Japanese Army Auxiliary Transports

RIKUGUN YUSOSEN

(ADEN MARU by Ueda Kihachiro)

ADEN MARU:
Tabular Record of Movement
© 2012-2016 Bob Hackett
Revision 6

31 March 1919:
Kobe. Laid down at Kawasaki Shipyard Co., Ltd. as Yard No. 459, a 5,860-ton passenger-cargo ship for Kokusai Kisen Kaisha, (K Line) K. K.
16 June 1919:
Launched and named ADEN MARU.
8 July 1919:
Completed.
1919-1924:
In service on K Line’s route serving Hamburg, Germany ~ Cardiff, Wales ~ New York.
31 December 1919:
Arrives at Ellis Island, New York from Plymouth, England.
8 May 1921:
Arrives at Ellis Island, New York from Kobe, Japan via Genoa, Italy carrying 92 passengers and crew.
13 August 1922:
Arrives at Ellis Island, New York from Cardiff, England.
14 February 1923:
Arrives at Singapore from Hamburg, Germany en route to Hong Kong.
6 March 1924:
Arrives at Ellis Island, New York from Hamburg.
25 May 1924:
Arrives at Ellis Island, New York from Hamburg.
8 November 1924:
Arrives at Ellis Island, New York from Hamburg.
27 March 1929:
ADEN MARU, under charter to the Nippon Yusen Kaisha (NYK) Line, departs Singapore via Hong Kong carrying cargo only for Moji, Kobe, Osaka and Yokohama.
2 June 1936
Arrives at Quebec, Canada. Loads a cargo of scrap iron. Scrapes a harbor wall while being towed out for departure.
3 June 1936
Arrives at Montreal, Canada. Loads more scrap iron.
5 October 1941:
Requisitioned by the IJA as a troop transport. Alloted IJA No. 296
18 December 1941: Operation "M" (M Sakusen) -The Invasion of the Northern Philippines:
At 1200, ADEN MARU departs Mako, Pescadores for Lingayen Gulf, Philippines in Rear Admiral (later Vice Admiral) Rear Admiral Nishimura Shoji's (39)(former CO of HARUNA) 2nd Lingayen Invasion Unit’s 5th Transport Group (7 ships), with 27 other IJA transports escorted by DesRon 2's light cruiser NAKA, DesDiv 9's ASAGUMO, MINEGUMO, NATSUGUMO, minesweepers W-9, W-10, W-11, W-12, W-17 and W-18 and subchasers CH-4, CH-5, CH-6, CH-10, CH-11, CH-12, CH-16 , CH-17 and CH-18.
The Japanese main invasion at Lingayen Gulf consists of three transport echelons. The first is composed of 27 transports from Takao under Rear Admiral Hara Kensaburo, the second of 28 transports under Rear Admiral Nishimura and the third of 21 transports from Keelung under Rear Admiral Hirose Sueto. This force of 76 transports carries the main part of LtGen Homma Masaharu's 80,000-man 14th Army.
24 December 1941:
Lingayen Gulf. Between 0110 and 0430, the Lingayen Invasion Convoy lands troops at Lingayen.
14 January 1942:
At 1700, ADEN MARU departs Moji for Takao, Formosa in a convoy also consisting of ASAKA, HAVRE, MIYASONO, TAKAOKA and YAE MARUs escorted by minelayers HIRASHIMA and TSUBAME.
18 January 1942:
Arrives at Takao.
17 February 1942:
At night, transports SAGAMI and SASAGO MARUs carrying part of the IJA's 48th Infantry Division depart Makassar, Celebes (now Sulawasei) for Bali, Java (now Indonesia) escorted by DesDiv 8's ASASHIO, OSHIO, ARASHIO and MICHISHIO.
19 February 1942: The Invasion of Eastern Java:
Jolo, Philippines. At 0800, the Eastern Java Invasion Convoy (Toho Koryaku Butai) consisting of 39 troop transports departs the anchorage carrying the IJA’s 48th Infantry Division in seven sections:
1st Section consisting of: ADEN, YAMAGIKU, KENKON, HAGUE, NANKO and KONAN MARUs,
2nd Section consisting of: HOLLAND, JOHORE, TAKAOKA, HOKKO, KYOKUSEI and TAEI MARUs,
3rd Section consisting of: KENZAN, HIMALAYA, HAVRE, ARIZONA, ANZAN and CHOKO MARUs (6783/20),
