Japanese cargo ship Kasuga Maru 1936-1943

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Similar Ikusima Maru and Kasuga Maru. Call sign JGOL. Laid downby Osaka Iron Works Ld., Innoshima, Japan in April 1936, launched on 1 September 1936, completed on 10 October 1936, requisitioned by the Japanese navy on 10 November 1941, converted into an auxuliary transport between 12 November-14 December 1941, renamed Kasuga Maru No. 2 on 10 December 1941, torpedoed and sunk by the Dutch submarine Hr.Ms. O 21 off Port Blair, Andaman Islands, on 13 March 1943 and stricken on 20 April 1943. Owner in 1939 Naigai Kisen K.K. Homeport Kobe. Gross tonnage 3,968 tons, netto tonnage 2,332 ons, deadweight 5,524 tons and as dimensions 351.0 x 50.0 x 26.6 x 8 (light)-22 (loaded) feet. Steam turbine propulsion, single screw, horsepower 433 nhp, coal bunker capacity 780 tons, range 7,900 nautical miles/10 knots and speed 10 (normal cruising)-14 (maximum) knots. 

Japanese minesweeper No. 7 or W-7 1938-1944

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Project No. 14. Part of No. 7-class (Dai Nana Go-gata Sokatei) preceded by No. 13-class succeeded by No. 19-class. Built under the Maru 3 Keikaku/Third Fleet Replenishment Programme of 1937 as No. 49 to replace stricken destroyer minesweepers. Laid down by Mitsui Engineering&Shipbuilding on 27 October 1937, launched on 16 June 1944, completed on 15 December 1038, sunk by the British submarine HMS Storm off Port Blair, Andaman and Nicobar Islands  on 15 April 1944 and stricken on 10 June 1944. 

Japanese aircraft attacking Andaman Islands according to the U.S. Joint Intelligence Committee. Daily summary dated 28 February 1942

An item reported that the according to the press three Japanese aircraft (on Malaya or aircraft carrier based) attacked the Andaman Islands and especially the airdrome at Port Blair. It may possible that the Japanese wanted to establish a submarine or surface base to be used fo further operations in the Bay of Bengal and the Indian Ocea.

Source

Map Room Papers (Roosevelt Administration), 1942 - 1945. MR0423. U.S. Joint Intelligence Committee. Daily summary No. 80 dated 28 February 1942

American aircraft attacked Andaman Islands according to the U.S. Joint Intelligence Committee. Daily summary dated 8 April 1942

An item reported that during the air attack on Port Blair, Andaman Islands by 2 American bombers 2 direct hits were scored on a transport and 2 on a cruiser, both set on fire.

Source

Map Room Papers (Roosevelt Administration), 1942 - 1945. U.S. Joint Intelligence Committee. Daily summary No. 119 dated 8 April 1942. 

Situation in Bay of Bengal unchanged according to the U.S. Joint Intelligence Committee. Daily summary dated 14 April 1942

An item reported that that the situation in the Bay of Bengal was unchanged. Some of the larger Japanese ships seemed recently to be returned to Singapore. Attacks on Allied merchant ships appeared to have fallen off which could be caused by the British suspending the merchant traffic. Some Japanese merchant ships moved to the Andaman Islands. There was however no indication that these ships gathered for landing operations.

Source

Map Room Papers (Roosevelt Administration), 1942 - 1945. U.S. Joint Intelligence Committee. Daily summary No. 125 dated 14 April 1942

Japanese flying boats at Port Blair, Andaman Islands destroyed according to the U.S. Joint Intelligence Committee. Daily summary dated 22 April 1942

An item reported that on 18 April British aircraft destroyed 2 Japanese flying boats at Port Blair, Andaman Islands loosing one plane during the raid.

Source

Map Room Papers (Roosevelt Administration), 1942 - 1945. U.S. Joint Intelligence Committee. Daily summary No. 133 dated 22 April 1942. 

Japanese naval force at Port Blair, Andaman Islands bombed according to the U.S. Joint Intelligence Committee. Daily summary dated 4 April 1942

An item referred to unconfirmed press items reporting that US Army bombers attacked a Japanese naval force berthed at Port Blair, Andaman Islands setting a cruiser and a transport afire and damaging two other ships.

