# No.101-class landing ship

The No.101-class landing ships (第百一号型輸送艦,, Dai 101 Gō-gata Yusōkan) were a class of amphibious assault ships of the Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN) and Imperial Japanese Army (IJA), serving during and after World War II. The No.101 class ships were powered by diesel engines, while the similar No.103-class landing ships (第百三号型輸送艦,, Dai 103 Gō-gata Yusōkan) were powered by a steam turbine engine. The IJN called them 2nd class transporter (二等輸送艦,, 2-Tō Yusōkan). The No.103 class included the IJA's SB craft (SB艇,, SB-tei) variant. This article handles them collectively.

## Background

* In June 1943, after its defeat in the Guadalcanal Campaign, the IJN realized it needed high-speed military transport vessels, and designed two classes of ship in response. One (the No.1 class) was to be the 1,500-ton mothership of the Daihatsu-class landing craft and Kō-hyōteki-class submarines, the other was to be a 900-ton amphibious assault ship, the No.101 class.
* The IJA already had an amphibious assault ship, the SS-class landing ship. However, the SS craft were not suitable for mass-production, leading to IJA support for the new amphibious assault ships.
* The IJN and IJA therefore cooperated on the production of the new amphibious assault ships with the IJN providing design and shipyards while the IJA offered mineral resources.

## Design

* The IJN had obtained information regarding Operation Torch from Germany, including some photographs and sketches of the LCT Mk.V.
* In August 1943, the Navy Technical Department (Kampon) studied these and finished a basic design. It was a scaled-up model of the LCT.
* In September 1943, the Kampon entrusted the detailed design to the Kure Naval Arsenal. The Kure Naval Arsenal completed this within two months, and the No.101 was laid down in November 1943.

## Construction

* The Kampon designed a new turbine engine for this class. However, it was not ready in time for the first 6 vessels. The Kampon therefore installed the wartime standard diesel engine in the first 6 vessels. The IJN called them No.101 class or SB (D). Turbine engines were available in time for the remaining production, which the IJN designated the No.103 class or SB (T). Completed vessels were split between the IJN and IJA.
* The IJA received 32 vessels from the No.103 class, however the IJA had difficulties with the steam turbines engine and returned 10 vessels to the IJN.
* Several No.103 and SB class vessels were converted to use coal-fired boilers in January 1945. Detailed construction records do not exist, but photographic evidence confirms the conversion of No.147, SB No.101 and SB No.108 with the presence of a tall funnel.

## Navy service

* Most of the Navy vessels took part in the Battle of Leyte, where 18 of them were lost. Most, however, succeeded in landing their tanks and troops.
* Only 9 vessels survived the war.

## Army service

* As of 2009 a detailed record of the vessels in the Army service is not known to exist in Japan.
* The armaments were not standardized.
* The IJA let ten SB craft participate in the Philippines Campaign. Their actions were limited to the Luzon northern coast, Taiwan and Ryukyu Islands. The IJA lost only one SB craft.
* After the Philippines Campaign, the SB craft were used only in the Japanese mainland peripheral sea area.

## Ships in classes
### No.101 class

| Ship | Builder | Laid down | Launched | Completed | Fate |
| No.101 | Ōsaka Zōsen | 01-12-1943 | 25-01-1944 | 08-03-1944 | Sunk by aircraft at Ormoc Bay, 28-10-1944. |
| No.102 | Ōsaka Zōsen | 15-12-1843 | 08-02-1944 | 15-03-1944 | Sunk by aircraft at west of Negros, 26-10-1944. |
| No.127 | Kawanami Kōgyō | 21-10-1943 | 13-01-1944 | 28-02-1944 | Sunk by aircraft off Ticao Island, 25-09-1944. |
| No.128 | Kawanami Kōgyō | 10-11-1943 | 10-02-1944 | 18-03-1944 | Sunk by aircraft off Morotai, 04-06-1944. |
| No.149 | Hitachi Zōsen | 01-11-1943 | 25-12-1943 | 20-02-1944 | Converted to miscellaneous service ship (traffic boat) and renamed Kuroshio No. 2 (第二黒潮,, Dai 2 Kuroshio) on 10-02-1945. Sunk by USN submarine off Sumatra on 01-06-1945. |
| No.150 | Hitachi Zōsen | 28-12-1943 | 27-01-1944 | 10-03-1944 | Sunk by aircraft off Palau, 27-07-1944. |

