Japanese Oilers

YUSOSEN!

(KYOEI MARU prewar, apparently on builders trials in Inland Sea – Peter Cundall Collection)

IJN KYOEI MARU:
Tabular Record of Movement
© 2010-2021 Bob Hackett, Berend van der Wal and Peter Cundall.

Revision 6

20 May 1937:
Aioi. Laid down at Harima Zosensho K.K. as a 591-ton coastal tanker for Kyoei Tanker Co K.K., Tokyo.
3 September 1937:
Launched and named KYOEI MARU.
28 October 1937:
Completed and registered in Kobe. Her Gross Registered Tonnage (GRT) and Net Registered Tonnage (NRT) respectively are 591-tons and 367-tons. Her call sign is JHNL. [1]
8 November 1937:
Requisitioned by the IJN.
1938:
Her NRT is changed to 369-tons.
1940:
Her GRT and NRT are repectively changed to 602-tons and 368-tons. [1]
15 October 1941:
Registered as an auxiliary transport (oil supply) in the Kure Naval District under order No. 1256. Attached to the Combined Fleet as an Otsu category auxiliary transport. [2]
9 December 1941:
Departs Yokosuka for Truk, Carolines.
29 January 1942:
Arrives at Yokosuka.
1 ~ 8 February:
Assigned to a munitions transport mission under munitions order No. 55.
8 February 1942:
Departs Yokosuka for the South Sea area.
27 March 1942:
Arrives at Yokosuka.
27 March ~ 16 April 1942:
Assigned to aviation gasoline and aviation mineral oil transportation.
16 April 1942:
Departs Yokosuka for Truk.
23 May 1942:
Departs Truk with IJN oiler SAN DIEGO MARU escorted by auxiliary gunboat CHOUN MARU.
24 May 1942:
At 09-20N, 148-17E, CHOUN MARU is detached.
25 May 1942:
Arrives at Namonuito (Ororu) Islands, Carolines.
9 June 1942:
Arrives at Kure.
22 June 1942:
At 1500 departs Kure with IJN auxiliary storeships HOKO and HYUGA MARUs.
1 July 1942:
Departs Ominato.
6 July 1942:
Arrives at Paramushiro, Kuriles (now Paramushir, Russia).
10 July 1942:
Detached from northern units.
E 11 July 1942:
Departs Paramushiro.
16 July 1942:
Arrives at Ominato.
7 September 1942:
At 1330 departs Kure. At sea, KYOEI MARU 8-cm gunners test fire the gun twice. At 1800 arrives back at Kure.
8 September 1942:
KYOEI MARU’s 8-cm gunners disassemble the gun, perform an inspection, repair defective parts and resassemble the gun.
9 September 1942:
KYOEI MARU’s 7.7-mm machine gunners disassemble their guns, perform an inspection, repair defective parts and resassemble the guns.
10 September 1942:
KYOEI MARU’s crewmen disassemble their 38 type rifles, perform an inspection, repair defective parts and resassemble the guns.
11 September 1942:
Loads food stores, drinking water and takes on heavy oil.
17 September 1942:
Weapon fixture and consumables acceptance.
18 September 1942:
Food and buffet goods acceptance.
22 September 1942:
At 1500 departs Kure. At 1615 arrives at Yoshiura fuel pier.
22 ~ 23 September 1942:
Loads type 91 gasoline.
24 September 1942:
At 0900 leaves Yoshiura for compass adjustment testing then returns to Yoshiura at 1330 before departing that port later that day, at 1700.
3 October 1942:
At 0800 arrives at Saipan, Marianas. Loads food stores and drinking water.
4 October 1942:
At 0800 departs Saipan.
11 October 1942:
At 1300 arrives at Rabaul, New Britain, Bismarck Islands, Australia (now Papua New Guinea). Refuels flying boat tender AKITSUSHIMA.
13 October 1942:
Undergoes an air attack. Engages in anti aircraft combat. KYOEI MARU’s machine gunners fire a hundred rounds and her crew fires 60 rifle shots at the attacking planes.
14 October 1942:
Anchors outside port. Over the next 18 days makes daily trips into Rabaul to offload gasoline, probably into Daihatsu barges or lighters.
18 October 1942:
Supplies submarines.
19 October 1942:
Supplies the Air Corps supply boat.
23 October 1942:
Air raid on Rabaul. USAAF Fifth Air Force B-17 "Flying Fortresses" bomb shipping. KYOEI MARU’s 8-cm gun fires one shot and her machine gunners fire several hundred rounds at the attacking planes.
26 October 1942:
Off the airfield supplies the aviation supply boat.
27 October 1942:
Supplies off the airfield.
28 October 1942:
Air raid on Rabaul. USAAF Fifth Air Force B-17s bomb shipping. KYOEI MARU’s machine gunners fire 50 rounds at attacking planes.
31 October 1942:
Air raid on Rabaul. USAAF Fifth Air Force B-17s bomb shipping. KYOEI MARU’s machine gunners fire 100 rounds at the attacking planes. Thereafter performs her daily supply routine.
1 November 1942:
Supplies 1,000 bullets.
2 November 1942:
Rabaul. KYOEI MARU is provided lube oil by IJN oiler KINREI MARU.
3 November 1942:
KYOEI MARU is provided drinking water by auxiliary water transport WAYO MARU.
4 November 1942:
KYOEI MARU’s 7.7-mm machine gunners disassemble their guns and repair defective connections.
7 November 1942:
Comes alongside to flying boat tender AKITSUSHIMA. Supply to AKITSUSHIMA cancelled due to unknown circumstances.
12 ~ 17 November 1942:
Each day transfers supplies.
15 November 1942:
USAAF Fifth Air Force B-17s bomb shipping at Rabaul. KYOEI MARU’s machine gunners fire several hundred rounds at the attacking planes.
17 November 1942:
A lone Fifth Air Force B-24 " Liberator" bombs the wharf area at Rabaul. KYOEI MARU’s machine gunners fire 150 rounds at the plane.
19 November 1942:
At 1500 departs Rabaul in a convoy also consisting of auxiliary stores ship BANSHU MARU No.5. The minelayer HATSUTAKA joins from Kavieng, New Ireland, Bismarck Archipelago (now Papua New Guinea) as escort for part of the way.
22 November 1942:
HATSUTAKA ceases escort and heads towards Rabaul.
28 November 1942:
At 0930 arrives at Palau.
29 November 1942:
Loads food stores and fresh water. Embarks one passenger and at 1200 departs Palau.