4th Section consisting of: NISSHU, BIYO, ITALY, ASAKA, KASHU and YONEYAMA MARUs,
5th Section consisting of: HAKUSHIKA (HAKUROKU), TEIYO, HAMBURG, DENMARK, ARABIA and TOKUSHIMA MARUs,
6th Section consisting of: MIYADONO, JINZAN (JINSAN), WALES, SUEZ, TAMON and YASUKAWA MARUs, and the
7th Section consisting of: SATSUMA, MINRYU and HOZUGAWA MARUs.
The convoy is escorted by Rear Admiral Nishimura's heavy cruisers NACHI and HAGURO, DesRon 2's light cruisers NAKA and JINTSU and DesDiv 16's YUKIKAZE, TOKITSUKAZE, AMATSUKAZE and HATSUKAZE and DesDiv 7's USHIO, SAZANAMI, YAMAKAZE and KAWAKAZE and DesRon 4's light cruiser NAKA, DesDiv 2's YUDACHI, SAMIDARE, HARUSAME, DesDiv 9's ASAGUMO, MURASAME, MINEGUMO and NATSUGUMO.
E 21 February 1942:
Makassar Strait. SAGAMI and SASAKO MARUs join the main convoy and steam with it.
22 February 1942:
At 1200, EHIME and LIVERPOOL MARUs join the Eastern Java Invasion Convoy north of Aru Bank. The same day, HITERU and TEIRYU MARUs depart Palau carrying elements of the Sakaguchi Detachment.
23 February 1942:
HITERU and TEIRYU MARUs join the Eastern Java Invasion Convoy.
27 February 1942: The Battle of the Java Sea:
At 1547, HAGURO and NACHI, DesRon 2's JINTSU with DesDiv 16 and DesDiv 7's destroyer engage Dutch Rear Admiral Karel W. F. M. Doorman's Strike Force's light cruiser HrMs DE RUYTER (F), heavy cruisers HMS EXETER and USS HOUSTON (CA-30), light cruisers HMAS PERTH and HrMs JAVA and destroyers. During this and the next day’s engagements, Doorman's Strike Force loses HMS EXETER and USS HOUSTON (CA-30), light cruisers HMAS PERTH, HrMs DE RUYTER, Hr.Ms. JAVA, destroyers HMS ELECTRA, ENCOUNTER, JUPITER and Hr.Ms. KORTENAER and old USS POPE (DD-225) to superior Japanese forces.
1 March 1942: Operation "J" - The Invasion of Java, Netherlands East Indies:
At 0120, 100 miles W of Surabaya, Java. The Eastern Java Invasion Force enters the roadstead off Kragan village, East Java. Just before dropping anchor, the ships are fiercely attacked from the air. JOHORE MARU is hit and suffers many KIA and WIA. TOKUSHIMA MARU is also hit and has to beach herself at 0200. Despite the air attacks, the convoy lands the IJA's 48th Infantry Division at Kragan village. East Java. Their main objectives are the Surabaya Naval Base on the eastern coast and Tjilatjap harbor on the southern coast.
24 June 1942:
ADEN MARU departs Moji in convoy No. 128 also consisting of one unidentified merchant ship escorted by destroyer KURETAKE.
29 June 1942:
Arrives at Mako, Pescadores.
18 February 1943:
ADEN MARU departs Moji in the “C2” convoy (No. 8 Military Movement) also consisting of HAKUSAN, HAKUBASAN, MIYAURA, ROKKOSAN and TATEISHI MARUs.
21 February 1943:
Convoy C2 departs Saeki escorted by patrol boat PB-31 and minelayer NASAMI.
E 23 February 1943:
The escorts are detached at 28-30N.
20 March 1943:
At 1500, ADEN MARU arrives at Rabaul from Palau in a convoy also consisting of KANJO, KENKOKU, MILAN, MIYAURA, HAKUSAN, ROKKOSAN, SORACHI and TATEISHI MARUs escorted by minesweeper W-20 and subchaser CH-16.
1 April 1943:
At 1300, ADEN MARU departs Rabaul in a convoy also consisting of transport s KIKUKAWA MARU and KOSHU MARU No. 2, cargo ship HEIWA MARU and netlayer KYOSEI MARU escorted by minesweeper W-22.
3 April 1943:
At 0800, arrives at Shortlands, Solomons and departs later in the day for Buin, Bougainville.
8 April 1943:
At 1500, departs Buin.
10 April 1943:
At 0610, arrives at Rabaul, New Britain
1 May 1943:
ADEN MARU departs Palau, Carolines in convoy No. 3206 also consisting of BENGAL, MIYADONO, TOYAMA, KIZAN and ASO MARUs escorted by destroyer ASAGAO.
