Operation Hailstone was a massive naval air and surface attack launched on February 17–18, 1944, during
World War IIWorld War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
by the
United States NavyThe United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
against the
JapaneseThe Empire of Japan is the name of the state of Japan that existed from the Meiji Restoration on 3 January 1868 to the enactment of the post-World War II Constitution of...
naval and air base at
TrukChuuk — formerly Truk, Ruk, Hogoleu, Torres, Ugulat, and Lugulus — is an island group in the south western part of the Pacific Ocean. It comprises one of the four states of the Federated States of Micronesia , along with Kosrae, Pohnpei, and Yap. Chuuk is the most populous of the FSM's...
in the
Caroline IslandsThe Caroline Islands are a widely scattered archipelago of tiny islands in the western Pacific Ocean, to the north of New Guinea. Politically they are divided between the Federated States of Micronesia in the eastern part of the group, and Palau at the extreme western end...
, a pre-war Japanese territory.
Background
Truk was a major Japanese logistical base as well as the operating "home" base for the
Imperial Japanese NavyThe Imperial Japanese Navy was the navy of the Empire of Japan from 1869 until 1947, when it was dissolved following Japan's constitutional renunciation of the use of force as a means of settling international disputes...
's
Combined FleetThe was the main ocean-going component of the Imperial Japanese Navy. The Combined Fleet was not a standing force, but a temporary force formed for the duration of a conflict or major naval maneuvers from various units normally under separate commands in peacetime....
. Some have described it as the Japanese equivalent of the US Navy's
Pearl HarborPearl Harbor, known to Hawaiians as Puuloa, is a lagoon harbor on the island of Oahu, Hawaii, west of Honolulu. Much of the harbor and surrounding lands is a United States Navy deep-water naval base. It is also the headquarters of the U.S. Pacific Fleet...
. The
atollAn atoll is a coral island that encircles a lagoon partially or completely.- Usage :The word atoll comes from the Dhivehi word atholhu OED...
was the only major Japanese airbase within range of the
Marshall IslandsThe Republic of the Marshall Islands , , is a Micronesian nation of atolls and islands in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, just west of the International Date Line and just north of the Equator. As of July 2011 the population was 67,182...
and was a significant source of support for Japanese garrisons located on islands and atolls throughout the central and south Pacific. The base was the key logistical and operational hub supporting Japan's perimeter defenses in the central and south Pacific.
To ensure air and naval superiority for the upcoming
invasion of Eniwetok
Admiral Raymond Spruance ordered an attack on Truk. Vice Admiral Marc A. Mitscher's Task Force 58 had five fleet
carriersAn aircraft carrier is a warship designed with a primary mission of deploying and recovering aircraft, acting as a seagoing airbase. Aircraft carriers thus allow a naval force to project air power worldwide without having to depend on local bases for staging aircraft operations...
(
EnterpriseUSS Enterprise , colloquially referred to as the "Big E," was the sixth aircraft carrier of the United States Navy and the seventh U.S. Navy ship to bear the name. Launched in 1936, she was a ship of the Yorktown class, and one of only three American carriers commissioned prior to World War II to...
,
YorktownUSS Yorktown is one of 24 s built during World War II for the United States Navy. She is named after the Battle of Yorktown of the American Revolutionary War, and is the fourth U.S. Navy ship to bear the name...
,
EssexUSS Essex was an aircraft carrier, the lead ship of the 24-ship built for the United States Navy during World War II. She was the fourth US Navy ship to bear the name. Commissioned in December 1942, Essex participated in several campaigns in the Pacific Theater of Operations, earning the...
,
IntrepidUSS Intrepid , also known as The Fighting "I", is one of 24 s built during World War II for the United States Navy. She is the fourth US Navy ship to bear the name. Commissioned in August 1943, Intrepid participated in several campaigns in the Pacific Theater of Operations, most notably the Battle...
, and
Bunker HillUSS Bunker Hill was one of 24 s built during World War II for the United States Navy. The ship, the second US Navy ship to bear the name, was named for the Battle of Bunker Hill. Bunker Hill was commissioned in May 1943, and served in several campaigns in the Pacific Theater of Operations, earning...
)
and four light carriers
(
Belleau WoodUSS Belleau Wood was a United States Navy active during World War II in the Pacific Theater, from 1943 to 1945. The ship also served in the First Indochina War under French Navy temporary service as Bois Belleau....
,
CabotUSS Cabot was an in the United States Navy, the second ship to carry the name. Cabot was commissioned in 1943 and served until 1947. She was recommissioned as a training carrier from 1948 to 1955. From 1967 to 1989, she served in Spain as '...
,
MontereyUSS Monterey was an Independence-class light aircraft carrier of the United States Navy, in service during World War II and used in training for several years thereafter....
, and
CowpensUSS Cowpens , nicknamed The Mighty Moo, was an 11,000-ton that served the United States Navy from 1943 to 1947....
),
embarking more than 500 planes. Supporting the carriers was a large fleet of seven
battleshipA battleship is a large armored warship with a main battery consisting of heavy caliber guns. Battleships were larger, better armed and armored than cruisers and destroyers. As the largest armed ships in a fleet, battleships were used to attain command of the sea and represented the apex of a...
s, and numerous
cruiserA cruiser is a type of warship. The term has been in use for several hundreds of years, and has had different meanings throughout this period...
s,
destroyerIn naval terminology, a destroyer is a fast and maneuverable yet long-endurance warship intended to escort larger vessels in a fleet, convoy or battle group and defend them against smaller, powerful, short-range attackers. Destroyers, originally called torpedo-boat destroyers in 1892, evolved from...
s,
submarineA submarine is a watercraft capable of independent operation below the surface of the water. It differs from a submersible, which has more limited underwater capability...
s, and other support ships.
Fearing that the base was becoming too vulnerable, the Japanese had relocated the aircraft carriers, battleships, and
heavy cruiserThe heavy cruiser was a type of cruiser, a naval warship designed for long range, high speed and an armament of naval guns roughly 203mm calibre . The heavy cruiser can be seen as a lineage of ship design from 1915 until 1945, although the term 'heavy cruiser' only came into formal use in 1930...
s of the
Combined FleetThe was the main ocean-going component of the Imperial Japanese Navy. The Combined Fleet was not a standing force, but a temporary force formed for the duration of a conflict or major naval maneuvers from various units normally under separate commands in peacetime....
to
PalauPalau , officially the Republic of Palau , is an island nation in the Pacific Ocean, east of the Philippines and south of Tokyo. In 1978, after three decades as being part of the United Nations trusteeship, Palau chose independence instead of becoming part of the Federated States of Micronesia, a...
a week earlier. However, numerous smaller warships and merchant ships remained in and around the anchorage and several hundred aircraft were stationed at the atoll's airfields.
