KYUSETSUMOKAN!
HOKAKUMOTEI!
(KIRI MARU No.1 Go, prewar – Berend van der Wal collection)
IJN KIRI MARU No. 1 Go:
Tabular Record of Movement
© 2022 Gilbert Casse, Berend van der Wal and Peter Cundall
20 February 1929:
Aioi. Laid down by Harima Zosensho K.K. as a 531-tons passenger-cargo ship for Tokyowan Kisen K.K.
10 May 1929:
Launched and named KIRI MARU. [1]
26 June 1929:
Completed and registered at Habuminato, Tokyo, with a Gross Registered Tonnage (GRT) of 531-tons and a Net Registered Tonnage (NRT) of 296-tons. Her call sign is TSPB. [2]
1934:
Her call sign is changed to JRUB.
18 November 1941:
Requisitioned by the IJN. Chinkai. Conversion for military duty begins at Chinkai, Chosen (now Jinhae, South Korea) Naval Yard under instruction No. 141.
1 December 1941:
Registered as an auxiliary netlayer attached to the Sasebo Naval District under instruction No. 11571.
10 December 1941:
Renamed KIRI MARU No.1 Go under instruction No. 11623. Attached to Rajin (now Najin, also known as Rason, North Korea) Defense Unit under instruction No. 1632. Attached to the Chinkai Guard District, Rajin Base Force, Rajin Defense Unit. Rated as a Rajin Sea Surface Defense Unit under Chinkai Guard District Order No. 17.
15 December 1941:
Conducts a weapon test and engine implementation confirmation.
19 December 1941:
Attached to the Rajin Sea Surface Defense Force under Chinkai Guard District Order No. 22.
21 December 1941:
Departs Chinkai.
25 December 1941:
At 1515, discovers a mine off Orang, Chosen (now North Korea) and disposes of it.
26 December 1941:
At 1309, discovers and disposes of one mine off unidentified lighthouse , Chosen (now North Korea). Arrives at Yujin, Chosen (now North Korea) later this day.
31 December 1941:
Rated as a Rajin Sea Surface Defense Unit under Chinkai Guard District Order No. 28.
3 January 1942:
Departs Yujin on sea alert and returns there later that day.
7 January 1942:
Departs Yujin on hydrophone training and sea alert and returns to port later this day.
8 January 1942:
Departs Yujin on hydrophone, depth charge throwing training and sea alert and returns there later that day.
9 January 1942:
Departs Yujin on hydrophone, depth charge throwing training and sea alert and returns to port later this day.
10 January 1942:
Departs Yujin on hydrophone listening, depth charge throwing training and sea alert and returns there later that day.
11 January 1942:
Departs Yujin on depth charge throwing training and sea alert and returns to port later this day.
14 January 1942:
Departs Yujin on hydrophone training and sea alert and returns there later that day.
15 January 1942:
Departs Yujin on hydrophone training and sea alert and returns to port later that day.
Rated as a Rajin Sea Surface Defense Unit under Chinkai Guard District Order No. 32.
19 January 1942:
Departs Yujin on her first combined training and returns there later this day.
22 January 1942:
Departs Yujin on hydrophone training and sea alert and returns to port later that day.
23 January 1942:
Departs Yujin on depth charge throwing training and sea alert and returns there later this day.
29 January 1942:
Departs Yujin on hydrophone, depth charge throwing training and sea alert and returns to port later that day.
30 January 1942:
Departs Yujin on sea alert and returns there later this day.
3 February 1942:
Departs Yujin on patrol.
4 February 1942:
Arrives at Yujin.
10 February 1942:
Rated as a Rajin Sea Surface Defense Unit under Chinkai Guard District Order No. 41.
12 February 1942:
Departs Yujin on hydrophone, depth charge throwing training and sea alert and arrives at Seishin, Chosen (now Chongjin, North Korea) later that day.
13 February 1942:
Departs Seishin on hydrophone, depth charge throwing training and sea alert and arrives at Yujin later this day.
19 February 1942:
Departs Yujin on hydrophone, depth charge throwing training and sea alert and arrives at Yuki, Chosen (also known as Unggi, now Sonbong, North Korea) later that day.
20 February 1942:
Departs Yuki on hydrophone training and sea alert and arrives at Yujin later this day.
24 February 1942:
Departs Yujin.
25 February 1942:
Arrives at Rajin.
26 February 1942:
Departs Rajin on hydrophone, depth charge throwing training and sea alert and arrives at Rajin Bay later that day.
