Japanese Subchasers

KUSENTEI!

IJN Subchaser CH-30: Tabular Record of Movement
© 2005-2017 Bob Hackett, Sander Kingsepp and Peter Cundall
Revision 11

1941:
Tamano. Laid down at Mitsui Engineering & Shipbuilding.
17 December 1941:
Launched and numbered CH-30. Tentatively attached to Maizuru Naval District.
30 January 1942:
Launched.
13 May 1942:
Completed. Registered in the Yokosuka Naval District. Assigned directly to the Combined Fleet. Attached to Subchaser Div 32.
June 1942:
Arrives at Rabaul.
July 1942:
Arrives at Shortland, Bougainville. Conducts patrols and escorts convoys.
1 July 1942:
CH-28, CH-29 and CH-30 depart Lae.
3 July 1942:
Arrives at Rabaul.
8 July 1942:
30 miles W of Rabaul. CH-30 is escorting TENZAN MARU when LtCdr James R. Reynold’s (USNA ’31) USS S-37 (SS-142) torpedoes and sinks the transport at 04-00S, 151-50E. 81 passengers and one crewman are killed. CH-30 depth-charges S-37, but without success.
14 July 1942:
Reassigned to the 1st Base Force.
20 July 1942: Operation "RI" - The Invasion of Buna, New Guinea:
At 2000, CH-30 departs Rabaul for Buna with CH-28 and CH-29, CruDiv 18's light cruisers TATSUTA and TENRYU, minelayer TSUGARU and destroyers ASANAGI, YUZUKI and UZUKI escorting troop transports AYATOSAN, KINRYU and RYOYO MARUs.
21 July 1942:
Arrives at Buna. The troops are landed.
1 August 1942:
Arrives at Rabaul.
6 August 1942:
CH-30 and CH-23 depart Rabaul for Buna with CruDiv 18's light cruisers TATSUTA and TENRYU, destroyers YUZUKI and UZUKI escorting transports KINAI, KANYO and NANKAI MARUs carrying the 15th Base Force.
7 August 1942: American Operation "Watchtower" - The Invasion of Guadalcanal, British Solomons:
Rear Admiral (later Admiral) Richmond K. Turner's (USNA ’08) Amphibious Task Force 62, covered by Vice Admiral (later Admiral) Frank J. Fletcher's (USNA ’06) Task Force 61 and Rear Admiral (Admiral posthumously) John S. McCain's (USNA ’06) Task Force 63's land-based aircraft, lands MajGen (later Gen/MOH/Commandant) Alexander A. Vandegrift's 1st Marine Division on Florida, Tulagi, Gavutu, Tanambogo and Guadalcanal opening the campaign to take the island.
12 August 1942:
CH-30 and CH-23 depart Rabaul for Basabua, New Guinea with CruDiv 18's light cruisers TATSUTA and TENRYU, destroyers YUZUKI and UZUKI escorting transports KINAI and NANKAI MARUs carrying elements of the 14th and 15th Base Forces and 70-tons of supplies.
13 August 1942:
Arrives at Basabua.
15 August 1942:
Arrives at Rabaul.
17 August 1942:
Departs Rabaul.
18 August 1942:
Arrives at Kavieng and departs later that day.
19 August 1942:
Arrives at Rabaul and then departs later that day with CH-28 and CH-29.
24 August 1942:
Arrives at Truk.
27 August 1942:
At 0800 departs Truk escorting Naval transport TOA MARU No. 2 GO.
31 August 1942:
Arrives at Mili Atoll, Marshall Islands.
1 November 1942:
At 0650 departs Rabaul escorting unknown vessel/s.
3 November 1942:
At 1800 arrives at Shortland.
5 November 1942:
At 0500 departs Shortland and patrols the southern approaches.
15 November 1942:
At 0800 arrives at Shortland.
17 November 1942:
At 1240 departs Shortland escorting unknown vessel/s.
19 November 1942:
At 1400 arrives at Rabaul.
22 November 1942:
At 1200 departs Rabaul.
23 November 1942:
At 1300 arrives at Shortland.
24 November 1942:
At 0500 departs Shortland and patrols the western approaches.
26 November 1942:
At 0900 arrives at Shortland.
27 November 1942:
At 0700 departs Shortland and patrols the western approaches.
29 November 1942:
At 1000 arrives at Shortland.
1 December 1942:
At 0700 departs Shortland and patrols the southern approaches.
7 December 1942:
At 1700 arrives at Shortland.
9 December 1942:
At 0400 departs Shortland and patrols the western approaches.
14 December 1942:
At 0730 arrives at Shortland. At 1600 departs Shortland and meets up with unknown vessel/s.
15 December 1942:
At 0900 arrives at Shortland.
