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| IJN Cargo 5,493 Tons |
Ship History Built by J. Coughlan & Sons, in Vancouver Canada. Laid down 1919 a Yard No. 15 as a 5,493 Ton cargo vessel for Canadian Western Steamship, Ltd., Vancouver. Launched 1920 as Margaret Coughlan. Completed June 1920. In 1924 sold to Atlantic SS Co. Ltd. in Vancouver. In 1926, sold to Sheridan SS Co. Ltd. in London and renamed Chilcop. Next, in 1928 sold to Chile Steamship Co. Inc. in New York. In 1936 sold to T. K. King in Cheefoo, China and renamed Shun Hwa. During 1938 purchased by Asashi Shoki K.K. of Tokyo and renamed Kyokusei Maru. In 1940 sold to Daoru merchant ship of Tokyo. In June 1941 after a company merger transfered to Daido Shipping of Kobe. Wartime History On October 31, 1941 requisitioned by the Imperial Japanese Army (IJA) and converted into a troop transport with Army No. 776. On February 19, 1942 departs Jolo as part of a 39 ship transport convoy with escorts for "Operation J" the invasion of eastern Java transporting the 48th Division, 2nd Section divded aboard six ships including Kyokusei. On March 1, 1942 at 1:20am begins landing west of Surabaya on Java. PARTIAL HISTORY During late February 1943 embarks infantry guns and mortars, trucks, landing craft, ammunition, fuel drums and soldiers from the Imperial Japanese Army (IJA) 115th Infantry Regiment soldiers including Commanding Officer (C.O.) Major Nishikawa. On February 28, 1943 departs Rabaul for "Operation 81" as part of a reinforcement convoy of eight transports escorted by eight destroyers bound for Lae. The eight transports include Kyokusei Maru, Aiyo Maru, Oikawa Maru, Teiyo Maru, Taimei Maru, Sin-ai Maru, Kembu Maru and Nojima Maru. Escorted by eight destroyers: Tokitsukaze (aboard Lt. General Hatazō Adachi commander 18th Army) Yukikaze (aboard was Lt. General Hidemitsu Nakano, commander 51st Division), Shirayuki (aboard was Rear Admiral Masatomi Kimura), Arashio, Asashio, Asagumo, Shikinami and Uranami. On March 1, 1943 the Japanese convoy was spotted by B-24D "Miss Deed" 41-24070 off Kimbe Bay and immediately radioed a report and shadowed the convoy. Afterwards, B-24D piloted by Lt. George W. Shaffer continued to shadow and and made the first bombing attack overnight. Sinking History On March 2, 1943 at the start of the Battle of the Bismarck Sea at 8:00am targeted by a formation of B-17 Flying Fortresses from 43rd Bomb Group (43rd BG) that bomb and score two bomb hits on the ship. At 9:26am sinks at roughly Lat 6° 40' S Long 147° 10E off Cape Gloucester as the first ship in the Japanese convoy. Aboard, one crew member and 485 troops were killed in the bombing and sinking. Rescue Afterwards, destroyers Yukikaze and Asagumo rescue 800 survivors and 110 fuel drums and disembarks them at Lae. References Combined Fleet - Kyokusei Maru Tabular Record of Movement Battle of the Bismarck Sea (1991) by Lex McAulay Contribute
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