Japanese Transports

ZATSUYOSEN!
(HAKUSAN MARU, prewar)

IJN HAKUSAN MARU:
Tabular Record of Movement

© 2013-2018 Gilbert Casse, Bob Hackett and Peter Cundall
Revision 3

30 January 1922:
Nagasaki. Laid down by Mitsubishi Zosen K.K shipyard for Nippon Yusen K.K. (NYK) as a 10,380-tons refrigerated passenger/cargo ship.
19 May 1923:

Launched and named HAKUSAN MARU. [1]
20 September 1923:
Completed and registered in Tokyo.
1923 ~ ?:
Placed on NYK European service.
17 September 1940:
Requisitioned by the IJN.
7 October 1940:
Registered in the IJN as an auxiliary harbor affairs vessel (aka command ship) attached to the Sasebo Naval District with Sasebo as home port under Navy’s instruction No. 664. IJN Captain Shimizu Masamoto (43) is appointed CO. That same day, starts the conversion to military duty at the Sasebo Naval Yard. [2]
22 October 1940:
The conversion is completed. Undocked. Departs Sasebo.
E 24 October ~ 4 November 1940:
Operates in southern China waters.
1 ~ 6 February 1941:
The flag of the 1st Base Force is transferred from HAKUSAN MARU to minelayer AOTAKA.
23 March 1941:
eparts Tokuyama, Yamaguchi Prefecture.
E 25 March ~ 2 April 1941:
Operates in medium China waters.
4 April 1941:
Arrives at Karatsu, Saga Prefecture, Kyushu.
1 May 1941:
IJN Captain Shimizu is confirmed CO.
10 June ~ 20 July 1941:
Operates in southern China waters.
29 July ~ 7 September 1941:
Operates in southern China waters.
8 December 1941:
At Koniya, Amami-Oshima, Ryukyus.
10 December 1941:
Attached to Rear Admiral Kubo Kuiji’s (38) 1st Base Force.
17 December 1941: The Invasion of Lamon Bay, Southern Luzon, Philippines:
Imperial General Headquarters launches the combined IJA and IJN Lamon Bay Operation. The Army force consists of Gen (later Field Marshal) Count Terauchi Hisachi’s Southern Expeditionary Army. Its 14th Army, under LtGen Homma Masaharu, fields MajGen Morioka Susumu's Invasion Unit of about 7,000 troops consisting of elements of the 16th Infantry division: 20th Infantry, 22nd Field Artillery, HQ and II Battalion, 16 HQ Coy, 16th Eng Battalion, 16th Recon Battalion, 3/45 AA Coy, 16th Transport, 16th Signal Coy, 16th Med Unit and 16th Vet Unit. Two AA and one Signals Regiment are stationed on IJA transports (Yusosen).
The invasion units are embarked on 20 IJA transports: BENGAL, DAINICHI, DURBAN, KAIMEI, KAYO, KITANO, KOFUKU, LISBON, NAGATO, NICHIREN, RYOKA, RYUYO, SHINSEI, SHINSHU (4182 GRT), TAIAN, TATSUNO, TOFUKU, TOYAMA and TOYOHASHI MARUs and TAMON MARU No.5.
The naval force consists of Vice Admiral (later Admiral) Kondo Nobutake's (35) (former CO of KONGO) Southern Force, Philippines Invasion Group that includes Vice Admiral Takahashi Ibo’s (35) (former CO of YAMASHIRO) Third Fleet. Rear Admiral (later Vice Admiral) Kubo Kyuji’s (38) (former CO of KAGA) Invasion Unit consists of his 1st Base Force HQ, in light cruiser NAGARA, 1st Quartermaster Ports and Docks Unit and 1st Naval Signal Unit, aboard HAKUSAN MARU, 1st Naval Guard Unit, aboard KIMISHIMA MARU, 1st Naval Survey Unit in SENKO MARU and Captain (later Vice Admiral) Mori Kunizo's (40) (former CO of SATA) Sasebo No. 1 and 2 Combined Special Naval Landing Force (SNLF) aboard MYOKO MARU.
The convoy’s escort consists of light cruiser NAGARA (F), heavy cruiser ASHIGARA, destroyers TOKITSUKAZE, YUKIKAZE, KAWAKAZE, SUSUKAZE, UMIKAZE, YAMAKAZE, minelayer AOTAKA, minesweepers W-7 and W-8, auxiliary gunboat/minelayer IKUSHIMA MARU, auxiliary gunboats BUSHO, KEIKO, KANKO and MYOKEN MARUs, auxiliary subchasers SHONAN MARU No. 17 and TAKUNAN MARU No. 5 and auxiliary netlayer FUKUEI MARU No. 15.