### No.103 class

| Ship | Builder | Laid down | Launched | Completed | Fate |
| No.103 | Ōsaka Zōsen | 28-01-1944 | 09-03-1944 | 01-05-1944 | Sunk by aircraft off Iwo Jima, 04-07-1944. |
| No.104 | Ōsaka Zōsen | 12-02-1944 | 25-03-1944 | 25-05-1944 | Sunk by aircraft west of Luzon, 15-12-1944. |
| No.105 | Ōsaka Zōsen | 12-03-1944 | 12-04-1944 | 15-06-1944 | Sunk by USS Trepang south of Omaezaki, 11-10-1944 |
| No.106 | Ōsaka Zōsen | 28-03-1944 | 25-04-1944 | 30-06-1944 | Completed as Army SB No.120 at first. Sunk by aircraft at Lingayen Gulf, 15-12-1944. |
| No.107 | Ōsaka Zōsen | 15-04-1944 | 21-05-1944 | 20-07-1944 | Completed as Army SB No.123 at first. Sunk by USN destroyer west of Haha-jima, 05-01-1945. |
| No.108 | Ōsaka Zōsen | 28-04-1944 | 25-05-1944 | 31-07-1944 | Completed as Army SB No.125 at first. Decommissioned 03-05-1947. Surrendered to United Kingdom at Singapore, 17-10-1947. |
| No.109 | Ōsaka Zōsen | | | 15-08-1944 | Transferred to the Army, SB craft. |
| No.110 | Ōsaka Zōsen | 28-05-1944 | 23-06-1944 | 05-09-1944 | Completed as Army SB craft at first. Decommissioned 15-09-1945. Surrendered to United Kingdom at Singapore, 17-10-1947. |
| No.111 | Ōsaka Zōsen | 13-06-1944 | 10-07-1944 | 15-09-1944 | Completed as Army SB craft at first. Sunk by aircraft at Masbate, 24-11-1944. |
| No.112 | Ōsaka Zōsen | 26-06-1944 | 22-07-1944 | 05-10-1944 | Completed as Army SB craft at first. Sunk by aircraft west of Luzon, 07-01-1945. |
| No.113 | Ōsaka Zōsen | 13-07-1944 | 08-08-1944 | 15-10-1944 | Completed as Army SB craft at first. Sunk by aircraft west of Luzon, 25-11-1944. |
| No.114 | Ōsaka Zōsen | 25-07-1944 | 20-08-1944 | 30-10-1944 | Completed as Army SB craft at first. Sunk by aircraft off Taiwan, 17-02-1945. |
| No.115 | Ōsaka Zōsen | 12-08-1944 | 07-09-1944 | 13-11-1944 | Completed as Army SB craft at first. Sunk by aircraft north of Luzon, 02-02-1945. |
| No.116 | Ōsaka Zōsen | | | 24-11-1944 | Transferred to the Army, and renamed SB No.103. |
| No.117 | Ōsaka Zōsen | | | 22-12-1944 | Transferred to the Army, SB craft. |
| No.118 | Ōsaka Zōsen | | | 30-12-1944 | Transferred to the Army, SB craft. |
| No.119 | Ōsaka Zōsen | | | 16-01-1945 | Transferred to the Army, SB craft. |
| No.120 | Ōsaka Zōsen | | | 05-02-1945 | Transferred to the Army, SB craft. |
| No.121 | Ōsaka Zōsen | | | 20-02-1945 | Transferred to the Army, SB craft. |
| No.122 | Ōsaka Zōsen | | | 22-03-1945 | Transferred to the Army, SB craft. |
| No.123 | Ōsaka Zōsen | | | 22-03-1945 | Transferred to the Army, SB craft. |
| No.124 | Ōsaka Zōsen | | | 08-05-1945 | Transferred to the Army, SB craft. |
| No.125 | Ōsaka Zōsen | | | | Transferred to the Army, and renamed SB No.127. Not completed until the end of war. |
| No.126 | Ōsaka Zōsen | | | | Transferred to the Army, and renamed SB No.128. Not completed until the end of war. |
| No.129 | Kawanami Kōgyō | 10-12-1943 | 25-02-1944 | 12-05-1944 | Sunk by USS Cod in the Banda Sea, 14-08-1944. |
