BAAG Naval Section Intelligence Summary, late February to mid March 1943, ship repair, maintenance and movements

Elizabeth Ride has sent the Naval section of a British Army Aid Group (BAAG) Waichow Intelligence Summary (WIS 27) dated 4th April 1943. This covers shipping movements in and out of Hong Kong during the Japanese occupation in World War Two during late February to mid-March 1943. There are a number of Naval Section Intelligence Summaries covering these months which tend to overlap one another.

These reports also describes time spent by vessels undergoing repairs and maintenance in a number of Hong Kong shipyards.

They also offer a wide range of other information including that concerning the Japanese Army and Air Force and other aspects of life in Hong Kong during the Japanese occupation in which you may be interested. This is not usually included here. To see the full reports please refer to Further Information below.

HF: To aid research I have attempted to summarize and list the most salient points covered in the report under three sections:-

Firstly, Locations mentioned – both shipyards in HK and ports vessels have come from or are going to in South and East Asia.

Secondly, the names of Ships mentioned. This has not always been easy. My inability to read Chinese or Japanese is a clear hindrance. Plus even when in English whether typed or handwritten they are sometimes semi-legible. Any corrections or clarification would be helpful.

Thirdly, under Miscellaneous I have noted any items that I think might be of interest.

Further information regarding subjects mentioned in this report including images of the ships would be very welcome.

Locations: Palau Island, Kowloon Dock, Shanghai, Canton, Wanchai, East Lamma channel, Dam Gon Islands, Hoi Nan [Hainan?] Island, Singapore, Kwong Chow Wan, Naval Dockyard, Taikoo Docks, Baileys Shipyard, former Government Store, Formosa, Bailey Shipyard, Shanghai, Kowloon Godown Wharves, Hainan Island, Kwong Chow Wan, Kowllon Wharf & Godown Company,

Ships mentioned: Hospital ship Manila Maru, Takachihi Maru, Nanshyu, Yamada Maru, Chinese Maritime Cruisers Hai Ping and Hai Hui, unnamed steamship, Tin Sang Maru, Kin Ming, C1055 + C2124 iron trawlers, Hiu Nam Maru (Gyonan?) formerly British ship, Ko Chi Maru, Hiu Hung Maru, large wooden junks,Custom Cruiser Yuan Ti – formerly British, Custom Cruiser Shuk Sing Maru, torpedo boat – The Magpie, had been scuttled and salvaged by the Japs, Chuen Hing Maru – merchantman, gunboat No.6, new gunboat launched, transports No.460 + 92, destroyer, transport – Shewo Maru, Manila Maru – a Red Cross Ship, Hiu Nam Maru, hospital ship, Nin [Hin?] Sang – formerly Jardine ship salvaged and repaired,Red Cross ship Buenos Aires Maru

River Steamer routes:
Canton to Hong Kong
Canton to Macau
Canton to Kongmun

Ships known to be on the above runs: Nam Hui Maru – formerly Fat Shun of the HK, Canton & Macao Steamship Company
Hoi Chu Maru
Wan Yeung Maru
Hoi Kong Maru – these three ships thought to be Japanese not captured vessels

Miscellaneous: naval gasoline, ARP tunnels, diesel engines, gun trials, Hong Kong Land Garrison, 100 carpenters left their jobs at Taikoo Docks and went to Ngau Tau Kok Shipyard to build wooden ships, Transport vessels carrying poultry, beans and sundry foodstuffs, rice, military trucks

Three scuttled ships remain in the harbour, not yet salvaged, Most of Navy [personnel?] seen in HK bear yellow star shaped badges on their right arms.

List of Shipping Movements

List of Armaments

List of Lumber Consumption Data at Naval Dockyard and Taikoo Docks

List of Steel Plates Consumption Data

List of Slipway Dimensions + Capacities at Naval Dockyard, Kwong Hip Lung, Kwong Tak Hing, Kwong Cheung Hing shipyards

4 March 1943:
SE of Palau. At 1120, an unidentified submarine fires two torpedoes at MANILA MARU at 05-26N, 136-17E, but MANILA MARU escapes by changing course.
Source: Manila Maru – Tabular Record of Movement Courtesy: www.combinedfleet.com

 

Further information: