler (A/C-AO) FUSHIMI MARU No. 3.
1 January 1944:
Arrives at Miri, Sarawak , British Borneo, (now Malaysia).
4 January 1944:
At 1440, arrives with auxiliary netlayer KOGA MARU at Singapore.
9 January 1944:
Assigned to cooperate with the 21st Torpedo Boat Division during voyage to Mergui, Burma (now Myeik, Myanmar) under Southern Expeditionary Fleet instruction No. 5.
E 30 January 1944:
Scheduled to meet auxiliary netlayer KOGA MARU off Victoria Point, Burma (now Kawthaung, Myanmar).
23 April 1944:
Departs Penang, British Malaya (now Malaysia).
25 April 1944:
Arrives at Sabang, Sumatra, Netherlands East Indies (now Indonesia).
21 May 1944:
Navy (Resv) Lt Kurosaki Mutsumi is appointed CO.
Departs Singapore for Port Swettenham, British Malaya (now Port Klang, Malaysia) in a convoy also consisting of auxiliary transport RISUI MARU escorted by subchaser Ch-7 and auxiliary subchasers CHa-50 and CHa-70. Arrives at Port Swettenham later that day.
27 May 1944:
At 1820, departs Port Swettenham and arrives at Penang, British Malaya (now Malaysia) later that same day.
28 May 1944:
The convoy departs Penang.
At 0840, while heading towards Penang Lt. Thomas G. Ridgeway’s (RN) HMS TEMPLAR (P-316) according to patrol report: “In position 04°18'N, 100°18'E sight two merchant ships escorted by two trawlers and one subchaser. Bearing 160°, range about 5000 yards, course 340°, speed 9 knots. Start attack. At 0852, fires three stern torpedoes from 2400 yards resulting in one hit in the starboard forward hold. The target is later seen to be standing vertically on end in 180 feet of water. HMS TEMPLAR is hunted and depth charged following the attack. 18 Depth Charges in all are dropped but these do no damage.”
KUMANO MARU is torpedoed and sunk in 04-02N 100-17E, about 16 nautical miles W Pangkor Island, British Malaya (now Malaysia). 9 crewmen are KIA.
3 May 1947:
Removed from the Navy’s list under instruction No. 327.

Authors' Notes:
[1] Not to be confused with Army landing craft depot ship (9,502 GRT, ’45) and wartime std. 2E Type (873 GRT, ’44).
[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.
Thanks go to Gengoro S. Toda of Japan.

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

Back to the Netlayers Page