6 May 1943:
Arrives at Manila.
10 June 1943:
ADEN MARU departs Mako for St Jacques, Vichy French Indochina (Vung Tau, Vietnam) in convoy No. 398 also consisting of tankers RIKKO MARU and OGURA MARU No. 2 and cargo ship WAKO MARU with an unknown escort At an unknown point, ADEN MARU is detached for Rabaul, New Britain.
June 1943:
ADEN MARU arrives at Rabaul.
16 June 1943:
At 1150, ADEN MARU departs Rabaul escorting convoy 609 also consisting of HOFUKU, SHINYUBARI, TAIKO, KURAMASAN and YAMAFUKU MARUs and an unidentified ship escorted by subchasers CH-16, CH-23 and CH-39. Later, CH-16 is detached to return to Rabaul.
23 June 1943:
Arrives at Palau.
20 July 1943:
At 0800, ADEN MARU departs Palau in convoy "Hansa No. 5" also consisting of YUBAE, HANKOW, DENMARK and NAGANO MARUs and SHINTO MARU No. 1 escorted by minelayer SHIRATAKA and subchaser CH-34.
25 July 1943:
At 0125, arrives at Hansa Bay, New Guinea.
31 July 1943:
At 1151, arrives at Palau.
20 August 1943:
ADEN MARU departs Palau in convoy "Wewak No. 7" also consisting of NAGATO, NAGANO, HANKOW, SHINYU and YUBAE MARUs escorted by subchasers CH-26 and CH-34.
23 August 1943:
The convoy is ordered back to Palau because of increased Allied air activity over Wewak.
28 August 1943:
At 0945, convoy "Wewak No. 7" again departs Palau, less YUBAE MARU.
2 September 1943:
At 0045, the convoy anchors at Wewak. Later that day, the convoy is attacked by about 30 B-25 “Mitchell” medium bombers escorted by P-38 “Lightning” fighters. NAGATO and HANKOW MARUs are sunk and ADEN and NAGANO MARUs are damaged. NAGATO MARU is carrying 100 soldiers, farmers, 8,000 drums aviation gasoline, 10 vehicles, 2,000 cases general cargo and 101,000 bags rice. Three soldiers and two crewmen are KIA. HANKOW MARU is also loaded with troops and war supplies. Twenty-three soldiers and two crewmen are KIA.
19 September 1943:
ADEN MARU departs Palau in convoy "Wewak No. 9" also consisting of TAISEI and YASUKUNI MARUs escorted by subchasers CH-26 and CH-32.
23 September 1943:
Arrives at Wewak. The convoy unloads its cargo.
24 September 1943:
Departs Wewak for Palau.
27 September 1943:
Convoy Wewak No. 9 is attacked by American aircraft that sink TAISEI MARU. Seven crewmen and six gunners are KIA. Minelayer SHIRATAKA and subchasers CH-34 arrive and escort the convoy back to Palau. CH-26 and CH-32 are released to escort convoy Wewak No. 10.
E 29 September 1943:
Arrives at Palau.
6 December 1943:
At 0530, ADEN MARU departs Kau, Halmahera for Manokwari, New Guinea in convoy No. 1 also consisting of HAMBURG and CELEBES MARUs escorted by minelayer WAKATAKA. The convoy is carrying the first echelon of the IJA's 36th Division and the 99th Independent Wire Company .
8 December 1943:
At 2030, arrives at Manokwari. Unloads troops and cargo.
10 December 1943:
At 0520, the convoy departs Manokwari.
13 December 1943:
At 1715, arrives at Kau.
2 January 1944:
At 0600, ADEN MARU departs Manila in an unidentified convoy also consisting of JINJU, KOHOKU, NANKA and NISHI (ex-British KALGAN) KOHOKU MARUs with escorted by patrol boat PB-105.
4 January 1944:
Arrives at Cebu. NISHI MARU is detached.
10 January 1944:
Arrives at Davao.
20 January 1944:
At 0900, ADEN MARU departs Manila for Kau, Halmahera in convoy H-14 also consisting of TONEGAWA, KUROGANE, MOJI, MITSUKI, KENWA, UGO and RYOCHI MARUs escorted by patrol boat PB-103 and subchaser CH-46.
22 January 1944:
At 1150, arrives at Cebu, Philippines.
