© 2008-2018 Bob Hackett, Sander Kingsepp and Peter Cundall
Revision 16
15 March 1921:
Kobe. Laid down at Kawasaki Heavy Industries as a second-class WAKATAKE-class destroyer named YURI (Lily).
21 October 1922:
Launched. Later completed as No. 4.
30 October 1922:
LtCdr (later Cdr) Sano Tetsu (36) is appointed Chief Equipping Officer.
21 November 1922:
LtCdr (later Cdr) Sano is appointed Commanding Officer.
21 December 1922:
Completed and registered in the IJN. Attached to Kure Naval District. Assigned to DesDiv 13.
13 August 23:
LtCdr (Capt, posthumously) Tosuka Chiyuki (36) is appointed CO.
1 April 1924:
Designated destroyer No. 4.
1 December 1924:
LtCdr Moriguchi Shigeichi (38) is appointed CO.
1 December 1925:
LtCdr (later Vice Admiral) Fukuda Ryozo (38) is appointed CO.
1 December 1926:
DD-4 is put on the Reserve List.
1 August 1928:
Renamed KURETAKE.
10-12 November 1928:
Kure. Placed on the First Reserve List. Undergoes for repairs and refit.
30 November 1929:
LtCdr (later Rear Admiral) Komura Keizo (45) is appointed CO.
15 November 1930:
KURETAKE is put on the Reserve List. Lt (Capt, posthumously) Kuranaga Tsuneki (46)(the current CO of WAKATAKE) is appointed CO of KURETAKE on paper.
1 April 1931:
LtCdr Ichitsubo Masao (45) is appointed CO. .
12 October 1931:
LtCdr (later Rear Admiral) Kitamura Masayuki (45) is appointed CO.
1 June 1932:
N of Shanghai. KURETAKE is briefly grounded during a storm, but manages to escape and proceed to Kure for repairs which last until August.
22 October 1934:
LtCdr Shintani Kiichi (50) is appointed CO.
31 October 1935:
LtCdr Katsumi Motoi (49) is appointed CO.
1 December 1936:
LtCdr (RAdm, posthumously) Kotaki Hisao (50) (former CO of W-4) is appointed CO.
29 September 1937:
South China. From 0927 till 1000 at North Takeshima (Liancourt Rocks) auxiliary storeship TENYO MARU No. 2 GO provisions KURETAKE with fresh food.
9 December 1937:
LtCdr Yoshii Goro (50), CO of SANAE, is appointed CO of KURETAKE "on paper" as an additional duty.
2 January 1938:
LtCdr Ide Motoo (51is appointed CO.
1 June 1938:
Lt (later Captain, posthumously) Hashimoto Kanematsu (55) (former navigator, SAGIRI) is appointed CO.
21 June 1939:
KURETAKE is put on the Reserve List.
15 October 1940:
Lt Fujita Jun (57) is appointed CO.
15 November 1940:
Lt Fujita is promoted to LtCdr.
15 January 1941:
Redesignated as escort/training vessel.
10 September 1941:
LtCdr (later Cdr) Kashima Masanori (58) (former navigator, TADE) is appointed CO.
8 December 1941:
Kure Naval District. KURETAKE is in Cdr Otani’s DesDiv 13 with SANAE and WAKATAKE. Patrols in the Inland Sea, Bungo Suido and off Western Kyushu.
10 April 1942:
KURETAKE is assigned to Cdr Amaya Yoshishige’s (47) DesDiv 32 of Rear Admiral Inoue Yasuo’s (38) 1st Surface Escort Division organized this day as a unit of the Southwest Area Fleet.
19 April 1942:
At 0800 KURETAKE, WAKATAKE, KARUKAYA, FUYO and auxiliary cruiser UKISHIMA MARU depart Kure.
20 April 1942:
At 1730 the ships all arrive at Mutsure.
3 May 1942:
At 2000 departs Mutsure escorting convoy No. 107 consisting of TAIEI and TAIGEN MARU and five unidentified merchant ships.
6 May 1942:
At 0621, LtCdr (later Rear Admiral) Charles C. Kirkpatrick's (USNA ’31) USS TRITON (SS-201) torpedoes and sinks TAIEI MARU at 28-25N 123-37E, with unknown casualties. At 0800, USS TRITON torpedoes and sinks TAIGEN MARU at at 28-40N, 123-38E. Ten passengers and 29 of the crew are killed.
8 May 1942:
At 1200 arrives at Mako.
12 May 1942:
At 1200 departs Mako escorting convoy No. 208 consisting of HAKUREI, RISSHUN, KIBI and KAZUURA MARUs and two unidentified merchant ships.
17 May 1942:
At 2000 arrives at Mutsure.
27 May 1942:
At 1700, departs Mutsure escorting convoy No. 119 consisting of ATSUTA MARU.
30 May 1942:
At 1728, LtCdr (later Rear Admiral) Lewis E. Parks' (USNA ’25) USS POMPANO (SS-181) torpedoes ATSUTA MARU at 26-08N, 128-48E. At 2400, ATSUTA MARU sinks. The ship was carrying 709 government/administration staff and war supplies and 37 on board and 39 crewmen are killed. The convoy is dissolved.
4 June 1942:
Convoy No. 219 departs Mako consisting of KOTO MARU No. 2 Go, BANEI MARU No. 6, UNYO MARU No. 3, HITERU MARU and one unidentified merchant ship. That same day KURETAKE arrives at Kirun.
5 June 1942:
KURETAKE departs Kirun and meets up with convoy No. 219.
9 June 1942:
At 1200 arrives at Mutsure.
24 June 1942:
At 1000 departs Moji escorting convoy No. 128 consisting of HEIMEI and KIYO MARUs.
29 June 1942:
Arrives at Mako.
7 July 1942:
Departs Mako escorting convoy No. 231 consisting of TATSUWA, KIYO, YASUKUNI, MIIKE MARUs and five unidentified merchant ships.
12 July 1942:
At 1200 arrives at Mutsure.
14 July 1942:
At 0900 departs Mutsure and at 2000 arrives at Kure. Undergoes repairs.
16 July 1942:
Departs Kure and later that day arrives at Mutsure.
18 July 1942:
At 1200 departs Mutsure escorting convoy No. 140 consisting of two unidentified merchant ships. The convoy encounters a severe typhoon enroute south.
26 July 1942:
At 1300 arrives at Mako.
29 July 1942:
At 1300 departs Mako escorting convoy No. 241 consisting of SAN DIEGO, SHIROGANE, UMEKAWA MARUs and four unidentified merchant ships.
4 August 1942:
At 1000 arrives at Mutsure.
9 August 1942:
At 1730 departs Mutsure with auxiliary gunboat PEKING MARU escorting convoy No. 147 consisting of FUSHIMI, SHINAI, ERIE, CLYDE MARUs, DAIGEN MARU No.8 and three unidentified merchant ships
13 August 1942:
At 2000 arrives at Mako.
16 August 1942:
At 0800 departs Mako escorting convoy No. 250 consisting of YAMAYURI MARU and three unidentified merchant ships.
