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| IJN Taifuku Maru No.1 class 5,833 Tons 117.3 x 15.5 x ?  Kawasaki 1919  DSKK Prewar |
Ship History Built by Kawasaki Dockyard Co. Ltd. at Kobe during 1919. Owned by Daiko Shosen K. K. During the Pacific War, used by the Japanese Navy as a cargo vessel. Wartime History On May 9, 1942, Kinugawa Maru was part of "Convoy 206" including Shinsei Maru, Tatsuwa Maru, Tatsuharu Maru, Senzan Maru, Nanyo Maru, Kinugawa Maru, Taisho Maru, Meiyu Maru, Wayo Maru and this ship. Escorted by Tsubame and destroyer Sanae. Sinking History On January 5, 1943 Keifuku Maru was anchored in Blanche Bay unloading supplies. By noon, most her cargo was unloaded but unloading was still underway when an enemy air raid by B-17s and B-24s commenced, targeting shipping in Blanche Bay. With little warning to get underway, one of the B-17 Flying Fortresses from the 43rd Bombardment Group (43rd BG), 64th Bombardment Squadron (64th BS) targeted Japanese ships off Kokopo including this vessel identifying it as a "cargo vessel" and bombed from roughly 8,500'. Moments later, a pair of 500 pound bombs exploded on both sides amidship, causing her plates to buckle. Aboard, one crew member was injured. Damaged by the near misses, the ship sank. References Lloyds of London - Keifuku Maru : Lloyd's Register of Ships Lloyds of London - Lloyd's Register - Keifuku Maru 1937-38 [PDF] Wreck Site - Keifuku Maru (+1943) The Lae Convoy by Richard Dunn page 7 The Search for General Walker: New Insights page 12 [PDF] by Richard Dunn Thanks to Richard Dunn for additional information Contribute
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