Japanese Auxiliary Netlayers

KYUSETSUMOKAN!

HOKAKUMOTEI!

(HINOKI MARU, prewar – Berend van der Wal collection)

IJN HINOKI MARU:
Tabular Record of Movement

© 2021 Gilbert Casse, Berend van der Wal and Peter Cundall

1938:
Saizaki-machi. Laid down by Saizaki Dock K.K. as 599-tons cargo ship for Uwajima Unyu K.K.
October 1938:
Launched and named HINOKI MARU. [1]
29 August 1939:
Completed and registered at Uwajima, with a Gross Registered Tonnage (GRT) of 599-tons and a Net Registered Tonnage (NRT) of 371-tons. Her registered length is 50.3m overall. Her call sign is JWFM. [2]
10 September 1941:
Requisitioned by the IJN. Conversion for military duty begins at Kozaki Senkyo K.K. Registered as an auxiliary netlayer attached to the Kure Naval district under instruction No. 1093.
1 October 1941:
Conversion is completed.
15 October 1941:
Attached to Kure Guard Force, Kure Local Defense Squadron, Saeki Base Defense Unit under instruction No. 1253.
1 December 1941:
Navy (Resv) Lt(jg) Okita Ichiro is appointed Commanding Officer.
3 December 1941:
Departs Fukuura and arrives at Saeki later this day.
6 December 1941:
Departs Saeki and arrives at Okishima later that day.
7 December 1941:
Departs Okishima and arrives at Saeki later this day.
8 December 1941:
Departs Saeki and arrives at Hesaki later that day.
9 December 1941:
Departs Hesaki and arrives at Yoshimi later this day.
10 December 1941:
Attached to the Kure Naval District, Kure Local Defense Squadron, Saeki Base Defense Unit.
14 December 1941:
Departs Yoshimi.
15 December 1941:
Arrives at Saeki.
16 December 1941:
Departs Saeki and arrives at Kitsuki later that day.
17 December 1941:
Departs Kitsuki and arrives at Himeshima later this day.
18 December 1941:
Departs Himeshima and arrives at Iwaishima later that day.
19 December 1941:
Departs Iwaishima and arrives at Himeshima later this day.
20 December 1941:
Departs Himeshima.
22 December 1941:
Arrives at Himeshima.
23 December 1941:
Departs Himeshima and arrives at Nagashima later that day.
24 December 1941:
Departs Nagashima and arrives at Heigun-To. Attached that same day to the First Sweeping Unit about one week from 25 Dec ‘41 night.
25 December 1941:
Departs Heigun-To and arrives at Saeki later that day.
26 December 1941:
Departs Saeki.
28 December 1941:
Arrives at Agenosho.
30 December 1941:
Departs Agenosho.
31 December 1941:
Arrives at Saeki. Departs there later this day.
1 January 1942:
Arrives at Agenosho.
3 January 1942:
Departs Agenosho.
4 January 1942:
Arrives at Saeki.
7 January 1942:
Departs Saeki and arrives at Inokushi later that day.
8 January 1942:
Departs Inokushi.
9 January 1942:
Arrives at Shimoichio.
10 January 1942:
Departs Shimoichio and arrives at Inokushi later this day.
11 January 1942:
Departs Inokushi and arrives at Saeki later that day.
12 January 1942:
Departs Saeki and arrives at Iritsu later that day.
13 January 1942:
Departs Iritsu and returns to port later that day.
14 January 1942:
Departs Iritsu again and returns to port later that day.
15 January 1942:
Departs Iritsu again and arrives at Saeki later in the day.
16 January 1942:
Departs Saeki and returns to port later this day.
20 January 1942:
Departs Saeki and arrives at Agenosho later that day.
26 January 1942:
Departs Agenosho and arrives at Saeki later this day.
5 February 1942:
Departs Saeki and returns there later that day.
7 February 1942:
Departs Saeki and returns to port later this day.
16 February 1942:
Departs Saeki and arrives at Misaki later that day.