22 August 1942:
At 1200 arrives at Mutsure.
29 August 1942:
At 1700 departs Mutsure escorting convoy No. 156 consisting of SEATTLE and JOHORE MARUs and four unidentified merchant ships.
2 September 1942:
At 2000 arrives at Mako.
5 September 1942:
Departs Mako escorting convoy No. 259 consisting of KINKASAN, TAGA and likely FUKKEN MARUs and two unidentified merchant ships.
E 7 September 1942:
KURETAKE is detached.
10 September 1942:
The rest of the convoy arrives at Mutsure.
11 September 1942:
At 1200 departs Mako escorting convoy No. 334 consisting of one unidentified merchant ship.
17 September 1942:
At 1400 arrives at St Jacques.
19 September 1942:
At 0700 departs St Jacques escorting convoy No. 526 consisting of two unidentified merchant ships.
22 September 1942:
At 1500 arrives at Singapore.
28 September 1942:
Departs Singapore escorting convoy No. 633 consisting of SUMATRA MARU and two unidentified merchant ships.
1 October 1942:
At 1000 arrives at St Jacques.
6 October 1942:
At 1200 departs St Jacques escorting convoy No. 441 consisting of HAKUROKU (HAKUSHIKA) MARU, SUMATRA, ERIE MARU and seven unidentified merchant ships.
8 October 1942:
KURETAKE is detached and sails to meet Convoy No. 442.
10 October 1942:
Convoy No. 442 departs St Jacques consisting of YAWATA MARU and eight unidentified merchant ships. The convoy split into two parts shortly after departing port.
12 October 1942:
No. 441 convoy arrives Mako. That same day KURETAKE arrives back at St Jacques.
16 October 1942:
The first part of convoy No. 442 arrives Mako.
17 October 1942:
The second part of convoy No. 442 arrives Mako.
20 October 1942:
Lt (later Cdr) Furuya Takuo (57)(former CO of OTORI) is appointed CO.
21 October 1942:
Departs St Jacques escorting Y convoy consisting of BOSTON, SANKO, HOKKO and FUSHIMI MARUs.
29 October 1942:
Arrives at Manila.
31 October 1942:
Departs Manila escorting to Toku convoy.
3 November 1942:
At 1700 arrives at St Jacques.
7 November 1942:
At 1600 departs St Jacques escorting convoy No. 449 consisting of AMAGI and TSUYAMA MARUs and nine unidentified merchant ships.
16 November 1942:
At 1630 arrives at Mako.
18 November 1942:
At 0800 departs Mako escorting a Toku convoy sailing between Takao and Hong Kong consisting of TAKAOKA MARU and five unidentified merchant ships.
19 November 1942:
Arrives back at Mako.
23 November 1942:
At 1300 departs Mako escorting convoy No. 349 consisting of two unidentified merchant ships.
28 November 1942:
At 1800 arrives at St Jacques.
1 December 1942:
At 1400 departs St Jacques escorting convoy No. 454 consisting of tanker SHOYO MARU and three unidentified merchant ships.
7 December 1942:
At 1750 KURETAKE and some of the convoy arrives at Mako.
8 December 1942:
At 1500 KURETAKE departs Mako escorting convoy No. 204 consisting of three unidentified merchant ships.
9 December 1942:
The rest of convoy No. 454 arrives at Mako.
10 December 1942:
DesDiv 32 is disbanded. KURETAKE is reassigned to the 1st Surface Escort Division, Southwest Area Fleet.
13 December 1942:
Arrives at Mutsure. At 1425 arrives at Kure. Drydocked for repairs and maintenance for the rest of December and the early part of January.
13 January 1943:
Lt Tanaka Hirokuni (60) assumes command.
16 January 1943:
At 0900 departs Kure.
17 January 1943:
Arrives at Moji.
18 January 1943:
At 1400 departs Moji escorting convoy No. 119 consisting of tankers NANEI and SHINSHU MARUs and tanker ex cargo conversion TERUKAWA MARU and one unidentified merchant ship.
23 January 1943:
At 0830 arrives at Mako.
24 January 1943:
Transfers from Mako to Takao.
31 January 1943:
At 1220 departs Takao on an anti submarine sweep.
3 February 1943:
At 1330 arrives at Takao.
4 February 1943:
At 1200 departs Takao and at 1730 arrives at Mako.
11 February 1943:
At 0700 departs Mako and at 1150 arrives at Takao.
12 February 1943:
At 1200 departs Takao escorting a Army convoy consisting of DAINICHI, TOFUKU, ZUISHO, ENGLAND, SHONAN, NAGATO, RYUYO and BENGAL MARUs. The convoy sails at 9 knots.
16 February 1943:
At 1300 arrives at Woosung.
23 February 1943:
At 1400 departs Woosung with destroyer HASU escorting an Army convoy consisting of DAINICHI, TOFUKU, ZUISHO, ENGLAND, SHONAN, NAGATO, RYUYO and BENGAL MARUs bound for Takao. The convoy sails at 9 knots. At an unknown date and time HASU is detached.
26 February 1943:
At 1130 arrives at Takao.
1 March 1943:
Departs Takao escorting convoy No. 250 consisting of TATSUWA MARU and three unidentified merchant ships.
6 March 1943:
The convoy arrives at Moji. At 0750 KURETAKE arrives at Kure.
16 March 1943:
At 1030 departs Kure and at 1800 arrives at Moji.
17 March 1943:
At 1400 departs Moji escorting the B convoy consisting of USSURI and ARIMASAN MARUs.
20 March 1943:
At 1750 arrives at Takao.
28 March 1943:
At 0900 departs Takao in convoy No. 743 consisting of one unidentified merchant ship.
30 March 1943:
At 2400 arrives at Manila.
31 March 1943:
Departs Manila escorting convoy No. 840 consisting of KOYO, TAIHEI, KAMO and NANKING MARUs.
5 April 1943:
At 1330 arrives at Takao.
10 April 1943:
At 0800 departs Palau in convoy No. 3203 consisting of six unidentified merchant ships.
15 April 1943:
At 1015 arrives at Manila.
19 April 1943:
At 1400 departs Manila escorting convoy No. 843 consisting of ERIE MARU and four unidentified merchant ships.
23 April 1943:
At 0800 arrives at Takao.
25 April 1943:
At 1200 departs Takao escorting the "L" convoy consisting of two unidentified merchant ships.
28 April 1943:
At 0950 arrives at Manila.
1 May 1943:
At 0600 departs Manila escorting convoy No. 3104 consisting of NAGANO and TASMANIA MARUs and two unidentified merchant ships.
6 May 1943:
At 1745 arrives at Palau.
11 May 1943:
At 0800 departs Palau for Balikpapan escorting fleet convoy No. 2501 consisting of YASUKUNI, HAKUSAN, DAIGEN, KENKOKU, HOKO and SANYO MARUs and small tanker KYOEI MARU.
18 May 1943:
At 1600, arrives at Balikpapan where the convoy is dispersed.
