FUSETSUTEI!
(KINJO MARU, prewar)
IJN KINJO MARU :
Tabular Record of Movement
© 2018 Gilbert Casse, Berend van der Wal and Peter Cundall
23 October 1934:
Hikoshima. Laid down by Mitsubishi Jukogyo K.K. for Chosen Kisen K.K. as a 331-tons passenger/cargo ship.
10 January 1935:
Launched and named KINJO MARU.
2 April 1935:
Completed and registered at Busan, Chosen (now Pusan, South Korea).
29 February 1939:
Requisitioned by the IJN.
1 March 1939:
Registered as a small auxiliary minelayer attached to the Sasebo Naval District and tactically assigned to Vice Admiral Kobayashi Sonosuke’s (35) Chinkai Guard District, (now Jinhae, South Korea), Chinkai Guard Force under instruction No. 123.
1941:
Her ownership is changed to Nishinihon Kisen K.K.
15 January 1941:
Attached to Sasebo Guard Force under instruction No. 49.
20 November 1941:
Departs Sasebo to lay Type 92 mines. Returns to Sasebo later this day.
22 November 1941:
Departs Sasebo to lay Type 92 mines. Returns to Sasebo later that day.
24 November 1941:
Departs Sasebo to install marker buoys (route signposts). Returns to Sasebo later in the day.
26 November 1941:
Departs Sasebo to lay Type 92 mines. Returns to Sasebo later that same day.
28 November 1941:
Departs Sasebo to install marker buoys (route signposts). Returns to Sasebo later this day.
1 December 1941:
Departs Sasebo to install marker buoys (route signposts). Returns to Sasebo later that day.
2 ~ 5 December 1941:
Departs Sasebo.
5 December 1941:
Attached to Sakito unit 2nd Minesweeping Unit under Sasebo Guard Force instruction No. 12.
6 December 1941:
Arrives at Sasebo.
7 December 1941:
Departs Sasebo on harbor guard patrol. Returns to Sasebo later in the day.
8 December 1941:
Departs Sasebo.
10 December 1941:
Attached to Sasebo Guard Force, 3rd Minesweeping Unit under Sasebo Guard Force instruction No. 21.
13 December 1941:
Arrives at Sasebo.
14 December 1941:
Departs Sasebo.
16 December 1941:
Disposal of three mines which floated during laying.
18 December 1941:
Disposal of six Type MK05 Mod 1 mines which floated during laying.
19 December 1941:
Disposal of five mines which floated during laying.
20 December 1941:
Arrives at Sasebo.
21 December 1941:
Departs Sasebo to lay mines. Disposal of one mine which floated during laying.
23 December 1941:
Of 800 mines laid, two floated during laying. These two Type MK05 Mod 1 mines are disposed of. Arrives at Sasebo later that same day.
24 December 1941:
Remains attached to 3rd Minesweeping Unit under Sasebo Guard Force instruction No. 26.
26 December 1941:
Loads Type 92 mines.
27 December 1941:
Departs Sasebo to lay Type 92 mines. Returns to Sasebo later this day.
28 December 1941:
Departs Sasebo. One Type 92 mine floats during laying. Disposal of one Type MK05 Mod 1 mine which floated during laying. Returns to Sasebo later that day.
1 January 1942:
Remains attached to 3rd Minesweeping Unit under Sasebo Guard Force instruction No. 28. Departs Sasebo that same day.
5 January 1942:
Arrives at Sasebo.
6 January 1942:
Departs Sasebo on minesweeping outside the harbor.
7 January 1942:
Arrives at Sasebo.
8 January 1942:
Departs Sasebo on minesweeping outside the harbor.
9 January 1942:
Arrives at Sasebo.
11 January 1942:
Departs Sasebo on harbor guard patrol.
14 January 1942:
Arrives at Sasebo.
15 January 1942:
Attached to Sasebo Guard Force under instruction No. 14. Remains attached to 3rd Minesweeping Unit under Sasebo Guard Force instruction No. 31.
19 January 1942:
Departs Sasebo on gunnery practice.
20 January 1942:
Arrives at Sasebo.
22 January 1942:
Departs Sasebo on harbor guard patrol.
24 January 1942:
Arrives at Sasebo.
28 January 1942:
Departs Sasebo on harbor guard patrol.
31 January 1942:
Arrives at Sasebo.
2 February 1942:
Enters Sasebo Naval Arsenal drydock.
5 February 1942:
Attached to Sasebo Guard Force under instruction No. 16. Remains attached to 3rd Minesweeping Unit under Sasebo Guard Force instruction No. 32.
9 February 1942:
Undocked.
11 February 1942:
Departs Sasebo on harbor guard patrol. Arrives at Sasebo later this day.
18 February 1942:
Assigned to minesweeping mission under instruction No. 218. Departs Sasebo on harbor guard patrol that same day.
21 February 1942:
Arrives at Sasebo.
25 February 1942:
Departs Sasebo on minesweeping.
26 February 1942:
Arrives at Sasebo.
