Battle of the Bismarck Sea
She left Rabaul, New Britain on 1 March 1943, as part of "Operation 81", carrying a cargo of troops, equipment, fuel, landing craft and ammunition for Lae, New Guinea. The convoy was attacked by aircraft of the United States Army Air Forces and Royal Australian Air Force from 2 March 1943, known as the Battle of the Bismarck Sea. "Taimei Maru" was bombed on 3 March and sank at 07°15'S., 148°30'E.&lt;br&gt;