Japanese Minelayers

FUSETSUKAN!
(TSUBAME by Takeshi Yuki scanned from "Color Paintings of Japanese Warships")

IJN Minelayer SARUSHIMA: Tabular Record of Movement
© 2008-2014 Bob Hackett, Sander Kingsepp and Peter Cundall
Revision 6

28 March 1933:
Yokohama. Laid down at Mitsubishi Shibulding.
10 December 1933:
Named SARUSHIMA.
16 December 1933:
Launched.
20 July 1934:
Completed and registered in the Yokosuka Naval District.
1 December 1941:
At 1300 departs Nagaura but returns at 1700.
2 December 1941:
At 0830 departs Nagaura.
4 December 1941:
At 1420 arrives at Nagaura.
6 December 1941:
At 1255 departs Nagaura but returns at 1430.
7 December 1941:
At 0600 departs Nagaura but returns at 1830.
8 December 1941:
SARUSHIMA is assigned to the Yokosuka Guard Unit. At 0625 departs Nagaura and returns with UKISHIMA at 1440. At 2130 again departs Nagaura with UKISHIMA.
10 December 1941:
At 0700 arrives at Nagaura and departs at 1040.
11 December 1941:
At 0200 arrives at Nagaura and departs at 0830. Later arrives back at Nagaura.
16 December 1941:
At 1800 UKISHIMA and SARUSHIMA both depart Nagaura.
8 January 1942:
At 1455 SARUSHIMA and UKISHIMA arrive at Nagaura.
9 January 1942:
At 0930 SARUSHIMA and UKISHIMA depart Nagaura.
17 January 1942:
At 0940 SARUSHIMA alone arrives at Nagaura and departs at 1550.
18 January 1942:
At 1945 SARUSHIMA returns to Nagaura and departs at 1300.
24 January 1942:
At 1425 arrives at Nagaura.
29 January 1942:
At 1600 departs Nagaura.
5 February 1942:
At 1400 SARUSHIMA and UKISHIMA depart Nagaura.
16 February 1942:
At 1140 SARUSHIMA and UKISHIMA return to Nagaura.
22 February 1942:
At 1600 SARUSHIMA departs Nagaura.
24 February 1942:
At 1830 SARUSHIMA and UKISHIMA arrive at Manazuru.
25 February 1942:
At 2120 SARUSHIMA and UKISHIMA depart Manazuru.
4 March 1942:
At 1500 arrives at Nagaura.
8 March 1942:
At 1200 SARUSHIMA and UKISHIMA depart Nagaura.
9 March 1942:
At 0700 SARUSHIMA and UKISHIMA arrive at Toba.
12 March 1942:
At 0400 SARUSHIMA departs Toba.
15 March 1942:
At 1410 arrives at Nagaura.
16 March 1942:
At 1425 departs Nagaura.
7 April 1942:
At 1430 arrives at Nagaura.
8 April 1942:
At 0800 departs Nagaura.
26 April 1942:
At 1150 arrives at Nagaura.
27 April 1942:
At 0900 departs Nagaura.
28 April 1942:
At 1000 arrives back at Nagaura.
30 April 1942:
At 1320 departs Nagaura.
5 May 1942:
SARUSHIMA arrives at Tateyama escorting KENSHO MARU.
15 May 1942:
At 1410 arrives at Nagaura.
16 May 1942:
At 0800 departs Nagaura.
18 May 1942:
At 1030 KOMAHASHI and minelayer escort SARUSHIMA both depart from off Futtsu Zaki escorting an unnumbered northbound convoy consisting of TAISHO, CHOSEN, TAMA, TAIKAI, WOOSUNG, SHOGEN, TETSUZAN and KAIKO MARUs and possibly SHINSEI MARU No.1. Later that day off Katsuura KOMAHASHI is detached and returns to Yokosuka.
21 May 1942:
At 1550 arrives at Nagaura.
25 May 1942:
At 1940 departs Yokosuka.
28 May 1942:
At 1530 arrives at Nagaura.
29 May 1942:
At 1200 departs Nagaura.
5 June 1942:
At 1000 SARUSHIMA departs Okada escorting a westbound convoy consisting of KIZUGAWA and WAKATAKE MARUs and TONAN MARU No. 3. Later Cable layer escort (Densenfusetsusen) HASHIMA arrives to take over escort and SARUSHIMA detaches and arrives at Nagaura at 1750.
