SOKAITEI!

© 2005-2007 Bob Hackett and Peter Cundall

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2 February 1935:
Tamano. Laid down at the Mitsui shipyard.

19 September 1935:
Launched and numbered W-18.

30 April 1936:
Completed and registered in the Kure Naval District.

10 June 1941:
Takao, Formosa. Assigned to Rear Admiral (later Vice Admiral) Hirose Sueto's (former CO of AOBA) 2nd Base Force of Vice Admiral Takahashi Ibo's (36) (former CO of KIRISHIMA) Third Fleet.

26 November 1941:
Departs Sasebo.

30 November 1941:
Arrives at Mako, Pescadores.

7 December 1941:
W-18 is with Rear Admiral Hirose's 2nd Base Force in Cdr Kanaoka's MineSweepDiv 30 based at Takao, Formosa. Departs Mako. Escorts a convoy that lands troops on Batan Island, Luzon.

17 December 1941:
Departs Takao. Escorts convoys and sweeps Lingayen Bay.

23 December 1941:
Off Davao, Philippines. USAAF Boeing B-17 "Flying Fortress" heavy bombers damage W-17.

31 December 1941:
Sweeps the Tarakan invasion area.

7 January 1942: The Invasion of Dutch Borneo:
Rear Admiral (later Vice Admiral) Hirose Sueto's (former CO of AOBA) No. 2 Base Force departs Davao escorting the Tarakan invasion convoy consisting of an oiler and 13 transports carrying MajGen Sakaguchi Shizuo’s 56th Mixed Infantry Group and Kure No. 2 Special Naval Landing Force (SNLF). The No. 2 Base Force includes MineSweepDiv’s 30's W-18 and W-17, MineSweepDiv 11’s W-13, W-14, W-15 and W-16, patrol boats PB-36, PB-37 and PB-38, SubChasDiv 31’s CH-10, CH-11 and CH-12 and other auxiliary ships.

Close cover is provided by Rear Admiral (later Vice Admiral) Nishimura Shoji’s DesRon 4’s light cruiser NAKA with DesDiv 2 and DesDiv 24. The 21st Air Flotilla’s tenders SANUKI and SANYO MARUs provide air cover.

11 January 1942:
Rear Admiral Hirose's Force invades Tarakan, Borneo.

21 January 1942: The Invasion of Balikpapan, Borneo.
W-17 and Hirose’s No. 2 Base Force depart Tarakan escorting the Balikpapan Invasion Convoy consisting of 16 transports carrying the Sakaguchi Brigade and the Kure No. 2 SNLF. DesRon 4 provides additional escort. Cover is provided by NAKA, DesDiv 2 and DesDiv 24. The 21st Air Flotilla again provides air cover.

23 January 1942: The Invasion of Balikpapan, Dutch Borneo:
The invasion convoy is spotted by Allied aerial reconnaissance. Rear Admiral (later Vice Admiral) William A. Glassford's Task Force 5's light cruisers USS MARBLEHEAD (CL-12), BOISE (CL-47) and Cdr Paul H. Talbot's DesDiv 59's old flush deck, four-stack destroyers PARROTT (DD-218), POPE (DD-225), JOHN D. FORD (DD-228) and PAUL JONES (DD-230) are ordered by Admiral (later Senator) Thomas C. Hart, ADBAFLOAT Commander, to intercept the convoy before it reaches Balikpapan.

Glassford heads north to find the invasion force, but BOISE runs aground and MARBLEHEAD develops engine trouble. DesDiv 59 is detached and increases speed to arrive at Balikpapan at midnight.

Storms protect the invasion force until it is almost to Balikpapan. At 1525, nine Dutch Martin Model 166 (B-10) bombers from Samarinda attack and hit transports NANA and TATSUGAMI MARUs. NANA MARU is abandoned and later sinks. TATSUGAMI MARU continues to Balikpapan. At 2130, the transports begin disembarking their troops.

8 February 1942:
Supports the capture of Makassar, Celebes. Sweeps the invasion area.

19 February 1942:
Supports the seizure of Java.

10 March 1942:
Assigned to Vice Admiral Takahashi's Southwest Area Fleet's newly formed Second Southern Expeditionary Fleet in Special Base Force 31.

27 March 1942:
Conducts patrols from Subic Bay, Philippines.

1 June 1942:
Reassigned to the Yokosuka Naval District.

10 June 1942:
Arrives at Yokosuka. Conducts anti-submarine patrols off Tokyo Bay.

June 1943:
Lt. Hirose Hiroyuki assumes command.