16 December 1942:
At 1045 departs Shortland escorting unknown vessel/s.
18 December 1942:
At 1550 arrives at Rabaul.
22 December 1942:
At 0500 departs Rabaul escorting unknown vessel/s.
23 December 1942:
At 1840 arrives at Shortland.
24 December 1942:
At 0500 departs Shortland and patrols the western approaches.
4 January 1943:
Arrives at Shortland then departs and attends damaged seaplane tender SANYO MARU.
5 January 1943:
Arrives back at Shortland.
8 January 1943:
Departs Shortland and patrols the northern approaches.
15 January 1943:
At about 2400 arrives at Shortland.
17 January 1943:
Departs Shortland escorting unknown vessel/s (possibly KAGU MARU).
19 January 1943:
Arrives at Rabaul.
22 January 1943:
Departs Rabaul.
23 January 1943:
Arrives at Shortland.
24 January 1943:
Departs Shortland and patrols the northern approaches.
26 January 1943:
Arrives at Shortland.
27 January 1943:
Departs Shortland and patrols the western approaches.
29 January 1943:
Arrives at Shortland.
1 February 1943:
Departs Shortland
2 February 1943:
At 0130 meets up with oiler TSURUMI and auxiliary gunboat HEIJO MARU. At 1200 arrives at Shortland.
3 February 1943:
At 1010 departs Shortland and patrols the northern approaches.
19 February 1943:
At 0800 arrives at Shortland.
20 February 1943:
At 1230 departs Shortland escorting unknown vessel/s.
22 February 1943:
At 1700 arrives at Rabaul.
24 February 1943:
Departs Rabaul escorting KYOSEI MARU and Navy ammunition ship NARUTO MARU.
25 February 1943:
At 0430 arrives at Shortland.
26 February 1943:
At 1000 departs Shortland and meets and escorts incoming vessel/s.
27 February 1943:
Arrives at Shortland.
1 March 1943:
Departs Shortland on patrol.
2 March 1943:
Arrives at Shortland.
3 March 1943:
Departs Shortland and patrols the bay mouth.
13 March 1943:
Arrives at Shortland.
15 March 1943:
At 0315 departs Shortland and meets up with KYOSEI MARU and escorts the ship.
16 March 1943.
At 0500 both ships arrive at Shortland. Later that day at 1320 departs Shortland and patrols the southern approaches.
17 March 1943:
Arrives at Shortland.
18 March 1943:
At 1000 departs Shortland escorting SHINSEI MARU and KUREHA MARU No. 3.
19 March 1943:
At 1400 CH-29 joins the convoy.
20 March 1943:
At 1400 arrives at Rabaul.
22 March 1943:
Departs Rabaul escorting Seaplane carrier KUNIKAWA MARU.
25 March 1943:
At 2100 CH-30 begins patrols of northern approaches.
4 April 1943:
Departs Shortland and resumes patrols of northern approaches.
7 April 1943:
At 1355 escorts KYOSEI MARU to Horaniu, Vella Lavella Island.
8 April 1943:
At 0415 arrives back at Shortland. At 1415 departs again escorting 4 Daihatsu barges to Kolombangara.
9 April 1943:
At 0430 arrives at Shortland. At 0800 departs the anchorage with survey ship SOYA that undertakes a survey of the northern mouth of Shortland Bay, and at 1300 arrives at Kieta.
10 April 1943:
Departs Kieta.
13 April 1943:
Arrives at Rabaul.
16 April 1943:
At 1700 departs Rabaul escorting HOUN MARU.
18 April 1943:
At 0500 arrives at Shortland. Later that day, at 1435, CH-30 and CH-29 depart Shortland escorting a convoy consisting of KYOSEI, KISARAGI, KARIMO, SUMIYOSHI and TOMIOKA MARUs and KOSOKU MARU No. 3.
20 April 1943:
At 0200, arrives at Rabaul.
22 April 1943:
At 1435, CH-30 departs Rabaul for Shortland escorting a convoy consisting of UJIGAWA, TAKUEI and YORIHIME MARUs and WAKAMATSU MARU No. 1.
24 April 1943:
At 0930, arrives at Shortland.
25 April 1943:
At 1400 departs Shortland escorting unknown vessel/s.
26 April 1943:
At 0400 arrives at Shortland. At 2215 departs Shortland escorting UJIGAWA MARU.
27 April 1943:
At 0300 returns to Shortland.
28 April 1943:
At 0300 departs and meets UJIGAWA MARU returning to Shortland. Both vessels arrive back at 0530.
May 1943:
Truk. Assigned to the 4th Base Force.
1 May 1943:
At noon, CH-30 departs Shortland for Rabaul escorting a convoy consisting of SHINTOKU, TAKUEI and SUMIYOSHI MARUs.
