Japanese Minelayers

FUSETSUKAN!
(YAEYAMA - colorized by Irootoko Jr)

IJN Minelayer YAEYAMA: Tabular Record of Movement
© 2005-2019 Bob Hackett, Sander Kingsepp and Peter Cundall
Revision 11

2 August 1930:
Laid down at the Kure Naval Arsenal.
15 October 1931:
Launched and named YAEYAMA.
1 June 1932:
Cdr Hozumi Tatsuo (38) is assigned as Chief Equipping Officer.
31 August 1932:
Kure. Completed as a minelayer/netlayer. Registered (commissioned) in the Sasebo Naval District. YAEYAMA is the first IJN warship constructed with an all-welded hull. Cdr Hozumi is the Commanding Officer.
15 November 1933:
Cdr (later Vice Admiral) Kubo Kyuji (38)(former CO of HAYATE) assumes command.
15 November 1934:
Cdr Tsuda Gensuke (38) assumes command.
7 October 1935:
Cdr (later Rear Admiral) Miyamoto Sadachika (39) (former XO of ITSUKUSHIMA) assumes command.
1 December 1936:
Cdr Miyamoto is promoted Captain.
15 December 1936:
Cdr Nakazato Ryuji (39) assumes command.
7 July 1937: The Marco Polo Bridge (The First "China") Incident:
Lugouqiao, China. Japanese troops are on night maneuvers at the bridge. They fire blank cartridges. Chinese troops fire back, but do not cause injuries. At morning roll call, the Japanese discover a soldier missing and assume the Chinese captured him. The Japanese demand entry to Beijing to look for the soldier. The Chinese refuse. The Japanese then shell the city. An undeclared war on China begins.
11 August 1937:
Shanghai, China. YAEYAMA is the flagship of Rear Admiral (later Vice Admiral) Tanimoto Umataro’s (35)(former CO of CHOKAI) 11th Gunboat Division.
14 August 1937: "Bloody Saturday":
Shanghai. Flagship USS AUGUSTA (CA-31), carrying the CINC, U.S. Asiatic Fleet, Admiral Harry E. Yarnell (former CO of SARATOGA, CV-3), arrives from Tsingtao after battling a typhoon and anchors in the Whangpoa River. That same day, the Chinese Air Force (CAF) under their acting operational CO, retired Captain (later MajGen) Claire L. Chennault, launches aircraft to attack IJN flagship IZUMO and the Japanese fleet. The CAF mistakenly bombs British cruiser HMS CUMBERLAND, but their bombs fall wide. Two bombs also fall close alongside AUGUSTA, but no one is killed. The CAF accidentally drops bombs into Shanghai city, killing more than 1700 civilians and wounding 1800 others.
August 1937:
Shanghai. YAEYAMA and the 11th Gunboat Division puts ashore Special Naval Landing Force (SNLF) reinforcements. In view of the increasing danger, Japanese residents in Shanghai decide to repatriate women and children. About 20,000 of the total 30,000 residents are successively returned home about 19 August.
September 1937:
YAEYAMA returns to Sasebo for modification and improvements. After completion of construction, she returns to duty on the Yangtze River off Shangai.
1 December 1937:
YAEYAMA is put on the Reserve List. Cdr Nakazato Ryuji is promoted Captain after being relieved of command.
10 January 1938:
Captain Nakazato (39) again becomes CO.
25 May 1938:
YAEYAMA is put on the Active List. Captain (later Rear Admiral) Mori Tokuji (40) (former CO of TAIGEI) assumes command. In a change-of-command swap, Captain Nakazato is reassigned as CO of TAIGEI.
21 July 1938:
Tsiangtsin, China. The Japanese begin operations with aerial reconnaissance of the city followed by aerial bombardment of Chinese positions. At dawn the next day, the IJA's 106th Division lands a reinforced infantry brigade south of Tsiangtsin. The Chinese launch many counterattacks, but are repelled by the IJA assisted by air cover.