28 February 1942:
Designated unit No. 6, 1st platoon,.
4 March 1942:
Departs Sasebo to rescue the survivors of IJA transport MORIOKA MARU. The Army transport sank earlier that day after striking a defensive mine. No casualties were sustained. Returns at Sasebo later this day with MORIOKA MARU survivors.
5 March 1942:
Departs Sasebo on harbor guard patrol. Returns to Sasebo later that day.
9 March 1942:
Departs Sasebo on harbor guard patrol.
10 March 1942:
Arrives at Sasebo.
11 March 1942:
Departs Sasebo on minesweeping. Returns to Sasebo later that same day.
12 March 1942:
Departs Sasebo on harbor guard patrol.
19 March 1942:
Arrives at Sasebo.
21 March 1942:
Departs Sasebo on minesweeping.
22 March 1942:
Arrives at Sasebo.
24 March 1942:
Departs Sasebo on harbor guard patrol.
26 March 1942:
Arrives at Sasebo. Departs Sasebo later this day on an anti-submarine sweep.
29 March 1942:
Arrives at Tomie. Departs later.
3 April 1942:
Arrives at Sasebo.
10 April 1942:
Attached to Sasebo Guard Force under instruction No. 22.
12 April 1942:
Attached to 3rd Minesweeping Unit, sector No. 13 under Sasebo Guard Force instruction No. 36. Departs Sasebo on harbor guard patrol that same day.
15 April 1942:
Attached to 3rd Minesweeping Unit under Sasebo Guard Force instruction No. 35.
18 April 1942:
Arrives at Sasebo.
21 April 1942:
Departs Sasebo and arrives back there later in the day.
22 April 1942:
Departs Sasebo on harbor guard patrol and arrives back there later that day.
2 May 1942:
Departs Sasebo on patrol.
6 May 1942:
Arrives at Sasebo.
10 May 1942:
Departs Sasebo on patrol.
12 May 1942:
Arrives at Sasebo.
13 May 1942:
Departs Sasebo on minesweeping. Disposes of one floating mine.
14 May 1942:
Arrives at Sasebo.
18 May 1942:
Departs Sasebo on harbor guard patrol.
21 May 1942:
Disposes of one floating mine SE of Koshima. Arrives at Sasebo later in the day.
25 May 1942:
Departs Sasebo on minesweeping.
26 May 1942:
Arrives at Sasebo.
30 May 1942:
Departs Sasebo on harbor guard patrol. Returns to Sasebo later this day.
E 31 May ~ 1 June 1942:
Departs Sasebo.
2 June 1942:
Arrives at Sasebo.
5 June 1942:
Departs Sasebo on harbor guard patrol.
6 June 1942:
Arrives at Sasebo.
8 June 1942:
Departs Sasebo on warfare duties.
9 June 1942:
Arrives at Sasebo.
11 June 1942:
Departs Sasebo to install route signposts.
12 June 1942:
Arrives at Sasebo.
20 June 1942:
Departs Sasebo on harbor guard patrol.
23 June 1942:
Arrives at Sasebo.
24 June 1942:
Departs Sasebo on harbor guard patrol.
28 June 1942:
Arrives at Sasebo.
30 June 1942:
Departs Sasebo and returns back there later that day.
3 July 1942:
Departs Sasebo on harbor guard patrol. Lifts and picks up one floating mine.
4 July 1942:
Disposes of one floating mine. Arrives at Sasebo later in the day.
8 July 1942:
Departs Sasebo on harbor guard patrol.
12 July 1942:
Disposes of two floating mines. Arrives at Sasebo later this day.
13 July 1942:
Disposes of one floating mine.
14 July 1942:
Departs Sasebo on harbor guard patrol. Disposes of two floating mines.
17 July 1942:
Disposes of one floating mine.
18 July 1942:
Arrives at Sasebo.
20 July 1942:
Departs Sasebo on harbor guard patrol.
24 July 1942:
Disposes of five floating mines. Returns to Sasebo later that same day.
26 July 1942:
Departs Sasebo on gunnery practice.
29 July 1942:
Arrives at Sasebo.
7 August 1942:
Departs Sasebo and arrives at Miyaura layer in the day.
8 August 1942:
Departs Miyaura and arrives at Sasebo later that day.
9 August 1942:
Departs Sasebo and arrives at Ukushima later that same day.
10 August 1942:
Departs Ukushima and arrives at Maekata anchorage
11 August 1942:
Departs Maekata anchorage and arrives at Ukushima later in the day.
12 August 1942:
Departs Ukushima and arrives at Konoura later that day.
13 August 1942:
Departs Konoura and arrives at Sasebo later this day.
14 August 1942:
Departs Sasebo on gunnery practice. Returns there later that same day.
16 August 1942:
Disposes of one floating mine.
18 August 1942:
Departs Sasebo on harbor guard patrol. Disposes of one floating mine. Arrives at Iwase later that day.
19 August 1942:
Departs Iwase and arrives at Hirashima later this day.
