Japanese Transports

ZATSUYOSEN!

(CHOWA MARU prewar)

IJN CHOWA MARU:
Tabular Record of Movement
© 2012-2013 Gilbert Casse, Bob Hackett and Peter Cundall
Revision 1

E 1939:
Sakurajima. Laid down by Osaka Iron Works K.K. shipyard as a 2,719-tons cargo ship for Nitto Kogyo Kisen K.K., Tokyo.
2 November 1939:
Launched and named CHOWA MARU.
19 February 1940:
Completed and registered in Tokyo.
9 November 1941:
Requisitioned by the IJN.
14 November 1941:
Sasebo. Starts her conversion to an auxiliary transport at the Navy Yard.
20 November 1941:
Registered in the IJN as an auxiliary transport (Otsu) category under internal order No. 1495 and attached to the Sasebo Naval District with Sasebo as home port. Tactically assigned to the Ministry of Navy. [1]
30 November 1941:
The conversion is completed.
17 December 1941:
Departs Sasebo for Palau, Western Carolines.
24 December 1941:
Arrives at Palau.
1 January 1942:
Departs Palau for Davao, Mindanao.
4 January 1942:
At 1415 arrives at Davao.
9 January 1942: Operation "H" - The Invasion of Celebes, Netherlands East Indies:
The invasion convoy unit consists of eight IJN transports: CHOWA, NANKAI, HOKUROKU, KATSURAGI, SHOKA, KOSHIN, AMAGISAN and KINAI MARUs, carrying Captain (later Vice Admiral) Mori Kunizo's (40) (former CO of SATA) Sasebo No. 1 and 2 Combined SNLF of about 2,500 men. The transports are accompanied by supply ships SHINKO (545 GRT) and OHA MARU (future IJN KURESAKI).
The convoy is escorted by MineSweepDiv 21's W-7, W-8, W-9, W-11 and W-12 in Rear Admiral (later Vice Admiral) Kubo Kyuji's (38)'s 1st Base Force with light cruiser NAGARA, SubChasDiv 1's CH-1, CH-2 and CH-3 and patrol boats P-1, P-2, P-34.
NE Davao Gulf, Mindanao, Philippines. The convoy is assembled in Magnaga Bay in two echelons:
At 0100, the first echelon, consisting of CHOWA, KOSHIN and SHOKA MARUs accompanied by SHINKO and OHA MARUs, departs at nine knots speed of advance.
At 1000, the second echelon, consisting of AMAGISAN, KINAI, NANKAI, HOKUROKU, and KATSURAGI MARUs, departs steaming at 12 knots.
11 January 1942:
At 0110, the Menado occupation force of CHOWA, KINAI, NANKAI, SHOKA, KOSHIN and AMAGISAN MARUs arrives at No. 1 landing operation floating anchorage (Menado Roadstead) and prepares for landing troops N and S of Menado port. At 0315, the first landing forces depart transports and land at 0400. NE coast of Minahasa Peninsula (SE of Menado).
At 0130, the Kema occupation force consisting of HOKUROKU and KATSURAGI MARUs arrives at No. 1 landing operation floating anchorage (small port of Kema Roadstead) at 0130. At 0345, the first landing troops depart the transports and land at 0420. Later, 334 men of Cdr (later Captain) Horiuchi Toyoaki's (later XO of TAKAO) Yokosuka No. 1 SNLF (Air) are dropped successfully from Mitsubishi G3M1-L Nell converted transport aircraft in the Menado-Kema area. The paratroops seize Langoan airfield. At 1540, AMAGISAN MARU receives slight damage by a near miss during an attack by three Dutch aircraft. CHOWA MARU is not hit.
20 January 1942:
At 1000 departs Menado.
2 February 1942:
At 1830 arrives at Sasebo.
5 February 1942:
At 0800 departs Sasebo.
6 February 1942:
At 0030 arrives at Saitozaki, S of Nagasaki.
10 February 1942:
At 0015 departs Saitozaki.
14 February 1942:
At 1420 arrives at Yokohama.
16 February 1942:
At 0900 transfers to Tokyo, arriving at 1200.
