© 2007-2010 Bob Hackett, Sander Kingsepp and Peter Cundall
Revision 1
25 March 1944:
Laid down at Ishikawajima Ship Building.
6 July 1944:
Launched and numbered CD-34.
25 August 1944:
Completed and registered in the IJN.
18 October 1944:
At 0700, CD-34 departs Imari Bay near Sasebo via Cape
St. Jacques, Indo-China for Miri with kaibokan CD-14, CD-20, CD-38, CD-39, CD-46
and patrol boats PB-102 (ex-USS STEWART, DD-224) escorting convoy MI-23
consisting of EBARA, MUNAKATA, HIKACHI (NISSHO), MATSUMOTO, KOSHIN, EININ,
RITSUEI, YAMASONO, ENRYAKU (ENREKI), SHOEI, HIROTA, UNSEN, YOKAI, and SHIROTAE
MARUs and YUZAN MARU No. 2 and survey ship HAKUSA.
19 October 1944:
Off Sasebo. At 1600, escort CD-34 detects an unknown
submarine 45 degrees to starboard at 3280 yards (3000 m). Kaibokan CD-38 attacks
and drops about 30 depth charges. A friendly aircraft collaborates with the
kaibokan. The kill is confirmed by a heavy-oil slick and many interior ship
fittings found floating on the sea.
20 October 1944:
Anchors in a bay off South Korea.
22 October 1944:
At the Shushan anchorage, E of Shanghai.
24 October 1944:
75 miles ENE of Foochow, China. At 1000, HIROTA,
UNSEN and YOKAI MARUs are detached for Takao escorted by PB-103 and PB-38.
25 October 1944:
Formosa Strait. At 0208, Cdr (later Rear Admiral-Ret) Richard H. O'Kane's USS TANG (SS-306), running on the surface, torpedoes and sinks EBARA MARU at 25-04N, 119-35E. CD-46 detects TANG approaching and alarms the convoy by shooting a flare. The transports commence a simultaneous turn to starboard. MATSUMOTO MARU, following behind EBARA MARU, alters course intent on ramming TANG, but one of the torpedoes fired at EBARA MARU strikes on rushing MATSUMOTO MARU's No. 1 hold. Her bow plunges under and she comes to a halt. Two machine guns on her bridge open fire and drive the submarine under where the water depth is a mere 131 feet. [1]
CD-34 detects an uncertain underwater contact and drops two depth charges. The convoy commodore aboard HAKUSA orders the convoy dissolved. CD-34 is tasked with the rescue of survivors and conducting anti-submarine operations in the area.
The kaibokan picks up another target 3,000 meters away from the location of the last attack, depth 30 meters. The CO decides not to pursue it, considering that the reflection might have bounced back from one of the sinking ships. One cutter and a 6-meter motor boat are lowered to pick up the survivors of MATSUMOTO and EBARA MARUs. TANG commences another attack, but one of her remaining torpedoes commences a circular run. The lookouts on CD-34 first spot the torpedo and then witness an explosion, which sinks the submarine.
The skipper of CD-34 orders the rescue operation aborted. Just then the motor boat discovers two survivors from TANG and takes them aboard. Next, CD-34 picks up a contact and commences a depth-charge run, but then eight more survivors are sighted and rescued including Captain O'Kane. CD-34 also rescues several survivors of EBARA MARU.
26 October 1944:
CD-34 is detached for Takao, where the prisoners are transferred to First Surface Escort Division HQ. The crew of CD-34 paints a white "kill mark” to the bridge of their ship, complete with TANG’s name in Latin leters. In fact, the submarine was sunk by one of BuOrd's defective Mark-18 torpedoes.
10 November 1944:
CD-34 joins the escort of convoy MI-20 at Cape St. Jacques. At 1200, MI-20 departs Cape St. Jacques for Moji consisting of DAISHU, SHUNTEN and SAN DIEGO MARUs escorted by destroyer SHIOKAZE, subchaser CH-21 and torpedo boat HIYODORI.
15 November 1944:
The General Escort Command's 102nd Escort Squadron
is formed with CD-34 and kaibokan MIKURA, YASHIRO, CD-2, CD-33 and CD-35.
17 November 1944:
S of Hainan Island. At 0300, LtCdr Guy E. O'Neil's USS GUNNEL (SS-253) torpedoes and sinks HIYODORI. At about 0400, O'Neil torpedoes and sinks SHUNTEN MARU at 16-45N, 110-15E.
20 November 1944:
Anchors near Portuguese Macau.
25 November 1944:
Arrives Takao. CD-34 is detached.
