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| IJA Yoshida Maru No 1-class cargo ship 5,870 Tons 400' x 53' x 29' 4" |
Ship History Built by Asano Ship Building Company in Tsurumi. Laid down 1918 as the third ship of the Yoshida Maru No 1-class cargo ship. Launched 1919 as Rozan Maru. In April 1929 acquired by Karafuto Kisen Kabushiki Kaisha. In 1931 renamed Karafuto Maru. On November 22, 1937 acquired by Nissan Kissen Kabushiki Kaisha and renamed Nichiryu Maru. Requisitioned by the Imperial Japanese Army (IJA) as a transport. Wartime History On December 13, 1941 at 8:30am departs Camranh Bay with the 4th Infantry Division embarked as part of Operation "E" bound for Malaya as part of a convoy with MEIGAN MARU, KUROHIME MARU, Nikkin Maru, Ryuun Maru and Suez Maru, Tacoma Maru and Toho Maru. On December 2, 1942 departs Saeki as part of No. 8 Military Movement convoy "E" with Sumatra Maru, Chifuku Maru, Bandoeng Maru escorted by minelayer NUWAJIMA and patrol boat PB-31. On January 5, 1943 at noon, part of a convoy with the Imperial Japanese Army 51st Division embarked that departs Rabaul bound for Lae as part of Operation 18. The convoy is comprised of Clyde Maru, Brazil Maru, Chifuku Maru and Myoko Maru escorted by DesDiv 17's destroyers Maikaze and Urakaze, Tanikaze, Isokaze and Hamakaze. The convoy will proceed around the southern coast of New Britain bound for Lae. On January 6, 1943 in the morning the convoy was spotted by the Allies. During the daylight hours, covered by Ki-43 Oscars from 11th Hiko Sentai (11th Flying Regiment) flying continous cover. At 10:40am the first attacks commenced east of Gasmata by a B-24 and B-17 that were driven away. An hour later shadowed by another B-17 and attacked by three bombers. Later, a B-24D "Cowtown's Revenge" 41-23750 shadowed for an hour then attempted a bomb run and was damaged and driven away. At 3:30pm targeted by five B-26s from 22nd Bomb Group (22nd BG) and bombed as the convoy returned anti-aircraft fire and zigzagged as defending Ki-43 Oscars intercepted damaging B-26 "Shittenengitten" 40-1404. Two hours later, intercepted by more B-17s and P-38s from 39th Fighter Squadron (39th FS) and were intercepted. Finally, attacked by seven P-38s armed with a single 1,000 pound bomb. One of the fighters aimed at Nichiryu Maru and the bomb landed 30 meters off the port side causing a large waterspout but did not inflict any damage. Others strafed causing deck casualties aboard Chifuku Maru. The P-38s were then intercepted by escorting Oscars from the 3rd Chutai. Sinking History On January 7, 1943 in the early morning hours, RAAF PBY Catalina pilot FtLdr David Vernon from No. 11 Squadron spotted the convoy steaming in a line and approached from astern and bombs the second to last ship from 4,000' and released four 250 pound bombs and scored two direct hits and possibly two near misses on Nichiryu Maru. In the darkness, the Japanese mistook the Catalina for a B-17. Damaged, Nichiryu Maru sank within a few hours at approximately 4:30am at roughly Lat 06°30'S, Long 149°00'E south of Arawe. Lost in the attack and sinking were 361 soldiers and all the cargo. Rescue Afterwards, destroyers Maikaze and Urakaze rescue hundreds of survivors. Also, Hamakaze rescued others. Diverted I-25 rescued 117 survivors and transports them back to Rabaul. In total 739 of the 1,100 soldiers embarked were rescued but many were injured or failed to reach Lae. References South Pacific Air War (2024) by Richard Dunn pages 99 (map), 109 (January 6, 1943 attacks), 110 (January 7, 1943 sinking), 111, 112, 113, 116, 125, 126, 130, 135, 144, 169, 313 Contribute
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