20 May 1943:
At 1000 departs Balikpapan escorting convoy No. 009 consisting of unidentified merchant ships.
27 May 1943:
At 0630 arrives at Manila.
1 June 1943:
At 1000 departs Manila escorting convoy No. 851 consisting of KOZUI, TATSUNO and NACHISAN MARUs.
4 June 1943:
At 0830 arrives at Takao.
11 June 1943:
At 1200 departs Takao escorting convoy No. 271 consisting of SHOKEI, HORAI and HEIAN MARUs and five unidentified merchant ships.
17 June 1943:
At 0730 arrives at Moji.
20 June 1943:
At 0900 departs Moji escorting convoy No. 168 consisting of OTOWASAN MARU and two unidentified merchant ships.
23 June 1943:
At 0900 arrives at Mako.
24 June 1943:
At 1030 departs Mako.
26 June 1943:
At 1900 arrives at Takao.
2 July 1943:
At 1200 departs Takao escorting convoy No. 278 consisting of LONDON, MANSHU, RONSAN, FUKKAI, SHINNO, KINE MARUs and two unidentified merchant ships.
8 July 1943:
At 0325 arrives at Moji.
13 July 1943:
At 1000 departs Moji escorting convoy No. 176 consisting of tankers HONAN and KYOKUYO MARU and RAIZAN, BOKO (ex British SAGRES), FUSEI (ex British FAUSANG), RAKUYO MARUs, likely NANMAN MARU (from Sasebo) and two unidentified merchant ships.
19 July 1943:
At 1200 arrives at Mako.
22 July 1943:
At 0930 departs Takao escorting the L-2 convoy consisting of OTOWASAN and KIYOKAWA MARUs.
26 July 1943:
Arrives at Moji (ETA 1300). At 1950 KURETAKE arrives at Kure where the ship is docked for repairs.
18 August 1943:
Departs Moji escorting convoy No. 188 consisting of TARUSHIMA, SEINAN (tanker), KIZAN, TAIYU, TAJIMA, KENZAN, INARI MARUs and four unidentified merchant ships.
23 August 1943:
Arrives at Takao.
26 August 1943:
Departs Takao escorting convoy No. 296 consisting of tankers KYOKUYO, KUROSHIO MARUs, passenger/cargo ships ARIMASAN, AWA MARUs and three unidentified merchant ships.
31 August 1943:
Arrives at Moji.
3 September 1943:
At 1800 departs Moji escorting convoy No. 193 consisting of YAMAKO (SANKO), TAKETSU (BUTSU) and SHOKEI MARUs and three unidentified merchant ships.
9 September 1943:
At 0930 arrives at Takao.
11 September 1943:
At 1200 departs Takao escorting convoy No. 203 consisting of TAINAN, NIKKO (from Kirun), KONSAN MARUs and four unidentified merchant ships.
17 September 1943:
At 1430 arrives at Moji.
20 September 1943:
At 1300 departs Moji alone (or alternatively escorting a single ship).
21 September 1943:
At 1411 arrives at Naze.
22 September 1943:
At 1600 departs Naze escorting the remains of convoy No. 197 that had suffered severely from a cyclone, resulting in many of its members stranding. The convoy constituency at this time was unknown but possibly consisted of SAINEI, RIKKO, SHOGEN and KINREI MARUs only.
26 September 1943:
At 0730 arrives at Takao.
1 October 1943:
At 1200 departs Takao escorting convoy No. 208 consisting of eight unidentified merchant ships.
3 October 1943:
At 0720 the convoy stops at Kirun.
4 October 1943:
At 1500 departs Kirun.
10 October 1943:
At 0130 arrives at Moji.
15 October 1943:
At 1600 departs Moji escorting convoy No. 106 (MA-07) consisting of SHONAN, TOYAMA, TOHO, SHIRANESAN, JUNYO and TATSUHA MARUs and six unidentified merchant ships.
19 October 1943:
At 1200 minelayer MAESHIMA is expected to join convoy as additional escort.
21 October 1943:
At 1150 arrives at Mako.
23 October 1943:
At 1900 departs Mako.
24 October 1943:
At 0115 arrives at Takao. At 1830 departs Takao with torpedo boat TOMOZURU escorting convoy No. 774 consisting of TATSUHA, TEIKAI (ex German FULDA), SHIRANESAN, KOHOKU, TOHO, TOYAMA, IKOMASAN, JUNYO, MATSUEI (SHOEI) (1877gt), NICHINAN (2732 gt) MARUs, SHINSEI MARU No.1, SHINSEI MARU No. 17 and one unidentified merchant ship.
26 October 1943:
Patrol Boat PB-103 joins the escort.
27 October 1943:
At 2200 the convoy anchors in Manila Bay.
28 October 1943:
At 1150 arrives at Manila. At 1730 KURETAKE departs Manila alone.
30 October 1943:
At 1210 arrives at Takao.
1 November 1943:
At 0800 departs Takao escorting convoy No. 216 consisting of KOSHIN and BATAVIA MARUs and two unidentified merchant ships.
5 November 1943:
KURETAKE breaks off escort to hunt an enemy submarine, before rejoining the convoy.
7 November 1943:
At 0800 arrives at Moji.
11 November 1943:
At 1600, KURETAKE departs Moji for Takao escorting convoy No. 113-MA-07 consisting of ARABIA, TAMAHOKO, RYUYO, DAKAR, CHIYO, TOSEI, ANYO, SYDNEY, NANEI, HIOKI, NITTETSU and NACHISAN MARUs.
13 November 1943:
At 0556, LtCdr Robert E. Dornin's USS TRIGGER (SS-237) makes a submerged approach on the convoy. After the Japanese ships zigged, the submarine found herself between two columns of ships, but USS TRIGGER had no torpedoes remaining in her bow tubes. She emptied her stern tubes at the last and biggest ship, believed to be a transport, from a pointblank range, 800 yards (730 m). The target, NACHISAN MARU, which carried a large deck cargo, takes one hit aft and one under her stack. She sinks quickly at 32-55N, 125-09E, about 60 miles SW of Saishu Island, with 46 crewmen. KURETAKE drops five depth charges that damage USS TRIGGER slightly.
14 November 1943:
KURETAKE and NITTETSU MARU transfer survivors of the NACHISAN MARU to auxiliary gunboat HOKOKU MARU.
15 November 1943:
KURETAKE's 1st Surface Escort Division is reassigned from the Southwest Area Fleet to the General Escort Command.
16 November 1943:
At 2330 arrives at Mako, Pescadores.
20 November 1943:
At 1000 departs Mako and at 1505 arrives at Takao.
24 November 1943:
At 1518, KURETAKE departs Takao for Moji escorting convoy HI-18 consisting of OMUROSAN, TATEKAWA and ITSUKUSHIMA MARUs and two unidentified ships.
28 November 1943:
At 0655 arrives at Moji.
29 November 1943:
At 0955 departs Moji and transfers to Sasebo for repairs, arriving at 1700.
1 December 1943:
Attached directly to General Escort Command HQ, 1st Surface Escort Division.
