© 2006-2018 Bob Hackett, Sander Kingsepp and Peter Cundall
Revision 9
5 October 1943:
Laid down at Yokosuka Navy Yard.
30 December 1943:
Launched and numbered CD-2.
10 January 1944:
Reserve Lt Hara Toshihisa is appointed Chief Equipping Officer.
20-30 January 1944:
Lt Hara is appointed CEO of CD-4 and CD-6 as an additional duty.
28 February 1944:
CD-2 is commissioned and registered in the IJN. Attached to Yokosuka Naval District. Reserve Lt Hara Toshihisa is the Commanding Officer.
30 March 1944:
Attached to the General Escort Command’s Second Surface Escort Division.
1 April 1944:
At 1100, CD-2 departs Tokyo Bay as part of the escort of convoy "Higashi-Matsu" No. 4. The ships and their destinations are: Saipan: SHOUN, TOKO, TAKASAN, AKIKAWA KOKO, SHIRAMINE, TAIKAI, KAKOGAWA and MAKASSAR MARUs. Guam: MIMIASAKA, TOAN, AZUCHISAN and NISSU MARUs and UNYO MARU No. 8 Truk: Fleet supply ship KINESAKI, SHOZUI, TATEBE (KEMBU), SHIMA, SHINYO and HAVRE MARUs. Palau: Fleet supply ship MAMIYA, TENRYUGAWA, TAIAN and TOSEI MARUs and SHINSEI MARU No. 5 Yap: SHINSEI MARU.
CD-2 and her crew undergo their workup and training while escorting this large, important convoy. The convoy commander is Rear Admiral Kiyota Takahiko (former CO of NACHI) in destroyer SAMIDARE. The other escorts include destroyer ASANAGI, torpedo-boat HIYODORI, kaibokan AMAKUSA, MIKURA, FUKUE, OKI, CD-3 and subchaser CH-50.
3 April 1944:
5 miles S of Tori-Shima. At about 1457, LtCdr (later Rear Admiral-Ret) Bafford E. Lewellen's (USNA '31) USS POLLACK torpedoes and sinks TOSEI MARU at 30-14N, 139-45E. One passenger is KIA. The escorts counter-attack USS POLLACK and drop 55 depth charges unsuccessfully. 8 April 1944:
N of Saipan. At 0228 (JST), LtCdr (later Vice Admiral) Frederick J. Harlfinger's (USNA '37) USS TRIGGER (SS-237) fires four torpedoes at the convoy, but fails to get any hits. While the troopships are diverted to the west, OKI and SAMIDARE counter-attack with depth-charges. Harlfinger runs at 300 feet or more for 17 hours as six escorts dog his trail and rain down numerous depth charges. Six DCs explode extremely close by and damage USS TRIGGER.
9 April 1944:
62 miles WNW of Saipan. At 1625, LtCdr (later Captain) Slade D. Cutter's (USNA '35) USS SEAHORSE (SS-304) torpedoes and hits MIMASAKA MARU at 15-30N, 145-00E. MIMASAKA MARU is taken in tow by TOAN MARU. The escorts counterattack USS SEAHORSE unsuccessfully. Later that day, the convoy arrives at Saipan where it is split into four echelons bound for Truk, Guam, Yap and Palau.
10 April 1944:
At about 0100 (JST), MIMASAKA MARU founders. She is carrying over 1,000 Naval personnel, most of whom are rescued. Seven from the Naval party, one escort and ten crewmen are KIA. The convoy arrives at Saipan, then is split into separate groups that continue on to their respective destinations.
19 April 1944:
At 1200 departs Palau with FUKUE escorting convoy PATA-09 consisting of TAIAN AMRU and two unidentified merchant ships.
27 April 1944:
Early that morning arrives at Takao. At 0930 CD-2 departs Takao with kaibokan FUKUE and gunboat UJI escorting convoy TAMO-18 consisting of TAINAN, TEIKA (ex-French CAP VARELLA) MARUs, SHINSEI MARU No.5, fleet supply ship MAMIYA and three unidentified ships.
