Japanese Auxiliary Cruisers

TOKUSETSU JUNYOKAN!

(HOKOKU MARU by Takeshi Yuki scanned from "Color Paintings of Japanese Warships")

IJN ASAKA MARU: Tabular Record of Movement
© 2008-2009 Bob Hackett, Sander Kingsepp and Peter Cundall
Revision 1

18 February 1937:
Nagasaki. Laid down at Mitsubishi's shipyard as a 7, 399-ton refrigerated cargo ship for Nippon Yusen Kaisha, (NYK Line), Tokyo.
7 July 1937:
Launched and named ASAKA MARU.
30 November 1937:
Completed.
1937-1940:
In NYK's service on their easterly Around the World service.
10 April 1940:
Requisitioned by the IJN. Registered in the Yokosuka Naval District as an auxiliary armed merchant cruiser.
15 April 1940:
Captain Ryusawa Kuranosuke is appointed Supervisor.
6 July 1940:
Removed from the Navy List. Returned to owners.
24 December 1940:
Requisitioned by the IJN and registered in the Yokosuka Naval District. Captain (later Rear Admiral) Miura Hayao (45) is appointed Commanding Officer.
26 December 1940:
Yokosuka Naval Yard. Begins partial conversion to an auxiliary armed merchant cruiser.
15 January 1941:
The partial conversion is completed. Two 120-mm guns and two 13-mm MGs are installed.
16 January 1941:
ASAKA MARU departs Yokohama. In addition to her CO, Captain Miura, she carries NYK line's Captain Toriumi Kingo and a 40-man “Naval Inspection Group" consisting of 24 naval officers and 16 civilians assigned to Germany that includes group chairman Vice Admiral (later Admiral) Nomura Naokuni (35) and Rear Admirals Abe Katsuo (40), Irifune Naosaburo (39) and Sakamaki Munetaka (41) and Captains (later Rear Admirals) Sato Namizo (39), Nishina Kozo (44) and Matsuo Minoru (46).
7 February 1941:
After cruising 8,000 miles at an average speed of 15 knots, she reaches the Panama Canal. American authorities initially insist on searching the ship during her transit through the Canal, relenting only after lengthy negotiations.
8 February 1941:
British Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Anthony Eden sends a Memorandum to the Cabinet that brings attention to the ASAKA MARU affair. In the following days, the British ambassador to the United States, Lord Halifax contacts President Franklin D. Roosevelt who advises against interception of the Japanese vessel. The Board of Admiralty also recommends against a blockade. Prime Minister Winston S. Churchill asks the Special Operations Executive (SOE)-Far East to study a plan to seize or destroy the ship (Operation "M"). In a series of Cabinet meetings (10, 13, 20 and 24 February, 6 and 13 March), a blockade of ASAKA MARU is discussed.
9 February 1941:
Departs Cristobal, Panama towards Europe via the Mona (strait) Passage.
20 February 1941:
Arrives at Lisbon, Portugal. Disembarks the Naval Inspection group who arrive at Berlin four days later. [1]
24 February 1941:
Departs Lisbon.
28 February 1941:
Arrives at Bilbao, Spain. Loads 3,000-tons of munitions and supplies from Germany and Switzerland, including 20-mm Oerlikon cannons for fighter aircraft, cases of machinery, machine tools, mercury, electronic devices, etc. [2]
March 1941:
President Roosevelt orders every foreign ship searched that passes through the Panama Canal.
13 March 1941:
Departs Bilbao for Japan via the Cape of Good Hope to avoid the Panama Canal.
20 March 1941:
The British Cabinet invites the Netherlands Government to conform to British Contraband Control procedures. No facilities should be afforded unless the Japanese ship submits to these procedures. If ASAKA MARU does not comply, she is not to be allowed to take supplies on board, or to remain in port. [3]
12 April 1941:
Enters the Flores Sea through the Lombok Strait, then makes for the Molucca Passage.
22 April 1941:
Enters Tokyo Bay after cruising 15, 000 miles at an average speed of 15 knots. Anchors at Yokohama.
5 September 1941:
Full conversion to an armed merchant cruiser is approved.