24 July 1938:
That night, Rear Admiral (later Vice Admiral) Kondo Eijiro’s (36)(former CO of KAGA) Yosuko Force lands troops of the Kure No. 5 Special Naval Landing Force (SNLF) on the banks of the Yangtze. Gunnery support is provided by Kondo’s 11th Battle Division. YAEYAMA (F) leads the van with TorpBoatDiv 1, MineSweepDiv 1 and MineSweepDiv 2. Kondo’s Guard Unit is made up of TorpBoatDiv 11 and TorpBoatDiv 21. Air cover is provided by KAMIKAWA MARU and NOTORO. Threatened with envelopment, the Chinese withdraw.
28 July 1938:
Captain Mori is assigned additional duty as CO of Gunboat Division 11.
24 September 1938:
At Mioyama. At 1350, NISSHO MARU No. 6 is alongside to port of auxiliary minesweeper tender NIPPONKAI MARU. Transferred a gunbarrel for minelayer YAEYAMA. At 1730, completed transfer.
29 September 1938:
At Shizi Shan, At 0850, YAEYAMA is alongside to port of auxiliary minesweeper tender NIPPONKAI MARU. NIPPONKAI MARU replaces main gun. At 1305, stopped replacing main gun. At 1410, YAEYAMA is alongside to starboard of auxiliary destroyer tender NIPPONKAI MARU. Replacement of main gun continues. At 1640, replacement of main gun is completed.
15 December 1938:
Captain (later Rear Admiral) Okada Tametsugu (45) (former XO of RYUJO) assumes command. Captain Mori is reassigned as Chief of Staff of the Ominato Guard District.
26 September 1939:
YAEYAMA is at Amoy (now Xiamen), China across the Straits from Formosa (now Taiwan).
15 October 1939:
Cdr (later Rear Admiral) Aitoku Ichiro (45) assumes command. Captain Okada is reassigned to the NGS.
15 November 1939:
Cdr Aitoku is promoted Captain.
10 June 1940:
Captain (later Rear Admiral) Akiyama Katsuzo (40) (current CO of AOBA) assumes command as an additional duty. Captain Aitoku is later assigned as CO of UNYO.
20 July 1940:
Captain (later Rear Admiral) Yamamori Kamenosuke (45) assumes command.
1 November 1940:
Cdr (later Rear Admiral) Kawai Shigezo (46) (former XO of NAGATO) assumes command.
15 November 1940:
Cdr Kawai is promoted to Captain.
10 May 1941:
Cdr (later Captain) Nomi Minoru (43) assumes command.
12 September 1941:
Captain Fukuda Hisayuki (45)(former ComMineSweepDiv 1) assumes command. Cdr Nomi is reassigned as CO of OKINOSHIMA.
1 December 1941:
Palau. YAEYAMA is assigned to Rear Admiral (later Vice Admiral) Kobayashi Tetsuri's (38)(former CO of MOGAMI) MineDivision 17 with minelayer ITSUKUSHIMA in the Third Fleet's Southern Philippines Striking Force.
2 December 1941:
YAEYAMA receives the signal "Niitakayama nobore (Climb Mt. Niitaka) 1208" from the Combined Fleet. This signifies that X-Day hostilities will commence on 8 December (Japan time).
6 December 1941: Operation "M" - The Attack on the Southern Philippines:
Rear Admiral (later Vice Admiral) Kubo Kyuji's (38) (former CO of KAGA) Fourth Surprise Attack Force's seven transports depart Palau for planned landings at Davao and Legaspi. The convoy is escorted by the light cruiser NAGARA, DesDiv 24 and DesDiv 16's TOKITSUKAZE.
DesRon 2's JINTSU and DesDiv 15, DesDiv 16 and DesDiv 20’s ASAGIRI provide cover. The covering force also includes Rear Admiral (Admiral posthumously) Takagi Takeo's (39) (former CO of MUTSU) CruDiv 5's NACHI, MYOKO and HAGURO.
Light carrier RYUJO, escorted by destroyer SHIOKAZE and CarDiv 11's seaplane carriers CHITOSE and MIZUHO provide air cover.
10 December 1941:
JINTSU and DesDiv 15's HAYASHIO and NATSUSHIO are detached from Kubo's force to escort YAEYAMA.
10-11 December 1941:
YAEYAMA lays 133 mines in the Surigao Strait.
14 December 1941:
Returns to Palau.
1 January 1942:
At 1430 arrives at Malalag Bay, Mindanao.
2 January 1942:
At 1530 departs Malalag Bay and at 1800 arrives at Davao.