8 June 1942:
At 0930 departs Nagaura.
26 June 1942:
At 1000 arrives at Nagaura.
30 June 1942:
At 1320 departs Nagaura.
7 July 1942:
At 1310 arrives at Nagaura.
17 July 1942:
At 2125 departs Nagaura.
16 August 1942:
At 1000 arrives at Nagaura.
19 August 1942:
At 1820 departs Nagaura.
28 August 1942:
At 0930 arrives at Nagaura.
29 August 1942:
At 0845 departs Nagaura.
2 September 1942:
At 0800 departs Nagaura and at 1030 departs from off Futtsu escorting a west bound convoy consisting of HAKKO, YAMAFUKU, SHUCHISEI, SHOUN, SHOHO (1365 grt) and TETSUYO MARUs and KARI GO. In addition southbound SHIBAZONO MARU initially sails with the convoy that departs at 9 knots.
5 September 1942:
At 1645 arrives back at Nagaura.
6 September 1942:
At 0625 departs Nagaura and at 0800 departs from off Futtsu escorting a west bound convoy consisting of TAIMEI and KOSHIN MARUs. The convoy sails at 9 knots.
18 September 1942:
At 0900 arrives at Nagaura.
19 September 1942:
At 0700 SARUSHIMA departs Nagaura.
23 September 1942:
At 0700 arrives at Nagaura.
24 September 1942:
At 1200 departs from off Futtsu escorting a north east bound convoy consisting of SAIHO and possibly KUWAYAMA MARUs. The convoy sails at 9 knots.
3 February 1943:
At 0900 departs Nagaura and escorts a convoy from Tokyo Bay to Sagami Wan.
6 February 1943:
At 1551 arrives back at Nagaura.
7 February 1943:
At 1000 puts to sea briefly before returning to Nagaura at 1540.
9 February 1943:
At 0330 departs Nagaura but returns to port at 2320.
10 February 1943:
At 1451 departs Nagautra.
11 February 1943:
At 0700 returns to Tokyo Bay.
12 February 1943:
At 1530 arrives back at Nagaura.
14 February 1943:
At 1515 transfers from Nagaura to Tokyo Bay.
15 February 1943:
At 1720 transfers from Tokyo Bay to Nagaura.
18 February 1943:
At 1455 SARUSHIMA departs Nagaura escorting an unknown Army ship south.
19 February 1943:
At 0707 arrives back at Nagaura.
21 February 1943:
At 0800 transfers from Nagaura to Tokyo Bay. At 1300 returns to Nagaura.
22 February 1943:
At 0830 transfers from Nagaura to Tokyo Bay. At 1130 returns to Nagaura.
24 February 1943:
At 1057 departs Nagaura escorting a west bound convoy.
25 February 1943:
At 1050 arrives at Tobi.
27 February 1943:
At 0800 departs Tobi to Ise Wan. At 1643 arrives back at Tobi.
1 March 1943:
At 1000 transfers to Ise Wan. At 2105 returns to Tobi.
2 March 1943:
At 0900 departs Tobi.
3 March 1943:
At 0615 anchors outside Nagaura. At 0720 arrives at Nagaura.
5 March 1943:
At 0900 SARUSHIMA and UKISHIMA depart Nagaura escorting a convoy.
6 March 1943:
At 1230 both escorts arrive back at Nagaura.
7 March 1943:
At 1000 SARUSHIMA and UKISHIMA transfer from Nagaura to Tokyo Bay. At 1206 both depart Tokyo Bay.
8 March 1943:
At 0600 both depart and patrol the Sagami Nada. At 1530 both return to Nagaura.
9 March 1943:
At 0700 SARUSHIMA transfers from Nagaura to Tokyo Bay. At 1118 arrives at Tateyama.
10 March 1943:
At 0727 departs Tateyama on a training exercise and at 1445 arrives back at Nagaura.
12 March 1943:
At 0510 departs Nagaura for Sagami Wan. At 1250 arrives back at Nagaura.
17 March 1943:
At 1000 transfer from Nagaura to Tokyo Bay. At 1415 returns to Nagaura.
19 March 1943:
At 0500 departs Nagaura for Sagami Wan. At 1145 arrives at Uraga. At 1620 departs Uraga and joins up with UKISHIMA.