7 December 1943:
At 1500 departs Sasebo.
8 December 1943:
At 0245 arrives at Moji.
10 December 1943:
At 1600 departs Moji for Takao with submarine chaser CH-45 escorting convoy No. 120 consisting of four unidentified merchant ships.
16 December 1943:
At 0820 KURETAKE is detached from the convoy on an submarine hunt.
17 December 1943:
Submarine chaser CH-46 joins the convoy.
18 December 1943:
At 1340 KURETAKE arrives at Takao.
20 December 1943:
At 1000 departs Takao to Moji escorting convoy No. 228 consisting of NORFOLK, HIDA, FUKUJU and HOKUAN MARUs and seven unidentified merchant ships.
27 December 1943:
At 0530, after detaching from the convoy, KURETAKE arrives at Sasebo.
4 January 1944:
At 0730 departs Sasebo and meets up and begins escorting convoy No. 126 consisting of SHORYU, MEDAN, CHIYODA, SAN PEDRO, KUROGANE, KAIKO MARUs and two unidentified merchant ships at 9.5 knots.
5 January 1944:
At 1816 detaches from the convoy to hunt an enemy submarine, but rejoins at 2135.
7 January 1944:
Departs Naha after brief stopover.
9 January 1944:
At 1915 arrives at Takao.
11 January 1944:
At 1200 departs Takao to assist convoy No. 454 by now consisting of SHOEI MARU (1986 gt) and two unidentified merchant ships escorted by auxiliary gunboat KAZAN (HUASHAN) MARU after SHUNTEN and TEIFU MARUs ran aground.
14 January 1944:
At 1715 arrives at Takao.
16 January 1944:
At 1200 departs Takao escorting convoy No. 235 consisting of NICHIREI, RIZAN, BOKO (ex British SAGRES), HAMBURG, HORAI, MISAKI, KUMAGAWA, FUJIKAWA MARUs and SHINSEI MARU No. 1.
23 January 1944:
At 1217 arrives at Moji.
27 January 1944:
At 1200, departs Moji for Takao escorting convoy No. 132 consisting of NAGATA, TEIKA (Ex French CAP VARELLA), BOKO (ex British SAGRES), HIDA MARUs and eight unidentified ships at 9 knots.
29 January 1944:
At 0745 minesweeper W-27 joins the convoy and remains with the convoy until only 1045.
1 February 1944:
At 1430 arrives at Takao.
5 February 1944:
At 0615 departs Takao on an anti submarine sweep.
6 February 1944:
At 1000 departs Takao escorting convoy TASA-02 consisting of HIDA MARU and six unidentified merchant ships.
E 7 February 1944:
KURETAKE is detached at latitude 20N.
8 February 1944:
At 1200 arrives back at Takao.
10 February 1944:
At 0900 departs Takao on an anti submarine sweep then joins with auxiliary gunboat PEKING MARU and auxiliary netlayer AGATA MARU escorting convoy TAMA-03 consisting of tanker YAMAKO (SANKO) MARU and fourteen unidentified merchant ships.
12 February 1944:
The TASA-02 convoy arrives St Jacques.
14 February 1944:
At 1640 arrives at Manila.
16 February 1944:
At 0730, KURETAKE departs Manila for Miri, Borneo escorting convoy MAMI-02 consisting of TEIKO (ex-French D’ARTAGNAN) MARU and tankers KIKUSUI (ex Dutch IRIS), YAMAKO (SANKO), TACHIBANA, SAN DIEGO MARUs, OGURA MARU No. 1 and two unidentified ships.
21 February 1944:
At 0730 arrives at Miri. TEIKO (ex-French D’ARTAGNAN) and KIKUSUI MARUs are detached before arrival and headed for Singapore. Later that day, Later that day, in the South China Sea, 120 miles NW of Kuching, Borneo. At 1545, LtCdr Frank G. Selby's (USNA ’33) USS PUFFER (SS-268) picks up a two-stack camouflaged transport and a small destroyer zigzagging at six minute intervals and moving west.
At 1704, Selby fires four stern torpedoes at the transport. At 1706, he hears two explosions: one is observed about midway between the transport’s bow and forward stack; the other is unseen. Selby observes the ship almost dead in the water, listing ten degrees to port its steering gone. USS PUFFER closes in and her crew begins taking pictures. The escort, though undamaged, flees without attempting to drop depth-charges. torpedoes and sinks
Lifeboats are lowered and the Japanese abandon ship. It soon become clear that the ship will not sink from the damage it has sustained. At 1724, Selby fires his No. 1 and No. 2 tubes. The torpedoes hit the ship in the bow and stern. TEIKO (ex-French D’ARTAGNAN) MARU begins to roll to port and settles by the stern. At 1735, she sinks at 03-12N, 109-18E. The ship is loaded with 660 tons manila rope, salt, cottonseed, 140 tons troops equipment and 906 army troops (857 troops, 48 Navy personnel, 1 part time Army employee) as passengers. 192 Army troops, one auxiliary gunner and six crewmen are killed.
23 February 1944:
At 0800 departs Miri on an anti submarine sweep.
24 February 1944:
At 1335 returns to Miri.
28 February 1944:
At 1600 departs Miri with destroyer KARUKAYA escorting convoy MIMA-03 consisting of tankers SAN DIEGO, TAKETSU (BUTSU), NITTETSU, YAMAKO (SANKO), NICHINAN (5175 gt) MARUs and five unidentified merchant ships.
29 February 1944:
Minesweeper W-17 and auxiliary netlayer AGATA MARU departs Manila escorting convoy MAMI-03 consisting of ZUIYO MARU and one unidentified merchant ship.
2 March 1944:
Arrives at Imuruan Bay, Palawan Island. KURETAKE meets up with convoy MAMI-03 and begins escort duties. W-17 takes over escort of MIMA-03.
6 March 1944:
At 2240 arrives at Miri.
9 March 1944:
At 1800 departs Miri escorting convoy MIMA-04 consisting solely of ZUIYO MARU.
10 March 1944:
Reserve Lt Yoshida Ieo (former CO of TOMOZURU) is appointed CO.
13 March 1944:
At 2000 arrives at Manila.
15 March 1944:
At 0700 departs Manila with auxiliary submarine chaser CHa-24 escorting convoy MATA-12 consisting of TAMATSU, FUSO, SEATTLE, HAKOZAKI and KUROGANE MARUs.
18 March 1944:
At 1815 arrives at Takao.
21 March 1944:
At 1000 departs Takao escorting convoy TAMA-12 consisting of RIKKO, ATAGO, NITTATSU, TAKETOYO, BUNZAN, DAIYU, SAN LUIS MARUs, HINO MARU No. 1 and OGURA MARU No.2.
24 March 1944:
At 1721 arrives at Manila.
27 March 1944:
At 0700 departs Manila escorting convoy MAMI-06 consisting of RIKKO, ATAGO, NITTATSU, TAKETOYO and SAN LUIS MARUs.
31 March 1944:
At 1231 arrives at Miri.