20 August 1942:
Departs Hirashima and arrives at Inashima later that day.
21 August 1942:
Departs Inashima and arrives at Enoshima later this day.
22 August 1942:
Departs Enoshima and arrives at Sasebo later that day.
24 August 1942:
Departs Sasebo and arrives at Shishimachi Oya. Departs and returns back there later in the day.
25 August 1942:
Departs Shishimachi Oya. Departs and returns back there later in the day.
26 August 1942:
Departs Shishimachi Oya and arrives at Maedzu later this day.
27 August 1942:
Departs Maedzu and arrives at Sasebo later that day.
28 August 1942:
Departs Sasebo on gunnery practice. Arrives at Taipei later this day.
29 August 1942:
Departs Taipei. Disposes of two floating mines. Arrives at Sasebo later that same day.
30 August 1942:
Departs Sasebo on harbor guard patrol and arrives at Utagaura later in the day. Departs later.
2 September 1942:
Arrives at Sasebo.
7 September 1942:
Departs Sasebo on harbor guard patrol.
11 September 1942:
Arrives at Sasebo.
15 September 1942:
Departs Sasebo on harbor guard patrol.
16 September 1942:
Disposes of two floating mines.
18 September 1942:
Arrives at Sasebo.
24 September 1942:
Departs Sasebo on harbor guard patrol.
25 September 1942:
Attached to 2nd Minesweeping Unit.
26 September 1942:
Arrives at Sasebo.
1 October 1942:
Departs Sasebo on gunnery practice. Returns there later that day.
8 October 1942:
Departs Sasebo on harbor guard patrol.
13 October 1942:
Arrives at Sasebo.
20 October 1942:
Departs Sasebo on harbor guard patrol. Returns there later that same day.
22 October 1942:
Departs Sasebo on harbor guard patrol.
30 October 1942:
Arrives at Sasebo.
4 November 1942:
Departs Sasebo for marking mines at minefield No. 7.
5 November 1942:
Marks mines at minefield no. 7.
7 November 1942:
Arrives at Sasebo.
9 November 1942:
Departs Sasebo for marking 5 mines at minefield No. 6.
10 November 1942:
Disposes of one floating mine. Attached to Sasebo Guard Force under instruction No. 33.
14 November 1942:
Arrives at Sasebo.
16 November 1942:
Departs Sasebo.
18 November 1942:
Disposes of one floating mine.
19 November 1942:
Marks mines at minefield No. 4.
22 November 1942:
Arrives at Sasebo.
26 November 1942:
Departs Sasebo.
27 November 1942:
Arrives at Sasebo.
29 November 1942:
Departs Sasebo.
1 December 1942:
Arrives at Sasebo.
3 December 1942:
Departs Sasebo to Mark mines.
6 December 1942:
Attached to Sasebo Guard Force under instruction No. 34.
11 December 1942:
Arrives at Sasebo.
15 December 1942:
The commander flag is hoisted. Departs Sasebo on patrol and AA MG practice. Returns there later this day.
16 December 1942:
The commander flag is removed. Departs Sasebo for marking mines at the Nagasaki minefield later that day.
17 December 1942:
Attached to 2nd Minesweeping Unit under Sasebo Guard Force instruction No. 47.
18 December 1942:
Arrives at the Nagasaki minefield.
19 December 1942:
Minesweeping is cancelled because of bad weather.
20 December 1942:
Mark mines in the morning at Nagasaki minefield.
21 December 1942:
Completes minesweeping at Nagasaki minefield and arrives at Sasebo later this day.
25 December 1942:
Departs Sasebo on guidance mission and returns there later this day.
28 December 1942:
Departs Sasebo on minesweeping at minefield No. 3.
30 December 1942:
Completes minesweeping at minefield No. 3.
31 December 1942:
Arrives at Sasebo. Enters Naval Yard drydock.
5 January 1943:
Attached to Vice Admiral Samejima Tomoshige’s (37) Fourth Fleet, 4th Base Force, 41st Naval Guard Unit under Navy’s instruction No. 9.
16 January 1943:
Undocked.
21 January 1943:
Departs Sasebo.
22 January 1943:
Arrives at Oshima.
24 January 1943:
Departs Oshima with SHOAN MARU (5624 GRT).
30 January 1943:
Arrives at Saipan, Marianas.
1 February 1943:
Departs Saipan escorting auxiliary water tanker ASAYAMA MARU.
5 February 1943:
Arrives at Truk, Central Carolines with ASAYAMA MARU.
6 ~ 19 February 1943:
Attached to Truk Naval Forces, South Forces.
20 February 1943:
Departs Truk escorting a convoy.
22 February 1943:
Arrives at Truk.
23 February 1943:
Departs Truk escorting a convoy.
25 February 1943:
Arrives at Truk.
2 March 1943:
Departs Truk on patrol.
4 March 1943:
Arrives at Truk.
7 March 1943:
Departs Truk on patrol.
10 March 1943:
Arrives at Truk.