17 February 1942:
Departs Misaki and arrives at Usuki later this day.
18 February 1942:
Departs Usuki and arrives at Saeki later that day.
19 February 1942:
Departs Saeki.
20 February 1942:
Arrives at Sukumo.
22 February 1942:
Departs Sukumo.
23 February 1942:
Arrives at Saeki.
25 February 1942:
Departs Saeki.
26 February 1942:
Arrives at Sukumo.
28 February 1942:
Departs Sukumo.
1 March 1942:
Arrives at Sukumo and departs there later this day.
2 March 1942:
Arrives at Saeki.
3 March 1942:
Departs Saeki.
4 March 1942:
Arrives at Sukumo.
6 March 1942:
Departs Sukumo.
7 March 1942:
Arrives at Sukumo.
8 March 1942:
Departs Sukumo.
9 March 1942:
Arrives at Saeki.
10 March 1942:
Departs Saeki.
11 March 1942:
Arrives at Shimizu port.
12 March 1942:
Departs Shimizu port and arrives at Koyorozume later that day.
13 March 1942:
Departs Koyorozume.
14 March 1942:
Arrives at Saeki.
19 March 1942:
Departs Saeki on anti-submarine training.
20 March 1942:
Arrives at Saeki.
24 March 1942:
Departs Saeki.
25 March 1942:
Arrives at Uwajima.
26 March 1942:
Departs Uwajima.
27 March 1942:
Arrives at Saeki.
30 March 1942:
Departs Saeki on gunnery practice and returns to port later this day.
1 April 1942:
Departs Saeki.
2 April 1942:
Arrives at Saeki.
5 April 1942:
Departs Saeki and arrives at Iwamatsu later that day.
6 April 1942:
Departs Iwamatsu and arrives at Saeki later this day.
8 April 1942:
Departs Saeki.
10 April 1942:
Arrives at Saeki.
12 April 1942:
Departs Saeki and returns there later that day.
13 April 1942:
Departs Saeki.
14 April 1942:
Arrives at Saeki.
15 April 1942:
Departs Saeki.
16 April 1942:
Arrives at Saeki.
17 April 1942:
Departs Saeki and arrives at Kobe later this day.
18 April 1942:
Departs Kobe.
19 April 1942:
Arrives at Sumoto.
23 April 1942:
Departs Sumoto and arrives at Kiiyura later that day.
27 April 1942:
Departs Kiiyura and arrives at Sumoto later this day.
28 April 1942:
Departs Sumoto and arrives at Ikeda Bay later that day.
29 April 1942:
Departs Ikeda Bay and arrives at Mitsukue later this day.
30 April 1942:
Departs Mitsukue and arrives at Saeki later that day.
10 May 1942:
Departs Saeki and returns there later this day.
11 May 1942:
Departs Saeki.
12 May 1942:
Arrives at Saeki.
14 May 1942:
Departs Saeki.
15 May 1942:
Arrives at Saeki.
16 May 1942:
Departs Saeki and returns to port later that day.
17 May 1942:
Departs Saeki.
18 May 1942:
Arrives at Saeki.
19 May 1942:
Departs Saeki and arrives at Sukumo later this day.
20 May 1942:
Departs Sukumo.
22 May 1942:
Arrives at Saeki.
23 May 1942:
Departs Saeki and returns there later that day.
25 May 1942:
Departs Sukumo.
26 May 1942:
Arrives at Saeki.
27 May 1942:
Departs Saeki and returns there later this day.
28 May 1942:
Departs Sukumo.
29 May 1942:
Arrives at Saeki.
31 May 1942:
Departs Sukumo.
June 1942:
Navy (Resv) Lt Yamada Mitsuru is appointed CO.
1 June 1942:
Arrives at Saeki.
3 June 1942:
Departs Saeki.
4 June 1942:
Arrives at Saeki.
6 June 1942:
Departs Saeki.
7 June 1942:
Arrives at Uwajima.
8 June 1942:
Departs Uwajima and arrives at Saeki later that day.
