Japanese Hospital Ships

BYOINSEN

(Hospital ship by Takeshi Yuki scanned from "Color Paintings of Japanese Warships")

IJN AWA MARU: Tabular Record of Movement
© 1998-2005 Bob Hackett, Sander Kingsepp and Peter Cundall.

10 July 1941:
Nagasaki. Laid down as a MIIKE MARU-class cargo-passenger liner by the Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. shipyard for Nippon Yusen Kaisha Kisen (NYK) (Japan Mail Steamship Company), Tokyo. NYK plans to use the ship on their Australian route.
24 August 1942:
Launched and named AWA MARU.
5 March 1943:
Completed as an 11,249-ton transport. Requisitioned immediately by the IJA and allocated Army Number 5032. AWA MARU remains under Imperial Army control for the life of the ship, but with an NYK appointed crew as is normal practice for transports.
19 July 1943:
At 1100, departs Moji in fast convoy HI-03 consisting of transports AWA, NANKAI and SEIA MARUs and oilers NICHINAN and OMUROSAN MARUs escorted by destroyer KARUKAYA.
22 July 1943:
Formosa Straits. At 0900, the fast passenger liner ASAMA MARU joins the convoy. At 2355, SEIA MARU is torpedoed and badly damaged by three of six torpedoes fired in a surface radar attack by LtCdr Eugene T. Sands' USS SAWFISH (SS-276). Later, the ship is taken in tow by NICHINAN MARU and together they head back to Japan.
23 July 1943:
In the morning, AWA and ASAMA MARUs split from the now unescorted convoy and steam ahead.
25 July 1943:
Arrives at Takao. Later that day, the other ships arrive. Transport ARIMASAN MARU and kaibokan ETOFOROFU join the convoy.
26 July 1943:
At 1600, departs Takao in convoy.
1 August 1943:
Arrives at Singapore at 1400.
August - November 1943:
The AWA MARU may have departed Singapore via Manila for Moji in convoy HI-04, but this is unconfirmed. She also may have voyaged to Singapore in convoy HI-11, but this too is unconfirmed.
3 November 1943:
At 1210, departs Singapore in fast convoy HI-14 consisting of transports AWA, KAGU, HOKUROKU and AKI MARUs and oilers AMATSU and KYOKUEI MARUs escorted by kaibokan TSUSHIMA.
8 November 1943:
Near Dangerous Ground, Palawan, Philippines. At 0505, LtCdr George E. Porter's USS BLUEFISH (SS-222) attacks the convoy on the surface. Porter fires all ten of his tubes; one torpedo prematures just after leaving the tube. BLUEFISH reloads and Porter makes three more attacks sinking KYOKUEI MARU with two torpedoes. TSUSHIMA detaches to rescue survivors, but is unable to relocate the convoy. HI-14 is forced to proceed unescorted.
9 November 1943:
At 0540, LtCdr Royce L. Gross' USS SEAWOLF (SS-197) makes three separate attacks on convoy HI-14. Gross fires a total of eight torpedoes. In his second and third attacks, he hits oiler AMATSU MARU with five Mark-14 steam torpedoes, but all are duds. Gross' other three torpedoes miss AMATSU, HOKUROKU and AKI MARUs, probably as a result of running deep.
10 November 1943:
Arrives at Takao at 1100. Frigate WAKAMIYA replaces TSUSHIMA as escort.
11 November 1943:
At 0740, departs Takao.
13 November 1943:
At 1455, a submarine is sighted and the convoy seeks refuge in coastal waters before resuming the voyage.
14 November 1943:
Departs the China coast.
16 November 1943:
Arrives at Moji at 1030.
1 February 1944:
Departs Moji at 0700 in fast convoy HI-41 consisting of transports AWA, ASAMAs, TEIA (ex- French Liner ARAMIS) and NANKAI MARUs and oiler NAMPO MARU plus another unidentified ship escorted by the kaibokan MATSUWA.
2 February 1944:
At 0730, minesweeper W-27 joins as an additional escort.
3 February 1944:
W-27 departs convoy at 0200.
11 February 1944:
Arrives at Singapore at 1430.
11 March 1944:
At 0730, convoy HI-48 departs Singapore consisting of transport/cargo liners AWA, SANUKI, TEIA and HOKUROKU MARUs, oilers OMUROSAN, OTOWASAN, TATEKAWA, ITSUKUSHIMA, SEIYO, NICHIEI and KUROSHIO MARU and two unidentified ships escorted by kaibokans MIYAKE, SHIMUSHU, IKI and ETOROFU.
8 April 1944:
Arrives at Tokuyama.
13 May 1944:
At 0400, convoy HI-63 departs Moji consisting of cargo liners/transports AWA, SANUKI, TEIA, TAMATSU, KIBITSU, USSURI and NISSHO MARUs, tankers KYOKUHO, SANYO, RYOEI and OTOWASAN MARUs escorted by kaibokans MATSUWA, IKI and frigates CD-9 and CD-15. SANUKI MARU and other transports, except TAMATSU, KIBITSU and NISSHO MARUs, carry troops bound for Burma.
18 May 1944:
At 1800, arrives at Manila. TAMATSU, KIBITSU and NISSHO MARUs are detached.
20 May 1944:
At 2000, the remaining eight ships in HI-63 depart Manila for Singapore with the same escort.
24 May 1944:
LtCdr James W. Davis' USS RATON (SS-270) attacks the convoy. In a series of attacks, Davis torpedoes and sinks kaibokan IKI and lightly damages MATSUWA MARU. The rest of HI-63 escapes unscathed.
27 May 1944:
At 2000, arrives at Singapore.
17 June 1944:
At 0400, convoy HI-66 departs Singapore consisting of transport/cargo liners AWA, SANUKI and HOKKAI MARUs and oiler OMUROSAN MARU escorted by light cruiser KASHII, escort carrier KAIYO and kaibokans CHIBURI and frigate CD-7 and CD-11. The convoy hugs the continental coast, avoiding deep water as much as possible.
26 June 1944:
Arrives at Moji at 1300.
10 August 1944:
At 0500, convoy HI-71 departs Moji's Imari Bay for Singapore. HI-71 is comprised of new fleet oiler HAYASUI, storeship IRAKO, oilers TEIYO and EIYO MARUs, transports AWA, NOSHIRO, TEIA (ex-French Liner ARAMIS), NOTO, HOKKAI, TAMATSU and MAYASAN MARUs. The convoy's screen is provided by Rear Admiral (Vice Admiral, posthumously) Kajioka Sadamichi (former CO of KISO), 6th Escort Convoy Commander with destroyers FUJINAMI and YUNAGI, kaibokans HIRATO, KURAHASHI, MIKURA, SHONAN, CD-11 and escort carrier TAIYO. The 931st Naval Air Group provides air cover with 12 Nakajima B5N “Kates.
15 August 1944:
HI-71 arrives at Mako, Pescadores.
17 August 1944:
HI-71 sorties from Mako for Manila in Typhoon weather transporting troops and supplies for the defense of the Philippines. Kajioka's escort forces are augmented by old destroyer ASAKAZE and kaibokans SADO, ETOROFU, MATSUWA and HIBURI sent from Takao by the 1st Surface Escort Division.
18 August 1944:
