Japanese Minelayers

FUSETSUKAN!
(IJN NASAMI prewar)

IJN Minelayer NATSUSHIMA: Tabular Record of Movement
© 2005-2018 Bob Hackett, Sander Kingsepp and Peter Cundall
Revision 3

24 December 1931:
Tokyo. Laid down at Ishikawajima Zosensho.
1 August 1932:
Named NATSUSHIMA. Classified as a second class minelayer.
24 August 1932:
Her call sign becomes GQSU under intructution No. 107.
24 March 1933:
Launched.
23 May 1933:
Reclassified as a minelayer.
31 July 1933:
Completed. An unknown officer is appointed Commanding Officer.
18 October 1933:
Her call sign is changed to JZMD under instruction No. 127.
31 July 1934:
Arrives at Sasebo.
4 August 1934:
Arrives at Sasebo.
9 August 1934:
Arrives at Sasebo.
13 August 1934:
Departs Sasebo and returns later this day.
20 August 1934:
Departs Sasebo.
28 August 1934:
Arrives at Sasebo.
2 September 1934:
Arrives at Sasebo.
26 June 1938: The Battle of Madang:
Yangtze River. NATSUSHIMA takes part in the battle with gunboat TOBA, minelayers TSUBAME and NASAMI. They sweep mines, lay buoys and bombard Chinese positions. Chinese troops return fire with only light arms, but cause many casualties among exposed crewmen. The Japanese land Special Naval Landing Force troops behind the fort and Madang falls.
17 January 1939:
Repairs begin in the Uraga dock.
22 March 1939:
Completes repairs.
1 April 1940:
Attached to the Yokosuka Defense Corps.
15 November 1940:
Attached to the Kure Guards, Kure Defense Unit’s Saeki Defense Unit.
1 December 1941:
Her call sign changes to JHOQ. An unknown officer is appointed Commanding Officer.
6 December 1941:
Departs Kure on an endorsement operation and returns later that day.
7 December 1941:
Departs Kure on an endorsement operation and returns later this day.
8 December 1941: Outbreak of the Pacific War:
NATSUSHIMA is assigned to the Saeki Guard Unit. Conducts patrols in the Bungo Straits.
9 December 1941:
Departs Kure and arrives at Saeki later that day.
10 December 1941:
Departs Saeki on a Bungo Straits supply line guard watch and returns later this day.
11 December 1941:
Departs Saeki on a Bungo Straits supply line guard watch.NATSUSHIMA and subchaser CH-19 assist mined and crippled tanker SAN DIEGO MARU back through the Bungo Straits. Arrives back at Saeki later that day.
12 December 1941:
Departs Saeki. Patrols 5 nautical miles west of Okinoshima.
13 December 1941:
Arrives at Saeki and departs Saeki on an anti submarine sweep in the southern entrance of the Bungo Straits later this day. NATSUSHIMA and minelayer NASAMI provide escort for light aircraft carrier HOSHO. At 2330, heads towards the Second Channel to sweep mines
14 December 1941:
Arrives at Saeki and departs Saeki on a patrol near Mizunoko Shima later this day. At 1405, begins sweeping the Second Channel for mines. At 0930, minesweeping is completed.
15 December 1941:
Arrives at Saeki and departs Saeki on a patrol later that day.
16 December 1941:
Arrives at Saeki.
17 December 1941:
Departs Saeki on a patrol of the C patrol line.
18 December 1941:
Arrives at Saeki.
20 December 1941:
Departs Saeki for Hiroshima Bay on an anti submarine sweep as direct protection for a night convoy.
21 December 1941:
NATSUSHIMA and minelayers NASAMI, KUROKAMI and KATASHIMA depart Kashima Bay escorting armed merchant cruiser (AMC) BANGKOK MARU north.
27 December 1941:
Arrives at Saeki.
29 December 1941:
Departs Saeki on a mine laying operation. Arrives at Shimonoseki later this day.
30 December 1941:
Departs Shimonoseki on a mine laying operation and arrives at Hime Shima later that day.
31 December 1941:
Departs Hime Shima on a mine laying operation and arrives at Saeki later this day.
3 January 1942:
Departs Saeki on an anti submarine patrol.
4 Janaury 1942:
Arrives at Saeki.