28 April 1944:
At 1300 the convoy arrives at Kirun.
2 May 1944:
At 1500, CD-2 departs Keelung, Formosa for Moji with kaibokan UJI and FUKUE, escorting convoy TAMO-18 consisting of MAMIYA, TAINAN, TOYOURA, TEIKA (ex-French CAP VARELLA), RYUKO MARUs and SHINSEI MARU No. 5 and two unidentified ships for Moji and a second contingent composed of KONEI, TOZAN (ex-British SOOCHOW), BISAN (ex-British MING SANG), CHEFOO, SAINAN, NINGPO (NEIHA) MARUs and ANNETTE FRITZEN GO bound for Shanghai.
E 4 May 1944:
The Shanghai contingent detaches from the convoy.
6 May 1944:
E China Sea. At 0325, LtCdr (later Cdr) Josepth W. Williams' (USNA '33) USS SPEARFISH (SS-190) torpedoes and sinks TOYOURA MARU with the loss of 32 crewman and damages MAMIYA at 32-16N, 127-08E. Later that
day, Williams attempts unsuccessfully to finish off MAMIYA. The escorts counter-attack USS SPEARFISH and inflict minor damage. UJI probably tows MAMIYA.
7 May 1944:
At 1352 minesweeper W-15 meets up with MAMIYA. At 1530 submarine chaser KAII commences towing MAMIYA and kaibokan FUKUE, CD-2, minelayer TAKASHIMA, submarine chaser CH-58 and auxiliary submarine chaser CHOUN MARU No. 16 all escort ship.
8 May 1944:
At 1225 arrives at Sasebo. Undergoes repairs.
13 May 1944:
At 1800 departs Moji in convoy MOTA-19 consisting of SHIRAMINE, KONSAN, JUZAN, KENZUI, MEDAN, IKUTA, KANKYO, NISSHU, MIIKESAN, KOAN, RIKKO, YUKI, ATSUTA, GENKAI, TAMAHOKO and CHINZEI MARUs and seven unidentified merchant ships escorted by the kaibokan CD-2, CD-17 and ETOROFU.
19 May 1944:
KENZUI MARU detaches to Kirun.
20 May 1944:
At 1300 arrives at Takao.
23 May 1944:
At 1200 CD-2 departs Takao with kaibokan ETOROFU and CD-17 and auxiliary gunboat CHOJUSAN MARU escorting convoy TAMA-19 consisting of KONSAN, DAIRIN, SHIRAMINE, MATSUMOTO, TATSUYASU, MEDAN, IKUTA, KANKYO, NISSHU, MIIKESAN, KOAN, RIKKO, YUKI, ATSUTA, GENKAI, TAMAHOKO and CHINZEI MARUs and five unidentified merchant ships.
26 May 1944:
At 0900 arrives at Manila. CD-2 departs soon after and meets up and escorts SEISHIN MARU.
28 May 1944:
At 1545 arrives at Takao.
30 May 1944:
At 1300 CD-2 departs Takao with destroyers ASAKAZE and HARUKAZE, gunboat ATAKA and auxiliary gunboat TOMITSU MARU in convoy TAMO-20 consisting of HORAI, DURBAN, KOSHIN, FUKUJU, TAKETSU (BUTSU), TAKETOYO, CHINA, HORAI, SHINEI, CHIHAYA, SAN LUIS and EIYO MARUs and thirteen unidentified merchant ships.
4 June 1944:
At 1730 CD-2 arrives at Sasebo, having separated from the convoy.
5 June 1944:
Arrives at Moji.
6 June 1944:
CD-2 is drydocked.
11 June 1944:
At 1530, CD-2 departs Moji with destroyers ASAKAZE, ASAGAO, kaibokan YASHIRO and auxiliary minesweeper TAKUNAN MARU No. 3 escorting convoy MI-07 consisting of MATSUURA, KAMO, SHINKOKU, NISHI, MINO, TAIKAI, KAKOGAWA, MYOGI, GYOKUYO, SAKURA, KOKKO, YULIN MARUs and tankers KOEI, TAIEI, CHIHAYA, RYUSHO and SAN LUIS MARUs, and Landing ship (kidotei) KORYU (SS 1) and seven unidentified merchant ships. Immediately after leaving port, KOEI MARU develops engine problems and is forced to return to port.