6 April 1944:
At 1700 departs Miri escorting convoy MIMA-07 consisting of SAN LUIS, NITTATSU and TAKETOYO MARUs and two unidentified merchant ships.
10 April 1944:
At 2200 arrives at Manila.
13 April 1944:
At 0800 departs Manila but returns at 1530.
14 April 1944:
At 0900 departs Manila with light cruiser KISO and auxiliary subchaser CHa-9 escorting convoy MATA-18 consisting of SAN LUIS, TAKETOYO, YOSHU, NITTATSU and RIKKO MARUs and three unidentified merchant ships.
18 April 1944:
At 0915 arrives at Takao.
19 April 1944:
At 1710 KURETAKE joins the escort of convoy HI-56, enroute from Singapore to Moji, consisting of TOKUSHIMA MARU, tankers ASANAGI, OTORISAN and SARAWAK MARUs, NICHINAN MARU No. 2 and one other unidentified merchant ship escorted by kaibokan MATSUWA and torpedo boat HATO.
24 April 1944:
At 1930, arrives at Moji.
25 April 1944:
At 0600 arrives at Kure
30 April 1944:
Docked at Kure.
18 May 1944:
At 0800 departs Kure and at 1730 arrives at Moji.
20 May 1944:
At 1600 departs Moji escorting convoys MOTA-20 and TE-07. MOTA-20 consists of TATEBE (KEMBU), HAKUSHIKA, KAIKO (851 gt), KOSHIN, TATSUHATO, HIBI, JUNPO, HOKUSHIN, MACASSAR, YAMAGIKU, TEIFU (Ex French BOUGAINVILLE) and HOSEN MARUs, fast Navy transport T-101 and three unidentified merchant ships (and TE-07 of TEIKA (ex French CAP VARELLA) MIYAJIMA and HIDA MARUs and four unidentified merchant ships). KURETAKE escorts MOTA-20 and kaibokan SHIMUSHU and FUKUE escort TE-07.
25 May 1944:
Convoy TE-07 is detached for Kirun, arriving later that day.
26 May 1944:
At 1420 arrives at Takao.
28 May 1944:
At 1500 departs Takao with kaibokan CD-11 escorting convoy TAMA-20 consisting of TATEBE, HAKUSHIKA (HAKUROKU), HAKUBASAN, KENZUI, KOSHIN, TATSUHATO, HIBI, JUNPO, HOKUSHIN, MACASSAR, YAMAGIKU, HOSEN, TEIKA, TEIFU MARUs, Navy transport T-101, tanker NANSHIN MARU No. 14 and three unidentified merchant ships.
31 May 1944:
At 1930 arrives at Manila.
3 June 1944:
At 0830 departs Manila with kaibokan CD-11, auxiliary minelayer CHOAN MARU and an unknown warship (probably an auxiliary subchaser) escorting convoy MATA-22 consisting of DAISEI, NORWAY, MIIKESAN, KINREI MARUs and three unidentified merchant ships.
7 June 1944:
At 0800 arrives at Takao.
10 June 1944:
At 1220 departs Takao alone.
11 June 1944:
At 0800 arrives at Kirun. At 1800 departs Kirun with subchasers CH-12 and CH-35 escorting convoy TAPA-09 consisting of TAMA, OYO and AZUCHISAN MARUs and two unidentified ships.
13 June 1944:
At 0130 arrives at Takao. KURETAKE is detached.
16 June 1944:
At 1900 departs Takao alone to support incoming convoy HO-02 consisting of NASUSAN, TAMAHOKO, TAINAN, KENNICHI, SHONAN, TEIHOKU (ex French PERSEE), NICHIWA and HIOKI MARUs and KONAN MARU No. 1 and ten unidentified ships with minelayer AOTAKA and kaibokan CD-8, CD-15 and CD-20 as escorts. It is unclear if KURETAKE joined the convoy.
17 June 1944:
At 1740 KURETAKE arrives at Takao.
18 June 1944:
At 1430 departs Takao with subchaser CH-19 and auxiliary subchaser CHa-94 escorting convoy TAMA-21 consisting of oiler SHIMPO MARU and cargo ships YAGI, TAMA, OYO, IKOMASAN and TOSHU MARUs.
23 June 1944:
At 0800 arrives at Manila.
26 June 1944:
At 0600 departs Manila escorting convoy TAPA-09 consisting of TAMA, OYO and AZUCHISAN MARUs and two unidentified ships also escorted by kaibokan CD-6, CD-16 and CD-19 and subchasers CH-12 and CH-35.
28 June 1944:
Arrives at Cebu where KURETAKE detaches from TAPA-09.
29 June 1944:
At 1000 KURETAKE departs Cebu to join convoy HI-67. Meanwhile LtCdr (later Captain) Anton W. Gallaher's (USNA ’33) USS BANG (SS-385) torpedoes and damages MIRI and SARAWAK MARUs from the convoy. Both tankers are hit in the bow, but each manages to proceed to Manila.
30 June 1944:
At 2100 the main convoy arrives at Manila. SARAWAK, MIRI, GOKOKU and ASAHISAN MARUs are detached.
3 July 1944:
At 0600, KURETAKE departs Manila for Yulin with destroyer ASAGAO and kaibokan HIRADO, KURAHASHI, CD-2 (latter from about 5 July) escorting convoy MAYU-04 consisting of HOKUSHIN, TEIRYU (ex German AUGSBURG) and PACIFIC MARUs and three unidentified merchant ships.
7 July 1944:
At 1000 arrives at Yulin.
11 July 1944:
Departs Yulin.
12 July 1944:
At 1500 arrives at Basuo.
13 July 1944:
Departs Basuo escorting PACIFIC and TEIRYU MARUs and at 1240 arrives at Sana.
15 July 1944:
At 0400, departs Sana with auxiliary gunboats PEKING and HUASHAN (KAZAN) MARUs escorting convoy YUTA-9 consisting of TEIRYU (ex German AUGSBURG), TATSUWA, PACIFIC, MACASSAR, JUNPO and MURORAN MARUs and two unidentified merchant ships.
19 July 1944:
At 0532 (I), LtCdr (later Rear Admiral) Norvell G. Ward's (USNA ’35) USS GUARDFISH (SS-217) SJ radar makes contact on an escorted convoy heading NNW at 22,500 yards. At 0610 (I), USS GUARDFISH submerges and tracks the convoy. At 0743 (I) Ward fires his last four forward torpedoes from 1,000 yards and gets two hits.
At about 0745 (JST), TEIRYU (ex-German AUGSBURG) MARU is torpedoed port side in the lower part of the boiler room that completely floods. At 0746 (I), USS GUARDFISH’s crew hears a hit on the second ship in the convoy, but they also hear a torpedo pass over their submarine. Ward judges one of his torpedoes made a circular run. At about 0753, TEIRYU MARU splits in two amidships and sinks at 19-08N, 116-13E about 400 km SSE of Hong Kong. 108 passengers, three auxiliary gunners and 38 crew are killed. From 0749 to 0800 (I), USS GUARDFISH suffers many depth charges from two of the escorts, but survives. At 1808, the convoy arrives at North San Fernando.
