KUSENTEI!

© 2005-2017 Bob Hackett, Sander Kingsepp and Peter Cundall
Revision 13

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1941:
Tokyo. Laid down at Ishikawajima Shipbuilding’s yard.

28 July 1942:
Launched and numbered CH-36.

15 October 1942:
Completed and registered in the IJN. Departs Ishikawajima and arrives at Yokosuka.

19 October 1942:
Departs Yokosuka and later that day arrives at Shimizu.

20 October 1942:
Departs Shimizu.

21 October 1942:
Arrives at Hayase.

22 October 1942:
Departs Hayase and later that day arrives at Kure.

24 October 1942:
Departs Kure and later that day arrives at Saiki.

25 October 1942:
Departs Saiki and later that day arrives at Furue. Then departs Furue. Assists with the rescue operation of the auxiliary oiler NISSHO MARU. Auxiliary cruiser SAIGON MARU, patrol boat PB-31, Submarine tender CHOGEI, minelayers NATSUSHIMA and NASAMI and submarine chaser CH-36 are also sent to take part in the rescue operation.

26 October 1942:
Arrives back at Furue.

27 October 1942:
Departs Furue on an escort mission.

29 October 1942:
Arrives back at Saiki, leaves port briefly, then returns.

1 November 1942:
Departs Saiki on an escort mission.

E 2 November 1942:
CH-36 is detached at 32N.

5 November 1942:
CH-36 joins HIYOSHI MARU 90 degrees off Toi Misaki and escorts her north.

6 November 1942:
CH-36 is detached off Fukajima. Later that day, CH-36 joins KUNIKAWA MARU 60 miles out to sea and escorts her north.

7 November 1942:
Off Fukajima CH-36 is detached, joins HOKUSHO MARU and escorts her south.

E 8 November 1942:
CH-36 is detached 90 degrees off Toi Misaki.

14 November 1942:
CH-36 joins tanker KOKUYO MARU off Fukajima.

E 15 November 1942:
CH-36 is detached 90 degrees off Toi Misaki.

2 December 1942:
CH-36 departs Tokuyama. Joins tanker SAN PEDRO MARU off Fukajima and escorts her south.

E 3 December 1942:
CH-36 is detached 90 degrees off Toi Misaki. Later that day arrives back at Saiki.

5 December 1942:
Departs Saiki.

6 December 1942:
Returns to Saiki.

8 December 1942:
Departs Saiki on an escort mission.

10 December 1942:
CH-36 joins tanker KIYO MARU off Fukajima and escorts her south.

E 11 December 1942:
CH-36 is detached 90 degrees off Toi Misaki. Later that day arrives back at Saiki.

13 December 1942:
CH-36 and torpedo boat HATO depart Saeki escorting the “H” convoy (No. 8 Military Movement) consisting of YAGUMO, KIZAN, KASHU, MIYADONO, TOMIURA and NANKING MARUs.

E 14 December 1942:
Both escorts are detached at 29N.

19 December 1942:
Arrives back at Saiki.

20 December 1942:
Departs Saiki.

22 December 1942:
Arrives at Sukumo.

23 December 1942:
Departs Sukumo but arrives back at Sukumo later that day.

24 December 1942:
Departs Sukumo. Later arrives at Aburatsu.

25 December 1942:
Departs Aburatsu and joins tanker IRO at 31-28N, 132-38E and escorts her to Fukajima.

26 December 1942:
Arrives at Saiki.

1 January 1943:
Departs Saiki.

3 January 1943:
Arrives and departs from Yutsu. Later that day arrives at Sukumo.

4 January 1943:
Departs Sukumo and later that day arrives at Saiki.

5 January 1943:
Departs Saiki.

8 January 1943:
Arrives at Sukumo.

9 January 1943:
Departs Sukumo.

10 January 1943:
Arrives at Saiki.

11 January 1943:
Departs Saiki.

12 January 1943:
Arrives at Sukumo.

13 January 1943:
Departs Sukumo and later that day arrives at Saiki.

15 January 1943:
CH-36 departs Saiki joins tanker IRO off Saiki. and escorts her south.

E 16 January 1943:
CH-36 is detached 90 degrees off Toi Misaki. Later that day arrives back at Saiki.