4 September 1943:
Escorts convoys to Muroran.

22 March 1943:
Near Inubo in Chiba prefecture, W-18 runs aground in heavy weather and is damaged.

26 March 1943:
Arrives at Yokosuka. Undergoes repairs.

1 April 1943:
Reassigned to the Kure Guard Unit.

8 May 1943:
Departs Yokosuka for Kure. Patrols the Bungo Straits.

19 May 1943:
At 0530, W-18, torpedo boat HATO and auxiliary minesweeper TAMA MARU No. 6 depart Saeki escorting convoy K.519 consisting of KOYO, NITTAI, CLYDE, MOJI, YAMAGATA, KOCHI, KANAYAMASAN and SAIPAN MARUs.

E 21 May 1943:
W-18 is probably detached at latitude 29N.

9 June 1943:
At 0900, W-18 and W-17 depart Saeki escorting convoy O-905 consisting of DAKAR, TOHO, CHINZEI, BUNZAN ans KINSEN MARUs.

E 11 June 1943:
W-18 is detached at latitude 29N and returns to Japan.

20 June 1943:
At 0630, W-18, torpedo boat HATO and kaibokan IKI depart Saeki escorting convoy O-007 consisting of KAZUURA, RYOYO, NISSHU, TOKO, SHOHO, TAIRIN and UMEKAWA MARUs.

E 22 June 1943:
W-18 is detached at latitude 29N.

29 June 1943:
Arrives at Palau.

4 July 1943:
At 0700, W-18 and W-17 depart Saeki escorting convoy O-404 consisting of TAIKO, MEXICO, KAYO and HOZUGAWA MARUs carrying troops and equipment of the 51st Army Division.

E 8 July 1943:
W-18 is detached from convoy O-404.

E 10 July 1943:
At latitude 29N, W-18 and patrol boat PB-46 join convoy O-806 consisting of ASO, EHIME, KAZAN and ZUISHO MARUs that left Saeki on 8 July escorted by fleet supply ship ARASAKI and auxiliary gunboat HINO MARU No. 5.

16 July 1943:
At 1200, the convoy, except straggler KAZAN MARU arrives at Palau.

21 August 1943:
Departs Saeki escorting a convoy to Palau.

13 October 1943:
At 1000, W-18 departs Palau escorting convoy FU-310 consisting of DAKAR, BRAZIL, CLYDE, FUKUYO, YURI, HAVRE, PACIFIC, KIBI, SHOUN and CHIYO MARUs.

E 20 October 1943:
Joined by auxiliary minesweepers AOI and YACHIYO MARUS and TOKUHO MARU No. 10.

22 October 1943:
At 1200, arrives at Fukashima.

31 October 1943:
At 0600, W-18, W-17, auxiliary subchasers TAKUNAN MARU No. 8, CHIYO MARU No. 8 and auxiliary minesweepers TAKUNAN MARU No. 3, TOKUHO MARU No. 10 and AOI MARU depart Saeki for Palau escorting convoy O-112 consisting of DELAGOA, EHIME, YAWATA, KANJO, UME, CHIHAYA, TENCHO, UMEKAWA, YAMAGATA, NICHIAI, MOJI and HOZUGAWA MARUs. That night, the convoy is attacked by LtCdr (later Captain) Robert E. Dornin's USS TRIGGER (SS-237). Dornin claims two sinkings, but, in fact, scores no hits. The escorts counterattack, but are also unsuccessful.

2 November 1943:
At 0048, LtCdr (later Captain) Slade D. Cutter's USS SEAHORSE (SS-304) torpedoes and sinks YAWATA MARU at 28-20N, 135-20E. At 0220, Dornin's TRIGGER attacks the convoy again, this time sinking DELAGOA MARU. At 0321, Dornin torpedoes and sinks UME MARU at 28-40N, 135, 25E. At 0418, Cutter's SEAHORSE attacks again, This time Cutter sinks CHIHAYA MARU (ex-Dutch TJISAROEA) at 29-31N, 134, 50E. Finally, at 0845, Cdr (later Admiral) I. J. Galantin's USS HALIBUT (SS-232) torpedoes and sinks EHIME MARU at 28-20N, 134-48E.