5 December 1942:
Arrives off Balikpapan, Borneo, Netherlands East Indies (now Kalimantan, Indonesia).
6 December 1942:
At 0700 arrives at Balikpapan. Transfers from No. 5 to No. 3 Pier. Loads heavy oil. Thereafter departs and anchors offshore.
7 December 1941:
Departs offshore and arrives at pier No. 5 later this day. Begins loading gasoline.
8 December 1941:
Completes loading gasoline.
9 December 1942:
Departs pier No. 5 and anchors in the port. Begins dissambling and maintaining some defective engine parts.
10 December 1942:
Completes dissambling and maintaining some defective engine parts. Thereafter loads food stores.
11 December 1942:
At 0700 KYOEI MARU departs Balikpapan in a convoy with HISHI MARU No. 2 escorted by auxiliary KEINAN MARU No. 7. At 1630, KEINAN MARU No. 7 is detached.
12 December 1942:
At 1000, auxiliary submarine chaser SHONAN MARU (likely SHONAN MARU No. 1) joins as escort.
13 December 1942:
At 0350 arrives at Macassar, Celebes, Netherlands East Indies (now Sulawesi, Indonesia).
14 December 1942:
At 0700 departs Macassar still with HISHI MARU No. 2 and with auxiliary subchaser SHONAN MARU still as escort. At 2200, SHONAN MARU is detached.
16 December 1942:
At 1700, detaches from HISHI MARU No. 2 due to speed differences.
26 December 1942:
At 1800 arrives outside the port of Rabaul. USAAF B-17s bomb shipping. KYOEI MARU’s machine gunners fire 250 rounds at the attacking planes.
27 December 1942:
USAAF B-17s bomb shipping at Rabaul. KYOEI MARU’s machine gunners fire 300 rounds at the attacking planes. The ship moves from outside to inside the port.
28 December 1942:
USAAF B-17s bomb shipping at Rabaul. KYOEI MARU’s machine gunners fire 60 rounds at the attacking planes.
30 December 1942:
USAAF 5th Air Force B-17s bomb shipping in Simpson Harbor, Rabaul. KYOEI MARU’s machine gunners fire 300 rounds at the attacking planes.
1 January 1943:
USAAF 5th Air Force B-24s and B-17s bomb shipping at Rabaul. KYOEI MARU’s machine gunners fire 300 rounds at the attacking planes.
3 January 1943:
Comes alongside IJN oiler KINREI MARU and is refueled with heavy oil.
4 January 1943:
At 0800, KYOEI MARU departs Rabaul in a convoy consisting of fleet oiler TSURUMI and small cargo ships HOKKAI and GIYU MARUs escorted by subchaser CH-16.
6 January 1943:
At 0800 TSURUMI, HOKKAI and GIYU MARUs and CH-16 detach for Buin, Bougainville, Solomons (now Papua New Guinea). At 1030, the convoy is attacked by two aircraft that are driven off without damage. At 1300, arrives at the 851st Naval Air Group (ex Toko ku) base at Shortland Islands. Remains off this base or at nearby anchorages for the next 8 weeks gradually offloading cargo almost on a daily basis.
14 January 1943:
Resupplies.
30 January 1943:
KYOEI MARU is provided drinking water replenishment by auxiliary seaplane tender KAMIKAWA MARU.
6 February 1943:
At 0500 moves from normal anchorage to temporary anchorage off Shortland at 0600 before returning to previous anchorage at 1530.
10 February 1943:
Receives stores.
13 February 1943:
Shortland Island. Six B-24s of Thirteenth Air Force’s 424th Bomb Squadron (Heavy), 307th Bomb Group (Heavy) escorted by P-38 “Lightnings” s and P-40 “Warhawks” and nine USN PB4Ys (B-24) escorted by P-38 and F4U “Corsairs”, on separate missions, bomb shipping in the Shortland-Buin, Bougainville area.
KYOEI MARU’s 8-cm gunners fire four shots and her machine gunners fire 140 rounds at attacking planes.
23-25 February 1943:
From 0500-0530 to 0600-0630 daily moves from normal anchorage to temporary anchorage off Shortland before returning to previous anchorage at 1600.
26 February 1943:
At 0500 temporarily anchors at Ballale, Shortland Islands, Solomons to fill drums with gasoline.
27 February 1943:
At 0500 departs Ballale and returns to Shortland, arriving at 0600.
28 February 1943:
At 0530 departs Shortland and returns to Ballale, at 0620.
1 March 1943:
At 0500 departs Ballale and returns to Shortland at 0600.
2 March 1943:
At 0500 departs Shortland and returns to Ballale at 0600.
3 March 1943:
At 0500 departs Shortland, sails to Buin, arriving at 0700 and returns to anchorage later that day, at 1600.
4 March 1943:
At 0050 arrives at Buin, Bougainville. Embarks 32 passengers. At 1600, departs Buin in a convoy also consisting of IJN cargo ship KISARAGI MARU escorted by subchaser CH-22. At 1620, shortly after leaving port about 12 American aircraft attack the convoy, but are beaten off. KYOEI MARU’s 8-cm gun fires twos shot and her machine gunners fire several hundred rounds at the attacking planes.
6 March 1943:
At 0500, arrives at Rabaul. 12 passengers are disembarked.
7 March 1943:
Undergoes hull repairs and ammunition replenishment. Engine is disassembled and maintained.
11 March 1943:
KYOEI MARU is provided drinking water by auxiliary water transport WAYO MARU.
12 March 1943:
Air raid on Rabaul. Fifth Air Force B-24s and B-17s bomb airfields and attack shipping. KYOEI MARU’s machine gunners fire 140 rounds at the attacking planes.
23 March 1943:
Air raid on Rabaul. Fifth Air Force B-24s and B-17s bomb airfields and attack shipping. KYOEI MARU’s machine gunners fire 561 rounds at the attacking planes.
25 March 1943:
Air raid on Rabaul. KYOEI MARU’s machine gunners fire 280 rounds at attacking planes.
26 March 1943:
Rabaul. SAN CLEMENTE MARU bunkers KYOEI MARU. TOYO MARU supplies coal.
1 April 1943:
KYOEI MARU is provided drinking water by auxiliary water transport WAYO MARU.
9 April 1943:
At 1400, KYOEI MARU departs Rabaul in a convoy consisting of KOAN and HARUNA MARUs and tanker HISHI MARU No. 2 escorted by subchaser CH-37.