21 July 1944:
At 1255 KURETAKE after a submarine hunt far ahead of the convoy arrives at Takao. At 2255, PEKING MARU runs aground at 17-31N, 120-22E. [1]
23 July 1944:
At 0600 departs Takao on a submarine sweep. Then briefly returned to escort YUTA-09.
26 July 1944:
At 1200 KURETAKE arrives back at Takao, apparently alone. Departs Takao later that afternoon. At 1700 joins inbound convoy MI-08 and starts escorting.
28 July 1944:
Arrives at Takao.
4 August 1944:
At 1300 departs Takao escorting MI-10 consisting of DAIZEN, HIDA, HINAGA and FUYUKAWA MARUs KENZUI, TEIFU (ex French BOUGAINVILLE), KAKOGAWA, TSUKUBASAN, ROKKO, SEIGA, HAKOZAKI, MYOGI MARUs and UNYO MARU No.7, WAKO GO and tankers SHUNTEN, TAKETSU (BUTSU), CHIYODA, SHIMOTSU, KOSHIN, KOTOKU, NICHINAN (1945 gt), OEI MARU and SHIMOTSU MARUs and KYOEI MARU No. 6 plus 11 unidentified ships. The escort consists of KURETAKE, kaibokan CD-10, CD-3, CD-17, minelayer MAESHIMA, auxiliary gunboats CHOJUSAN MARU, PEKING MARU and possibly KAZAN MARU.
10 August 1944:
At 0730 KURETAKE is detached from MI-10 and later arrives at Sasebo. Undergoes repairs.
24 August 1944:
Departs Sasebo.
25 August 1944:
Arrives at Miike.
27 August 1944:
At 0800, KURETAKE departs Miike for Miri, Borneo meeting up with with destroyer SHIOKAZE, kaibokan CD-18, minesweeper W-17 and minelayer YURIJIMA escorting convoy MI-17 from Moji consisting of tankers NITTETSU and SHIMOTSU MARUs and cargo ships BAIKAL, AMAHI, DAITEN, NORWAY, ARAOSAN, NICHIZUI, HOKUREI, and SORACHI MARUs and SHINYO MARU No. 8 and possibly YOZAN and SHUYO MARUs and two unidentified ships.
1 September 1944:
At 1020 arrives at Mako, Pescadores. SORACHI, NITTETSU MARUs and one unidentified ships are detached. An unidentified ship joins the convoy. W-20 and subchaser CH-41 join the escort.
4 September 1944:
At 0600 departs Mako. At 1100 arrives at Takao and at 1230 departs Takao.
6 September 1944:
At 1500, arrives at Aparri, Luzon. W-17, W-20 and CH-41 are detached. At 2310 the convoy departs Aparri.
7 September 1944:
At 2100 arrives at Laoag.
8 September 1944:
At 0600 departs Laoag. At 1600 arrives at North San Fernando.
9 September 1944:
At 0600 departs North San Fernando and at 1830 arrives at Masinloc.
10 September 1944:
At 0600 departs Masinloc and at 2000 arrives at Manila. CD-18 and YURIJIMA are detached as well as NORWAY, AMAHI, HOKUREI, BAIKAL, DAITEN, ARAOSAN MARUs and likely SHUYO and YOZAN MARUs. Eight merchant ships consisting of HOSEN, TAISHO MARUs, UNKAI MARU No. 5 and KYOEI MARU No. 10 and four unidentified merchant ships join the convoy.
14 September 1944:
At 0500 the convoy leaves Manila because of an anticipated air attack and arrives that evening at Santa Cruz.
15 September 1944:
Departs Santa Cruz and that evening arrives at Masinloc.
16 September 1944:
Departs Masinloc.
17 September 1944:
At 0600 arrives back briefly at Manila and departs soon after. At 1535 arrives at Silanguin.
18 September 1944:
At 0600 departs Silanguin and at 1500 arrives at Manila Bay.
20 September 1944:
At 0500, departs Manila Bay.
21 September 1944:
At 1800, arrives at Imuruan Bay, Palawan Island.
22 September 1944:
At 0600, departs Imuruan Bay. Anchors that evening at Palangan, Palawan. Meanwhile SHIOKAZE is engaged in a submarine hunt.
23 September 1944:
At 0700, departs Palangan.
24 September 1944:
At 0200 arrives at Kimanis, North Borneo. At 0700, departs. At 1900, arrives at Victoria Harbor, Labuan.
25 September 1944:
At 0700, departs Victoria. At 1736, arrives at Miri.
30 September 1944:
At 0630, KURETAKE departs Miri, Borneo for Manila with destroyer SHIOKAZE escorting convoy MI-18 consisting of KOKUSEI, KIKUSUI, RYOFU, HIGANE, HIYORI, KAISOKU MARUs and UNKAI MARU No. 5 and NANSHIN MARU NO. 18 that departed Singapore unescorted on 22 September and arrived at Miri on 26 September.
2 October 1944:
Off Gaya Bay, NW Borneo. At 0030, LtCdr John C. Martin's (USNA ’34) USS HAMMERHEAD (SS-364) attacks the convoy. Martin torpedoes and sinks bauxite ore-carriers HIYORI (four passengers, three escort troops and 27 crewmen KIA), HIGANE transporting in addition of her cargo of bauxite, 36 passengers, trucks and drummed gasoline (seven passengers, two escort troops and six crewmen KIA) and KOKUSEI (31 troops who were passengers on board, one gunner and 15 crewmen KIA) MARUs. The destroyers do not counter-attack. The convoy immediately shelters in Gaya Bay.
3 October 1944:
At 0530 departs Gaya Bay. At 1900 arrives at Kudat.
4 October 1944:
At 0630 departs Kudat and at 1900 arrives at Balabac.
5 October 1944:
At 0600 departs Balabac and at 1830 arrives at Eran Bay.
6 October 1944:
At 0600 departs Eran Bay and at 2000 arrives at St Pauls Bay.
7 October 1944:
At 0900 departs St Pauls Bay.
8 October 1944:
At 1900 arrives at Lubang.
9 October 1944:
At 0700 departs Lubang.
10 October 1944:
At 2308, arrives at Manila.
11 October 1944:
Still with the convoy, departs Manila to seek refuge from anticipated air raids.
13 October 1944:
At 2200, arrives Bacuit Bay, Palawan Island where the convoy is dissolved.
18 October 1944:
At 1720 departs Bacuit.
19 October 1944:
At 2130 arrives at Manila.
20 October 1944:
At 2340, KURETAKE departs Manila for Takao with destroyers HARUKAZE and TAKE, and subchaser CH-20 escorting convoy MATA-30 consisting of KIMIKAWA, KOKURYU, KIKUSUI, FUYUKAWA, TENSHIN, SHIGISAN, DAITEN, EIKO, ARISAN and RYOFU MARUs, fleet supply ship KURASAKI and SHINSEI MARU No. 1.