15 June 1944:
At 1040, anchors at Oshima Strait, Amami Oshima.
16 June 1944:
Departs Oshima Strait.
17 June 1944:
MATSUURA and KAMO MARUs are detached for Kirun with destroyer ASAGAO.
18 June 1944:
At 1300, arrives at Takao. Later, ASAGAO rejoins the convoy as well as OYO MARU. At 1955, the convoy departs Takao. Thereafter, TAIEI MARU develops steering problems and is forced to return to port escorted by ASAGAO.
23 June 1944:
At 1800 arrives at Manila. CD-2 is detached along with several merchant ships.
26 June 1944:
At 2200 CD-2 departs Manila with destroyer ASAGAO, kaibokan CD-8, auxiliary subchaser TAKUNAN MARU No. 3 escorting convoy MATA-24 consisting of AKANE, AOBASAN, GENKAI, FUKUYO, MIIKESAN and ATSUTA MARUs.
28 June 1944:
At 2320, a submarine is sighted at 18-40N, 119-40E. ASAGAO and CD-2 are detached to hunt the submarine.
29 June 1944:
At 1730 ASAGAO and CD-2 arrive at Manila.
At about 1510, LtCdr Anton R. Gallaher's (USNA '33) USS BANG (SS-385) attacks convoy HI-67 at 17-13N, 118-18E. Gallaher fires a spread of five torpedoes. Tankers MIRI and SARAWAK MARUs are each hit in the bow by a torpedo and damaged, but both are able to proceed to Manila. CD-5 also suffers unspecified damage during the action.
30 June 1944:
At 0700 ASAGAO and CD-2 depart Manila and later join convoy HI-67 that left Moji on 20 June consisting of transports MANJU, NANKAI, KINUGASA, ASAKA, ASAHISAN and HAKOZAKI MARUs, ex AMC GOKOKU MARU and oilers OTORISAN, MIRI, SARAWAK and SHINEI MARUs and NICHINAN MARU No. 2 escorted by destroyer KURETAKE, kaibokan HIRADO, KURAHASHI, CD-5, CD-13 and subchaser CH-61.
At 1830 the convoy arrives at Manila. KURETAKE, ASAGAO, CD-2, CD-5, GOKOKU, MIRI and SARAWAK MARUs are detached.
3 July 1944:
At 0600 CD-2 departs Manila for Yulin, Hainan Island with destroyers ASAGAO and KURETAKE escorting convoy MAYU-04 also consisting of HOKUSHIN, TEIRYU (ex German AUGSBURG) and PACIFIC MARUs and three unidentified merchant ships.
7 July 1944:
At 1000 arrives at Yulin.
9 July 1944:
Near Belier Island, Hainan. CD-2 and destroyer ASAGAO are moored at the anchorage just NE of Belier Island (18-11N, 109-34E) when, just after midnight, a typhoon hits the area with full force. Wind velocity is reported to exceed 30 meters. Otherwise a good anchorage, it is exposed to the wind and swell during the SW monsoon period.
CD-2 is driven hard ashore on an underwater reef. The bottom of her depth charge storage compartment is cracked and the kaibokan develops a 30 degree list to starboard. Destroyer ASAGAO's bow is driven aground on underwater reef. Initial attempts to refloat CD-2 fail when the ropes break.
18 July 1944:
Assigned to the General Escort Command's First Surface Escort Division.
August ~ September 1944:
CD-2 is refloated by a local tug and receives temporary repairs at an unknown yard.
2 October 1944:
At 1025, CD-2 departs Yulin, Hainan Island, under tow by minesweeper W-101 that is escorting a convoy consisting of SHINKO and UJINA MARUs. The convoy proceeds slowly.
7 October 1944:
At 1900, arrives at Hong Kong safely despite sailing through enemy submarine infested waters.