10 April 1943:
CH-37 detaches and returns to Rabaul.
12 April 1943:
LtCdr (later Rear Admiral-Ret) Louis D. McGregor's (USNA ’30) USS PIKE (SS-173) attacks the convoy. KOAN MARU successfully evades a torpedo attack at 05-30N, 150-42E.
USAAF’s Fifth Air Force B-24's and B-17's attack the ships. KYOEI MARU's 8-cm gunners fire five shots at the attacking planes.
13 April 1943:
At 0800 two destroyers, KAGERO and KUROSHIO, arrive as escort.
14 April 1943:
At 1040, arrives at Truk.
16 April 1943:
Replenishes water and food.
20 April 1943:
At 1200 departs Truk in a convoy consisting of MEITEN, SANSEI (3266 gt) and KYOEI MARUs escorted by subchaser CH-33.
26 April 1943:
At 0800 arrives at Palau.
28 April 1943:
Replenishes water and food.
10 May 1943:
Replenishes water and food.
11 May 1943:
At 0700 KYOEI MARU departs Palau for Balikpapan in convoy No. 2501 consisting of YASUKUNI, HAKUSAN, DAIGEN, KENKOKU, HOKO and GENYO MARUs escorted by destroyer KURETAKE.
18 May 1943:
At 1600, arrives at Balikpapan where the convoy is dispersed.
19 May 1943:
Loads heavy oil, automobile oil, food stores and boiler water at No. 5 Pier.
20 May 1943:
Transfers from No. 5 to No. 3 Pier. Loads water and heavy oil. Then transfers back to pier No. 5.
27 May 1943:
Replenishes water and food. Thereafter at 1600 KYOEI MARU departs Balikpapan for Tarakan, Borneo, Netherlands East Indies (now Kalimantan, Indonesia) in a convoy consisting of cargo ships TOBI, SHONAN and MIYAURA MARUs. At 1600, subchaser CH-5 joins as escort.
29 May 1943:
At 1400, arrives at Tarakan.
1 June 1943:
At 1200, KYOEI MARU departs Tarakan in a convoy consisting of tankers SANRAKU and SHONAN MARUs escorted by auxilary gunboat BUSHO MARU.
3 June 1943:
At 1600, auxiliary gunboat BUSHO MARU is detached and auxiliary gunboat KISO MARU joins as relief escort.
5 June 1943:
At 1830, arrives at Manila, Philippines.
8-11 June 1943:
Undergoes boiler repairs.
14 June 1943:
Takes on boiler water and food stores.
15 June 1943:
At 0730, KYOEI MARU departs Manila for Takao in convoy No. 853 consisting of ROKKOSAN, FUSEI (ex FAUSANG) and FUJISAN MARUs escorted by kaibokan WAKATAKE.
18 June 1943:
At 0730, arrives at pier 15, Takao.
21 June 1943:
At 0800 departs Takao.
27 June 1943:
At 1530 arrives at Kure and later that day at 1800, moves to Yoshiura.
29 June 1943:
Loads food stores and at 1600 departs Yoshiura.
30 June 1943:
At 0500 arrives at Oura storage pier Tokuyama. Unloads automobile oil and departs at 1730.
1 July 1943:
At 0600 arrives at Hiroshima Bay.
3 July 1943:
At 0700 departs Hiroshima Bay. At 0830 arrives at Kure, and departs at 1800.
4 July 1943:
At 0800 arrives at Aioi. Unloads ammunition.
6 July 1943:
Enters dock at Harima shipyard.
16 July 1943:
At 1400 undocked. Undergoes section inspection trial run.
17 July 1943:
Reloads ammunition. At 0600 departs Aioi.
18 July 1943:
At 1500 arrives at Yoshiura.
20 July 1943:
Loads boiler water, food and more ammunition.
21 July 1943:
Replenishes canteen goods and loads spare parts for supply.
22 July 1943:
Refuels.
24 July 1943:
At 1500 departs Yoshiura. Arrives off Ube later this day.
25 July 1943:
Departs off Ube and arrives at 0830 at Moji.
28 July 1943:
At 1200 departs Moji and arrives off Katsumoto later that day.
31 July 1943:
At 0800 departs Kagoshima in convoy ROKU-106 also consisting of TAMON MARU No. 8, NIITAKA and KOJUN MARUs and four unidentified merchant ships escorted by auxiliary netlayer KOGA MARU, auxiliary minewsweeper SEKI MARU and auxiliary patrol boat HOKOKU MARU No. 3 GO.
1 August 1943:
At 1530 arrives at Naha, Okinawa then at 1830 departs to anchor off port.
2 August 1943:
At 0930 arrives Naha Port again. Replenishes water.
4 August 1943:
At 1100 departs Naha.
6 August 1943:
Arrives off the coast of Kirun, Formosa (now Keelung, Taiwan). The convoy disolves.
7 August 1943:
At 1530 arrives at Takao, Formosa (now Kaoshiung, Taiwan).
8 August 1943:
Replenishes water and food.
11 August 1943:
Replenishes food.
13 August 1943:
Loads food stores then anchors off Takao Port before departing later that day, at 0830.
16 August 1943:
At 1345 arrives outside Manila Port.
18 August 1943:
Weighs anchor in Manila and berths in Manila Port at 0800.
23 August 1943:
Replenishes food.
26 August 1943:
At 1130 departs Manila in convoy No. 917 also consisting of TAIAN, TAIRYU, CHIYODA, MATSUMOTO, SHUNTEN MARUs and FUSHIMI MARU No. 3, OGURA MARU No. 3 escorted by destroyer ASAKAZE.
30 August 1943:
At 2200 OGURA MARU No. 3 separates from convoy for Tarakan. TAIAN MARU is also detached for Palau.
1 September 1943:
At 5 nautical miles off Balikpapan the convoy dissolves. At 1650 arrives at Balikpapan.
3 September 1943:
Loads 93 units of gasoline at No. 5 Pier. Thereafter departs and loads food in the port.
4 September 1943:
At 0840 departs Balikpapan. Joins convoy No. 2607 also consisting of NISSHO, PACIFIC, YAMAYURI and TAKAOKA MARUs, fleet oiler NOTORO escorted by destroyer ASAKAZE, submarine chaser CH-6 and auxiliary gunboat MANYO MARU. (MANYO MARU is listed as carrying cargo in this convoy)
7 September 1943:
Subchaser CH-6 detaches.
8 September 1943:
At 0900 an unidentified destroyer and an auxiliary vessel join the convoy.