28 November 1943:
W-17 and W-18 depart Palau for Saeki escorting convoy FU-009 consisting of TAIJIMA, TOYOOKA, NISSHIN, KOSEI, TOSHO, TENCHO, RYUWA, SAN FRANCISCO and KIZUGAWA MARUs. Enroute, NISSHIN MARU detaches due to engine trouble and returns to Palau. The convoy is later joined by two other escorts as far as Fukashima, where W-18 is probably also detached. The convoy arrives at Saeki on 7 December.

E 7 December 1943:
W-18 joins convoy O-506 that had departed Saeki on 5 December consisting of ERIE, DENMARK, SAIHO, SHINYO and TAIAN MARU No. 2 escorted by auxiliary minesweepers TAMA MARU No.6 and OI MARUs and Minelayer NUWAJIMA.

E 7 December 1943:
At latitude 28N, all escorts detach except W-18.

14 December 1943:
At 1200, arrives at Palau.

17 December 1943:
W-18 departs Palau for Fukashima escorting convoy FU-704 consisting of KOFUKU, SHINYO, FUKOKU and AWA MARUs.

E 25 December 1943:
At latitude 28 N, auxiliary minesweeper TAMA MARU and auxiliary subchaser TAMA MARU No. 6 join the convoy from Japan to escort it on the last dangerous leg.

E 27 December 1943:
At 30-20N, 133-58E, FUKOKU MARU's engine breaks down. W-18 takes the ship in tow.

28 December 1943:
Arrives at Fukashima.

11 January 1944:
Convoy 0-105 departs Saeki for Rabaul via Palau consisting of YAMATSURU, TARUSHIMA, ERIE, DENMARK and NARITA MARUs escorted by minesweeper W-18 and auxiliary minesweeper TAMA MARU. YAMATSURU and TARUSHIMA MARUs are towing unidentified midget submarines. In addition, YAMATSURU MARU carries the midget submarines' crews and technical personnel.

WSW of Cape Ashizuri. About 1230, ERIE MARU is torpedoed in hold No. 2 by LtCdr Charleton L. Murphy’s old USS STURGEON (SS-187) at 32-31N, 132-34E. At 1417, ERIE MARU lists over and sinks. She is carrying about 2,500 Army troops of which about 200 are KIA. The escorts counter-attack and drop 51 depth-charges. STURGEON incurs slight damage, but escapes. The convoy returns to port.

13 January 1944:
Saeki. At 0200, the convoy again sets out for Palau.

14 January 1944:
155 miles SE of Tanega-Jima. At 2025, YAMATSURU MARU is attacked by LtCdr Royce L. Gross’ USS SEAWOLF (SS-197) at 28-25N, 133-30E. The oiler, that has just discontinued zigzagging, is hit by a torpedo in her No. 2 hold. There is a heavy explosion followed by great fires. YAMATSURU MARU’s cargo of aviation fuel catches fire and begins to cascade into the sea. Another torpedo strikes her between the engine room and No. 3 hold. YAMATSURU MARU lists to port and sinks within a few minutes taking down the midget submarine.

16 January 1944:
Philippine Sea. At 0130, an enemy submarine fires two shells that fall in the sea near the stern of DENMARK MARU, but the submarine is driven off. At 1806, that same day, LtCdr Albert C. Burrow's USS WHALE (SS-239) torpedoes and sinks DENMARK MARU with the loss of 1, 653 men out of 2, 899 troops of the 14th Infantry Division. At 2250, LtCdr Gross’ SEAWOLF damages TARUSHIMA MARU by gunfire at 23-00N, 135-00E. [1]

18 February 1944:
At 0700, W-18 and two unidentified escorts depart Palau for Takao escorting a convoy consisting of KANKYO, MAKASSAR, MEXICO, SHOUN and two unidentified ships. Enroute two other ships join the escort.

19 February 1944:
Patrol Boat PB-31 joins as an additional escort.

24 February 1944:
Destroyer HARUKAZE joins as an additional escort.

26 February 1944:
At 1950, the convoy arrives at Takao.

5 April 1944:
At 0240, W-18 and patrol boat PB-38 depart Imari Bay for Takao escorting convoy MOTA-16 consisting of OGURA MARU No. 1, TACHIBANA, NITTETSU, SANKO, HIROTA, TENSHIN and MITSU MARUs.