6 September 1941:
Assigned to Rear Admiral (later Vice Admiral) Horiuchi Shigenori’s 22nd (Auxiliary Cruiser) Squadron in Vice Admiral Boshiro Hosogaya's (36)(former CO of MUTSU), Fifth Fleet.
8 September 1941:
Enters Osaka Tekkosho to begin full conversion.
11 September 1941:
Recalled Captain (later Rear Admiral) Ban Jiro (33)(former CO of HYUGA) is appointed Commanding Officer.
16 October 1941:
The conversion is completed.
17 October 1941:
Departs Osaka.
18 October 1941
Arrives at Yokohama.
7 December 1941:
Departs Matsuwa Jima on first patrol in the NE Chishima (Kuriles) area.
14 January 1942:
Departs Moji.
18 January 1942
Arrives at Takao.
1 February 1942:
Departs Akkeshi.
8 February 1942
Arrives at Yokosuka.
10 February 1942:
Departs Yokosuka and transits the short distance to Yokohama that same day.
21 February 1942:
Departs Yokohama back to Yokosuka.
24 February 1942:
Departs Yokosuka.
28 May 1942:Operation "AL" - The Seizure of Attu and Kiska:
W of Ominato. ASAKA MARU departs Mutsu Bay, Kawauchi in Vice Admiral Hosogaya's Northern Force with Captain (later Rear Admiral) Ono Takeji's Kiska Invasion Force’s CruDiv 21's light cruisers KISO and TAMA, destroyers HIBIKI, AKATSUKI and HOKAZE, auxiliary cruiser, seaplane tender KIMIKAWA MARU and transports HAKUSAN and KUMAKAWA MARUs.
CruDiv 21 accompanies Rear Admiral (later Vice Admiral) Omori Sentaro's (former CO of ISE) Attu Invasion Force: DesRon 1's light cruiser ABUKUMA, DesDiv 21's HATSUHARU, HATSUSHIMO, WAKABA and NENOHI, transport KINUGASA MARU and minelayer MAGANE MARU with the Main Body's CruDiv 5's NACHI, destroyers INAZUMA and IKAZUCHI, oilers FUJISAN and NISSAN MARUs, three cargo ships and Rear Admiral (later Vice Admiral) Kakuta Kakuji's (former CO of NAGATO) Carrier Striking Force's CarDiv 4's JUNYO and RYUJO, CruDiv 4/2's TAKAO and MAYA, DesDiv 3's SHIOKAZE and DesDiv 7's AKEBONO, SAZANAMI and USHIO.
1 June 1942:
The Invasion Force arrives at Paramushiro and departs that same day.
7 June 1942:
The Invasion Force lands troops on Kiska.
8 June 1942:
ASAKA MARU arrives at Kiska with sister AWATA MARU and HAKUSAN and KUMAGAWA MARUs. She disembarks materials and personnel necessary to construct a seaplane base.
13 June 1942:
Departs Kiska.
25 January 1943
Arrives at Ominato.
31 January 1943:
ASAKA MARU departs Paramushiro for Kiska in convoy No. 12-1 escorted by destroyer WAKABA.
4 February 1943:
Arrives at Kiska, Aleutians.
5 February 1943:
Departs Kiska.
13 February 1943
Arrives at Yokosuka.
2 March 1943:
Captain Sakuma Takeo (36) assumes command.
13 March 1943:
ASAKA MARU departs Ominato for Paramushiro and Attu in convoy No. 21. The convoy's constituency at departure is unknown.
23 March 1943:
ASAKA, SANKO and SAKITO MARUs depart Kataoka, Paramushiro in convoy No. 21-RO escorted by DesRon 1’s light cruiser ABUKUMA and destroyers IKAZUCHI, INAZUMA, HATSUSHIMO, USUGUMO and WAKABA.
25 March 1943:
Cruisers NACHI (F), with Vice Admiral Boshiro embarked, and MAYA depart Paramushiro for Attu with light cruiser TAMA. That same day, ASAKA MARU and her group run into a violent storm and are forced to reduce speed. SANKO MARU and destroyer USUGUMO are detached.
26 March 1943: The Battle of the Komandorski Islands:
It seems that ASAKA MARU's group will not make their planned rendezvous with the cruisers, but that morning they sight the Komandorski Islands and turn south. They make contact with the cruisers about noon.