13 March 1943:
Departs Truk.
14 March 1943:
At 1932, somewhere between Saipan and Truk starts escorting auxiliary water tanker ASAYAMA MARU.
16 March 1943:
Arrives at Truk.
19 March 1943:
Departs Truk on patrol.
22 March 1943:
Arrives at Truk and departs later that day on another patrol.
26 March 1943:
Arrives back at Truk.
30 March 1943:
Departs Truk on patrol.
9 April 1943:
Arrives at Truk.
12 April 1943:
Departs Truk on an Air Base Station Transport Mission.
13 April 1943:
Arrives at Mortlock Islands, Carolines.
22 April 1943:
Departs Mortlock Islands on transport mission.
23 April 1943:
Arrives at Truk.
26 April 1943:
Departs Truk on patrol.
29 April 1943:
Arrives at Truk.
3 May 1943:
Departs Truk on patrol.
7 May 1943:
Arrives at Truk.
10 May 1943:
Departs Truk on escort mission.
13 May 1943:
Arrives at Truk.
14 May 1943:
Departs Truk on patrol.
18 May 1943:
Arrives at Truk.
25 May 1943:
Departs Truk on patrol.
30 May 1943:
Arrives at Truk.
June 1943:
Undergoes repairs.
July 1943:
Undergoes engine repairs. Attached to 4th Base Force, 41st Naval Guard Unit under Navy’s instruction No. 22.
11 July 1943:
Departs Truk on patrol.
15 July 1943:
Arrives at Truk.
18 July 1943:
Departs Truk on anti-submarine sweep.
21 July 1943:
Arrives at Truk. Undergoes additional repairs.
25 July 1943:
Departs Truk to assist torpedoed auxiliary oiler TONAN MARU No. 3. [1]
28 July 1943:
Arrives at Truk.
13 August 1943:
Departs Truk on patrol.
19 August 1943:
Arrives at Truk.
21 August 1943:
Departs Truk on anti-submarine sweep.
23 August 1943:
Arrives at Truk.
25 August 1943:
Departs Truk on anti-submarine sweep.
29 August 1943:
Arrives at Truk.
4 September 1943:
At 1300, departs Truk on escort guidance mission. With auxiliary minesweeper Wa-6 escorts eight MTBs (Gyoreitei).
9 September 1943:
At 1130, arrives at Kavieng, New Ireland. Departs there later this day.
11 September 1943:
Arrives at Rabaul, New Britain.
12 September 1943:
Departs Rabaul in convoy No. 2121 escorting stores ship CHOKO MARU with subchaser CH-30.
17 September 1943:
Arrives at Truk.
3 October 1943:
Departs Truk on patrol.
7 October 1943:
Arrives at Truk.
9 October 1943:
Departs Truk on patrol.
11 October 1943:
Arrives at Truk.
14 October 1943:
Departs Truk on patrol.
18 October 1943:
Arrives at Truk.
22 October 1943:
Departs Truk on patrol.
26 October 1943:
Arrives at Truk.
27 October 1943:
Departs Truk with auxiliary SHONAN MARU No. 8 escorting convoy No. 5271 consisting of KAIKO MARU.
31 October 1943:
Arrives at Ponape. Departs later this day with SHONAN MARU No. 8 escorting KAIKO MARU.
1 November 1943:
Currently attached to 4th Base Force with Navy Lt Nonaka Tsuyoshi as CO.
2 November 1943:
Arrives at Truk.
4 November 1943:
Assigned to patrol the Ita area under Truk Patrol Corps instruction No. 109.
5 November 1943:
Departs Truk on patrol to the Ita patrol area.
6 November 1943:
KINJO MARU is ordered to assist with the escort of auxiliary oilers HOYO and GENYO MARUs. Departs the Ita area and meets up with HOYO and GENYO MARUs later this day. Ordered by Captain (Rear Admiral posthumously) Kitamura Mayasuki (45), CO of light cruiser NAGARA to escort the target ship YAKAZE. Auxiliary minesweeper NOSHIRO MARU No. 2, subchaser CH-33 and cable layer TATEISHI are also sent to assist.
7 November 1943:
At 0830, arrives at the North Passage to Truk and ceases escort of YAKAZE. Returns to HOYO MARU.
8 November 1943:
Meets up with HOYO MARU and NAGARA and starts escorting them.
9 November 1943:
The escort of HOYO MARU and NAGARA ends. Departs to continue with the patrol at the Ita patrol area.
12 November 1943:
Arrives at Truk.
14 November 1943:
Assigned to patrol the Nika patrol area.
15 November 1943:
Departs Truk on patrol in the Nika patrol area.
19 November 1943:
Arrives at Truk.
21 November 1943:
Assigned to patrol the Ita patrol area.
22 November 1943:
Departs Truk on patrol in the Ita patrol area.