5 January 1942:
Departs Saeki on an anti submarine patrol.
6 Janaury 1942:
Arrives at Saeki.
7 January 1942:
Departs Saeki on an anti submarine patrol.
8 Janaury 1942:
Arrives at Saeki.
9 January 1942:
Departs Saeki on a water measurement training excercise and returns later that day.
10 January 1942:
Departs Saeki on a mine laying mission and returns later this day.
11 January 1942:
Departs Saeki on an anti submarine patrol.
12 Janaury 1942:
Arrives at Saeki.
15 January 1942:
An unknown officer is appointed Commanding Officer. Departs Saeki on an anti submarine patrol.
16 Janaury 1942:
Arrives at Saeki.
18 January 1942:
Departs Saeki on an anti submarine patrol.
19 Janaury 1942:
Arrives at Saeki.
20 January 1942:
Departs Saeki on an anti submarine patrol.
21 Janaury 1942:
Arrives at Saeki.
23 January 1942:
Departs Saeki on an anti submarine patrol.
25 Janaury 1942:
Arrives at Saeki.
27 January 1942:
Departs Saeki on an anti submarine patrol.
28 Janaury 1942:
Arrives at Saeki.
30 January 1942:
Departs Saeki on an anti submarine patrol.
31 Janaury 1942:
Arrives at Saeki.
2 February 1942:
Departs Saeki on an anti submarine patrol.
3 February 1942:
Arrives at Saeki.
5 February 1942:
Departs Saeki on an anti submarine patrol.
6 February 1942:
Arrives at Saeki.
8 February 1942:
Departs Saeki on an anti submarine patrol.
10 February 1942:
Arrives at Saeki.
12 February 1942:
Departs Saeki on an anti submarine patrol.
13 February 1942:
Arrives at Saeki.
21 February 1942:
NATSUSHIMA and minelayers KUROKAMI and KATASHIMA, auxiliary netlayer SANSUI MARU and tug EISEN No. 13 depart Saeki escorting AMC BANGKOK MARU. BANGKOK MARU carries 30 anti submarine nets, 185 mines, 206 anchors etc. Later that day, arrives at Motoura.
24 February 1942:
NATSUSHIMA and torpedo boat HATO join KINAI and NICHIYU MARUs off Mizunoko lighthouse and escort them south.
25 February 1942:
Lays an anti submarine net in Hiroshima Wan.
26 February 1942:
Lays an anti submarine net in Hiroshima Wan.
27 February 1942:
Lays an anti submarine net in Hiroshima Wan.
1 March 1942:
An unknown officer is appopinted Commanding Officer. Lays an anti submarine net in Hiroshima Wan. Arrives at Kure later this day.
3 March 1942:
Departs Kure and arrives at Hiroshima Wan later that day.
4 March 1942:
Lays an anti submarine net in Hiroshima Wan.
7 March 1942:
Departs Hiroshima Wan and arrives at Saeki later this day.
8 March 1942:
Anchors.
9 March 1942:
Departs Saeki and arrives at Hiroshima Wan later that day.
11 March 1942:
Lays an anti submarine net in Hiroshima Wan.
12 March 1942:
Departs Hiroshima Wan and arrives at Kure later that day.
18 March 1942:
Departs Kure and arrives at Saeki later this day.
21 March 1942:
Departs Saeki on an anti submarine patrol and returns later that day.
26 March 1942:
Departs Saeki on a machine gun shooting excercise. Arrives at Kitsuki later this day.
27 March 1942:
Departs Kitsuki on a gun shooting excercise and arrives at Saeki later that day.
30 March 1942:
Departs Saeki and arrives at Shimonoseki later this day.
31 March 1942:
Departs Shimonoseki establishing settings [compass adjustment?] and returns later that day.
1 April 1942:
Departs Shimonoseki on a mine laying operation and returns later this day.
2 April 1942:
Departs Shimonoseki and arrives at Kure later that day.
17 April 1942:
Departs Kure and arrives at Saeki later this day.
18 April 1942:
Departs Saeki on an anti submarine patrol.
19 April 1942:
Arrives at Saeki.
20 April 1942:
Departs Saeki on an anti submarine patrol.
21 April 1942:
Arrives at Saeki.
22 April 1942:
Departs Saeki on an anti submarine patrol.
23 April 1942:
Arrives at Saeki.