N Pacific, off the Kamchatka Peninsula, Siberia. Rear Admiral (later Vice Admiral) Charles H. McMorris (former CO of SAN FRANSCISCO, CA-38) Task Group 16.6's USS RICHMOND (CL-9)(F), SALT LAKE CITY (CA-25) and destroyers BAILEY (DD-492), DALE (DD-353), MONAGHAN (DD-354) and COGHLAN (DD-606) engage Vice Admiral Hosogaya's Fifth Fleet cruisers NACHI (F), MAYA, TAMA and ABUKUMA and two destroyers that are escorting Convoy "D" carrying troops and supplies for the isolated garrison on Attu.

On contact with the Americans, NACHI's two planes are ordered launched. At 0540, NACHI's main battery opens fire. The gun blast damages the spotter plane on the starboard catapult. It has to be jettisoned. The remaining three-seat E13A1 "Jake" on the port catapult is launched. It carries out spotting duties throughout the action. About 30 minutes into the battle, ASAKA and SAKITO MARUs are ordered to get clear and withdraw to the northeast.
In a four-hour running gun battle, SALT LAKE CITY and BAILEY are damaged by gunfire. The other American destroyers are not damaged. NACHI and MAYA are also hit and damaged. About 1000, ASAKA and SAKITO MARUs receive orders from flagship NACHI to return to Paramushiro and that ABUKUMA and two destroyers will be sent to join them. McMorris has succeeded in causing the Japanese to abort their resupply mission.
29 March 1943:
The fleet arrives at Paramushiro in the morning. ASAKA MARU arrives that evening. Disgraced, Hosogaya is relieved of command and forced to retire. Vice Admiral Kawase Shiro (former XO of KIRISHIMA) assumes command of the Fifth Fleet.

15 April 1943:
Captain Yamazaki Makoto (42) assumes command.
20 May 1943
Arrives at Ominato from Yokosuka.
22 May 1942
Arrives at Ominato.
5 August 1943:
Departs Paramushiro on a northern area patrol.
7 August 1943:
Arrives at Kushiro. Later sails to Muroran, Aomori and Ominato. 17 August 1943:
Departs Ominato for Paramushiro.
21 September 1943:
At 1000, arrives at Musashi Bay. Departs the same day and, at 1600, arrives at Paramushiro.
24 September 1943:
At 0900, departs Paramushiro at 15.9 knots.
28 September 1943:
At 1600, arrives at Yokosuka.
1 October 1943:
Rerated an auxiliary transport and reassigned to the Kure Naval District.
4 October 1943:
At 1100, departs Yokosuka at 15.9 knots.
8 October 1943:
At 1400, arrives at Paramushiro.
19 October 1942:
ASAKA MARU is part of the Attu Island military operation.
29 October 1943:
At 1620, ASAKA MARU departs Otaru with TAKASHIMA MARU escorted by destroyer KAMIKAZE.
1 November 1943:
Assigned to the Navy Ministry's Supply Force. Removed from the Navy List and returned to her owners. At 1105, that same day arrives at Kataoka Bay, Shumushiro Jima.
17 November 1943:
At 1105, arrives at Kushiro.
27 November 1943:
Begins converson from an armed merchant cruiser to a transport. During conversion, two 80mm AA and ten Type 96 25-mm AA guns are fitted.
30 December 1943:
At 1315, arrives at Yokosuka.
6 January 1944:
Departs Yokosuka for Brown Island, Kwajalein and Truk escorted by destroyers ISOKAZE and HAMAKAZE.
26 January 1944:
Arrives at Truk.
15 February 1944:
ASAKA MARU departs Truk via Saipan for Yokosuka escorted by destroyer YAMAGUMO.
17 February 1944: American Operation "Hailstone" - The Attack on Truk:
Beginning at dawn, Vice Admiral (later Admiral) Marc A. Mitscher’s Task Force 58's five fleet carriers and four light carriers, supported by six battleships, ten cruisers and 28 destroyers, launch air attacks on airfields, shore installations and ships in the lagoon.