10 April 1944:
Reassigned to the 1st Marine Escort Division.

11 April 1944:
At 1050, convoy MOTA-16 arrives safely at Takao.

19 April 1944:
At 0800, W-18, torpedo boat HATSUKARI, auxiliary gunboat KAZAN (HUASHAN) MARU and kaibokan CD-1 depart Takao escorting an amalgamation of three convoys TASA-17, TE-03 and No. 82 consisting of tanker TENSHIN MARU and cargo ships FRANCE, KINREI, SHORYU, DAIBU, YULIN, TOYOHI, HOKKA, NARUO, DAIYOKU, WAKO GO, JINJU, RAKUZAN, SEISHO, IKOMASAN, KAIKO, OAKITA, YOSHUN, HIROTA and NINGPO MARUs.

21 April 1944:
At 1000, the convoys split. Convoys TASA-17 and No. 82 with Hatsukari and W-18 head for St Jacques, while ore convoy TE-03 with kaibokan CD-1 and KAZAN MARU head for Yulin.

27 April 1944:
At 1030, the convoy arrives St Jacques.

7 May 1944:
At 1900, W-18 and subchaser CH-19 depart Singapore in convoy SHIMI 02 consisting of DURBAN, CHINA, FUKUJU and KUNIYAMA MARUs and tankers TONAN MARU No.2, EIYO, CHIHAYA, SHINEI and NICHINAN MARUs.

11 May 1944:
At 1545, arrives at Cape Kidurang.

12 May 1944:
At 1005, the convoy arrives Miri. Later that day, at 1440, W-18 departs Miri escorting convoy MISHI-03 consisting of OMINE and TEIHOKU MARUs and tanker SEISHIN MARU.

15 May 1944:
At 1500, the convoy arrives Singapore.

18 May 1944:
At 1500, W-18 departs Singapore for Miri, Borneo escorting convoy SIMI-03 consisting of PACIFIC and KOSHU MARUs and KONAN MARU No. 1.

21 May 1944:
At 2134, the convoy is attacked by an unidentified submarine at 03-26N, 113-36E, but no damage is inflicted.

22 May 1944:
At 1120, arrives at Miri.

24 May 1944:
At 1900, W-18 departs Miri for Singapore escorting convoy MISHI-02 consisting of MEXICO, IMAJI and IIDA MARUs and NANSHIN MARU No. 2 and NANSHIN MARU No. 6.

29 May 1944:
At 1252, arrives at Singapore.

2 June 1944:
At 0825, W-18 departs Singapore for Saigon, Indochina escorting convoy SHISA-21 consisting of TATEISHI, TSURUSHIMA and HEIAN MARUs.

6 June 1944:
At 0700, arrives at Saigon.

11 June 1944:
At Takao, W-18 joins convoy MI-05 consisting of KENEI, HINAGA, NIPPO, FUYOKAWA, SURAKARUTA, TATSUJU and SHOEI MARU and tankers TACHIBANA, NITTETSU, TOA, CERAM, SANKO (YAMAKO), AYAKIRI, AYANAMI, OEI, TOKUWA, TAKETSU (BUTSU), MARIFU and YAMAMIZU MARU No. 2 and fleet oiler NOTORO plus thirteen other unidentified ships escorted by W-17, minelayer MAESHIMA, patrol boat P-38, torpedo boat SAGI, auxiliary submarine chaser CHa-95 and 4 unidentified escorts. The convoy departs at 0645. [2]

13 June 1944:
At 1555, at 15-57N, 119-42E, MARIFU MARU is torpedoed and damaged by LtCdr John D. Crowley's USS FLIER (USS-250). The ship is taken in tow by MIIKESAN MARU and later reaches Manila.

15 June 1944:
The convoy arrives Manila. At this point many ships are detached including W-18.

20 June 1944:
At 1900, W-18, auxiliary minesweepers KIKU MARU and CHOUN MARU No. 6 depart Singapore for Miri escorting convoy SHIMI-04 consisting of MATSUMOTO, NANSEI, NICHINAN, ZUIHO and KOTOKU MARUs and OGURA MARU No. 2 and another ship also named NICHINAN MARU.

24 June 1944:
At 1145, arrives at Miri.

27 June 1944:
At 1650, W-18, kaibokan CD-14 and patrol boat PB-38 depart Miri for Moji escorting convoy MI-06 consisting of OGURA MARU No. 2, YAMAMIZO MARU No. 2, MATSUMOTO, TACHIBANA, NICHINAN, NANSEI, ATAGO, ZUIHO and BAIEI MARUs.

E 1 July 1944:
W-18 is detached from convoy MI-06.

