© 2007 Bob Hackett, Sander Kingsepp and Peter Cundall
Revision 1
1929:
Schiedam (near Rotterdam), the Netherlands. Laid down at Wilton-Fijenoord shipyard for the Royal Netherlands Navy (RNN).
19 October 1929:
Launched and named VALK (Falcon).
1930:
Completed. VALK's main assignment is to serve as an anti-smuggling “opium-jager” (opium-hunter) in the Netherlands East Indies (NEI),
1930s:
Dutch East Indies. GM ss (Gouvernements stoomschip) patrol boat VALK is assigned to the Dutch civil navy as an opium trade interdiction vessel. [1]
24 August 1939:
Following increasing tensions in Europe, the Dutch Army in the Netherlands starts its pre-mobilization, but there is no mobilization in the NEI. However, surveillance is tightened.
1 September 1939: World War II Begins:
Following the mobilization in the Netherlands, Governor-General Alidius W. L. Tjarda van Starkenborgh-Stachouwer decides to militarize the GM and it becomes a part of the Royal Netherlands Navy. The patrol boats are put under the RNN's East Indies Squadron.
2 September 1939:
The GM ships' new status is activated. This does not mean every GM ship is now under military orders, but VALK is one that is; she becomes Hr.Ms. VALK.
8 September 1939:
Patrol boat VALK and six of the larger patrol boats are converted are converted to seaplane tenders and assigned to the Marine Luchtvaart Dienst (MLD). VALK is also equipped with a utility Fokker floatpane. [2]
25 September 1939:
The CO GM is notified that VALK, FAZANT, AREND, MEREL, BELLATRIX, GEMMA, CASTOR, SIRIUS, REIGER, ZUIDERKRUIS, RIGEL and TYDEMAN are the only GM ships to receive orders from military authorities.
October 1939:
VALK and five other converted seaplane tenders are stationed at Ambon, Moluccas.
10 May 1940: The German invasion of the Netherlands:
Of 19 German merchant ships in the NEI, 18 are captured after a PTT telegraph operator withholds a coded telegram, dated 9 May '40, directed at these ships’ captains; only SS SOPHIE RICKMERS is sunk by her crew.
April 1941:
Hungarian freighter NYUGAT departs Adelaide, Australia for Shanghai. The Dutch suspect it may try to make contact with a German commerce raider. Several Dutch warships are ordered to capture the freighter. VALK is ordered to patrol W of Timor while destroyer Hr.Ms. KORTENAER patrols E of the island.
13 April 1941:
NYUGAT is spotted by KORTENAER and captured at 11-20S, 123-40E. VALK is then ordered to return to the Moluccas.
28 September 1941:
An MLD plane reports a suspect ship in the Ceram Sea. Two destroyers are sent to investigate, but do not find the intruder, “probably an IJN auxiliary”. The destroyers are sent because VALK, acting as the scouting vessel in the Eastern Archipelago, could not reach the position in time.
7 January 1942:
Halong Naval Air Staion, Ambon Roads. GGM ss VALK is supporting GVT-17 comprised of four Consolidated PBY "Catalina" flying boats.
January 1942:
Ambon undergoes air attacks from the 7th onward.
12 January 1942:
Ambon. An unidentified American warship, probably a gunboat, arrives and anchors
in the inner bay.
13 January 1942:
Ambon Bay. Japanese bombers and fighters appear at great altitude. VALK's crew had arranged a dummy AA gun on the compass bridge, connected to the engine room by a steam line. The crew fires ‘salvos’ of steam puffs. VALK opens fire with her 12.7-mm machine-gun, but without effect. The gunboat also opens fire. The Japanese aircraft stay at fairly high altitude. Two Brewster “Buffalo” fighter planes take off from a nearby airfield to attack them, but face no less than 10 Japanese fighters. Both are shot down, but both pilots manage to bail out.
14 January 1942:
Departs Ambon Roads for Surabaya, Java to escort convoys.
February 1942:
Tandjong Priok (near Batavia), Java. VALK is damaged heavily in an air raid.
1 March 1942:
Vice Admiral (later Admiral) Conrad E. L. Helfrich, CINC, RNN, issues two orders. First, he demilitarizes the GGM that becomes the GM once more. After that order, he issues the general evacuation order. This order does not apply to GM ships.
3 March 1942:
VALK is damaged in an air raid.
4 March 1942:
Tjilatjap is bombed for the first time. Damage to several ships and shore installations is considerable and almost all native Javanese (including crewmen of VALK) flee the harbor. [3]
5 March 1942:
Carriers AKAGI, KAGA, HIRYU and SORYU launch air strikes against Tjilatjap. VALK is damaged in the attack. That same day, the CO of the Marines’ Battalion is ordered to arrange a crew for VALK to take part in the evacuation of Java, but the order is rescinded the following night, probably because of the damage received.