27 February 1942:
Departs Rajin Bay on hydrophone, depth charge throwing training and sea alert and arrives at Yujin later this day.
4 March 1942:
Departs Yujin on hydrophone training and sea alert and returns there later that day.
6 March 1942:
Departs Yujin on hydrophone training and sea alert and returns to port later this day.
11 March 1942:
Departs Yujin on minelaying, hydrophone, depth charge throwing training and sea alert and returns there later that day.
12 March 1942:
Departs Yujin on hydrophone training and sea alert and returns to port later this day.
23 March 1942:
Departs Yujin on training and sea alert and arrives at Shirotsu, Chosen (Songjin, now Kimchaek, North Korea) later that day.
24 March 1942:
Departs Shirotsu on minelaying, hydrophone, depth charge throwing training and sea alert and arrives at Sinpo, Chosen (now North Korea) later this day.
25 March 1942:
Departs Sinpo on training and sea alert and arrives at Gensan, Chosen (now Wonsan, North Korea) later that day.
27 March 1942:
Departs Gensan on training and sea alert and arrives at Konan, Chosen (now Hungnam, North Korea) later this day.
28 March 1942:
Departs Konan on training and sea alert and arrives at Shirotsu later that day.
29 March 1942:
Departs Shirotsu on training and sea alert and arrives at Seishin later this day.
30 March 1942:
Departs Seishin on hydrophone depth charge throwing training and sea alert and arrives at Yujin later that day.
2 April 1942:
Departs Yujin on sea alert and arrives at Shirotsu later this day.
3 April 1942:
Departs Shirotsu on sea alert.
5 April 1942:
Arrives at Chinkai.
11 April 1942:
Departs Chinkai and arrives at Pusan, Chosen (now Busan, South Korea) later that day.
E 12 ~ 17 April 1942:
In drydock.
18 April 1942:
Departs Pusan and arrives at Chinkai later this day.
25 April 1942:
Departs Chinkai on sea alert.
27 April 1942:
Arrives at Yujin.
5 May 1942:
Departs Yujin on hydrophone traning and sea alert and returns to port later that day.
14 May 1942:
Departs Yujin on shooting and navigation training and returns there later this day.
15 May 1942:
Departs Yujin on hydrophone training and sea alert and returns to port later that day.
16 May 1942:
Departs Yujin and returns there later this day.
18 May 1942:
Departs Yujin on training and sea alert and returns to port later that day.
19 May 1942:
Departs Yujin on hydrophone training and sea alert and returns there later this day.
20 May 1942:
Navy (Resv) Lt Kuzawa Hiroshi is appointed CO. Assigned to Rajin Area Special Base Force under instruction No. 884. Attached to the Chinkai Guard District, Rajin Area Special Base Force. Departs Rajin that same day.
22 May 1942:
Arrives at Rajin.
25 May 1942:
Departs Rajin.
3 June 1942:
Arrives at Rajin.
5 June 1942:
Departs Rajin.
25 June 1942:
Arrives at Rajin. Attached to Tsushima Strait Defense Force under Chinkai Guard District order No. 59.
26 June 1942:
Attached to Fourth Corps under War Defense wireless No. 89.
29 June 1942:
Departs Rajin.
2 July 1942:
Arrives at Rajin.
28 August 1942:
Her ownership is changed to Tokai Kisen K.K.
1 October 1942:
Attached to Tsushima Strait Defense Unit, First Division under Chinkai Guard District wireless No. 57.
5 December 1942:
Arrives at Chinkai from Ryojun (Port-Arthur, Lushun), Manchuria (now Lushunkou, northern China). Later that day departs Chinkai.
8 December 1942:
Arrives at Ryojun.
January 1943:
Rated as a Rajin Area Unit, Sea Alert Unit.
1 January 1943:
Arrives at Chinkai from Ryojun.
7 May 1943:
Receives conversion instructions for minesweeper equipment. Removes and unloads all netlaying nets and netlaying equipment and installs minesweeping equipment. Remodels netlaying equipment stand into a minesweeping equipment stand. A new towing eye ring is also installed under Cabinet Secretary Instruction No. 2167.
June 1943:
Escorts convoys CHI-73 and CHI-78.
August 1943:
Escorts convoys CHI-23, CHI-28, CHI-3, CHI-31 and CHI-36.
September 1943:
Escorts convoy CHI-58.
17 February 1944:
Scheduled for emergency transport mission to the South Seas under confidential Military instruction No. 171935.
22 February 1944:
Assigned to transport mission to Yokosuka after having loading cement at Moji under Transport instruction No. 222049 .