10 September 1943:
An unidentified oiler (probably NOTORO) and auxiliary vessel are detached. At 1600 arrives at Palau.
12 September 1943:
Loads food.
16 September 1943:
Loads food.
18 September 1943:
At 0500 departs Palau in convoy SO-806 also consisting of PACIFIC, TAKAOKA, YURI, TAMASHIMA and YAMAYURI MARUs escorted by submarine chasers CH-17 and CH-39.
23 September 1943:
Air raid. KYOEI MARU’s 8-cm gun fires three shots and her machine gunners fire 40 rounds at attacking planes.
25 September 1943:
At 0900 arrives at Rabaul.
27 September-10 October 1943:
Returns shells. Loads food stores and gasoline drums.
7 October 1943:
Rabaul. Fleet oiler NARUTO provides bunker oil to KYOEI MARU. At 1300 KOAN MARU provides boiler water.
9 October 1943:
At 1300, KYOEI MARU departs Matupi Island, Rabaul for Palau in convoy O-903 consisting of TAKAOKA and NANMAN MARUs escorted by subchasers CH-16 and CH-39.
16 October 1943:
At 0830, arrives at Palau.
17 October 1943:
Replenishes water.
18 October 1943:
Loads food.
21 October 1943:
At 1200 departs Palau.
24 October 1943:
KYOEI MARU is in an antisubmarine action. Her 8-cm gunners fire three shots. Later at 1930, she arrives at the south tip of Davao Island, Philippines.
25 October 1943:
At 0700 arrives at Davao.
26 October 1943:
Lies alongside a pier and loads 300 drums. At 1800 departs Davao.
28 October 1943:
At 0900 arrives at Menado, Celebes, Netherlands East Indies (now Manado, Sulawesi, Indonesia). Loads food stores.
29 October 1943:
At 0700 departs Menado.
1 November 1943:
At 0930 arrives at Balikpapan. Begins offloading 300 drums.
2 November 1943:
Completes offloading 300 drums. Loads food.
3 November 1943:
Arrives at No. 6 Pier. Loads Type 91 Gasoline.
4 November 1943:
At 1830, KYOEI MARU departs Balikpapan in convoy No. 2610 consisting of oiler SEIAN MARU and fleet oiler SATA escorted by destroyer SANAE and auxiliary subchaser CHa-37.
6 November 1943:
Auxiliary subchaser CHa-37 is detached. Sails with four ships escorted by destroyer SANAE.
7 November 1943:
IJA transport, KENZAN MARU (ex gunboat) joins the convoy.
10 November 1943:
Arrives at Palau.
12 November 1943:
Loads food and drinking water.
17 November 1943:
At 0950, departs Palau in convoy No. 8175 also consisting of fleet oilers TSURUMI and SATA and IJN oilers SEIAN and SHOYU MARUs escorted by destroyer AMATSUKAZE, subchaser CH-33 and auxiliary subchaser CHa-27. About 1400, an unidentified submarine is detected. The escorts conduct an unsuccessful depth charge attack.
20 November 1943:
At 2000, CHa-27 is detached and returns to Palau.
24 November 1943:
At 0840, arrives at Natsushima (Dublon), Truk.
25 November 1943:
Loads food.
29 November 1943:
Offloads 347 drums. Thereafter transfers to the munitons department’s pier.
30 November 1943:
Loads food.
2-4 December 1943:
Unloads drums.
6-11 December 1943:
Unloads drums.
9 December 1943:
Loads food stores.
14 December 1943:
Loads food stores.
21 December 1943:
Loads food stores and embarks six passengers.
22 December 1943:
At 0830, departs Truk for Palau in convoy No. 7222 also consisting of SHINSHU MARU escorted by subchaser CH-33.
27 December 1943:
At 1400, arrives at Palau after weathering bad storms at sea.
27 ~ 31 December 1943:
Disembarks 6 passengers.
14 January 1944:
Loads food.
16 January 1944:
At 0830, departs Palau for Balikpapan in convoy No. 2517 consisting of tanker SHINSHU MARU and IJN auxiliary storeship HARUNA MARUs escorted by subchaser CH-6 and auxiliary subchaser Cha-32.
HARUNA MARU sails in a zigzag course. At 2155, KYOEI MARU’s bow collides with the starboard aft section of HARUNA MARU. Two crewmen are KIA. At 2200, HARUNA MARU’s crew abandons ship and takes to their lifeboats. At 2211, HARUNA MARU sinks in 06-00N 133-25E, 160 km southwest of Palau. At 2300 KYOEI MARU accomodates her lifeboats. After rescuing 54 HARUNA MARU survivors auxiliary subchaser CHa-32 detaches and returns to Palau.
21 January 1944:
The convoy's destination is changed to Tarakan.
22 January 1944:
At 1630, arrives at Tarakan.
25 January 1944:
Loads food.
26 January 1944:
IJN oiler JAMBI MARU joins the convoy escorted by auxiliary subchasers Cha-41 and Cha-46. At 1545, departs Tarakan.
28 January 1944:
At 0600 IJN oiler JAMBI MARU runs aground. Subchaser CH-6 detaches to assist JAMBI MARU while being wary. Soon after refloats with help from subchaser CH-6 and both head towards Balikpapan. At 1630 arrives at Balikpapan. At 1730 IJN oiler JAMBI MARU and subchaser CH-6 arrive at Balikpapan.
29 January 1944:
Loads food.
4 February 1944:
Arrives at pier No. 5. Loads water and heavy oil, then departs.
5 February 1944:
At 1030, departs Balikpapan in a convoy also consisting of IJN shared tanker (B/C-AO) YAMAMIZU MARU, fleet oiler TSURUMI and and IJN transport NAGISAN MARU escorted by auxiliary subchasers CHa-36, CHa-37 and CHa-41. Auxiliary subchaser CHa-37 detaches later this day.
6 February 1944:
Auxiliary subchasers CHa-36 and Cha-41 detach. At 0930, YAMAMIZU MARU is detached for Singapore. At 1300 anchors off the Straits Lights, Surabaya, Java, Netherlands East Indies (now Indonesia).
7 February 1944:
At 0930 minesweeper W-11 arrives from the Straits Lights and begins escorting.
9 February 1944:
At 0800 arrives at Surabaya’s naval pier. Transfers from Naval Pier to No. 3 Berth later that day.
11 February 1944:
Begins repairs.
12 February 1944:
Loads consumables.
13 February 1944:
Loads canteen goods.
14 February 1944:
Offloads ammunition.