25 April 1942:
Departs Saeki on a mine laying operation and returns later that day.
28 April 1942:
Departs Saeki on an anti submarine patrol.
30 April 1942:
Arrives at Saeki.
1 May 1942:
Departs Saeki on a minesweeping excercise and arrives at Uwajima later this day.
2 May 1942:
Departs Uwajima on a minesweeping excercise and arrives at Saeki later that day.
5 May 1942:
Departs Saeki on an anti submarine patrol.
6 May 1942:
Arrives at Saeki.
8 May 1942:
Departs Saeki on an anti submarine patrol.
9 May 1942:
Arrives at Saeki.
12 May 1942:
Departs Saeki on a minesweeping experiment and returns later this day.
14 April 1942:
Assigned with minelayer NASAMI to anti submarine alert from 15 April 1942 0800 until the A unit’s shooting ends under Kure Battle fighting instruction No. 8.
15 May 1942:
Departs Saeki on an anti submarine patrol.
16 May 1942:
Arrives at Saeki.
18 May 1942:
Departs Saeki on an anti submarine and minesweeping operation and returns later this day.
19 May 1942:
Departs Saeki on an anti submarine and minesweeping operation and arrives at Nyuzu later this day.
20 May 1942:
Departs Nyuzu on an anti submarine and minesweeping operation and arrives at Saeki later this day.
21 May 1942:
Departs Saeki on an anti submarine patrol.
23 May 1942:
Arrives at Saeki.
27 May 1942:
Departs Saeki at 1230. At 1600, begins escorting a fast Army convoy consisting of SAKITO, SASAKO, CANBERRA, and AYATOSAN MARUs through the Bungo straits.
28 May 1942:
Arrives at Saeki.
29 May 1942:
Departs Saeki on an anti submarine patrol.
31 May 1942:
Arrives at Saeki.
5 June 1942:
Departs Saeki on a trial run and returns later that day.
6 June 1942:
Departs Saeki on a mine laying operation and returns later this day.
8 June 1942:
Departs Saeki on a mine laying operation and returns later that day.
10 June 1942:
Departs Saeki on a minesweeping excercise and arrives at Sukumo later this day.
11 June 1942:
Departs Sukumoi on a minesweeping excercise and arrives at Saeki later that day.
12 June 1942:
Departs Saeki on a minesweeping excercise and arrives at Jonoudzu later this day.
13 June 1942:
Departs Yonoudzu on an anti submarine patrol and arrives at Sukumo later that day.
14 June 1942:
Departs Sukumo on an anti submarine patrol and arrives at Saeki later this day.
17 June 1942:
Departs Saeki on a minesweeping experiment and arrives at Sukumo later that day.
18 June 1942:
Departs Sukumo on a minesweeping and arrives at Saeki later this day.
24 June 1942:
Departs Saeki on a minesweeping experiment and returns later that day.
25 June 1942:
Departs Saeki on an anti submarine excercise and returns later this day.
26 June 1942:
Departs Saeki on a minesweeping experiment and returns later that day.
27 June 1942:
Departs Saeki on a shooting excercise and retuns later this day.
3 July 1942:
Departs Saeki on a search excercise and returns later that day.
11 July 1942:
Departs Saeki and arrives at Kure later this day.
12 July 1942:
Departs Kure and arrives at Motoura (Honura) later that day.
13 July 1942:
Departs Motoura. NATSUSHIMA escorts tanker KYOKUTO MARU as she transits the Bungo Straits. Arrives at Kobe later this day.
14 July 1942:
Departs Kobe and arrives at Yura later that day.
18 July 1942:
Departs Yura on a minesweeping experiment and returns later this day.
22 July 1942:
Departs Yura on a mine laying experiment and returns later that day.
24 July 1942:
Departs Yura on a mine laying experiment and returns later that day.
25 July 1942:
Departs Yura to set up the indicator and returns later that day.
30 July 1942:
Departs Yura on a mine laying experiment and returns later that day.
31 July 1942:
Departs Yura to set up the indicator and returns later that day.
1 August 1942:
Departs Yura to dispose mines and returns later this day.
2 August 1942:
Departs Yura to dispose mines and returns later this day.
3 August 1942:
Departs Yura to dispose mines and returns later this day.