23 November 1943:
At 0900, convoy No. 3113, also consisting of auxiliary transports KENSHO, KIMISHIMA and SHOEI (3083 GRT) MARUs, requisitioned transports (B-AK) YAMAKUNI and TSUNESHIMA MARUs escorted by destroyer IKAZUCHI and kaibokan HIRADO, arrive at Truk. SHINSEI MARU No. 18 has straggled slightly and is sailing alone.
24 November 1943:
Departs Ita patrol area to meet up with and escort SHINSEI MARU No. 18 but can’t find the auxiliary transport.
25 November 1943:
SHINSEI MARU No. 18 passes through the North Passage to Truk and arrives at Ita patrol area.
26 November 1943:
Departs Ita patrol area.
27 November 1943:
With minelayer MA-3, meets up with auxiliary transport FUKUYAMA MARU and starts escorting her.
28 November 1943:
At 0700, arrives at North Pass entrance to Truk.
29 November 1943:
Departs North Pass and at 0700, arrives at Truk.
8 December 1943:
Designated as an auxiliary emergency patrol boat from 9 Nov ‘43 under Truk Patrol Corps instruction No. 8.
11 December 1943:
Assigned to patrol the Nika patrol area under Truk Patrol Corps instruction No. 6.
12 December 1943:
Departs Truk on patrol to Nika patrol area.
15 December 1943:
At 0800, departs Truk with kaibokan AMAKUSA escorting convoy No. 4215 consisting of auxiliary transports TATSUTAGAWA MARU and CHOAN MARU No. 2 GO, IJN requisitioned cargo ship (B-AK) TAIKOKU MARU, IJA transports GOSEI and SUMIYOSHI MARUs and IJN shared cargo ship (B/C-AK) TETSUYO MARU.
16 December 1943:
At 200 miles from Truk, detaches from the convoy and heads towards Nika patrol area on patrol.
17 December 1943:
Arrives at Truk.
20 December 1943:
Assigned to patrol the Ita patrol area under Truk Patrol Corps instruction No. 10.
21 December 1943:
Departs Truk on patrol to Ita patrol area. Ends patrol and heads for anti-submarine sweep towards the sinking location, about 145 miles off Dublon Island, of IJN auxiliary emergency tanker TERUKAWA MARU. 12 crewmen and unknown number of passengers were KIA. After executing the anti- submarine sweep returns to Ita patrol area and continues with her patrol.
25 December 1943:
Arrives at Truk.
30 December 1943:
Departs Truk and joins inbound convoy No. 2252 consisting of HOKUYO and KIMISHIMA MARUs escorted by torpedo boat OTORI and subchaser CH-28. At 1930, arrives at Truk.
1 January 1944:
SW of Truk, Carolines. At 2345, LtCdr Cyrus C. Cole's (USNA '35) USS BALAO (SS-285) fires six bow torpedoes at KIYOSUMI MARU at 04-35N, 147-15E. Three hit and disable the ship and flood her forward hold.
Light cruiser NAKA arrives from Truk that same day and takes KIYOSUMI MARU in tow.
Joins the escort of convoy No. 2252 consisting of HOKUYO and KIMISHIMA MARUs escorted by destroyer IKAZUCHI and kaibokan HIRADO. Thereafter heads towards Nika patrol area on patrol.
2 January 1944:
Departs Nika patrol area to escort damaged auxiliary cruiser KIYOSUMI MARU. Destroyer TANIKAZE departs Truk to assist NAKA towing KIYOSUMI MARU to Truk. Light cruiser OYODO and destroyer AKIZUKI also arrive and provide escort.
4 January 1944:
At 04-35N, 146-30E, starts escorting damaged auxiliary cruiser KIYOSUMI MARU. OYODO and AKIZUKI detach and return to Truk.
8 January 1944:
Arrives at Truk with TANIKAZE and NAKA towing KIYOSUMI MARU.
12 January 1944:
Assigned to patrol the Nika patrol area under Truk Patrol Corps instruction No. 1.
14 January 1944:
Departs Truk on patrol to Nika patrol area. Later that day, departs Nika patrol area to search for missing aircraft under 11th Air Fleet secret radio transmission No. 557.
15 January 1944:
Arrives at Nika patrol area for guard duty.
19 January 1944:
Arrives at Truk.
20 January 1944:
Departs Truk on anti-submarine sweep under Truk Patrol Corps instruction No. 78.
22 January 1944:
Arrives at Truk.
23 January 1944:
Departs Truk on anti-submarine sweep under Truk Patrol Corps instruction No. 6.
24 January 1944:
Drops four depth charges.
26 January 1944:
Arrives at Truk.
27 January 1944:
Departs Truk. At 0840, starts escorting convoy No. 4127 consisting of MATSUE and SHINYO MARUs and YOSHIDA MARU No. 3 escorted by kaibokan FUKUE, minesweeper W-22 and auxiliary subchaser SHONAN MARU No. 8. At 1944, drops depth charges.
28 January 1944:
Assigned to anti-submarine sweep under Truk Patrol Corps instruction No. 5.
E 30 January 1944:
KINJO MARU is detached from convoy No. 4127.