3 January 1942:
At 1900 departs Davao. YAEYAMA is assigned as flagship of Vice Admiral Sugiyama Rokuzo's (38) (former CO of HYUGA) Third Southern Expeditionary Fleet with light cruiser KUMA.
8 January 1942:
Met by auxiliary guboat NAMPO MARU that guides ship through the mineswept passages. At 1320 arrives at the Lingayen Gulf.
13 January 1942:
At 1450 departs Lingayen.
15 January 1942:
At 1500 arrives at Mako.
17 January 1942:
At 0800 departs Mako.
18 January 1942:
At 1920 arrives at San Fernando, Luzon.
19 January 1942:
At 1710 departs San Fernando with IJA transport MYOKO MARU.
20 January 1942:
Auxiliary gunboat NAMPO MARU departs from Nazasa Bay and briefly escorts the ships, before detaching. At 0920 the ships arrive at Port Silanguin, escorted in by auxiliary gunboat KISO MARU, and depart there at 1740.
21 January 1942:
At 1010 arrives at Lingayen Gulf.
31 January 1942:
Philippines. The Commander of the 14th Army, General Homma Masaharu, directs the beachhead at Quinauan Point be reinforced and that Major Kimura Mitsuo's 1st Battalion, 20th Infantry drive inland and seize the town of Mariveles.
At 0830 YAEYAMA departs Lingayen Gulf.
1 February 1942:
Subic Bay. YAEYAMA arrived at 0850 and is stationed off Quinauan Point to cover the landing of Major Kimura's battalion. While the landing boats are being attacked by air, artillery and infantry weapons, Lt (jg) Vincent E. Schumacher’s USS PT-32 attacks the minelayer.
YAEYAMA illuminates PT-32 with her searchlight and opens fire with four or five salvos from her two main 120-mm guns. The PT boat tries unsuccessfully to shoot out the searchlight with machine gun fire, then fires two torpedoes. As he retires, Schumacher’s crew observes explosions on the minelayer, but later YAEYAMA reports only slight damage from a dud round fired by shore batteries. At 1550 the ship departs Subic Bay and moves to off Mayagao Point.
2 February 1942:
At 1740 returns to Subic Bay, departing there at 2225.
4 February 1942:
At 1200 arrives back in the Lingayen Gulf.
6 February 1942:
At 1600 departs the Lingayen Gulf.
7 February 1942:
At 1000 arrives at Olongapo, departing there at 1640.
8 February 1942:
At 0840 arrives at Subic Bay, departing there at 2200.
9 February 1942:
At 1025 arrives at Olongapo, departing there at 1650.
10 February 1942:
At 1840 arrives again at Olongapo.
13 February 1942:
At 0840 departs Olongapo.
14 February 1942:
At 0935 returns to Olongapo.
16 February 1942:
At 0800 departs Olongapo.
17 February 1942:
At 1030 arrives in Lingayen Gulf.
18 February 1942:
At 1700 departs the Lingayen Gulf.
19 February 1942:
At 0950 arrives at Olongapo.
20 February 1942:
At 2235 departs Olongapo.
21 February 1942:
At 1705 returns to Olongapo.
23 February 1942:
At 1800 departs Olongapo.
24 February 1942:
At 0830 arrives at San Fernando.
25 February 1942:
At 0800 departs San Fernando, returning there at 1500. Together with Auxiliary gunboats NAMPO and KISO MARUs and auxiliary netlayer KOREI MARU meets up with inbound reinforcement convoy consisting of MANJU, CELEBES, PANAMA, KAISHO, TOTAI and KUNITAMA MARUs.
26 February 1942:
At 0650 departs San Fernando. Arrives in the Lingayen Gulf at 1240.
27 February 1942:
At 1350 departs Lingayen Gulf.
28 February 1942:
At 1600 arrives at Puerto Galera, Mindoro.
1 March 1942:
At 0705 departs Puerto Galera. At 2345 arrives at Paluan Bay.
2 March 1942:
At 0755 departs Paluan Bay. At 1510 arrives at Puero Galera.
4 March 1942:
At 1355 departs Puerto Galera. At 1840 arrives at Paluan Bay.
5 March 1942:
At 0750 departs Paluan Bay, returning there at 1130.
6 March 1942:
At 1235 departs Paluan Bay.