17 February 1944:
At 1630 enters No. 1 Drydock.
25 February 1944:
At 0900 undocked.
26 February 1944:
Reloads ammunition and empty drums.
29 February 1944:
Transfers to mooring site no. 1 and then to Surabaya port.
1 March 1944:
At 1200, departs Surabaya in a convoy also consisting of KITA MARU (ex Netherlands Gouvernementsmarine SS GEMMA) and fleet oiler TSURUMI escorted by minesweeper W-12 and auxiliary subchaser CHa-103.
2 March 1944:
At 1600 KITA MARU detaches. A radio message is received advising Balikpapan Port has been mined. The convoy sails to Pagatan, Borneo, Netherlands East Indies (now Kalimantan, Indonesia) arriving there later that day, at 2000.
3 March 1944:
At 0400, departs Pagatan. At 0800 minesweeper W-12 and auxiliary subchaser CHa-103 end escort and detach at the southern tip of Laut Island, Borneo, Netherlands East Indies (now Kalimantan, Indonesia. Later that day at 1630, the convoy arrives in the Kotabaru and anchors there, 2,500m off the north exit of the Laut Strait.
4 March 1944:
At 1530, departs Kotabaru and at 2000 arrives at Pamukan Bay, Borneo, Netherlands East Indies (now Klimantan, Indonesia).
5 March 1944:
At 0500, departs Pamukan Bay and later that day at 1730, arrives at Balikpapan.
6 March 1944:
At No. 5 Pier discharges empty drums and therafter departs.
7 March 1944:
At No. 6 Pier loads Type 91 gasoline and then departs the pier.
13 March 1944:
Loads food.
15 March 1944:
At 0730, CH-6 departs Balikpapan for Palau in O-507 convoy (also called Iro convoy) consisting of three echelons. The first echelon consists of fleet oiler IRO and IJN transport NAGISAN MARU and IJN oiler HISHI MARU No. 2. The second echelon consists of KYOEI MARU, fleet oiler TSURUMI, and cargo ship RAIZAN MARU and the third echelon consists only of cargo ship HOKUTAI MARU. All three echelons are escorted by destroyers HARUSAME and SHIRATSUYU, patrol boat PB-36, and auxiliary subchaser CHa-52.
16 March 1944:
At 1530, destroyer MICHISHIO joins the convoy and the other escorts except patrol boat PB-36 escorting fleet oiler IRO depart.
17 March 1944:
At 0200 destroyer MICHISHIO ends escort and returns.
20 March 1944:
At 0800, auxiliary subchasers CHa-51 and CHa-53 join the escort.
21 March 1944:
At 0930 auxiliary subchaser CHa-27 joins the escort.
22 March 1944:
LtCdr (later Cdr) John A. Scott's (USNA ’28) USS TUNNY (SS-282) SJ radar picks up a large convoy. At daybreak, Scott is maneuvering to gain an attack position when his radar picks up a destroyer at 14,000 yards. The destroyer sights the submarine and challenges USS TUNNY with a blinker. Scott ducks into a nearby rainsquall and continues to close on the surface in conditions of poor visibility. Through the haze, he makes out a group of oilers and cargo ships.
Scott sets up and fires a full bow spread of six-torpedoes at two cargo ships at 07-22N, 132-08E. He and his crew see and hear hits on both, but suddenly, a small oiler, probably KYOEI MARU, appears out of the gloom and almost collides with USS TUNNY.
Scott sets up on destroyer MICHISHIO moving at high speed across USS TUNNY’s stern. He fires four Mark-18 electric torpedoes, then crash dives as depth charges from a subchaser explode on his port quarter. At 0710, IRO is hit in the bow, forward of the bulkheads. The Japanese drop 87 depth charges on USS TUNNY, but without effect.
23 March 1944:
At 1810 the convoy arrives at Palau. IRO also limps in.
27-28 March 1944:
Loads food stores. A short wave wireless for aviation is installed.
29 March 1944:
At 0800 KYOEI MARU departs Palau for Saipan in a convoy consisting of ammunition ship ARATAMA MARU and MATSUE and KIZUGAWA MARUs and tanker YUHO MARU escorted by destroyers MINAZUKI and YUZUKI, subchaser CH-30, auxiliary subchasers KYO MARU No. 7 and TAKUNAN MARU No. 2.
5 April 1944:
At 1530 arrives at Saipan.
6 April 1944:
Loads food and coal for cooking.
7 April 1944:
Arrives at the new pier.
9 April 1944:
At 1800, convoy “Higashi Matsu” (East Pine) No. 4 enters port at Saipan and escort auxiliary minesweeper Wa-5 joins ship [together with Guam and Truk contingents of that convoy] The ships and their destinations are:
Truk: HAVRE, SHOZUI, TATEBE (KEMBU), SHIMA and SHINYO MARUs.
Saipan: SHOUN, TOKO, TAKASAN, AKIKAWA KOKO, SHIRAMINE, TAIKAI, KAKOGAWA and MACASSAR MARUs.
Guam: MIMIASAKA, TOAN, AZUCHISAN and NISSHU MARUs and UNYO MARU No. 8.
Palau: Fleet supply ship MAMIYA, TENRYUGAWA, TAIAN and TOSEI MARUs and SHINSEI MARU No. 5 and fleet supply ship KINESAKI.
Yap: SHINSEI MARU.
Auxiliary minesweeper Wa-5 ends escort and returns to Saipan.
10 April 1944:
At 1200, the Guam contingent is detached. At 1230 has to wait outside Guam (Omiyajima) port due to an engine failure of auxiliary transport SHINYO MARU. At 1630 the engine failure of auxiliary transport SHINYO MARU is repaired and begins sailing. [and joins KYOEI MARU].
12 April 1944:
At 1445 two escorts join both vessels.
16 April 1944:
At 0430 arrives at Truk and anchors off near the Moen airfield. Offloads canned drums and aviation gasoloine.
17 April 1944:
Anchors in refueling area. Offloads aviation gasoline.
18 April 1944:
Anchors near Param Island base. Offloads much of the remaining aviation gasoline oil. Arrives off Fefan Island later that day.
19 April 1944:
Anchors in refueling area. Offloads aviation gasoline. Thereafter replenishes clothing and consumables.
21 April 1944:
Loads food stores and boiler water.
22 April 1944:
At 0400 departs Truk.
26 April 1944:
At 0810 arrives at Saipan. Fleet tanker SUNOSAKI transfers some aviation gasoline to KYOEI MARU.
