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  Aden Maru
IJA
Cargo

5,860 Tons



Ship History
Built by Kawasaki Dockyard as yard no. 459 for the Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha Ltd. (K Line). Laid down March 31, 1919. Launched June 16, 1919 as Aden Maru. Completed July 8, 1919 and entered service as a cargo ship between 1919 to 1924 operating between Japan, Hamburg, Cardiff and New York.

Wartime History
During October 1914, requisitioned by the Japanese Army as a troop transport.

PARTIAL HISTORY

On July 20, 1943 Aden Maru departs Palau as part of "Hansa No. 5" arrives at Hansa Bay. The convoy also includes Hankow Maru, Denmark Maru, Nagano Maru, Yubae Maru and Shinto Maru No. 1 escorted by Shirataka and subchaser CH-34. On July 25, 1943 arrives Hansa Bay at 1:25am. Afterwards, departs back to Palau.

On August 20, 1943 Hankow Maru departs Palau as part of "Wewak No. 7" convoy bound for Wewak. The convoy also includes transports Aden Maru, Nagano Maru, Nagato Maru, Shinyu Maru and Yubae Maru escorted by subchasers CH-26 and CH-34. Three days later, the convoy was recalled back to Palau due to enemy activity over Wewak.

On August 28, 1943 Hankow Maru is loaded with troops and supplies at Palau and departs as part of "Wewak No. 7" convoy bound for Wewak. The convoy also includes transports Nagato Maru, Shinyu Maru escorted by subschasers CH-26 and CH-34.

On September 2, 1943 the convoy anchors at 1:45am in Wewak Harbor and Boram Bay off Wewak. While anchored, a barrage balloon was tethered above the vessels to protect it from low level attack. That morning, B-25D Mitchell from the 38th Bombardment Group escorted by P-38 Lightnings from the 8th Fighter Group, 80th Fighter Squadron. During the attack, Aden Maru is targeted and suffers twenty-three soldiers and two crew killed. Afterwards, returned to Palau.

On September 19, 1943 departs Palau as part of "Wewak No. 9" convoy along with Taisei Maru, Yasukuni Maru escorted by subchasers CH-26 and CH-32. On September 23, 1943 arrives off Wewak and unloads cargo then departs the next day for Palau.

On September 27, 1943 attacked "Wewak No. 9" convoy is attacked by B-25 Mitchells from the 3rd Bombardment Group.

PARTIAL HISTORY

Sinking History
On May 6, 1944 part of convoy "Take No. 1"in the North Celebes Sea roughly 80 nautical miles north of Menado. USS Gurnard SS-254 spotted smoke on the horizon and tracks the convoy then fires two three torpedo salvos, hitting both Tajima Maru and Aden Maru that quickly sinks at roughly Lat 2°  42N Long 124°  7E. Lost aboard Aden Maru are 499 troops, four gunners and twelve crew members.

References
Combined Fleet - ADEN MARU: Tabular Record of Movement
Tuluvu's Air War, Chapter 5 by Richard Dunn

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Last Updated
September 19, 2022

 

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