7 March 1942:
At 0735 arrives at Paluan Bay. Departs from there at 2320.
8 March 1942:
At 1530 arrives at Mambulao Bay.
13 March 1942:
At 0735 departs Mambulao Bay, returning there at 1635.
16 March 1942:
At 0740 departs Mambulao Bay.
17 March 1942:
At 0800 arrives at Eran Bay, Palawan.
18 March 1942:
At 1300 departs Eran Bay.
19 March 1942:
At 1500 arrives at Mambulao Bay.
20 March 1942:
At 0750 departs Mambulao Bay.
21 March 1942:
At 1310 arrives at Mangarin Bay.
22 March 1942:
At 1250 departs Mangarin Bay. At 1820 arrives at Bangon Bay, Romblon.
23 March 1942:
At 1250 departs Bangon. At 1620 arrives at Paluan Bay.
26 March 1942:
At 2200 departs Paluan Bay.
27 March 1942:
At 0745 arrives at Olongapo, Luzon.
29 March 1942:
At 0800 departs Olongapo. At 1525 arrives at Nasugbu Bay.
31 March 1942:
At 0700 departs Nasugbu Bay and at 1400 arrives back at Olongapo.
2 April 1942:
At 0900 departs Olongapo and at 1830 arrives at Puerto Galera.
3 April 1942:
At 0700 departs Puerto Galera and at 1615 arrives at Romblon, Romblon Island.
4 April 1942:
At 0710 departs Romblon and at 1620 arrives at Batangas.
5 April 1942:
At 0800 departs Batangas and at 1210 arrives at Nasugbu Bay.
8 April 1942:
At 0900 departs Nasugbu Bay and at 1600 arrives at Olongapo.
9 April 1942:
At 0930 departs Olongapo and at 1530 arrives at Nasugbu Bay.
10 April 1942:
At 0700 departs and at 1400 returns to Nasugbu Bay.
15 April 1942:
At 0600 departs Nasugbu Bay and at 1830 arrives at Romblon.
16 April 1942:
At 1200 departs Romblon.
17 April 1942:
At 0730 arrives at Olongapo.
18 April 1942:
At 0720 departs Olongapo and at 1425 arrives at Nasugbu Bay.
27 April 1942:
At 2320 departs Nasugbu Bay.
28 April 1942:
At 0010 returns to Nasugbu Bay.
29 April 1942:
At 1000 departs and at 1105 returns to Nasugbu Bay.
30 April 1942:
At 0755 departs Nasugbu Bay. Resumes patrols at Manila Bay entrance. Transfers base to Olongapo
9 May 1942:
Enters Manila Bay.
13 May 1942:
Arrives at Olongapo and departs later that day and patrols the Cebu area.
25 May 1942:
Returns to Manila Bay and resumes patrols.
2 June 1942:
At 0900 arrives at Mako, and departs from there at 1800.
3 June 1942:
Arrives at Kirun.
17 June 1942:
At 1500 departs Kirun.
18 June 1942:
At 0820 arrives at Mako.
24 June 1942:
At 0730 departs Mako.
26 June 1942:
At 1020 arrives at Manila.
30 June 1942:
At 0600 departs Manila.
3 July 1942:
At 0900 arrives at Takao.
7 July 1942:
At 1000 departs Takao and at 1500 arrives at Mako.
9 July 1942:
At 1800 YAEYAMA departs Mako escorting convoy No. 708 consisting of KOSEI MARU (3551 tons).
12 July 1942:
At 1300 arrives at Manila.
14 July 1942:
Manila. YAEYAMA is assigned to Vice Admiral Kobayashi Tetsuri's (38) (former CO of MOGAMI) 31st Special Base Force in Vice Admiral Sugiyama's Third Southern Expeditionary Fleet, Southwest Area Fleet.
18 July 1942:
At 1250 departs Manila Bay and at 1450 begins patrolling.
20 July 1942:
At 1020 arrives in the Lingayen Gulf.
21 July 1942:
At 1300 departs the Lingayen Gulf area.
23 July 1942:
At 1445 arrives at Mako.
25 July 1942:
At 0800 departs Mako and at 1400 arrives at Takao.
26 July 1942:
At 1200 departs Takao.
28 July 1942:
At 0900 arrives at Manila.