20 March 1943:
At 0100 both SARUSHIMA and UKISHIMA temporarily anchor off Inubo Zaki.
21 March 1943:
At 0100 both SARUSHIMA and UKISHIMA arrive at Tsateyama. At 0800 both depart and at 1530 both anchor off Inuwaka.
22 March 1943:
At 0600 both depart Inuwaka and anchor off Inubo Zaki. At 1200 both anchor off Choshi.
23 March 1943:
At 0500 both depart Choshi.
26 March 1943:
At 1635 SARUSHIMA arrives at Nagaura.
29 March 1943:
At 1145 departs Nagaura and later that day arrives at Katsuura.
30 March 1943:
At 2030 departs Katssura and later that day arrives at Nagaura.
2 April 1943:
At 1530 UKISHIMA and at 1550 SARUSHIMA both depart Nagaura for KA patrol area near Inubo Zaki. At 2340 SARUSHIMA arrives off Inubo Zaki.
3 April 1943:
At 2229 arrives at Tateyama.
4 April 1943:
At 0643 departs Tateyama and at 0910 arrives at Nagaura.
14 April 1943:
At 0830 transfers to Tokyo Bay but returns to Nagaura at 1630.
21 April 1943:
At 1310 departs Nagaura and arrives at Koumi at 1430.
17 May 1943:
At 1330 docked at No.3 Drydock for repairs.
21 May 1943:
At 0830 undocked.
30 May 1943:
At 0830 transfers to Tokyo Bay. At 1518 returns to Nagaura.
1 June 1943:
At 0100 departs Nagaura and patrols off Katsuura.
3 June 1943:
Shifts to N patrol area.
4 June 1943:
At 1511 arrives at Tateyama.
5 June 1943:
At 0647 departs Tateyama and patrols N patrol area.
6 June 1943:
At 1215 arrives at Nagaura.
10 June 1943:
At 0755 patrols Uraga Suido and at 1715 returns to Nagaura.
11 June 1943:
At 0100 departs Nagaura.
12 June 1943:
At 005 arrives at Tateyama and departs there at 0400. At 0900 arrives at Uraga and departs there and at 1130 arrives at Nagaura.
13 June 1943:
At 1600 SARUSHIMA and UKISHIMA depart Nagaura.
14 June 1943:
At 1040 both arrive at Tottori.
16 June 1943:
At 0840 both SARUSHIMA and UKISHIMA depart Tottori and patrol Ise Wan.
17 June 1943:
At 1400 both arrive back at Tottori.
19 June 1943:
At 0655 both SARUSHIMA and UKISHIMA depart Tottori and patrol Ise Wan returning at 1330.
20 June 1943:
At 0903 SARUSHIMA departs Tottori. At 2010 arrives at Nagaura.
22 June 1943:
At 0830 SARUSHIMA departs Nagaura and at 1200 arrives at Uraga.At 1630 departs Uraga.
23 June 1943:
At 1730 arrives back at Tottori.
24 June 1943:
At 1150 departs Tottori and patrols Ise Wan. At 1440 arrives back at Tottori.
25 June 1943:
At 0850 departs Tottori and patrols Ise Wan. At 1354 arrives back at Tottori.
27 June 1943:
At 0700 departs Tottori. At 0810 arrives at Matoya and departs there at 1300 escorting KASAGI MARU.
28 June 1943:
At 0750 arrives at Kurihama and departs there at 1023. At 1134 arrives at Nagaura.
1 July 1943:
At 0800 departs on patrol and at 1750 arrives at Kurihama.
2 July 1943:
Departs Kurihama and at 1100 arrives at Uraga. At 1230 transfers to Tokyo Bay but at 1730 returns to Uraga.
3 July 1943:
At 0230 departs Uraga and patrols LA area in Sagami Nada.
6 July 1943:
At 1150 arrives at Nagaura.
7 July 1943:
At 1030 transfers to Tokyo Wan but at 1330 returns to Nagaura.
9 July 1943:
At 2130 departs Nagaura and patrols KA and LA areas in Sagami Nada.
13 July 1943:
At 0840 arrives at Nagaura.
16 July 1943:
At 1000 departs Nagaura and patrols MA and LA areas in Sagami Nada.