18 February 1942:
At 1240 departs Tokyo in a convoy also consisting of AZUMASAN, SHOKA and AKIBASAN MARUs and possibly others.
27 February 1942:
At 1730 arrives at Truk, Central Carolines.
21 March 1942:
At 1530 departs Truk for Rabaul, New Britain with SHOKA and AKIBASAN MARUs.
26 March 1942:
At 0815 arrives at Rabaul.
22 April 1942:
Assigned to transport the 10th Naval Construction Unit for the forthcoming “MO” Operation, under secret military order issued by “R” Naval Base.
4 May 1942: Operation “MO” – The Invasions of Tulagi and Port Moresby:
At 1600, Rear Admiral (Vice Admiral, posthumously) Kajioka Sadamichi's (39) (former CO of KISO) Port Moresby Attack Force departs Rabaul towards the Jomard Pass in the Louisiade Archipelago with DesRon 6’s light cruiser YUBARI, DesDiv 29’s OITE, ASANAGI, DesDiv 30’s MUTSUKI, MOCHIZUKI and YAYOI escorting Rear Admiral (later Vice Admiral) Abe Koso's (40) (former CO of HIEI) Transport Force of IJN CHOWA, MOGAMIGAWA, GOYO, AKIBASAN and SHOKA MARUs and IJA MATSUE, TAIFUKU, MITO, CHINA and HIBI MARUs, tanker HOYO MARU, fleet oiler IRO (at anchor at Shortland area with destroyer UZUKI), minelayer TSUGARU, minesweeper W-20, auxiliary minesweepers HAGOROMO MARU, NOSHIRO MARU No. 2 and FUMI MARU No. 2 and fleet salvage and repair tug OJIMA (OSHIMA). The convoy’s cruising speed only is 6.5 knots.
IJA transport ASAKASAN MARU is delayed at Rabaul. The Transport Force is carrying the bulk of the 3rd Kure Special Naval Landing Force (SNLF), the 10th Naval Construction Unit and the South Seas Detachment consisting of the 144th Infantry Regiment.
4 May 1942:The Battle of the Coral Sea:
Tulagi, Solomons. Rear Admiral (MOH '14/later Admiral) Frank J. Fletcher’s (USNA ’06) (former CO of USS VERMONT, BB-20) Task Force 17 attacks Rear Admiral (later Vice Admiral) Shima Kiyohide’s (39) (former CO of OI) Tulagi Invasion Force. Douglas SBD “Dauntless” dive-bombers and TBD “Devastator” torpedo-bombers from USS YORKTOWN (CV-5) sink a destroyer, three minesweepers and damage four other ships.
5 May 1942:
At 1600, ASAKASAN MARU departs Rabaul and chases after the Transport Force.
Fletcher's force turns north to engage Vice Admiral (Admiral, posthumously) Takagi Takeo’s (39) (former CO of MUTSU) Carrier Strike Force's SHOKAKU and ZUIKAKU. SBDs and TBDs from USS YORKTOWN and USS LEXINGTON (CV-2) sink Rear Admiral (Vice Admiral, posthumously) Goto Aritomo’s (38) (former CO of MUTSU) light carrier SHOHO off Misima Island. In turn, Japanese planes damage oiler USS NEOSHO (AO-23) and sink destroyer USS SIMS (DD-409).
6 May 1942:
At 2200, ASAKASAN MARU finally rejoins the Transport Force.
8 May 1942:
Planes from the USS LEXINGTON sight Takagi's Strike Force. SBDs from USS YORKTOWN and USS LEXINGTON damage SHOKAKU and force her retirement. ZUIKAKU’s air group suffers heavy losses. Takagi's bombers and attack planes strike Task Force 17 and damage USS YORKTOWN and USS LEXINGTON. Gasoline vapors ignite, triggering massive explosions that cause USS LEXINGTON to be abandoned. Later, she is scuttled by destroyer USS PHELPS (DD-360).
9 May 1942:
After order was given to the Transport Force to reverse its course, CHOWA MARU arrives back at Rabaul at 1700.
22 May 1942:
At 1715 departs Rabaul with AKIBASAN snd SHOKA MARUs. escorted by minesweeper W-20.
24 May 1942:
At 0900 W-20 detaches and returns to Rabaul. At some point soon after the convoy disperses and later the following day SHOKA MARU is torpedoed and sunk.
