|  |
|
| |
|
| Missing In Action (MIA) | Prisoners Of War (POW) | Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) |
| Chronology | Locations | Aircraft | Ships | Submit Info | How You Can Help | Donate |
|
| IJA Cargo 2,746 Tons |
Ship History Built by Nippon Kokan K.K in Tsurumi, Yokohama. Laid down 1941 as a cargo ship. Launched 1941 as Aiyo Maru. Completed January 1942 operated by Oyo Kisen K.K. in Tokyo. On May 16, 1942 at 10:30am departs Minato and the next day arrives Yokosuka. On December 8, 1942 departs Yokosuka bound for the Inland Sea as part of West Convoy No. 61. Wartime History On December 24, 1942 requisitioned by the Imperial Japanese Army (IJA) and allotted Army No. 947. Afterwards, to the South Pacific. By late February 1943 at Rabaul embarks 278 personnel, fuel, provisions, ammunition and five Daihatsu landing craft under Lt. Simizu from 8th Shipping Engineer Regiment. On February 28, 1943 a Japanese reinforcement convoy Operation 81 of eight transports escorted by eight destroyers departs Rabaul bound for Lae on New Guinea. The convoy included eight transports loaded with Japanese troops and supplies including Kyokusei Maru, Aiyo Maru, Oikawa Maru, Teiyo Maru, Taimei Maru, Sin-ai Maru, Kembu Maru and Nojima Maru. Escorted by eight destroyers: Tokitsukaze (aboard Lt. General Hatazō Adachi commander 18th Army) Yukikaze (aboard was Lt. General Hidemitsu Nakano, commander 51st Division), Shirayuki (aboard was Rear Admiral Masatomi Kimura), Arashio, Asashio, Asagumo, Shikinami and Uranami. On March 1, 1943 the Japanese convoy was spotted by B-24D "Miss Deed" 41-24070 off Kimbe Bay and immediately radioed a report and shadowed the convoy. Afterwards, B-24D piloted by Lt. George W. Shaffer continued to shadow and overnight made the first bombing attack. Over the next three days, every available Allied aircraft from the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) and Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) made repeated sorties against the convoy. Sinking History On March 3, 1943 during the Battle of the Bismarck Sea sunk by aircraft approximately 30 miles southeast of Finschafen. Lost is the entire crew of 45 plus 278 soldiers. References Combined Fleet IJA Aiyo Maru: Tabular Record of Movement Battle of the Bismarck Sea (1997) by Lex McAulay Contribute
Information |
| Discussion Forum | Daily Updates | Reviews | Museums | Interviews & Oral Histories |
|