At 0524, LtCdr Louis D. McGregor's USS REDFISH (SS-395) torpedoes and damages EIYO MARU. ASAKAZE and her sister YUNAGI detach to escort her back to Takao.
Off Cape Bolinao, Luzon. At about 2200, LtCdr (later Captain) Henry G. Munson's USS RASHER (SS-269) hits TEIYO MARU with three of six torpedoes fired. She explodes and sinks about 20 minutes later. At 2222, Munson attacks carrier TAIYO, bringing up the rear of the convoy. TAIYO is hit by three torpedoes and sinks quickly. At 0510, Munson torpedoes oiler TEIYO MARU in another surface radar attack. Hit by three torpedoes, she is set afire and sinks. At 2310, RASHER, still on the surface, hits transport TEIA MARU with three torpedoes using radar bearings. The ex-French liner is set afire and sinks. [1]
19 August 1944:
The convoy splits into two groups. Just past midnight, RASHER, still running on the surface, closes on an eastbound group of three large ships and one escort. At 0033, LtCdr Munson puts two radar-directed torpedoes into the port sides of AWA and NOSHIRO MARUs. Both ships beach themselves near Port Currimao.
LtCdr Charles M. Henderson's USS BLUEFISH (SS-222) and LtCdr Gordon W. Underwood's SPADEFISH (SS-411), on her first patrol, join in the attack on HI-71. At 0320, BLUEFISH hits HAYASUI. Set afire, she sinks by the stern. Underwood's SPADEFISH hits TAMATSU MARU with two torpedoes and the big landing craft depot ship rolls over and takes down 4,755 men. .
Admiral Kajioka orders HI-71 to make for San Fernando. SADO, MATSUWA and HIBURI are ordered to cover the convoy's flight with antisubmarine sweeps.
21 August 1944:
Under tow, AWA MARU arrives in Manila after the main body of the convoy arrives.
26 December 1944:
At 1158, departs Singapore for Moji in fast convoy HI-84 consisting of transport AWA MARU, oilers TOA and MIRI MARUs and five other unidentified ships escorted by kaibokans OKINAWA, CD-27 and CD-63, patrol boat P-102 (ex-USS STEWART, DD-224) and escort carrier KAIYO. AWA MARU carries about 525 British, American and Australian POWs.
30 December 1944:
South China Sea. North-bound convoy HI-84 passes CarDiv 4's hybrid battleship/carriers ISE and HYUGA, cruisers OYODO and ASHIGARA, DesDiv 2's ASASHIMO and DesDiv 18's KASUMI that are enroute south from Camranh Bay.
13 January 1945:
Arrives at Moji.
January 1945:
An agreement is reached between Japan and the United States Government that guarantees safe passage for ships carrying Red Cross relief supplies to American and Allied POWs held in Japanese prisoner-of-war camps.
7 February 1945:
COMSUBPAC sends a signal to all submarines at sea detailing AWA MARU's sailing schedule, with an admonition to leave her alone. The message is broadcast three times on three successive nights.
17 February 1945:
Departs Moji in the afternoon carrying 2,000-tons of Red Cross supplies for POWs held in Singapore and Indonesia. AWA MARU is painted green with large white crosses on each side of her hull and funnel, all illuminated by special spot lights and lighted white crosses at night. The ship also sails with all navigation lights turned on. [1]
20 February 1945:
Arrives at Takao forenoon.
21 February 1945:
Departs Takao forenoon.
22 February 1945:
Arrives at Hong Kong in the afternoon.
23 February 1945:
Departs Hong Kong forenoon.
25 February 1945:
Arrives at Saigon. Offloads 20 crated aircraft, 2,000 bombs and 500-tons of ammunition.
2 March 1945:
Arrives at Singapore. Offloads Red Cross parcels.
8 March 1945:
Departs Singapore.
10 March 1945:
Arrives at Jakarta, Indonesia. Offloads more Red Cross parcels. Loads 2,500-tons of crude oil and oil drilling machinery. Embarks military personnel, oil technicians and civilians. Does not call at Surabaya as had been scheduled.
COMSUBPAC and COMSUBSOWESPAC send AWA MARU's return sailing schedule to all their submarines, again with an admonition to leave her alone. The message is also broadcast three times on three successive nights.
18 March 1945:
Departs Jakarta forenoon.
19 March 1945:
Arrives at Muntok, Banka Island. Offloads more Red Cross parcels.
23 March 1945:
Departs Muntok.
24 March 1945:
Arrives at Singapore. Loads aluminum, tin ingots, tungsten, sugar and tons of rubber in thousands of bales. Embarks more military personnel, diplomats, technicians and civilians. [2]
28 March 1945:
At 1000, the AWA MARU, under Captain Hamada Matsutaro, departs Singapore for Mutsure, Japan with an ETA of 4 Apr '45.
1 April 1945:
Formosa Straits. At 2200, Cdr Charles E. Loughlin's USS QUEENFISH (SS-393), makes radar contact at 17,000 yards. The target is making about 17 knots and not zigzagging in foggy weather with visibility down to 200 yards. Based on her speed and small radar return, Loughlin takes the target to be a destroyer.
Loughlin slows QUEENFISH to 4 knots as he swings her around to bring his stern tubes to bear. At about 2300, Loughlin fires four torpedoes from 1,200 yards using radar ranges and bearings. All four torpedoes hit the AWA MARU. She sinks in about two minutes in 200 feet of water at 24-41N, 119-12E. One hundred forty-eight crewmen and about 1900 passengers aboard are lost.
QUEENFISH picks up one survivor, Shimoda Kantaro, a steward. Upon learning the identity of the ship he sank, Cdr Loughlin immediately reports her sinking to Vice Admiral Charles A. Lockwood, COMSUBPAC. Lockwood notifies Fleet Admiral Chester A. Nimitz, CINCPACFLT and Fleet Admiral Ernest J. King, CNO. [2]
2-3 April 1945:
QUEENFISH searches for more survivors, but finds none. She is joined in the search briefly by LtCdr Roy C. Klinker's USS SEA FOX (SS-402). Each submarine sees about 2,000 bales of baled rubber floating on the sea. Both submarines take aboard several bales as evidence of contraband. [3]
King directs Nimitz to order QUEENFISH to return to port in Guam, relieve Cdr Loughlin of command and have him tried by a General Court-Martial. [4]
1970-1980's:
AWA MARU is found about 10 miles off the coast of China at 24-40N, 119-45E and salvaged by the China Salvage Co.
April 1980:
The remains of 368 persons and the personal effects of 1683 persons recovered from AWA MARU are delivered to the Japanese government.