4 August 1942:
Departs Yura to dispose mines and returns later this day.
7 August 1942:
Departs Yura to set up the indicator and returns later that day.
8 August 1942:
Departs Yura on an anti submarine sweep and to dispose mines.
9 August 1942:
Arrives at Yura.
11 August 1942:
Departs Yura to dispose mines and returns later this day.
12 August 1942:
Departs Yura to dispose mines and returns later this day.
13 August 1942:
Departs Yura to dispose mines and returns later this day.
14 August 1942:
Departs Yura to dispose mines and returns later this day.
17 August 1942:
Departs Yura to set up the indicator and returns later that day.
18 August 1942:
Departs Yura to dispose mines and returns later this day.
19 August 1942:
Departs Yura to dispose mines and returns later that day.
20 August 1942:
Departs Yura to dispose mines and returns later this day.
21 August 1942:
Departs Yura to dispose mines and returns later that day.
22 August 1942:
Departs Yura to dispose mines and returns later this day.
23 August 1942:
Departs Yura to dispose mines and returns later that day.
26 August 1942:
Departs Yura.
28 August 1942:
Arrives at Yura.
31 August 1942:
Departs Yura and arrives at Kobe later this day.
1 September 1942:
Departs Kobe and arrives at Saeki later that day.
5 September 1942:
Departs Saeki on an anti submarine patrol.
6 September 1942:
Arrives at Sukumo.
7 September 1942:
Departs Sukumo and arrives at Saeki later this day.
9 September 1942:
Departs Saeki on an anti submarine patrol and arrives at Sukumo later that day.
10 September 1942:
Departs Sukumo and arrives at Saeki later this day.
12 September 1942:
Departs Saeki for maintenance and returns later that day.
14 September 1942:
Departs Saeki for repairs and maintenance and returns later that day.
16 September 1942:
Departs Saeki and arrives at Kure later this day. Begins repairs.
E 19 October 1942:
Completes repairs.
20 October 1942:
Departs Kure.
21 October 1942:
Arrives at Saeki. Tanker SHOYO MARU departs Kure and is joined and escorted by NATSUSHIMA off Fukajima.
E 22 October 1942:
NATSUSHIMA detaches at 31N. Arrives at Saeki and departs on a convoy escort later that day
23 October 1942:
Arrives at Saeki.
25 October 1942:
Assists with the rescue operation of the auxiliary oiler NISSHO MARU. Auxiliary cruiser SAIGON MARU, patrol boat PB-31, Submarine tender CHOGEI, minelayer NASAMI and subchaser CH-36 are also sent to take part in the rescue operation.
27 October 1942:
Carries out an anti submarine sweep.
29 October 1942:
Arrives at Saeki. Departs later and returns again later this day.
30 October 1942:
Departs Saeki on an anti submarine sweep.
1 November 1942:
An unknown officer is appointed Commanding Officer. Arrives at Saeki and departs later that day.
2 November 1942:
NATSUSHIMA joins tanker HOYO MARU off Toi Misaki and escorts her to Fukajima. Thereafter on an anti submarine patrol. Arrives at Saeki later this day.
3 November 1942:
Anchors.
6 November 1942:
NATSUSHIMA and torpedo boat HATO join transport KAMAKURA MARU off Fukajima and escort her south through the Bungo Straits. Carries out an anti submarine sweep.
E 7 November 1942:
The escorts are detached 90 degrees off Toi Misaki. Arrives at Saeki later that day.
8 November 1942:
Departs Saeki. NATSUSHIMA joins civilian cargo-passenger KAGI MARU off Fukajima and escorts her south.
E 9 November 1942:
NATSUSHIMA is detached 90 degrees off Toi Misaki. Arrives at Furue later this day.
11 November 1942:
Departs Moji with NASAMI escorting Military Movement No. 8's convoy "A" consisting of GENMEI and KOCHI MARUs
12 November 1942:
Departs Furue and arrives at Saeki later that day. Departs later this day with minelayer NASAMI escorting convoy 8-Go Enshu A (Military Movement No. 8) consisting of GENMEI and KOCHI MARUs carrying war supplies. Both minelayers are scheduled to terminate their escort duty at latitude 29N and return to Saeki.
E 13 November 1942:
The escorts are detached at 29N and return to Saeki.
