KAIBOKAN!

Stories and Battle Histories of the IJN's Escorts

4 May 2008

By Bob Hackett, Sander Kingsepp and Peter Cundall

Discussion & Questions

(Type C Escort by Takeshi Yuki scanned from "Color Paintings of Japanese Warships")

The SHIMUSHU class of escorts was ordered in 1937. They were capable of functioning either as escorts or minesweepers. In the prewar years, the offensive-minded IJN ordered only four units of the class, also known as Type "A". During the war, 14 modified Type A's, also known as the ETOROFU-class, were completed. Beginning in October 1942, the MIKURA class, also known as Type "B", was laid down, but only eight units were ordered as the IJN continued to accord low priority to escort vessels.

By 1943, increasing losses of merchant shipping caused the IJN to reorder its priorities. Beginning in January 1944 over 30 modified Type B's, known as the UKURU-class, were laid down. The heavy toll exacted by American submarines on the Combined Fleet's East Indies oil supply further caused the IJN to lose some of its hubris, so in 1943 it was decided to design a simplified version of the Type B. The new Type "C" design contemplated use of mass production techniques including electric welding to produce smaller, less powerful escorts, but in much greater numbers. 132 Type C’s were ordered and construction began in September 1943.

It was soon realized that Type C’s production schedule of between three and six months would outpace Japan’s ability to build diesel engines for them. A new Type "D" kaikoban was designed that would be powered by a turbine engine. 143 Type D’s were ordered and construction began in October 1943. In 1944, construction of some units was suspended and others cancelled to permit construction of KORYU submarines and KAITEN human torpedoes.

The diesel powered Type C’s were given odd numbers, while the turbine driven Type D’s were even-numbered.

Although coverage of all kaibokan units is not practicable, our page will cover the activities of 92 of the Imperial Navy's escort vessels - 46 of the named escorts and 46 of the numbered Type C and D escorts. In some cases, data for these small combatants are incomplete and the authors could not find details of movements for some time frames. Readers with access to such data are requested to post the information on the IJN Ship Message Board.

Tabular Records of Movement (TROMs):

Escorts

(Escort Classes link to specifications summaries)





SHIMUSHU Class

Shimushu (revised 6/24/07) Ishigaki (posted 12/29/06)
Hachijo (posted 4/6/07)
Kunashiri (posted 6/8/07)

ETOROFU Class

Etorofu (posted 12/7/06)

Hirado (posted 12/29/06)
Tsushima (posted 4/6/07)
Fukue (posted 6/8/07)
Matsuwa (posted 8/3/07)
Mutsure (posted 8/31/07)
Sado (posted 10/5/07)
Oki (posted 11/16/07)
Manju(posted 5/4/08)
Kanju
Iki
Amakusa
Kasado
Wakamiya



MIKURA Class

Mikura (posted 12/15/06)

Kurahashi (posted 3/5/07)
Nomi (revised 6/15/07)
Chiburi(posted 6/22/07)
Miyake(posted 8/3/07)
Awaji(posted 8/31/07)
Kusagaki(posted 10/5/07)
Yashiro(posted 11/16/07)


UKURU Class

Ukuru (posted 12/15/06)

Hiburi (posted 3/5/07)
Kume (posted 5/18/07)
Daito(posted 6/22/07)
Shonan(posted 8/3/07)
Shinnan(posted 8/31/07)
Yaku(posted 10/5/07)
Ikuna(posted 11/16/07)
Iwo
Uku
Chikubu
Habushi
Aguni
Inagi
Shisaka
Kanawa
Amami
Shiga
Ojika
Okinawa

TYPE C Class

CD-1 (revised 3/25/08)

CD-3
CD-5
CD-7
CD-9
CD-11
CD-13
CD-15
CD-17
CD-19
CD-21
CD-23
CD-25
CD-27
CD-29
CD-31
CD-33
CD-35
CD-37
CD-39
CD-41
CD-43
CD-45
TYPE D Class

CD-2 (posted 3/9/08)

CD-4
CD-6
CD-8
CD-10
CD-12
CD-14
CD-16
CD-18
CD-20
CD-22
CD-24
CD-26
CD-28
CD-30
CD-32
CD-34
CD-36
CD-38
CD-40
CD-42
CD-44
CD-46


Ex-Chinese Light Cruisers

Isojima (posted 3/9/08)

Yasojima


Bibliography of Sources

About the Authors

Mr. Robert Hackett is a military historian and researcher. Retired from the United States Air Force and later from the aerospace industry, he resides in Florida.

Mr. Sander Kingsepp, a native of Estonia, is also a military historian and researcher. A talented linguist, Sander's translations of Japanese source materials have greatly enhanced these TROMs.

Mr. Peter Cundall is a maritime historian and researcher who specializes in merchant ships. He resides in Australia.

Questions to the authors concerning these TROMs should be posted on the Discussion and Questions board.