27 April 1944:
Departs anchorage and arrives at the new pier later this day. Unloads aviation gasoline.
28 April 1944:
SUNOSAKI resumes transfer of aviation gasoline to KYOEI MARU.
29 April 1944:
At 1000 departs Saipan for Truk in convoy “Higashi Matsu” (East Pine) No.6 also consisting at this point of MIKAGE MARU No. 18, CHOAN MARU No. 2 GO, NITCHO and BATAVIA MARUs escorted by destroyer YUNAGI and UZUKI and auxiliary submarine chaser CHa-66. The ships sail at 8 knots.
30 April 1944:
At 1000 arrives at Truk.
6 May 1944:
Under TYF command under Combined Fleet telegram No. 76.
1 June 1944:
Anchors at Param airport and offloads the remaining aviation gasoline..
2 June 1944:
KYOEI MARU’s machine gunners fire 47 rounds at attacking planes. Thereafter offloads aviation gasaoline. Then transfers to a temporary anchorage and supplies fresh water.
3 June 1944:
Anchors of Mesagon Island. Embarks 13 passengers. At 1600, KYOEI MARU departs Truk in a convoy consisting of MOJI, IMIZU, TATSUTAGAWA, KOJUN MARUs and oiler NITCHO MARU escorted by kaibokan CD-6, subchasers CH-20, CH-31, CH-32 and CH-51.
7 June 1944:
At 1140, arrives at Saipan.
10 June 1944:
Departs anchorage. Arrives at the new pier later this day and begins loading aviation gasoline.
11 June 1944:
Completes loading aviation gasoline. Therafter returns to her anchorage. Air raid on Saipan. F6F “Hellcats” from Vice Admiral (later Admiral) Marc A. Mitscher’s (USNA ’10) Task Force 58 attack airfields and shipping. KYOEI MARU’s 8-cm gun fire seven shots and her machine gunners fire 543 rounds at the attacking planes.
At 1800, KYOEI MARU departs Saipan in unnumbered convoy consisting of KATORI, EDOGAWA KINEZAKI and HAGIKAWA MARUs and NISSHO MARU No. 1 escorted by auxiliary subchaser CHa-67.
19 June 1944:
In a storm loses contact with the convoy. Continues alone.
20 June 1944:
At 2000 arrives at Koniya.
21 June 1944:
KYOEI MARU is provisioned by supply ship KINEZAKI.
22 June 1944:
Departs Koniya and at 0700 arrives off the Seso Defense fortifications. Fleet supply ship KINEZAKI supplies food. Thereafter replenishes coal for cooking.
24 June 1944:
Arrives at the garrison’s pier. Refuels and loads fresh water. Departs the Seso Defense fortifications.
26 June 1944:
At 0400, KYOEI MARU departs Saei in a convoy consisting of TOMITSU MARU escorted by minelayer SAISHU and auxiliary TAKUNAN MARU.
27 June 1944:
Detaches from the convoy and continuous alone. At 0900, arrives at Kagoshima.
29 June 1944:
At 0430, departs Kagoshima. Arrives later that day, at 2125, at Hosojima.
30 June 1944:
At 0430 departs Hosojima. At 1920, arrives off Koureme Island, Kure.
3 July 1944:
Departs Kure and arrives at Yoshiura Fuel Pier. Unloads Avgas.
4 July 1944:
Anchors. Loads canteen goods.
5 July 1944:
Loads food stores.
6 July 1944:
While at anchor off Yoshiura undergoes tank cleaning before again berthing in Yoshiura later that day.
7 July 1944:
At 1200 departs Yoshiura.
8 July 1944:
At 0230 arrives at Aioi. At 0800 enters dock at Harima shipyard.
8-13 July 1944:
The ship's entire bottom undergoes cleaning, coating and painting. A depth charge rack and a 13-mm machine gun stand are installed.
13 July 1944:
The entire 8-cm gun is coated and painted.
14 July 1944:
A flashing light is installed.
16 July 1944:
Undocked. Inside gunwale is coated and painted.
17 July 1944:
A 13-mm machine gun is installed. Loads ammunition.
18 July 1944:
Anchors. Corrects compass outside the port. Arrives at the Aioi inner harbor later that day. At 1900 departs Aioi.
19 July 1944:
At 0820 arrives at Kure. Loads depth charges and 13-mm machine bullets.
20 July 1944:
Loads military equipment consumables and canteengoods. Loans and receives weapons.
21 July 1944:
Embarks 1 non commissioned officer, 1 machine gunner and 9 soldiers. Loads depth-charges. At 1700 departs Kure.
22 July 1944:
At 0500 arrives outside the port at Moji.
23 July 1944:
Departs outside the port of Moji and arrives off the coast of Mutsure later this day.
24 July 1944:
At 0800 departs off the coast of Mutsure in convoy MI-13. Later at 1515, arrives at Karatsu Bay.
25 July 1944:
At 0500 departs Karatsu Bay and later that day at 0950, arrives at Imari Bay.
26 July 1944:
At 0600, KYOEI MARU departs Imari Bay for Miri, Borneo, British Malaya, (now Malaysia) in convoy MI-13 consisting of tankers SHINCHO, TEIKON(ex-German WINNETOU), TOKUWA, and ATAGO MARUs and cargo ships HIYORI, DURBAN, KIZAN, KUNIYAMA, URAL, SHIROTAE, KOKUSEI, CHINA, HIGANE, MATSUURA, RISSHUN and ATLAS MARUs and SHINSEI MARU No. 1 and OGURA MARU No. 2 escorted by kaibokan MATSUWA, CD-14, patrol boat PB-38, minelayer NIIZAKI, minesweeper W-18, auxiliary minesweeper TAKUNAN MARU No. 3, auxiliary gunboat CHOHAKUSAN MARU and auxiliary patrol boats EIFU, FUYO, KASUGA and NUNOBIKI MARUs.
27 July 1944:
IJA transport CHINA MARU suffers engine trouble and drops out of convoy. Auxiliary minesweeper TAKUNAN MARU No.3 escorts her back to Imari Bay.
28 July 1944:
While patroling her patrol area minelayer NIIZAKI meets up with the convoy.
29 July 1944:
MATSUURA MARU detaches and heads towards Kirun, Formosa (now Keelung, Taiwan).
30 July 1944:
IJN oiler OGURA MARU No. 2 and minesweeper W-18 detach and head towards Port Saei, Formosa (Tsoying, now Zuoying, Taiwan).