Attack
The U.S. attack involved a combination of airstrikes, surface ship actions, and submarine attacks over two days and appeared to take the Japanese completely by surprise. Several daylight, along with nighttime, airstrikes employed fighters, dive bombers, and torpedo aircraft in attacks on Japanese airfields, aircraft, shore installations, and ships in and around the Truk anchorage. A force of U.S. surface ships and submarines guarded possible exit routes from the island's anchorage to attack any Japanese ships that tried to escape from the airstrikes.
In total the attack sank three Japanese
light cruiserA light cruiser is a type of small- or medium-sized warship. The term is a shortening of the phrase "light armored cruiser", describing a small ship that carried armor in the same way as an armored cruiser: a protective belt and deck...
s
(
Agano|-External links:*Tabular record:...
,
Katoriwas the lead ship of the Katori class of three light cruisers which served with the Imperial Japanese Navy during World War II. It is named after the noted Shinto shrine Katori Shrine in Chiba prefecture, Japan.-Background:...
, and
Nakawas a Sendai-class light cruiser in the Imperial Japanese Navy, named after the Naka River in the Tochigi and Ibaraki prefectures of eastern Japan.-Background:...
),
four destroyers
(
Oitewas the sixth vessel of the Kamikaze-class destroyers built for the Imperial Japanese Navy following World War I. Advanced for their time, these ships served as first-line destroyers through the 1930s, but were considered obsolescent by the start of the Pacific War.-History:Construction of the...
,
Fumizuki,
MaikazeMaikaze was a of the Imperial Japanese Navy.On 17 February 1944, while evacuating convoys to Yokosuka from Truk following Allied attack on Truk, Maikaze, the cruiser , and the auxiliary cruiser Akagi Maru were sunk by gunfire from the cruisers and 40 miles northwest of Truk...
,
and
Tachikazewas a destroyer, built for the Imperial Japanese Navy immediately following World War I. Advanced for their time, these ships served as first-line destroyers through the 1930s, but were considered obsolescent by the start of the Pacific War.-History:...
), three auxiliary cruisers (Akagi Maru, Aikoku Maru, Kiyosumi Maru), two submarine tenders (
Heian MaruHeian Maru can refer to:* SS Komagata Maru, a steamship later renamed Heian Maru, wrecked at Cape Soyedomari, Hokkaidō, on February 11, 1926* Heian Maru , lost at Truk...
, Rio de Janeiro Maru), three other smaller warships (including submarine chasers Ch-24 and Shonan Maru 15), aircraft transport
Fujikawa MaruThe Fujikawa Maru was originally built in 1938 for the Toyo Kaiun Kisen Kaisha and was requisitioned by the Imperial Japanese Navy during World War II for use as an armed aircraft transport or ferry....
, and 32 merchant ships. Some of the ships were destroyed in the anchorage and some in the area surrounding Truk lagoon. Many of the merchant ships were loaded with reinforcements and supplies for Japanese garrisons in the central Pacific area. Very few of the troops aboard the sunken ships survived and little of their cargoes were recovered. (Lindeman, 2005)
Maikaze, along with several support ships, was sunk by U.S. surface ships while trying to escape from the Truk anchorage. The survivors of the sunken Japanese ships reportedly refused rescue efforts by the U.S. ships. The cruiser
Agano|-External links:*Tabular record:...
, a veteran of the Raid on Rabaul and which was already en-route to Japan when the attack began, was sunk by a U.S. submarine, the
USS SkateUSS Skate was a United States Navy Balao-class submarine named for the skate, a type of ray.Skate was laid down at the Mare Island Naval Shipyard of Vallejo, California, 1 August 1942. She was launched on 4 March 1943, sponsored by Mrs. George P. Shamer and commissioned on 15 April with Commander...
. Oite rescued 523 survivors from the Agano and returned to Truk lagoon to assist in its defense with her anti-aircraft guns. She was sunk soon after by air attack with the Agano survivors still on board, killing all of them and all but 20 of the Oite's crew.
Over 250 Japanese aircraft were destroyed, mostly on the ground. Many of the aircraft were in various states of assembly, having just arrived from Japan in disassembled form aboard cargo ships. Very few of the assembled aircraft were able to take off in response to the U.S. attack. Several Japanese aircraft that did take off were claimed destroyed by U.S. fighters or gunners on the U.S. bombers and torpedo planes.
The U.S. lost twenty-five aircraft, mainly due to the intense anti-aircraft fire from Truk's defenses. About 16 U.S. aircrew were rescued by submarine or amphibious aircraft (several Japanese, whose crew took them prisoner). A nighttime
torpedoThe modern torpedo is a self-propelled missile weapon with an explosive warhead, launched above or below the water surface, propelled underwater towards a target, and designed to detonate either on contact with it or in proximity to it.The term torpedo was originally employed for...
attack by a Japanese aircraft from either Rabaul or
SaipanSaipan is the largest island of the United States Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands , a chain of 15 tropical islands belonging to the Marianas archipelago in the western Pacific Ocean with a total area of . The 2000 census population was 62,392...
damaged the Intrepid and killed 11 of her crew, forcing her to return to
Pearl HarborPearl Harbor, known to Hawaiians as Puuloa, is a lagoon harbor on the island of Oahu, Hawaii, west of Honolulu. Much of the harbor and surrounding lands is a United States Navy deep-water naval base. It is also the headquarters of the U.S. Pacific Fleet...
and later, San Francisco for repairs. She returned to duty in June, 1944. Another Japanese air attack slightly damaged the battleship
USS IowaUSS Iowa was the lead ship of her class of battleship and the fourth in the United States Navy to be named in honor of the 29th state...
with a bomb hit.
An aerial view of the airstrike at Truk can be seen in the U.S. Navy film
The Fighting LadyThe Fighting Lady is a documentary/propaganda film produced by the U.S. Navy.The plot of the film revolves around the life of seamen on board an anonymous aircraft carrier. Because of war time restrictions, the name of the aircraft carrier was disguised as "the Fighting Lady"; afterwards the...
.
In his autobiography Baa Baa Black Sheep, U.S. Marine Corps ace pilot Gregory "Pappy" Boyington describes his experience as a prisoner of war on the ground at Truk during the raid.