5 December 1944:
At 1157, CD-34 departs Takao with kaibokan CD-1,
CD-134 and DAITO escorting convoy TAMA-35 consisting of NISSHO, ORYOKU, ARIMASAN
and KAZUURA MARUs. Later that day, anchors at Chechung.
6 December 1944:
At 0058, departs Chechung. At 1815, anchors at Port
San Pio Quinto, Camiguin Island.
8 December 1944:
At 0502, departs Port San Pio Quinto. At 1411,
anchors at Calayan Island.
9 December 1944:
At 0817, departs Calayan Island.
10 December 1944:
Reassigned to the General Escort Command's First
Escort Fleet.
11 December 1944:
At 2000, arrives Manila.
13 December 1944:
CD-34 departs Formosa for Saigon, Indochina
escorting transport KENKON MARU that is carrying many young pilots whose
aircraft were lost in the Philippines and about 1,500 other personnel. Enroute,
a severe storm blows in from the NW. Large waves hit the more than 20 year-old
KENKON MARU broadside causing heavy rolling. The bricks in front of the boiler
collapse and the ship loses all power. KENKON MARU drifts south, a sitting duck
for an American submarine. CD-34 takes the transport in tow with great
difficulty. After three days and nights, the pair arrive at Saigon. [2]
28 December 1944:
CD-34 departs Saigon for Moji escorting three
unidentified transports.
1 January 1945:
Reassigned to the First Escort Fleet's 102nd Escort
Squadron. The Squadron includes CD-34, light cruiser KASHIMA (F), kaibokan CD-2,
CD-33, CD-35 and MIKURA.
13 January 1945:
Arrives at Moji.
14 January 1945:
Arrives at Kure. Repaired and refitted. A
twin-mounted Type 96 25-mm AA gun is fitted.
24 January 1945:
Arrives at Moji.
26 January 1945:
CD-34 departs Moji escorting convoy MO-601. The convoy proceeds along the
southern and western coasts of Korea. From Mokupo, 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, the convoy changes course
toward Hong Kong.
At Hong Kong, CD-34 is detached and heads towards Takao, Formosa.
Enroute, she encounters heavy weather. At Takao CD-34 reprovisions and
resupplies, then patrols the coast of southern China near Swato and Amoy
Islands.
9 February 1945:
Enters port at Swato.
9-17 February 1945:
Escorts convoys within her patrol area. While
performing these duties, CD-34 frequently spots enemy planes overhead and
sometimes engages in anti-air combat. From about that time, the enemy planes
began using air-to-surface rockets. On one patrol, CD-34 detects a submarine,
and drops two patterns of depth charges with unknown effect.
17 February 1945:
CD-34 heads northward, then enters Shanghai. The
crew sees the burned out ex-Italian liner CONTE VERDE moored on the river.
18 February 1945:
Joins anti-submarine AS-1 Operation Unit.
15 March 1945:
Joins the AS-2 Operation Unit.
19 March 1945:
Joins the AS-3 Operation Unit.
E 1-10 April 1945:
While escorting a convoy, CD-34 collides with
another vessel and damages her bow. Later, she arrives at Sasebo where she is
dry-docked and repaired and also resupplied. CD-34 remains at Sasebo about ten
days. Her crew enjoys the cherry blossoms of the homeland after their long
absence.
April 1945:
Arrives at Chinkai, then Reisui Bay. CD-34 is informed of
submarine activity and departs on an ASW patrol against American submarines that
penetrated the Sea of Japan through the Tsushima Strait. While on patrol in her
assigned area in the Tsushima Strait, CD-34 escorts passing convoy MOSHI-102.
CD-34 twice detects a submarine, and drops depth charges with unknown effect.
Later, she returns to Reisui Bay.
E 28 April 1945:
Tsushima Strait. CD-34 joins kaibokan CD-8, CD-32 and
CD-52 escorting convoy SHIMO-02 consisting of KINSEN and KIYOKAWA MARUs that
departed the Shushan (Chusan) Island area on 25 April.
29 April 1945:
At 0720, CD-32 is detached from the convoy. At 1430,
the convoy arrives at Moji.
19 May 1945:
Three AS (anti-submarine) units are reassigned to 2nd
Patrol Group, 7th Sweeping Squadron. CD-34 patrols Tsushima Strait.
May 1945:
While anchored at Reisui Bay, an American light bomber
attacks at low level. CD-34 opens fire with her fore 120-mm AA cannon and fires
five rounds. The enemy plane withdraws.
