Page 10 - Micronesia

151030'E 151040'E 151050'E 152000'E
Battleship Iowa helped in the search and
Franko's Map of attack on the fleeing Destroyer Nowake. SHONAN MARU NO. 15, a 355-ton,
Iowa raised her 16-inch main battery and Japanese sub-chaser was approaching
TRUK LAGOON unloaded, but missed. Nowake fled at Truk Lagoon from the north when it was
February 17-18, 1944 flank speed and escaped to Yokosuka, discovered and sunk by U.S. Aircraft.
at the entrance to Tokyo Bay.
MAIKAZE & NOWAKE 389' (119m), 2,490-ton Kagero class Destroyers CH 24, a small sub-chaser was discovered
by the same patrolling aircraft that had just
put down SHONAN MARU NO. 15. Having
BsbmeUeaRnlNldSsah.mipagwedasbytthheenatstaucnkkinbgyairtchreaftU, tShSe

KATORI 423' (129m), 5890-ton Katori class Cruiser SHIGURE & HURUSAME, a pair of
JAPANESE CONVOY No. 4215 Japanese destroyers, MAIKAZE and Japanese destroyers were attacked by
NOWAKE, Light Cruiser KATORI, and Armed Merchant Cruiser AKAGI MARU aircraft in the northern part of Truk Lagoon,
attempted to convoy out of Truk Lagoon on the morning of February 17, 1944. U.S. and then just outside of North Pass. Both
Aircraft strafed these ships just inside of North Pass, but were met with anti-aircraft fire. escaped.
The ships were again attacked northwest of the pass, with Katori being torpedoed and
bombed, stopping dead in the water. Maikaze was also bombed and strafed, stopping BVoaultigmhot rOeSa2ftUer Kingfisher aircraft is brought onto USS
hNbeoErmWabdiJnvEgaRnaScneEd.YtoA&rkpUaegSdiSoMeIsOa,rWualAwl waasrhriiblveoemdfiebaceneddlyiamfnirmdinesgduiananktet.il-yaSisrocumrnakefththgoeuwnM,sNa. iokwBazaaekttel&eseKhluaipdtoserdiU, tbShuSet the rescue of Lt. Goorge M. Blair (seated
the fighting, fleeing Nowake drew away, even under fire by 16-inch guns. Nowake in back) on Feb. 18, 1944. Radioman, ARMC Reuben F.
escaped. Hickman is on the wing hooking the hoist, while pilot
UDSenSveErsFs.exBahxatderbweaeints.shoBtladiro'swnF6bFy Hellcat from the
AKAGI MARU 463' (141m), 7,398-ton Cargo Ship Pis Tonelik Ushi Island Passage anti-aircraft fire.
U.S. aircraft, submarines or boats rescued almost every
airman who was shot down over Truk Lagoon.
PasNsoartghe
07040'N Ushi Passage 07040'N

Alanenkobwe Ebaritte
Lamoil Passage
Ruac
Tora Island

Tora Holap

HEIAN MARU Falalu OITE 327' (100m), 1,523-ton Kamikaze Class Destroyer built AIKOKO MARU 492' (150m), 10,437-ton Ex-Armed Merchant Cruiser
510' (155m), 11,614-ton Passenger-Cargo Ship was built in in 1924 in Tokyo. In February 1944 Oite was on her way to & Raider never worked as an African-Japan ocean liner as intended. She
1930 at a cost of $15,000,000. On her maiden voyage she set a trans-Pacific Japan from Truk with the Agano, and a U.S. Submarine and two sister ships were Japan's best, able to cruise at 17 knots and out-
speed record on a trip to Seattle with passengers traveling in English-style torpedoed the Agano. Survivors were brought aboard the Oite, distance most ships of her time. Pressed into naval service, an unknown
B1tluh7uxe,nus1kru9ye.p4re4HSrashilltedrsuiwcvcoeatursberocedmoinnnbevaeaerrfrifemtreroidysmisinnetfthesoe,ranbUouNS.taSdOvaYynmostrahukgebtoem1wd8anttrhhiCnetewVsot1he0itnpohd.ripetTernhdieneoa1srb9htoh4ipme1wb.beoaOrwssntefhFrxeoepnmblohrUuditaSinbrSgyy and the Oite was ordered to return to Truk while the Agano Avenger either bombed her or crashed into her forward hold setting off a
sank. The Oite arrived on February 18th, 1944 while Truk was magazine explosion so violent that she was obliterated from midships forward
under attack, and was struck amidships by a torpedo. The and she sank in seconds.
destroyer was blown in half and immediately sank.

A Historical Account of Avenger torpedo bombers, which caused an explosion, sinking the ship.