Aftermath
The attacks for the most part ended Truk as a major threat to Allied operations in the central Pacific; the Japanese garrison on Eniwetok was denied any realistic hope of reinforcement and support during the invasion that began on February 18, 1944, greatly assisting U.S. forces in their conquest of that island.
The Japanese later relocated about 100 of their remaining aircraft from
RabaulRabaul is a township in East New Britain province, Papua New Guinea. The town was the provincial capital and most important settlement in the province until it was destroyed in 1994 by falling ash of a volcanic eruption. During the eruption, ash was sent thousands of metres into the air and the...
to Truk. These aircraft were attacked by U.S. carrier forces in another attack on April 29–30, 1944 which destroyed most of them. The U.S. aircraft dropped 92 bombs over a 29 minute period to destroy the Japanese planes. The April 1944 strikes found no shipping in Truk lagoon and were the last major attacks on Truk during the war.
Truk was isolated by Allied (primarily U.S.) forces as they continued their advance towards Japan by invading other Pacific islands such as Guam, Saipan, Palau, and Iwo Jima. Cut off, the Japanese forces on Truk, like on other central Pacific islands, ran low on food and faced starvation before Japan surrendered in August 1945. (Stewart, 1986)
Truk IJN Anchorage Evacuation Log Book
Oct 31st, 1943 Truk -> Yokosuka
BB
YamashiroYamashiro was the Imperial Japanese Navy's second Fusō-class battleship, and was laid down at the Yokosuka Naval Arsenal on November 20, 1913, launched on November 3, 1915, and commissioned on March 31, 1917. She was the first Japanese vessel equipped with aircraft catapults...
BB
Ise, was the lead ship of the two-vessel Ise-class battleship of the Imperial Japanese Navy, which saw combat service during the Pacific War. Ise was named after Ise Province, one of the traditional provinces of Japan, now part of Mie Prefecture....
CV
Junyowas a of the Imperial Japanese Navy. She was laid down at Nagasaki as the passenger liner Kashiwara Maru, but was purchased by the Japanese Navy in 1941 and converted to an aircraft carrier. Completed in May 1942, the ship participated in the invasion of the Aleutian Islands the following month...
CVL
UnyoUnyō was a Taiyō-class escort carrier operated by the Imperial Japanese Navy in World War II.-Construction and conversion:The liner of the shipping line Nippon Yusen, laid down in the Mitsubishi shipyard in Nagasaki in December 1938, launched in October 1939 and commissioned in July 1940, was...
CA
Tonewas the lead ship in the two-vessel Tone-class of heavy cruisers in the Imperial Japanese Navy. It was named after the Tone River, in the Kantō region of Japan and was completed on 20 November 1938 at Mitsubishi's Nagasaki shipyards. Tone was designed for long-range scouting missions and had a...
DD
TanikazeTanikaze was a of the Imperial Japanese Navy. Her name means "Wind from the Mountain to the Valley".In June 1942 the ship participated in the battle of Midway where she was damaged by air attacks...
DD
Suzukazewas the tenth and final vessel of ten destroyers, and the fourth to be built for the Imperial Japanese Navy under the Circle Two Program .-History:...
DD
Umikazewas the seventh of ten s, and the first to be built for the Imperial Japanese Navy under the Circle Two Program .-History:...
Nov 28th, 1943 Truk -> Yokosuka
CVL
Zuihowas a light aircraft carrier of the Imperial Japanese Navy. During the Second World War, she participated in many operations, including the battles of Santa Cruz, Philippine Sea and Leyte Gulf where she was finally sunk by American aircraft.-Design:...
CVL
UnyoUnyō was a Taiyō-class escort carrier operated by the Imperial Japanese Navy in World War II.-Construction and conversion:The liner of the shipping line Nippon Yusen, laid down in the Mitsubishi shipyard in Nagasaki in December 1938, launched in October 1939 and commissioned in July 1940, was...
CVL
ChuyoChūyō was a Taiyō-class escort carrier operated by the Imperial Japanese Navy in World War II.-Construction and Conversion:The was an ocean liner of the Nippon Yusen shipping line, laid down in the Mitsubishi shipyard in Nagasaki in May 1938, launched in May 1939 and commissioned on 23 March 1940...
CA
Mayawas one of four Takao-class heavy cruisers, designed to be an improvement over the previous Myōkō-class design. These ships were fast, powerful and heavily armed, with enough firepower to hold their own against any cruiser in any other navy in the world...
DD
Akebonowas the eighteenth of twenty-four destroyers, built for the Imperial Japanese Navy following World War I. When introduced into service, these ships were the most powerful destroyers in the world...
DD
Sazanamiwas the nineteenth of twenty-four s, built for the Imperial Japanese Navy following World War I. When introduced into service, these ships were the most powerful destroyers in the world...
DD
Ushiowas the twentieth of twenty-four destroyers, built for the Imperial Japanese Navy following World War I. When introduced into service, these ships were the most powerful destroyers in the world. They served as first-line destroyers through the 1930s, and remained formidable weapons systems well...
DD
UrakazeUrakaze was a of the Imperial Japanese Navy.On 9 June 1944, she rescued 126 survivors from , including her commander Lieutenant Commander Ikeda, which was sunk by , near Tawitawi...
Dec 1st, 1943 Truk -> Sasebo
BB
Haruna, named after Mount Haruna, was a warship of the Imperial Japanese Navy during :World War I and :World War II. Designed by the British naval engineer George Thurston, she was the fourth and last battlecruiser of the , among the most heavily armed ships in any navy when built...
BB
KongoKongō was a warship of the Imperial Japanese Navy during World War I and World War II. She was the first battlecruiser of the Kongō class, among the most heavily armed ships in any navy when built. Her designer was the British naval engineer George Thurston, and she was laid down in 1911 at...
DD
MaikazeMaikaze was a of the Imperial Japanese Navy.On 17 February 1944, while evacuating convoys to Yokosuka from Truk following Allied attack on Truk, Maikaze, the cruiser , and the auxiliary cruiser Akagi Maru were sunk by gunfire from the cruisers and 40 miles northwest of Truk...
DD
Nowakiwas a Kagero-class destroyer of the Imperial Japanese Navy.On 3 March 1942 the Nowaki help sink the gunboat . In the Battle off Samar on 25 October 1944, Nowaki took part in the torpedo attack on the U.S. escort carriers and assisted in sinking of...
Dec 7th, 1943 Truk -> Kure
CV
ZuikakuZuikaku was a Shōkaku-class aircraft carrier of the Imperial Japanese Navy. Her complement of aircraft took part in the attack on Pearl Harbor that formally brought the United States into the Pacific War, and she fought in several of the most important naval battles of the war, finally being sunk...