23 January 1944:
At 0900, departs Cebu.
27 January 1944:
At 1456, arrives at Kau.
7 March 1944:
ADEN MARU departs Takao in convoy TAMO-08 also consisting of MEXICO, MITSUKI, MIZUHO, TONEGAWA and WAZAN MARUs and three unidentified merchants escorted by destroyers HASA and TSUGA.
8 March 1944:
Arrives at Kirun (Keelung).
13 March 1944:
Departs Kirun. After departure, the convoy splits into two parts.
17 March 1944:
The first part arrives at Moji.
18 March 1944:
The second part arrives at Moji.
21 April 1944:
ADEN MARU departs Tungchiaoshan (Tangjiqiozshan) near Shanghaiin the Take (Bamboo) No. 1 troop convoy carrying the IJA's 32nd and 35th divisions (about 30,000 troops) to reinforce Biak and Hollandia, New Guinea. The convoy consists of 15 Army transports also including TAJIMA, YOZAN and YOSHIDA MARU No. 1 bound for Manokwari, New Guinea carrying the 35th Division's troops. Seven transports are destined for Manila only: MANSHU, FUKUYO, TEIKAI (ex-German FULDA), KANAN, TEIKO MARUs, UNKAI MARU (No. unknown) and an unknown ship. Transports KAZUURA, MITSUKI, BRAZIL and TENSHINZAN (AMATSUSAN) MARUs carrying the 32nd Division are bound for Mindanao, Philippines. The escorts include destroyers ASAKAZE, SHIRATSUYU and FUJINAMI, kaibokan KURAHASI, CD-20 and CD-22, minelayer SHIRATAKA (F) carrying Rear Admiral Kajioka Sadamichi (former CO of KISO), CO of the newly formed 6th Escort Convoy Command, minesweeper W-2, subchasers CH-37 and CH-38 and gunboats UJI, ATAKA and TAMA MARU No. 7.
26 April 1944:
Off NW Luzon, Philippines. LtCdr (Rear Admiral-Ret) Thomas M. Dykers’ (USNA '27) USS JACK (SS-259) intercepts the convoy. Dykers makes three separate attacks and fires 18 torpedoes at the convoy. At about 0600, from two to four torpedoes hit YOSHIDA MARU No. 1 portside. She breaks in two and sinks taking down an IJA regiment of 3,189 men including its commander.
Tokyo. Prime Minister and Army General Tojo Hideki learns of the losses inflicted upon convoy Take No. 1. Fearing further attacks by American skip-bombers, like those suffered earlier in the Battle of the Bismarck Sea, Tojo orders the convoy diverted from Manokwari, New Guinea to Halmahera, Moluccas.
28 April 1944:
Convoy Take No. 1 puts into Manila. FUJINAMI and the Manila bound ships are detached except for TEIKAI MARU that takes the place of the sunken YOSHIDA MARU No. 1.
1 May 1944:
The convoy departs Manila. It now consists of eight transports escorted by SHIRATAKA, destroyers ASAKAZE and SHIRATSUYU, minesweeper W-22 and subchasers CH-37 and CH-38. As ordered, the 32nd and 35th Divisions' ships proceed southward towards Halmahera.
6 May 1944:
N Celebes Sea. 80 nms N of Menado. At about 0800, lookouts aboard LtCdr Charles H. Andrews’ (USNA '30) USS GURNARD (SS-254) spot SHIRATAKA's coal-burning smoke at 19 miles. By 1300, Andrews completes an "end-around" and gains an attack position on convoy Take No. 1. He sets up carefully and fires two three-torpedo salvos at the transports. TAJIMA and ADEN MARUs are hit and sink quickly at 02-42N, 124-07E. Fifty-eight troops, nine gunners and three crewmen are KIA on TAJIMA MARU while ADEN MARU takes down 499 troops, four ship's gunners and 12 crewmen.

Author's Notes:
No data were found detailing ADEN MARU's movements Jul '42 - Jan '43. Readers with access to such data are requested to post the information on the Discussion and Questions board or j-aircraft.org's IJN Ship Message Board

Thanks go to Erich Muehlthaler of Germany.
Bob Hackett

Back to IJA Transports