About from this time, the fuel supply is cut. CD-34's turbine engines use
much fuel, therefore, her activity is extremely limited. Meanwhile, American
submarines appear frequently in the Sea of Japan.
18 May 1945:
At 2200, CD-34 and CD-2 depart Chinkai (Chinhae), Korea for the Umajima Channel escorting light cruiser KASHIMA.
19 May 1945:
W half of the Tsushima Strait. At 0127 (JST), KASHIMA collides with and sinks cargo ship DAISHIN MARU. A gasoline tank at KASHIMA's port bow is damaged in the collision and a fire ensues. At 0805, she arrives at Chinkai (Chinhae), Korea.
At 0830, USN codebreakers intercept and decrypt a message that reads: “At 2200 18th, KASHIMA– CL, CD-2 and CD-34 departed Chinkai for Umajima Channel. Enroute, at 0118, 19th, at position bearing 183 degrees distance 4000 meters from Tenchozan at the southern extremity of ---KASHIMA rammed the DAISHIN MARU which subsequently sank at ---. KASHIMAsuffered slight damage to her (bow ?) but will probably be able to carry out present operations. No casualties or damage was suffered to personnel or material. Arrived Chinkai at 0800.”
5 July 1945:
CD-34 is assigned to the 2nd Coast Defense Group. CD-34 and CD-2 occasionally patrol the Sea of Japan, but stay in port most of the time because of the fuel shortage.
E 8 or 9 August 1945:
Sea of Japan. CD-34 is attacked on the open sea by enemy (possibly Russian) fighters and exchanges fire. The battle continues for about 30 minutes. The kaibokan suffers some 30 machine-gun bullet holes at her bow and bridge. CD-34's crew thinks they damaged one of the two enemy planes. Flooding begins through the bullet holes in bow, so crewmen hang over the side and hammer in wooden plugs. Later, CD-34 arrives at Maizuru looking
like a porcupine.
10 August 1945:
Maizuru. CD-34 moors alongside hospital ship HIKAWA
MARU. The kaibokan's fore single Type 96 machine gun is removed and repaired. At
about 0800, a large air raid begins. American planes attack in about 20 waves
until 1600. Most of the ships in the port are damaged or sunk. Land facilities
are also damaged heavily. One of CD-34's lookouts is KIA, CD-34's only fatality.
15 August 1945:
While on patrol off Yonago (San-In Region), Sea of
Japan, CD-34's crew is notified of the termination of the war. CD-34 returns to
Maizuru, then departs for Pusan, Korea. At Pusan, she loads 300 bags of rice,
Army troops and Japanese civilians (mostly women and children), then departs for
Maizuru. Enroute, she is ordered to Aomori.
17 August 1945:
Arrives at Aomori. The civilians disembark, then she
departs for Ominato.
22 August 1945:
Begins duties in the Allied Repatriation Service. [3]
5 October 1945:
Removed from the Navy List.
26 October 1945:
Departs Sasebo on her first repatriation trip.
30 October 1945:
Arrives at Manila. Embarks troops and passengers to be repatriated.
6 November 1945:
Departs Manila.
11 November 1945:
Arrives at Kagoshima. Disembarks troops and passengers.
1 December 1945:
Officially assigned to the Allied Repatriation
Service as a Special Transport Vessel.
2 December 1945:
Departs Kure.
10 December 1945:
Arrives at Manila. Embarks troops and passengers to be repatriated.
17 December 1945:
Departs Manila.
24 December 1945:
Arrives at Otaka. Disembarks troops and passengers.
26 December 1945-25 January 1946:
Under repair at Mukaijima.
31 January 1946:
Departs Kagoshima.
4 February 1946:
Arrives at Miyako Shima. Embarks troops and passengers to be repatriated and departs later that day.
5 February 1946:
Arrives at Kirun. Embarks troops and passengers to be repatriated and departs later the same day.
9 February 1946:
Arrives at Kagoshima. Disembarks troops and passengers.
10 February 1946:
Departs Kagoshima.
12 February 1946:
Arrives at Kirun. Embarks troops and passengers to be repatriated and departs later the same day.
14 February 1946:
Arrives at Kagoshima. Disembarks troops and passengers.
17 February 1946:
Departs Kagoshima.
19 February 1946:
Arrives at Kirun. Embarks troops and passengers to be repatriated and departs later the same day.
21 February 1946:
Arrives at Kagoshima. Disembarks troops and passengers.
24 February 1946:
Departs Kagoshima.
26 February 1946:
Arrives at Kirun. Embarks troops and passengers to be repatriated.
27 February 1946:
Departs Kirun.
1 March 1946:
Arrives at Kagoshima. Disembarks troops and passengers.