The Invasion Force departs Koniya, Amami Oshima for Lamon Bay, Quezon, Philippines.
24 December 1941:
The Invasion Force arrives at Lamon Bay. The landings proceed without strong opposition.
28 December 1941:
Departs Lamon Bay.
1 January 1942:
Arrives at Malalag, Davao Gulf. Departs there and arrives at Davao, Mindanao later in the day.
14 January 1942:
Departs Davao.
16 January 1942:
At 1100, arrives at Banga Island, near Mindanao escorted by minelayer SHIRATAKA.
21 January 1942:
At 1150, departs Banga still escorted by SHIRATAKA.
23-24 January 1942: The Invasion of Kendari, Celebes:
Rear Admiral Kubo Kuiji’s (38) Kendari Invasion Force consists of DesRon 10’s light cruiser NAGARA, DesDiv 15’s HAYASHIO, KUROSHIO, OYASHIO and NATSUSHIO, DesDiv 16’s TOKITSUKAZE, HATSUKAZE, AMATSUKAZE and YUKIKAZE, MineSweepDiv 21’s W-11, W-7, W-8, W-9 and W-12, and Subchaser Div 1’s CH-1 and CH-2 escorting the invasion convoy consisting of auxiliary harbor affairs vessel HAKUSAN MARU, auxiliary transport TOKYO MARU and four other transports carrying Captain (later Vice Admiral) Mori Kunizo’s (40) Sasebo No. 1 Combined Special Naval Landing Force (SNLF) escorted by minelayer SHIRATAKA and patrol boats PB-1 and PB-2. The 11th Seaplane Tender Division’s CHITOSE and MIZUHO provide distant support.
24 January 1942:
At 0325, arrives at Kendari and supports the landings.
26 January 1942:
Stores patrol boat PB-1.
27 January 1942:
Departs Kendari.
29 January 1942:
Arrives at Banga.
7 February 1942:
Departs Banga.
8 February 1942:
Arrives at Kendari.
17 February 1942:
Assigned to supply the Bali Invasion Force.
10 March 1942:
Rerated as auxiliary transport (Ko) category attached to the Sasebo Naval District with Sasebo as homeport under instruction No. 422. Assigned that same day to the Java Invasion Force supply units. IJN Captain Seya Saburo is appointed Supervisor. [3]
12 March 1942:
Departs Ambon, Moluccas.
13 March 1942:
Arrives at Kendari.
14 March 1942:
Departs Kendari.
17 March 1942:
Arrives at Surabaya, Java.
22 March 1942:
Departs Surabaya.
24 March 1942:
Arrives at Macassar, Celebes.
2 April 1942:
Departs Macassar.
10 April 1942:
Arrives at Takao, Formosa (now Kaohsiung, Taiwan).
14 April 1942:
Departs Takao.
17 April 1942:
Arrives at Sasebo.
20 April 1942:
Assigned to embark before 5 May about 500 troops and their related equipment and supplies as well as four barges under Navy’s secret instruction No 463.
22 April 1942:
Departs Sasebo.
25 April 1942:
Arrives at Yokohama. That same day, IJN Captain Goto Hareyoshi is appointed Supervisor.
26 April 1942:
Captain Seya disembarks. Captain Goto embarks.
29 April 1942:
Departs Yokohama and arrives at Yokosuka later that day.
2 May 1942:
Departs Yokosuka.
5 May 1942:
Arrives at Maizuru.
9 May 1942:
Scheduled to be assigned (effective 10 May or later) to the 5th Fleet.
10 May 1942:
Assigned to the 5th Fleet.
E 15 ~ 17 May 1942:
Fitted with supplementary latrines and fourteen fully equipped barges.
18 May 1942:
Departs Maizuru.
20 May 1942:
Arrives at Ominato, Aomori Prefecture. Conducts landing exercises that same day.
26 May 1942:
Assigned to the forthcoming Aleutian Operation (AL Sakusen), invasion of Kiska carrying the the Maizuru No. 3 Special Naval Landing Force (SNLF). Departs Ominato and arrives at Sendai, Miyagi Prefecture later that day.
28-29 May 1942: Operation "AL" - The Seizure of Attu and Kiska:
HAKUSAN MARU departs Sendai in Captain (later Rear Admiral) Ono Takeji's (44) Kiska Invasion Force: CruDiv 21’s TAMA and KISO, destroyers HIBIKI, AKATSUKI and HOKAZE, auxiliary cruiser ASAKA MARU and auxiliary transport and KUMAGAWA MARU.