5 June 1942:
At 1130 arrives at Moji.
6 June 1942:
At 1820 departs Moji.
7 June 1942:
At 0740 arrives at Tokuyama. Probably loads fuel drums.
10 June 1942:
At 1620 departs Tokuyama.
11 June 1942:
Departs Ujina in convoy No. 123 also consisting of COLUMBIA and TOEI MARUs and four unidentified merchant ships escorted by auxiliary gunboat PEKING MARU.
17 June 1942:
At 1345 arrives at Takao, Formosa (now Kaohsiung, Taiwan).
20 June 1942:
At 0850 departs Takao.
25 June 1942:
At 1630 arrives at Port Redon, Haiphong, Indochina.
29 June 1942:
At 1700 departs Port Redon.
5 July 1942:
At 1030 arrives at Kirun, Formosa (now Keelung, Taiwan).
7 July 1942:
At 1215 departs Kirun.
8 July 1942:
At 1700 arrives at Mako, Pescadores.
9 July 1942:
At 1600 departs Mako.
14 July 1942:
At 1750 arrives at Tokuyama. Probably loads fuel drums.
17 July 1942:
At 0710 departs Tokuyama for Kobe.
18 July 1942:
At 0827 arrives at Kobe. Undergoes scheduled maintenance.
11 August 1942:
At 1530 departs Kobe for Miike, Fukuoka Prefecture.
13 August 1942:
At 2000 arrives at Miike.
16 August 1942:
At 0625 departs Miike for Tokuyama.
17 August 1942:
At 1620 arrives at Tokuyama. Probably loads fuel drums.
19 August 1942:
At 0605 departs Tokuyama for Saipan, Marianas.
26 August 1942:
At 0820 arrives at Saipan.
31 August 1942:
At 0600 departs Saipan.
2 September 1942:
At 0710 arrives at Fais (Fuhaesu), Carolines.
10 September 1942:
At 1610 departs Fais.
13 September 1942:
At 1640 arrives at Pagan, Marianas.
19 September 1942:
At 1630 departs Pagan for Saipan.
20 September 1942:
At 1100 arrives at Saipan.
26 September 1942:
At 0500 departs Saipan for Truk.
29 September 1942:
At 1435 arrives at Truk.
10 October 1942:
At 1310 departs Truk.
13 October 1942:
At 1500 arrives at Fais.
21 October 1942:
At 1730 departs Fais.
30 October 1942:
At 1000 arrives at Moji.
31 October 1942:
At 0630 departs Moji.
3 November 1942:
At 1715 arrives at Chinnampo, Chosen (now North Korea).
10 November 1942:
At 1000 departs Chinnampo.
11 November 1942:
At 1145 arrives at Haizhou, Chosen West coast.
16 November 1942:
At 0730 departs Haizhou.
19 November 1942:
At 1245 arrives at Kobe.
25 November 1942:
At 0855 departs Kobe.
26 November 1942:
At 0930 arrives at Moji.
28 November 1942:
At 0825 departs Moji.
1 December 1942:
At 1100 arrives at Chinnampo.
8 December 1942:
At 1025 departs Chinnampo.
12 December 1942:
At 1050 arrives at Maizuru.
16 December 1942:
At 1000 departs Maizuru.
17 December 1942:
At 1530 arrives at Moji.
18 December 1942:
At 1600 departs Moji.
19 December 1942:
At 1600 arrives at Osaka.
21 December 1942:
At 0800 departs Osaka.
23 December 1942:
At 1040 arrives at Yokohama.
27 December 1942:
At 1240 departs Yokohama.
28 December 1942:
At 1215 arrives at Shimizu, Shizuoka Prefecture.
30 December 1942:
At 0125 departs Shimizu.
1 January 1943:
At 1340 arrives at Moji.
2 January 1943:
At 1515 departs Moji in convoy No. 111 also consisting of two unidentified merchant ships without escort.
9 January 1943:
At 1130 arrives at Takao.
13 January 1943:
At 0810 departs Takao.
14 January 1943:
At 1820 arrives at Kirun.
18 January 1943:
At 0810 departs Kirun.