E 3 July 1944:
W-18 arrives at Singapore.

4 July 1944:
W-18, W-17 and torpedo boat SAGI depart Singapore escorting convoy SHIMI-05 consisting of MEXICO, ASAKA, OLYMPIA, HOFUKU, RASHIN, HAKUROKU (HAKAKUSHIKA),TATSUBATO, KUROGANE MARUs and tankers SAN DIEGO MARU and KYOEI MARU No. 6.

8 July 1944:
Arrives at Miri.

10 July 1944:
At 1550, W-18, W-17 and SAGI depart Miri for Moji escorting convoy MI-08 consisting of MEXICO, ASAKA, OLYMPIA, RASHIN, HAKUROKU, TATSUBATO, KUROGANE MARUs and tankers SAN DIEGO, SAN LUIS, NITTETSU, OEI, TAKETSU (BUTSU), CHIHAYA, RYUSHO and SANKO (YAMAKO) MARUs and KYOEI MARU No. 6.

11 July 1944:
At 1830, the convoy anchors in Kimanisu Bay, SW of Kota Kinabalu, Borneo.

12 July 1944:
At 1300, the convoy departs Kimanisu Bay. At 1015, TAKETSU MARU detaches and begins a return journey to Miri.

16 July 1944:
From 0820 until 1400, the convoy is accompanied by torpedo-boat HIYODORI and coast defense ship MIKURA. At 2035, the convoy arrives safely at Manila.

26 July 1944:
At 0600, W-18, kaibokan MATSUWA and CD-14, Patrol Boat PB-38, auxiliary minesweeper TAKUNAN MARU No. 3, auxiliary gunboat CHOHAKUSAN MARU and auxiliary patrol boats EIFU, FUYO, KASUGA and NUNOBIKI MARUs depart Imari Bay escorting convoy MI-13 consisting of tankers SHINCHO, TEIKON, TOKUWA, KYOEI and ATAGO MARUs and cargo ships HIYORI, DURBAN, KIZAN, KINIYAMA, URAL, SHIROTAE, KOKUSEI, CHINA, HIGANE, MATSUURA, RISSHUN and ATLAS MARUs and SHINSEI MARU No. 1 and OGURA MARU No.2.

31 July 1944:
The convoy arrives at Takao. SHIROTAE, CHINA and MATSUURAs are detached and tankers SHIMPO and ZUIYO MARUs and cargo ship SHINKO MARU join the convoy. TAKUNAN MARU No. 3 and CHOHAKUSAN MARU are detached from the escort and replaced by kaibokans KUSAGAKI and YASHIRO and destroyer ASAKAZE. Naval Transport T. 3 also joins.

4 August 1944:
At 0830, the reconstituted convoy departs Takao.

7 August 1944:
At 2205, at 14-50N, 119-57E kaibokan KUSAGAKI is torpedoed and sunk by LtCdr (later Captain) Enrique D. Haskin's USS GUITARRO (SS-363).

8 August 1944:
At 0900, the convoy arrives Manila and W-18 is detached.

12 August 1944:
At 0600, W-18, subchasers CH-19, CH-32 and four small unidentified auxiliary gunboats depart Manila for Moji escorting convoy MASA-10 consisting of DURBAN, TEIRITSU, RISSHUN, YAMABUKI and OYO MARUs. After leaving Manila the convoy stops at Lucanin, Bataan Peninsula.

13 August 1944:
At 2000, the convoy departs for Saigon, but the weather worsens and the convoy returns to Lucanin.

14 August 1944:
At 1700, the convoy restarts its journey.

20 August 1944:
At 1810, the convoy anchors in Camrahn Bay.

21 August 1944:
At 0800, the convoy departs Camrahn Bay. At 0952, a torpedo fired by LtCdr Michael P. Russillo's USS MUSKALLUNGE (SS-262) is spotted heading for DURBAN MARU. She avoids this torpedo, but another strikes No. 4 hold. Her engine room and the hold begin to flood. At 1100, the order to abandon ship is passed. The escorts drop 46 depth-charges, but MUSKALLUNGE remains undamaged. Since DURBAN MARU sinks slowly, plans are made to remove some of her ammunition cargo after towing her to the beach. OYO MARU returns to effect the tow, but suddenly the pace of sinking quickens, her bow rises upwards and DURBAN MARU sinks at 1400 at 1l-45N, 109-46E. She was carrying 3, 354 military passengers of whom 509 and six crewmen are KIA.

