Japanese cargo ship (ex-Strabo 1913-1932, Pauline 1932-1934, Pavlina 1934-1935, Brightvega 1935-1936, Shou Sing 1936-1938) Yamayuri Maru 1938-1944

Tonegawa Maru©Warshipsresearch.blogspot.com

Sister ships Tonegawa Maru and Yamayuri Maru identical similar Ryunan Maru. Call sign ZYYL. Owner in 1939 Yamashita Kisen K.K., Kobe, Japan. Launched by A.McMillan&Son Ld., Dumbarton, Scotland with yard number 451 on 15 September 1913, in October 1913, owners Liverpool, Brazil&River Plate S.N. Co. Ltd., Liverpool, England in 1913, Maurice Olivier, Panama/Algiers in 1932, Soc. Anom. Marit.&Commerciale Olivier, M. Olivier, Salonica, Greece in 1934, Bright Navigation Co. Ltd., London, England in 1935, H.C. Wan, Tsingtao, China in 1936 and sunk by American aircraft off Rabaul, New Britain on 24 January 1944. Gross tonnage 5,028tons, net tonnage 3,099 tons , deadweight 8,130 tons and as dimensions 400.0 x 52.1 x 27.3 x 7.9 (light)-24.9 (loaded) feet. Reciprocating propulsion, one screw, horsepower 458 nhp, coal bunker capacity 1,334 ton, range 10,500 nautical miles/10.5 knots and speed 10.5 (normal cruising)-12 (maximum) knots. 

Number of Japanese ships at Rabaul, New Guinea increased according to the U.S. Joint Intelligence Committee. Daily summary dated 22 February 1942

An item reported that reconnaissance above Rabaul on 18 February pointed out that there were more Japanese ships were lying than earlier reported. Now were there 4 light cruisers, 1 air craft carrier, 1 oiler, 1 minelayer and 12 merchant ships.

Source

Map Room Papers (Roosevelt Administration), 1942 - 1945. MR0423. U.S. Joint Intelligence Committee. Daily summary No. 74 dated 22 February 1942

Japanese activities in the Truk-Marshalls Islands-New Britain area increasing according to the U.S. Joint Intelligence Committee. Daily summary dated 23 February 1942

An item reported that the Japanese activities in the Truk-Marshall Islands-New Britain area was increasing especially by aircraft and submarines. Naval units were seen in the St. George’s Channel (between New Britain and New Ireland) and at Gasmata [New Britain, Papua New Guinea] where the large force was joined which was earlier at Rabaul.

Source

Map Room Papers (Roosevelt Administration), 1942 - 1945. MR0423. U.S. Joint Intelligence Committee. Daily summary No. 75 dated 23 February 1942

Japanese aircraft attacked Rabaul, New Britain according to the U.S. Joint Intelligence Committee. Daily summary dated 21 January 1942

An item reported that Rabaul, New Britain Island [Papua New Guinea] was attacked by at least 100 Japanese aircraft damaging the airdrome with her installations heavily. A carrier division early positioned in the Truk area, Caroline Islands probably supported the attack.

Source

Map Room Papers (Roosevelt Administration), 1942 - 1945. U.S. Joint Intelligence Committee. Daily summary No. 42 dated 21 January 1942

Vessel Manilo

Widu, Garove Island, West New Britain, Papua New Guinea 1-7-2024

Japanese were constructing submarine base on the Warangoi River according to the U.S. Joint Intelligence Committee. Daily summary dated 14 April 1942

An item reported that the Japanese were constructing submarine base on the Warangoi River, New Britain, Bismarck Archipelago [Australian mandated territory].

Source

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

Japanese group of seaplanes stationed in the New Britain area according to the U.S. Joint Intelligence Committee. Daily summary dated 3 April 1942

An item reported that the Japanese had 3 groups of aircraft available in the New Britain area. One group of seaplanes was responsible for patrolling and defence against Allied ships in the area.

Source

Map Room Papers (Roosevelt Administration), 1942 - 1945. U.S. Joint Intelligence Committee. Daily summary No. 114 dated 3 April 1942.