3 May 1943:
At 0520, arrives at Rabaul.
7 May 1943:
At 1600, CH-30 departs Rabaul for Shortland escorting a convoy consisting of TAKUEI and KARIMO MARUs.
9 May 1943:
At 0820, arrives at Shortland.
12 May 1943:
At 0300 departs Shortland and meets up with inbound KYOSEI MARU, both vessels arriving at Shortland soon after. At 1700, CH-30 departs Shortland for Rabaul escorting a convoy consisting of HEIWA, TAKUEI, KARIMO and KISARAGI MARUs and KUREHA MARU No. 3.
14 May 1943:
At 0545, arrives at Rabaul.
15 May 1943:
At 1600, CH-30 departs Rabaul for Shortland escorting a convoy consisting of SUMIYOSHI, KYOSEI and SHINTOKU MARUs and WAKAMATSU MARU No. 1. Enroute, SUMIYOSHI MARU and WAKAMATSU MARU No. 1 are detached for Buka Island, N of Bougainville.
17 May 1943:
At 1030, arrives at Shortland.
18 May 1943:
Between 0800 and 1500 inspected by Area Commander.
20 May 1943:
At 1700, CH-30 departs Shortland for Rabaul escorting a convoy consisting of SHINTOKU, SUMIYOSHI, KYOSEI and ATSU MARUs.
22 May 1943:
At 0545, arrives at Rabaul.
27 May 1943:
At 1700 departs Rabaul escorting a convoy consisting of SHINSEI MARU No. 18 and KYOSEI MARU.
29 May 1943:
At 0800 arrives at Shortland.
30 May 1943:
At 1500 departs Shortland escorting KYOSEI MARU to Horaniu, Vella Lavella Island. At 2300 meets up with FUKU MARU and escorts this ship back to Shortland.
31 May 1943:
Arrives back at Shortland. At 1630 departs Shortland escorting 4 Daihatsu barges to Vella Lavella Island.
5 June 1943:
At 1720, CH-30 departs Rabaul for Shortland escorting a convoy consisting of SHINSEI MARU and KUREHA MARU No. 3 and MITSU MARU No. 3.
7 June 1943:
At 0930, arrives at Shortland.
18 June 1943:
At noon, CH-30 departs Rabaul for Shortland escorting a convoy consisting of SUMIYOSHI, KISARAGI and KAISHU MARUs and NISSEN MARU No. 3.
20 June 1943:
At 0830, arrives at Shortland. At 1700, departs for Rabaul escorting a convoy consisting of YOSHINO MARU and MIKAGE MARU No. 2
22 June 1943:
At 0700, arrives at Rabaul.
24 June 1943:
At 1430, CH-30 departs Rabaul for Shortland escorting a convoy consisting of KOSHU MARU No. 2, RYOYU MARU No. 21 and MITSU MARU No. 3.
25 June 1943:
At 1900, arrives at Buka.
26 June 1943:
At noon, departs Buka still escorting KOSHU MARU No. 2, RYOYU MARU No. 21 and MITSU MARU No. 3.
27 June 1943:
At 0600 arrives at Shortland. At 1345 undergoes inspection by No. 17 Area commander and then departs escorting KYOSEI MARU.
28 June 1943:
At 0400 arrives back at Shortland.
30 June 1943:
CH-30 departs Shortland for Rabaul escorting a convoy consisting of TAKUEI, KIRI and KARIMO MARUs.
2 July 1943:
At 0930, arrives at Rabaul.
3 July 1943:
At 1100, CH-30 departs Rabaul for Shortland escorting a convoy consisting of YOSHINO MARU and KIRI MARU No. 2 and five unidentified fishing boats.
5 July 1943:
At 1400, arrives at Shortland.
6 July 1943:
At 0500 CH-12 and CH-30 depart Shortland on an anti submarine sweep returning at 1200.
7 July 1943:
At 1530 departs Shortland escorting four unidentified fishing boats.
8 July 1943:
At 0500 arrives back at Shortland.
9 July 1943:
Departs Shortland escorting three unidentified fishing boats.
10 July 1943:
At 0550 arrives back at Shortland.
11 July 1943:
At 1430 departs Shortland escorting three unidentified fishing boats.
12 July 1943:
At 0445 arrives back at Shortland.
14 July 1943:
At 1800, CH-30 departs Shortland for Rabaul escorting a convoy consisting of KYOSEI MARU and KOSHU MARU No. 2.
16 July 1943:
At 0700, arrives at Rabaul.
26 July 1943:
At 0500, departs Rabaul for Saipan via Truk with torpedo boat OTORI escorting convoy No. 2262 consisting of NARUTO and KEISHO MARUs.
29 July 1943:
At 0800 arrives at Truk.
3 August 1943:
At about 1700, arrives at Saipan. Later returns to Truk and spends the month under repair.
