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| IJN Cargo Taiyo Class Escort Carrier 6,143 Tons (as built) 17,830 ( carrier) 435' x 66' x 32' (as built) 569'x73'10"x25'5" (carrier) none (as built) (escort carrier 1943) 4 x 120mm guns 8 x 25mm AA guns 9 x fighters 18 x bombers   NYK 1941 |
Ship History Yawata Maru 八幡丸 named after a Shinto Shrine. Built in by Mitsubishi Shipbuilding & Engineering Co. at Nagasaki. Laid down December 14, 1938. Launched October 31, 1939. Owned by Nippon Yusen Kaisha Line (NYK) as a cargo and passenger vessel. Departed on her maiden voyage on July 31, 1940 providing service to the United States including San Francisco until 1941. At the start of the Pacific War, requisitioned by the Japanese Navy. Initially, the ship was initially aassigned for transporting prisoners of war. Rebuilt at Kure Naval Yard as a Taiyo class escort carrier during November 25, 1941 - May 31, 1942 with a flight deck 490' × 75' and was equipped with two elevators no island, catapults or arresting gear. Capable of carrying 9 fighters and 18 bomber aircraft. Armed with 4 x 140mm guns and 8 x 25mm anti-aircraft guns, then upgraded to 14 x 25mm anti-aircraft guns. Wartime History Departs for Yokosuka arriving July 25 then departs to Truk. On July 31, reclassified as an escort carrier and renamed Unyō 雲鷹 meaning "Hawk tear the cloud". On August 2, 1942 arrives Saipan, then departs for Rabaul. On August 6, 1942 arrives at Simpson Harbor and delivers fifteen A6M3 Model 32 Zeros to Lakunai Airfield for assignment to the 2nd Kokutai. Afterwards arrived at Ulithi on August 9 and returned to Kure on August 14 and departed on September 1 arriving at Yokosuka on September 2. Next, departs on September 4 arriving at Saipan on September 7, departing the next day and arrives at Truk on September 9. Departed bound for Kavieng and then returned to Truk. Departed on September 13 for Kure arriving September 18, escorted by Akatsuki. On September 25, 1942 departs Yokosuka and six days later arrives Truk. On October 4, 1942 departs Truk and five days later arrives Yokosuka. On October 11, 1942 departs Yokosuka and eight days later arrives Truk and the next day departs. On October 24, 1942 arrives Yokosuka and four days later departs for Truk arriving five days later. On November 3, 1942 departs Truk for Palau arriving five days later. On November 11, 1943 departs Palau and two days later arrives Davao. PARTIAL HISTORY On January 5, 1943 departs for Yokosuka, then afterwards enters dry dock at Yokohama on January 18-24 then returns to Yokosuka. On January 28, assigned to Captain Aitoku Ichiro and armament upgraded to 30 x 25mm anti-aircraft guns and eight depth charges and on February 1, 1943 departs Yokosuka and arrives at Truk on February 7. PARTIAL HISTORY On September 11, arrived at Simpsom Harbor off Rabaul and delivered ten A6M3 Model 32 Zeros to Rabaul. PARTIAL HISTORY Departs October 13 for Truk arriving October 21, then departing on October 30 for Yokosuja arriving November 5 and departs the same day with Zuihō and Chuyo back to Truk arriving on November 21. PARTIAL HISTORY On November 10, arrives at Simpsom Harbor off Rabaul with ten D3A Vals from the 956 Kokutai. PARTIAL HISTORY Contribute
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