FUSETSUKAN!
Stories and Battle Histories of the IJN's Minelayers
12 October 2006
By Bob Hackett, Sander Kingsepp and Peter Cundall
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(TSUGARU by Takeshi Yuki scanned from "Color Paintings of
Japanese Warships")
The IJN employed three types of IJN minelayers in World War II. There were only five purpose-built minelayers (Fusetsukan). These were the ITSUKUSHIMA, OKINOSHIMA, TSUGARU, SHIRATAKA and the YAEYAMA.
The HATSUTAKA-class were classified as minelayers, but were actually netlayers (Kysetsumkan) that could perform the minelayer role when required.
The SOKUTEN and HIRADHIMA classes were minelaying boats (Fusetsutei) and rated as auxiliary warships (Tokumu Kantei). The KAMOME, SARUSHIMA, AJIRO and KAMISHIMA classes belonged to the same type.
Since coverage of all the IJN's minelayers is impractical, this page will only cover the movements of the larger, more important Fusetsukan vessels.
Japanese Minelayers: Tabular Records of
Movement (TROMs)
(Minelayer Classes link to specifications
summaries)
Bibliography of Sources
About the Authors
Colonel Robert D. Hackett is a military historian and
researcher. Retired from the United States Air Force and later from the
aerospace industry, he resides in Florida.
Mr. Sander Kingsepp, a native of Estonia, is also a military historian and
researcher. A talented linguist, Sander's translations of Japanese source
materials have greatly enhanced these TROMs.
Mr. Peter Cundall is a historian and researcher. He specializes in merchant ships and resides in Australia.
Questions to the authors concerning these TROMs should be posted on the
Discussion and Questions board.