4 September 1943:
Arrives at Truk.
5 September 1943:
CH-30 and CH-32 depart Truk for Rabaul escorting convoy No. 1055 consisting of YAMAFUKU, SHOUN, SAN FRANCISCO, KYOWA and CHIYO MARUs.
10 September 1943:
Arrives at Rabaul.
12 September 1943:
CH-30 departs Rabaul escorting convoy No. 2121 consisting of auxiliary storeship CHOKO MARU.
17 September 1943:
At 0600, arrives at Truk with CHOKO MARU.
20 September 1943:
CH-30 departs Truk to meet an inbound convoy from Rabaul consisting of KOSEI and CHIYO MARUs escorted by destroyer TACHIKAZE and auxiliary subchasers CHa-9, CHa-16, CHa-17 and CHa-31.
21 September 1943:
Arrives at Truk and then departs on an escort mission to Rabaul.
27 September 1943:
At 0600, CH-30 departs Rabaul with subchaser CH-12 escorting convoy No. 2274 consisting of OKITSU, TATSUURA, TAKUNAN MARUs and fleet supply ship SOYA.
28 September 1943:
TAKUNAN MARU has engine trouble and straggles from the convoy.
29 September 1943:
TAKUNAN MARU rejoins convoy.
30 September 1943:
At 0530, TATSUURA MARU loses power and is left behind with CH-12 in attendance.
1 October 1943:
At 1200, both TATSUURA MARU and CH-12 rejoin the convoy.
2 October 1943:
At 1000, arrives at Truk.
4 October 1943:
Departs Truk on an anti submarine sweep.
6 October 1943:
Arrives back at Truk.
9 October 1943:
At 1800, CH-30 departs Truk for Rabaul escorting convoy No. 1092 consisting of OKITSU and TENNAN MARUs.
13 October 1943:
Arrives at Rabaul.
15 October 1943:
Departs Rabaul on an escort mission to Truk.
20 October 1943:
Arrives at Truk.
23 October 1943:
CH-29 and CH-30 and auxiliary sub-chaser SHONAN MARU No. 11 depart Truk escorting convoy No. 5233 consisting of four unidentified merchant ships on an escort mission to Ponape (and from there for the ships to sail on to Kwajalein).
25 October 1943:
CH-29 and CH-30 arrive back at Truk.
26 October 1943:
CH-29 and CH-30 depart Truk on an escort mission to Kwajalein.
31 October 1943:
Arrives at Kwajalein.
1 November 1943:
At 1000, CH-30 departs Kwajalein escorting convoy No. 6011 consisting of SHOTAN MARU.
7 November 1943:
At 0600, arrives at Truk.
10 November 1943:
At 1500, CH-30 and CH-29 depart Truk for Rabaul via the South Channel escorting AWA MARU.
15 November 1943:
CH-30 and CH-29 depart Rabaul for Truk escorting convoy No. 2152 consisting of NAGOYA MARU, auxiliary submarine depot ship HIE MARU.
16 November 1943:
Transport TAMASHIMA MARU departs Kavieng and joins at some point convoy No. 2152.
17 November 1943:
385 miles SW of Truk. At 1245, HIE MARU is torpedoed in hold No. 3 in a submerged attack by LtCdr Delbert F. Williamson’s (USNA ’27) USS DRUM (SS-228) at 01-45N, 148-45E. The escorts mount a heavy counter-attack that almost sinks USS DRUM. Depth-charges knock paint off her bulkheads, but USS DRUM slips away. HIE MARU sinks about 1730 without casualties.
19 November 1943:
Convoy No. 2152 arrives at Truk.
23 November 1943:
At 1400, CH-30 departs Truk with cable ship TATEISHI escorting convoy No. 5233 consisting of CHOKO, NIPPO MARUs and NANKAI MARU No. 2, the latter towing “special” craft No. 35. [1]
1 December 1943:
During the night the tow to oil barge No. 35 breaks and the barge is abandoned. At 0830, arrives at Kwajalein less NIPPO MARU that detached for Ponape.
4 December 1943:
At 0700, CH-30 departs Kwajalein escorting convoy No. 6042 consisting of KENSHIN and KITAKAMI (HOKUJO) MARUs.
9 December 1943:
At 1530, arrives at Truk.
11 December 1943:
Departs Truk on an anti submarine sweep.
15 December 1943:
CH-30 arrives back at Truk and undergoes repairs.
25 December 1943:
Departs Truk on a patrol.
27 December 1943:
Returns to Truk.
28 December 1943:
At 1500, CH-30 and CH-31 depart Truk for Kwajalein escorting convoy No. 5282 consisting of SHOHO (1936 grt) and KITAKAMI (HOKUJO) MARUs.