E September 1942: [1]
Manila. The 31st Base Force, including YAEYAMA, is assigned responsibility for commerce escort protection in a specified local area, as is each theater fleet, naval and guard district and some other base forces.
1 September 1942:
At 0730 arrives at Romblon.
2 September 1942:
At 0930 departs Romblon. At 1500 arrives at Aroroy.
3 September 1942:
At 0800 departs Aroroy. At 1000 arrives at Masbate. At 1100 departs Masbate.
4 September 1942:
At 1200 arrives at Tacloban.
5 September 1942:
At 0150 arrives at Davao.
7 September 1942:
Departs Davao.
8 September 1942:
At 0800 arrives at Surigao.
9 September 1942:
At 1500 departs Surigao.
10 September 1942:
At 1800 arrives at Cebu.
11 September 1942:
At 0850 departs Cebu.
12 September 1942:
At 0650 arrives at Balanacan, Marinduque Island.
13 September 1942:
At 0900 departs Balanacan. Later that day arrives at Manila.
1 October 1942:
At 0835 departs Limbones (near Cavite), and at 1250 arrives at Manila.
8 October 1942:
At 0620 departs to unidentified location (Te-I-Ri-Tsu-Ku) and arrives there at 1235.
9 October 1942:
Arrives at Verde Island, Batangas then sails to Maricaben Island nearby.
10 October 1942:
At 0650 departs Maricaben Island and at 1350 arrives back at Manila.
12 October 1942:
At 1520 departs Manila.
13 October 1942:
At 1010 arrives at Acapan (?).
17 October 1942:
At 1340 arrives at Banggi Islands, Sabah.
18 October 1942:
At 0650 departs Banggi Islands. At 1810 arrives at the Cagayan Sulu Islands.
19 October 1942:
At 0900 departs Cagayan Sulu Islands and at 1500 arrives at Sandakan.
20 October 1942:
At 1150 departs Sandakan.
21 October 1942:
At 0925 arrives at Puerto Princesa. From here sails over the next two days to Dumaran, Taytay and Semirara Islands.
23 October 1942:
Arrives at Manginao and departs there at 1825.
24 October 1942:
At 1050 arrives at Manila.
4 November 1942:
At 1530 departs Manila.
5 November 1942:
At 1515 arrives at Palauig.
6 November 1942:
At 0650 departs Palauig and at 1650 arrives at Manila.
16 November 1942:
At 0850 departs Manila.
17 November 1942:
At 1640 arrives at Cebu.
19 November 1942:
At 1800 departs Cebu with gunboat KARATSU.
20 November 1942:
At 0700 both arrive a Quinluban. At 1255 YAEYAMA departs.
21 November 1942:
At 1500 arrives at Capiz.
22 November 1942:
At 0800 departs Capiz.
23 November 1942:
At 0745 arrives at Cebu.
3 December 1942:
At 0650 departs Cebu. At 1120 returns to Cebu.
5 December 1942:
At 0650 departs Cebu.
6 December 1942:
At 1615 arrives at Manila.
10 December 1942:
At 0825 departs Manila.
11 December 1942:
At 1700 arrives at Cebu.
25 December 1942:
At 0625 departs Cebu.
26 December 1942:
At 1545 arrives at Bacolod.
27 December 1942:
At 0855 departs Bacolod and at 1100 arrives at Iloilo.
28 December 1942:
At 1930 departs Iloilo.
31 December 1942:
At 1130 arrives at Manila.
5 January 1943:
At 0830 departs Manila.
6 January 1943:
At 1715 arrives at Cebu.
8 January 1943:
At 1450 departs Cebu but returns shortly afterwards, at 1825.
11 January 1943:
At 1350 departs Cebu.
12 January 1943:
At 1020 arrives at Iloilo.
16 January 1943:
At 0640 departs Iloilo and escorts SHINKO MARU.
17 January 1943:
At 1240 arrives at Zamboanga, departing again at 1645.
20 January 1943:
At 0720 arrives at Cebu.
23 January 1943:
At 0655 departs Cebu.
24 January 1943:
At 1430 arrives at Manila.
27 January 1943:
At 0850 departs Manila.
29 January 1943:
At 0830 arrives at Takao.
30 January 1943:
At 0850 departs Takao and at 1600 arrives at Mako.
15 February 1943:
At 0740 departs Mako, and at 1445 arrives at Takao.