17 January 1943:
Departs Saiki escorting convoy "U "consisting of YAMATO, MEIKAI, MOMOHA, INDUS, NAGANO and KIRIHA MARUs escorted by patrol boat PB-31 and subchaser CH-36.

E 19 January 1943:
At 29 degrees N, the two escorts are detached from the convoy. Later that day arrives back at Saiki.

23 January 1943:
Departs Saiki.

25 January 1943:
Arrives at Sukumo and departs later that day.

26 January 1943:
Arrives at Saiki.

29 January 1943:
Departs Saiki.

30 January 1943:
Arrives at Aburatsu and departs later that day.

31 January 1943:
CH-36 and CH-37 and minelayer YURIJIMA join transport MIIKE MARU at 34-45N, 132-05E and escort her north. Later CH-36 stops at Furue.

E 1 February 1943:
The escorts are detached off Fukajima. CH-36 joins SOYO MARU and storeship MAMIYA at 30-53N, 132-46E.

E 2 February 1943:
CH-36 is detached off Fukajima. Later that day arrives back at Saiki.

5 February 1943:
Departs Saiki.

7 February 1943:
Arrives back at Saiki.

9 February 1943:
Departs Saiki. Later CH-36 and cable-mine layer escort TSURUSHIMA join KAMIKAZE MARU off Mizunoko Lghthouse and escort her south.

E 10 February 1943:
The escorts are detached 90 degrees off Toi Misaki.

12 February 1943:
Arrives back at Saiki.

15 February 1943:
Departs Saiki. Later CH-36 joins SOYO MARU off Mizunoko Lighthouse and escorts her south.

E 16 February 1943:
CH-36 is detached 90 degrees off Toi Misaki.

17 February 1943:
Arrives at Furue.

18 February 1943:
Departs Furue and later that day arrives at Aburatsu.

19 February 1943:
Departs Aburatsu and later that day arrives at Sukumo.

20 February 1943:
Departs Sukumo but returns there later that day.

21 February 1943:
Departs Sukumo but returns there later that day.

22 February 1943:
Departs Sukumo.

24 February 1943:
Arrives at Saiki.

26 February 1943:
Departs Saiki.

28 February 1943:
Arrives at Saiki.

2 March 1943:
CH-36 and patrol boat PB-46 depart Saiki and join cargo-passenger ship KAGI MARU off Fukajima and escort her south.

E 3 March 1943:
The escorts are detached 90 degrees off Toi Misaki.

5 March 1943:
CH-36 arrives back at Saiki.

6 March 1943:
Departs Saiki.

7 March 1943:
CH 36, patrol boat PB-31, minelayer NATSUSHIMA, auxiliary minesweeper TAMA MARU No. 7 and cable layer escort TSURUSHIMA escort damaged transport CLYDE MARU north from Ariake Bay (Shibushi Wan).

E 9 March 1943:
Detached off Fukajima. Later arrives at Sukumo.

10 March 1943:
Departs Sukumo.

11 March 1943:
CH-36, torpedo boat HATO, minelayer NUWAJIMA and patrol boats PB-31 and PB-46 escort battleship HARUNA from Osumi Kaikyo to Okinoshima. Later that day CH-36 arrives at Saiki.

12 March 1943:
Departs Saiki.

14 March 1943:
Arrives at Aburatsu.

15 March 1943:
Departs Aburatsu but later that day returns to Aburatsu.

16 March 1943:
Departs Aburatsu.

18 March 1943:
Arrives at Saiki.

19 March 1943:
Departs Saiki and later that day arrives at Kure where the ship remains for the remainder of the month.

1 April 1943:
CH-36, minelayer NUWAJIMA, and patrol boat PB-31 join destroyers AKIKAZE and URAKAZE heading north.

2 April 1943:
CH-36, patrol boat PB 31 and minelayers NUWAJIMA and YURIJIMA join tanker NISSHIN MARU No. 2 at 31-17N, 132-45E and escort her north.