31 December 1943:
Eastern Carolines. At about noon, LtCdr James D. Grant's (USNA ’31) USS GREENLING (SS-213) torpedoes and sinks transport SHOHO MARU at 05-18N, 160-20E. 20 crewmen are KIA. USS GREENLING evades counterattacks by CH-30.
1 January 1944:
At 0940, arrives at Kusaie.
2 January 1944:
At 0745, departs Kusaie.
4 January 1944:
Arrives at Kwajalein.
9 January 1944:
Departs Kwajalein on an escort mission.
15 January 1944:
Arrives at Truk.
20 January 1944:
CH-30 departs Truk for Palau with destroyer HAMANAMI, CH-24, CH-33 and CH-39 escorting a convoy consisting of tankers OGURA MARU No. 3 and KYOEI MARU.
26 January 1944:
At 1400, arrives at Palau.
31 January 1944:
Departs Palau escorting a convoy consisting of the fleet oiler SATA.
7 February 1944:
Arrives at Truk from Palau escorting fleet oiler SATA.
12 February 1944:
Departs Truk with destroyer HAMANAMI and auxiliary subchasers TAKUNAN MARU No. 2 and SHONAN MARU No. 5 escorting convoy No. 7125 consisting of fleet oiler SATA, tanker HISHI MARU No. 2, ammunition ship NICHIRO MARU and cargo ships KAMIKAZE and KITAKAMI MARUs.
17 February 1944:
150 miles NE of Palau. At about 2200, LtCdr Philip W. Garnett's (USNA ’33) USS SARGO (SS-188) intercepts the convoy. He fires eight torpedoes at SATA by moonlight in a surface attack at 08-50N, 135-50E. Garnett gets one hit and disables the oiler. At 2206, he fires two torpedoes that hit ammunition ship NICHIRO MARU. She explodes and sinks immediately. 53 crewmen, including her CO, Captain (Rear Admiral posthumously) Shimizu Ryutaro (36), are KIA.
18 February 1944:
Arrives at Palau.
23 February 1944:
Departs Palau on an escort mission to Truk.
4 March 1944:
Arrives at Truk.
6 March 1944:
At 1130, CH-30 departs Truk escorting convoy 4304 consisting of URAKAMI, SHIRANE, JUZAN and AWAJI MARUs also escorted by kaibokan AMAKUSA and MIKURA and minesweeper W-21.
E 7 March 1944:
Submarine Chasers CH-14 and CH-51 that had left Chichi Jima at 1007 on 3rd March join as additional escorts.
10 March 1944:
At 1222, arrives at Saipan.
14 March 1944:
Departs Saipan on an escort mission to Truk.
17 March 1944:
Arrives at Truk.
18 March 1944:
Departs Truk on an escort mission to Mortlock Island and Endabi.
21 March 1944:
Departs Endabi on an escort mission to Truk.
24 March 1944:
Arrives at Truk.
26 March 1944:
Departs Truk on a short escort mission.
28 March 1944:
Returns to Truk.
29 March 1944:
A convoy departs Palau with destroyers MINAZUKI, YUZUKI, auxiliary subchasers KYO MARU No. 7 and TAKUNAN MARU No. 2 escorting a convoy consisting of ammunition ship ARATAMA MARU and MATSUE, KYOEI, KIZUGAWA MARUs and an unidentified ship. CH-30 departs Truk this day and at some point joins this convoy.
1 April 1944:
At 1545 departs Truk in convoy No. 4401 consisting of ASAKA MARU and MANJU (ex SANTOS) MARU, also escorted by destroyer ASASHIMO.
4 April 1944:
At 0710 arrives at Saipan.
7 April 1944:
Departs Saipan with destroyers MINAZUKI, YUZUKI and ASAKAZE, auxiliary subchasers KYO MARU No. 7 and TAKUNAN MARU No. 2 escorting a convoy consisting of ammunition ship ARATAMA MURU and MATSUE and KIZUGAWA MARUs.
8 April 1944:
Marianas, near Guam. LtCdr (later Captain) Slade D. Cutter’s (USNA ’35) USS SEAHORSE (SS-304) intercepts the convoy. After nightfall, Cutter fires four torpedoes at overlapping targets, damaging ammunition ship ARATAMA MARU. A cargo of gasoline catches fires and four crewmen are KIA. The explosion also damages destroyer ASAKAZE. Shortly thereafter, USS SEAHORSE’s second spread of torpedoes damages cargo ship, KIZUGAWA MARU at 13-16N, 145-11E. A counter-attack by CH-30 and destroyer MINAZUKI proves unsuccessful, but drives USS SEAHORSE from the vicinity. MINAZUKI tows KIZUGAWA MARU to Guam.