23 October 1944:
South China Sea, WNW of Cape Bojeador, Luzon, Philippines.
About 1730 (JST), Cdr Alan B. Banister’s (USNA ’28) USS SAWFISH (SS-276) attacks the last ship in the convoy, KIMIKAWA MARU. She is hit portside aft in hold No. 7 by four of five torpedoes fired. KIMIKAWA MARU sinks in 2.5 minutes at 18-58N, 118-46E. Loaded with 300 passengers, bauxite, fuel oil, aviation gasoline and other similar items, the ship takes down 24 crewmen and 81 passengers.
24 October 1944:
The convoy comes under a combined wolfpack attack by five submarines. At 0050, SHINSEI MARU No. 1 is damaged by a dud torpedo at 19-32N, 118-37E. At 0100, KOKURYU MARU is torpedoed and sunk at 19-42N, 118-38E, likely by LtCdr George H. Browne's (USNA ’34) USS SNOOK (SS-279) or LtCdr Richard W. Peterson's (USNA ’31) USS ICEFISH (SS-367). Of 1357 passengers on board 324 of them together with five gunners and 63 crewmen are killed. At 0315, KIKUSUI MARU (ex Dutch tanker IRIS) is torpedoed and sunk by USS SNOOK at 19-46N, 118-30E. 12 crewmen are KIA.
At 0605 TENSHIN MARU is torpedoed twice and sunk by either USS SNOOK or LtCdr Edward N. Blakely's (USNA ’34) (later KIA) USS SHARK (SS-314) or both, at 19-54N 119-00E. The ship was loaded with 6250 tons of bauxite and five escort troops and 47 crewmen are KIA.
At 0758, SHIKISAN MARU is torpedoed by LtCdr (later Rear Admiral) Maurice H. Rindskopf's (USNA ’38) USS DRUM (SS-228) and sinks in 90 seconds at 20-27N, 118-31E. The ship is time loaded with 1500 tons mixed goods, 3000 tons crude rubber and 3300 tons of manganese. 11 crew and four others die in the sinking. Soon after, DAITEN MARU, sailing in ballast, is also torpedoed and sunk by LtCdr James H. Ashley's (USNA ’34) USS SEADRAGON (SS-194) at 20-12N, 119-01E. Five crewmen are killed.
At 1225, straggling SHINSEI MARU No. 1, loaded with bauxite, is torpedoed by USS SNOOK and sinks in three minutes at 20-31N, 118-42E. Three gunners and 10 of crewmen are killed in the sinking. At 1405, EIKO MARU is torpedoed by SEADRAGON and sinks at 20-35N 118-32E. The ship had rescued about 100 survivors from SHINSEI MARU No.1 and many of these men die, with one crewman from EIKO MARU being killed.
Finally, at 1730, ARISAN MARU is torpedoed and sunk, probably by Blakely's USS SHARK (sunk soon after by HARUKAZE and TAKE) at 20-00N, 118-44E. This IJA transport is carrying 1782 POWs. Only nine of them survive the sinking. 2 crewmen, 13 gunners and 27 other passengers are KIA.
Cdr Edward N. Blakely’s USS SHARK (SS-314) is lost during these attacks; probably by depth charges in one of two attacks made by HARUKAZE.
25 October 1944:
At 2000 KURTAKE arrives at Takao.
26 October 1944:
At 0715, some ships arrives at Takao. Others remain in the northern Philippines. KURETAKE departs Takao to assist them.
27 October 1944:
Arrives at Lapoc Bay.
28 October 1944:
Departs Lapoc Bay.
29 October 1944:
At 1730 KURETAKE arrives at San Pioquinto.
31 October 1944:
At 0001 departs San Pioquinto and at 1600 arrives at Takao. The convoy is reorganized. Some ships from convoy MOTA-27 join MOMA-06. The reconstitued convoy consists of KURASAKI and HAMBURG, SHIMOTSU, ASOKAWA, TOTTORI, EIWA, ATLAS, DAITOKU, SHINSHO, KAKOGAWA, SEKIHO and SEIWA MARUs escorted by KURETAKE, kaibokan CD-1, CD-3 and CD-7, mineweeper W-27 and subchaser CH-41.
1 November 1944:
At 1800, the convoy departs Takao for Manila.
2 November 1944:
Off Sabtang Island, Bashii Strait. At 2305, LtCdr John B. Hess’ (USNA ’37) USS POMFRET (SS-391) torpedoes and damages ATLAS MARU that is carrying a deck cargo of 50 IJA "Shinyo" explosive motor boats from the 13th Shinyo Squadron and 1.325 troops including many from the 2nd Tank Division’s 2nd Battalion, 2nd Mobile Infantry and passengers. 79 troops and two crewmen are KIA.
3 November 1944:
At 0300, USN codebreakers intercept and decrypt a message from No. 1 Maritime Transport Commander to MOMA-06 convoy that reads: “CD-11 will carry out screen of ---- and at the same time will execute anti-submarine sweep. Minesweeper W-20, KURASAKI and TOYO MARU No. 3 will arrive at the scene by 0630 and engage in salvage operations. KURETAKE will carry out screen of Sabtang South entrance and subchaser CH-41 will furnish screen at North entrance….Convoy will take refuge in Sabtang Channel and will delay departure.”
Bashi Strait. At 0435, Hess attacks ATLAS MARU again, but misses. At 0500, USS POMFRET also torpedoes and damages HAMBURG MARU. At 1850, one of the escorts scuttles her at 20-18N, 121-51E. Three of the 415 troops carried onboard, a gunner and 18 crewmen are KIA. At 2000 the convoy anchors at Sabtang Is.
4 November 1944:
KURETAKE takes ATLAS MARU under tow. About 1330, ATLAS MARU is beached and her cargo begins to be unloaded (by 18 November, a typhoon causes ATLAS MARU to be abandoned). Torpedo boat SAGI arrives from Takao and joins the escort.
At 1616, USN codebreakers decrypt another message from No. 1 Maritime Transport Commander that reads: “Will have CD-11, Minesweeper W-20, KURETAKE and TOYO MARU No. 3 investigate the situation of ATLAS MARU and take aboard survivors from 1430 on. Transfer of victuals for the troops has already begun. Weather is generally good at the vicinity of the anchorage.”
6 November 1944:
At 0253 departs Sabtang Island with minesweepers W-17 and W-18 as additional escorts.
8 November 1944:
Off Cape Bolinao, Luzon. LtCdr Guy E. O'Neil, Jr’s (USNA ’37) USS GUNNEL (SS-253) torpedoes and sinks SAGI. The convoy later at 1730 arrives at Santa Cruz, Philippines.
9 November 1944:
Warned of a typhoon in the area, the convoy departs the same day at 0630 and arrives at Manila Bay at 2238.
10 November 1944:
At 0925, convoy MOMA-06 arrives at Manila harbor.
12 November 1944:
At 1800, KURETAKE departs Manila for Takao with fleet supply ship KURASAKI, kaibokan CD-1, CD-3 and CD-7 escorting convoy MATA-32 consisting of NANKING MARU and UNKAI MARU No. 5.