14 November 1942:
Both minelayers arrive at Saeki.
17 November 1942:
Departs Saeki on the third round of anti aircraft shooting excercise and returns later that day.
18 November 1942:
Departs Saeki on trial guard for submarine RO-100 and returns later this day.
19 November 1942:
NATSUSHIMA joins tanker TOEI MARU off Fukajima and escorts her to 90 degrees off Toi Misaki. Probably, later that day NATSUSHIMA joins Navy fleet oiler NOTORO at 32-01N, 135-35E.
20 November 1942:
NATSUSHIMA is detached off Fukajima. Arrives at Furue later that day.
21 November 1942:
Unable to find auxiliary oiler KORYO MARU. Carries out an anti submarine sweep. Later apparently, NATSUSHIMA joins tanker KORYO MARU 197 degrees off Okinoshima and escorts her north.
Heavy cruiser KUMANO, light cruiser AGANO and DESDIV-17 heading for Truk are scheduled to pass on 22 November at 1530 through the south end of the East Channel of the Bungo Straits.
NATSUSHIMA is ssigned to patrol point A on 22 November at 1200.
Torpedo boat HATO, patrol boat PB-31 and minelayers NATSUSHIMA and NASAMI are assigned to carry out an anti submarine sweep at night in areas E2, F3, J2 and K1.
22 November 1942:
AGANO is scheduled to depart Usuki at 0600 and to arrive at 0930 at the south side of the East Channel south end of the Bungo Straits.
PB-31 is leading the anti submarine patrol formation also consisting of NASAMI and NATSUSHIMA while sweeping areas E2, F3 and K1.
AGANO is scheduld to end its departure on 23 November.
NATSUSHIMA is assigned to patrol point A.
During anti submarine sweeping NATSUSHIMA and NASAMI are to wait at Furue for the arrival of PB-31.
23 November 1942:
Landing craft depot ship AKITSU MARU and the escorting destroyers ARASHI and NOWAKI heading for Truk are scheduled to pass Fukajima at 0830 on course 158 degrees and speed 17 knots.
Patrol boat PB-31 and minelayers NUWAJIMA, NATSUSHIMA and NASAMI are assigned to carry out an anti submarine sweep in the areas D0, E1, E2. J1 and J2 during the night.
NATSUSHIMA arrives at Saeki. Departs later that day on an anti submarine patrol.
24 November 1942:
Arrives at Saeki.
25 November 1942:
AGANO heading for Truk is scheduled to pass through the exit of the Second Channel of the Bungo Straits on 26 November at 0900.
NATSUSHIMA is assigned to patrol point A on 26 November at 0500.
NATSUSHIMA is assigned to carry out an anti submarine sweep in the areas E2, F3, J2 and K1. It is impossible for NATSUSHIMA to carry this out.
Departs Saeki on an anti submarine patrol and arrives at Sukumo later this day.
26 November 1942:
Departs Sukumo on an anti submarine patrol.
27 November 1942:
Arrives at Saeki.
28 November 1942:
Anchors.
29 November 1942:
Departs Saeki on an anti submarine excercise and returns later that day.
30 November 1942:
NATSUSHIMA and patrol boat PB-46 depart Saeki escorting the “D” Convoy (No. 8 Military Movement) consisting of KURAMASAN and KENKOKU MARUs.
E 1 December 1942:
The two escorts are detached at 29N.
2 December 1942:
Arrives at Saeki.
5 December 1942:
Departs Saeki on an anti submarine sweep.
6 December 1942:
Arrives at Saeki.
7 December 1942:
Departs Saeki on a minesweeping experiment.
8 December 1942:
Arrives at Saeki,departs later and arrives at Saganoseki later this day.
10 December 1942:
Departs Saganoseki and arrives at Yoshimi later that day.
11 December 1942:
Departs Yoshimi and arrives at Yuya Wan later this day.
14 December 1942:
Departs Yuya Wan on a minesweeping experiment and arrives at Yoshimi later that day.
15 Decembr 1942:
Departs Yoshimi on a minesweeping experiment and returns later this day.
16 December 1942:
Departs Yoshimi on a minefield re-lay and returns later that day.
17 December 1942:
Departs Yoshimi and arrives at Wakamatsu later this day.
18 December 1942:
Departs Wakamatsu on a minefield re-lay and arrives at Yoshimi later that day.