October-December 1944:
Hong Kong. CD-2 enters dock. Three months repairs are necessary to bring her back to combat-ready condition.
15 November 1944:
The General Escort Command's 102nd Escort Squadron is formed with CD-2, MIKURA, YASHIRO, CD-33, CD-34 and CD-35.
10 December 1944:
Reassigned to the General Escort Command's 1st Escort Fleet.
1 January 1945:
Reassigned to the First Escort Fleet's 102nd Escort Squadron. The Squadron includes light cruiser KASHIMA (F), kaibokan MIKURA, CD-2, CD-33, CD-34 and CD-35.
3 January 1945:
At 1530 arrives at Mako escorting TATSUTAMA MARU (ex-US ship ADMIRAL Y S WILLIAMS) from convoy TA-03.
4 January 1945:
At 0700 departs Mako still escorting TATSUTAMA MARU.
5 January 1945:
At 1206 arrives at Nanao Tao.
6 January 1945:
At 1500 departs Nanao Tao.
7 January 1945:
At 1353 arrives at Amoy and departs later that day.
9 January 1945:
At 0820 arrives at Kirun with TATSUTAMA MARU.
12 January 1945:
At 0800 departs Kirun escorting convoy TAMO-35 consisting of ARIMASAN MARU and one unidentified merchant ship also escorted by kaibokan MIKURA, SHIMUSHU, CD-66, CD-67, aircraft carrier RYUHO and destroyer ISOKAZE.
E 14 January 1945:
Joins convoy TAMO-35 consisting of ARIMASAN MARU and one unidentified merchant ship escorted by kaibokan MIKURA, SHIMUSHU, CD-66, CD-67 and one unidentified warship. At 1900 arrives at Chusan Island Group.
15 January 1945:
Departs Chusan Island Group.
16 January 1945:
At 2300 arrives at Katoku Suido.
17 January 1945:
Departs Katoku Suido and at 1700 arrives at Moji.
18 January 1945:
Departs Moji and at 1530 arrives at Sasebo. Undergoes repairs.
23 January 1945:
Departs Sasebo and at 1600 arrives at Moji.
26 January 1945:
At 1500 CD-2 departs Moji with Kaibokan MIKURA, CD-33 and CD-34 escorting convoy MOSU-01 consisting of MAOKA and GINZAN MARUs and five unidentified merchant ships. The convoy proceeds along the southern and western coasts of Korea. From Moppo (Mokpo), it crosses the Yellow Sea toward Shanghai. Enroute, it zig-zags and also reverses course. Twice, CD-34 detects a submarine and drops depth charges with unknown effect. South of the Yangtze river, China, off Funayama (Shuzan) Island probably in the Shushan (Chusan) Archipelago, the convoy changes course toward Hong Kong.
28 January 1945:
At 1530 arrives at Maro-Hae, S of Mokpo, Chosen.
29 January 1945:
At 0600 departs Maro-Hae.
3 February 1945:
Arrives at Haitan Tao.
4 February 1945:
At 0600 departs Haitan Tao except for CD-34 which is detached.
5 February 1945:
At 0400 CD-2, which has also detached, arrives at Mako.
6 February 1945:
At 0736 departs Mako and at 1900 arrives at Swatow.
9 February 1945:
At 0800 CD-2 with kaibokan MIKURA, CD-33 and CD-34 departs Swatow in convoy SUSHI-01 consisting of MAOKA and YOJO MARUs, TAMON MARU No. 12 and one unidentified merchant ship.
10 February 1945:
Formosa Straits. CD-33 is damaged in a collision with kaibokan MIKURA at 23-51N, 117-25E. The convoy splits with MIKURA and CD-33 escorting MAOKA MARU and the unidentified maru, CD-2 escorting YOJO MARU and CD-34 escorting TAMON MARU No. 12.
12 February 1945:
CD-2 and YOJO MARU arrive at an unidentified location.
13 February 1945:
At 0700 the ships arrive at Haitan Island South mouth channel and depart later this day.
14 February 1945:
CD-2 and CD-34 and their charges meet off Tsai Tao. At 1100 the ships all depart together.