17 July 1943:
At 1825 arrives back at Nagaura.
22 July 1943:
At 1700 departs Nagaura and patrols KA area in Sagami Nada.
23 July 1943:
At 1500 arrives back at Nagaura.
24 July 1943:
At 0800 departs Nagaura and at 0910 arrives at Kurihama. Departs at 1130 and at 1200 arrives at Uraga.
25 July 1943:
At 1300 departs Uraga.
26 July 1943:
At 0730 arrives at Tottori.
30 July 1943:
At 0650 departs Tottori and patrols Ise Wan. At 1040 arrives back at Tottori.
31 July 1943:
At 0700 departs Tottori and patrols Ise Wan. At 1130 arrives back at Tottori and departs at 1500.
1 August 1943:
Arrives at Nagaura.
4 August 1943:
Departs Nagaura escorting a convoy.
7 August 1943:
Arrives at Chichijima.
8 August 1943:
Departs Chichijima.
10 August 1943:
Arrives at Nagaura.
12 August 1943:
Departs Nagaura and patrols Tokyo Bay before returning to Nagaura.
14 August 1943:
Departs Nagaura and conducts an anti submarine sweep.
15 August 1943:
Returns to Nagaura.
21 August 1943:
SARUSHIMA and UKISHIMA transfer from Nagaura to Uraga.
24 August 1943:
SARUSHIMA and UKISHIMA depart Uraga and lay a minefield.
26 August 1943:
The ships arrive back at Uraga.
27 August 1943:
SARUSHIMA and UKISHIMA depart Uraga and lay a minefield.
30 August 1943:
The ships arrive back at Uraga.
31 August 1943:
SARUSHIMA departs Uraga.
2 September 1943:
At 0800 arrives at Hachijo Jima and departs there at 2000.
3 September 1943:
At 0600 arrives at Nagaura.
5 September 1943:
At 0300 UKISHIMA and SARUSHIMA both depart Nagaura.
8 September 1943:
At 0730 arrives at Chichijima and both depart there at 1800.
12 September 1943:
At 0000 both SARUSHIMA and UKISHIMA participate in a hunt for an enemy submarine until 0300. At 2000 arrive at Minami Torishima.
15 September 1943:
At 0300 SARUSHIMA and UKISHIMA depart Minami Torishima.
18 September 1943:
At 1555 both SARUSHIMA and UKISHIMA participate in the hunt for an enemy submarine until 1900.
19 September 1943:
At 1600 the ships arrive at Chichijima.
21 September 1943:
At 1430 SaRUSHIMA and UKISHIMA depart Chichijima.
24 September 1943:
At 2105 SARUSHIMA arrives at Uraga.
25 September 1943:
At 0915 SARUSHIMA departs Uraga.
26 September 1943:
At 0625 begins a submarine hunt which is completed at 0945.
27 September 1943:
At 1515 arrives at Uraga.
28 September 1943:
At 1247 departs Uraga and at 1400 arrives at Nagaura.
4 October 1943:
At 1230 departs Nagaura and arrives at Uraga at 1345.
5 October 1943:
At 0800 departs Uraga and patrols Sagami Wan. At 1830 arrives back at Uraga.
10 October 1943:
At 1300 departs Uraga escorting convoy 7009 and at 1500 arrives at Nagaura.
11 October 1943:
At 0800 departs Nagaura escorting convoy as far as Omaezaki.
12 October 1943:
At 1000 arrives back at Nagaura.
19 October 1943:
At 0500 moves to anchor off Otori and at 1900 shifts back to Nagaura.
23 October 1943:
At 0700 departs Nagaura en route to Chichi Jima escorting KASAGI MARU. Later that day reaches 34-45N 138-19E
24 October 1943:
At noon reaches 31-31N 140-00E.
25 October 1943:
At noon reaches 28-16N 141-42E. At 2040 arrives at Chichi Jima.
26 October 1943:
At 2400 departs Chichi Jima still with KASAGI MARU.
27 October 1943:
At noon reaches 26-08N 143-58E.
28 October 1943:
At noon reaches 24-16N 147-03E.
29 October 1943:
At noon reaches 24-03N 150.08E.
30 October 1943:
At 0830 arrives at Minami Torishima.
4 December 1943:
Departs Uraga to rescue survivors of torpedoed escort carrier CHUYO.