30 January 1944:
Assigned to bolster escort of convoy No. 3113 consisting of auxiliary transports KOKAI and TATSUTAGAWA MARUs escorted by destroyer UMIKAZE under secret instruction No. 575.
31 January 1944:
Meets up with and starts escorting convoy No. 3113 consisting of auxiliary transports KOKAI and TATSUTAGAWA MARUs escorted by destroyer UMIKAZE at position bearing 315 degrees 27 miles off Enderby Island (Puluwat, now Poluwat), Carolines.
1 February 1944:
Arrives at Truk. Departs later to coastguard duty and on anti-submarine sweep.
5 February 1944:
Arrives at Truk.
6 February ~ 5 March 1944:
Undergoes repairs.
6 March 1944:
Departs Truk on anti-submarine sweep.
9 March 1944:
Arrives at Truk.
10 March 1944:
Departs Truk for Lamotrek, Carolines.
12 March 1944:
Arrives at Truk.
14 March 1944:
Departs Truk for Lamotrek.
20 March 1944:
Arrives at Truk.
25 March 1944:
Departs Truk for Mortlock Islands, Carolines.
30 March 1944:
Arrives at Truk.
31 March 1944:
Attached to Yokosuka Naval District under Navy instruction No. 505.
April 1944:
Tactically assigned to Truk Maritime Forces, 4th Base Force, 41st Naval Guard Unit under Navy’s instruction No. 14.
17 April 1944:
Carries out an anti-submarine attack. Drops 17 Depth charges.
Auxiliary minesweeper NOSHIRO MARU No. 2 GO embarks 20 survivors. Later arrives at Chichi Jima, Bonins escorting auxiliary stores ship MAMIYA MARU.
1 August 1944:
Tactically assigned to Yokosuka Guard Force, Yokosuka Local Defense Squadron, Defense Unit, Tokyo Bay defense sector under Navy’s instruction No. 924. Undergoes maintenance at Nagaura.
3 August 1944:
Departs Nagaura and arrives at Uraga later that day.
5 August 1944:
Departs Uraga and arrives at Tateyama later this day.
10 August 1944:
Departs Tateyama on antisubmarine sweep in ‘LA’ sector.
12 August 1944:
Engages in antisubmarine combat.
13 August 1944:
Arrives at Tateyama and calls at Uraga. Departs there and arrives at Nagaura later this day.
14 ~ 23 August 1944:
Undergoes engine repairs.
24 ~ 31 August 1944:
Undergoes repairs and overhaul.
1 September 1944:
Tactically assigned to Yokosuka Guard Force, Yokosuka Local Defense Squadron, 2nd Special Attack Squadron, Tokyo Bay defense sector. Navy Lt Arai Yuzo is appointed CO that same day. Refueled and undergoes maintenance.
2 September 1944:
Scheduled for escort and transport mission with auxiliary patrol boat FUSA MARU of special type small freighter TAKA MARU No. 8 between Uraga and Torishima under Tokyo Bay secret instruction No. 021453.
2 ~ 3 September 1944:
Undergoes maintenance.
4 September 1944:
Departs Nagaura and arrives at Uraga later this day.
5 September 1944:
Departs Uraga escorting a convoy.
6 September 1944:
Arrives at Kaminato, Hachojima.
10 September 1944:
Departs Kaminato.
12 September 1944:
Arrives at Toroshima. Departs later this day with auxiliary patrol boat FUSA MARU and one unknown auxiliary MARU escorting a convoy.
14 September 1944:
At 2340, loses sight of the unknown auxiliary MARU escort and starts to search for her.
15 September 1944:
Stopped searching for the unknown auxiliary MARU escort. At 1531, arrives at Tateyama.
16 September 1944:
Departs Tateyama. At 0700, joined by auxiliary patrol boat FUSA MARU and the unknown auxiliary MARU. At 1450, arrives at Uraga.
18 September 1944:
Departs Uraga and arrives at Nagaura later this day.
21 September 1944:
Departs Nagaura on anti-submarine sweep E of Nii Jima under Tokyo Bay secret instruction No. 21030.
23 September 1944:
The anti-submarine sweep is cancelled.
24 September 1944:
Arrives at Yaene, Hachijojima.
27 September 1944:
Departs Yaene with IKUTAGAWA MARU (2,220 GRT) after receiving an alert from the anchorage guard. Returns there later this day.
28 September 1944:
Departs Yaene after receiving an alert from the anchorage guard. Returns there later that same day.
29 September 1944:
Departs Yaene after receiving an alert from the anchorage guard.
30 September 1944:
Returns to Yaene. Departs again after receiving an alert from the anchorage guard. Returns back there and later in the day departs for Kaminato.
1 October 1944:
Departs Kaminato on patrol. Returns there later this day.
2 October 1944:
Departs Kaminato on patrol. Returns there later that day.
3 October 1944:
At 0955, departs Kaminato escorting a convoy likely consisting of TAISEI MARU (1,948 GRT). Later this day ends this convoy escort.