Abandoned by its crew, burning ARATAMA MARU drifts for three days before ending up in Talafofo Bay. Guam and settling on the shallow reef shelf.
9 May 1944:
Departs Guam for Yap with other unidentified small warship(s) escorting a convoy consisting of cargo ships IMIZU, MOJI and OKINAWA MARUs, MIKAGE MARU No. 2 and CHOAN MARU No. 2.
10 May 1944:
120 miles SSW of Guam. LtCdr (later Rear Admiral) John S. Coye's (USNA ’33) USS SILVERSIDES (SS-236) attacks the convoy. At about 0435, Coye torpedoes and sinks OKINAWA MARU, CHOAN MARU No. 2 and MIKAGE MARU No. 2 at 11-31N, 143-41E.
CH-30 and the other escorts depth-charge USS SILVERSIDES unsuccessfully. She evades and escapes. CH-30 rescues survivors. The remaining ships return to Guam.
20 May 1944:
At 1800, CH-30 departs Saipan with kaibokan OKI and NOMI escorting convoy "Higashi Matsu No. 8" consisting of MANJU, TOSAN and NOTO MARUs,
26 May 1944:
Arrives at Tokyo. Undergoes repairs at Yokosuka.
8 July 1944:
Repairs are completed.
July 1944:
Departs Yokosuka. Reassigned to the Southwest Area Fleet.
17 July 1944:
At 0755 departs Kure in a convoy consisting of IJN oilers NICHIEI, RYOEI, AZUSA and OKIGAWA MARUs escorted by destroyers SATSUKI, YUZUKI and UZUKI, kaibokan MANJU and submarine chasers CH-30 and CH-33. It is possible KOKUYO MARU is also in this convoy (TROM conflict).
20 July 1944:
At an unknown location, NICHIEI MARU refuels subchaser CH-33.
22 July 1944:
At 0640 destroyer SATSUKI meets with RYOEI MARU that has apparently separated.
23 July 1944:
At 0847 arrives at Manila with CH-33 escorting AZUSA and NICHIEI MARUs. At Manila CH-30 and CH-33 are provided bunker fuel by oiler NICHIEI MARU.
24 July 1944:
At 1010 OKIGAWA MARU suffers an engine breakdown. At 1340 the ship arrives at Manila escorted by UZUKI, SATSUKI and YUZUKI. NICHIEI MARU refuels destroyer YUZUKI.
27 July 1944:
Arrives at Manila.
30 July 1944:
125 miles W of Jolo. At about 0100, oiler KOKUYO MARU which is being escorted by kaibokan CD-22 and submarine chasers CH-30 and CH-33 en route from Manila to Balikpapan and Macassar, is attacked by LtCdr (later Cdr) Lawrence L. Edge's (USNA ’35) USS BONEFISH (SS-223). Hit by four of five torpedoes Edge fires in a night surface radar attack. The tanker blows up and sinks by the stern at 06-03N, 120-00E. Nine crewmen are killed.
11 August 1944:
At 2100, CH-30 and CH-33 depart Manila for Miri, Borneo with kaibokan CD-14 and patrol boat PB-38 escorting convoy MI-13 consisting of tankers SHINCHO, TEIKON (ex German WINNETOU), TOKUWA, KYOEI, ATAGO, SHIMPO and ZUIYO MARUs and OGURA MARU No. 2 and cargo ships HIYORI, URAL, KOKUSEI, HIGANE, RISSHUN and SHOEI MARUs and SHINSEI MARU No. 1.
12 August 1944:
At 0730, LtCdr Frank G. Selby’s (USNA ’33) USS PUFFER (SS-268) attacks the convoy. Selby torpedoes and damages SHIMPO MARU. 20 crewmen are KIA. She is taken under tow by SHOEI and KYOEI MARUs and beached, then abandoned. Selby also torpedoes and sinks TEIKON MARU (ex German WINNETOU) without loss of life.
CH-30 and CH-33 escort the convoy to Paluan Bay, NW Mindoro, Philippines. Meanwhile, kaibokan CD-14 and patrol boat PB-38 counter-attack USS PUFFER with 37 depth charges, but Selby slips away with USS PUFFER unscathed.
14 August 1944:
At 0700, the convoy departs Paluan Bay. [2]
16 August 1944:
At 0700, CH-30, CH-33 and CH-41 depart Miri, Borneo with kaibokan SHIMUSHU, CD-16, CD-28, CD-7 escorting convoy MI-12 consisting of NORFOLK, UGA, KINRYU, GYOKUYO or possibly OYO, JUNGEN GO and GYOSAN MARUs, unknown KAITO MARU and tankers ZUIYO, TAIEI, JINEI, TAKETOYO, SEISHIN and NANSEI MARUs.
17 August 1944:
GYOSAN MARU is detached.