Dec 7th, 1943 Truk -> Yokosuka
CV
Chitosewas a light aircraft carrier of the Imperial Japanese Navy during World War II. It should not be confused with the earlier cruiser of the same name. First laid down as a seaplane tender in 1934 at Kure Navy yard, the ship originally carried Kawanishi E7K Type 94 "Alf" and Nakajima E8N Type 95...
DD
Yukikazewas a in service with the Imperial Japanese Navy during World War II. She was the only member of her class to survive the war. The attrition rate of Japanese destroyers was extremely high due to heavy, prolonged combat and the need to use them to transport supplies to scattered Japanese island...
IRAKO
Dec 12th, 1943 Truk -> Yokosuka
CV
ShokakuShōkaku was an aircraft carrier of the Imperial Japanese Navy, the lead ship of her class. Along with her sister ship , she took part in several key naval battles during the Pacific War, including the attack on Pearl Harbor, the Battle of the Coral Sea and the Battle of the Santa Cruz Islands...
Jan 1st, 1944 Truk -> Yokosuka
DD Asakaze
kaibokan Manju
cable layer Hatsushima
minesweeper W-24
Yamabiko Maru
Yamakuni Maru
Keiyo Maru
Jan 10th, 1944 Truk -> Sasebo
BB
Yamato, named after the ancient Japanese Yamato Province, was the lead ship of the Yamato class of battleships that served with the Imperial Japanese Navy during World War II. She and her sister ship, Musashi, were the heaviest and most powerfully armed battleships ever constructed, displacing...
DD
Michishiowas the third of ten destroyers built for the Imperial Japanese Navy in the mid-1930s under the Circle Two Supplementary Naval Expansion Program .-History:...
DD
Asagumowas the fifth of ten destroyers built for the Imperial Japanese Navy in the mid-1930s under the Circle Two Supplementary Naval Expansion Program .-History:...
DD
Fujinamiwas a of the Imperial Japanese Navy. Her name means "Purple Wave" or "Waves of Wisterias".-Fate:In the Battle of Leyte Gulf, Fujinami escorted the 1st Diversion Attack Force, commanded by Admiral Kurita Takeo. She sustained minor damage from the air attacks on 24–25 October due to near-misses and...
Jan 18th, 1944 Truk -> Yokosuka
CV
UnyoUnyō was a Taiyō-class escort carrier operated by the Imperial Japanese Navy in World War II.-Construction and conversion:The liner of the shipping line Nippon Yusen, laid down in the Mitsubishi shipyard in Nagasaki in December 1938, launched in October 1939 and commissioned in July 1940, was...
CVL
Zuihowas a light aircraft carrier of the Imperial Japanese Navy. During the Second World War, she participated in many operations, including the battles of Santa Cruz, Philippine Sea and Leyte Gulf where she was finally sunk by American aircraft.-Design:...
DD
Hatsushimowas the fourth of six destroyers, built for the Imperial Japanese Navy under the Circle One Program . Three were laid down in JFY 1931 and the next three in JFY 1933...
DD
Wakabawas the third of six destroyers, built for the Imperial Japanese Navy under the Circle One Program . Three were laid down in JFY 1931 and the next three in JFY 1933...
Jan 19th, 1944 Truk -> Saipan
DD
Umikazewas the seventh of ten s, and the first to be built for the Imperial Japanese Navy under the Circle Two Program .-History:...
Jan 19th, 1944 Truk -> Rabaul
Kokuyo Maru
DD
MaikazeMaikaze was a of the Imperial Japanese Navy.On 17 February 1944, while evacuating convoys to Yokosuka from Truk following Allied attack on Truk, Maikaze, the cruiser , and the auxiliary cruiser Akagi Maru were sunk by gunfire from the cruisers and 40 miles northwest of Truk...
Jan 20th, 1944 Truk -> Ponape
DD
Hamanamiwas a of the Imperial Japanese Navy.On 11 November 1944, Hamanami was escorting troop convoy TA No. 3 from Manila, Philippines to Ormoc. She was sunk by aircraft of Task Force 38 in Ormoc Bay, west of Leyte , with 63 killed and 42 injured. rescued 167 survivors, including ComDesDiv 32 and...
Escort CH-39
Escort CH-24
Escort CH-30
Escort CH-33
Ogura Maru No. 3.
Jan 24th Truk -> Eniwetok
DD
Suzukazewas the tenth and final vessel of ten destroyers, and the fourth to be built for the Imperial Japanese Navy under the Circle Two Program .-History:...
Jan 25th, 1944 Truk -> Saipan
DD
Akebonowas the eighteenth of twenty-four destroyers, built for the Imperial Japanese Navy following World War I. When introduced into service, these ships were the most powerful destroyers in the world...
DD
Ushiowas the twentieth of twenty-four destroyers, built for the Imperial Japanese Navy following World War I. When introduced into service, these ships were the most powerful destroyers in the world. They served as first-line destroyers through the 1930s, and remained formidable weapons systems well...
CV
UnyoUnyō was a Taiyō-class escort carrier operated by the Imperial Japanese Navy in World War II.-Construction and conversion:The liner of the shipping line Nippon Yusen, laid down in the Mitsubishi shipyard in Nagasaki in December 1938, launched in October 1939 and commissioned in July 1940, was...
Irakowas a Japanese food supply ship, serving during the Second World War.-Construction:She was built in 1937 under the 3rd Naval Armaments Supplement Programme, in preparation for the anticipated war with the United States. She was intended to supplement the Combined Fleet's existing food supply ship...
Jan 27th Truk -> Yokosuka (convoy No. 4127)
Escort Fukue
minesweeper W-23
auxiliary subchaser Shonan Maru No. 8
Matsue Maru
Shinyo Maru
Yoshida Maru No. 3
Jan 28th Truk -> Rabaul
Hikawa Maruis a Japanese ocean liner that was built for the Nippon Yusen KK line by the Yokohama Dock Company. She was launched on 30 September 1929, and made her maiden voyage from Kobe to Seattle on 13 May 1930. She is one of three sister ships. The sister ships were named after important Shinto shrines,...
Feb 1st, 1944 Truk -> Palau
BB
NagatoNagato was a battleship of the Imperial Japanese Navy; the lead ship of her class. She was the first battleship in the world to mount 16 inch guns, her armour protection and speed made her one of the most powerful capital ships at the time of her commissioning.She was the flagship of Admiral...