4 October 1944:
At 1359, arrives at Uraga. Departs later that day and arrives at Nagaura.
5 ~ 13 October 1944:
Undergoes anchor equipment repairs.
17 October 1944:
Departs Nagaura on anti-submarine sweep.
19 October 1944:
Arrives at Tateyama. Departs later on anti-submarine sweep under Tokyo Bay secret instruction No. 191425.
21 October 1944:
Arrives at Tateyama.
22 October 1944:
Departs Tateyama and arrives at Uraga later this day.
29 October 1944:
Departs Uraga and arrives at Tateyama. Departs there later that day to assist torpedoed KOYO MARU No. 3 under Tokyo Bay secret instruction No. 291125 and execute an anti-submarine sweep
30 October 1944:
Arrives at Miyakejima. Starts rescue operation. During anchoring, the right main anchor breaks.
31 October 1944:
Ordered to end rescue operation under Tokyo Bay secret instruction No. 310658. Departs and arrives at Tateyama later this day.
1 November 1944:
Tactically assigned to Yokosuka Guard Force, Yokosuka Local Defense Squadron, Tokyo Bay defense sector. Departs Tateyama and calls at Uraga. Departs there and arrives at Nagaura later that day. Resupplied.
2 November 1944:
Departs Nagaura on anti-submarine sweep.
4 November 1944:
Arrives at Hachijojima. Departs later this day.
5 November 1944:
Arrives at Tateyama. Departs there and arrives at Uraga later this day. Resupplied. Assigned that same day to anti-submarine sweep under Tokyo Bay secret instruction No. 052125.
6 November 1944:
Departs Uraga on anti-submarine sweep. Evacuates the anchorage.
7 November 1944:
Arrives at Nagaura. Resupplied.
8 ~ 24 November 1944:
Undergoes hull emergency repairs.
25 November 1944:
Departs Nagaura and arrives at Uraga later this day.
27 November 1944:
Departs Uraga. Evacuates the anchorage. Returns to Uraga later that day.
28 November 1944:
Departs Uraga on anti-submarine sweep. Ordered to abort sweep in sectors No. 1, No. 4, ‘LA’ and ‘MA’ under Tokyo Bay secret instruction No. 281034.
29 November 1944:
Arrives at Shimoda. Departs later that day on anti-submarine sweep under local command secret instruction No. 802.
1 December 1944:
Tactically assigned to Yokosuka Guard Force, Yokosuka Local Defense Squadron, Tokyo Bay defense sector.
3 December 1944:
Ordered to abort mission under local command secret instruction No. 133.
4 December 1944:
Arrives at Shimoda. Resupplied.
5 December 1944:
Departs Shimoda. 1200 ~ 1600: escorts cable layer HATSUSHIMA while laying a cable between Habuminato and Nii Jima. Arrives at Tateyama later that day.
6 December 1944:
Departs Tateyama and arrives at Shimoda later this day.
8 December 1944:
Departs Shimoda and arrives at Uraga later that same day. Resupplied.
9 December 1944:
Departs Uraga and arrives at Nagaura later this day. Refueled.
10 December 1944:
Tactically assigned to Yokosuka Guard Force, Yokosuka Local Defense Squadron, Tokyo Bay ASW Corps, 1st Platoon. Departs Nagaura and arrives at Uraga later that day. Departs there on patrol. Assigned that same day to escort KOKKO MARU under Tokyo Bay secret instruction No. 101205.
11 December 1944:
0750 ~ 1640: escorts KOKKO MARU. Thereafter heads towards Omaezaki.
12 December 1944:
At 0650, departs Omaezaki on anti-submarine sweep.
13 December 1944:
At 1012, arrives at Shimoda. Departs and returns back there later that day because of bad weather as ordered by Tokyo Bay secret instruction No. 131905.
14 December 1944:
Departs Shimoda and arrives at Uraga later this day.
15 December 1944:
Resupplied.
20 December 1944:
Departs Uraga and arrives at Koumi later that day. Comes alongside ammunition ship SOYA.
21 December 1944:
Loads a large amount of ammunition and depth charges.
22 December 1944:
Transfers from SOYA to pier. Undergoes maintenance.
25 December 1944:
Departs Koumi and arrives at Yokosuka Naval Yard later this day. Enters Dock No. 3.
29 December 1944:
Undocked and departs Yokosuka Naval Yard. Arrives at Nagaura later that day. Resupplied.
1 January 1945:
Tactically assigned to Yokosuka Guard Force, Yokosuka Local Defense Squadron, Tokyo Bay defense sector.
4 January 1945:
Assigned to escort convoy No. 3107 consisting of DAISHO, NAGATSU and KYUSHU MARUs with kaibokan CD-6 and CD-47, subchaser CH-52 and auxiliary patrol boat YUTAKA MARU No. 7 under Escort Command instruction No. 974.
5 ~ 6 January 1945:
At Yokosuka Navy Yard pier. Loads transportation goods.
7 January 1945:
Departs Yokosuka and arrives at Tateyama later that day.