9 June 1942:
Departs Saeki.
10 June 1942:
Arrives at Saeki.
11 June 1942:
Departs Saeki and returns there later this day.
12 June 1942:
Departs Saeki.
13 June 1942:
Arrives at Saeki.
14 June 1942:
Departs Saeki and returns to port later that day.
15 June 1942:
Departs Saeki.
16 June 1942:
Arrives at Saeki.
18 June 1942:
Departs Saeki.
19 June 1942:
Arrives at Saeki.
21 June 1942:
Departs Saeki.
22 June 1942:
Arrives at Saeki.
24 June 1942:
Departs Saeki.
25 June 1942:
Arrives at Saeki.
26 June 1942:
Departs Saeki and returns there later this day.
27 June 1942:
Departs Saeki.
28 June 1942:
Arrives at Saeki.
30 June 1942:
Departs Saeki.
1 July 1942:
Arrives at Saeki.
3 July 1942:
Departs Saeki.
4 July 1942:
Arrives at Saeki.
7 July 1942:
Departs Saeki and arrives at Mitsugahama (now Mitsuhama) later that day.
8 July 1942:
Departs Mitsugahama. Escorts auxiliary oiler/coaler SHINSEI MARU No. 6 through Bungo Channel and arrives at Kure later this day.
8 ~ 29 July 1942:
Undergoes repairs.
29 July 1942:
Departs Kure and arrives at Saeki later that day.
2 August 1942:
Departs Saeki.
3 August 1942:
Arrives at Saeki.
5 August 1942:
Departs Saeki.
7 August 1942:
Arrives at Saeki.
9 August 1942:
Departs Saeki.
10 August 1942:
Arrives at Saeki.
11 August 1942:
Departs Saeki.
12 August 1942:
Arrives at Saeki.
14 August 1942:
Departs Saeki.
15 August 1942:
Arrives at Saeki.
16 August 1942:
Departs Saeki.
18 August 1942:
Arrives at Saeki.
19 August 1942:
Departs Saeki.
21 August 1942:
Arrives at Saeki.
23 August 1942:
Departs Saeki.
24 August 1942:
Arrives at Saeki.
26 August 1942:
Departs Saeki.
27 August 1942:
Arrives at Iwamatsu.
28 August 1942:
Departs Iwamatsu and arrives at Saeki later this day.
29 August 1942:
Departs Saeki.
30 August 1942:
Arrives at Saeki.
1 September 1942:
Departs Saeki.
2 September 1942:
Arrives at Saeki.
4 September 1942:
Departs Saeki.
5 September 1942:
Arrives at Saeki.
7 September 1942:
Departs Saeki.
8 September 1942:
Arrives at Saeki.
10 September 1942:
Departs Saeki.
11 September 1942:
Arrives at Saeki.
13 September 1942:
Departs Saeki.
14 September 1942:
Arrives at Saeki.
15 September 1942:
Departs Saeki and returns there later that day. Placed under Vice Admiral Mikawa Gunichi’s (38) Eighth Fleet command.
23 September 1942:
Departs Saeki.
24 September 1942:
Arrives at Kushimoto.
25 September 1942:
Departs Kushimoto.
28 September 1942:
Arrives at Ogasawara Gunto (Bonins) and departs there later this day.
E October 1942:
Her registered length is changed to 50.2m overall.
3 November 1942:
Departs Truk, Central Carolines.
4 November 1942:
Arrives at Truk.
15 November 1942:
Departs Truk on escort mission.
16 November 1942:
Arrives at Truk.
18 November 1942:
Departs Truk on anti-submarine sweeping.
20 November 1942:
Arrives at Truk.
21 November 1942:
Departs Truk on anti-submarine sweeping.
24 November 1942:
Arrives at Truk.
26 November 1942:
Departs Truk on anti-submarine sweeping.
28 November 1942:
Arrives at Truk.
30 November 1942:
Departs Truk on anti-submarine sweeping.
3 December 1942:
Arrives at Truk.
