BAAG records of shipping in HK during 1944-45 – the Hitsu Maru
Elizabeth Ride has British Army Aid Group (BAAG) records of shipping movements for 1944-45 in Hong Kong during the Japanese occupation in World War Two.
These provide information not only about the ships themselves but what cargo was being brought into and out of Hong Kong during the latter stages of WW2, passengers carried, and of godowns, docks etc that were being utilised.
BAAG Report KWIZ #70
The Hitsu Maru, a cargo ship, was seen on 23 Aug 1944.
Arrived on 5 Aug 1944 from Formosa.
Inward cargo: Kerosene, Carbide, bleaching powder, iron plates, angle iron. Unloaded on 21 Aug and taken to Kowloon Godown.
Repairs: on 21 Aug the ship was taken to Cosmopolitan Dock for repairs and painting.
An image of this ship would be helpful.
This article was first posted on 5th February 2017.
Further information:
- For general information about the Elizabeth Ride collection, her father Sir Lindsay Ride, and the British Army Aid group during WW2 a very useful introduction is through http://gwulo.com/node/13968
- The BAAG papers are kept at the Hong Kong Heritage Project – Elizabeth M Ride Collection
This report refers to Nisshin Maru (1916 built, 1179 gt) ON 19221 that arrived at Keelung, Taiwan in convoy KATA-917 on 27 July and then transferred to Hong Kong. The ship spent the next few months operating out of Hong Kong and then left the area to be sunk 2/4/45 by submarine attack (USS Sea Devil) in 34.04N 124.00E.
The kanji shown is correct. Nisshin is an alternate reading of Hitsu Maru.