22 January 1943:
At 1300 arrives at Moji.
23 January 1943:
At 1515 departs Moji.
24 January 1943:
At 1640 arrives at Osaka.
27 January 1943:
At 0900 departs Osaka.
28 January 1943:
At 1600 arrives at Wakamatsu, Fukuoka Prefecture.
29 January 1943:
At 1510 departs Wakamatsu.
30 January 1943:
At 0815 arrives at Amagasaki, Hyogo Prefecture.
2 February 1943:
At 1040 departs Amagasaki.
3 February 1943:
At 1330 arrives at Wakamatsu.
5 February 1943:
At 1210 departs Wakamatsu.
6 February 1943:
At 0800 arrives at Amagasaki.
8 February 1943:
At 1545 departs Amagasaki.
10 February 1943:
At 1230 arrives at Wakamatsu.
11 February 1943:
At 1530 departs Wakamatsu.
12 February 1943:
At 0800 arrives at Amagasaki.
14 February 1943:
At 1040 departs Amagasaki.
15 February 1943:
At 1600 arrives at Wakamatsu.
17 February 1943:
At 1340 departs Wakamatsu.
18 February 1943:
At 0940 arrives at Amagasaki.
20 February 1943:
At 1000 departs Amagasaki.
21 February 1943:
At 1640 arrives at Wakamatsu.
22 February 1943:
At 1600 departs Wakamatsu.
23 February 1943:
At 0815 arrives at Amagasaki.
25 February 1943:
At 1040 departs Amagasaki.
26 February 1943:
At 1550 arrives at Wakamatsu. That same day, her owners are restyled to Nitto Kisen K.K.
28 February 1943:
At 1710 departs Wakamatsu.
1 March 1943:
At 1320 arrives at Amagasaki.
2 March 1943:
At 1805 departs Amagasaki.
4 March 1943:
At 1050 arrives at Moji.
6 March 1943:
At 0800 departs Moji.
9 March 1943:
At 0950 arrives at Dairen, Manchuria (now Dalian, China).
11 March 1943:
At 1800 departs Dairen.
17 March 1943:
At 1750 arrives at Muroran, Hokkaido.
25 March 1943:
At 0500 departs Muroran.
29 March 1943:
At 1315 arrives at Osaka.
1 April 1943:
At 0810 departs Osaka.
2 April 1943:
At 1445 arrives at Saitozaki.
10 April 1943:
At 1930 departs Saitozaki.
12 April 1943:
At 0945 arrives at Maizuru. Unloads 3,625-tons of coal.
15 April 1943:
At 1710 departs Maizuru.
17 April 1943:
At 0625 arrives at Saitozaki.
21 April 1943:
At 1550 departs Saitozaki.
22 April 1943:
At 0715 arrives at Tokuyama.
27 April 1943:
At 0600 departs Tokuyama and arrives at 1305 at Yawata, Fukuoka Prefecture.
3 May 1943:
At 0730 departs Yawata.
5 May 1943:
At 1910 arrives off Koriyama coast, Fukushima Prefecture.
7 May 1943:
At 0722 departs Koriyama waters.
9 May 1943:
At 1630 arrives at Chinnampo.
18 May 1943:
At 0710 departs Chinnampo.
23 May 1943:
Arrives in Irago Suido (Strait).
25 May 1943:
Departs Irago Suido waters.
26 May 1943:
At 1400 arrives at Yokosuka.
2 June 1943:
At 1740 departs Yokosuka.
5 June 1943:
At 1950 arrives at Hakodate.
6 June 1943:
At 1720 departs Hakodate.
7 June 1943:
Departs Otaru and heads to the Kuriles Archipelago escorted by the Cable Layer escort HASSHIMA.
11 June 1943:
At 1040 arrives at Musashi Wan (Bay), Paramushiro Island, Kuriles. Probably unloads supplies for the IJN airbase.
23 June 1943:
At 1420 departs Musashi Wan and at 1710 arrives at Suribachi Wan.
26 June 1943:
At 0620 departs Suribachi Wan and at 1745 arrives at Kataoka Wan (Bay), Shimushu Island, Kuriles. Probably unloads supplies for the IJN airbase (Imaizaki Airfield).