"OPERATION HAILSTONE" FUJISAN MARU 512' (156m), 9,524-ton Naval Tanker was one of the MOMOKAWA MARU 354' (108m), 3,829- Northeast Is.
February 17-18, 1944 largest ships in Truk Lagoon at the onset of Operation Hailstone. It appears ton Cargo Ship built in 1940 for transport of
that Fujisan Maru was under way, with her anchors up, and outside of the Siberian timber. Since the route is icy, she was NIPPO MARU 354' (107m), 3,764-ton Passenger-Cargo
TRIBUTE TO KIMIUO AISEK When crowded anchorages. Nevertheless, she suffered severe athwartship bomb reenforced with steel, essentially making her Ship was launched in Kobe, Japan in 1936. In 1941 Nippo
Operation Hailstone unfolded on February 17- damage, mostly on the aft end port side, and went down in a hurry. armor plated. She was requisitioned by the Maru was requisitioned by the Japanese Navy for transport.
18, 1944, Truk native Kimiuo Aisek was there to Japanese Navy in 1943. Momokawa Maru was On February 17, 1944 she was at anchor, carrying water,
eyewitness the terrifying events. The 17 year- bombed on February 17, 1944, but was not in firewood, troop armaments, a battle tank and a truck to various
old became a walking history of the battle, and danger of sinking until it was struck again the next pPoaucnifidcbIsolmanbdssf.roSmhTeBwFaAsvseentgaebrlsafzreomantdhesuCnakrrbieyraEtsrsioexo.f 500-
he knew every event of the attack. Years later day by a 1,000-lb bomb amidships which caused
Kimiuo's memory came in handy as he began TONAN MARU 3 535' (163m) 19,209-ton Tanker was built in 1938 as a a huge fire and explosion. The Momokawa Maru
scuba diving and finding the shipwrecks in the whaling factory, but was converted into a tanker for war use. She was the burned as she sank stern first.
lagoon. Kimiuo gained legendary fame as a largest ship sunk in Truk Lagoon. Tonan Maru 3 was attacked several times
great fisherman and a dive master, the founder itnhethUeSySeaTrisnobseafo, rthei,sbpurtimmeostatlrygbeet cdaidunsoetogfoedigohwt nd.efAemcteivreictaonrptoerdpoeedsofidreedsigbny Buet
of the Truk Lagoon (Chuuk) underwater diving had to be corrected because of this failure. However, the damaged ship was
industry. He is called the greatest diver in the in Truk Lagoon being used as a refueling station when attacked and finally
Pacific, a great man of the sea with a big heart. sunk, with the loss of 315 lives. Oddly, in 1951, she was refloated, fixed,
towed back to Japan, and again became a whaling factory.

Fanuet KATSURAGISAN MARU 285' (87m), 2,427-
Fanamar ton Cargo Ship was formerly a tramper serving the
China trade. Requisitioned by Japan's Navy on
December 17, 1943, she was promptly loaded with
war materials and headed for Truk Lagoon via the
Northeast Pass. Unfortunately, on January 7, 1944
she hit a mine intended to protect from enemy
invasion and sank with the loss of five crewmen.

SEIKO MARU 394' (120m), 5,385-ton Cargo Ship was SAN FRANCISCO MARU 385' (117m), 5,831- Mor Northeast Passage
YAMAGIRI MARU 439' (134m) 6,438-ton passenger-cargo ship, built for world-wide cargo hauling, but she was brought into ton Passenger-Cargo Ship was built in 1919 as part of a KATSURGISAN
the Navy for auxiliary duties, serving Japan's conquests in fleet involved in world trade operations. She arrived in
tbhueiltsiunb1m9a3r8in, we aUsSeSn Droruutme ,towPhaiclhaufiirnedAutwguostto1rp9e4d3oaensd. was located by SsthuteervePilvahecediafidca,. ttTwahhcikiscshshbliipystpesrdouvbSemedaikvroeinreyMsdaifrUfuicSuaSlst toPcoognyquaenrdasUsShSe Truk on February 5, 1944. After escaping her inevitable MARU
07030'N The ship was officially "known 07030'N
heavily damaged and was taken to Rabaul, New Guinea for repairs, and demise on day one of Operation Hailstone, on February
18, 1944 she was struck bEysssiexx5,0a0ft-elbr bombs dropped by
then to Truk. She would remain under repair for two months until fsFouelnlbokrwu" eaodrnybJyu1al7yf,t3e1r1n,9o19o94n43ab.tytaAcafktiesrcrbrmyafabt sosmfrivobemermsUofrrSonmSingUEaSntSttaeEcrpksrssiseoexn,, aircraft from the Carrier which she burned Sand I.
OH1,ip0lle0Cr0aV-tl1ibo7na, nrHedsaouilnlstitenogn5e0in.0a-lObhunbgoFemeebbx,rpubloaysryCiou1nr8ati,ns1dH9fei4rle4ld. sivShehereswsfaraosnmksrtUarupSciSdklyBb.yunokneer Osakura
and sank. Five crewmen were killed.

she still remained afloat, finally sinking the next day, with Falo
the loss of only one man.
Scheiben
Aga