5 December 1942:
Departs Truk on anti-submarine sweeping.
8 December 1942:
Arrives at Truk.
10 December 1942:
Departs Truk on anti-submarine sweeping.
12 December 1942:
Arrives at Truk.
22 December 1942:
Departs Truk on anti-submarine sweeping.
26 December 1942:
Arrives at Truk.
29 December 1942:
Attached to 125th Subchaser Division under instruction No. 2430. Attached to Vice Admiral (later Admiral) Takasu Shiro’s (35) Southwestern Area Fleet, Second Southern Expeditionary Fleet in 25th Special Base Force, 125th Subchaser Division. Rated as main unit. That same day, Navy (Resv) Lt. Kaumi Naotoshi is appointed CO.
31 December 1942:
Departs Truk for Hollandia, New Guinea, Netherlands East Indies (now Jayapura, Indonesia).
4 February 1943:
Departs Sarmi, New Guinea, Netherlands East Indies (now Indonesia) on escort mission.
5 February 1943:
Arrives at Wakde, New Guinea, Netherlands East Indies (now Indonesia). Departs there later that day.
7 February 1943:
Arrives at Manokwari, New Guinea, Netherlands East Indies (now Indonesia).
8 February 1943:
Departs Manokwari.
11 February 1943:
Arrives at Hollandia.
19 February 1943:
Departs Hollandia.
26 February 1943:
Arrives at Hollandia. Departs there later this day.
27 February 1943:
Arrives at Serui, Yapen Island, Netherlands East Indies (now Indonesia).
28 February 1943:
Departs Serui.
1 March 1943:
Arrives at Nabire, New Guinea, Netherlands East Indies (now Indonesia). Departs there later that day.
2 March 1943:
Arrives at Manokwari.
6 March 1943:
Departs Manokwari.
7 March 1943:
Arrives at Korido, Biak, New Guinea, Netherlands East Indies (now Indonesia). Departs there later this day.
8 March 1943:
Arrives at Bosnik, Biak, New Guinea, Netherlands East Indies (now Indonesia). Departs there later that day.
10 March 1943:
Arrives at Serui.
12 March 1943:
Departs Serui and arrives at Manokwari later this day.
19 March 1943:
Departs Manokwari and returns there later that day.
24 March 1943:
Departs Manokwari.
25 March 1943:
Arrives at Sorong, New Guinea, Netherlands East Indies (now Indonesia).
26 March 1943:
Departs Sorong.
27 March 1943:
Arrives at Kokas (Kaukas), New Guinea, Netherlands East Indies (now Indonesia).
28 March 1943:
Departs Kokas.
29 March 1943:
Arrives at Kaimana, New Guinea, Netherlands East Indies (now Indonesia). Departs there later this day.
30 March 1943:
Arrives at Fakfak (Fak-fak), New Guinea, Netherlands East Indies (now Indonesia). Departs there later this day.
31 March 1943:
Arrives at Sorong.
1 April 1943:
Departs Sorong.
4 April 1943:
Arrives at Palau, Eastern Carolines.
8 April 1943:
Departs Palau escorting auxiliary transport KEISHO MARU.
10 April 1943:
Arrives at Manokwari.
16 April 1943:
Departs Manokwari escorting auxiliary gunboat TAIKO MARU.
21 April 1943:
Arrives at Hollandia.
2 May 1943:
Departs Manokwari.
4 May 1943:
Arrives at Ambon, Maluku Islands, Netherlands East Indies (now Indonesia).
16 May 1943:
Departs Ambon escorting auxiliary gunboat TAIKO MARU.
21 May 1943:
Arrives at Hollandia.
24 May 1943:
Replaced by auxiliary minesweeper Wa-10. Departs Hollandia.
27 May 1943:
Arrives at Manokwari. Departs there later that day.
28 May 1943:
Arrives at Sorong.
1 June 1943:
Departs Sorong escorting IJA transport KAZAN MARU.
2 June 1943:
Arrives at Manokwari.
