Japanese minesweeper Showa Maru No. 7 explained

Showa Maru No. 7 (Japanese: 第七昭和丸) was an auxiliary minesweeper of the Imperial Japanese Navy during World War II.

History

Showa Maru No. 7 was laid down on 1 April 1936 at the shipyard of K.K. Osaka Tekkosho Honsha Kojo at the behest of shipping company, Nippon Suisan K.K.[1] [2] She was launched on 24 July 1936 and completed 31 August 1936. On 12 September 1941, she was requisitioned by the Imperial Japanese Navy and converted to an auxiliary minesweeper under Reserve Lieutenant Takahashi Teruhisa (高橋輝藏). Takahashi served until 18 September 1941 when he was replaced by Reserve Lieutenant Terauchi Saburo (寺内三郎). Terauchi served until he was replaced by Reserve Lieutenant Tanaka Ginzo (田中銀造) on 1 May 1944. In May 1942, she participated in the Battle of Midway (Operation "MI") where she was assigned to Miyamoto Sadachika's 16th Minesweeper Unit (along with auxiliary minesweepers,, ; submarine chasers,, and ; cargo ships Meiyo Maru and ; and auxiliary ammunition ship).[3] On 24 January 1945, while in a three ship convoy with transport Yoneyama Maru and auxiliary minesweeper, she was attacked northeast of Iwo Jima (24.8333°N 163°W) by Task Group 94.9 (under Rear Admiral Oscar C. Badger) and sunk by the destroyers and .[4] All three ships were sunk. She was removed from the Navy list on 10 March 1945.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Leo. Niehorster . Jeff . Donahoo. Auxiliary Minesweepers of the Imperial Japanese Navy . World War II Armed Forces - Orders of Battle and Organizations. August 16, 2019.
  2. Web site: Gengoro S. . Toda . 第七昭和丸 (Showa Maru No. 7 - Stats) . Imperial Japanese Navy - Tokusetsukansen. 21 September 2019 . Japanese.
  3. Web site: IJN Subchaser CH-18. Bob . Hackett . Sander . Kingsepp . combinedfleet.com . 2012 . 9 August 2019.
  4. Web site: Chapter VII: 1945 . The Official Chronology of the U.S. Navy in World War II . 2006 . 19 January 2012.