The Kiska Invasion Force is joined by Rear Admiral (later Vice Admiral) Omori Sentaro's (41) (former CO of ISE) Adak-Attu Invasion Force: DesRon 1's light cruiser ABUKUMA, DesDiv 21's HATSUHARU, HATSUSHIMO, WAKABA and NENOHI, auxiliary transport KINUGASA MARU, fleet supply ship MUROTO and auxiliary minelayer MAGANE MARU.
Admiral Omori’s Adak-Attu Invasion Force is accompanied by Vice Admiral Hosogaya Boshiro's (36) (former CO of MUTSU) Northern Force Main Body's that departed Mutsu Wan (Bay), Aomori Prefecture, consisting of auxiliary storeship TOKO MARU No. 2 GO, oiler FUJISAN MARU, collier/oiler NISSAN MARU, auxiliary cruiser AWATA MARU and auxiliary transport AKASHISAN MARU escorted by CruDiv 5's NACHI, destroyers INAZUMA and IKAZUCHI and Rear Admiral (later Vice Admiral) Kakuta Kakuji's (39) (former CO of NAGATO) Carrier Striking Force's CarDiv 4's JUNYO and RYUJO, CruDiv 4/2's TAKAO and MAYA, DesDiv 3's SHIOKAZE and DesDiv 7's AKEBONO, SAZANAMI and USHIO.
1 June 1942:
At 1700 the Invasion Force arrives at Paramushiro, Kuriles and departs the same day for the Aleutians.
2 June 1942:
At 1200 HAKUSAN MARU departs trailing the main invasion fleet.
5 June 1942:
Admiral Omori’s Adak-Attu Invasion Force and Captain Ono’s Kiska Invasion Force arrive in the Western Aleutians waters. The Adak occupation is cancelled and the Adak-Attu Occupation Force is directed to seize only Attu.
6 June 1942:
At 1500, Captain (later Rear Admiral) Ono Takeji’s Occupation Force lands Commander Mukai Nifumi’s Maizuru No. 3 Special Naval Landing Force (SNLF) battalion totaling 660 marines and a Naval Construction Unit of 700 men, at Reynard Cove on Kiska without opposition.
7 June 1942:
At 0300, Rear Admiral (later Vice Admiral) Omori Sentaro's (41) (former CO of ISE) Adak-Attu Occupation Force lands the IJA 301st Independent battalion totaling 1,200 soldiers on Attu, also without opposition. At 2130 HAKUSAN MARU arrives at Kiska.
20 June 1942:
At 1300 departs Kiska with KUMAGAWA MARU.
26 June 1942:
At 0616 arrives at Ominato.
27 June 1942:
At 2155 departs Ominato.
29 June 1942:
At 1300 arrives at Maizuru.
1 July 1942:
Scheduled to be fitted as soon as possible with a temporary bandstand to support a group of Type 93 13mm MGs and related directors under Navy’s instruction No 201.
5 July 1942:
Loads 1,965-tons of ammunition and at 1300 departs Maizuru.
7 July 1942:
At 1200 arrives at Muroran, Hokkaido.
9 July 1942:
At 1800 departs Muroran escorted by destroyer NAGANAMI.
16 July 1942:
At 0500 arrives at Kiska escorted by destroyer HATSUSHIMO.
28 July 1942:
At 1600 departs Kiska escorted by destroyer NAGANAMI.
3 August 1942:
At 0926 arrives at Muroran.
4 August 1942:
Attachment to the 5th Fleet confirmed by Navy’s secret instruction No. 252.
6 August 1942:
Departs Muroran and arrives at Hakodate, Hokkaido later in the day.
8 August 1942:
Departs Hakodate.
11 August 1942:
Arrives at Yokohama.
14 August 1942:
Departs Yokohama and arrives at Shibaura, Tokyo later that day.
20 August 1942:
Departs Shibaura and arrives at Yokohama later that same day.
30 August 1942:
Assigned to transport Special Type barges No. 7733 and 4732 to the 4th Fleet headquarters at Truk.
31 August 1942:
Departs Yokohama.
8 September 1942:
Arrives at Truk, Central Carolines.
16 September 1942:
20 September 1942:
Arrives at Emiedj, Jaluit Atoll, Marshalls.
24 September 1942:
Departs Emiedj.
25 September 1942:
Arrives at Taroa, Marshalls.