15 February 1945:
Arrives in Nayo Sea.
16 February 1945:
At 0400 departs Nayo sea.
17 February 1945:
At 1856 arrives at Middle Ground, Yangtze River estuary.
18 February 1945:
Departs Middle Ground early am. At 1400 arrives at Shanghai.
19 February 1945:
Loads 15t heavy oil.
20 February 1945:
At 1030 MIKURA, CD-2, CD-33, CD-34 and light cruiser KASHIMA depart Shanghai in readiness for AS-1 anti submarine operation expected to last 20 days. YASHIRO is ordered to join AS-1 operations off Zhoushan once repairs completed. The ships are ordered to maintain constant formation and are to be supported by air squadron No. 931 from northern Formosa.
21 February 1945:
At 1200 the ships all arrive at Tinghai. They then depart on the AS1 anti submarine operation.
22 February 1945:
At 0212 begins AS-1 patrols with other units of 1st Escort Fleet to support escort of light cruiser KITAKAMI.
27 February 1945:
CD-2 and CD-34 arrive at Kirun.
3 March 1945:
CD-2, MIKURA and CD-33 arrive at Ssu Chiao Shan.
4 March 1945:
Alongside light cruiser KASHIMA and loads 50t heavy oil. Latee CD-2, MIKURA and CD-33 depart Ssu Chiao Shan to conduct an anti submarine sweep near the F area by wireless direction measurement.
6 March 1945:
Anti submarine sweep in the K area.
12 March 1945:
At 2400, the AS-1 operation is completed.
13 March 1945:
At 0000, the AS-2 operation begins. Arrives at Shanghai later this day.
17 March 1945:
Departs Shanghai. At N29.09-E122.07, rescues the crew of IJN Army charter HOKKA GO. At 1200, the AS-2 operation is completed
18 March 1945:
At 0529 arrives at Ssu Chiao Shan.
19 March 1945:
Participates in anti-submarine operation AS-3 which commences at 0000. Departs Ssu Chiao Shan.
20 March 1945:
Arrives at Shanghai.
22 March 1945:
Departs Shanghai and later that day stops briefly at Ssu Chiao Shan, before departing.
29 March 1945:
At 0700 arrives back at Sasebo with CD-34 and YASHIRO. Undergoes repairs.
24 June 1945:
At 1930, CD-2 departs Gainichiwan (Yongil Bay), Chosen (Korea) with kaibokan YASHIRO and CD-13 escorting convoy SEINAI-04 consisting of ENRYAKU, MATSUURA MARUs and tanker YAMANAMI MARU.
26 June 1945:
At 0758, arrives at Hagi.
27 June 1945:
At 1045, arrives Maizuru. The convoy is dissolved.
30 June 1945:
Reserve Lt Moriyasu Sakae (former navigating officer of IRAKO) is appointed CO.
5 July 1945:
CD-2 is assigned to the 2nd Coast Defense Group. CD-2 and CD-34 occasionally patrol the Sea of Japan, but stay in port most of the time because of the nation-wide fuel shortage.
30 July 1945:
Off Maizuru. CD-2 is attacked and damaged by aircraft of British Vice Admiral (later Admiral) Sir Bernard J. Rawlings Task Force 37 (British Pacific Fleet) and Vice Admiral (later Admiral) Marc A. Mitscher's (USNA '10) Task Force 38. During the raid, the aircraft also damage submarine depot ship CHOGEI, submarines I-153 and I-202 and minelayer TATSUMIYA MARU. CD-2
is not repaired.
15 August 1945:
Maizuru. CD-2's crew receives notification of the termination of war.
20 September 1945:
Removed from the Navy List.
20 July 1948:
Scrapped.
Authors' Notes:
Thanks go to Dr. Higuchi Tatsuhiro of Japan and Gilbert Casse of France. Special thanks go to to Erich Muehlthaler of Germany for a detailed account of CD-2's 1944 grounding on an underwater reef and subsequent refloating.
-Bob Hackett, Sander Kingsepp and Peter Cundall
Back to
Escort Page