7 July 1943:
At 0620 departs Kataoka Wan.
10 July 1944:
At 1700 arrives at Kushiro.
12 July 1944:
At 1100 departs Kushiro.
13 July 1944:
At 1420 arrives at Hakodate.
15 July 1943:
At 0700 departs Hakodate. At 1520 arrives at Ominato, Aomori Prefecture.
18 July 1943:
At 0400 departs Ominato and transfers to Aomori, arriving at 0750.
21 July 1943:
At 0600 departs Aomori.
24 July 1943:
At 1730 arrives at Kushiro.
26 July 1943:
At 1200 departs Kushiro.
10 August 1943:
Arrives at Matsuwa-To, Kuriles (now Ostrov Matsua). Probably unloads supplies for the IJN air/naval base. The destroyer KAMIKAZE patrols the area providing distant cover.
17 August 1943:
Departs Matsuwa-To.
23 August 1943:
Arrives at Ominato. Transfers later to Hakodate, Hokkaido.
3 September 1943:
At 0500, departs Hakodate for Otaru.
4 September 1943:
At 0900, arrives at Otaru.
7 September 1943:
Departs Otaru in a convoy with KEIKI MARU escorted by the destroyer KAMIKAZE.
9 September 1943:
Arrives at Odomari.
E 11 September 1943:
Arrives at Paramushiro-To.
18 September 1943:
Kakumabetsu Wan (now Bukhta Shelikhova), Paramushiro-To NW coast. LtCdr Harley K. Nauman’s (USNA ‘34) old submarine USS S-42 (SS-153) is on patrol. Nauman sights an anchored cargo ship. About 1700, he torpedoes and hits CHOWA MARU aft, at 50-25N, 155-35E. Moderate damage to the rudder and propeller renders the transport unnavigable.
19 September 1943:
Destroyer KAMIKAZE tows CHOWA MARU to the nearest harbor. Minesweeper W-28 and auxiliary minesweepers KEIJIN MARU No. 3 and KEIJIN MARU No. 5 act as escorts.
7 October 1943:
At 1015, CHOWA MARU arrives at Musashi Wan (presumably under tow).
13 October 1943:
Auxiliary transport (ex-auxiliary gunboat/minelayer) IKUSHIMA MARU tows CHOWA MARU. Both ships departs the Kuriles escorted by destroers KAMIKAZE and NUMAKAZE.
19 October 1943:
Both ships arrive at Hakodate. CHOWA MARU undergoes extensive repairs.
30 April 1944:
Departs Ominato.
6 June 1944:
Departs Otaru.
10 June 1944:
Arrives off Kataoka coast. Assigned that same day to convoy duties in Northern waters under Ominato Guard District secret order No. 83.
11 June 1944:
Transfers to Kataoka.
15 June 1944:
Departs Kataoka. Arrives later that day at Noda Ura, Paramushiro and probably resupplies the IJA airfield (Kitanodai Airfield). Then transfers later in the day to Suribachi Wan (Bay), Paramushiro.
16 June 1944:
Transfers to Suribachi.
19 June 1944:
Departs Suribachi and arrives later in the day off Musashi coast.
20 June 1944:
Transfers to Musashi.
21 June 1944:
Departs Musashi and arrives later that same day at Suribachi.
25 June 1944:
Departs Suribachi and arrives later in the day at Kataoka.
28 June 1944:
Departs Kataoka.
2 July 1944:
Arrives at Maoka, Karafuto (now Kholmsk, Sakhalin).
4 July 1944:
Departs Maoka.
5 July 1944:
Arrives at Otaru.
6 July 1944:
Departs Otaru.
7 July 1944:
Arrives at Hakodate.
11 July 1944:
Undergoes scheduled repairs.
12 July 1944:
Repairs are completed.
13 July 1944:
Temporarily fitted with two single Type 93 13 mm MGs under Ominato Guard District secret instruction No. 39. Departs Hakodate that same day and arrives at Ominato.
17 July 1944:
Undergoes repairs to her steering gear.
19 July 1944:
Repairs are completed.
20 July 1944:
Departs Ominato.
21 July 1944:
Arrives at Otaru.
22 July 1944:
Undergoes bulwark repairs.
