RIKUGUN YUSOSEN
(MARU similar to ODATSUKI MARU, prewar)
IJA Transport ODATSUKI MARU:
Tabular Record of Movement
© 2016-2017 Bob Hackett :
Revision 1
1942:
Osaka. Laid down Osaka Zosensho K.K., shipyard, as a 1,988-ton cargo ship for Kaiyo Kisen, K.K., Kobe.
1942:
Launched and named ODATSUKI MARU.
February 1943:
Completed and registered in Kobe.
14 April 1943:
At 0902, ODATSUKI MARU departs Tokyo Bay in convoy No. 3414B also consisting of HEIWA, and SHOKO MARUs and civilian tankers HADACHI and RYOYU MARU No. 32 escorted by minesweeper W-24.
16 April 1943:
Convoy No. 3414B arrives at Yokohama.
22 April 1943:
Departs Yokohama.
29 August 1943:
At 0800, ODATSUKI MARU departs northern Kyushu for Shanghai in convoy Shi-906 also consisting of AWA, KIYO, KENEI, and SHORYU MARUs and DAIGEN MARU No. 2 escorted by minelayer TAKASHIMA.
31 August 1943:
At 1100, the convoy arrives off Yushan.
2 September 1943:
The convoy arrives at Shanghai.
19 October 1943:
Requisitioned by the Imperial Japanese Army (IJA) and converted to a troop transport. Allotted IJA No. 1086.
22 October 1943:
At 1100, ODATSUKI MARU departs Moji for Takao in convoy No. 108 also consisting FUKUJU, HAKUSAN, KENAN, NARITA and RYUSEI MARUs and tanker KOSHIN MARU escorted by kaibokan MATSUWA.
26 October 1943:
At 0940, the convoy arrives at Takao.
30 October 1943:
At 1630, ODATSUKI MARU departs Takao in the "E" convoy also consisting of KIYO (4428 gt), KOGEN, MATSUEI, MIIKESAN, MURORAN, NARITA, SEISHO, SHINWA and TAISOKU MARUs escorted by destroyer FUYO.
3 November 1943:
At 1000, the E convoy arrives at Manila.
10 November 1943:
ODATSUKI MARU departs Manila in convoy H-4 consisting of SHINWA, NARITA, TATSUJU, KOGEN, KIYO and MARUs, and probably others,escorted by patrol boat PB-105.
17 November 1943:
At 1600,ODATSUKI MARU departs Kau, Halmahera in convoy H-4 now probably also consisting of NARITA SHINWA, SHOEI (MATSUEI)MARUs and possibly other unidentified merchant ships. NARITA MARU diverts to Sorong, arring on 19th.
20 November 1943:
At 1330, arrives at Manokwari and departs at 1700 with SHOEI (MATSUEI) MARU.
21 November 1943:
At 1340, arrives at Sorong and departs in the evening.
6 January 1944:
ODATSUKI MARU departs Wasile, Halmahera for Manila and Cebu in a convoy also consisting of BENGAL, KENWA, MITSUKI, RYUSEI, TONEGAWA and TOUN MARUs and one unidentified merchant escorted by patrol boat P-103 and subchasers CH-36 and CH-45.
9 January 1944:
Part of the convoy arrives at Davao. The main part of the convoy proceeds with CH-36 and arrives at Zamboanga.
10 January 1944:
Departs Zamboanga.
12 January 1944:
The convoy arrives at Cebu and is dissolved.
14 January 1944:
Departs Masbate Island.
15 January 1944:
Arrives at Manila.
30 January 1944:
At 0800, ODATSUKI MARU departs Kau, Halmahera for Manila in an "M" convoy (number unknown) also consisting of KAZUURA, TSUKIKAWA and YAMAMIYA MARUs escorted by minesweepers W-4 and W-5, patrol boat PB-103, subchaser CH-46 and auxiliary subchaser KYO MARU No. 13.
31 January 1944:
Arrives at Cebu.
1 February 1944:
Departs Cebu.
2 February 1944:
Arrives at Davao.
5 February 1944:
Arrives at Manila.
14 February 1944:
ODATSUKI MARU departs Cebu for Wasile, Halmahera carrying war supplies in convoy H-17 also consisting of IJA transports CHOJO and NAGATA MARUs escorted by auxiliary subchaser KYO MARU No. 2.
15 February 1944:
E of Dinagat Island. LtCdr Donald F. Weiss’s (USNA ’29) USS TINOSA (SS-283) intercepts the convoy. TINOSA draws gunfire from the ships of the convoy as she engages ODATSUKI and CHOJO MARUs. At 2102, Weiss torpedoes and sinks ODATSUKI MARU carrying war supplies at 09-15N, 127-00E. Six crewmen and four guards are KIA. NAGATA MARU is ordered to detach and rescue survivors.
16 February 1944:
TINOSA continues to chase the convoy. At 0250, Weiss torpedoes and sinks CHOJO MARU at 08-30N, 126-58E carrying more than 800 soldiers and sailors. 748 passengers, 17 gunners, three armed guards, 15 lookouts and 72 crewmen are KIA.
Author’s Note:
Thanks go to Erich Muethlthaler of Germany.
-Bob Hackett
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