BB
FusoThe Japanese battleship Fusō , was a part of the Imperial Japanese Navy, the lead ship of the Fusō-class. She was laid down by the Kure Kaigun Koshō on 11 March 1912, launched on 28 March 1914 and completed on 18 November 1915...
CA
KumanoKumano was one of four Mogami-class heavy cruiser of the Imperial Japanese Navy. She was completed at the Kawasaki Shipyard in Kobe on 31 October 1937. She displaced with a length of and a beam of , and had a top speed of...
CA
Suzuyawas the third of four vessels in the Mogami-class of heavy cruisers in the Imperial Japanese Navy. She was named after the Suzuya river on Sakhalin.-Background:...
CA
Tonewas the lead ship in the two-vessel Tone-class of heavy cruisers in the Imperial Japanese Navy. It was named after the Tone River, in the Kantō region of Japan and was completed on 20 November 1938 at Mitsubishi's Nagasaki shipyards. Tone was designed for long-range scouting missions and had a...
DD
Akizuki
DD
IsokazeIsokaze was a of the Imperial Japanese Navy. It is the second ship to carry the name after the lead ship from Isokaze-class destroyer.On 7 April 1945, Isokaze escorted the battleship from the Inland Sea on her Operation Ten-Go attack on the Allied forces on Okinawa...
DD
TanikazeTanikaze was a of the Imperial Japanese Navy. Her name means "Wind from the Mountain to the Valley".In June 1942 the ship participated in the battle of Midway where she was damaged by air attacks...
DD
Hamakazewas a of the Imperial Japanese Navy.On 7 April 1945, Hamakaze escorted the battleship from the Inland Sea on her Operation Ten-Go attack on the Allied forces on Okinawa. She was sunk by aircraft of Task Force 58 and sank 150 miles southwest of Nagasaki .-External links:**...
DD
UrakazeUrakaze was a of the Imperial Japanese Navy.On 9 June 1944, she rescued 126 survivors from , including her commander Lieutenant Commander Ikeda, which was sunk by , near Tawitawi...
Feb 3rd, 1944 Rabaul -> Truk => Beppu
Hikawa Maruis a Japanese ocean liner that was built for the Nippon Yusen KK line by the Yokohama Dock Company. She was launched on 30 September 1929, and made her maiden voyage from Kobe to Seattle on 13 May 1930. She is one of three sister ships. The sister ships were named after important Shinto shrines,...
Feb 3rd, 1944 Yokosuka -> Truk
CVL
Zuihowas a light aircraft carrier of the Imperial Japanese Navy. During the Second World War, she participated in many operations, including the battles of Santa Cruz, Philippine Sea and Leyte Gulf where she was finally sunk by American aircraft.-Design:...
Feb 5th, 1944 Truk -> Davao
DD
Ikazuchiwas the twenty-third destroyer, or the third , built for the Imperial Japanese Navy in the inter-war period. When introduced into service, these ships were the most powerful destroyers in the world...
Feb 9th, 1944 Truk -> Saipan (convoy No. 7125)
Escort Hirado
Reiyo Maru
Hanagawa Maru
Feb 10th, 1944 Truk -> Palau
CA
Atagowas one of four Takao-class heavy cruisers, designed to be an improvement over the previous Myōkō-class design. These ships were fast, powerful, and heavily armed. The Takao-class ships were approved under the 1927 fiscal year budget as part of the Imperial Japanese Navy's strategy of the Decisive...
CA
Chokai
CA
Haguro|-External reference links: -External links:**...
CA
Myokowas the name-ship of the four-member of heavy cruisers of the Imperial Japanese Navy — the other ships of the class being the Nachi, Ashigara, and Haguro....
DD
IsokazeIsokaze was a of the Imperial Japanese Navy. It is the second ship to carry the name after the lead ship from Isokaze-class destroyer.On 7 April 1945, Isokaze escorted the battleship from the Inland Sea on her Operation Ten-Go attack on the Allied forces on Okinawa...
DD
UrakazeUrakaze was a of the Imperial Japanese Navy.On 9 June 1944, she rescued 126 survivors from , including her commander Lieutenant Commander Ikeda, which was sunk by , near Tawitawi...
DD
Hamakazewas a of the Imperial Japanese Navy.On 7 April 1945, Hamakaze escorted the battleship from the Inland Sea on her Operation Ten-Go attack on the Allied forces on Okinawa. She was sunk by aircraft of Task Force 58 and sank 150 miles southwest of Nagasaki .-External links:**...
DD
TanikazeTanikaze was a of the Imperial Japanese Navy. Her name means "Wind from the Mountain to the Valley".In June 1942 the ship participated in the battle of Midway where she was damaged by air attacks...
Feb 10th, 1944 Truk -> Yokosuka
BB
Musashi, named after the ancient Japanese Musashi Province, was a battleship of the Imperial Japanese Navy during World War II and flagship of the Japanese Combined Fleet. She was the second ship of the...
CL
OyodoLight cruiser , named after the Ōyodo River in Kyūshū, Japan was a light cruiser of the Imperial Japanese Navy, the only ship of her class.-Background:...
CVL
Chiyodawas an Chitose class aircraft carrier of the Imperial Japanese Navy. She was originally built as a seaplane carrier, before being converted to a light carrier from March to December 1943.She was damaged in the Battle of the Philippine Sea....
CVL
Zuihowas a light aircraft carrier of the Imperial Japanese Navy. During the Second World War, she participated in many operations, including the battles of Santa Cruz, Philippine Sea and Leyte Gulf where she was finally sunk by American aircraft.-Design:...
DD
Wakabawas the third of six destroyers, built for the Imperial Japanese Navy under the Circle One Program . Three were laid down in JFY 1931 and the next three in JFY 1933...
DD
Hatsuharuwas the lead ship of six destroyers, built for the Imperial Japanese Navy under the Circle One Program . Three were laid down in JFY 1931 and the next three in JFY 1933...
DD
Shiratsuyuwas the lead ship of ten destroyers, and first of six to be built for the Imperial Japanese Navy under the Circle One Program .-History:...
DD
Michishiowas the third of ten destroyers built for the Imperial Japanese Navy in the mid-1930s under the Circle Two Supplementary Naval Expansion Program .-History:...
DD
Tamanamiwas a of the Imperial Japanese Navy.On 7 July 1944, Tamanami was escorting the tanker Kokuyo Maru from Singapore towards Manila, Philippines. She was torpedoed by , west-southwest of Manila . Tamanami blew up and sank with all hands....