3 June 1943:
Departs Manokwari.
4 June 1943:
Arrives at Serui.
5 June 1943:
Departs Serui.
6 June 1943:
Arrives at Hollandia. Departs later.
9 June 1943:
Arrives at Wakde.
10 June 1943:
Departs Wakde and calls at Serui. Departs there later that same day.
12 June 1943:
Arrives at Manokwari.
13 June 1943:
Departs Manokwari.
16 June 1943:
Arrives at Sorong. Departs later.
19 June 1943:
Arrives at Manokwari.
E19 ~ 22 June 1943:
Departs Manokwari.
22 June 1943:
Arrives at Ambon. Departs later.
1 July 1943:
Navy (Resv) Lt Kaumi is confirmed as CO.
2 July 1943:
Arrives at Waru, Seram, Maluku Islands, Netherlands East Indies (now Indonesia).
3 July 1943:
Departs Waru and arrives at Fakfak.
4 July 1943:
Departs Fakfak escorting a convoy.
11 July 1943:
Arrives at Palau.
16 July 1943:
Departs Palau.
18 July 1943:
Arrives at Manokwari.
22 July 1943:
Departs Manokwari.
23 July 1943:
Arrives at Nabire. Departs there for Manokwari.
27 July 1943:
Departs Manokwari.
28 July 1943:
Arrives at Nabire. Departs there later this day.
29 July 1943:
Arrives at Serui. Departs there later that day.
30 July 1943:
Arrives at Manokwari.
31 July 1943:
Departs Manokwari for Wakde.
3 August 1943:
Departs Wakde.
5 August 1943:
Arrives at Hollandia.
6 August 1943:
Departs Hollandia.
11 August 1943:
Arrives at Kaimana.
12 August 1943:
Departs Kaimana.
14 August 1943:
Arrives at Ambon.
16 August 1943:
Departs Ambon escorting auxiliary transport FUKUYAMA MARU.
21 August 1943:
Arrives at Balikpapan, Borneo, Netherlands East Indies (now Kalimantan, Indonesia). Departs later.
26 August 1943:
Arrives at Surabaya, Java, Netherlands East Indies (now Indonesia). Undergoes repairs.
30 September 1943:
Enters drydock.
5 October 1943:
Undocked.
8 October 1943:
Carries out a test run.
10 October 1943:
Departs Surabaya escorting auxiliary gunboat TAIKO MARU.
17 October 1943:
Arrives at Ambon.
20 October 1943:
Departs Ambon.
22 October 1943:
Arrives at Cape Mato t, Tajandoe Island, Maluku Islands, Netherlands East Indies (now Indonesia).
23 October 1943:
Departs Cape Mato t .
26 October 1943:
Arrives at Ternate, Ternate Island, Maluku Islands, Netherlands East Indies (now Indonesia). Departs there later that day.
27 October 1943:
Arrives at Kau Bay, Halmahera, Maluku Islands, Netherlands East Indies (now Indonesia).
5 November 1943:
Departs Kau escorting convoy H-1 consisting of IJA transports HAMBURG and MYOGI MARUs.
8 November 1943:
At 1700, arrives at Manokwari.
9 November 1943:
At 0807, departs Manokwari still escorting convoy H-1.
11 November 1943:
At 1300, arrives at Kau.
E11 ~ 17 November 1943:
Departs Kau.
18 November 1943:
Arrives at Manokwari.
20 November 1943:
Departs Manokwari escorting a convoy.
22 November 1943:
Arrives at Kau.
E22 ~ 26 November 1943:
Departs Kau.
26 November 1943:
Arrives at Manokwari. Attached to Admiral Takasu Shiro’s (35) Southwestern Area Fleet, East India Unit, 6th Guard Unit. Placed under 26th Special Base Force command.
28 November 1943:
Departs Manokwari.
30 November 1943:
Arrives at Wasile, Halmahera. Attached to Southwestern Area Fleet, in Vice Admiral (Admiral posthumously) Yamagata Seigo’s (39) 4th Southern Expeditionary Fleet, 25th Special Base Force, 125th Subchaser Division.