18 August 1944:
At 1352, LtCdr William T. Kinsella's (USNA ’34) USS RAY (SS-271) torpedoes and sinks NANSEI MARU, sailing in ballast, at 08-39N, 116-39E. 12 Gunners and 17 crewmen are killed. The convoy is ordered to seek shelter.
20 August 1944:
At 1930, arrives at Paluan Bay, NW Mindoro, Philippines.
21 August 1944:
At 0556, CH-30 and the convoy depart Paluan Bay. Soon thereafter, CD-28 attacks an enemy submarine contact. At 0720, a wolfpack consisting of USS GUITARRO (SS-363), USS HADDO (SS-255), USS HARDER (SS-257), USS RAY and USS MUSKALLUNGE (SS-262) make the first of a series of successful attacks. Kinsella's RAY torpedoes and sinks TAKETOYO MARU carrying a cargo of drummed oil and gasoline at 13-23N 120-19E. 13 crewmen are KIA.
At 0730, LtCdr (later Rear Admiral-Ret) Chester W. Nimitz' (USNA ’36) USS HADDO torpedoes and sinks NORFOLK MARU in the same position. One Gunner and 16 crewmen are KIA. At 0800, Nimitz torpedoes and sinks KINRYU (KINRYO) MARU carrying a cargo of bauxite. 65 of soldiers and three crewmen are KIA. At 0825, LtCdr (later Captain) Enrique D. Haskins (USNA ’33) USS GUITARRO torpedoes and sinks UGA MARU, both at 13-27N 120-17E. 16 of the passengers, two ship’s gunners and 29 crewmen on UGA MARU are killed.
22 August 1944:
At 2200, arrives at Manila.
6 September 1944:
At 0748, CH-30 and CH-33 depart Singapore with destroyer SATSUKI escorting a convoy consisting of fleet oiler KAMOI and oilers KYOKUTO and OKIGAWA MARUs .
8 September 1944:
At 1030, CH-30 and OKIGAWA MARU steam ahead for Miri, Borneo. At 1858, the rest of the convoy arrives at Miri.
9 September 1944:
At 0722, CH-30 departs Miri with destroyer SATSUKI and subchasers CH-28 and CH-33 escorting a convoy consisting of tankers OKIKAWA, KYOKUHO and KYOKUTO MARUs. Shortly after leaving port, KYOKUHO MARU has engine problems and returns. At 1117, CH-28 also returns to port. At 1903, the convoy anchors at Brunei Bay, Borneo.
10 September 1944:
Departs Brunei Bay.
11 September 1944:
At 1947, arrives at Culasian Bay.
12 September 1944:
At 0640, departs Culasian Bay. At 1842, arrives at Boayan Island anchorage. With a carrier attack expected on Manila, the convoy anchors and waits.
13 September 1944:
Boayan Island. KYOKUTO MARU refuels CH-33 (15 tons) and CH-30 (9 tons) with No. 1 Grade Fuel oil.
19 September 1944:
At 0652, departs Boayan Island with CH-33. At 1845, arrives at Talampulan Island and meets with oiler KAMOI.
20 September 1944:
At 0617, departs Talampulan Island. En route the ships are met at 12-59N 120-06 by auxiliary subchaser CHa-60. At 2122, the convoy arrives at Manila.
6 October 1944:
At 0618, CH-30 departs N San Fernando, Philippines as part of the escort of combined convoys MATA-28 and MIMA-11 consisting of KOHOKU, HOKUREI, BUNZAN, SHOEI, HOKUSEN, TERUKUNI, HISHIGATA and OMINE MARUs and SHINYO MARU No. 8 with fleet oiler KAMOI and tankers TACHIBANA MARU and YAMAMIZU MARU No. 2 escorted by kaibokan CD-8, CD-25, CD-32, minesweeper W-20 and subchasers CH-28, CH-33 and CH-41.
At about 0800, LtCdr Henry C. Stevenson's (USNA ’30) USS ASPRO (SS-309) attacks the convoy. Stevenson fires three torpedoes by periscope at a tanker and claims one hit, but actually achieves no results. At 1530, LtCdr William C. Thompson's (USNA ’35) USS CABRILLA (SS-288) torpedoes HOKUREI MARU and YAMAMIZU MARU No. 2. YAMAMIZU MARU No. 2 sinks with the loss of 56 crewmen. Only two survivors are rescued. HOKUREI MARU is badly damaged and beached off Vigan. Five passengers and four crewmen are killed in the torpedo attack. At 1830, the convoy retires to Lapoc Bay, Philippines.
7 October 1944:
At 0030, the rest of convoy departs for Yulin, Hainan Island, except for TERUKUNI and OMINE MARUs and SHINYO MARU No. 8. At 0600, TACHIBANA MARU and KAMOI accompanied by kaibokan CD-8 and probably CH-28 are detached.
