Reinforcement to Buna

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rjl3
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Joined: 23 Aug 2008, 19:06

Reinforcement to Buna

#1

Post by rjl3 » 06 Apr 2022, 00:40

On 19 August 1942, a convoy consisting of Kiyokawa and Myoko Marus carrying the 41st Infantry Regiment (minus the 1st Battalion) departed Rabaul for Buna.

The convoy was escorted by minelayer Tsugaru and subchasers of the 32nd Submarine Chaser Squadron.

Does anyone know which subchasers these were?

Thanks,
Ralph

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wdgysin
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Location: Portage MI, USA

Re: Reinforcement to Buna

#2

Post by wdgysin » 06 Apr 2022, 07:57

rjl3;

The 32nd Subchaser Unit (第三十二駆潜隊), referred to as a Division in most sources, consisted of Ch 28, 29 and 30 and was activated 15 May, 1942 and on 19 Aug, 1942 was part of the 7th Base Force, 8th Fleet. The commanding officer of the division at the time was Cdr
Nakamata Isamu 中俣勇 (50).


rjl3
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Joined: 23 Aug 2008, 19:06

Re: Reinforcement to Buna

#3

Post by rjl3 » 06 Apr 2022, 19:45

W - thank you for this info.
Interestingly the dates for this convoy do not exactly correspond with these subchaser TROMs on Nihon Kaigun and Tokusetsukansen and then the 3 of them 'disappear' for a month or two (Sept, Oct). Wonder what they were up too and why their TROM data is lost.

Ralph

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wdgysin
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Joined: 30 Dec 2013, 09:39
Location: Portage MI, USA

Re: Reinforcement to Buna

#4

Post by wdgysin » 09 Apr 2022, 13:15

rjl3;

I've found the TROMs to be a somewhat mixed blessing; they're very good for broader information on the ships and movements but not so
good on some of the specifics. The topic is massive and the number of researchers is limited, so it's understandable.
Subchaser Units were normally assigned to convoy escort duties in the Base Force area. On 31Oct42 the 32nd SC Unit was assigned to the 1st Base Force, 8th Fleet when it was activated at Kavieng, New Ireland. On 1May43, the unit was transferred to the 4th Base Force, 4th Fleet at Truk and served under it until 10May44, when it was deactivated. The unit consisted of the same three subchasers throughout it's existence until 18Feb44, when CH 29 was lost during TF 58's attacks on Truk. After that, the unit was deactivated and the remaining subchasers were reassigned.

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