Hōkoku Maru-class ocean liner
The Hōkoku Maru-class ocean liner 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. placed an order for three ocean liners to reinforce the Japan-Africa route. They were named Hōkoku Maru, Aikoku Maru and Kōkoku 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 Japanese Navy feared losing her.
- Aikoku Maru was completed on 31 August 1941.
- In September 1941, both ships were enlisted by the IJN.
| Name | Builder | Laid down | Launched | Completed | Note |
| Hōkoku Maru | Tama Shipyards | 18 August 1938 | 5 July 1939 | 15 June 1940 | She was enlisted by the navy on 20 September 1941. |
| Aikoku Maru | Tama Shipyards | 28 December 1938 | 25 April 1940 | 31 August 1941 | She was enlisted by the navy on 1 September 1941. |
| Gokoku Maru ex-Kōkoku Maru | Mitsui, Tamano Shipyard | 31 July 1939 as Kōkoku Maru | 2 April 1942 as Gokoku Maru | Renamed Gokoku Maru'' in early 1942. She was enlisted by the navy on 27 July 1942. |
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.
| Name | Career | Fate |
| Hōkoku Maru | Classified to auxiliary cruiser on 20 September 1941 | Sunk by HMIS Bengal and armed tanker Ondina at southwest of Cocos on 11 November 1942. |
| Aikoku Maru | Classified to auxiliary cruiser on 5 September 1941 Classified to auxiliary transport on 1 October 1943 | Sunk during the Operation Hailstone on 17 February 1944. |
| Gokoku Maru | Classified to auxiliary cruiser on 4 August 1942 Classified to auxiliary transport on 1 October 1943 | Sunk by USS Barb off Gotō Islands on 10 November 1944 |