Source

Map Room Papers (Roosevelt Administration), 1942 - 1945. U.S. Joint Intelligence Committee. Daily summary No. 115 dated 4 April 1942 

Japanese aircraft attacking the Andaman Islands according to the U.S. Joint Intelligence Committee. Daily summary dated 28 February 1942

An item referred to a J.I.C. comment about a Japanese air attack on the Andamen Islands especially on the air drome at Port Blair as mentioned by the press. If the reports were correct is was the first attack on these British controlled islands and posible with the intention to set up a submarine of a surface base as start point for operations in the Bay of Bengal and the Indian Ocean. Where the three Japanese aircraft came from was unknown, perhaps from Malaya or from an aircraft carrier.

Source

Map Room Papers (Roosevelt Administration), 1942 - 1945. U.S. Joint Intelligence Committee. Daily summary No. 80 dated 28 February 1942

British Royal Air Force destroyed Japanese flying boats according to the U.S. Joint Intelligence Committee. Daily summary dated 15 April 1942

An item reported that the British R.A.F. destroyed 13 enemy flying boats during an attack on the Japanese bases [at Port Blair] on the Andaman Islands.

Source

Map Room Papers (Roosevelt Administration), 1942 - 1945. U.S. Joint Intelligence Committee. Daily summary No. 126 dated 15 April 1942. 

British air attack on Japanese base at Port Blair, Andaman Islands according to the U.S. Joint Intelligence Committee. Daily summary dated 16 April 1942

An item reported that two British RAF-aircraft attacked with success the Japanese base at Port Blair, Andaman Islands. There were 13 long range flying boats of the Japanese present, one was left sinking, 2 set on fire and 10 were damaged.

Source

Map Room Papers (Roosevelt Administration), 1942 - 1945. U.S. Joint Intelligence Committee. Daily summary No. 127 dated 16 April 1942. 

Japanese cargo ship Heito Maru 1934-1943

Call sign JZDH. Laid down by Mitsubishi Jukyogo K.K., Nagasaki, Japan on 3 October 1934, launched on 23 March 1935, completed on 31 August 1935, requisitioned the army between 1937-1938, rerequisitioned by the army between 1939-1941, requisitioned by the navy as transport on 31 August 1941, sunk in an American air attack on the Car Nicobar Islands anchorage in the Indian Ocean on 23 August 1943 and stricken on 1 November 1943. Gross tonnage 4,033 tons, net tonnage 2,588 tons and as dimensions 357.0 x 49.2 x 32.8 x 10 (light)-23 (loaded) feet. Steam turbine propulsion, single screw, 500 nhp, coal bunker capacity 310 tons, range 8,250 nautical miles/14.5 knots and speed 14.5 (normal cruising)-17 (maximum) knots. 

Japanese flying boats sighted at Port Blair, Andaman Islands according to the U.S. Joint Intelligence Committee. Daily summary dated 27 April 1942

An item reported that a Royal Air Force air reconnaisance on 23 April of Port Blair, Andaman Islands, Indian Ocean revealed none ships but 5 Japanese flying boats berthed in the harbour.

Source

Map Room Papers (Roosevelt Administration), 1942 - 1945. U.S. Joint Intelligence Committee. Daily summary No. 138 dated 27 April 1942. 

Japanese warship and flying boats seen at Port Blair according to the U.S. Joint Intelligence Committee. Daily summary dated 11 August 1942

An item reported that Allied aircraft sighted on 8 August 1 small Japanese warship and 8-4 motored flying boats at Port Blair. Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

Source

Map Room Papers (Roosevelt Administration), 1942 - 1945. U.S. Joint Intelligence Committee. Daily summary No. 244 dated 11 August 1942.

Japanese aircraft carrier sighted at the Andaman Islands according to the U.S. Joint Intelligence Committee. Daily summary dated 11 August 1942

An item reported that Allied aircraft sighted on 7 August a Japanese converted type aircraft carrier - probably a former seaplane tender - escorted by a destroyer at Port Cornwallis, Andaman Islands.

Source

Map Room Papers (Roosevelt Administration), 1942 - 1945. U.S. Joint Intelligence Committee. Daily summary No. 244 dated 11 August 1942.