Allied aircraft attacking targets in New Guinea area according to the U.S. Joint Intelligence Committee. Daily summary dated 26 April 1942

An item reported that Allied aircraft without succes three Japanese transports in the Talili Bay north east New Britain near Rabaul, Papua New Guinea attacked. The same day were with success wharf installations at Rabaul including setting a ship on fire. In this area were 8 Japanese transports sighted.

Source

Map Room Papers (Roosevelt Administration), 1942 - 1945. U.S. Joint Intelligence Committee. Daily summary No. 137 dated 26 April 1942

Japanese passenger-cargo ship Lyons Maru 1919-1944

Call sign JOMD. Laid down by Yokohama Dock Co., Yokohama, Japan on 15 August 1919, launched on 3 March 1920, completed on 6 May 1920, requisitioned by the army as transport on 5 August 1937, returned by the army but immediately requisitioned by the navy on 13 January 1941, converted into an armed auxiliary transport between 15 January-3 April 1941 and sunk in an air attack on Rabaul, New Britain, Papua New Guinea on 24 January 1944. Gross tonnage 7,018 tons, under deck 6,450 tons, net tonnage 4,350 tons and dimensions 445.0 x 58.0 x 34.0 x 9 (light)-27 (loaded) feet. Reciprocating propulsion. Fitted out for deep tanks for carrying oil in bulk. 

Japanese navy continued with her activities in the Truk-New Britain area according to the U.S. Joint Intelligence Committee. Daily summary dated 29 April 1942

An item reported that the Japanese navy continued with her activities in the Truk-New Britain area. The fact that Japanese ships moved southward from Truk was probably due to the rising Allied threat in stead off a planned offensive. Continiously Allied air attacks and posssible task forces were a complicated factor for the Japanese navy in executing planned operations. On the other hand seemed the Japanese navy to gain air and surface supremacy.

Source

Map Room Papers (Roosevelt Administration)

Japanese aircraft carrier Hosho bound for New Britain according to the U.S. Joint Intelligence Committee. Daily summary dated 2 March 1942

Hosho. Warshipsresearch.blogspot.com

An item reported that the Japanese aircraft carrier Hosho was used for transporting aircraft from the Japanese Mandates to New Britain [Papua New Guinea].(1)

Note

1. Succeeded by Akagi, building as seaplane carrier ordered under the so-called eight-six fleet program of 1918, laid down by Asano Shipbuilding Company Tsurumi-ku, Yokohama, Japan,on 16 December 1920, launched on 13 November 1231, commissioned on 27 December 1922, modified 6 June-20 August 1924, stricken on 5 October 1945 and on 2 September 1946 started with breaking her up.

Source

Map Room Papers (Roosevelt Administration), 1942 - 1945. U.S. Joint Intelligence Committee. Daily summary No. 82 dated 2 March 1942.

Japanese cruisers sighted in the vicinity of Raaul according to the U.S. Joint Intelligence Committee. Daily summary dated 12 August 1942

An item reported that on 9 August Allied aircraft sighted 4 Japanese cruisers in formation and another heavy cruiser escorted by a destroyer off the northwestern coast of Bougainville Island apparently returning to Rabaul, New Britain, Papua New Guinea.

Source

Map Room Papers (Roosevelt Administration), 1942 - 1945. U.S. Joint Intelligence Committee. Daily summary No. 245 dated 12 August 1942.

American submarine claimed the sinking of a large Japanese merchant ship according to the U.S. Joint Intelligence Committee. Daily summary No. 257 dated 24 August 1942

An item reported that an American submarine claimed the sinking of a large Japanese merchant ship near Rabaul [New Britain, Papua New Guinea] on 8 August.

Source

Map Room Papers (Roosevelt Administration), 1942 - 1945. U.S. Joint Intelligence Committee. Daily summary No. 257 dated 24 August 1942.

Japanese warships sighted at Rabaul, New Guinea according to the U.S. Joint Intelligence Committee. Daily summary dated 29 August 1942

An item reported that on 25 August Allied aircraft sighted 21 vessels including numerous light naval vessels lying in the harbour of Rabaul, New Brittin [Papua New Guinea].

Source

Map Room Papers (Roosevelt Administration), 1942 - 1945. U.S. Joint Intelligence Committee. Daily summary No. 262 dated 29 August 1942.