17 February 1943:
At 1150 departs Takao.
19 February 1943:
At 1100 arrives at Manila.
27 February 1943:
At 0830 departs Manila.
28 February 1943:
At 1715 arrives at Cebu.
2 March 1943:
At 0830 departs Cebu.
3 March 1943:
At 0830 arrives at Zamboanga.
4 March 1943:
At 0700 departs Zamboanga. At 1640 arrives at Jolo.
6 March 1943:
At 0805 departs Jolo. At 1735 arrives in Tataan Passage, Tawi Tawi.
7 March 1943:
At 0200 departs Tataan Passage. At 0800 arrives at Bongao and departs at 1000.
8 March 1943:
At 0730 arrives at Siasi and departs at 1855.
9 March 1943:
At 0640 arrives at Maluso, Basilan Island and departs at 1050. At 1257 arrives at Isabela and departs there at 1900.
10 March 1943:
At 1340 arrives at Iloilo.
11 March 1943:
At 0750 departs Iloilo.
12 March 1943:
At 1100 arrives at Manila.
27 March 1943:
At 0755 departs Manila.
28 March 1943:
At 1650 arrives at Cebu.
23 April 1943:
At 0850 departs Cebu.
24 April 1943:
At 1140 arrives at Manila.
2 May 1943:
Departs Manila.
7 May 1943:
Returns to Manila. Captain Tsutsumi Michizo (48) assumes command.
8 May 1943:
Departs Manila.
9 May 1943:
Arrives at Cebu.
10 May 1943:
Departs Cebu.
11 May 1943:
Arrives at Zamboanga and departs later that day.
13 May 1943:
Arrives at Manila.
15 May 1943:
Departs Manila.
16 May 1943:
Arrives back at Manila.
7 June 1943:
At 1500 departs Manila with patrol boat PB-103.
9 June 1943:
At 1515 arrives at Lahui (Lahuy) Is.
10 June 1943:
At 0525 departs Lahui Is and at 1125 arrives at Calanaga and departs from there at 1840 still with PB-103.
11 June 1943:
At 0700 arrives at Tabaco and departs from there at 1135.
12 June 1943:
At 1645 arrives at Manila.
22 June 1943:
Departs Manila.
23 June 1943:
Arrives at Cebu.
24 June 1943:
Departs Cebu.
27 June 1943:
Arrives at Misamis.
28 June 1943:
Departs Misamis.
29 June 1943:
At 1100 arrives at Cebu.
4 July 1943:
Departs Cebu.
5 July 1943:
Arrives at Surigao and departs later that day.
6 July 1943:
Arrives at Cebu.
8 July 1943:
Departs Cebu.
9 July 1943:
Arrives at Iloilo.
10 July 1943:
Departs Iloilo.
11 July 1943:
Arrives at Manila.
23 July 1943:
Departs Manila.
26 July 1943:
Arrives back at Manila.
29 July 1943:
Departs Manila and later that day arrives at Palauig.
30 July 1943:
Departs Palauig and later that day arrives at Subic Bay.
31 July 1943:
Departs Subic Bay and later that day arrives at Manila.
5 August 1943:
At 1300 departs Manila.
8 August 1943:
At 1400 arrives back at Manila.
15 August 1943:
At 0520 departs Manila.
16 August 1943:
At 1415 arrives back at Manila.
24 August 1943:
At 1015 enters drydock at Manila.
31 August 1943:
At 0900 undocked.
8 September 1943:
Departs Manila but late that day returns to Manila.
9 September 1943:
Departs Manila but late that day returns to Manila.
16 September 1943:
Departs Manila with auxiliary minesweepers Wa-7 and BANSHU MARU No. 56 on an anti submarine sweep, that continues until 21 Sepember.
17 September 1943:
Arrives at Cebu.
18 September 1943:
Departs Cebu.
19 September 1943:
Arrives at Looc Bay.
20 September 1943:
Departs Looc Bay and later that day arrives at Borongan and departs there very late that same evening.
21 September 1943:
Off the east coast of central Samal Island YAEYAMA sights and attacks an enemy submarine. Arrives at Cebu.
22 September 1943:
Departs Cebu.
23 September 1943:
Arrives at Manila.