Feb 12th, 1944 Truk -> Palau (convoy No. 7125)
DD
Hamanamiwas a of the Imperial Japanese Navy.On 11 November 1944, Hamanami was escorting troop convoy TA No. 3 from Manila, Philippines to Ormoc. She was sunk by aircraft of Task Force 38 in Ormoc Bay, west of Leyte , with 63 killed and 42 injured. rescued 167 survivors, including ComDesDiv 32 and...
auxiliary subchasers Takunan Maru No. 2
auxiliary subchasers Shonan Maru No. 5
subchaser CH-30
fleet oiler
SataThe was a class of seven oilers of the Imperial Japanese Navy , serving during the 1920s and the World War II. They were also called the , after the Notoro and the Shiretoko were converted to other ship types.-Construction:...
tanker Hishi Maru No. 2
ammunition ship Nichiro Maru
cargo ship Kamikaze Maru
cargo ship Kitakami Maru
Feb 13th, 1944 Truk -> Yokosuka (convoy No. 4212)
Escort Manju
Escort Oki
subchaser CH-31
fleet supply ship Irako Maru
fleet supply ship Tatsuura Maru
fleet supply ship Hibi Maru
fleet oiler
Notoro MaruThe was a class of seven oilers of the Imperial Japanese Navy , serving during the 1920s and the World War II. They were also called the , after the Notoro and the Shiretoko were converted to other ship types.-Construction:...
Feb 13th, 1944 Truk -> Kure
CVE
Kaiyowas a escort carrier operated by the Imperial Japanese Navy in World War II. The ship was originally built as the ocean liner Argentina Maru. She was purchased by the IJN on 9 December 1942, converted into an escort carrier, and renamed Kaiyo. The ship was primarily used as an aircraft transport,...
DD
Hibiki| was the twenty-second of twenty-four destroyers, or the second of , built for the Imperial Japanese Navy in the inter-war period. When introduced into service, these ships were the most powerful destroyers in the world...
DD
Inazumawas the twenty-fourth destroyers, or the fourth of , built for the Imperial Japanese Navy in the inter-war period. When introduced into service, these ships were the most powerful destroyers in the world...
Feb 15th, 1944 Truk -> Japan
CL
Agano|-External links:*Tabular record:...
, sunk 160 miles norh of Truk on Feb 16th
DD
Oitewas the sixth vessel of the Kamikaze-class destroyers built for the Imperial Japanese Navy following World War I. Advanced for their time, these ships served as first-line destroyers through the 1930s, but were considered obsolescent by the start of the Pacific War.-History:Construction of the...
, sunk while entering back Truk via North Pass with survivors from CL Agano on Feb 18th
subchaser Ch-28, sunk on Feb 16th
Feb 15th, 1944
DD
Yamagumowas the sixth of ten destroyers built for the Imperial Japanese Navy in the mid-1930s under the Circle Two Supplementary Naval Expansion Program .-History:...
DD
Nowakiwas a Kagero-class destroyer of the Imperial Japanese Navy.On 3 March 1942 the Nowaki help sink the gunboat . In the Battle off Samar on 25 October 1944, Nowaki took part in the torpedo attack on the U.S. escort carriers and assisted in sinking of...
Asaka Maru
Feb 17th, 1944 -> Truk
DD
Fujinamiwas a of the Imperial Japanese Navy. Her name means "Purple Wave" or "Waves of Wisterias".-Fate:In the Battle of Leyte Gulf, Fujinami escorted the 1st Diversion Attack Force, commanded by Admiral Kurita Takeo. She sustained minor damage from the air attacks on 24–25 October due to near-misses and...
minelayer
Natsushima The was a class of minelayers of the Imperial Japanese Navy , serving during the 1910s and the World War II. They were called the Sokuten class from their nameship. And, they were called Toshima class after the Sokuten retired. Also, by the book, the Natsushima was included to this class...
Ryuku Maru
Feb 17th, 1944 Truk -> Palau
DD
Shigurewas the second of ten s, and the first to be built for the Imperial Japanese Navy under the Circle One Program . Along with the destroyer , she developed a reputation within the Imperial Japanese Navy for being "lucky" or "unsinkable", emerging as the sole surviving Japanese warship from numerous...
DD
Harusamewas the fifth of ten s, and was built for the Imperial Japanese Navy under the "Circle One" Program . This vessel should not be confused with the earlier Russo-Japanese War-period torpedo boat destroyer with the same name.-History:...
Feb 17th, 1944 Truk -> Yokosuka
CL Katori, sunk
DD
MaikazeMaikaze was a of the Imperial Japanese Navy.On 17 February 1944, while evacuating convoys to Yokosuka from Truk following Allied attack on Truk, Maikaze, the cruiser , and the auxiliary cruiser Akagi Maru were sunk by gunfire from the cruisers and 40 miles northwest of Truk...
, sunk
DD
Nowakiwas a Kagero-class destroyer of the Imperial Japanese Navy.On 3 March 1942 the Nowaki help sink the gunboat . In the Battle off Samar on 25 October 1944, Nowaki took part in the torpedo attack on the U.S. escort carriers and assisted in sinking of...
, the only ship escaped
Akagi Maru, sunk
Shonan Maru #15, sunk
Feb 17th, 1944 Truk -> Yokosuka
DD
Nowakiwas a Kagero-class destroyer of the Imperial Japanese Navy.On 3 March 1942 the Nowaki help sink the gunboat . In the Battle off Samar on 25 October 1944, Nowaki took part in the torpedo attack on the U.S. escort carriers and assisted in sinking of...
DD
Yamagumowas the sixth of ten destroyers built for the Imperial Japanese Navy in the mid-1930s under the Circle Two Supplementary Naval Expansion Program .-History:...
Asaka Maru
Feb 17th, 1944 Truk -> assist damaged Agano
CL
Nakawas a Sendai-class light cruiser in the Imperial Japanese Navy, named after the Naka River in the Tochigi and Ibaraki prefectures of eastern Japan.-Background:...
, sunk
Feb 18th, 1944 Truk -> Saipan
Tenno Maru
Feb 18th, 1944 Truk -> Palau
AkitsushimaThe was a seaplane tender of the Imperial Japanese Navy, serving during the World War II from 1942 until being sunk in September 1944.-Design:In 1938, the IJN wanted to use their large-sized flying boats more effectively, because the Kawanishi H6K was the only aircraft able to hit the Pearl Harbor...
Feb 20th, 1944 Truk -> Palau
DD
Fujinamiwas a of the Imperial Japanese Navy. Her name means "Purple Wave" or "Waves of Wisterias".-Fate:In the Battle of Leyte Gulf, Fujinami escorted the 1st Diversion Attack Force, commanded by Admiral Kurita Takeo. She sustained minor damage from the air attacks on 24–25 October due to near-misses and...