3 April 1943:
The escorts are detached off Fukajima and arrive back at Saiki. Later that day, CH-36 departs Saiki escorting the “L2” convoy (No. 8 Military Movement) consisting of HOFUKU, HEIAN, MYOGI, KONAN, YUBAE MARUs and SHINSEI MARU No. 17 also escorted by patrol boat PB 31 and auxiliary minesweeper TAKUNAN MARU No. 3.

E 4 April 1943:
The escorts are detached at 29N.

6 April 1943:
Arrives back at Saiki.

9 April 1943:
CH-36, patrol boat PB-31 and minelayer NUWAJIMA depart Saiki and join seaplane carrier NISSHIN and destroyer SHIKINAMI off Okinoshima and escort both vessels north.

10 April 1943:
Arrives at Saiki.

11 April 1943:
Departs Saiki.

12 April 1943:
Later that day both CH-35 and CH-36 arrive at Saiki.

13 April 1943:
CH-35 and CH-36 depart Saiki.

14 April 1943:
CH-35 and CH-36 support light cruiser KASHIMA and destroyer HATSUKAZE transiting the Bungo Straits and later arrive at Saiki.

16 April 1943:
CH-35 and CH-36 depart Saiki.

17 April 1943:
CH-35, CH-36 and patrol boat PB-31 support light cruiser OYODO transiting the Bungo Straits.

18 April 1943:
CH-35 and CH-36 arrive back at Saiki.

19 April 1943:
CH-35 and CH-36 depart Saiki to support light cruiser NAKA transiting the Bungo Straits and later return to Saiki.

22 April 1943:
CH-35 and CH-36 depart Saiki and undertake advance patrols ahead of storeships MAMIYA and SOYO MARU heading north as part of a naval operation.

23 April 1943:
CH-35 and CH-36 arrive back at Saiki.

27 April 1943:
CH-35 and CH-36 support fleet tanker SHINKOKU MARU transiting the Bungo Straits return to Saiki and then depart again.

28 April 1943:
CH-35 and CH-36 support battleship HYUGA and destroyers NIIZUKI and HAMAKAZE transiting the Bungo Straits.

30 April 1943:
CH-35 and CH-36 arrive back at Saiki.

2 May 1943:
Departs Saiki.

3 May 1943:
Arrives at Obe Wan (Bay) and departs later that day. Later arrives at "Kozaki"(unidentified location).

9 May 1943:
Departs "Kozaki".

10 May 1943:
Arrives at Kure.

10 May 1943:
Reassigned to the Fifth Fleet. Escorts convoys to the Kuriles.

2 June 1943:
Departs Kakumabetsu Wan.

3 June 1943:
Arrives Kataoka Wan.

6 June 1943:
Departs Kataoka Wan on an escort mission. Later that day returns to port.

8 June 1943:
Departs Kataoka Wan and later that day arrives at Musashi Wan.

9 June 1943:
Departs Musashi Wan and later that day arrives at Nodaura.

11 June 1943:
Departs Nodaura and later that day arrives at Musashi Wan.

13 June 1943:
Departs Musashi Wan.

14 June 1943:
Returns to Musashi Wan.

15 June 1943:
Reassigned with CH-14, CH-15 and CH-35 to the Osaka Naval Guard District. Throughout the rest of the month and July however continues to conduct patrols off Paramushiro Island.

16 June 1943:
During the day departs Musashi Wan and later that day arrives at Kakumabetsu Wan.

17 June 1943:
Departs Kakumabetsu Wan but returns there later that day.

18 June 1943:
Departs Kakumabetsu Wan but returns there later that day.

19 June 1943:
Together with kaibokan HACHIJO undertakes an anti submarine sweep in Kujira Wan, southern Paramushiro Island.