2 December 1943:
At 0500, departs Kau escorting IJA transports TOYO (YUTAKA) MARU and SHINKOKU MARU .
4 December 1943:
At 1600, arrives at Manokwari.
6 December 1943:
Departs Manokwari. Later that day, ship is disabled by an internal explosion. Subchaser CH-35 provides assistance.
8 December 1943:
Arrives at Kau.
15 December 1943:
Attached to Southwestern Area Fleet, Northern Department Corps, 6th Guard Unit. At 0500, departs Kau with auxiliary patrol boat NITTO MARU No. 18 escorting a convoy consisting of TAMAHOKO, TOHO (4,092 GRT), CHUKA, KOSHU (2,612 GRT) and RYUYO MARUs.
17 December 1943:
At 1800, arrives at Manokwari.
20 December 1943:
At 0800, departs Manokwari with auxiliary patrol boat NITTO MARU No. 18 escorting a convoy consisting of TAMAHOKO, TOHO (4,092 GRT), CHUKA, KOSHU (2612 GRT) and RYUYO MARUs. .
22 December 1943:
At 1400, arrives at Kau.
25 December 1943:
At 02-10S, 130-10E, engages in anti-air combat.
27 December 1943:
At 1000, departs Wasile escorting IJA transport TOUN MARU.
29 December 1943:
At 1000, arrives at Manokwari.
30 December 1943:
At 0900, departs Manokwari escorting IJA transports TOUN and ODATSUKI MARUs.
January 1944:
Tactically assigned to New Guinea Forces under New Guinea Command instruction No. 6.
1 January 1944:
Arrives at Kau.
2 January 1944: Departs Kau escorting IJA transports TOYO (YUTAKA) and SHINKOKU MARU s. 4 January 1944:
Arrives at Manokwari. Later returns alone to Kau.
6 January 1944:
At 0700, departs Kau escorting a convoy consisting of BIZEN and RAIZAN MARUs.
8 January 1944:
Navy (Resv) Lt Hachiyanagi Kichinosuke is appointed CO.
9 January 1944:
At 0600, arrives at Kaimana.
11 January 1944:
At 1900, departs Kaimana escorting a convoy still consisting of BIZEN and RAIZAN MARUs.
13 January 1944:
In the Kelang Straits the convoy is met by torpedo boat KIJI which joins the escort.
14 January 1944:
At 1150, arrives at Ambon.
18 January 1944:
At 1200, departs Ambon escorting IJN requisitioned (B-AK) RAIZAN MARU.
20 January 1944:
At 1900, arrives at Kau.
25 January 1944:
At 1300, departs Kau escorting IJN requisitioned (B-AK) RAIZAN MARU with minesweeper W-4 and W-5.
27 January 1944:
At 1600, arrives at Ambon. Later departs with auxiliary patrol boat NITTO MARU No. 18 escorting TOUN MARU bound for Manokwari. Soon after, HINOKI MARU is detached and returns to Ambon.
28 January 1944:
Departs Ambon with torpedo boat KIJI escorting IJN requisitioned (B-AK) RAIZAN MARU
29 January 1944:
Arrives at Ambon.
30 January 1944:
Departs Ambon.
31 January 1944:
Arrives at Ambon. Assigned to depart Ambon on 2 Feb ‘44 at 1300 and escort CELEBES, ASAKA and CHUKA MARUs to Kau under Northern Force Unit wireless No. 15.
1 February 1944:
Engaged in missions according to Northern Force Unit wireless No. 15, under 6th Guard Unit wireless No. 16.
2 February 1944:
At 2200, departs Ambon with minelayer WAKATAKA and minesweeper W-5 escorting a convoy consisting of ASAKA, CHUKA and CELEBES MARUs.
5 February 1944:
At 1600, arrives at Wasile.
10 February 1944:
At 0700, departs Kau escorting auxiliary oiler KINREI MARU.
