I tried to ask this somewhere else here & didn't really have any luck finding out anything, so I will ask it here in The Pacific Section.
Has anyone heard of The Japanese Landing Craft Carrier, The Shinshu Maru & if so, what information can be revealed to me about it?
I have seen very few limited pictures and read various accounts of the ship, but I cannot find out any detailed information on it.
Can anyone provide me with assistance?
A Japanese Warship Question
-
Walter_Warlimont
- Member
- Posts: 114
- Joined: 24 May 2007, 02:59
- Location: Germany
-
ChristopherPerrien
- Member
- Posts: 7051
- Joined: 26 Dec 2002, 01:58
- Location: Mississippi
Not much.
http://forum.axishistory.com/viewtopic.php?t=103992
http://www3.plala.or.jp/takihome/Shinshu.html
As to Sealion, it was "possibly" considered by Hitler as a "viable" operation for about 3 weeks in July 1940, past that the planning and a mock build-up for the operation was continued as a ruse that worked. As to whether the Germans needed to build such specialized LSD's for a "fake" operation, I don't think they needed any.
Chris
http://forum.axishistory.com/viewtopic.php?t=103992
http://www3.plala.or.jp/takihome/Shinshu.html
As to Sealion, it was "possibly" considered by Hitler as a "viable" operation for about 3 weeks in July 1940, past that the planning and a mock build-up for the operation was continued as a ruse that worked. As to whether the Germans needed to build such specialized LSD's for a "fake" operation, I don't think they needed any.
Chris
-
Jerry Asher
- Member
- Posts: 719
- Joined: 06 Aug 2006, 03:48
- Location: California
Built in 1935 for the Imperial Japanese Army, used two false names, Fuso Maru and Ryujo Maru. Carried 20 of the Daihatsu landing craft. First observed by British in August 1937 at Daku in North China and later in November 1937 along the Yangzi river in Central China. Reportedly in Jentschura, of 12,000 tons, 492 feet 1 inch long, with a beam of 72 feet 2 inches, she drew 26feet 9inches of water and reportedly had a freeboard of 39 feet. In 1942, was apparently a victim of a Japanese torpedo during invasion of Java; was then raised and reparied. Another report--Dutch reports that she was developed from desigs of whaling ships.
http://cc.msnscache.com/cache.aspx?q=72 ... FORM=CVRE3
The large landing craft, Daihatsu Model A (Army), was probably the one that saw most service in the Pacific war. Resembling a fishing barge in appearance, it weighed 5 tons, was 50 feet long, was capable of 6 to 10 knots, and had a draft of 3 to 4 feet and a capacity of 100 to 120 men for short hauls. The "extra large" landing craft, or Tokubetsu Daihatsu, weighed 7 to 8 tons and was capable of carrying the later model tanks. Its front end could be dropped, enabling the tanks to climb in and out under their own power. http://www.warbirds.jp/kakuki/kakkan/ka ... uryu_y.htm Shinshu Maru IJA Landing Craft Carrier The Shinshu Maru was a unique ship. Shinshu Maru was the first landing craft carrier ship in the world. The ship, ready in 1935, was the first ship in the world that was especially arranged for the transport of landing vessels and troops to a landing area. She loaded Daihatsu landing craft in her hull, and launched them quickly from a gate at her stern. Daihatsu craft were also launched from gates at the side. The Shinshu Maru could carry a total of 2,200 troops, who would use landing craft to assault a beach. For this the ship had arrangements for 29 Daihatsu and 25 Shohatsu landing craft, which could be supported by four AB-Tei support vessels. Shinshu Maru was designed to load airplanes as well as landing craft and it was equipped with two catapults. The airplanes taking off the ship were planned to land on a captured airfield. However, the catapults were removed after the ship was finished and it never loaded any airplanes during its service. The reason of this is not clear, but probably because it freed more space for landing craft. One went there from that landings nevertheless would be supported by planes as from aircraft carriers or seaplane tenders. The Shinshu Maru, which was also designated as Ryujo Maru, was used for the landing operations in China and the landing on Malaya and Java of the Pacific War. During several operations the ship was used for fuelling and barge support. The second name Ryujo Maru can cause confusion with the aircraft carrier Ryujo. Curiously, the ship was sunk by the Japanese in 1942, in the battle of Sunda Strait [28 February - 1 March 1942], by torpedoes from the Fubuki torpedo-boat destroyer or the Mogami cruiser (or Mikuma). The special vessel Ryujo (Shinshu) Maru (8,160) tons sank in shallow water. Japanese losses were much heavier than "officially" admitted to by the IJN. The general conclusion is that because these ships were conducting landing operations and close into shore, many of the ships damaged and/or beached were salvaged -- and thus a true accounting may never be known. The IJN fired 87 torpedoes at the USS Houston and HMAS Perth. At most, 10 found their marks, so that left 77 torpedoes in the water (plus 4 fired from the Perth). During most of the battle, the Perth and Houston were between the landing force, and the covering force, so some (many?) of the torpedoes had an opportunity to wreak havoc in