Loss of Seaplane Tender Sanyo Maru

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rjl3
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Loss of Seaplane Tender Sanyo Maru

#1

Post by rjl3 » 30 Apr 2023, 01:01

Sanyo Maru arrived in Manila on May 18 in convoy HI-63. She departed for Cebu on the 21st. She departed Cebu on the 24th headed for Kau.

Her escort was destroyer Akikaze. Does anyone know when Akikaze joined? I don't think it was from Cebu - more likely from Davao or thereabouts.

Sanyo was torpedoed and sunk on the 26th by USS Cabrillo northwest of Menado.

2 Ships were ordered to the disaster scene to assist with survivors and to hunt for the sub:

CH 50
Minatsuki

does anyone know where these 2 departed from to come to the disaster scene? Where did Akikaze go next?

Thanks,
Ralph

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fontessa
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Re: Loss of Seaplane Tender Sanyo Maru

#2

Post by fontessa » 30 Apr 2023, 02:00

rjl3 wrote:
30 Apr 2023, 01:01
Sanyo Maru arrived in Manila on May 18 in convoy HI-63. She departed for Cebu on the 21st. She departed Cebu on the 24th headed for Kau.

Her escort was destroyer Akikaze. Does anyone know when Akikaze joined? I don't think it was from Cebu - more likely from Davao or thereabouts.

Sanyo was torpedoed and sunk on the 26th by USS Cabrillo northwest of Menado.

2 Ships were ordered to the disaster scene to assist with survivors and to hunt for the sub:

CH 50
Minatsuki

does anyone know where these 2 departed from to come to the disaster scene? Where did Akikaze go next?

Thanks,
Ralph
Sanyo Maru had been converted into Specially Established Transporter on 1 October 1943.

According to Sanyo Maru Action Report;
(1) She departed Manila with 10th Kaibokan on May,21st.
(2) Shi sank on 26th.
(3) 10th Kaibokan rescued the survivors.
Passengers 23/600 missing
All 212 crew members rescued
No description of DD Akikaze.

Additional Info
According to DD Akikaze Wartime Diary;
She was under full painting of the outer side on June,1st at Maizuru Port.
And under ammunition loading on June,2nd at Maizuru Port.
She was under heavy equipment loading on June,5th at Tokuyama Port.
So I don't think she was near Sanyo Maru on May,26.

See pages 68 - 72 of Sanyo Maru Action Report;
https://www.jacar.archives.go.jp/aj/met ... 8030661300

fontessa


rjl3
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Re: Loss of Seaplane Tender Sanyo Maru

#3

Post by rjl3 » 30 Apr 2023, 19:05

Fontessa-San
Thank you for the detailed response.

I must have been half-asleep and got confused over Sanyo Maru getting attacked on APRIL 25th enroute Saipan to Yokosuka. Escort was Akikaze.
Culprit was most likely USS Sawfish. no damage. apparently CH 50 and Minatsuki joined.

Can you please point me (reference #) to the Akikaze Wartime Diary? do you know when she arrived at Maizuru?
Thanks again!
Ralph

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fontessa
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Re: Loss of Seaplane Tender Sanyo Maru

#4

Post by fontessa » 30 Apr 2023, 22:13

Please put together below pieces I found.

According to Sanyo Maru, Action Report pages 60 - 61, her moves in April were;
Saipan - Meleon Island: April 7th - 11th-
Meleon Island - Saipan: 13th - 17th
* Saipan - Yokosuka: 21th - 26th
* There is no description of an escort destroyer and a torpedo attack (by USS Sawfish)
* According to Japanese Wiki, on April 22nd, DD Akikaze left Saipan and arrived in Yokosuka on April 26th.

Not so good English translation of 特設艦船 Tokusetsu Kansen discriptiom
19.04.25: Yokosuka Distinct Confidential Telegram 横鎮電令作 YokochinDenreiSaku No. 316:
1. Sanyo Maru, Minazuki, Akikaze 0720/25th were under attacking of an enemy submarine that had launched torpedoes at the 80°60° point of Sofuiwa
2. The 50th Submarine Chaser should cancel its current mission and rush to the site of the previous item to cooperate with Minazuki's action.
19.04.25: Yokosuka Distinct Confidential Telegram 横鎮電令作 YokochinDenreiSaku No. 317:
1. Joined the Sanyo Maru convoy as a temporary escort unit.
2. The commander of the KO Direct Escort Force sent Minazuki and CH50 to attack the enemy submarine in the waters south of Sofugan.
  Ordered Sanyo Maru and DD Akikaze to act correctly and head for Yokosuka.

rjl3 wrote:
30 Apr 2023, 19:05
Can you please point me (reference #) to the Akikaze Wartime Diary? do you know when she arrived at Maizuru?

Ralph
The Akikaze Wartime Diary from June onwards is here.
There are no pages before May.
https://www.jacar.archives.go.jp/aj/met ... 8030149000
DD Akizuki arrived at Yokosuka on April 26th. And she moved to Maizuru in April and changed her affiliation from Yokosuka Distinct to Maizuru Distinct on May 1.

fontessa

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ijnfleetadmiral
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Re: Loss of Seaplane Tender Sanyo Maru

#5

Post by ijnfleetadmiral » 01 May 2023, 15:33

What I have for her at the time of her loss:

SANYO MARU
Commanding Officer: CAPT MORI Ryo (38)
Chief Engineer: LT (Res.) MAMI Minoru
Surgeon: LT (Med.) / LCDR (Med.)* MIYAMOTO Shunji (1942) (KIA)

And AKIKAZE's command structure at this time:

AKIKAZE
Commanding Officer: LCDR YAMAZAKI Nitaro (58)
Torpedo Officer: LTJG MIKI Shigehisa (71)
Gunnery Officer: LTJG (S.D.) HATAKEYAMA Toyohide
Navigator: LT (Res.) KISHII Koji
Chief Engineer: LT (S.D.) KOGUCHI Shigeru
MSG, MS State Guard (Ret.) - First Always!

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