26 September 1942:
Departs Taroa and arrives at Wotje, Marshalls later in the day.
27 September 1942:
Departs Wotje.
28 September 1942:
Arrives at Kwajalein, Marshalls.
4 October 1942:
Departs Kwajalein for Japan.
11 October 1942:
Arrives at Yokosuka.
13 October 1942:
Departs Yokosuka and arrives at Yokohama later in the day.
15 November 1942:
Departs Yokohama and arrives at Yokosuka later that day.
18 November 1942:
Departs Yokosuka.
20 November 1942:
Arrives at Osaka.
23 November 1942:
Departs Osaka.
25 November 1942:
Arrives at Busan, Chosen (now Pusan, South Korea).
26 November 1942:
Departs Busan.
27 November 1942:
Arrives at Miike, Fukuoka Prefecture.
1 December 1942:
At 1530 departs Miike.
9 December 1942:
At 0755 arrives at Truk.
E 10-11 December 1942:
838 passengers disembark. Embarks 103 passengers. Loads building materials.
12 December 1942:
At 0700 departs Truk.
15 December 1942:
At 1510 arrives at Rabaul, New Britain.
E 16 ~ 24 December 1942:
Unloads craft, building materials, rations and coal. 862 passengers disembark.
17 December 1942:
Simpson Harbor, Rabaul is bombed and strafed by allied aircraft twice that day from 0850-0920 and from 2000-2130. HAKUSAN MARU is undamaged.
21 December 1942:
From 1335-1350 sustains another airstrike again with no damage.
22 December 1942:
From 0840-0920 sustains another airstrike again with no damage.
24 December 1942:
USAAF B-17 “Flying Fortresses” bomb Simpson harbor again from 1045-1115. HAKUSAN MARU is not hit but auxiliary transport KAGU MARU and IJA transport KOZAN MARU are damaged.
25 December 1942:
From 0135-0320 sustains another airstrike with no damage. That same day begins to load 300-tons of shells, empty bottles and a turret from damaged destroyer SHIRATSUYU (til’ Dec 27). [4]
26 December 1942:
Sustains another airstrike again with no damage. Fires against attacking aircraft. Embarks 220 passengers and five funerary urns.
27 December 1942:
At 0330 sustains another airstrike with no damage. One Type 93 13mm MG is disabled. At 0430, departs Rabaul for Japan escorted part way by subchaser CH-16.
5 January 1943:
At 0915 arrives at Yokosuka.
E 6-7 January 1943:
Disembarks 222 passengers. Unloads 300-tons of shells, empty bottles and the turret from damaged destroyer SHIRATSUYU.
8 January 1943:
At 1000 departs Yokosuka and at 1155 arrives at Yokohama, docking at pier No. 9.
E 9-10 January 1943:
Embarks 1,467 passengers.
11 January 1943:
Previously disabled Type 93 13mm MG is repaired.
13 January 1943:
With auxiliary transport MYOKO MARU at 0900, departs Yokohama, make a call at Yokosuka. There, both ships join coastal convoy No. 7113A also consisting of IJA shared transport A/C-AP) KACHIDOKI (ex-PRESIDENT HARRISON) MARU escorted by torpedo boat CHIDORI and departs later in the day for Kure.
15 January 1943:
Arrives at Kure.
16 January 1943:
Departs Kure and arrives at Miike at 1500.
E 16-17 January 1943:
Replenishes fuel and boiler water.
18 January 1943:
At 1600, departs Miike in an unnumbered convoy also consisting of auxiliary transport MYOKO MARU (5,086 GRT) escorted by destroyer MINATSUKI.
24 January 1943:
At 0935, arrives at Palau, Western Carolines.
E 25 January ~ 2 February 1943:
Replenishes boiler water and embarks 125 passengers.
3 February 1943:
At 1400, departs Palau for Manokwari, New Guinea in convoy “H” also consisting of auxiliary transport MYOKO MARU with no initial escort.
4 February 1943:
Minesweeper W-20 meets the convoy at 00-50S, 150-00E and provides escort to its destination.
5 February 1943:
At 1125 the convoy arrives safely at Manokwari. 741 troops and civilian personnel disembark. 14 passengers embark. Materials are unloaded.
E 6-7 February 1943:
Comes alongside and supplies 100-tons of coal to minelayer WAKATAKA.
8 February 1943:
At 1800 departs Manokwari.
11 February 1943:
At 0545 arrives at Wewak, New Guinea.