20 December 1942:
Departs Yoshimi on a minefield re-lay and returns lagter this day.
21 December 1942:
Departs Yoshimi on a minefield re-lay and returns lagter that day.
22 December 1942:
Departs Yoshimi on a minefield re-lay and returns lagter this day.
23 December 1942:
Departs Yoshimi on a minefield re-lay and returns later that day.
25 December 1942:
Departs Yoshimi and arrives at Tokuyama later this day.
26 December 1942:
Departs Tokuyama and arrives at Saganoseki later that day.
27 December 1942:
Departs Saganoseki and arrives at Saeki later this day.
29 December 1942:
Departs Saeki on an anti submarine sweep.
30 December 1942:
Arrives at Saeki.
31 December 1942:
NATSUSHIMA and NASAMI depart Saeki escorting the “R” convoy (No. 8 Military Movement) consisting of Naval fleet oiler KAMOI, tanker TOHO MARU and TETSUZAN, NICHIUN, TASMANIA and FUKUYO MARUs.
E 1 January 1943:
The escorts are detached at 29N.
2 January 1943:
Arrives at Saeki.
3 January 1943:
NATSUSHIMA departs Saeki joins KIYOSUMI MARU off Fukajima and escorts her through the Bungo Straits.
4 January 1943:
NATSUSHIMA is detached at longitude 133-45E. At 30-20N, 133-40E, she joins KAMIKAZE MARU and escorts her north.
E 5 January 1943:
NATSUSHIMA detaches off Fukajima and arrives at Furue later that day. Departs later this day towards Fukajima to escort IJN auxiliary transport SENZAN MARU . At 1730, south of Fukajima meets up with and starts escorting SENZAN MARU. At 2232, 202 degrees and 43 nautical miles of the Okinoshima lighthouse NATSUSHIMA is attacked by a submarine. At 2256, SENZAN MARU fires. At 23,17 NAUTSUSHIMA drops 3 type 95 depth charges. At 2340, SENZAN MARU departs at high speed.
6 January 1943:
Stops the escort of SENZAN MARU and reverses her course.
At 0249, cable layer TSURUSHIMA heads towards the location where the submarine dived.
At 0445, NATSUSHIMA carries out an anti submarine sweep in the areas J1 and J2. At 0740, heads towards the meeting point with the sweeping formation (minelayer NASAMI, patrol boats PB-31 and PB-36). At 1120, meets up with the sweeping formation. At 1220, takes the second positon in the sweeping formation followed by NASAMI and PB-36. PB-31 leads the formation. At 1415, cable-minelayer TSURUSHIMA rejoins the sweeping formation. At 1949, cable-minelayer TSURUSHIMA drops depth charges. At 2035, cable-minelayer TSURUSHIMA detaches. At 2115, PB-31 is attacked by a submarine at 176 degrees and 59 nautical miles of the Ogijima lighthouse. At 2117, PB-31 drops 8 type 95 depth charges.
7 January 1943:
At 0130, with NASAMI detaches. Arrives at Saeki later that day.
9 January 1943:
NATSUSHIMA and subchaser CH-39 depart Saeki escorting the " T Convoy (No. 8 Military Movement) consisting of SEKKO, TAIYU (DAITAKU), and FLORIDA MARUs.
E10 January 1943:
The escorts are detached at 29N.
11 January 1943:
NATSUSHIMA joins naval ships HIBARI and TOYU MARUs off Fukajima and escorts them south through the Bungo Straits (both were en route to Rabaul).
E 12 January 1943:
NATSUSHIMA is detached at 29N.
13 January 1943:
NATSUSHIMA and auxiliary netlayers DAIKOKUTEN and SHOSEI MARUs escort tanker KIYO MARU through the Bungo Straits to Fukajima. From there, the tanker proceeds to Tokuyama, arriving later that day. NATSUSHIMA returns to Saeki and arrives there later this day.
21 January 1943:
NATSUSHIMA and cable minelayer TSURUSHIMA depart Saeki escorting the “V” convoy (No. 8 Military Movement) consisting of DAKAR and KENYO MARUs.
E 22 January 1943:
The escorts are detached at 29N.