4 March 1946:
Departs Kagoshima.
6 March 1946
Arrives at Kirun. Embarks troops and passengers to be repatriated.
10 March 1946:
Departs Kirun.
13 March 1946:
Arrives at Kagoshima. Disembarks troops and passengers.
18 March 1946:
Departs Kagoshima.
20 March 1946:
Arrives at Kirun. Embarks troops and passengers to be repatriated.
21 March 1946:
Departs Kirun.
23 March 1946:
Arrives at Kagoshima. Disembarks troops and passengers.
26 March 1946:
Departs Kagoshima.
28 March 1946:
Arrives at Kirun. Embarks troops and passengers to be repatriated.
30 March 1946:
Departs Kirun
1 April 1946:
Arrives at Kagoshima. Disembarks troops and passengers.
3 April 1946:
Departs Kagoshima.
5 April 1946:
Arrives at Kwaren (Hua Lien). Embarks troops and passengers to be repatriated and departs later that day.
7 April 1946:
Arrives at Kagoshima. Disembarks troops and passengers.
10 April 1946:
Departs Kagoshima.
22 April 1946-17 May 1946:
Under repair at Ishikawajima.
18 May 1946:
Departs Uraga.
22 May 1946:
Arrives at Shanghai. Embarks troops and passengers to be repatriated.
24 May 1946:
Departs Shanghai.
26 May 1946:
Arrives at Kagoshima.
10 June 1946:
Departs Kagoshima.
13 June 1946:
Arrives at Shanghai. Embarks troops and passengers to be repatriated.
14 June 1946:
Departs Shanghai.
16 June 1946:
Arrives at Kagoshima. Disembarks troops and passengers.
6 July 1946:
Departs Kagoshima.
9 July 1946:
Arrives at Korojima near Tsientsin. Embarks troops and passengers to be repatriated.
10 July 1946:
Departs Korojima.
14 July 1946:
Arrives at Kagoshima. Disembarks troops and passengers.
5 July 1947:
Nakhodka, Siberia. Ceded to the Soviet Union as a war
reparation.
Authors' Notes:
The portion of this TROM from 18 Oct '44 to 22 Aug '45 was originally written by former IJN Lt Watanabe Nukumi and former Ensign Nakazaw Morimasa.
CD-34's COs included LtCdrs Nishida Yushi and Yoshino Iwao, but their
dates of command are unknown.
[1] TANG sank in shallow water. CD-34 mapped her location. In Nov '44, an
expedition was sent to explore the submarine under Secret Secretariat Order No
021619. The expedition consisted of destroyer KURI and salvage ships KASUGA and
NABARI MARUs. On 15 Nov '44, KURI located the wreck at 25-02-06N, 119-15 E. On
28 Nov '44, TANG's bow was marked with a bouy. Divers examined the outside of
the wreck, but did not enter it. Bad weather and American aircraft activity
forced the operation to be called off.
[2] CD-34 receives a citation for their efforts.
[3] Allied occupation forces were responsible for the return of six million Japanese military personnel and civilians from Japan's defunct far-flung Empire. In addition, there were over a million Korean and about 40,000 Chinese prisoners and conscript laborers and approximately 7,000 Formosans and 15,000 Ryukyu Islanders to be repatriated.
Some Allied and many former IJN warships, from aircraft carriers to kaibokan, were used to facilitate the enormous repatriation effort. Japanese vessels and crews were used to the fullest extent possible to conserve Allied manpower and accelerate demobilization. Each ex-IJN ship first had to be demilitarized; guns removed or, in the case of large warships, barrels severed, ammunition landed, and radar and catapults removed, if fitted. Repatriation of the Chinese on Japanese ships began early in October from Hakata, but U.S. guard detachments had to be placed on many ships to prevent disorder because the Japanese crews could not control the returnees.
Japanese-run repatriation centers were established at Kagoshima, Hario near Sasebo, and Hakata near Fukuoka. Other reception centers were established and operated at Maizuru, Shimonoseki, Sasebo, Senzaki, Kure, Uraga, Yokohama, Moji and Hakodate. Allied line and medical personnel supervised the centers. Incoming Japanese were sprayed with DDT, examined and inoculated for typhus and smallpox, provided with food, and transported to his final destination in Japan.
Thanks go to Dr. Higuchi Tatsuhiro of Japan. Special thanks go to Iwasaki Yutaka of Japan for help with this TROM. Thanks also go to John Whitman of the USA for info on CNO intercepts of Japanese messages.
-Bob Hackett, Sander Kingsepp and Peter Cundall
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