6 October 1943:
Departs Manila escorting liner TEIKO MARU (ex French D'ARTAGNAN) and tanker SEISHIN MARU.
11 October 1943:
Arrives at Singapore.
14 October 1943:
Departs Singapore.
18 October 1943:
Arrives off Medan.
19 October 1943:
Departs from off Medan.
20 October 1943:
Arrives at Singapore.
24 October 1943:
Departs Singapore escorting liner TEIKO MARU (ex French D'ARTAGNAN) and tanker SEISHIN MARU.
29 October 1943:
At 0900 arrives at Manila.
30 October 1943:
Departs Manila and later that day arrives at Cavite where the ship is docked. YAEYAMA’s minelaying rails are removed. She is equipped with 36 depth charges to facilitate her use as a convoy escort.
21 November 1943:
Departs Cavite and later that day arrives at Manila.
23 November 1943:
Departs Manila and later that day returns to port.
28 November 1943:
Departs Manila escorting convoy H-7 consisting of KOSHU and ADEN MARUs and likely other ships.
4 December 1943:
Arrives at Wasile.
5 December 1943:
Departs Wasile escorting M-4 convoy consisting of TOTTORI, RIZAN, MATSUEI, MADRAS, ECHIZEN MARUs and possibly others.
8 December 1943:
MADRAS MARU, having detached, arrives at Zamboanga.
11 December 1943:
Arrives at Manila.
18 December 1943:
Departs Manila escorting convoy H-10 consisting of OAKITA, HEIWA, BIZEN, TSUSHIMA and TOUN MARUs and possibly others.
19 December 1943:
Arrives in the Visayas Sea.
20 December 1943:
Departs Visayas Sea area. That day YAEYAMA is assigned directly to Vice Admiral Tayui Minoru's (39) (former CO of HYUGA) First Southern Expeditionary Fleet, Southwest Area Fleet.
24 December 1943:
At 0300 in position 02.45N 127.41E about 50km NNW of N tip of Halmahera Island HEIWA MARU is torpedoed and badly damaged by USS RATON. At 0900 YAEYAMA takes off survivors. The ship is not able to steam and is towed towards Kau Bay by BIZEN MARU.
25 December 1943:
Arrives at Wasile. Refuels.
26 December 1943:
Departs Wasile and later that day arrives at Kau escorting BIZEN MARU and HEIWA MARU. HEIWA MARU is beached as a total loss.
27 December 1943:
Departs Kau and later that day arrives back at Wasile.
28 December 1943:
Departs Wasile.
31 December 1943:
Arrives at Zamboanga.
1 January 1944:
Departs Zamboanga.
2 January 1944:
Arrives at Tawi Tawi.
3 January 1944:
Departs Tawi Tawi and later that day arrives at Jolo.
4 January 1944:
Departs Jolo.
5 January 1944:
Arrives at Cebu.
8 January 1944:
Departs Cebu.
9 January 1944:
Arrives at Manila.
12 January 1944:
Departs Manila but return there shortly afterwards.
15 January 1944:
Departs Manila.
16 January 1944:
Arrives back at Manila.
17 January 1944:
YAEYAMA departs Manila with escort carrier KAIYO, kaibokan ETOROFU and subchaser CH-36 escorting convoy HI-33 that left Moji on 10 January consisting of transport AOBASAN MARU and tankers YUHO, TARAKAN, ASASHIO and ASANAGI MARUs and an unidentified ship. KAIYO develops a steering problem and is forced to return to Manila later that day probably escorted by YAEYAMA.
18 January 1944:
Arrives back at Manila.
28 January 1944:
Departs Manila.
30 January 1944:
Arrives at Takao.
2 February 1944:
At 1200 YAEYAMA departs Takao escorting convoy TAMA-01A consisting of three unidentified merchant ships.
5 February 1944:
At 1400 arrives at Manila.
10 February 1944:
Departs Manila.
12 February 1944:
Arrives back at Manila.
15 February 1944:
Departs Manila.
19 February 1944:
Arrives at Palau.
25 February 1944:
Departs Palau but returns later the same day.
26 February 1944:
Departs Palau but returns later the same day.
28 February 1944:
Departs Palau.
3 March 1944:
Arrives at Zamboanga.
5 March 1944:
Departs Zamboanga.
6 March 1944:
Arrives at Ambacan.