14 March 1944:
Receives Corps wireless decree No. 207:
2 - Auxiliary minelayer No. 1, IJA transport UNKAI MARU No. 7, auxiliary minesweeper OI MARU, and auxiliary netlayers KIRI MARU No. 1 GO and CHOKI MARU will form convoy No. 3316.
16 March 1944:
Departs Yokosuka with auxiliary netlayer CHOKI MARU and auxiliary minesweeper OI MARU escorting convoy No. 3316 consisting of IJA transport UNKAI MARU No. 7 and . Arrives at Tateyama later this day.
17 March 1944:
Auxiliary minesweepers Wa-13 and Wa-14 join the convoy escort. Departs Tateyama.
20 March 1944:
At 0600, arrives at Chichi-Jima, Ogasawara Gunto (Bonins).
22 March 1944:
Departs Chichi-Jima. Auxiliary minesweepers Wa-13 and Wa-14 detach.
23 March 1944:
Arrives at Iwo Jima, Ogasawara Gunto.
31 March 1944:
At 2100, departs Saipan, Marianas for Yokosuka with destroyer HATAKAZE, torpedo boat OTORI, auxiliary gunboat CHOUN MARU, auxiliary minesweeper OI MARU and auxiliary netlayers CHOKI and KISHIN MARUs escorting convoy No. 4 consisting of TOYOKAWA MARU, JUICHISEI (HOSHI MARU No. 11) MARU and SHINSEI MARU No. 1.
8 April 1944:
Arrives at Yokosuka.
1 June 1944:
Engine, gun and armament maintenance is completed.
5 June 1944:
Arrives at Chinkai escorting KANKYO MARU.
20 June 1944:
Attached to Vice Admiral (Admiral posthumously) Takagi Takeo’s (39) Sixth Fleet under instruction No. 777.
26 June 1944:
Departs Kagoshima.
10 July 1944:
Assigned to the Kure Naval District under instruction No. 853. Assigned to First Special Base Force Unit under instruction No. 854.
22 July 1944:
Arrives at Kagoshima.
12 August 1944:
Departs Kagoshima.
18 August 1944:
Arrives at Yokosuka.
22 August 1944:
Receives Maritime Escort Fleet CO’s instruction No. 207:
Organize a target (Hyoteki- code for midget submarines) convoy between Yokosuka and Chichi-Jima:
1 - Convoy No. 3823 (A) target A consisting of three tugboats (sic): ASAGI (sic- CHOKI), FUJI and KIRI MARU’s escorted by destroyer HATAKAZE and an auxiliary minesweeper.
2 - Convoy No. 3823 (B) target B consisting of three tugboats (sic): NAGATA, FUYO and SHOROGANE MARUs escorted by subchaser CH-51, an auxiliary minesweeper and an auxiliary subchaser.
3 - Convoy A CO is destroyer HATAKAZE CO and convoy B CO is subchaser CH-51 CO.
4 - Tokyo Bay Troops CO will provide one minesweeper for convoy A and two for convoy B.
23 August 1944:
Departs Yokosuka for Chichi-Jima in convoy No. 3823 A also consisting of FUJI MARU and CHOKI MARU escorted by destroyer HATAKAZE and auxiliary minesweeper Wa-6. Each ship tows a midget submarine. CHOKI MARU tows HA-62, FUJI MARU tows HA-65 and KIRI MARU No. 1 GO tows HA 73. HA 65 and HA-73 are lost in a typhoon
29 August 1944:
Arrives at Chichi-Jima where CHOKI MARU delivers HA-62.
E 30 ~ 31 August 1944:
Departs Chichi-Jima.
2 September 1944:
Arrives at Yokosuka.
5 September 1944:
Departs Yokosuka.
9 September 1944:
Arrives at Yokosuka with CHOKI and FUJI MARUs.
23 September 1944:
Departs Yokosuka.
25 September 1944:
Departs Ourazaki on an escort mission.
26 September 1944:
Arrives at Karatsu.
27 September 1944:
Departs Karatsu and arrives at Sasebo later that day.
3 October 1944:
Departs Sasebo escorting a convoy.
4 October 1944:
Arrives at Kagoshima.
11 October 1944:
Departs Kagoshima escorting a convoy and arrives at Chiringashima, Kagoshima Bay later that day.
12 October 1944:
Departs Chiringashima.
13 October 1944:
Arrives at Amami Oshima, Amami Islands.
17 October 1944:
Departs Amami Oshima temporary anchorage on sweeping and anti-submarine suppression, the route ahead of the Fifth Fleet departing Oshima.