26 January 1943:
An unknown officer is appointed Commanding Officer. Departs Saeki and arrives at Furue later that day. Departs Furue later this day and joins Naval oiler/seaplane tender KAMOI off Fukajima and escorts her south through the Bungo Straits.
E 27 January 1943:
NATSUSHIMA is detached 90 degrees off Toi Misaki. Arrives at Abaratsu later that day. Departs Abaratsu later this day on an anti submarine sweep
28 January 1943:
Arives at Furue. Departs later that day on an anti submarine sweep.
29 January 1943:
Arrives at Saeki.
1 February 1943:
NATSUSHIMA departs Saeki escorting the "Z" Convoy (No. 8 Military Movement) consisting of RISSHUN, TENCHO and KORYO MARUs.
E 3 February 1943:
NATSUSHIMA is detached at 28N.
5 February 1943:
Departs Saeki on an anti submarine sweep.
6 February 1943:
Arrives at Saeki.
8 February 1943:
Departs Saeki on a mine laying excercise and returns later this day.
9 February 1943:
Departs Saeki on a mine laying mission and returns later that day.
10 February 1943:
Departs Saeki on a mine laying mission and returns later that day.
11 February 1943:
Departs Saeki on a mine laying mission and returns later that day.
13 February 1943:
Departs Saeki and arrives at Motoura later this day.
14 February 1943:
Departs Motoura and arrives at Kure later that day.
15 February 1943:
Departs Kure and arrives at Saeki later this day.
17 February 1943:
Departs Saeki on an anti submarine excercise and returns later that day.
18 February 1943:
Departs Saeki on an anti submarine excercise and returns later this day.
19 February 1943:
Departs Saeki on an anti submarine excercise. Thereafter carries out an anti submarine sweep.
20 February 1943:
Arrives at Sukumo. Departs later that day on an anti submarine sweep and thereafter escorts a convoy.
22 February 1943:
Arrives at Saeki.
24 February 1943:
NATSUSHIMA and torpedo boat HATO departs Saeki and join KINAI and NICHIYU MARUs off Mizunoko lighthouse and escort them south.
24 February 1943:
NATSUSHIMA and NUWAJIMA depart Ujina escorting escorting the "E2" Convoy (No. 8 Military Movement) consisting of KURAMASAN MARU.
27 February 1943:
Arrives at Saeki.
1 March 1943:
Departs Saeki.
3 March 1943:
NATSUSHIMA and NUWAJIMA depart Saeki escorting the "E2" Convoy (No. 8 Military Movement) consisting of DENMARK, YAMABUKI, GENMEI and KURAMASAN MARUs.
E 4 March 1943:
The escorts are detached at 29N.
5 March 1943:
An unknown officer is appointed Commanding Officer.
7 March 1943:
NATSUSHIMA, CH-36, patrol boat PB-31, auxiliary minesweeper TAMA MARU No. 7 and cable-minelayer TSURUSHIMA escort damaged transport CLYDE MARU north from Ariake Bay (Shibushi Wan). Arrives at Saeki later that day.
8 March 1943:
Departs Saeki.
E 9 March 1943:
Arrives off Fukajima and is detached. Arrives at Saeki later this day.
11 March 1943:
Departs Saeki.
13 March 1943:
Meets up with supply ship MAMIYA at 30-15N 134-35E and escorts her north.
14 March 1943:
Detaches off Fukajima, heads to Saeki where she arrives later that day. Departs Saeki and arrives at Furue later this day.
15 March 1943:
Departs Furue. NATSUSHIMA joins tanker ITSUKUSHIMA MARU off Fukajima.
E 16 March 1943:
NATSUSHIMA is detached at a point 96 degrees south of Tanega Shima.
18 March 1943:
Arrives at Saeki.
19 March 1943:
Departs Saeki.
20 March 1943:
NATSUSHIMA and NUWAJIMA, torpedo boat HATO and patrol boat PB-46 escort battleship HARUNA, aircraft carriers SHOKAKU and RYUHO and escorting destroyers to Okinoshima. Later that day, HARUNA arrives at the Inland Sea. Arrives at Saeki
24 March 1943:
Departs Saeki.
25 March 1943:
At 0406, 22 degrees and 43 minutes of Okinoshima lighthouse carries out a depth charge attack.