E 12-19 February 1943:
Comes alongside and supplies 40-tons of coal to IJN salvage and repair tug OJIMA. Unloads one craft, weapons and building materials. 754 passengers disembark. Comes alongside and supplies 75-tons of coal to minelayer SHIRATAKA.
20 February 1943:
Unloads 70-tons of coal and at 1200 departs Wewak.
23 February 1943:
At 1025 arrives at Palau.
E 24-25 February 1943:
Replenishes boiler water.
25 February 1943:
At 0800 departs Palau.
1 March 1943:
At 1300 arrives at Takao.
E 1 ~ 4 March 1943:
Loads 4,000-tons of sugar. Four passengers board the ship.
4 March 1943:
At 0900 departs Takao for Japan in convoy (Special) Rinji-A also consisting of auxiliary emergency tanker (ex-auxiliary transport) KOZUI MARU and two unidentified merchant ships without escort.
6 March 1943:
The convoy disperses at Mutsure-Jima.
9 March 1943:
At 0650 arrives at Kobe.
E 9 ~ 11 March 1943:
Unloads 4,000-tons of sugar.
12 March 1943:
At 1200 departs Kobe and arrives at Osaka at 1330 later that same day.
E 12 ~ 15 March 1943:
Loads building materials.
15 March 1943:
At 1330 departs Osaka.
16 March 1943:
At 0930 arrives at Moji.
E 16 ~ 18 March 1943:
Loads cement. Embarks eight passengers.
18 March 1943:
At 0600 departs Moji.
19 March 1943:
At 0110 arrives at Miike.
E 19 ~ 21 March 1943:
Replenishes fuel and boiler water. Embarks 40 passengers.
21 March 1943:
At 0821 departs Miike.
22 March 1943:
At 0825 arrives at Busan.
E 23-24 March 1943:
Embarks 1,205 Korean labourer passengers.
24 March 1943:
At 2000 departs Busan.
26 March 1943:
The ship joins off Kobe convoy No. 8326-A also consisting of one unidentied ship escorted by destroyer NAMIKAZE.
27 March 1943:
The convoy disperses off Tateyama. Arrives at Yokosuka later in the day, at 1730.
E 27 ~ 29 March 1943:
Loads assorted goods and other sundries.
29 March 1943:
At 1200 departs Yokosuka.
5 April 1943:
At 1500 at 9-30N 147-40E meets up with Submarine chaser CH-12 that escorts ship.
6 April 1943:
At 1700 arrives at Truk.
E 7 ~ 11 April 1943:
12 April 1943:
Replenishes 700-tons of boiler water.
13 April 1943:
At 0700 departs Truk with Naval storeship KITAKAMI MARU, Naval transport CHIHAYA MARU and tanker KUMAGAWA MARU escorted by auxiliary submarine chaser SHONAN MARU No. 3.
18 April 1943:
At 0940 arrives at Jaluit.
E 18-19 April 1943:
600 passengers disembark and 31 passengers embark.
19 April 1943:
At 1500 departs Jaluit escorted by auxiliary minesweeper SHONAN MARU No. 3.
20 April 1943:
At 0940 arrives at Mili, Marshalls.
E 21-25 April 1943:
12 passengers disembark. Unloads 1,000-tons of cement and 600m3 of building materials.
26 April 1943:
At 0600 departs Mili.
27 April 1943:
At 1350, arrives at Kwajalein.
E 28 ~ 3 May 1943:
12 passengers disembark. Unloads 900-tons of cement and 900m3 of building materials.
4 May 1943:
Embarks 490 passengers.
5 May 1943:
At 0412 departs Kwajalein in unnumbered convoy also consisting of auxiliary aircraft transport FUJIKAWA MARU, auxiliary transport CHIHAYA MARU, minelayer (ex-armored cruiser) TOKIWA escorted by subchaser CH-32 and auxiliary submarine chasers SHONAN MARU No. 3 and SHONAN MARU No. 6. Late that day SHONAN MARU No. 3 is detached at 161.30E.
E 7 May 1943:
At 08-37N SHONAN MARU No. 6 is detached.
9 May 1943:
At 1312 arrives at Truk. 91 passengers disembark.
13 May 1943:
227 passengers embark.
14 May 1943:
At 0430 departs Truk for Japan in convoy No. 4514 also consisting of auxiliary aircraft transport FUJIKAWA MARU and auxiliary transport CHIHAYA MARU escorted by destroyer INAZUMA and torpedo boat OTORI. Immediately after leaving port FUJIKAWA MARU is attacked by an unknown submarine, but incurs no damage.