NAGANO MARU 345' (105m), 3,824-ton passenger-
cargo ship received bomb damage in Cebu, Philippines in
April 1942, but was repaired and in action again between
Allei Reef Moen No. 1 JfraopmanthaenCd aSrirniegraEposrsee.x Finally, she was the target of planes
Airfield on February 17 and 18, 1944. On
February 17th she was struck by at least two 500-lb bombs,
I-169 SUBMARINE 337' (103m), 1,400- Moen and the next day was struck by two 500-lb bombs, one
ton Cruiser-Submarine launched on February Shiki Islands amidships and one on the stern. When the planes departed,
15th, 1934 and one of a class of six. This Small I. fires aboard were raging aboard the doomed ship.
FUMITSUKI 320' (98m), 1,913-ton Mutsuki Class Destroyer built Faleallej Passage submarine was present at the attack on Pearl
in 1926 was one of only two real Navy ships in Truk Lagoon. She was SHINKOKU MARU 500' (152m), 10,102-ton Naval Tanker was built in Harbor December 7th, 1941. On April 2nd,
capable of over 33 knots fully loaded, but was under repair at the time 1940 and was one of eight tankers refueling the ships used for the Japanese 1944 while in Truk an air raid took place, and
of her demise, when around the middle of the day on February 17, attack on Pearl Harbor. In August, 1942 a US submarine torpedoed her, but the submarine submerged. Afterward it failed
1944, three 500-lb bombs were dropped on her as she tried to evade. the damage was minor enough for repairs. In July, 1943 she was torpedoed to resurface, and a diver discovered that the
The ship was engulfed in flames and began to sink and list to port. again, but was repaired in just five weeks. She met her fUinSaSl mYoartkcthowonn upper valve of the storm ventilation tube in the
She dropped anchors, but went down by the next morning. CFeVb1r0uahriyt 17, 1944 when a Dauntless dive bomber from the aft part of the conning tower was open a couple
her amidships, and then the next morning she was torpedoed by of inches. Attempts to raise the sub failed, and
Grumman Avengers, which opened a huge hole into her engine room. At last the crew suffocated to death. Bush I.

Lelom Reef she went down.

Lelom Passage Kuli Ulalu JILL 1 KAITEN (1-man sub)

FUMITSUKI Herit REIYO MARU 400' (122m), 5.446-ton Passenger-Cargo
Ship served from Tokyo to New York beginning in 1920, but was
Faleosicz Moen No. 2 Fighter & FUJISAN
Seaplane Base MARU
(South Field) assigned for Army troop transfers. Her assignment for Navy
Fanufan Reef SHINKOKU MARU COMBINED FLEET ANCHORAGE EboISatEs Nwe7re61bo&thFCUoTmAbiGneAdMSIalTvahgeeseTtuwgos, use began in late 1943, as she was carrying miscellaneous
Battleships - Carriers - Destroyers - aurignnhdkotwwaefntreerrenWaosotorsnldusnWtkhaedrsuIerIinewgnedbreeadtbt.loet.h Fsocur ttled provisions, tools, bombs, coal, landing craft and passengers to
Eiol Submarines - Heavy & Light Cruisers TIt1no7rtusr,eku1pbL9imad4g,4aowroisnhhneiecaUhswSpsaSeastrSthhonieftarapbapcyboeAlnra.mvzoEeey.ariwrclaMyhniiucnhldttihilpvoelesemt baeooxsrmphnliiobpnsegdirousonrnifsnrFogoemctbhcreUuuratSerriSdpy
when the munitions hold caught fire. She sank two days later.
I-169 SUBMARINE Eight crewmen were killed.

Shichiyo Islands Udot YAMAGIRI MARU HEIAN
Tol Fala-Baguets TONAN MARU 3

KENSHO MARU 384' (116m), 4,862-ton Passenger-Cargo TACHI MARU MARU NIPPO MARU
ship was struck by a bomb and set afire in December, 1943 in
Kwajalein Lagoon, at which time she was run aground to keep Pata REPAIR ANCHORAGE KENSHO MARU Dublon AIKOKO MARU
afbFrnooedmmbrUbusSaindrSkyrioBn1pgu8p.n,ek1Ode9nr4bH4Fy,iellabaCirriucVrcar1arra7yftfat1frt7otfa,rmoc1mk9Ue4Sd4UStshShEeSenKwtYeeanorpssrkrhhitsooitewMo, nnUatrShuCSe.VsAM1t0etoo.rnnrpteberOydeoany EISEN 761
hit amidships, and she promptly sank. KIYOSUMI MARU MOMOKAWA MARU
Piaanu Passage SAPPORO MARU FUTAGAMI JILL 2 REIYO MARU
PATROL JUDY
Param HOYO MARU BOAT 34 SEIKO NAGANO MARU
MARU SHOTAN MARU

Param Airstrip EMILY (Flying Boat) ZERO 3 OJIMA
KIKUKAWA MARU
ZERO 1 ZERO 2 Eten Airfield
HOKI MARU