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  Kinryu Maru
IJN
Cargo

9,310 Tons



Ship History
Built at Kawasaki Shipbuilding for for Kokusai Kisen K. K. as a cargo vessel at Kobe. Laid down on November 18, 1937. Launched June 16, 1938 as Kinryu Maru. Completed August 31, 1938 and the next day requisitioned by the Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN). Assigned to the Kure Naval District with Captain Kusakawa Kiyoshi as supervisor.

PARTIAL HISTORY

On September 5, 1941 at Kure Iron Works at Kure converted into an armed merchant ship with Captain Seizo Yamada in command.

PARTIAL HISTORY

Wartime History
On February 5, 1942 embarks elements of the No. 2 Maizuru Special Naval Landing Force (No. 2 Maizuru SNLF) plus Naval construction personnel and is scheduled to depart bound for Gasmata but is delayed for unknown reasons.

On February 8, 1942 at 6:00am departs Rabaul with Kozui Maru bound for Gasmata. On February 9, 1942 at 2:50am arrives Gasmata Harbor and by 3:35am her troops are loaded aboard Daihatsu landing craft that land and occupy Gasmata and Gasmata Airfield.

On February 11, 1942 in Gasmata Harbor with Kozui Maru when bombed by three RAAF bombers: Hudson A16-91, Hudson A16-103 and Hudson A16-126. During the attack, Kinryu Maru sustained one direct hit, the aft derrick was "rendered useless" plus other damage. Aboard, two officers and eight crew were killed plus four airfield engineers killed and thirty wounded.

Afterwards, the ship was temporarily repaired at Gasmata and by 7:50pm departs for Rabaul arriving the next morning. On February 17, 1942 departs Rabaul for Truk and five days later returns to Rabaul. On February 25, 1942 assigned to SR Sakusen (Operation SR) the invasion of Lae and Salamuana and embarks troops bound for Salamaua.

On March 5, 1942 departs Rabaul as part of the escort to provide support for the inveasion convoy including Yokohama Maru and China Maru bound for Salamaua plus Tenyo Maru and Kongo Maru and Kokai Maru bound for Lae.

PARTIAL HISTORY

On July 20, 1942 at 8:00pm Kinryu Maru, Ayatosan Maru and Ryoyo Maru departs Rabaul as part of the Operation "RI" the invasion of New Guinea escorted by light cruiser Tenryū, minelayer Tsugaru, destroyers Asanagi, Yuzuki and Uzuki and subchaser CH-32. On July 21, 1942 at dawn the convoy arrives off the north coast of New Guinea and begins unloading at Gona. On July 22, 1942 the convoy is attacked by U.S. bombers that sink Ayatosan Maru and slightly damage UZUKI. After unloading, the convoy returns to Rabaul on July 24, 1942.

Sinking History
On August 25, 1942 during the Battle of the Eastern Solomons (Second Battle of the Solomon Sea) damaged by U.S. aircraft from Henderson Field roughly 40 miles northeast of Santa Isabel Island. Afterwards, Mutsuki went along side to rescue the crew but was bombed by four B-17 Flying Fortresses and hit. Before sinking, Mutsuki fired a torpedo at burning Kinryu Maru sinking her at roughly Lat 7°  47' S, Long 160° 13' E.

Rescue
Afterwards, Yayoi rescues survivors including Captain Yamada.

References
We Who are About to Die: The Story of John Lerew (2007) pages 194 - 197
Combined Fleet IJN KINRYU MARU: Tabular Record of Movement

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Last Updated
January 8, 2022

 

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