DD
Akikazewas a destroyer, built for the Imperial Japanese Navy immediately following the end of World War I. The Minekaze class of destroyer were considered advanced for their time; these ships served as first-line destroyers through the 1930s...
AkashiAkashi was a Japanese repair ship, serving during the World War II. She was the only specifically designed repair ship operated by the Imperial Japanese Navy. The navy based her design on the US Navy's USS Medusa.-Construction:...
Feb 26th, 1944 Truk -> Palau
Hikawa Maruis a Japanese ocean liner that was built for the Nippon Yusen KK line by the Yokohama Dock Company. She was launched on 30 September 1929, and made her maiden voyage from Kobe to Seattle on 13 May 1930. She is one of three sister ships. The sister ships were named after important Shinto shrines,...
Feb 27th, 1944 in Truk
subchaser CH-38 complete battle-damage repairs
subchaser CH-37 complete battle-damage repairs
Feb 29th, 1944 -> Truk
Aratama Maru
Mar 6th, 1944 Truk -> Saipan (convoy 4304)
subchaser CH-33
Escort AMAKUSA
Escort MIKURA
minesweeper W-21
URAKAMI MARU
SHIRANE MARU
JUZAN MARU
AWAJI MARU
Mar 17th, 1944 Truk -> Saipan (convoy 4304)
Escort OKI
sub tender TSUKUSHI Maru
KAZUURA Maru
IMIZU Maru
minelayer YURISHIMA
April 27, 1944 Truk -> Palau
Hikawa Maruis a Japanese ocean liner that was built for the Nippon Yusen KK line by the Yokohama Dock Company. She was launched on 30 September 1929, and made her maiden voyage from Kobe to Seattle on 13 May 1930. She is one of three sister ships. The sister ships were named after important Shinto shrines,...
May 25, 1944 Truk -> Saipan
Tenno Maru
June 3, 1944 Truk -> Saipan
subchaser CH-32
subchaser CH-20
subchaser CH-31
subchaser CH-51
kaibokan CD-6
auxiliary sub chaser CHa-66
MOJI Maru
IMIZU Maru
TATSUTAGAWA Maru
KOJUN Maru
oiler NITCHO Maru
oiler KYOEI Maru
oiler NANKO Maru No. 1
13 other unidentified ships.
List of warships in Truk at the time of attack
CL
Agano|-External links:*Tabular record:...
(阿賀野) 6,652 tons, sunk on Feb 16th , 1944
CL
Nakawas a Sendai-class light cruiser in the Imperial Japanese Navy, named after the Naka River in the Tochigi and Ibaraki prefectures of eastern Japan.-Background:...
(那珂) 5,195 tons, departed to assist CL Agano and sunk 35 mile west of Truk on Feb 17th
CL
Katoriwas the lead ship of the Katori class of three light cruisers which served with the Imperial Japanese Navy during World War II. It is named after the noted Shinto shrine Katori Shrine in Chiba prefecture, Japan.-Background:...
(香取) 5,890 tons, sunk 40 miles northwest of Truk on Feb 17th together with Maikaze and Shonan Maru #15, only Nowaki escaped
DD
Akikazewas a destroyer, built for the Imperial Japanese Navy immediately following the end of World War I. The Minekaze class of destroyer were considered advanced for their time; these ships served as first-line destroyers through the 1930s...
(秋風) 峯風型 1,215 tons, escaped undamaged
DD Fumizuki (文月) 睦月型 1,315 tons, anchored in repair anchorage and sunk off west of lagoon on Feb 18th despite assistance from DD Matsukaze and Hakachi
DD
Harusamewas the fifth of ten s, and was built for the Imperial Japanese Navy under the "Circle One" Program . This vessel should not be confused with the earlier Russo-Japanese War-period torpedo boat destroyer with the same name.-History:...
(春雨) 白露型 1,685 tons, minor damaged and later escorted damaged DD Shigure from Truk to Palau
DD
MaikazeMaikaze was a of the Imperial Japanese Navy.On 17 February 1944, while evacuating convoys to Yokosuka from Truk following Allied attack on Truk, Maikaze, the cruiser , and the auxiliary cruiser Akagi Maru were sunk by gunfire from the cruisers and 40 miles northwest of Truk...
(舞風) 陽炎型 2,490 tons, sunk by gunfire northwest of Truk in convoy to Yokosuka on Feb 17th
DD
Matsukazewas one of nine Kamikaze-class destroyers built for the Imperial Japanese Navy following World War I. Advanced for their time, these ships served as first-line destroyers through the 1930s, but were considered obsolescent by the start of the Pacific War....
(松風) 神風型 1,400 tons, assisted and attempted to tow DD Fumizuki, medium damaged
DD
Nowakiwas a Kagero-class destroyer of the Imperial Japanese Navy.On 3 March 1942 the Nowaki help sink the gunboat . In the Battle off Samar on 25 October 1944, Nowaki took part in the torpedo attack on the U.S. escort carriers and assisted in sinking of...
(野分) 陽炎型 2,490 tons, undamaged
DD
Oitewas the sixth vessel of the Kamikaze-class destroyers built for the Imperial Japanese Navy following World War I. Advanced for their time, these ships served as first-line destroyers through the 1930s, but were considered obsolescent by the start of the Pacific War.-History:Construction of the...
(追風) 神風型 1,270 tons, sunk in U.S. air raid on Truk, while entering Truk via North Pass with survivors from CL Agano on Feb 18th
DD/P34
SusukiThe Momi class destroyers was a class of twenty one 2nd class destroyers of the Imperial Japanese Navy. All were named for plants. Obsolete by the beginning of the Pacific War, the Momi were relegated to mostly secondary roles, with some vessels serving throughout the war as patrol vessels...
(薄) 樅型 935 tons, escaped but later sunk in a unrelated event off repair anchorage
DD
Shigurewas the second of ten s, and the first to be built for the Imperial Japanese Navy under the Circle One Program . Along with the destroyer , she developed a reputation within the Imperial Japanese Navy for being "lucky" or "unsinkable", emerging as the sole surviving Japanese warship from numerous...
(時雨) 白露型 1,685 tons, damaged while departing Truk via North Channel to Palau on Feb 17th
DD
Tachikazewas a destroyer, built for the Imperial Japanese Navy immediately following World War I. Advanced for their time, these ships served as first-line destroyers through the 1930s, but were considered obsolescent by the start of the Pacific War.-History:...
