Japanese netlayer Korei Maru (1939)

Korei Maru (Japanese: 興嶺丸) was a Japanese cargo ship that was requisitioned by the Imperial Japanese Navy during World War II and converted into an auxiliary netlayer.[2][3]

History
Empire of Japan
Name: Korei Maru
Builder: Sanoyasu Senkyo K.K., Osaka
Laid down: 19 March 1939
Launched: 20 May 1939
Sponsored by: Sanko Kisen K.K.
Completed: 17 July 1939
Acquired: requisitioned by Imperial Japanese Navy, 16 December 1941
Struck: 10 November 1944
Homeport: Amagasaki
Identification: 45717[1]
Fate: sunk by aircraft, 12 September 1944
Notes:
General characteristics
Class and type: cargo ship
Tonnage: 540 gross register tons[1]
Length: 48.7 m (159 ft 9 in) o/a[1]
Beam: 8.3 m (27 ft 3 in)[1]
Draught: 4.1 m (13 ft 5 in)[1]
Propulsion: Diesel
Sensors and
processing systems:		 sonar
Armament:

History

She was laid down in 19 March 1939 at the Osaka shipyard of Sanoyasu Senkyo K.K. for the benefit of Sanko Kisen K.K.[2] She was launched on 20 May 1939, completed on 17 July 1939, and registered in Amagasaki.[2] She worked as a cargo ship until 16 December 1941, when she was requisitioned by the Imperial Japanese Navy.[2] She was designated as an auxiliary net-layer and her conversion was completed on 14 January 1942.[2] She was assigned to the Sasebo Naval District, Third Fleet, as part of the 53rd Subchaser Division (along with subchasers Kyo Maru No. 2 and Kyo Maru No. 11).[2][4] The division was attached to the Second Base Force based at Takao, Formosa.[2][4] Her commanding officer was Reserve Lieutenant Hirano Susumu (平野進).[2][5]

Invasion of Batan Island

She was assigned to the Batan Island occupation force which began simultaneously with the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor tasked with establishing an air base to support future operations against American forces on Luzon during the invasion of the Philippines.[6] On 7 December 1941, the 53rd Subchaser division along with the 52nd Subchaser Division (Shonan Maru No. 17, Takunan Maru No. 5, Fukuei Maru No. 15) and the 54th Subchaser Division (Nagara Maru, Shonan Maru No. 1, Shonan Maru No. 2) left Takao with Imperial Japanese Army transport Teiun Maru carrying part of the 24th Airfield Battalion.[7] On 8 December 1941, she met with remainder of the occupation force off the coast of Batan Island consisting of transport Kumagawa Maru, destroyer Yamagumo, four Chidori-class torpedo boats (Chidori, Manazuru, Tomozuru, Hatsukari), two W-13-class minesweepers (W-13, W-14), two patrol boats (Patrol Boat No. 1, Patrol Boat No. 2), two Tsubame-class minelayers (Kamome, Tsubame), three converted gunboats (Aso Maru, Koso Maru, Nampo Maru),[8] and seaplane tender, Sanuki Maru escorted by destroyer Tachikaze.[9]

Sinking

On 12 September 1944, she was sunk by aircraft from US Navy Task Force 38 off Cebu, Philippines at (10°20′N 124°00′E).[2][5] On 10 November 1944, she was struck from the Navy List.[2]

References
  1. Toda, Gengoro S. (21 September 2019). "第十五福榮丸 (Korei Maru - Stats)" (PDF). Imperial Japanese Navy - Tokusetsukansen (in Japanese).
  2. Toda, Gengoro S. (21 September 2019). "興嶺丸の船歴 (Korei Maru - Ship History)". Imperial Japanese Navy -Tokusetsu Kansen (in Japanese).
  3. Toda, Gengoro S. (21 September 2019). "Tokusetsu Kansen > Tokusetsu Hokakumotei (Converted Indicator Nets Layers) > Ippan Choyosen（Kishokansokusen/Sokuryosen)". Imperial Japanese Navy - Tokusetsukansen (in Japanese).
  4. Niehorster, Leo; Alsleben, Al; Yoda, Tadashi. "Administrative Order of Battle - 1st Base Force, 3rd Fleet, Combined Fleet, 7 December 1941". Imperial Japanese Armed Forces.
  5. Niehorster, Leo; Donahoo, Jeff. "Converted Netlayers". Imperial Japanese Armed Forces.
  6. United States Strategic Bombing Survey. United States Government Printing Office. pp. 26–51.
  7. Casse, Gilbert; van der Wal, Berend; Cundall, Peter (2012). "Kyusetsumokan! Bosemmotei!: Fukuei Maru No. 15: Tabular Record of Movement". combinedfleet.com. Retrieved 30 March 2020.
  8. Hackett, Bob; Toda, Gengoro S.; Muehlthaler, Erich; Cundall, Peter (2012). "Kakyakusen: Transport Teiun Maru: Tabular Record of Movement". combinedfleet.com. Retrieved 30 March 2020.
  9. Hackett, Bob; Kingsepp, Sander; Alsleben, Allan; Cundall, Peter (2012). "Tokusetsu Suijoki-Bokan!: IJN Seaplane Tender Sanuki Maru:: Tabular Record of Movement". combinedfleet.com. Retrieved 30 March 2020.
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