7 March 1942:
Tjilatjap. VALK is scuttled by her crew. An attempt is made to block the narrowest part of the harbor entrance by sinking her there, but it fails. Only a few ‘motorsloepen’ (motor-lifeboats) and one patrol boat are able to assist and cannot control VALK. She merely runs aground.
8 March 1942:
Bandung. Governor-General Tjarda van Starkenborgh-Stachouwer surrenders Java to the Japanese.
21 April 1943:
Refloated and towed to Surabaya where she undergoes repairs by the IJN's No. 102 Repair Facility.
31 January 1944:
Repairs are completed. Registered in the IJN. Reclassified as a patrol boat and numbered PB-104. Attached to Sasebo Naval District. Assigned to the Southwest Area Fleet's 21st Special Base Force.
Early February 1944:
Batavia (Jakarta). Undergoes work at the Tandjong Priok branch of the No. 102 Repair Facility.
9 February 1944:
Transferred to Surabaya.
26 February-10 March 1944:
Surabaya. Drydocked at No. 1 Dry Dock. One 5-inch AA gun and a Type 93 Mod. 1 sonar are installed.
Lt Komatsu Takashi is appointed CO during this time.
23 March 1944:
At 1500, PB-104 departs Surabaya for Kotabaru, Laut Island, Borneo escorting an unnumbered convoy consisting of IKUTAGAWA and SENKO MARUs.
24 March 1944:
Arrives at Laut Island, The convoy loads iron and coal.
25 March 1944:
At 1200, PB-104 departs Laut Island escorting an unnumbered convoy consisting of TAIKO and NAGATA MARUs.
27 March 1944:
At 1530, arrives at Surabaya.
28 March 1944:
PB-104 departs Surabaya to catch up with an outgoing unnunmbered convoy consisting of HEIAN and KUNIYAMA MARUs that left at 1825 the previous day. Off Sepandang Island, PB-104 joins the convoy and takes over from subchaser CH-12 and minesweeper W-12. During the day, the escorts attack an unidentified submarine.
29 March 1944:
At 0750, arrives Bima, Sumbawa Island. At 1850, the convoy departs.
30 March 1944:
At 2010, arrives at Surabaya.
13 May 1944:
At 0355, PB-104 departs Wasile Bay, Halmahera, with minelayer SHIRATAKA, auxiliary netlayer KOREI MARU, and subchaser CH-38 escorting the remnants of convoy Take No. 1 consisting of TEIKAI, MITSUKI, KAZUURA, BRAZIL MARUs, newly joined ATLAS MARU to and one other unidentified ship (possibly YOZAN MARU).
14 May 1944:
Arrives at Lembeh anchorage, Celebes.
20 May 1944:
At 2105, the convoy arrives at Manila.
28 May 1944:
At 1300, PB-104 departs Manila with PB-102 (ex-USS STEWART, DD-224), destroyer TSUGA, subchaser CH-38 and auxiliary netlayer KOREI MARU escorting convoy H-27 consisting of SHINNO, KOHOKU, KOSEI, MURORAN, SHIROGANESAN, TAIYU, TEIYU and JUZAN MARUs.
3 June 1944:
At 2044, arrives Banka anchorage, NE Celebes.
4 June 1944:
At 0555, departs Banka anchorage.
8 June 1944:
At 1617, arrives Wasile, Halmahera, Moluccas.
11 June 1944:
PB-104 Departs Kau Bay, Halmahera with destroyer TSUGA, subchaser CH-38 and auxiliary netlayer KOREI MARU escorting convoy H-27 (return) consisting of AKAGISAN, KOAN, SORACHI, SHIROGANESAN, YOZAN and TAIYU MARUs and YOSHIDA MARU No. 3.
12 June 1944:
TSUGA and CH-38 are detached for Davao.
14 June 1944:
At 1003, LtCdr Willard R. Laughon's USS RASHER (SS-269) torpedoes and sinks KOAN MARU at 04-33N, 122-23E.
20 June 1944:
At 0925, arrives Manila.
31 July 1944:
PB-104 is damaged by unknown causes.
28 August 1944:
At 0400, PB-104 departs Yulin, Hainan Island for Takao with subchaser CH-21 escorting convoy YUTA-11 consisting of iron-carriers MITSUKI, SAIHO, ATLAS, KOKKA and HOKOKU MARUs. The convoy is diverted enroute to Keelung.
2 September 1944:
At 0830, arrives at Keelung, Formosa.
5 September 1944:
PB-104 departs Keelung for Moji with patrol boat PB-102 and subchaser CH-21 escorting convoy TAMO-25 consisting of SAIHO, MITSUKI, ATLAS, KOKKA, HENGSHAN, MEIRYU, TATSUSHO and TATSUTAMA MARUs. KOKKA MARU runs aground shortly after leaving Keelung. Later, she is refloated and returns to Keelung.