7 March 1944:
Departs Ambacan.
10 March 1944:
Arrives at Cavite and docked for engine repairs.
31 March 1944:
Departs Cavite and arrives at Manila.
15 May 1944:
YAEYAMA departs Manila for Halmahera Island escorting convoy H-26 consisting of the ETAJIMA, KENWA, TEMPEI, AKAGISAN, TAIJUN, TAIYU, TOUN and SHIRAHAMA MARUs and SHINSEI MARU No. 1. Other escorts include subchasers CH-45, CH-47 and minesweeper W-48. The convoy carries the 110th Airfield Battalion, 117th Airfield Battalion, 119th Airfield Battalion aboard Kenwa Maru, 120th Airfield Battalion, 122nd Airfield Battalion, 123rd Field Airfield Construction and 124th Field Airfield Construction Unit. The two Field Airfield Construction Units were semi-mechanized units (equipment one prime mover and 13 trucks each) were roughly 149-179 soldiers and civilians each. Soldiers average age 35-45 years. Each field airfield construction unit would supervise 1,000-2,000 local employees.
Also in the convoy is NIKKO MARU that is sailing to Cebu.
18 May 1944:
Arrives at Cebu. NIKKO MARU is detached.
19 May 1944:
At 0800 the convoy departs Cebu.
21 May 1944:
At 0410, USN codebreakers intercept and decrypt a message from YAEYAMA that reads: “Torpedo attack on convoy [H-26] in position 06-15W, 127-15N.”
22 May 1944:
Off Davao, Philippines. At about 0100, LtCdr (later Rear Admiral-Ret) Brooks J. Harral's (USNA ’32) USS RAY (SS-271) makes a radar-assisted night attack on the surface on the convoy. In a series of attacks, Harral torpedoes TEMPEI MARU. She sinks at 05-16S, 127-42E. 19 crewmen, five gunners and 11 passengers are KIA.
At 2025 codebreakers decrypt another message from YAEYAMA that reads: “At 0100, in position 05-16N, 127-42E, TEMPEI MARU was torpedoed and blew up --.”
23 May 1944:
At about 0500, USS RAY makes a radar-assisted attack on the surface and torpedoes TAIJUN MARU carrying 16 passengers, 4,022m3 of war supplies and two Daihatsu barges. She sinks at 02-42N, 128-08E. Three crewmen and two gunners are KIA and the two Daihatsu Barges are lost. TOUN MARU rescues the survivors.
YAEYAMA and the remainder of H-26 arrive at Kau Bay, Halmahera late that day.
24 September 1944:
At 0550, 96 Grumman F6F “Hellcat” fighters and 24 Curtiss SB2C “Helldiver” dive-bombers of Vice Admiral (later Admiral) Marc A. Mitscher’s (USNA ’10) (former CO of USS HORNET, CV-8) Task Force 38's TG 38.3 Air Group 18 from USS INTREPID (CV-11), AG-31 from USS CABOT (CVL-28) and AG-19 based on Mitscher's flagship, USS LEXINGTON (CV-16) take off to attack the anchorage at Coron Bay, Busuanga Island, Palawan, 340 miles away.
South of Mindoro, Philippines. Carrier aircraft attack and sink YAEYAMA and subchaser CH-32 at 12-15N, 121-00E. Captain Tsutsumi and an unknown number of crewmen survive the sinking.
At 1710, USN codebreakers intercept and decrypt a message that reads: “Action summary:----YAEYAMA and subchaser CH-32 from 0832 24 September, engaged about 30 enemy planes for about 15 minutes-----. Off Ambuloag Island (S. Mindoro). YAEYAMA hit by over 10 bombs--- difficult to proceed, ---equipment heavily damaged--- two hours later sank. Subchaser CH-32 --- amidships ---sank."
10 November 1944:
Removed from the Navy List.

Authors' Note:
[1] E = Estimated date.
Special thanks for assistance go to Jean-Francois Masson of Canada, Allan Alsleben of Oregon, Takizawa Akira of Japan and George F. Smithson.
Thanks also go to John Whitman for info on CNO intercepts of Japanese messages, Gilbert Casse of France for general assistance and Matthew Jones for info on COs.

-Bob Hackett, Sander Kingsepp and Peter Cundall

Back to Minelayer Page