Famous ships that called at the Cape – John H Marsh Maritime Collection: Fiery end for Hokoko Maru a

THE CONVERSION of merchant ships for assault and strike purposes during hostilities at sea like World War 2 was sometimes necessary, and one of these was the Hokoku Maru.
Referred to in naval terms as “auxiliary cruisers”, these clandestine vessels were armed with medium-range gunnery and, on occasion, light aircraft.
German forces in particular used this method to devastating effect in inflicting losses on Allied shipping during World War 2.
The photograph above was taken in Cape Town in 1940 shortly before the new 10 438 ton Hokoku Maru entered hostilities.
In 1941 this impressive ship was commissioned by the Japanese Navy as a commerce “raider” and assigned to the Southern Indian Ocean theatre of operations near Madagascar and the Mozambique Channel.
She was built by Tama Shipbuilding Co, Osaka, as a passenger liner along with sister-ship Aikoku Maru.
Launched in 1939, Hokoku Maru commenced her sea-going career on the Japan – Europe passenger run. But this was shortlived as she was taken over by the Japanese Government on entry to the War in 1941.
She underwent a refit as an auxiliary cruiser and was heavily armed with eight six-inch, two three inch and four 25 millimeter guns as well as two 21 inch torpedo tubes and two aircraft.
Tasked with operating in the dual role of commerce raider as well as supply ship to a flotilla of five large submarines, she soon saw action.
In April 1942 the force of seven Japanese ships, made up of the submarines and Hokoku Maru and Aikoku Maru, left Penang to rendezvous south of Madagascar, not far from the South African coastline. As a precaution Allied shipping was diverted past Madagascar, or routed close to the South African shore so that cover could be provided by the South African Air Force Venturas patrolling.
The submarines by that stage had wrought havoc in the southern Indian Ocean, sinking fourteen ships of 59 205 tons in June before they withdrew the following month.
It was however to be a brave and surprise encounter that halted this damaging operation. The two raiders, while cruising near Australia, intercepted Dutch tanker Ondina, escorted by Indian frigate Bengal 1300 miles north-west of Perth, when the Japanese opened fire on the hopelessly inferior small convoy.
Their intended victims however returned fire fiercely and most effectively with ancient lesser gunnery at close range, setting Hokoku Maru on fire.
While burning fiercely a second explosion racked the burning vessel, sending her down without delay, and with the loss of her Captain, Hiroshi Imasoto.
The engagement had ended in an extraordinary victory for the small Indian minesweeper and she and her charge, Dutch tanker Ondina , both damaged, managed to reach the safety of Colombo and Fremantle respectively.