Japanese warships gathered at Kessa, Buka Island according to the U.S. Joint Intelligence Committee. Daily summary dated 18 March 1942

An item reported that 8 Japanese naval vessels were stationed at Kessa, Buka Island and that the harbour there could be mined. The vessels were probably part of a covering force supporting operations in the New Britain-New Guinea area.

Source

Map Room Papers (Roosevelt Administration), 1942 - 1945. U.S. Joint Intelligence Committee. Daily summary No. 98 dated 18 March 1942.

Large number of Japanese merchant and warships sighted in Bismarck Archipelago according to the U.S. Joint Intelligence Committee. Daily summary dated 31 August 1942

An item reported that n 29 August Allied aircraft sighted in the harbour of Rabaul, Bismarck Archipelago [island New Britain, Papua New Guinea] 32 ships with a tonnage varying between 2,000-10,00 tons and at St. George [between New Britain and New Ireland) 2 destroyers and 2 merchant ships.

Source

Map Room Papers (Roosevelt Administration), 1942 - 1945. U.S. Joint Intelligence Committee. Daily summary No. 264 dated 31 August 1942.

American aircraft attacking successfully Japanese naval force at Rabaul, New Britain according to the U.S. Joint Intelligence Committee. Daily summary dated 22 March 1942

An item reported that 4 bombers of the US Amy attacked a Japanese naval force at Rabaul, New Britain [Papua New Guinea] consisting of 2 cruisers, 4 destroyers and 8 transports. One cruiser was hit and probably sunk, the second one was possible heavily damaged. There was none enemy resistance during the attack.

Source

Map Room Papers (Roosevelt Administration), 1942 - 1945. U.S. Joint Intelligence Committee. Daily summary No. 102 dated 22 March 1942

Allied air attack on the harbour of Rabaul successful according to the U.S. Joint Intelligence Committee. Daily summary dated 20 March 1942

An item referred to the summary No. 99 dated 19 March reporting that during the allied air attack on Rabaul, New Britain [Papua New Guinea] a heavy cruiser was indeed hit once directly and two other ships were nearly missed.  

Source

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

Reorganization of Japanese naval forces seemed to be completed according to the U.S. Joint Intelligence Committee. Daily summary dated 23 March 1942

An item reported that the reorganization of the Japanese naval forces starting 10 days ago seemed to be completed. There was a large number of reports mentioning dockings and supply arrangements probably pointing out that several warships were repaired, refitted and refreshed with personnel and material. There were at least 2 strong striking forces available, one in the Dutch East Indies and the other near the Bonin Islands both suitable for operations in almost any direction selected by the enemy. The naval forces were divided over:-

-in the Dutch East Indies a defensive patrol force also responsible for escort duties and base defence

-in the Dutch East Indies a strong striking force with apparently her base in the Staring Bay, Celebes [nowadays Sulawesi] and consisting of 2-3 battleships, 3-5 aircraft carriers, 2 divisions of heavy cruisers and further more destroyers and light craft

-two air bombardment groups, one probably based on Timor with as target the northern Australian bases and one based near Manilla with as target the US Army forces stationed on Bataan on the island Luzon, Philippines

-on Penang, Malaysia was a small combined air surface and submarine force stationed to support future operations in the Indian Ocean

-in the Mandates executed the 4^th Fleet defensive tasks and in the New Britain-New Guinea area minor offensive tasks especially establishing bases at Rabaul [New Britain, Papua New Guinea] and Lae [near the Markham River delta, Morobe Province, Papua New Guinea].

-at Cichijima, Bonin Islands was the operations center of the main strength of the Japanese navy organized as a screening force

-off the Japanese coast was the 5th  Fleet position for patrol and escort duties

Source

Map Room Papers (Roosevelt Administration), 1942 - 1945. U.S. Joint Intelligence Committee. Daily summary No. 103 dated 23 March 1942

Japanese ships at Rabaul attacked by American aircraft according to the U.S. Joint Intelligence Committee Daily summary dated 15 May 1942

An item reported that American aircraft attacked on 12 May ships lying in the harbour of Rabaul (East New Britain Province, Papua New Guinea]. Due to bad weather conditions the results could be monitored although it was believed that they scored 3 near misses.

Source

Map Room Papers (Roosevelt Administration), 1942 - 1945. U.S. Joint Intelligence Committee. Daily summary No. 156 dated 15 May 1942