9 October 1944:
Air raids on Takao are considered imminent. At 1600, the convoy is ordered to Hong Kong and departs soon thereafter.
11 October 1944:
At 1013, the convoy arrives Hong Kong.
27 October 1944:
At 1958, CH-30 departs Hong Kong with minesweeper W-20, subchaser CH 33 and auxiliary subchaser CHa-41 escorting convoy HOMA-01 consisting of HAMBURG, YASUKUNI, EIWA, SHINETSU and KANSHU MARUs and NISSHO MARU No. 18.
30 October 1944:
At 1358, convoy HOMA-01 arrives at Takao except for SHINETSU MARU and CH-3 which arrive later that day.
7 November 1944:
About noon, CH-30 arrives from Takao and joins the escort of convoy MOMA-06 now consisting of tanker SHIMOTSU, ASOKAWA, TOTTORI, EIWA, DAITOKU, SHINSHO, KAKOGAWA, SEKIHO and SEIWA MARUs escorted by old destroyer KURETAKE, kaibokan CD-7, CD-1, CD-3, torpedo boat SAGI, mineweeper W-27, subchaser CH-41 and fleet supply ship KURASAKI.
8 November 1944:
Off Cape Bolinaro, Luzon. LtCdr Guy E. O'Neil, Jr’s (USNA ’37) USS GUNNEL (SS-253) torpedoes and sinks torpedo boat SAGI. At 1030, minesweeper W-17 reports she has picked up 117 survivors of SAGI.
The convoy later arrives at Santa Cruz, Philippines. Warned of a typhoon in the area, the convoy departs the same day and arrives at Manila Bay at 2238.
9 November 1944:
At 0925, convoy MOMA-06 arrives at Manila harbor.
11 November 1944:
At 2100 CH-30 and CH-31 and patrol boat PB-103 depart Manila escorting the Taihi (Refugee) convoy consisting of KYOEI MARU No.3, AYAGUMO and ASOKAWA MARUs.
14 November 1944:
At 1635 arrives at Buliluyan.
15 November 1944:
At 0658 departs Buliluyan. At 1854 arrives at White Rocks Bay.
16 November 1944:
At 1200 departs White Rocks Bay. At 1837 arrives at Jesselton.
17 November 1944:
At 0658 departs Jesselton. At 1542 arrives at Brunei.
18 November 1944:
At 1210 departs Brunei. At 1922 arrives at Patches, an area of submerged reefs, S of the Ampa and Browne Patches, 4-50N, 114-20E.
19 November 1944:
At 0720 departs Patches. At 1839 arrives at Miri.
4 December 1944:
At 0800, CH-30 and CH-31 depart Singapore for Manila with kaibokan CD-43 and patrol boat PB-103 (Ex-USS FINCH, AM-9) escorting convoy SHIMA (RINJI) consisting of SHOEI (2854 gt), KOSHIN and EIHO MARUs and KYOEI MARU No. 3.
8 December 1944:
NNE of Kuching, Borneo. At 0104, either LtCdr John C. Martin's (USNA ’34) USS HAMMERHEAD (SS-364) or LtCdr Joseph P. FitzPatrick's (USNA ’38) USS PADDLE (SS-263) torpedoes and sinks SHOEI MARU (2854 gt) with a cargo of 5,000-tons of gasoline at 04-02N, 111-12E. 42 crewmen are KIA.
12 December 1944:
At 1300, arrives at Kuching.
13 December 1944:
At 1200, departs Kuching.
16 December 1944:
KOSHIN MARU suffers engine trouble and has to be towed to Miri.
18 December 1944:
Arrives at Cape Paloh.
19 December 1944:
Arrives at Pentengu.
23 December 1944:
At 1400, departs Pentengu. At about 2300, that same day, off Kuching, LtCdr (later Captain) Irvin S. Hartman's (USNA ’33) USS BARBERO (SS-317) torpedoes and sinks subchaser CH-30 at 02-42N, 111-05E.
30 September 1945:
Removed from the Navy List.

Authors’ Notes:
[1] Sources differ on the composition of the escort. One source says CH-30, another say CH-40 but this is a typo. CH-30 is confirmed as correct.
[2] Accounts conflict regarding CH-30 and convoys MI-12 and MI-13. One account has CH-30 and MI-13 arriving at Miri from Manila on 18 Aug 44, but another account has CH-30 and MI-12 departing Miri for Manila on 16 Aug 44. It is possible CH-30 and CH-33 joined MI-12 at Paluan Bay on 20 Aug 44.
Thanks go to Dr. Higuchi Tatsuhiro of Japan and Gilbert Casse of France.

-Bob Hackett, Sander Kingsepp and Peter Cundall.

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