Japan building up a fleet for operations in the Indian ocean according to the U.S. Joint Intelligence Committee. Daily summary dated 20 March 1942

An item reported that since Java, Dutch East Indies was captured by Japanese forces was their next predicted step an offensive in the Indian Ocean especially against the Andaman Islands, British Indies. The newest intelligence pointed out a movement westwards across the Bay of Bengal with special interest in the Ceylon-Calcutta-Mysores areas. It was calculated that the Japanese were building up a fleet for the Indian ocean including 3-4 battleships, 4 aircraft carriers, 4 heavy and 3 light cruisers, 34 destroyers, 6 converted seaplanes and minimally 10 submarines. The J.I.C. commented that the number of submarine operations was increasing but regarded the great distances needed the Japanese ship-borne aircraft for supporting operations in the British Indies southeast area.

Source

Map Room Papers (Roosevelt Administration), 1942 - 1945. U.S. Joint Intelligence Committee. Daily summary No. 100 dated 20 March 1942

Japanese aircraft carrier sighted near Singapore according to the U.S. Joint Intelligence Committee. Daily summary dated 11 March 1942

An item reported the presence of a Japanese aircraft carrier in the vicinity of Singapore with indications that she would depart on short notice to support the Japanese forces at Rangoon, Burma or to act against the shipping in the Indian Ocean. A Japanese attack into the Bay of Bengal to conqueror the Andaman Islands was the most probably intention.

Source

Map Room Papers (Roosevelt Administration), 1942 - 1945. U.S. Joint Intelligence Committee. Daily summary No. 91 dated 11 March 1942.

Large Japanese fleet approaching Port Blair, Andaman Islands according to the U.S. Joint Intelligence Committee. Daily summary dated 25 March 1942

An item reported that on 23 March a Japanese naval force was seen while approaching Port Blair, Andaman Islands [India, northeastern Indian Ocean]. It consisted of 2 aircraft carriers, one cruiser, a destroyer leader or cruisers and a 5.00 tons transport. The J.I.C. commented that this invasion was already expected for a long time. The aircraft carriers were probably seaplane tenders.

Source

Map Room Papers (Roosevelt Administration), 1942 - 1945. U.S. Joint Intelligence Committee. Daily summary No. 105 dated 25 March 1942

Japanese invasion of the Andaman Islands according to the U.S. Joint Intelligence Committee. Daily summary dated 27 March 1942

An item referred to an estimation of the British War Offices (see also the daily summary No. 106 of 26 March) reporting that a Japanese infantry brigade probably reinforced by a strong naval landing party invaded the Andaman Islands [India, northeastern Indian Ocean] supported by a strong naval force consisting of 3 cruisers, 6 destroyers and 3 transports. It was possible that except for the Andaman or Nicobar Islands the real focus was Akyab. The J.I.C. commented that on 25 March a smaller force was reported.

Source

Map Room Papers (Roosevelt Administration), 1942 - 1945. U.S. Joint Intelligence Committee. Daily summary No. 107 dated 27 March 1942

Japan establishing naval base at Port Blair, Andaman Islands according to the U.S. Joint Intelligence Committee. Daily summary dated 29 March 1942

An item reported that the Japanese forces were establishing a seaplane annex submarine base at Port Blair, Andaman Islands.(1)

Note

1. Andaman and Nicobar Islands are an union territory nowadays of India. 

Allied shipping in British Indies area threatened by Japanese forces according to the U.S. Joint Intelligence Committee. Daily summary dated 30 March 1942

An item reported that a four motored bomber attacked on 28 March a British merchant ship on a distance of 160 nautical miles south east of Calcutta, British Indies. The J.I.C. commented that the commander of the Japanese Combined Air Force (Navy) now based at Moulmein, Burma ordered an offensive apparently including attack Allied shipping by aircraft but probably also by submarines. Allied aircraft sighted a Japanese naval force including 4 cruisers, 5 destroyers, 4 transports and 2 supply ships off the Andaman Islands.

Source

Map Room Papers (Roosevelt Administration), 1942 - 1945. U.S. Joint Intelligence Committee. Daily summary No. 110 dated 30 March 1942.