''Atago'' | Mount Atago |
The Atago Maru was built as a general cargo freighter for the Japanese, and operated between Kobe / Yokohama and the west coast of the USA and Canada.
The cruisers Maya, Suzuya, Tenryu and destroyers Kazagumo, Makigumo, Michishio and Yugumo accompanied, while the Kirishima, Atago, Takao, Nagara and six destroyers formed a screening unit.
The day after the Battle of Empress Augusta Bay (2 November 1943), Noshiro departed Truk with CruDiv 4's Atago, Takao and Maya, CruDiv 7's Suzuya and Mogami, CruDiv 8's Chikuma and four destroyers, arriving at Rabaul on 5 November 1943.