20 May 1943:
Anchors at Tateyama Bay, Chiba Prefecture.
22 May 1943:
At 0800, arrives at Yokohama. At 1100, moves to nearby Yokosuka. 755 passengers disembark.
23 May 1943:
At 1400 departs Yokosuka and arrives at Yokohama later that day, at 1530. That same day, IJN Captain (Rear Admiral posthumously) Ozawa Kakusuke (34) is appointed supervisor.
23-24 May 1943:
Unloads building materials.
25 May 1943:
Captain Ozawa is appointed CO.
25 ~ 31 May 1943:
Undergoes hull, engine and weapons maintenance.
26 May 1943:
Captain Ozawa relieves Captain Goto.
1 June 1943:
At 0400 departs Yokosuka.
4 June 1943:
At 0910 arrives at Miike. Replenishes fuel and boiler water. Loads rations.
6 June 1943:
At 0930 departs Miike.
7 June 1943:
At 0800 arrives at Busan.
E 7-8 June 1943:
Embarks 1,780 passengers.
8 June 1943:
At 1630 departs Busan.
9 June 1943:
At 0815 arrives at Sasebo. 405 passengers disembark.
10 June 1943:
At 0630 departs Sasebo.
11 June 1943:
At 0720 arrives at Kure. 1,375 passengers disembark.
E 11 ~ 16 June 1943:
Undergoes hull, engine and weapons maintenance. 257 passengers embark.
16 June 1943:
At 1600 departs Kure.
18 June 1943:
At 1600 arrives at Yokosuka.
18 ~ 22 June 1943:
Undergoes hull, engine and weapons maintenance. Loads 4,000m3 of rations and 240m3 of quartermaster equipment.
23-24 June 1943:
Embarks 1,453 passengers.
28 June 1943:
At 1730, departs Yokosuka for Truk in convoy No. 3628 also consisting of auxiliary supply ship IRAKO escorted by destroyer IKAZUCHI. The convoy sails at 11 knots.
6 July 1943:
At 0745 arrives at Truk. 274 passengers disembark.
6 ~ 13 July 1943:
Unloads 3,000m3 of rations and 50m3 of other sundries.
14 ~ 17 July 1943:
Loads 2,000m3 of weapons, rations and other sundries.
16 July 1943:
Embarks 762 passengers.
17 July 1943:
At 1600 departs Truk for Rabaul in convoy No. 1172 also consisting of auxiliary transport KEISHO MARU escorted by destroyer HIYODORI. The convoy sails at 11 knots.
18 July 1943:
At 2055 sights a submarine running at the surface and fires one shot with her stern 8cm deck gun.
19 July 1943:
Minelayer HOKO joins the convoy as an addeitional escort whilr HIYODORI hunts the submarine.
21 July 1943:
At 0915 arrives at Rabaul. 1,696 passengers disembark.
21 ~ 27 July 1943:
Unloads weapons, ammunition, rations and other sundries totaling 3,290m3.
28 ~ 30 July 1943:
Loads 12 cars, and empty bottles, empty drums totaling 700m3.
E 29 July 1943:
Nine passengers embark.
30 July 1943:
At 1130, departs Rabaul for Truk in an unnumbered convoy with auxiliary seaplane tender KUNIKAWA MARU escorted by destroyers YUNAGI and MINATSUKI.
2 August 1943:
At 1330, arrives at Truk.
3 August 1943:
Embarks 1,349 passengers and loads 286 funerary urns.
5 August 1943:
At 0830, departs Truk for Yokosuka in convoy No. 4805 also consisting of auxiliary seaplane tender KUNIKAWA MARU and fleet oiler KAZAHAYA escorted by torpedo boat OTORI.
12 August 1943:
At 1330, arrives at Yokosuka.
13 August 1943:
1,358 passengers disembark and 286 funerary urns are landed.
14 August 1943:
At 1615 departs Yokosuka arriving at Yokohama later in the day, at 1730.
14 August ~ 1 September 1943:
Undergoes maintenance in various areas.
2 September 1943:
At 1720 enters drydock at Mitsubishi Heavy Industries K.K. shipyard.
6 September 1943:
At 1425 undocked. Tethers to Yokohama pier.
E 7 September 1943:
IJN Captain Kurakawa Akira is appointed CO.
8 September 1943:
Captain Kurakawa’s appointment is cancelled.
9 September 1943:
Replenishes 100-tons of coal fuel.
10 September 1943:
At 0630 departs Yokohama.
13 September 1943:
At 0900 arrives at Miike.