31 July 1944:
At 1430 the convoy arrives at Takao. SHIROTAE MARU is detached and tankers SHIMPO and ZUIYO MARUs and cargo ship SHINKO MARU join the convoy. NIIZAKI and CHOHAKUSAN MARU are detached from the escort and replaced by kaibokan KUSAGAKI and YASHIRO and destroyer ASAKAZE. Naval Transport T-3 also joins.
4 August 1944:
At 0830, the reconstituted convoy departs Takao. Off the coast of Saei, minesweeper W-18 and IJN oiler OGURA MARU No. 2 rejoin the convoy.
7 August 1944:
At 2205, LtCdr (later Captain) Enrique D. Haskin's (USNA ’33) USS GUITARRO (SS-363) torpedoes and sinks kaibokan KUSAGAKI at 14-50N, 119-57E. At 2210 W-18 drops 9 depth charges. USS GUITARRO survives depth-charging by ASAKAZE and CD-14. Ninety-seven of KUSAGAKI's crew are KIA, 30 others drift throughout the night. In the morning, the survivors, including CO LtCdr Ozaki Takachi (60), are rescued by ASAKAZE, kaibokan CD-14 and minesweeper W-18 and taken to Manila.
8 August 1944:
At 0900, the convoy arrives Manila. DURBAN, KIZAN, RISSHUN, KUNIYAMA, SHINKO and ATLAS MARUs are detached. SHOEI MARU (2764 gt) joins the convoy. All of the escorts are detached except CD-14, patrol boat PB-38 and subchasers CH-30 and CH-33. At 1400 W-18 stops hunting the enemy submarine and heads towards Manila.
9 August 1944:
Loads food.
11 August 1944:
At 2100, the convoy departs Manila for Miri.
12 August 1944:
Near Sibutu Passage, Philippines. At 0730, LtCdr Frank G. Selby’s (USNA ’33) USS PUFFER (SS-268) attacks the convoy on the surface. Selby torpedoes and damages SHINPO MARU.
At 0733, Selby torpedoes and sinks TEIKON MARU (ex-German WINNETOU) as she charges to ram submerging USS PUFFER at 13-18N, 120-11E, but there are no casualties. CD-14 and patrol boat PB-38 counter-attack with 37 depth charges, but USS PUFFER slips away unscathed.
SHIMPO MARU is taken under tow by SHOEI (2764 gt) and KYOEI MARUs that borrows a towing wire from IJN oiler OGURA MARU No. 2. SHIMPO MARU’s captain beaches her on Cape Calavite, Mindoro Island. Later, she is abandoned as a constructive total loss.
14 August 1944:
At 0700 departs Paluan Bay, Mindoro, Philippines in convoy MI-13. Patrol boat PB-38 detaches later this day and returns to Manila Bay.
17 August 1944:
Subchasers CH-30 and CH-33 are detached.
18 August 1944:
At 1700 arrives at Miri. Returns towing wire to IJN IJN oiler OGURA MARU No. 2.
19 August 1944:
At 1830 convoy MISHI-07 departs Miri for Kuching, Sarawak, Borneo, British Malaya (now Malaysia) with kaibokan CD-14, patrol boat PB-38 and auxiliary subchaser CHa-31 escorting the convoy also consisting of SHINCHO, KOKUSEI, URAL, HIYORI (NICHIWA), HIGANE, SHOEI (2764 gt) MARUs and SHINSEI MARU No. 1.
21 August 1944:
At 0832 arrives at Kuching to shelter after a torpedo attack on MISHI-07.
22 August 1944:
At 1000 patrol boat PB-38 departs Kuching but returns at 1200. At 1800 she again departs Kuching and patrols the port entrance.
23 August 1944:
At 0700 patrol boat PB-38 arrives back at Kuching.
24 August 1944:
Patrol boat PB-38 and kaibokan CD-14 are detached. 4 unidentified destroyers join the escort. At 0600 departs Kuching.
26 August 1944:
At 1530 arrives at western anchorage, Singapore.
27 August 1944:
Depsarts Western anchorage. At 0900 arrives Singapore commercial port. During the day at 1245, transfers to Pulau Bukum No.4 anchorage then at 1510 to No. 5 Wharf Bukum Island. Loads aircraft volatile oil, food and coal for cooking, then back at 2000, to Singapore western anchorage.
28 August 1944:
Loads boiler water.
29 August 1944:
Loads consumables.
5 September 1944:
At 1300, departs Singapore for Miri, Borneo in convoy SHIMI-10 consisting of URAL, HOKKI, TENSHIN, SHOEI (2764gt), OMINE, TATSUHARU and IMAJI MARUs and SHINSEI MARU No. 1, KYOEI MARU No. 6 and NANSHIN MARU No. 18 escorted by auxiliary minesweepers CHOUN MARU No. 6 and CHOUN MARU No. 7, and auxiliary minesweeper TOSHI MARU No. 2.
8 September 1944:
At 0530, arrives at Kuching.
9 September 1944:
Departs at midnight.
11 September 1944:
At 1230, arrives at Miri.
15 September 1944:
At 1500, KYOEI MARU departs Miri for Manila, Philippines in convoy MIMA-11 consisting of TACHIBANA, URAL, KYOKUHO, SHIKISAN, HOKKI, ZUIYO, TATSUHARU, TENSHIN, SHOEI (2764gt), OMINE and IMAHARU MARUs (ex-Dutch De KLERK) and SHINSEI MARU No. 1, YAMAMIZU No. 2 and KYOEI MARU No. 6 escorted by kaibokan CD-8, CD-25, and CD-32 and submarine chaser CH-28. The convoy hugs the coast calling at various small anchorages. That same day at 1800, arrives at Kimanis Bay, NW Borneo, British Malaya (now Sabah, Malaysia).
17 September 1944:
At 0700 departs Kimanis Bay. That same day at 1830, arrives at White Rocks Bay, NW Borneo, British Malaya (now Sabah, Malaysia).
18 September 1944:
At 0100 departs White Rocks Bay. That same day at 1800, arrives off Tarahican Island (Darahikan/Dalahican) between Palawan Island and Balabac Island.
19 September 1944:
At 0100 departs Tarahican Island. That same day at 0850, arrives at Eran Bay, Palawan island.
20 September 1944:
At 0400 departs Eran Bay. That same day at 1800, arrives at Saint Paul’s Bay, Palawan Island, Philippines.
21 September 1944:
At 0700 departs St Paul’s Bay. That same day at 1800, arrives at Bacuit Bay, Palawan Island.