40 miles NW of Truk. At about 1300, Rear Admiral (later Vice Admiral) Robert C. Giffen's Task Group 50. 9's NEW JERSEY (BB-62), IOWA (BB-61), MINNEAPOLIS (CA-36), NEW ORLEANS (CA-32), BRADFORD (DD-545) and BURNS (DD-588) are conducting an anti-shipping sweep around Truk to destroy enemy naval vessels escaping to the north. They sink light cruiser KATORI, destroyer MAIKAZE and auxiliary subchaser SHONAN MARU No. 15 with gunfire, but destroyer NOWAKI escapes after evading long-range 16-inch gun salvos from the battleships.
That same day, ASAKA MARU is joined by NOWAKI and destroyer YAMAGUMO bound for Yokosuka.
23 February 1944:
Arrives at Yokosuka.
20 March 1944:
At 0200, ASAKA MARU departs Tateyama, Tokyo Bay for Truk in the "Higashi Matsu" No. 3 Toku (special) convoy consisting of SANYO and MANJU (ex-SANTOS) MARUs escorted by destroyers KISHINAMI, OKINAMI and ASASHIMO.
25 March 1944:
SANYO MARU is detached for Saipan.
28 March 1944:
The convoy arrives at Truk.
28 April 1944:
At 0600, ASAKA MARU with landing ships T. 128 and T. 150 departs Tokyo Bay for Palau in the Higashi Matsu convoy No. 7 (outbound) consisting of TATSUHARU, MITAKESAN, ASAHISAN, OKINAWA, YAMATAMA, BINGO, MEIRYU, MOJI and MIHO MARUs bound for Saipan; KOSHIN and BOKUYO (MUTSUYO) MARUs for Yap and TAITO MARU for Chichi-jima. The convoy is escorted by kaibokan NOMI, CD-12, CD-18 and CD-22 and subchasers CH-16 and CH-18.
18 May 1944:
ASAKA MARU departs Palau in a convoy consisting of JINZAN and TENRYUGAWA MARUs escorted by kaibokan CD-12, auxiliary Shoho Maru, auxiliary minesweeper FUMI MARU No. 2 and auxiliary subchaser CHa-62.
19 May 1944 At 1416, BOKUYO (MUTSUYO) MARU and auxiliary subchaser URUPPU MARU join the convoy at 09-43N, 137-14E.
20 May 1944:
At 1750, auxiliary subchaser CHa-62 is detached from the convoy.
21 May 1944 At 0925, LtCdr Vernon C. Turner's USS BILLFISH (SS-286) torpedoes BOKUYO (MUTSUYO) MARU at 13-44N, 140-46E. CD-12 remains with BOKUYO MARU. Later, TENRYUGAWA MARU takes the ship in tow.
24 May 1944:
The rest of the convoy arrives at Saipan. Later, the other ships reach Saipan.
25 May 1944:
ASAKA MARU departs Saipan with HAKOZAKI MARU escorted by destroyer SATSUKI.
30 May 1944:
Arrives at Yokosuka.
20 June 1944:
At 1930, ASAKA MARU departs Moji for Singapore in convoy HI-67 consisting of transports GOKOKU, MANJU, NANKAI, KINUGASA, ASAHISAN and HAKOZAKI MARUs and oilers MIRI, OTORISAN, NICHINAN No. 2, SARAWAK and SHINEI MARUs escorted by minelayer SHIRATAKA, subchaser CH-61, destroyer KURETAKE and kaibokans HIRADO, KURAHASHI and CD-5 and CD-13.
E 26 June 1944:
CD-2 and destroyer ASAGAO join convoy HI-67.
29 June 1944:
Near dawn, LtCdr Anton W. Gallaher's USS BANG (SS-385) picks up convoy HI-67. Gallaher makes a long "end-around" in daylight. At about 1500, he fires all ten torpedoes in his bow and stern tubes at three ships. He damages MIRI and SARAWAK MARUs. Both oilers are hit in the bow, but each manages to proceed to Manila.
30 June 1944:
The main convoy arrives at Manila. GOKOKU, SARAWAK and MIRI MARUs are detached.
6 September 1944:
At 0630, ASAKA MARU departs Singapore for Moji in fleet convoy HI-72 consisting of NANKAI, KIMIKAWA, RAKUYO, ZUIHO and KACHIDOKI MARUs (ex-PRESIDENT HARRISON) escorted by destroyer SHIKANAMI, kaibokan HIRADO (F), MIKURA and KURAHASHI and auxiliary subchaser CHa-19. The convoy carries oil, drummed aviation gasoline, bauxite, mercury and rubber. RAKUYO MARU also carries 1,317 Allied POWs and KACHIDOKI MARU carries another 950 POWs. Soon after departure, KIMIKAWA MARU is detached because of engine failure.