| No.130 | Kawanami Kōgyō | 20-01-1944 | 05-04-1944 | 03-06-1944 | Sunk by aircraft off Iwo Jima, 04-07-1944. |
| No.131 | Kawanami Kōgyō | 05-02-1944 | 23-04-1944 | 24-06-1944 | Converted to miscellaneous service ship (traffic boat) and renamed Kuroshio No. 1 (第一黒潮,, Dai 1 Kuroshio) on 10-02-1945. Sunk by USN submarine in the Strait of Malacca on 27-07-1945. |
| No.132 | Kawanami Kōgyō | 25-02-1944 | 05-05-1944 | 28-06-1944 | Sunk by USN destroyer at Iwo Jima, 27-12-1944. |
| No.133 | Sasebo Naval Arsenal | 10-04-1944 | 07-06-1944 | 04-07-1944 | Sunk by aircraft off Iwo Jima, 04-08-1944. |
| No.134 | Kawanami Kōgyō | 10-04-1944 | 15-06-1944 | 15-07-1945 | Scuttled by stormy weather at Iwo Jima, 04-10-1944. |
| No.135 | Kawanami Kōgyō | 28-04-1944 | 26-06-1944 | 25-07-1944 | Sunk by aircraft at west coast of Luzon, 18-10-1944. |
| No.136 | Kawanami Kōgyō | 10-05-1944 | 15-07-1944 | 20-08-1944 | Sunk by aircraft at west coast of Luzon, 18-10-1944. |
| No.137 | Kawanami Kōgyō | 01-06-1944 | 20-07-1944 | 28-08-1944 | Decommissioned 05-10-1945. Surrendered to Soviet Union at Nakhodka, 03-10-1947. |
| No.138 | Kawanami Kōgyō | 18-06-1944 | 03-08-1944 | 04-09-1944 | Sunk by USS Kingfish off Iwo Jima, 26-10-1944. |
| No.139 | Kawanami Kōgyō | 05-07-1944 | 18-08-1944 | 25-09-1944 | Sunk by aircraft at west coast of Luzon, 12-11-1944. |
| No.140 | Sasebo Naval Arsenal | 26-07-1944 | 16-09-1944 | 14-10-1944 | Sunk by aircraft at Saigon, 13-01-1945. |
| No.141 | Sasebo Naval Arsenal | 29-07-1944 | 16-09-1944 | 19-10-1944 | Sunk by aircraft at Masbate, 24-11-1944. |
| No.142 | Kawanami Kōgyō | 01-08-1944 | 20-09-1944 | 02-11-1944 | Sunk by aircraft at west coast of Luzon, 25-11-1944. |
| No.143 | Kawanami Kōgyō | 14-08-1944 | 03-10-1944 | 25-11-1944 | Sunk by aircraft at Penghu, 26-03-1945. |
| No.144 | Kawanami Kōgyō | 20-08-1944 | 20-10-1944 | 01-12-1944 | Decommissioned 05-10-1945, later scrapped. |
| No.145 | Kawanami Kōgyō | 05-09-1944 | 15-11-1944 | 16-12-1944 | Sunk by USN aircraft at Amami Ōshima, 02-04-1945. |
| No.146 | Kawanami Kōgyō | 24-09-1944 | 30-11-1944 | 30-12-1944 | Sunk by USS Trepang south of Gotō Islands, 28-04-1945. |
| No.147 | Kawanami Kōgyō | 06-10-1944 | 15-12-1944 | 25-01-1945 | Decommissioned 15-09-1945. Surrendered to United States at Yokosuka, 13-11-1947. Scrapped 31-03-1948. |
| No.148 | Kawanami Kōgyō | | | 31-01-1945 | Transferred to the Army, and renamed SB No.113. |
| No.151 | Hitachi Zōsen | 29-01-1944 | 27-02-1944 | 23-04-1944 | Sunk by USS Besugo north of Palawan, 23-11-1944. |
| No.152 | Hitachi Zōsen | 29-02-1944 | 24-03-1944 | 25-05-1944 | Sunk by aircraft at Iwo Jima, 04-08-1944. |
| No.153 | Hitachi Zōsen | 15-02-1944 | 08-04-1944 | 15-06-1944 | Decommissioned 30-11-1945. Scrapped 1948. |
| No.154 | Hitachi Zōsen | 26-03-1944 | 23-04-1944 | 05-07-1944 | Completed as Army SB craft at first. Sunk by USN destroyer at Iwo Jima, 05-01-1945. |