13 ~ 15 September 1943:
Loads and replenishes coal fuel, boiler water and assorted goods totaling 3,603-tons.
15 September 1943:
At 1600 departs Miike.
17 September 1943:
At 1000 arrives at Kobe. At 1330 departs there in Westbound 8 knot coastal convoy No. 8917 also consisting of unidentified ships and escort if any.
18 September 1943:
At 0600 separates from the convoy and steams alone to Tateyama, arriving there later that day, at 2300.
19 September 1943:
At 0600 departs Tateyama and arrives at Shibaura, Tokyo later in the day at 1030.
20 September 1943:
Loads iron and other sundries totaling 717-tons.
21 September 1943:
At 0930 departs Shibaura, Tokyo and arrives at Yokosuka later that day, at 1300.
E 21 ~ 25 September 1943:
Loads rations and other sundries totaling 3,977m3.
26 September 1943:
Embarks 1,681 passengers. At 1500 departs Yokosuka in convoy No. 3926 also consisting of one unidentified merchant ship escorted by the torpedo boat OTORI. At 1720 calls at Tateyama.
27 September 1943:
At 0400 departs Tateyama.
5 October 1943:
Arrives at Truk.
15 October 1943:
Departs Truk in convoy No. 1152 also consisting of auxiliary transport TOKYO MARU escorted by destroyer SHIRATSUYU. The convoy steams at 10 knots.
17 October 1943:
North of New Ireland. The convoy is attacked at 152-25E, 01-30S by a lone PB-4Y of VPB-104 and HAKUSAN MARU is strafed and hit by a bomb on her bows. A total of 36 men are killed in this attack but by 2200 the fires are extinguished and the ships resume the voyage.
18 October 1943:
Arrives at Rabaul.
2 November 1943:
Damage report establishes minor damage from a single bomb hit. Repairs to be made at the funnel’s base and vicinity area.
6 November 1943:
Auxiliary transport KANAYAMASAN MARU comes alongside to provide assistance.
7 November 1943:
Towed to Karavia Bay, S of Rabaul by auxiliary transport MITAKESAN MARU.
16 November ~ 2 December 1943:
Undergoes emergency repairs with assistance provided by auxiliary salvage and repair ship HAKKAI MARU.
3 ~5 December 1943:
Unloads building materials.
4 December 1943:
Emergency repairs are completed.
5 December 1943:
Borrows from the Transport Department an additional Type 93 13mm MG to be placed at the bridge’s center. Embarks 137 passengers.
6 December 1943:
At midnight, departs Rabaul for Truk in convoy No. 2063 also consisting of auxiliary transport KOKAI MARU, IJN shared (B/C-AK) TETSUYO MARU and weather ships KAIYO No. 3 and KAIYO No. 4 escorted by subchasers CH-29 and CH-33.
9 December 1943:
At 0945, TETSUYO MARU develops engine trouble and falls behind. CH-33 is detached to escort.
10 December 1943:
At 0650 the convoy arrives at Truk and moors at Natsushima anchorage.
10 ~ 23 December 1943:
Unloads coal fuel totaling 839-tons.
12 December 1943:
The additional 13mm MG is landed and returned to the Transport Department.
24 December 1943:
109 passengers disembark.
24 ~ 31 December 1943:
Loads 8,542 empty drums.
2 January 1944:
Sistership HAKOZAKI MARU comes alongside and transfers coal to HAKUSAN MARU.
E 10 January 1944:
Embarks 220 passengers.
11 January 1944:
At 0500, departs Truk in convoy No. 4111 also consisting of auxiliary transports HAKOZAKI, KIMISHIMA and MITAKESAN MARUs escorted by destroyer SHIRATSUYU, kaibokan HIRADO and subchaser CH-29.
20 January 1944:
Detached at some point and at 1630 arrives at Yokosuka. 220 passengers disembark.
20 ~ 25 January 1944:
Unloads empty drums. Loads quartermaster equipment and assorted goods.
25 January 1944:
At 0700, departs Yokosuka in convoy No. 3125-A also consisting of Navy requisitioned cargo ship (B-AK) REIYO MARU and civilian cargo ship (C-AK) HANAGAWA MARU escorted by kaibokan HIRADO and ISHIGAKI and subchaser CH-52. Soon after departure, probably due to mechanical failure, HAKUSAN MARU separates from the convoy and calls at Tateyama Bay at 1745. Departs later in the day at 2110.
26 January 1944:
At 0130 arrives back at Tateyama Bay. Departs later that day at 2050.