25 July 1944:
Repairs are completed.
26 July 1944:
Departs Otaru.
31 July 1944:
Arrives at Kataoka.
3 August 1944:
Departs Kataoka and arrives later that day at Kashiwabara, Paramushiro (now Severo-Kurilsk, Paramushir). Probably resupplies the IJA airfield.
11 August 1944:
Departs Kashiwabara and arrives later in the day at Kataoka. Probably unloads supplies for the IJN airbase.
12 August 1944:
Departs Kataoka and arrives later that same day at Suribachi. Probably resupplies the IJA airfield.
14 August 1944:
Departs Suribachi and transfers to Kataoka.
24 August 1944:
Departs Kataoka.
28 August 1944:
Arrives off Wakkanai coast, Hokkaido. Transfers later in the day to Wakkanai harbor. Then departs for Otaru.
29 August 1944:
Arrives at Otaru.
1 September 1944:
Tactically assigned to Soya Defense Forces under Ominato Guard District secret instruction No. 89. Undergoes repairs to her engine.
9 September 1944:
Repairs are completed.
11 September 1944:
Departs Otaru.
12 September 1944:
Arrives off Ominato coast.
13 September 1944:
Transfers to Ominato.
17 September 1944:
Undergoes additional repairs.
30 September 1944:
Repairs are completed.
14 October 1944:
Departs Ominato.
15 October 1944:
Arrives at Otaru.
28 October 1944:
Departs Otaru.
1 November 1944:
Tactically assigned to supply convoy duties under Ominato Guard District secret instruction No. 91.
2 November 1944:
Arrives at Kataoka. Probably unloads supplies for the IJN airbase.
16 November 1944:
Departs Kataoka.
17 November 1944:
Arrives at Suribachi. Probably resupplies the IJA airfield.
22 November 1944:
Departs Suribachi and arrives at Kataoka later that day.
29 November 1944:
Departs Kataoka for main land.
5 December 1944:
Arrives at Otaru.
8 December 1944:
Transfers to Ominato.
E December 1944:
Departs Ominato.
E January 1945:
Arrives at Otaru.
15 January 1945:
Departs Otaru for the Kuriles.
20 January 1945:
Arrives at Matsuwa-To. Probably unloads supplies for the IJN air/naval base.
29 January 1945:
Departs Matsuwa-To for main land.
4 February 1945:
Arrives at Ominato.
5 February 1945:
Departs Ominato.
6 February 1945:
Arrives at Muroran.
10 February 1945:
Departs Muroran.
12 February 1945:
Arrives at Shiogama, Miyagi Prefecture. Assigned that same day to troop transport duties under Ominato Guard District secret instruction No. 94.
16 February 1945:
Departs Shiogama.
17 February 1945:
Arrives at Hakodate.
22 February 1945:
Departs Hakodate.
23 February 1945:
Arrives at Shiogama.
2 March 1945:
Departs Shiogama.
3 March 1945:
Arrives at Hakodate. Undergoes various repairs.
30 March 1945:
Repairs are completed. Departs Hakodate and arrives later in the day at Muroran.
E April 1945:
Departs Muroran and arrives at Ominato.
6 April 1945:
Assigned to resupply units stationed in the Kuriles under Ominato Guard District secret instruction No. 95. Departs Ominato.
13 April 1945:
Arrives at Kataoka. Probably unloads supplies for the IJN airbase.
25 April 1945:
Departs Kataoka, Shimushu-To and steams to Hakodate, Hokkaido.
1 May 1945:
54-nms SE of Hokkaido, near Cape Erimo. Cdr Alexander K. Tyree’s (USNA ’36) USS BOWFIN (SS-287) sights a cargo ship. At 0438, Tyree torpedoes and scores two hits on CHOWA MARU. She sinks 10 minutes later at 41-02N, 144-36E taking down 41 crewmen.
10 June 1945:
Removed from the Navy’s list under internal order No. 526.

Authors Notes:
[1] There were two categories of Zatsuyosen. (Ko) category with an IJN Captain as supervisor aboard and (Otsu) category without.

Thanks go to Gengoro S. Toda of Japan.

-Gilbert Casse, Bob Hackett and Peter Cundall

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