Hōkoku Maru-class ocean liner

The Hōkoku Maru-class ocean liner (報國丸型貨客船,) was a class of ocean liners of Japan, serving during 1940 and World War II.

Background

 * 17 May 1937, the Ōsaka Mercantile Steamship Co.Ltd. (大阪商船,) placed an order for three ocean liners to reinforce the Japan-Africa route. They were named Hōkoku Maru, Aikoku Maru and Kōkoku Maru (later renamed Gokoku Maru).
 * They were beautiful, and luxuriously equipped. Their suites were named after ancient Japanese cities.

Civilian service

 * Hōkoku Maru was completed on 15 June 1940. Her maiden voyage was 2–12 July 1940, Yokohama-Dalian.
 * On 17 July 1940, she departed to South America on her only overseas voyage. After this she stayed close to the Japanese mainland, as the Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN) feared losing her.
 * Aikoku Maru was completed on 31 August 1941.
 * In September 1941, both ships were enlisted by the IJN.

Service in World War II

 * Hōkoku Maru and Aikoku Maru became auxiliary cruisers, and they were assigned to the 24th Raider Division, Combined Fleet. When they learned of the outbreak of war they were north of Tuamotus.
 * 27 April 1942, Aikoku Maru supported submarine I-30 which departed to Germany.
 * 4 August 1942, Gokoku Maru was completed. She acted in the Indian Ocean until 30 November 1942.
 * 11 November 1942, Hōkoku Maru was sunk by HMIS Bengal and tanker Ondina in the Indian Ocean. Aikoku Maru returned to Singapore.
 * January 1943, Aikoku Maru and Gokoku Maru were dispatched to New Guinea They engaged in troop transportation duties afterward.
 * 1 October 1943, they were classified to Auxiliary transport, and removed some armaments.
 * 17 February 1944, Aikoku Maru was sunk by air raid at Chuuk.
 * 10 November 1944, Gokoku Maru was sunk by a US submarine.