27 January 1944:
At 1555 arrives at Owase Bay, Mie Prefecture.
28 January 1944:
At 0555 departs Owase Bay and arrives at Osaka later that day, at 1815. Goes to the shipyard.
28 January ~ 7 February 1944:
Preparation is made for extensive repairs.
8 February ~ 2 May 1944:
From 1430 undergoes repairs at Hitachi Zosen K.K. shipyard alongside shipyard quay.
2 April 1944:
Enters drydock at Hitachi Zosen K.K. shipyard.
10 April 1944:
Undocked and returns alongside shipyard quay.
1 May 1944:
Captain Ozawa is appointed member of the Yokosuka Naval District.
3 May 1944:
Repairs are completed. Departs Osaka.
5 May 1944:
Arrives at Miike.
7 May 1944:
Departs Miike.
12 May 1944:
Arrives at Yokosuka.
15 May 1944:
Departs Yokosuka and arrives at Tateyama later that day. That same day HAKUSAN MARU is rerated auxiliary transport, (Otsu) category. [3]
17 May 1944:
At 0616, departs Tateyama in convoy No. 3515 also consisting of auxiliary transport NIPPONKAI MARU, IJN requisitioned cargo ships (B-AK) REIKAI, EIKO, NATSUKAWA, AKISHIMA, CHIYO MARUs and UNYO MARU No. 8, IJA transports TOYO and HINKO MARUs, civilian cargo ships (C-AK) KINSHU and SEIGA MARUs escorted by destroyer HATAKAZE, kaibokan CD-16, MIKURA and MIYAKI, minesweeper W-20, minelayer SARUSHIMA and auxiliary netlayer KOA MARU No. 2.
20 May 1944:
At 0700 arrives at Chichijima.
23 May 1944:
At about 0900, W-20 is detached from the convoy.
25 May 1944:
At 0708, the convoy arrives safely at Saipan.
E 25 ~ 30 May 1944:
Disembarks 600 passengers. Embarks 71 IJN troops, 375 civilian employees and refugees, dry cochlea totaling 27-tons and 265-tons of coal.
31 May 1944:
At 0600, departs Saipan for Yokosuka in convoy No. 4530 also consisting of auxiliary net layer SHUNSEN MARU, IJN requisitioned cargo ships (B-AK) EIKO, NATSUKAWA, CHIYO MARUs and UNYO MARU No. 8, IJA transports JINZAN and KAIKO MARUs, escorted by destroyer HATAKAZE, minelayer SARUSHIMA, minesweeper W-20, auxiliary minesweeper FUMI MARU No. 2 and auxiliary store ship TAKUNAN MARU.
2 June 1944:
250 miles W of Uracas Island. At 2207, CHIYO MARU is attacked by LtCdr Edward N. Blakely’s (USNA ’34) USS SHARK (SS-314) and hit by two torpedoes port side under the rear of the bridge. About ten minutes later, CHIYO MARU sinks at 21-00N 140-30E taking down 97 of her 143 passengers and five crewmen. CD-12 and the other escorts counter-attack and drop a total of 39 depth-charges, but without damage to USS SHARK.
4 June 1944:
317 miles WSW of Iwo-Jima. At 0405, HAKUSAN MARU is attacked by LtCdr John D. Crowley’s (USNA ’34) USS FLIER (SS-250) and hit port side by two of three torpedoes he fires. At 0415, HAKUSAN MARU’s stern rises vertically and she sinks at 22-37N 136-50E. 23 crewmen, nine gunners, 16 of 71 troops and 277 of 375 passengers (mostly women and children) are KIA. CD-12 and the other escorts counter-attack and drop 34 depth-charges, but without damage to USS FLIER.
10 July 1944:
Removed from the Navy’s list under instruction No. 855.

Authors Notes:
[1] Not to be confused with IJA requisitioned relief ship No. 5519 (4,351 GRT ’41) or IJA transport No. 405 (2,197 GRT ’20).
[2] The role of the harbor affairs vessel (Tokusetsu Komukan) was to take harbor office of Naval Base Corps on board.
[3] There were two categories of Zatsuyosen. (Ko) category with an IJN Captain as supervisor aboard and (Otsu) category without.
[4] SHIRATSUYU was bombed by Boeing B-17 “Flying Fortresses” and damaged by a direct hit on bow during an aborted troop transport run to Buna, Bougainville, Solomons on 29 Nov ‘42.

Thanks go to Gengoro S. Toda of Japan

Gilbert Casse, Bob Hackett and Peter Cundall

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