5 December 1943:
Returns to Uraga.
10 December 1943:
Departs Uraga on patrol.
13 December 1943:
Returns to Uraga.
16 December 1943:
Departs Uraga on patrol.
17 December 1943:
Returns to Uraga.
20 December 1943:
Departs Uraga on patrol.
21 December 1943:
Returns to Nagaura.
23 December 1943:
Drydocked at Yokosuka.
25 December 1943:
Undocked. Remains at Nagaura the rest of the month.
3 January 1944:
At 1130 enters No.3 Drydock.
10 January 1944:
At 0900 undocked and transfers to Koumi.
14 January 1944:
At 2040 departs Koumi.
15 January 1944:
At 1100 arrives at Uraga. At 2000 departs.
16 January 1944:
At 0115 arrives at Yokohama. Departs at 0620 escorting a coastal convoy.
17 January 1944:
At 2250 arrives at Kobe.
19 January 1944:
At 2200 departs Kobe escorting a coastal convoy.
20 January 1944:
At 1530 arrives at Gokkasho.
21 January 1944:
At 0630 departs Gokkasho.
22 January 1944:
At 0145 arrives at Tateyama and departs there at 0700 and patrols in area LA.
23 January 1944:
At 1000 arrives at Uraga.
26 January 1944:
Subchasers CH-50 and CH-52 depart Yokosuka escorting convoy 3125 OTSU (B) consisting of KASAGI MARU to Chichi-Jima. At 1500 SARUSHIMA departs Uraga and patrols in area LB supporting the convoy.
27 January 1944:
At 2355 in position 33-30N 139-35E 43nm off Mikyurazaki KASAGI MARU is torpedoed and sunk. It is unclear if SARUSHIMA was still escorting the convoy at this time.
29 January 1944:
At 2340 arrives at Tateyama.
30 January 1944:
Departs Tateyama at 0600 before returning to Nagaura at 0830.
18 March 1944:
SARUSHIMA and minesweeper W-24 depart Chichijima escorting convoy 4318A consisting of KUMANOSAN MARU, UNKAI MARU No. 10 and motorised oil barge tanker No.3998.
21 March 1944:
Arrives at Hachijo Jima.
22 March 1944:
Departs Hachijo Jima.
23 March 1944:
Arrives at Yokosuka.
15 April 1944:
At 0600, SARUSHIMA departs Tokyo with destroyers HOKAZE, YUNAGI, UZUKI, kaibokan MIYAKE and CD-6, minelayers KYOSAI and YURIJIMA, minesweepers W-20, W-28 and subchasers CH-10 and CH-12 escorting convoy "Higashi-Matsu No. 6". The convoy consists of AWAJI, HAKUBA, KATSUKAWA, TAKAOKA, BATAVIA, AWA and HOKUSHIN MARUs bound for Saipan, CHOAN MARU No. 2 and MIKAGE MARU No. 1 bound for Truk, JOKUJA, BISAN and JINSAN MARUs bound for Palau, KAMISHIMA and SHOZAN MARUs bound for Woleai, INARI and TONEGAWA MARUs bound for Guam and TATSUAKI and TAMAHOKO MARUs bound for Chichi-Jima.
23 April 1944:
At 0600, arrives at Saipan. INARI and TONEGAWA MARUs together with SARUSHIMA, destroyer UZUKI and minesweeper W-20 are detached for Guam.
27 April 1944:
At 1140, SARUSHIMA departs Saipan with destroyer HOKAZE (F), kaibokan AMAKUSA, MIYAKE, CD-6, CD-10 and an unidentified vessel escorting Rear Admiral Matsuyama Mitsuharu's (40)(former CO of KITAKAMI) 7th Convoy Escort Group's convoy “Higashi Matsu” No. 6 (return) consisting of AZUCHISAN, AWAJI, SHOUN, TOAN, SHOZUI, KATSUKAWA, TAKAOKA, TONEGAWA, HOKUSHIN and TATEBE MARUs and four unidentified ships.
4 May 1944:
Arrives at Tokyo Bay.