21 June 1943:
Ceases the sweeps and resumes patrolling Paramushiro Island.Arrives at Kataoka Wan.

22 June 1943:
Departs Kataoka Wan.

23 June 1943:
Arrives at north entrance to Paramushiro Strait.

25 June 1943:
Departs Paramushiro Straits but returns to north entrance later that day. Departs again that evening.

26 June 1943:
Returns to north entrance of Paramushiro Strait and departs there later that day.

27 June 1943:
Returns to north mouth of Paramushiro Strait.

28 June 1943:
Departs Paramushiro Strait and later that day arrives at Kakumabetsu Wan.

29 June 1943:
Departs Kakumabetsu Wan but later that day returns to Kakumabetsu Wan.

30 June 1943:
Departs Kakumabetsu Wan but later that day returns to Kakumabetsu Wan.

3 July 1943:
Undertakes an anti submarine sweep.

4 July 1943:
Meets up and escorts NITTEI MARU then resumes the anti submarine sweep.

5 July 1943:
Arrives at Kataoka Wan.

6 July 1943:
CH-35 and CH-36 depart Kataoka Wan on an anti submarine sweep.

10 July 1943:
Arrives back at Paramushiro Strait.

13 July 1943:
Escorts TAKASHIMA MARU.

18 July 1943:
Escorts TOEI MARU.

21 July 1943:
Escorts HAKUYO MARU.

22 July 1943:
Completes escort mission.

28 July 1943:
CH-36 and auxiliary minesweeper Wa-17 conduct an anti submarine sweep.

29 July 1943:
CH-36 escorts TAKASHIMA MARU.

30 July 1943:
CH-36 and auxiliary minesweeper Wa-17 conduct an anti submarine sweep.

1 August 1943:
CH-36 and kaibokan HACHIJO depart Paramushiro Strait on an anti submarine sweep.

2 August 1943:
Both ships return to Paramushiro Strait.

10 August 1943:
CH-36 escorts TAKASHIMA MARU.

13 August 1943:
At 0635 an enemy submarine is sighted off Paramushiro. CH-36 and the destroyer HATSUSHIMO are despatched to the area and conduct depth charge attacks.

16 August 1943:
CH-36 escorts TAIKO MARU.

19 August 1943:
CH-36 escorts TAKASHIMA and KOKAI MARUs.

1 September 1943:
Storeship BANSHU MARU No. 13 runs aground on the south tip of Makanru Jima. The destroyers NOKAZE, NAMIKAZE as well as CH-36 rush to the ship's aid.

2 September 1943:
BANSHU MARU No. 13 is refloated. CH-36 resumes patrols in Paramushiro waters.

12 September 1943:
CH-36 is in the Paramushiro Straits when the area is attacked by B-25's and B-24's of the 11th AF. TOEI MARU and MASASHIMA MARU are both damaged by bomb hits, NITTEI MARU's rigging is damaged by strafing and SHONAN MARU is damaged and sinks, but is subsequently salvaged. CH-36 is moored in the centre of the Strait and her AA fire and batteries onshore account for some of the 7 B-25's and two B-24's downed.

16 September 1943:
Departs Paramushiro escorting a convoy.

21 September 1943:
Arrives at Odomari. Conducts patrols from Odomari for the remainder of the month.

4 October 1943:
Arrives at Odomari.

6 October 1943:
Departs Odomari on an escort mission.

8 October 1943:
Arrives back at Odomari.

9 October 1943:
Departs Odomari and arrives at Wakkanai.

10 October 1943:
Departs Wakkanai on an escort mission.

11 October 1943:
Arrives at Otaru.

12 October 1943:
Departs Otaru on an escort mission.

13 October 1943:
Arrives back at Otaru.

14 October 1943:
Departs Otaru on patrol.

17 October 1943:
While still at sea undertakes an escort mission.

18 October 1943:
Arrives at Odomari.

19 October 1943:
Departs Odomari on an anti submarine sweep.

20 October 1943:
Arrives at Wakkanai.

21 October 1943:
Departs Wakkanai on an anti submarine sweep then undertakes an escort mission.

23 October 1943:
Arrives at Otaru.

24 October 1943:
Departs Otaru on an escort mission.

25 October 1943:
Arrives at Ominato.

December 1943:
CH-36 is reassigned with CH-45 and CH-46 to Vice Admiral Oka Arata's (40) (former CO of KISO) 3rd Southern Expeditionary Fleet based at Manila.