11 September 1944:
S China Sea. 100 miles NE of the Paracel Islands. Convoy MAMO-03 consisting of KIBITSU, GOKOKU and KAGU MARUs joins convoy HI-72.
12 September 1944:
At 0200, HIRADO is torpedoed by Cdr Thomas B. Oakey’s GROWLER (SS-215). The kaibokan blows up and sinks. The CO of the 6th Escort Convoy Command, Rear Admiral Kajioka, victor of Wake Island, is KIA. He is promoted Vice Admiral, posthumously.
At 0500, RAKUYO MARU is torpedoed by LtCdr (later Vice Admiral) Eli T. Reich's USS SEALION and hit in the No. 1 hold and engine room. RAKUYO MARU takes down 1,159 POWs. About the same time, SEALION torpedoes NANKAI MARU. She is hit in Hold Nos. 3 and 6 and sinks about 0800.
240 miles south of Hong Kong. Just before 0700, SHIKANAMI is torpedoed by GROWLER and sinks at 18-16 N, 114-40 E. MIKURA rescues the survivors. At 2300, KACHIDOKI MARU is hit by USS PAMPANITO (SS-383) and sinks. More than 400 POWs perish.
15 September 1944:
The remainder of the convoy arrives at Yulin, Hainan Island.
16 September 1944:
Departs Yulin.
20 September 1944:
Formosa Strait. The convoy is attacked by USAAF Consolidated B-24 "Liberator" bombers. ASAKA, KAGU, GOKOKU and SHINSHO MARUs are damaged in the bombing attack.
12 October 1944:
Off the Pescadore Islands. Vice Admiral Marc A. Mitscher’s Task Force 38’s planes attack and sink ASAKA MARU at 23-33N, 119-43E.
10 January 1945:
Removed from the Navy List.

Authors' Note:
[1] Some of the Japanese meet with high German political and military authorities. Technical members of the delegation visit centers of aircraft industry: Junkers in Leipzig and Messerschmitt in Augsburg and optical giant Carl Zeiss' factory at Jena. Some naval officers visit new battleship TIRPITZ. Later, in return, the Japanese allow the German naval attaché in Tokyo, Admiral Paul Wenneker, to tour top secret YAMATO.
The Japanese Mission visit Italy 18 May–8 Jun 1941 to learn about the Regia Marina's organization, strategy, tactics, logistics and weapons. The Japanese are greeted by the Chief of Italian Naval General Staff Admiral Arturo Riccardi and admirals Fioravanzo, De Courten and Ferreri. The Japanese ae especially interested in British military and naval tactics and the results of the carrier strike on Taranto on 12 Nov 1940. Cdr Naito flies to Taranto to check the harbor characteristics and the extent of damage to the Italian battleships. This data later help the Japanese adjust their torpedoes to the shallow waters of Pearl Harbor.
Vice Admiral Nomura remains in Berlin as Head of the Japanese Delegation to the Tripartite Commission until 1943 when he boards U-511 and returns to Japan. Rear Admiral Abe goes to Rome and leads the Japanese Delegation to Tripartite Commission until 1943 when he moves to Berlin to replace Nomura. In the closing days of the war in Europe, Abe escapes to Sweden via Denmark.
[2] Based on a Bill of lading obtained by British Intelligence.
[3] Such action was based on poor intelligence that ASAKA MARU’s radius was only 9,000 miles at 17 knots. Excluding refueling stops at Cape Town, Colombo or Singapore, it seemed reasonable to assume that the Japanese could refuel in the Netherland East Indies. Actually, ASAKA MARU could reach Japan non-stop since she had a radius of 36,000 miles at 15 knots. There was some indication that the Japanese anticipated that London would do no more than make a strong protest.
Thanks go to Luke G.A. Ruffato of Italy and Andrew Obluski of Poland for info about ASAKA MARU's activities from 16 Jan '41 to 22 Apr '41.
- Bob Hackett, Sander Kingsepp and Peter Cundall.

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