17 May 1944:
At 0616, SARUSHIMA departs Tateyama with destroyer HATAKAZE, kaibokan CD-16, MIKURA and MIYAKE, subchaser CH-48, minesweeper W-20 and auxiliary netlayer KOA MARU No. 2 escorting convoy No. 3515 consisting of HAKUSAN, NIPPONKAI, TOYO, KINSHU, HINKO, REIKAI, EIKO, NATSUKAWA, SHOKAI, AKISHIMA, SEIGA and CHIYO MARUs and UNYO MARU No. 8.
23 May 1944:
At about 0900, W-20 is detached from the convoy.
25 May 1944:
At 0708, the convoy arrives safely at Saipan.
29 May 1944:
At 0400, SARUSHIMA departs Guam with minesweeper W-20, kaibokan CD-12 and auxiliary minesweeper FUMI MARU No. 2 escorting a convoy consisting of NISSHO MARU No. 18 and TAKUNAN and BATAVIA MARUs. At 2030 that day, the convoy arrives safely at Saipan.
31 May 1944:
At 0600, SARUSHIMA departs Saipan for Yokosuka with destroyer HATAKAZE, kaibokan CD-12, minesweeper W-20, auxiliary minesweeper FUMI MARU No. 2 and auxiliary store ship TAKUNAN MARU escorting convoy No. 4530 consisting of HAKUSAN, JINZAN, EIKO, NATSUKAWA, SHUNSEN, KAIKO and CHIYO MARUs and UNYO MARU No. 8.
2 June 1944:
250 miles W of Uracas Island. At 2207, CHIYO MARU is attacked by LtCdr Edward N. Blakely’s (USNA ’34) USS SHARK (SS-314) and hit by two torpedoes port side under the rear of the bridge. About ten minutes later, CHIYO MARU sinks at 21-00N 140-30E. 97 out of 143 dignitaries, one guard trooper and four crewmen are killed. SARUSHIMA and the other escorts counter-attack and drop a total of 39 depth-charges, but fail to damage USS SHARK.
4 June 1944:
317 miles WSW of Iwo-Jima. At 0405, HAKUSAN MARU is attacked by LtCdr John D. Crowley’s (USNA ’34) USS FLIER (SS-250) and hit port side by two of three torpedoes torpedoes he fires. At 0415, HAKUSAN MARU’s stern rises vertically and she sinks at 22-37N 136-50E. At the time the ship was carrying Naval Marines, 71 Army employed civilians and 375 civilian evacuees, together with 27 tons dried snails and 265 tons coal and leftover food. 16 Army and Navy civilians, 277 civilians, nine guards and 23 crewmen are killed. SARUSHIMA and the other escorts counter-attack and drop 34 depth-charges, but without damage to USS FLIER. [1]
8 June 1944:
At 0800, the remainder of the convoy arrives at Yokosuka. The ship remains at Yokosuka until 28 June.
28 June 1944:
SARUSHIMA and subchasers CH-18 and CH-16, minesweeper W-25 and auxiliary minesweeper TOSHI MARU No. 5 depart Yokosuka for Chichi-Jima escorting convoy No. 3628 consisting of SHIMA, TATSUEI, SHOZUI, TAIKO and KAIKO MARUs and UNYO MARU No. 8.
2 July 1944:
Convoy No. 3628 arrives at Chichi-Jima and begins to unload.
4 July 1944:
Off Chichi-Jima, Ogasawara (Bonin) Islands. Carrier-based aircraft of Task Force 58 attack convoy No. 3628. The entire convoy is virtually destroyed. SARUSHIMA is sunk at 27-06N, 142-10E.
10 September 1944:
Removed from the Navy List.

Author's Notes:
[1] USS FLIER, while transiting the Balabac Strait, Philippines, on 13 August 1944 struck a mine and sank. Fourteen of 86 crewmen escaped, but only eight survived the long swim in the Sulu Sea to shore. After making their way by raft to Palawan, at the end of the month they were evacuated by USS REDFIN (SS-272). In the spring of 2009, a dive team from YAP Films located the wreckage of the submarine at a depth of 330 feet. On 1 February 2010, the USN confirmed that the submarine is USS FLIER.
No data were found for SARUSHIMA's movements during 1942 and 1943. Readers with access to any such data are requested to post the information on the Discussion and Questions board or j-aircraft.org's IJN Ship Message Board

Thanks for assistance go to Mr. Gilbert Casse of France.
-Bob Hackett, Sander Kingsepp and Peter Cundall.

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