1 December 1943:
Departs Ominato.

6 December 1943:
Arrives at Kure.

17 December 1943:
Departs Kure.

23 December 1943:
Arrives at Manila.

28 December 1943:
At 1500 CH-36 departs Manila with CH-45 escorting convoy H-11 consisting of TOYU, RAIZAN, NISSHU, JUICHISEI (HOSHI MARU No. 11), BUNZAN, TACOMA, MIKASA, TSUKIKAWA and KAIRYU MARUs and possibly others to Halmahera.

4 January 1944:
Arrives at Kau.

6 January 1944:
Departs Wasile with CH-45 escorting a M convoy consisting of TOUN, BENGAL, RYUSEI MARUs and one unidentified merchant ship bound for Cebu. A further four ships TONEGAWA, KENWA, ODATSUKI and MITSUKI MARUs sailed with the convoy bound for Manila.

9 January 1944:
Part of convoy arrives at Davao. CH-45 apparently is detached at this point.The main part proceeds with CH-36 and arrives at Zamboanga this day.

10 January 1944:
Departs Zamboanga.

12 January 1944:
The convoy arrives at Cebu and is dissolved. CH-36 proceeds to Masbate Island.

14 January 1944:
Departs Masbate Island.

15 January 1944:
Arrives at Manila.

17 January 1944:
CH-36 departs Manila with escort carrier KAIYO, kaibokan ETOROFU and minelayer YAEYAMA escorting convoy HI-33 that left Moji on 10 January consisting of transport AOBASAN MARU and tankers YUHO, TARAKAN, ASASHIO and ASANAGI MARUs and an unidentified ship. KAIYO develops a steering problem and is forced to return to Manila later that day.

19 January 1944:
CH-36 arrives back at Manila.

23 January 1944:
HI-33 arrives at Singapore.

26 January 1944:
CH-36 departs Manila escorting convoy H-15 consisting of NORWAY and NIKKI MARUs.

29 January 1944:
Arrives at Zamboanga and departs later that day.

2 February 1944:
At 1300, arrives at Wasile.

4 February 1944:
Departs Kau.

8 February 1944:
Arrives at Cataingan, Masbate Island.

9 February 1944:
Departs Cataingan.

11 February 1944:
Arrives at Manila.

14 February 1944:
Departs Manila.

18 February 1944:
Returns to Manila.

21 February 1944:
Departs Manila escorting a convoy consisting of KAZUURA and YOZAN MARus.

27 February 1944:
Arrives at Palau.

28 February 1944:
Departs Palau.

3 March 1944:
Arrives at Zamboanga.

5 March 1944:
Departs Zamboanga.

6 March 1944:
Arrives at illegible location and departs later that day.

7 March 1944:
Arrives at Bongao.

8 March 1944:
Departs Bongao.

10 March 1944:
Arrives at Zamboanga.

11 March 1944:
Departs Zamboanga.

12 March 1944:
Arrives at Davao.

15 March 1944:
Departs Davao.

16 March 1944:
Returns to Davao.

17 March 1944:
Departs Davao.

19 March 1944:
Arrives at Zamboanga.

20 March 1944:
Departs Zamboanga.

21 March 1944:
Arrives at Cebu.

22 March 1944:
Departs Cebu.

23 March 1944:
Arrives at Manila.

30 March 1944:
CH-36 departs Takao with torpedo boat SAGI escorting convoy TAMA-15 consisting of one unidentified merchant ship.

2 April 1944:
Off Luzon. CH-36 and torpedo boat SAGI joins convoy SATA-12 (second) stage as additional escorts. The convoy consists of NORFOLK, HAWAII, YOSHU, ARABIA MARUs, KOTO MARU No.2 GO and six unidentified merchant ships escorted by auxiliary submarine chaser MISAGO MARU No. 2.

4 April 1944:
Arrives at Takao.

10 June 1944:
At 1747 the minelayer ITSUKUSHIMA and submarine chasers CH-36 and CH-37 and the Navy Landing Ship Transport T-127 arrive at Kau.

