Wartime History
On October 6, 1944, departs San Fernando at 0618 for Takao as part of convoy MATA-28 including Kamoi, Tachibana Maru, Yamamizu No. 2 Maru and Omine Maru, escorted by CD-8, CD-32 and CD-25, sub chasers CH-28, CH-30, CH-33 and CH-41 and minesweeper W-20.

Sinking History
At about 0800, LtCdr Henry C. Stevenson's USS Aspro SS-309 attacks the convoy. Stevenson fires three torpedoes by periscope at a tanker and claims one hit, but actually achieves no results. At 1530, LtCdr William C. Thompson's USS Cabrilla SS-288 torpedoes this ship, and Yamamizu No. 2, which sinks. Hokurei Maru is badly damaged, but manages to beach north of Vigan at aproximately 17-46N, 120-25E. The submarine claimed the ship as sunk.

Shipwreck
Beached near Vigan, this ship was repeatedly strafed by Allied aircraft attacking the area. Officially reported as sunk on October 18, 1944 by US Navy aircraft. The wreck was repeatedly attacked into January 1945, including a low level attack by 3rd BG A-20s on January 20, 1945.

References
Low Level Attack: The Pacific page 34

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October 22, 2009

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