24 September 1944:
At 0700 departs Bacuit Bay, but later returns at 1830.
25 September 1944:
The convoy at 0845 departs Bacuit Bay. Due to fears of air attacks on Manila detaches together with SHIKISAN, TATSUHARU and TENSHIN MARUs and SHINSEI MARU No. 1 and KYOEI MARU No. 6 escorted by kaibokan CD-32. After escorting these MARUs to a safe zone CD-32 departs and joins the escort of convoy SHIMA-11.
26 September 1944:
At 0400 arrives back at Bacuit Bay. TATSUHARU MARU supplies coal for cooking to KYOEI MARU.
29 September 1944:
Bacuit Bay. The remnants of convoy MIMA 11/MI-16 consisting of KYOEI and TATSUHARU MARUs and probably SHIKISAN, IMAHARU, TENSHIN and SHOEI (2764gt) MARUs, SHINSEI MARU No. 1 and KYOEI MARU No. 6 are joined by auxiliary minesweeper Wa-8 and auxiliary submarine chaser CHa-11.
30 September 1944:
Attempts to disguise ship on the other side of the island .
1 October 1944:
Bacuit Bay. Subchaser CH-31 joins the remnants of convoy MIMA-11.
2 October 1944:
At 0700 departs Bacuit Bay with the rest of the convoy except IJN transport TATSUHARU MARU and at 1530, arrives at the Busuanga anchorage, Busuanga Island.
3 October 1944:
At 0400 departs Busuanga anchorage and at 1920, arrives at Lubang Island. Fleet oiler KAMOI apparently joins the convoy at this time.
4 October 1944:
At 0700 departs Lubang Island and at 1230, arrives at Manila.
5 October 1944:
At 0600 departs Manila and at 0630, arrives at Canacao troop pier. Unloads Avgas and departs at 1730. Arrives back at Manila at 1900 and loads food stores and coal for cooking.
6 October 1944:
At 0920 departs Manila in the SHIRETOKO convoy also consisting of fleet oiler SHIRETOKO escorted by patroal boat PB-2 and minesweeper No. 30. Stops briefly at Lubang Island at 1700, before resuming the voyage. At 2250 patrol boat PB-2 discovers a surfacing enemy submarine.
7 October 1944:
NW of Manila. At 0334, LtCdr (later Cdr) James A. Adkins' (USNA ’26) USS COD (SS-224) attacks SHIRETOKO by SJ radar. He fires four torpedoes on radar bearings and range and gets two hits at 13-30N, 119-20E. At 0637 at 13-13N, 119-35E patrol boat PB-2 drops 25 depth charges. Later that day at 1706, arrives a Busuanga anchorage and stays there carrying out urgent repairs for the next five days.
12 October 1944:
At 0450 departs Busuanga. Later that day at 1713, arrives at Taytay Bay, Palawan Island.
13 October 1944:
At 0525 departs Taytay Bay. Later that day at 1900, arrives at Puerto Princesa, Palawan Islands.
16 October 1944:
At 0930 departs Puerto Princesa. Later that day at 1800, arrives at Brookes Point, Palawan Island.
17 October 1944:
At 0500 departs Brookes Point. Later that day at 1800, arrives at Banggi Island, NW Borneo, British Malaya (now Sabah, Malaysia).
18 October 1944:
Subchaser CH-56 joins the convoy as escort and is refueled by KYOEI MARU. Later that day, tanker SHUNTEN MARU and minesweeper W-105 also join the convoy.
19 October 1944:
At 0800 departs Banggi Island and reaches Kudat, Borneo, British Malaya (now Sabah, Malaysia) later that day at 2117. SHUNTEN MARU and W-105 probably are detached.
20 October 1944:
At 0642 departs Kudat. Later that day at 1734 , arrives at Turtle Island, Philippines.
21 October 1944:
At 1252 departs Turtle Island.
22 October 1944:
At 1712 arrives at Tarakan. Patrol boat PB-2 detaches at this time.
24 October 1944:
Embarks 11 passengers (survivors of the oceanographic observatory ship KAIYO MARU No. 1). At 0530 departs Tarakan and anchors for the night at 2230 at Moera Pantai, Berouw Estuary, Borneo, Netherlands East Indies (now Kalimantan, Indonesia).
25 October 1944:
At 0600 departs Moera Pantai. Later that day at 1400, arrives at Sangkulirang Bay, Borneo, Netherlands East Indies (now Kalimantan, Indonesia).
26 October 1944:
At 0620 departs Sangkulirang Bay. Later that day at 2300, arrives at Moera Pegah, one of the three main channels for shipping amongst the tributaries of the Koetei (Mahakam) Delta, Borneo, Netherlands East Indies (now Kalimantan, Indonesia).
27 October 1944:
At 0500 departs Moera Pegah Pagar. Later that day at 0815, arrives at at No. 5 Pier, Balikpapan. Loads food stores and oil and lube products.
28 October 1944:
Loads oil products, water and fresh provisions. Embarks one passenger, then puts out to sea.
29 October 1944:
At 0630 departs Balikpapan.
31 October 1944:
At 1945 arrives at Trusan Ligitan (Ligitan Channel), British Malaya (now Sabah, Malaysia) then departs through the Trusan Ligitan North Exit for Manila.
8 November 1944:
At 1900, departs Manila for Balikpapan in convoy B-02 also consisting of transport ex auxiliary gunboat MANYO MARU and HISHI MARU No. 2 escorted by subchaser CH-4, three unidentified subchasers and patrol boat PB-2.
9 November 1944:
Mindoro Strait. At 1530, LtCdr Frank C. Lynch's (USNA ’28) USS HADDO (SS-255) torpedoes and sinks and oiler HISHI MARU No. 2 at 12-24N 120-45E. 11 crewmen are KIA. The escorts counterattack with depth charges, but Lynch evades and escapes.
16 November 1944:
Tarakan Channel, Borneo. USAAF B-24 "Liberator" heavy bombers and P-38 "Lightning" fighter-bombers attack and sink KYOEI MARU at 03-30N, 117-00E with the loss of 25 passengers and one crewman, and damage MANYO MARU.
10 January 1945:
Removed from the Navy List.

- Bob Hackett and Peter Cundall.
[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.
[2] There were two categories of Yusosen. (Ko) category with an IJN Captain as supervisor aboard and (Otsu) category without.

Thanks to Mr. Gilbert Casse of France and to to Mt. Gengoro S. Toda of Japan.

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