12 June 1944:
At 0300 ITSUKUSHIMA departs Kau with CH-36, CH-37 and T-127.

20 June 1944:
At 1800 ITSUKUSHIMA and CH-36 arrive at Kau.

22 June 1944:
At 0434 W-30 and T-127 depart Sorong and at 0705 arrive at Merchesa Bay, Batanta Island, Dampier Straits. At 1300 submarine chaser CH-36 arrives.

23 June 1944:
At 1338 all ships depart Merchesa Bay and at 1553 arrives at Sorong.

24 June 1944:
At 0507 departs Sorong with minesweeper W-30 and at 0711 arrives at Merchesa Bay. At 1353 departs Merchesa Bay with minesweeper W-30 and at 1605 arrives back at Sorong.

27 June 1944:
At 0116 CH-36, T-127 and W-30 departs Sorong and at 0933 arrive at Kabui Bay, Waigeo Island. At 1554 depart.

28 June 1944:
CH-36, minesweeper W-30 and Navy Landing Ship Transport T-127 arrive at Wasile.

1 July 1944:
At 0400 CH-36, minesweeper W-30 and Navy Landing Ship Transport T-127 depart Kau for Davao.

2 July 1944:
At 1350 arrives at Davao.

20 October 1944:
At 0100, CH-36 departs Manila escorting a convoy consisting of tankers KOSHO and RYUEI MARUs.

22 October 1944:
RYUEI MARU runs aground at 09.44N 118.43E and has to be abandoned. While CH-36 renders assistance, KOSHO MARU anchors at nearby Puerto Princesa.

30 October 1944:
At 0600, arrives at Sandakan and departs soon thereafter. At 1155, the convoy is attacked near Sibitu Passage, Borneo by USAAF 13th Air Force Lockheed P-38 “Lightning” fighter-bombers. KOSHO MARU is strafed and bombed and beached nearby at 1345. 15 crewmen had been killed in the attack. CH-36 is damaged at 05-27N, 119-12E.

1 November 1944:
CH-36, CH-1, CH-19 and CH-26 depart Singapore for Manila escorting convoy SHIMA-04 consisting of tanker AYAGIRI MARU and HACHIJIN, ATSUTA and TOYO (YUTAKA) MARUs.

2 November 1944:
S China Sea, 225 miles E of Singapore. At 1717, Lt (later Vice Admiral Sir) Hugh "Rufus" MacKenzie's British submarine HMS TANTALUS attacks the convoy. In heavy weather, MacKenzie torpedoes and sinks cargo ship HACHIJIN MARU transporting 3,000-tons of aviation gasoline, other petroleum products, foodstuffs and cars, and damages CH-1 at 00-45N, 107-41E. Six crewmen are KIA.

14 November 1944:
Rear Admiral (later Vice Admiral) Frederick C. Sherman (USNA ’10), in temporary command of Task Force 38, launches air strikes against shipping in the Philippines. F6F “Hellcat” fighter-bombers from USS YORKTOWN (CV-10) attack convoy SIMA-04 off Sablayan Island, Mindoro. The Hellcats sink merchant oiler AYAGIRI MARU loaded with 4,879-tons of aviation gasoline, at 12-40N, 120-41E with 57 passengers and four crewmen KIA and damage CH-36 CH-1, CH-19 and CH-26 and IJA cargo ship TOYO (YUTAKA) MARU.

17 November 1944:
Departs Manila escorting tanker SEIAN MARU Takao via Olongapo.

19 November 1944:
Off Subic Bay, Philippines. CH-36 and tanker SEIAN MARU are sunk by air attack at 14-43N, 120-10E. Five crewmen on the latter are killed but casualties on CH-36 are unknown.

10 January 1945:
Removed from the Navy List.

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Author's Notes:
Little data were found for CH-36's movements during most of 1943. Readers with access to any such data are requested to post the information on the Discussion and Questions board or j-aircraft.org's IJN Ship Message Board

Thanks to Mr. Gilbert Casse of France.

-Bob Hackett, Sander Kingsepp and Peter Cundall.

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