11 September 1944:
Arrives at Sasebo. Begins a refit. Several 41st Year Type 8-cm guns, Type 93 13.2-mm AA guns and a Type 13 air-search radar are installed.
23 September 1944:
The refit is completed. At 1600, PB-104 departs Moji with kaibokan DAITO, auxiliary gunboat KAZAN (HUASHAN) MARU, subchaser CH-21, auxiliary subchasers CHa-87, CHa-92 escorting convoy MI-21 consisting of TEIKA, TSUYAMA, EJIRI, FUSHIMI, KEISHIN, KEIZAN, CHOSAN, TATSUBATO, KENEI and YOSHU MARUs and tankers SAN LUIS, SHUNTEN and EIKYO MARUs and an unidentified ship.
29 September 1944:
At 1700, arrives at Takao and the convoy is dissolved.
1 October 1944:
At 1700, PB-104 departs Takao with kaibokan DAITO, YASHIRO, auxiliary gunboat KAZAN (HUASHAN) MARU, subchaser CH-21 and auxiliary subchasers CHa-87 and CHa-92 escorting convoy TAMA-28 consisting of TSUYAMA, CHOSAN, MURORAN, MACASSAR, FUYUKAWA, SHINSEI and TAISEI MARUs.
2 October 1944:
Luzon Strait. During a storm, LtCdr Frank C. Acker's USS POMFRET (SS-391) torpedoes and sinks TSUYAMA MARU at 20-50N, 121-31E. The ship is carrying 1,600 men of the Mobile 18th Infantry Regiment. 1,273 men on board are KIA.
7 October 1944:
LtCdr Henry C. Stevenson's USS ASPRO (SS-309) torpedoes and sinks MACASSAR MARU at 17-30N, 119-53E.
8 October 1944:
At 1745, TAMA-28 arrives at North San Fernando, Philippines.
11 October 1944:
At 0600, the convoy departs North San Fernando. Off San Vicente, Luzon. YASHIRO is damaged by planes of Vice Admiral (later Admiral) John S. McCain’s Task Force 38. At 1748, the convoy arrives at Masinloc anchorage.
18 October 1944:
PB-104 and subchaser CH-21 assist transport ARABIYA MARU torpedoed at 0716 that morning by LtCdr Eric L. Barr's USS BLUEGILL (SS-242). At 1228, ARABIYA MARU sinks. HAKKO MARU, loaded with survivors, is escorted back to Manila. Later, the escorts depart Manila to catch up with convoy that left the previous day.
20 October 1944:
The convoy arrives at Bacuit Bay, Philippines. By this time the convoy, depleted by submarine attack, consists of MANILA, EIMAN, TEIFU, DAIIKU, KENEI, TAIMEI, SHINSEI MARUs and NICHIYU MARU No. 2 and tanker KYOEI MARU No. 6 escorted by destroyer SHIOKAZE, auxiliary gunboat KAZAN (HUASHAN) MARU and torpedo boat HIYODORI. [5]
21 October 1944:
At 0855, departs Bacuit Bay.
22 October 1944:
Attacked by B-24 "Liberator" heavy bombers.
23 October 1944:
Attacked by B-24 bombers.
24 October 1944:
Arrives at Gaya Bay, north Borneo. Some ships separate at this point.
26 October 1944:
At 0635, departs Gaya Bay and at 1835 arrives at Labuan.
27 October 1944:
At 1045, departs Labuan.
28 October 1944:
At 1650, arrives Miri. Only MANILA, TEIFU, SHINSEI and KENEI MARUs and KYOEI MARU No. 6 are in the convoy at this point.
30 October 1944:
At 0600, PB-104 departs Miri with auxiliary gunboat KAZAN (HUASHAN) MARU escorting convoy MISHI-12 consisting of MANILA, TEIFU, SHINSEI EIMAN and DAIIKU MARUs and NICHIYU MARU No. 2, and tankers SAN LUIS MARU and KYOEI MARU No. 6 and three unidentified ships.
3 November 1944:
At 1030, arrives Singapore. During the subsequent repairs a radar detector is installed.
27 November 1944:
At 1600, PB-104 departs Miri, Borneo for Manila with auxiliary NITTO MARU No. 17, subchaser CH-21, auxiliary minesweeper Wa-10 and auxiliary subchaser CHa-11 escorting a convoy consisting of KENEI MARU carrying ammunition and KYOEI MARU No. 6 carrying aviation gasoline.
1 December 1944:
At 1516, arrives at Bacuit Bay, Palawan Islands, Philippines.
2 December 1944:
At 0705, departs Bacuit Bay and at 1736, arrives at Coron Bay, Calamian Islands, Philippines.
3 December 1944:
At 0700, departs Coron Bay.