11 February 1944:
Arrives at Kaboei Bay, Waigeo, Raja Ampat islands, Netherlands East Indies (now Teluk Kabui, Indonesia).
12 February 1944:
Departs Kaboei Bay and at 1700, arrives at Sorong.
13 February 1944:
At 1200, departs Sorong still escorting KINREI MARU.
14 February 1944:
At 1700, arrives at Boela (Bula), Seram. Rated as 6th Guard Unit, Barge Transport Escort Ship under 6th Guard Unit wireless No. 10.
15 February 1944:
At 0700, departs Boela still escorting KINREI MARU.
16 February 1944:
At 1600, arrives at Sorong.
17 February 1944:
At 1600, Departs Sorong still escorting KINREI MARU.
20 February 1944:
At 1800, arrives at Kau Bay. Ends KINREI MARU’s escort.
23 February 1944:
At 0800, departs Kau escorting auxiliary transport NAGATA MARU.
26 February 1944:
At 0630, arrives at Kokas.
27 February 1944:
At 1300, departs Kokas still escorting NAGATA MARU.
29 February 1944:
At 1500, arrives at Ambon. Ends NAGATA MARU’s escort.
1 March 1944:
Departs Ambon.
3 March 1944:
Arrives at Kau.
9 March 1944:
At midnight, departs Kau with minesweeper W-4 escorting a convoy consisting of TENCHO, SHOGEN, YAMAGATA and SHINYU MARUs.
11 March 1944:
At 1017, arrives at Manokwari.
12 March 1944:
At 0600, departs Manokwari and arrives at Moemi (Momi), New Guinea, Netherlands East Indies (now Indonesia) at 1200, escorting SHOGEN MARU.
19 March 1944:
Ordered to act as planned under 6th Guard Force wireless No. 78.
20 March 1944:
At 2350, departs Manokwari with minesweeper W-4 escorting a convoy consisting of YAMAGATA and SHINYU MARUs.
22 March 1944:
At 0754, arrives at Mokmer, Biak, New Guinea, Netherlands East Indies (now Indonesia).
24 March 1944:
At 1350, departs Mokmer.
25 March 1944:
At 1100, arrives at Sarmi.
26 March 1944:
Departs Sarmi and arrives at Wakde later that day.
27 March 1944:
Departs Wakde and arrives at Sarmi later this day.
29 March 1944:
At 0900, departs Sarmi escorting a convoy consisting of YAMAGATA and SHINYU MARUs.
30 March 1944:
At 1500, arrives at Manokwari. Assigned to escort an Army ship from Manokwari bound for Wasile with minesweepers W-4 and W-105 under 6th Guard Force wireless No. 86. Assigned that same day to escort 4 Army ships and Navy shared transport (B/C-AK) TETSUYO MARU to Kau under 6th Guard Force wireless No. 87.
1 April 1944 Assigned to immediately return to Kau alone with Navy shared transport (B/C-AK) TETSUYO MARU via Waigeo anchorage, S Wewak anchorage route.
3 April 1944:
At 0500, departs Manokwari with minesweepers W-4 and W-105 and auxiliary subchaser NITTO MARU No. 17 escorting a convoy consisting of TENCHO, SHOGEN, YAMAGATA, SHINYU and TETSUYO MARUs and NIKKO MARU No. 1.
6 April 1944:
At 0625 arrives at Wasile. Assigned to depart Wasile on 8 Apr ‘44 and escort the Army ships ROKKO and TENSHO MARUs from Kau to Wasile, Sorong and then Manokwari under 6th Guard Force wireless No. 89.
7 April 1944:
Assigned to depart Wasile on 10 Apr ‘44 and escort Army ships ROKKO and TENSHO MARUs from Sorong via Manokwari to Wasile, under 6th Guard Force wireless No. 90.
8 April 1944:
Assigned to escort auxiliary transport ANSHU MARU on 10 Apr ‘44 from Wasile via Kau and Manokwari to Bosnik, under 6th Guard Force wireless No. 92.