the landing area. The Japanese never admitted to losing the Ryujo Maru, which was General Imamura's flagship which, as detailed in the Nippon Times (an English language newspaper published in japan during the war). The ship was (according to Imamura's account) sunk by torpedoes from from the Houston (which wasn't possible). It is unlikely they came from Perth, so that leaves IJN long lances as the likely tools. Raised after this battle, Shinshu Maru was sunk a second time by airplanes and an American submarine in early 1945. On 02 January 1945 USS Aspro (Lt.Cdr. W.A. Stevenson) torpedoed and damaged the Japanese landing ship Shinshu Maru (8170 BRT) south of Formosa Strait in position 22.42N, 119.14E. The damaged Shinshu Maru was sunk the next day by aircraft from the US Task Force 38. After the battle by one account the ship was raised a second time by the Japaneses and transited to Japan. She was afterwards never used for its original role. After the Second World War the ship was used as one of the first ships of the Japanese commercial fleet. The totally un-related motor vessel Shinshu (Sinsyu) Maru was torpedoed and sunk by the US submarine Bergall on October 13th, 1944, off Cana, Indo-China. While operating close inshore on the morning of 13 October 1944, USS Bergall (SS-320) sighted two cargo ships farther offshore -- one estimated at about 2,000 tons and the other at about 1,000 tons -- accompanied by two small escorts. After maneuvering to seaward, the submarine fired four torpedoes at the larger target from about 2,000 yards. At that point, one of the escorts began to close Bergall rapidly. The submarine turned sharply, dived, and headed out to sea. The crew heard two loud explosions and breaking-up noises, signifying the end of Shinshu Maru, a 4,182-ton merchant tanker. Over the next five hours, Japanese forces tried to retaliate, dropping 30 depth charges and four aircraft bombs in an unsuccessful attempt to sink Bergall; patrol vessel No.7 Taiwan Maru picked up ten of Shinshu Maru’s survivors. Confusing for a lot of research workers of the Japanese Navy is the fact that some source claim that yet a third ship was also given the name Shinshu Maru. This very poorly attested merchant ship was several times larger and transported larger quantities of troops and cargo. Since the Shinshu Maru succeeded in the landing operations, the IJA built new landing craft carriers from 1939 on. There were three models, Ko, Otsu and Hei. The Imperial Japanese Army's letter sequence used for equipment modifications is Ko, Otsu, Hei, Tei, Bo, Ki, Ko, Shin, Jin and Ki [the first and seventh are different characters in writing]. They have no real alphabetic or numerical significance and are more akin to North, South, East, West in concept. Only the first four were commonly used. Model Ko was the almost same size of Shinshu Maru and loads 15 to 25 landing carfts. Five ships of Model Ko were built, of the Mayasan Maru, Kibitsu Maru and Takatsu Maru classes. The Otsu, an icebreaker, was about a half size of Model Ko. One Model Otsu was built in 1944. The Hei had a flying deck and also loaded landing craft like Model Ko. Four ships of Model Hei were built in several classes. Technical data at construction: Name: Shinshu Maru (also known as Ryujo Maru) country: Japan type: Tender for landing vessels Displacement: 8,130 ton. (standard) Length overall: 156 meters breadth: 19 meters Draft: 9 m (maximo) Propulsion: Engaged turbines, 1 axle (8,000 shp) maximum. Speed: 19 knots Armor: None arms: 4 - 75 mm Type 88 air defense guns 4 - 20 mm air anti-aircraft guns cargo: 4 AB-Tei, 29 Daihatsu landing craft, 25 Shohatsu landing craft and 2,200 troops crew: 220 officers and sailors
The large landing craft, Daihatsu Model A (Army), was probably the one that saw most service in the Pacific war. Resembling a fishing barge in appearance, it weighed 5 tons, was 50 feet long, was capable of 6 to 10 knots, and had a draft of 3 to 4 feet and a capacity of 100 to 120 men for short hauls. The "extra large" landing craft, or Tokubetsu Daihatsu, weighed 7 to 8 tons and was capable of carrying the later model tanks. Its front end could be dropped, enabling the tanks to climb in and out under their own power. http://www.warbirds.jp/kakuki/kakkan/ka ... uryu_y.htm Shinshu Maru IJA Landing Craft Carrier The Shinshu Maru was a unique ship. Shinshu Maru was the first landing craft carrier ship in the world. The ship, ready in 1935, was the first ship in the world that was especially arranged for the transport of landing vessels and troops to a landing area. She loaded Daihatsu landing craft in her hull, and launched them quickly from a gate at her stern. Daihatsu craft were also launched from gates at the side. The Shinshu Maru could carry a total of 2,200 troops, who would use landing craft to assault a beach. For this the ship had arrangements for 29 Daihatsu and 25 Shohatsu landing craft, which could be supported by four AB-Tei support vessels. Shinshu Maru was designed to load airplanes as well as landing craft and it was equipped with two catapults. The airplanes taking off the ship were planned to land on a captured airfield. However, the catapults were removed after the ship was finished and it never loaded any airplanes during its service. The reason of this