18 October 1944:
Arrives at Amami Oshima temporary anchorage.
26 October 1944:
Departs temporary Amami Oshima anchorage.
27 October 1944:
Arrives at Naha, Okinawa.
28 October 1944:
At 1246, departs Naha with kaibokan CD-30, torpedo boat MANAZURU, subchaser CH-49, minesweeper W-15, auxiliary minesweepers HIMESHIMA MARU, SHONAN MARU No. 16 and TOSHI MARU No.7, auxiliary subchasers SHOWA MARU, CHa-216, CHa-228, CHa-235 and auxiliaries KIYO, KOCHI, AIKAWA MARUs escorting convoy KATA-916 consisting of TENSHO, AMAKUSA, SHINTON, SANKA, SANJIN, HAYAMA, TORAI, TAIKYU, SAKISHIMA, BANSEI, CHOKI, KISHIN and KANKYO MARUs. Arrives at Kerama Islands later this day.
29 October 1944:
Departs Kerama and arrives at Miyako, Miyako Islands later that day.
31 October 1944:
Departs Miyako and arrives at Iriomote Island, Yaeyama Islands later this day.
1 November 1944:
Departs Iriomoto Island and arrives at Kirun, Formosa (now Keelung, Taiwan) later that day.
5 November 1944:
Departs Kirun with auxiliary netlayer CHOKI MARU, auxiliary subchasers SHOWA MARU, CHa-216 and CHa-228 and auxiliaries KOCHI, KIYO and AYUGAWA MARUs escorting convoy KITA-9 consisting of KANKYO, TORAI, TAIKEN and KISHIN MARUs, YAEI MARU No. 10 and BANSHU MARU No. 31.
6 November 1944:
Arrives outside Takao, Formosa (now Kaoshiung, Taiwan) port.
7 November 1944:
Anchors at Saei (Tsoying), Formosa (now Zuoying, Taiwan).
20 November 1944:
At 1203, departs Saei with minesweeper W-39, subchasers CH-18 and CH-38, auxiliary subchasers CHa-176 and CHa-177 escorting convoy TAMA-32 B consisting of IJN requisitioned cargo ship (B-AK) SHOHO (1,356 GRT) MARU, auxiliary transport NISSHO MARU No. 18 and auxiliary netlayers CHOKI and KISHIN MARUs. Calls at Fangliao, Formosa (now Taiwan). Departs there later this day.
21 November 1944.
Because of threat of air attack heads to W. Arrives back at Fangliao later that day.
22 November 1944:
Departs Fangliao again and at 1630, arrives at OluanPi, Formosa (Cape Garanbi, now Oluan Bi, Taiwan).
24 November 1944:
Departs OluanPi.
25 November 1944:
At 0518, LtCdr John B. Hess's (USNA ’37) USS POMFRET (SS-391) torpedoes and sinks SHOHO MARU (1,356 GRT) at 20-20N, 121-40E. 16 passengers, 8 gunners and 39 crewmen are killed. Carries out anti-submarine sweeps and drops depth charges. Arrives at Sabutan (Sabtang) anchorage, Philippines later this day.
26 November 1944:
Departs Sabutan anchorage and arrives at 2335 at Musa Bay, Fuga Island, Philippines.
27 November 1944:
At 0930, departs Musa Bay but reverses course because of fears of impending attacks and arrives back there at 1555.
28 November 1944:
At 0550, departs again Musa Bay and at 2155, arrives at Lapoc Bay, Luzon, Philippines.
29 November 1944:
At 0630, departs Lapoc Bay and arrives at San Fernando, Luzon, Philippines later that day.
30 November 1944:
Departs San Fernando and at 1635, arrives at Santa Cruz, Luzon, Philippines.
1 December 1944:
At 0600, departs Santa Cruz.
2 December 1944:
At 0125, arrives at Manila, Luzon, Philippines. Departs there and arrives at Cavite harbor later that same day.
4 December 1944:
Departs Cavite harbor and arrives at Manila. At 1350, departs there with auxiliary netlayers CHOKI MARU and KISHIN MARU escorting MATA-36 only consisting of auxiliary transport NISSHO MARU No. 18.
5 December 1944:
Arrives at San Fernando.
6 December 1944:
Departs San Fernando and arrives at Currimao, Luzon, Philippines later that day.
7 December 1944:
Departs Currimao but reverses course and arrives back there later this same day.
12 December 1944:
Departs again Currimao and arrives at San Pio Quinto, Camiguin Island, Bayan Islands, Philippines later this day.