| No.155 | Hitachi Zōsen | | | 19-07-1944 | Transferred to the Army, SB craft. |
| No.156 | Hitachi Zōsen | | | 05-08-1944 | Transferred to the Army, SB craft. |
| No.157 | Hitachi Zōsen | 12-05-1944 | 06-09-1944 | 19-08-1944 | Sunk by USN destroyer at Iwo Jima, 24-12-1944. |
| No.158 | Hitachi Zōsen | 24-05-1944 | 23-06-1944 | 04-09-1944 | Sunk by aircraft at Naha, 10-10-1944. |
| No.159 | Hitachi Zōsen | 10-06-1944 | 08-07-1944 | 16-09-1944 | Sunk by a bombardment of US Army tanks and artillery at Ormoc Bay, 12-12-1944. |
| No.160 | Hitachi Zōsen | 01-07-1944 | 08-08-1944 | 30-09-1944 | Sunk by aircraft at Masbate, 24-11-1944. |
| No.161 | Hitachi Zōsen | 09-07-1944 | 22-08-1944 | 14-10-1944 | Sunk by aircraft at west coast of Luzon, 25-11-1944. |
| No.162 | Hitachi Zōsen | | | 23-10-1944 | Transferred to the Army, and renamed SB No.101. Scrapped April 1948. |
| No.163 | Hitachi Zōsen | | | 31-10-1944 | Transferred to the Army, and renamed SB No.102. |
| No.164 | Ōsaka Zōsen | 11-04-1945 | | | Construction stopped; later scrapped. |
| No.165 | Ōsaka Zōsen | 28-04-1945 | | | Construction stopped; later scrapped. |
| 6 vessels | | | | | They were cancelled before being named. |
| No.172 | Kawanami Kōgyō | 24-11-1944 | 27-01-1945 | 10-03-1945 | Decommissioned 15-09-1945. Surrendered to Republic of China at Qingdao, 03-10-1947. Renamed Lui Shan (AP-308). Decommissioned 1955. |
| No.173 | Kawanami Kōgyō | 08-12-1944 | 15-02-1945 | 01-04-1945 | Sunk by aircraft at Ryukyu Islands, 22-05-1945. |
| No.174 | Kawanami Kōgyō | 03-01-1945 | 15-03-1945 | 14-07-1945 | Decommissioned 20-11-1945; scrapped in 1948. |
| No.175 | Kawanami Kōgyō | 02-02-1945 | 11-04-1945 | | Construction stopped 11-04-1945. Sunk by typhoon 15-09-1945; scrapped on 01-10-1948. |
| No.176 | Kawanami Kōgyō | 22-02-1945 | 25-06-1945 | | Construction stopped 25-06-1945; later scrapped. |
| 7 vessels | | | | | They were cancelled before being named. |
| No.184 | Hitachi Zōsen | | | 30-11-1944 | Transferred to the Army, SB craft. |
| No.185 | Hitachi Zōsen | | | 10-12-1944 | Transferred to the Army, SB craft. |
| No.186 | Hitachi Zōsen | | | 24-12-1944 | Transferred to the Army, SB craft. |
| No.187 | Hitachi Zōsen | | | 13-01-1945 | Transferred to the Army, and renamed SB No.114. Scrapped May 1948. |
| No.188 | Hitachi Zōsen | | | 29-01-1945 | Transferred to the Army, SB craft. |
| 15 vessels | | | | | Cancelled before being named. |

## Photos

* No.149 on 16 February 1944 at Yugeshima Island.
* Type 3 Ka-Chi departure from No.149 on 29 February 1944 at Nasakejima Island.
* Type 95 Ha-Gō departure from No.149 on 27 February 1944 at Nasakejima Island.
* (left to right) No.150, No.101, No.127 and No.149 on 13 March 1944 at Kure Naval Arsenal.
* No.151 on 20 April 1944 at Yugeshima Island.
* No.159 on 12 December 1944 at Ormoc Bay.
* No.147 w/ coal-fired boilers on 16 December 1946 at Yokosuka Naval Base.
* IJA SB No. 101 on 17 February 1947 at Hiroshima Bay.