8 January 1945:
At 0600, departs Tateyama with kaibokan CD-6 and CD-47, subchaser CH-52 and auxiliary patrol boat YUTAKA MARU No. 7 escorting convoy No. 3107 consisting of DAISHO and NAGATSU MARUs bound for Chichi-Jima and KYUSHU MARU bound for Haha Jima.
11 January 1945:
At 1117, arrives at Chichi Jima.
12 January 1945:
At 1400, departs Chichi Jima with kaibokan CD-6 and subchaser CH-52 escorting convoy No. 4112 consisting of DAISHO and NAGATSU MARUs from Chichi Jima and meets KYUSHU MARU and kaibokan CD-47 from Haha Jima bound for Tateyama.
15 January 1945:
Under stormy weather, KYUSHU MARU straggles behind the convoy escorted by subchaser CH-52 and auxiliary patrol boat KINJO MARU.
16 January 1945:
At 1920, subchaser CH-52 detaches from the escort and executes an anti-submarine sweep at 34-15N, 140-05E.
17 January 1945:
At 2045, arrives at Tateyama.
18 January 1945:
Departs Tateyama and arrives at Yokosuka later that day.
19 January 1945:
Departs Yokosuka and arrives at Nagaura later that same day.
20 ~31 January 1945:
Undergoes refueling and maintenance.
1 February 1945:
Tactically assigned to Yokosuka Guard Force, Yokosuka Local Defense Squadron, Tokyo Bay defense sector.
2 ~3 February 1945:
Depth charges are unloaded.
6 February 1945:
Departs Nagaura and arrives at Ishikawajima later this day.
7 February 1945:
Enters Ishikawajima Zosensho K.K. shipyard drydock No. 2.
7 ~ 15 February 1945:
Undergoes overhaul at Tokyo Ishikawajima Zosensho K.K. shipyard. The Type 96 twin 25mm AA gun is replaced by one Type 96 triple 25mm AA gun on the bridge. The Type 93 13mm MG is replaced by one Type 96 25mm AA gun and relocated on the aft deck.
7 ~ 28 February 1945:
Undergoes bridge expansion and aft deck reinforcement.
22 February 1945:
Overhaul is completed.
1 March 1945:
Navy Lt Kamata Motoo is appointed CO.
2 March 1945:
Departs Ishikawajima and arrives at Nagaura later that same day.
3 March 1945:
Departs Nagaura on trials. Returns there later in the day.
4 March 1945:
Loads ammunition.
6 March 1945:
Departs Nagaura and arrives at Tobigahana.
7 March 1945:
Undergoes compass adjustment.
9 March 1945:
Departs Tobigahana and arrives at Tateyama later that day.
10 March 1945:
At 1310, departs Tateyama escorting convoy No. 3309 consisting only of UNYO MARU No. 6 also escorted by kaibokan CD-49 and arrives at Shimoda later this day.
11 March 1945:
Departs Shimoda and arrives at Hachijojima Kosuzawa at 1700.
12 March 1945:
Departs Hachijojima Kosuzawa and arrives at Kaminato, Hachijojima.
13 March 1945:
At 0900, departs Kaminato escorting convoy No. 4313 consisting of UNYO MARU No. 6 also escorted by CD-49. Arrives at Tateyama at 2200.
14 March 1945:
Departs Tateyama and arrives at Uraga later that day. Undergoes refueling and maintenance.
20 March 1945:
Assigned to transport personnel and property to Onahama base under Tokyo Bay secret instruction No. 201049.
21 March 1945:
Departs Uraga.
22 March 1945:
Arrives at Onahama. Personnel and property are unloaded.
24 March 1945:
Departs Onahama.
25 March 1945:
Arrives at Uraga and is resupplied.
30 March 1945:
Departs Uraga and arrives at Nagaura later that day. Undergoes replenishment. Detached that same day to Katsuura under Tokyo Bay secret instruction No. 300932.
18 July 1945:
Sustains an air attack. 25mm Type 96 guns and 13mm Type 93 MGs both fire 350 rounds.
7 August 1945:
Arrives at Yokosuka.
15 August 1945:
Japan surrenders. Remains in service. Her call sign is SCAJAP No. K-157.
3 May 1947:
Removed from the Navy’s list.
1952:
Sold to Shin Nippon Kisen K.K., Shimonoseki.
1953:
Sold to Muromachi Kaiun K.K., Shimonoseki.
1954:
Sold to Awanokuni Kyodo Kisen K.K., Tokushima.
1966:
Sold to S. Mano, Ashiya.
1979:
Deleted from Lloyds Register - continued existence in doubt.
Authors' Notes:
[1] TONAN MARU No. 3 was torpedoed 24 Jul ’43 by LtCdr (later Rear Admiral) Lawrence R. Daspit, (USNA ’27) USS TINOSA (SS-283).
Thanks go to Gengoro S. Toda of Japan.
- Gilbert Casse, Berend van der Wal and Peter Cundall.
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