is not clear, but probably because it freed more space for landing craft. One went there from that landings nevertheless would be supported by planes as from aircraft carriers or seaplane tenders. The Shinshu Maru, which was also designated as Ryujo Maru, was used for the landing operations in China and the landing on Malaya and Java of the Pacific War. During several operations the ship was used for fuelling and barge support. The second name Ryujo Maru can cause confusion with the aircraft carrier Ryujo. Curiously, the ship was sunk by the Japanese in 1942, in the battle of Sunda Strait [28 February - 1 March 1942], by torpedoes from the Fubuki torpedo-boat destroyer or the Mogami cruiser (or Mikuma). The special vessel Ryujo (Shinshu) Maru (8,160) tons sank in shallow water. Japanese losses were much heavier than "officially" admitted to by the IJN. The general conclusion is that because these ships were conducting landing operations and close into shore, many of the ships damaged and/or beached were salvaged -- and thus a true accounting may never be known. The IJN fired 87 torpedoes at the USS Houston and HMAS Perth. At most, 10 found their marks, so that left 77 torpedoes in the water (plus 4 fired from the Perth). During most of the battle, the Perth and Houston were between the landing force, and the covering force, so some (many?) of the torpedoes had an opportunity to wreak havoc in the landing area. The Japanese never admitted to losing the Ryujo Maru, which was General Imamura's flagship which, as detailed in the Nippon Times (an English language newspaper published in japan during the war). The ship was (according to Imamura's account) sunk by torpedoes from from the Houston (which wasn't possible). It is unlikely they came from Perth, so that leaves IJN long lances as the likely tools. Raised after this battle, Shinshu Maru was sunk a second time by airplanes and an American submarine in early 1945. On 02 January 1945 USS Aspro (Lt.Cdr. W.A. Stevenson) torpedoed and damaged the Japanese landing ship Shinshu Maru (8170 BRT) south of Formosa Strait in position 22.42N, 119.14E. The damaged Shinshu Maru was sunk the next day by aircraft from the US Task Force 38. After the battle by one account the ship was raised a second time by the Japaneses and transited to Japan. She was afterwards never used for its original role. After the Second World War the ship was used as one of the first ships of the Japanese commercial fleet. The totally un-related motor vessel Shinshu (Sinsyu) Maru was torpedoed and sunk by the US submarine Bergall on October 13th, 1944, off Cana, Indo-China. While operating close inshore on the morning of 13 October 1944, USS Bergall (SS-320) sighted two cargo ships farther offshore -- one estimated at about 2,000 tons and the other at about 1,000 tons -- accompanied by two small escorts. After maneuvering to seaward, the submarine fired four torpedoes at the larger target from about 2,000 yards. At that point, one of the escorts began to close Bergall rapidly. The submarine turned sharply, dived, and headed out to sea. The crew heard two loud explosions and breaking-up noises, signifying the end of Shinshu Maru, a 4,182-ton merchant tanker. Over the next five hours, Japanese forces tried to retaliate, dropping 30 depth charges and four aircraft bombs in an unsuccessful attempt to sink Bergall; patrol vessel No.7 Taiwan Maru picked up ten of Shinshu Maru’s survivors. Confusing for a lot of research workers of the Japanese Navy is the fact that some source claim that yet a third ship was also given the name Shinshu Maru. This very poorly attested merchant ship was several times larger and transported larger quantities of troops and cargo. Since the Shinshu Maru succeeded in the landing operations, the IJA built new landing craft carriers from 1939 on. There were three models, Ko, Otsu and Hei. The Imperial Japanese Army's letter sequence used for equipment modifications is Ko, Otsu, Hei, Tei, Bo, Ki, Ko, Shin, Jin and Ki [the first and seventh are different characters in writing]. They have no real alphabetic or numerical significance and are more akin to North, South, East, West in concept. Only the first four were commonly used. Model Ko was the almost same size of Shinshu Maru and loads 15 to 25 landing carfts. Five ships of Model Ko were built, of the Mayasan Maru, Kibitsu Maru and Takatsu Maru classes. The Otsu, an icebreaker, was about a half size of Model Ko. One Model Otsu was built in 1944. The Hei had a flying deck and also loaded landing craft like Model Ko. Four ships of Model Hei were built in several classes. Technical data at construction: Name: Shinshu Maru (also known as Ryujo Maru) country: Japan type: Tender for landing vessels Displacement: 8,130 ton. (standard) Length overall: 156 meters breadth: 19 meters Draft: 9 m (maximo) Propulsion: Engaged turbines, 1 axle (8,000 shp) maximum. Speed: 19 knots Armor: None arms: 4 - 75 mm Type 88 air defense guns 4 - 20 mm air anti-aircraft guns cargo: 4 AB-Tei, 29 Daihatsu landing craft, 25 Shohatsu landing craft and 2,200 troops crew: 220 officers and sailors
-
Walter_Warlimont
- Member
- Posts: 114
- Joined: 24 May 2007, 02:59
- Location: Germany
I'm Curious
Is this everything that can be told about The Shinshu Maru in English?????