11 April 1944:
At 0330, departs Wasile with minesweeper W-4 and auxiliary patrol boat NITTO MARU No. 17 escorting a convoy consisting of ANSHU, TENSHO and ROKKO MARUs.
12 April 1944:
At 1045, minesweeper W-4, auxiliary patrol boat NITTO MARU No. 17 and IJA transports ROKKO and TENSHO MARUs detach.
14 April 1944:
Arrives at Bosnik.
17 April 1944:
Departs Bosnik and arrives at Manokwari later that day. That same day, assigned after having escorting ANSHU MARU, to escort TENSHO MARU to Kau, under 6th Guard Force wireless No. 95.
18 April 1944:
Replaced by minesweeper W-4 in 6th Guard Force wireless No. 95, under 6th Guard Force wireless No. 97.
21 April 1944:
Continue Operation ‘A’ current mission until special notice, under 6th Guard Force wireless No. 99. Departs Manokwari and arrives at Moemi later this day.
22 April 1944:
Departs Moemi and arrives at Ambon later that day.
23 April 1944:
Departs Ambon and arrives at Bosnik later this day.
26 April 1944:
At 1500, departs Manokwari escorting an unidentified Army ship.
28 April 1944:
At 2200, arrives at Wasile.
15 May 1944:
Attached to Southwestern Area Fleet, Northern Corps, 6th Guard Force Main Unit, under 6th Guard Force Command instruction No. 7.
16 May 1944:
Departs Sorong escorting auxiliary transport NICHIEI MARU.
17 May 1944:
Navy (Resv) Lt Nakamura Kouichi is appointed CO.
19 May 1944:
Arrives at Ambon.
10 June 1944:
Attached to 25th Special Base Force under Vice Admiral (Admiral posthumously) Yamagata Seigo’s (39) 4th Southern Expeditionary Fleet instruction No. 20. Attached to 6th Guard Unit under Northern Department Corps order No. 8. At 0400, departs Ambon escorted by auxiliary minesweeper Wa-10.
14 June 1944:
Ship overhaul is approved under instruction No. 141147.
18 June 1944:
Departs Ambon.
20 June 1944:
At 1200, arrives at Macassar.
21 June 1944:
At 1200, departs Macassar escorted by auxiliary minesweeper Wa-10.
27 June 1944:
At 1713, arrives at Surabaya. 102th Naval Engineering Department proceeds to ship overhaul.
1 July 1944:
Attached to 25th Special Base Force under 4th Southern Expeditionary Fleet instruction No. 22.
25 July 1944:
Attached to 5th Guard Unit under Northern Department Corps order No. 14.
4 September 1944:
Overhaul is completed.
5 September 1944:
Carries out various trials.
9 September 1944:
Departs Surabaya.
10 September 1944:
While sailing to Macassar, Celebes, Netherlands East Indies (now Sulawesi, Indonesia) attacked by LtCdr. David B. Bell’s (USNA 37) USS PARGO (SS-264). Hit by two torpedoes.
11 September 1944:
Sinks at 06-17S, 116-27E at about 75 nautical miles ENE Kangean Island, Netherlands Indies (now Indonesia).
10 November 1944:
Removed from the Navy list under instruction No. 1258.

Authors' Notes:
[1] Not to be confused with Nippon Seitsetsu K.K. (884 GRT, ’45) or Kansai Kisen K.K. (544 GRT, ‘43) vessels.
[2] NRT is a ship's cargo volume capacity expressed in "register tons", one of which equals to a volume of 100 cubic feet (2.83 m3). It is calculated by subtracting non-revenue-earning spaces i.e. spaces not available for carrying cargo, for example engine rooms, fuel tanks and crew quarters, from the ship's gross register tonnage (GRT). Net register tonnage (NRT) is not a measure of the weight of the ship or its cargo, and should not be confused with terms such as deadweight tonnage or displacement.
Thanks go to Gengoro S. Toda of Japan.

- Gilbert Casse, Berend van der Wal and Peter Cundall.

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