Aiyo Maru Explained

Aiyo Maru was a 2,746-ton Type 1C Standard cargo ship/transport ship that was requisitioned from her owners on 24 December, 1942^[1] by the Imperial Japanese Army during World War II.

Other than being in a convoy 16-17 May, 1942 From Tokyo Bay to Yokosuka, and another convoy, West Convoy No. 61, that departed Tokyo Bay 8 December, 1942 bound for the Inland Sea, her record of movement are unknown until "Operation 81" begins.^[2]

She left Rabaul, New Britain on 1 March 1943, as part of Operation 81, carrying troops, a cargo of equipment, fuel, 5 Daihatsu landing craft and ammunition for Lae, New Guinea. The convoy was attacked by aircraft of the United States Army Air Forces and Royal Australian Air Force from 2 March 1943, known as the Battle of the Bismarck Sea. Aiyo Maru was bombed on 3 March and sank at 07°15'S., 148°30'E. 45 crewmen and 278 soldiers were killed.^{[3] [4]}

References

• Book: McAulay , Lex . 1991 . Battle of the Bismarck Sea . St Martins Press . New York . 0-312-05820-9 . 23082610 .

Notes and References

1. Web site: Japanese Army Auxiliary transports . Combinedfleet.com . 1 December 2022.
2. Web site: Japanese Army Auxiliary transports . Combinedfleet.com . 1 December 2022.
3. Web site: Japanese Army Auxiliary transports . Combinedfleet.com . 1 December 2022.
4. Web site: Aiyo Maru (+1943) . Wrecksite. 2016-09-28 .