Assigned to carry out an anti submarine sweep in area E1 in preparation for the passing of MAYASAN MARU and her escorts torpedoboat HATO and patrol boat PB-46 through area E1 around 1700. Therafter has to carry out an anti submarine sweep 15 kilopmeters of the Kyushu coast.
27 March 1943:
Arrives at Saeki.
28 March 1943:
Departs Saeki for Kure.
3 April 1943:
Arrives at Dairen, Manchuria (now Dalian, northern China).
April 1943:
Patrols in the Port Arthur (Lushun), Manchuria area.
20 October 1943:
At 1800, joins NASAMI in Daito Wan (now Taedong Man, North Korea) on an anti submarine sweep.
21 October 1943:
At 0100, NATSUSHIMA reports that she didn’t get the enemy.
1 November 1943:
NATSUSHIMA departs Dairen escorting convoy TA-22 consisting of an unknown number of unidentified merchant ships for Genzan (Kunsan) or possibly Moji.
1 December 1943:
Attached to the Combined Fleet South Eastern Fleet Eight Fleet’s Eight Base Force.
2 December 1943:
Arrives at Chinkai, Chosen (now Jinhae, South Korea).
4 December 1943:
Departs Chinkai.
5 December 1943:
Arrives at Saeki.
10 December 1943:
Departs Saeki for the South Pacific, most probably escorting an unidentified convoy.
4 February 1944:
NATSUSHIMA departs Yokosuka for Truk with destroyer FUJINAMI, kaibokan AMAKUSA and subchaser CH-31 escorting convoy No. 3206 consisting of GYOTEN (ex-British EMPIRE MOONBEAM), TATSUHA, ZUIKAI, RYUKO and SHINKYO MARUs. The convoy is carrying troops of the IJA’s 52nd Infantry Division.
9 February 1944:
Arrives with convoy No. 3206 At Haichijo Jima.
15 February 1944:
Subchaser CH-24 departs Truk to rendezvous 150 miles N of Truk with convoy No. 3206, but the convoy does not show.
17 February 1944: American Operation "Hailstone" - The Attack on Truk:
Auxiliary minesweeper HAGOROMO MARU joins the escort.
185 miles NW of Truk. At 0228 (JST), LtCdr (later Rear Admiral-Ret) Richard H. O’Kane's USS TANG (SS-306) fires four torpedoes and gets two hits on GYOTEN MARU at 08-02N, 149-17E. At 0320, she splits in two and sinks a few minutes later. The escorts counter-attack unsuccessfully.
At 0531 (I), subchaser CH-29 is also ordered to rendezvous at sea with convoy 3206.
In the early morning of 17 February, Vice Admiral (later Admiral) Marc A. Mitscher’s Task Force 58's five fleet carriers and four light carriers launch air attacks on Truk. Mitscher launches 30 strikes of at least 150 aircraft each. At about 1400, some of Mitscher’s planes attack convoy No. 3206. ZUIKAI MARU is hit by bombs and sinks at 1415. At 1420, TATSUHA MARU is also hit by bombs, explodes and sinks. Later, NATSUSHIMA, destroyer FUJINAMI and RYUKO MARU arrive at Truk.
18 February 1944:
The remnants of convoy No. 3206 arrive at Truk. Mitscher launches carrier strikes about every hour for two days. During the raids, TF 58 sinks 31 merchant transports and 10 naval vessels, destroys nearly 200 aircraft and damages severely about 100 more. CH-29 is attacked and sunk at 07-25N, 151-45E during TF 58's attacks on Truk, but the exact time of her demise is unknown. Truk is eliminated as a major IJN fleet anchorage.
NATSUSHIMA escapes westward.
22 February 1944:
Off Tingwon, New Ireland, Bismarcks. At 1550, Cdr (later Admiral/CNO) Arleigh A. Burke’s DesRon 23’s ("Little Beavers"), USS CHARLES AUSBURNE (DD-570), USS DYSON (DD-572) and USS STANLY (DD-478) engage and sink NATSUSHIMA at 02-40S, 149-40E. 13 enlisted men passengers reach Kavieng.
30 April 1944:
Removed from the Navy List.

Author's Notes:

Photo credit goes to Matthew Jones. Thanks for assistance to Gilbert Casse of france and Berend van der Wal of Netherlands.
-Bob Hackett, Sander Kingsepp and Peter Cundall.

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