SHINSHU Maru AKA "Ryujo Maru"
Hello,
I have a good ATIS translation of a Japanese first person account of the invasion of Java aboard this vessel. Describes the landings, encounter with PERTH & HOUSTON, the sea battle, and eventual sinking of the transport plus subsequent IJA operations in the seizure of Java. I also own a couple of photos of the ship off Bantam Bay after she was sunk...
I have a good ATIS translation of a Japanese first person account of the invasion of Java aboard this vessel. Describes the landings, encounter with PERTH & HOUSTON, the sea battle, and eventual sinking of the transport plus subsequent IJA operations in the seizure of Java. I also own a couple of photos of the ship off Bantam Bay after she was sunk...
during its action in Hangchow Bay landing (August 1937), Shinshu Maru installed a false funnel, which was removed from battleship Hyuga during its refit, as camouflage of the huge hangar (which was designed to carry around 12 to 17 fighters and light bombers, which can take off from the ship).
like the latter Yamato class battleship, Shinsho Maru was one of the top secrets of IJA. And its hangar and catapults were "secret of all secrets". It's so secret that IJA finally removed catapults in 1934, soon after a succesful catapult launch test in Hiroshima Bay. All (six?) type 91 fighters it carried took off safely and landed on land air base.
It has two code names, GL Maru (God Land Maru, God Land is the translation of Shinshu), and MT Maru (named after two IJA lieut generals, Matsuda and Tajiri, who were in charge of the transportation department of Ministy of Army). The secret was kept so well that today even Japanese could only guess some figures, like dimensions -- the army officer who was supervisor of the construction of Shinshu Maru said in 1965 that the length was 146m, Harima Shipbuilding, the builder, said the length was 144m, in its "The History of 50 years of the Harima Shipbuilding"
Shinshu Maru has very shallow draught (5m) beacuse IJA planned use it in the invasion of Philippines, where has a lot of wide but shallow beaches. IJA even concerned it very seriously that use it for the future invasion of United States.
regards
like the latter Yamato class battleship, Shinsho Maru was one of the top secrets of IJA. And its hangar and catapults were "secret of all secrets". It's so secret that IJA finally removed catapults in 1934, soon after a succesful catapult launch test in Hiroshima Bay. All (six?) type 91 fighters it carried took off safely and landed on land air base.
It has two code names, GL Maru (God Land Maru, God Land is the translation of Shinshu), and MT Maru (named after two IJA lieut generals, Matsuda and Tajiri, who were in charge of the transportation department of Ministy of Army). The secret was kept so well that today even Japanese could only guess some figures, like dimensions -- the army officer who was supervisor of the construction of Shinshu Maru said in 1965 that the length was 146m, Harima Shipbuilding, the builder, said the length was 144m, in its "The History of 50 years of the Harima Shipbuilding"
Shinshu Maru has very shallow draught (5m) beacuse IJA planned use it in the invasion of Philippines, where has a lot of wide but shallow beaches. IJA even concerned it very seriously that use it for the future invasion of United States.
regards
I can't add anything beyond what is at this link:
http://pwencycl.kgbudge.com/S/h/Shinshu_Maru_class..htm
http://pwencycl.kgbudge.com/S/h/Shinshu_Maru_class..htm