14 November 1944:
Off Cape Bolinao, Philippines. At 2218, LtCdr William T. Kinsella’s (USNA ’34) USS RAY (SS-271) torpedoes and sinks CD-7 at 17-46N, 117-57E. At 2225, LtCdr Maurice W. Shea’s (USNA ’37) USS RATON (SS-270) torpedoes and sinks UNKAI MARU No. 5. 43 crewmen are KIA.
15 November 1944:
W of Luzon. At 0025, Shea’s RATON torpedoes and sinks KURASAKI at 17-27N, 117-43E.
At 1052, USN codebreakers intercept and decrypt a message from KURETAKE that reads: “KURASAKI was torpedoed and sank at 0025 in position 17-41N, 118-00E. Picked up Captain and 91 others at 1000 and am heading for position of CD-7. Request assistance in search and anti-sub screen.”
17 November 1944:
At 1200, arrives at Takao.
19 November 1944:
At 2030 KURETAKE, CD-1, CD-3 departs Takao escorting TAMA-32 the details of which are unknown but probably the same as TAMA-32A. Soon after departure the convoy is recalled.
20 November 1944:
At 1530 arrives back at Takao.
23 November 1944:
At 1530, KURETAKE departs Takao with kaibokan CD-1, CD-3, CD-8, CD-28 and CD-54, subchasers CH-17, CH-18, CH-37 and CH-38 escorting convoy TAMA-32A consisting of AKAGISAN, HAGIKAWA, SORACHI, JINYO, NICHIYO, SHOEI (2764gt), WAYO, MINO, SHIROUMA and SHONAN MARUs and BANSHU MARU No. 63 and kidotei SS No. 6. Soon after leaving, the convoy anchors along the coast at Fangliao.
24 November 1944:
At 0400, departs Fangliao, Formosan coast.
25 November 1944:
At 2200, arrives at Musa Bay, Fuga Island.
27 November 1944:
At 0400, departs Musa Bay. At 1645, arrives at Lapoc Bay.
28 November 1944:
At 0600, departs Lapoc Bay. At 1800, arrives at N San Fernando.
29 November 1944:
At 0600, departs N San Fernando.
30 November 1944:
At 0500, arrives at Manila. At 1630 KURETAKE departs Manila.
3 December 1944:
KURETAKE departs Takao for Manila with kaibokan CD-28, CD-54 and CH-33 as well as two unidentified warships escorting convoy TAMA-34 consisting of JINYO, KENJO, YAMAKUNI, FUKUYO and YASUKUNI MARUs, BANSHU MARU No. 31 and SHINPUKU MARU.
6 December 1944:
At 2147, a concerted wolfpack attack begins by Cdr (later Rear Admiral) Roy M. Davenport's (USNA ’33) USS TREPANG (SS-412) and LtCdr James D. Fulp's (USNA ’34) USS SEGUNDO (SS-398).
Davenport torpedoes and sinks JINYO MARU with troops, depth charges, boats and possibly tanks aboard, at 18-30N 121-57E with 1,383 troops and 44 crewmen lost. At 2237, Fulp torpedoes YASUKUNI MARU, loaded with 315 troops, 155 passengers, coal, military vehicles and tanks; that runs aground and is later abandoned near 18-59N 120-56E. Three troops on lookout and 25 crewmen are killed. At 2358 Davenport hits FUKUYO MARU with three torpedoes. She blows up and sinks nearby. At the time the ship was carrying the 18th Naval Strike Group in four parties consisting of 921 men, of which 913 together with 66 ship’s gunners and 94 of the crew are KIA. BANSHU MARU No. 31 is also sunk with no survivors from her crew of 23 around this time at 18-54N, 120-49E.
7 December 1944:
At 0005, Fulp's SEGUNDO torpedoes and sinks KENJO MARU at 18-52N, 121-57E. The ship is carrying Naval troops and the Southern Special Intelligence Unit, a total of 379 men as well as freight. The survivors are forced to escape into dark stormy seas and float in the water for many hours until early next morning when rescue began. Many people died including 78 of the crew. Meanwhile YAMAKUNI MARU, damaged by Davenport's USS TREPANG, goes no further than N San Fernando.
9 December 1944:
SHINPUKU MARU arrives at Manila with escorts less kaibokan CD-54 that is detached to rescue YASUKUNI MARU.
15 December 1944:
On that day, FRUMEL provides the following information:
"Destroyer KURETAKE left Manila at 1930 on 15th for Takao escorting a small convoy."
27 December 1944:
On that day, FRUMEL provides the following information:
"Destroyer KURETAKE left San Fernando at 1215 on 27th December, course north, speed 14 knots, to join MATA-38 convoy." [2]
30 December 1944:
At 0800, KURETAKE, CH-18, CH-21 and three other unidentified escorts depart North San Fernando for Takao escorting convoy MATA-38 consisting of MURORAN, TEIKAI (ex German FULDA), KAZUURA and NISSHO MARUs.
Off Santiago Island, Luzon. At 1310, the convoy undergoes a series of air attacks by 26 of Fifth Air Force's B-25 “Mitchell” medium bombers, A-20 “Havoc” light bombers and P-40 “Warhawk” fighters that skip bomb at low level. CH-18 is hit and sunk as are MURORAN and TEIKAI MARUs. MURORAN MARU was largely empty but a bomb strikes some of the ammunition cargo remaining on board and the ship explodes and sinks with the loss of all 71 crewmen and 94 passengers. TEIKAI MARU sustains one bomb hit at No. 1 hold while two more bombs hit the engine room. One near miss explodes just off starboard No. 6 hold. Heavily afire. At 1430, all hands are ordered to abandon ship. The burning wreck drifts with the tide and finally runs aground on the nearby coast. The transport is also empty except for two motor vehicles and 122 military passengers, 15 gunners and 23 crewmen on board are killed. The planes also damage KAZUURA and NISSHO MARUs near Lingayen Gulf at 17-11N 120-45E.
Bashi Channel, 60 miles SE of Formosa. During the bombing, LtCdr Charles D. Brown's (USNA ’38) USS RAZORBACK (SS-394) sneaks in on the surface. In two attacks, Brown fires six torpedoes at destroyer KURETAKE, of which two hit and blow her bow off. She sinks at 21N, 121-24E. The number of survivors, if any, is unknown, but her CO, reserve Lt Yoshida Ieo is KIA. Reserve Lt Yoshida is posthumously promoted LtCdr.
10 February 1945:
Removed from the Navy List.
Authors' Note:
[1] On 28 July 1944, the wreck is torpedoed and sunk by USS ASPRO (SS-309).
[2] The convoy appears to have been delayed in its departure.
Thanks go to the late John Whitman of the USA for info on CNO intercepts of Japanese messages and to Gilbert Casse of France, Ralph Lotito of USA and Matt Jones of Mississippi, USA. Special thanks go to Hans Mcilveen of the Netherlands for info on FRUMEL intercepts.
-Bob Hackett, Sander Kingsepp and Peter Cundall
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