(太刀風) 峯風型 1,215 tons, ran aground on Kuop Atoll on Feb 4th and later sunk in Operation Hailstone
auxiliary cruiser Akagi Maru (赤城丸) 7,367 tons, sunk north of Truk
auxiliary cruiser Aikoku Maru (爱国丸) 10,348 tons, sunk off 4th fleet anchorage
auxiliary cruiser Kiyosumi Maru (清澄丸) 6,983 tons, sunk off repair anchorage
auxiliary submarine tender Heian Maru (平安丸) 11,616 tons, sunk off repair anchorage
auxiliary submarine tender Rio de Janeiro Maru (りおで志ゃねいろ丸) 9,627 tons, sunk off 6th fleet anchorage
aircraft transport Fujikawa Maru (富士川丸) 6,938 tons, sunk off 4th fleet anchorage
repair ship
AkashiAkashi was a Japanese repair ship, serving during the World War II. She was the only specifically designed repair ship operated by the Imperial Japanese Navy. The navy based her design on the US Navy's USS Medusa.-Construction:...
(明石) 10,500 tons, damaged
seaplane tender
AkitsushimaThe was a seaplane tender of the Imperial Japanese Navy, serving during the World War II from 1942 until being sunk in September 1944.-Design:In 1938, the IJN wanted to use their large-sized flying boats more effectively, because the Kawanishi H6K was the only aircraft able to hit the Pearl Harbor...
(秋津洲) 4,650 tons, damaged
submarine chasers CH-24, 438 tons, sunk west of Truk
submarine chasers CH-28, 438 tons, departs Truk with detroyer Oite and cruiser Agano on 15th of Feb
submarine chasers CH-33, 438 tons, damaged
submarine chasers CHa-20, damaged
submarine chaser CH-29, 420 tons, sunk
auxiliary submarine chasers Shonan Maru #15 (第15昭南丸), sunk
submarine I-10 (伊10), 2,919 tons, damaged
submarine RO-36, 1,115 tons, damaged
submarine RO-42, 1,115 tons, undamaged
ammunition ship
Sōya (icebreaker)The ' is a Japanese museum ship that previously served as an icebreaker and patrol boat, and was the first Japanese ship to take part in an Antarctic research expedition.-Construction:...
(宗谷) 3,800 tons, damaged
target ship Hakachi波勝 (標的艦) 1,641 tons, damaged
List of merchant ships at the time of attack and other shipwrecks in Truk's Anchorage
navy transport Yamagiri Maru (山霧丸) 6,439 tons , carrying Yamato's 46 cm projectiles, sunk off combined fleet anchorage
navy transport/passenger/cargo ship Kansho Maru (乾祥丸) 4,861 tons, sunk off repair anchorage
navy trasnport/passenger/cargo ship Sankisan Maru (山鬼山丸) 4,776 tons, sunk off 6th fleet anchorage
navy transport Houki Maru (伯耆丸) 7,112 ton, sunk off 4th fleet anchorage
navy transport Reiyo Maru (麗洋丸) 5,446 tons,sunk off 4th fleet anchorage
navy transport/freighter Syoutan Maru (松丹丸) 1,999 tons, sunk off 4th fleet anchorage
navy water carrier/passenger/cargo ship Nippo Maru (日豊丸) 3,673 tons, sunk off 4th fleet anchorage
navy transport Taihou Maru (大邦丸) 2,829 tons,sunk off 6th fleet anchorage
navy transport Dai Roku Unkai Maru (第６雲海丸), sunk off 6th fleet anchorage
navy transport/freighter Gosei Maru (五星丸) 1,931 tons, sunk sunk off 6th fleet anchorage
navy transport/freighter Hanakawa Maru (花川丸) 4,793 tons, sunk off Tol
navy transport/freighter Hokuyo Maru (北洋丸) 4,217 tons, sunk off 4th fleet anchorage
navy transport/freighter Momokawa Maru (桃川丸) 3,829 tons, sunk off 4th fleet anchorage
navy transport/freighter San Francisco Maru (桑港丸) 5,864 tons, sunk off 4th fleet anchorage
navy transport/freighter Unkai Maru #6(第六雲海丸) 3,188 tons, sunk off 6th fleet anchorage
navy transport Kikukawa Maru (菊川丸) 6,853 tons, accidentally sunk on Oct 7th,1943
navy transport Seigo Maru (西江丸)? 5,385 tons,sunk on Feb 17th, 1944
hospital ship Tenno Maru (天應丸) 6,067 tons, anchored next to Heian Maru, escaped
Zukai Maru
freighter Katsuragsan Maru (葛城山丸) 2,428 tons ,sunk on Jan 4th 1944 north east off Moen
freighter Matsutani Maru (松谷丸)? 1,999 tons
freighter Taikichi Maru (泰吉丸)?
freighter Dai Ni Hino Maru (第２日野丸) 999 tons, sunk off off 6th fleet anchorage near Uman Island
freighter Seiko Maru (星光丸)? 5,386 tons, sunk
army transport Yuubae Maru (夕映丸) 3,200 tons,sunk off 6th fleet anchorage
army transport/freighter Nagano Maru (長野丸) 3,810 tons, sunk off 4th fleet anchorage
fleet oiler Shinkoku Maru (神国丸) 10,020 tons, sunk off combined fleet anchorage
oil tanker Fujisan Maru (富士山丸) 9,524 tons, sunk south west off Moen
auxiliary oil tanker Houyou Maru (宝洋丸) 8,691 tons, sunk off repair anchorage
auxiliary oil tanker/passenger/cargo ship Amagisan Maru (天城山丸) 7,620 tons, sunk off 6th fleet anchorage
auxiliary oil tanker/whaler Tonan Maru #3 (第三図南丸) 19,209 tons, sunk off repair anchorage
auxiliary provision storeship Sapporo Maru (札幌丸), sunk on May 29, 1944 on west of lagoon
repair ship/cargo ship Urakami Maru, anchored next to Tenno Maru and Heian Maru, damaged
picket boat Kotohira Maru 30 tons, sunk on April 15, 1944
salvage tug Ojima 812 tons, accidentally sunk in an explosion with Kikukawa Maru on Oct 7th,1943
fleet tug Futagami 625 tons, sunk off repair anchorage
Further reading
-Firsthand account of Operation Hailstone by a crewmember of USS New Orleans.
Video
- Quest for Sunken Warships : "Operation Hailstone", 2007, documentary, Military Channel, last aired September 30, 2010, 4-5pm MDT.
External links