4 December 1944:
At 0600, arrives at Manila. At 1100, departs for Singapore with subchaser CH-56, auxiliary subchaser KYOEI MARU No. 13 and auxiliary netlayer TOKACHI MARU escorting a convoy consisting of AYANAMI and SHOEI MARUs and BANSHU MARU No. 63.
5 December 1944:
AYANAMI MARU has engine trouble and is detached back to Manila.
13 December 1944:
At 1625, arrives at Singapore.
14-19 December 1944:
Drydocked at No. 2 Dry Dock of No. 1 Shipyard in Singapore. Probably a Type 22 surface-search radar is installed.
22 January 1945:
At 0700, PB-104 departs Singapore with kaibokan NOMI, CD-60 and subchaser CH-20 escorting convoy HI-88-B consisting of DAIETSU, ENKI and TATSUTAMA MARUs.
27 January 1945:
At 2230 arrives at St Jacques, Indochina. TATSUTAMA MARU is detached.
28 January 1945:
At 2110, departs St Jacques.
29 January 1945:
At 2230, arrives Van Phong, Indochina.
30 January 1945:
At 0700, departs Van Phong.
31 January 1945:
After two submarine sightings, at 0551, DAIETSU MARU and one minute later, ENKI MARU are both torpedoed and sunk by Cdr Royce L. Gross' USS BOARFISH (SS-327) at 14-56N, 109-00E. DAIETSU MARU is run aground on the coast. Later, the wreck is bombed.
9 February 1945: At 0800, patrol boat PB-104 departs Singapore with subchaser CH-63 and kaibokan CD-132 escorting convoy HI-88E consisting of tanker ENKEI MARU and cargo ship SHINYU MARU.
E 14 February 1945:
Arrives at Cap St Jacques. CH-63 is detached.
15 February 1945:
At 1640, arrives at Camranh Bay, Indochina.
17 February 1945:
At 0800, departs Camranh Bay, Indochina.
21 February 1945:
Hainan Island Strait. Lays over several hours because of dense fog.
8 March 1945:
Arrives at Moji.
10-31 March 1945:
Arrives at Sasebo. Drydocked at No. 6 Dry Dock. One twin Type 96 25-mm AA mount and two single AA guns of the same caliber are installed.
Early April to 20 April 1945:
Undergoes hull and engine repairs.
30 April 1945:
Reassigned to the Osaka Naval Guard District.
25 May 1945:
3.5 miles off Futaoi Light, Kammon Straits (near Moji). At 1805, PB-104 hits a mine laid by USAAF 20th Air Force B-29s and is damaged heavily.
May 1945:
Maizuru. Laid up.
June 1945:
Lt Maruyama Haruyoshi is appointed CO.
2 to 10 June 1945:
Shimonoseki. Drydocked at Hayashi-Hikoshima shipyard.
After 14 June 1945:
Moji. Anchors at No. 6 pier.
22 June 1945:
Departs Moji for Kure.
23 June 1945:
Arrives at Kure. Scheduled to commence repairs and refit in early July.
26 July 1945:
Kure. Ordered to proceed to Sasebo that same day.
15 August 1945:
Maizuru. Surrendered to Allied Forces.
24 August 1945:
Shimonoseki Strait, off Nishiyama. PB-104 strikes a mine and sinks.
15 September 1945:
Removed from the Navy List.
Authors Notes:
[1] GM ss (Gouvernements stoomschip). The Dutch civil navy, tasked with transport of government goods, charting sealanes and countering piracy, was militarized in 1939. It became a part of the RNN as the GGM (Gemilitairiseerde Gouvernementsmarine - Militarised Government Navy Force).
[2] Marine Luchtvaart Dienst (MLD) = Naval Air Service.
[3] Until this late date, native Javanese in Dutch service performed loyally – including during the Battle of the Java Sea when no crewman - ‘European’ or ‘native’ - deserted, but the fall of the NEI is obvious by now.
[4] Helfrich demilitarized the GGM at the request of Hoofdinspecteur J. Kuiper, head of the Dienst van Scheepvaart. The hope was to save GM personnel, now civilian, from military captivity (POW). Of 58 GM ships only 4 escaped. The relatively fast VALK and AREND had a better chance at escaping than most ships - but only a 'chance'. The 9-knot merchant JANSSENS made it while receiving reports about interception of faster ships by the IJN on her wireless. Escape was by luck of the draw.
[5] It is unclear whether PB-104 and CH-21 caught up with the convoy the previous day.
Special thanks go to Mr. Aldert Gritter ("Admiral Gurita") of the Netherlands for his assistance. We are also indebted to Ms. Anita M. C. van Dissel of the Dutch Institute for Military History (Nederlands Instituut voor Militaire Historie) for her assistance. Thanks also go to Jan Visser of the Netherlands.
-Bob Hackett, Sander Kingsepp and Peter Cundall
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