13 December 1944:
Departs San Pio Quinto. Carries out a depth charge attack.
15 December 1944:
Arrives at Saei.
24 December 1944:
At 0355, departs Saei with minesweeper W-39 and auxiliary netlayer CHOKI MARU escorting convoy TAHO-04 consisting of AKISHIMA and OKINOYAMA MARUs and tankers KINYU MARU No. 4 and NANSHIN MARU No. 19. At 1530, turns back to Saei.
25 December 1944:
Departs off Anping, China and arrives at Saei later that same day.
27 December 1944:
Departs Saei and arrives at Takao later this day.
29 December 1944:
Departs Takao and arrives at Saei later that day.
3 January 1945:
Engages in anti-air combat.
4 January 1945:
Engages in anti-air combat.
9 January 1945:
Engages in anti-air combat.
15 January 1945:
Engages in anti-air combat.
16 January 1945:
Departs Saei with minesweepers W-39 and W-41 and auxiliary netlayer CHOKI MARU escorting convoy TAKI-07 consisting of auxiliary transports HIROTA MARU and WAYO MARU (ex-water tanker), KANSHU MARU (ex-British KANCHOW) and 3 or 6 unidentified ships. At 1954, engages in anti-air combat.
18 January 1945:
At 1402, minesweeper W-39 arrives at Kirun.
19 January 1945:
Arrives at Kirun. At 1547, departs there with minesweepers W-39 and W-41 , auxiliary netlayer CHOKI MARU and possibly others escorting convoy TAMO-37A consisting of IJA transport CHILE MARU and one unidentified merchant ship ending Maru No.1.
20 January 1945:
At 1830, off Qixing Island (Seven Stars), China minesweeper W-41 detaches and returns to Kirun.
21 January 1945:
At 1637, arrives with the convoy at the Chiu Shan Liehtao Island Group, China and anchors.
22 January 1945:
At 0255, departs anchorage with the convoy.
24 January 1945:
At 1940, arrives with the convoy off Hikin To (Pikin Do), Chosen (now SW Korea).
25 January 1945:
Detaches from the convoy due to engine failure. The convoy departs at 0632.
26 January 1945:
At 1235, engine failure is solved. Departs and arrives at Chinkai later this day.
27 January 1945:
Undergoes engine maintenance.
29 January 1945:
Departs Chinkai and arrives at Takeshiki later that day.
30 January 1945:
Departs Takeshiki and arrives at Hakata later this day.
31 January 1945:
Departs Hakata.
1 February 1945:
Arrives at Ourazaki.
March 1945:
Innoshima. At Hitachi Zosen K.K. Innoshima Zosensho. Lt. Horiuchi Masafumi is appointed CO.
1 March 1945:
Under Second Special Attack Squadron command.
21 April 1945:
Departs Innoshima and arrives at Kure later that day.
26 April 1945:
Departs Kure and arrives at Hikari later this day.
28 April 1945:
Departs Hikari and arrives at Okami later that day. Unloads Base equipment and food.
29 April 1945:
Departs Okami and calls at Nakajima. Departs there later that day.
30 April 1945:
Arrives at Kure.
3 May 1945:
Departs Kure and arrives at Hikari later this day.
5 May 1945:
Departs Hikari and calls at Tokuyama. Departs there and arrives at Okami later this same day. Unloads cargo.
6 May 1945:
Departs Okami.
7 May 1945:
Arrives at Hikari.
11 May 1945:
Performs combined kaiten launch training.
12 May 1945:
Performs combined kaiten launch training.
13 May 1945:
Performs combined kaiten launch training.
22 May 1945:
Performs combined kaiten launch training.
25 May 1945:
Performs combined kaiten launch training.
28 May 1945:
Departs Hikari and arrives at Tokuyama later that day.
29 May 1945:
Departs Tokuyama.
30 May 1945:
Arrives at Hikari. Performs combined kaiten launch training.
1 July 1945:
Departs Kure.
10 August 1945:
Runs aground 8 Ri NW Miyakeshima.
15 August 1945:
Remains in service at the cessation of hostilities.
23 August 1945:
Arrives at Kure.
October 1945:
In distress due to a typhoon off Miyakejima. Unknown if she sustains damage.
10 August 1946:
Released to her owners.
3 May 1947:
Removed from the Navy’s list under instruction No. 327.
Authors' Notes:
[1] Not to be confused with Army transport No. 245 (415 GRT, ‘32), Army transport No. 1032 (324 GRT, ‘35) and cargo ship KIRI MARU (884 GRT, ‘44).
[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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