21 August 1944:
Arrives at Saigon, Indochina.

2 September 1944:
At 2052, W-18, minesweeper W-101, subchasers CH-19, CH-32 depart Cape St. Jacques, Indochina for Manila escorting convoy SAMA-12 consisting of RISSHUN and YAMABUKI MARUs.

11 September 1944:
At 0900, arrives at Manila.

20 September 1944:
At 0610, W-18, W-101, minelayer YURISHIMA, auxiliary subchasers KAIKO MARU and CHa-67 and auxiliary transport UJINA MARU depart Bataan in Manila Bay for Cape St. Jacques, Indochina escorting convoy MASA-11 consisting of MYOGI, MIKASA, FRANCE and UGO MARUs and convoy MAYU-08 consisting of BINGO and NICHIZUI MARUs.

25 September 1944:
Convoy MAYU-08 arrives at Samah, Hainan Island.

26 September 1944:
At 0140, Convoy MASA-11 arrives at Cape St. Jacques, Indochina.

3 October 1944:
At 1500, W-18, and minelayer YURASHIMA depart Cap St Jacques escorting convoy SAMA-13 consisting of MYOGI, HEIAN, MIKASA, TEIYU and OYO MARUs. That evening as the ships travel close to shore, a strong wind blows MYOGI, HEIAN and OYO MARUs ashore. The remainder of the convoy returns to St Jacques while the escorts assist refloating the three ships which return to St Jacques for minor repairs.

16 October 1944:
At 1343, the same convoy again departs St Jacques.

20 October 1944:
In the early morning, UGO and OYO MARUs are both torpedoed and sunk by LtCdr John C. Martin's USS HAMMERHEAD (SS-364) at 04-45N 113-30E.

21 October 1944:
At 1900, the rest of the convoy arrives Miri.

29 October 1944:
At 1957, W-18, W-17 and torpedo boat SAGI depart Manila for Takao escorting convoy MAMO-04 consisting of passenger liner ASAMA MARU.

1 November 1944:
At 0435, LtCdr (later Rear Admiral/COMSUBPAC) John H. Maurer's USS ATULE (SS-403) torpedoes and sinks troop ship ASAMA MARU at 20-17N, 117-O8E. 474 men are lost.

11 November 1944:
At 1957, W-18, W-17 and W-20 depart Manila for Yulin, Hainan escorting convoy MAYU-10 consisting of MISAKI and SUGIYAMA MARUs.

At 2315, LtCdr Robert A. Keating's USS BARBEL (SS-316) torpedoes MISAKI MARU at 15-10N, 112-40E. She sinks about two hours later.

12 November 1944:
E of Nha Thrang, Indochina. At 0110, LtCdr Keating's BARBEL torpedoes and sinks SUGIYAMA MARU at 15-15N, 112-10E.

20 November 1944:
At 1205, W-18, W-17, W-20 and submarine chaser CH-41 departs St Jacques escorting convoy SATA-02 consisting of HIDA MARU.

21 November 1944:
At 2030, arrives at Camranh Bay.

22 November 1944:
At 0725, departs Camranh Bay. At 1820, arrives Van Phong Bay.

23 November 1944:
At 0720, departs Van Phong Bay. At 1345, CH-41 detaches from the convoy. At 1945, the convoy arrives at Baia de Xuan Bay.

24 November 1944:
At 0746, departs Baia de Xuan Bay.

25 November 1944:
At 0800, W-20 detaches.

26 November 1944:
South China Sea, S of Hainan Island, China. At 0037, 14th Air Force B-24s, on a night reconnaissance flight, bomb and strafe HIDA MARU and damage W-18 and W-17 at 16-44N, 108-24E. HIDA MARU takes crippled W-18 in tow.

27 November 1944:
W-18 sinks at 16-52N, 108-38E. That same day, at 1000, the remainder of the convoy arrives at Yulin.

10 December 1944:
Attached to the General Escort Command's First Escort Fleet.

10 January 1945:
Removed from the Navy List.

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Authors' Notes:
E = estimated date based on available information.

[1] It appears the convoy sheltered in Iwo Jima as NARITA MARU did not arrive at Palau until 11 February.

[2] Some records show W-18 as joining the convoy at Imari Bay, but this seems impossible.

Thanks go to Mr. Aki of Japan and Matthew Jones of Ohio for help in identifying COs.

-Bob Hackett and Peter Cundall.

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