Authors' Notes:
[1] In Dec '43, five Soviet ships arrived at Nakhodka, Siberia from Portland, Oregon carrying a stockpile of Red Cross parcels. In Nov '44, HAKUSAN MARU picked up 2,200-tons of relief supplies at Nakhodka and returned to Kobe. Interestingly, AWA MARU carried only 2,000-tons (some accounts say as little as 800-tons). Presumably the rest went to POW camps in Japan.
[2] It is alleged AWA MARU also carried 40 metric tons of gold, 12 metric tons of platinum, 150,000 carats of industrial diamonds and 40 boxes of art and cultural relics including the fossil remains of the Peking Man looted from the occupied countries of SE Asia.
[2] Shimoda had already survived three sinkings: HEIYO MARU on 21 Jan'43, TEIKO MARU (ex-French liner D'ARTAGNAN on 22 Feb '44 and TEIA MARU (ex-ARAMIS) sunk on 18 Aug '44.
[3] At his court-martial, Loughlin's defense claimed AWA MARU forfeited her right of safe passage because she was carrying contraband war materials. The court ruled this immaterial because the safe conduct agreement contained no restrictions on the cargo to be carried.
[4] The court found Loughlin guilty of negligence in obeying orgers and sentenced him to receive a career-crushing "Letter of Admonition" from the Secretary of the Navy. He never held another command at sea; however, despite these set backs, Loughlin continued to be promoted, finally achieving Rear Admiral.

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