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January 15, 1945 Zone description (-) 9 Continued the retiring search procedure between MANICANI, HOMONHON and SAMAR ISLANDS until 0700 at which time ceased patrol, proceeded to the anchorage off TAYTAY POINT, LEYTE and anchored one mile east of the transports. Positions: 0800 -
Latitude - 10°-49.5 N; Longitude - 125°-14.0 E. 1200 - Latitude - 10°-47.01
N; Longitude - 125°-07.8 E. 2000 -
Latitude - 10°-47.0 N; Longitude -
l125°-07.8 E. January 16, 1945 Zone description (-)9 At 0630
underway and proceeded to the inner anchorage, SAN PEDRO BAY, to make
provisioning arrangements and pick up guard mail. During the afternoon returned to the transport anchorage and
anchored in area east of the transports. At 0800, Captain Bert F. BROWN, USN,
relieved Captain E. R. McLEAN,
Jr., USN, as Commander Destroyer Squadron 49, U. S. S. PICKING, flagship. Positions: 0800 -
Latitude - 11°-11.0 N; Longitude -
125°-04.0 E. 1200 - Latitude - 11°-06.6
N; Longitude - 125°-04.8 E. 2000 -
Latitude - 10°-48.1 N; Longitude - 125°-07.4 E. January 17 , 1945 Zone description ( -
) 9 Remained
anchored in area east of transport anchorage until noon, then
moved to the inner anchorage, SAN PEDRO BAY. At 2025 went to general quarters for
air attack in accordance with SOPA T.B.S. signal. Shortly after the alert, light
AA fire was observed in the vicinity of TACLOBAN, no aircraft
were sighted by this ship. At 2117 the ALL CLEAR sounded, secured from
general quarters and set condition of readiness II. Positions: 0800 -
Latitude - 10°-48.1 N; Longitude - 125°-07.4 E. 1200 -
Latitude - 11°-48.1 N; Longitude - 125°-07.4 E.(Error) 2000 -
Latitude - 10°-40.1 N; Longitude - 125°-02.4 E.(Error) January 18, 1945 Zone description (-) 9 At 0607 the SOPA ordered all ships to general quarters to repel expected enemy air attacks. There were a few reports of enemy aircraft contacts, but no unidentified aircraft were contacted or sighted by this ship. The ALL CLEAR was given at 0642, secured from general quarters, set condition of readiness II. Positions: 0800,1200,2000,
Latitude - 11°-05.5 N; Longitude -125°-03.0 E. January 19, 1945 Zone
description ()
9 Remained anchored in the center anchorage, SAN PEDRO BAY, LEYTE all day. At 2045 the
shore fighter director station reported unidentified aircraft to be in the
area, the SOPA ordered all ships to general quarters to repel expected air
attack. ALL CLEAR was given at 2120. Again at 2200 unidentified aircraft were
reported in the area; all ships were ordered to general quarters. 2240 ALL CLEAR.
No unidentified aircraft were contacted or sighted by this ship during either
alert. Positions: 0800,1200,2000,
Latitude - 11°-06.0 N; Longitude - 125°-03.0 E. January 20, 1945 Zone
description (-)9 Anchored
in center anchorage, SAN PEDRO BAY, LEYTE. At 0604 Held general quarters to repel
expected air attacks in accordance with the SOPA Flash Red. During the next half hour,
several unidentified aircraft reports were intercepted over voice radio
circuits; none closer then
Positions: 0800,1200,
2000, Latitude - 11°-06.0 N; Longitude -125°-03.0 E. January 21, 1945 Zone description (-)9 At 0630 underway, proceeded to vicinity of transport anchorage off TAYTAY POINT, LEYTE and conducted an anti-submarine patrol the remainder of the day. The only air alert during the day was at sunset when the shore fighter director station reported unidentified aircraft thirty-five miles west of TACLOBAN. All ships were ordered to general quarters. The alert lasted from 1828 until 1843. Positions: 0800 -
Latitude - 10°-51.5 N; Longitude -
125°-07.3 E. 1200 -
Latitude - 10°-52.1 N; Longitude -
125°-05.1 E. 2000 -
Latitude - 10°-52.l N; Longitude - 125°-05.1 E. January 22, 1945 Zone description (-) 9 Continued
anti-submarine patrol until noon at which time proceeded to SAN PEDRO BAY,
LEYTE and anchored in the center anchorage. Positions: 0800 - Latitude - 10°-55.3
N; Longitude - 125°-07.5 E. 1200 - Latitude - 10°-55.8
N; Longitude - 125°-07.4 E. 2000 - Latitude - 11°-04.6
N; Longitude - 125°-03.7 E. January 23, 1945 Zone description (-) 9 At anchor in
SAN PEDRO BAY all day except for about 4 hours in the afternoon during which
time fueled ship and replenished ammunition. Positions: 0800 - Latitude - 11°-04.7'
N; Longitude - 125°-03.7 E. 1200 - Latitude - 11°-04.7
N; Longitude - 125°-03.7 E. 2000 - Latitude - 11°-08.5
N; Longitude - 125°-08.2 E. January 24, 1945 Zone description (-) 9 PICKING
operating with SEVENTH FLEET, attached to TASK FORCE
78 under the command of Vice Admiral D. BARBEY, USN, in accordance with CANF,
SWPA Op Plan 18-44; re-assigned from TASK FORCE 79. Assigned to TASK GROUP 78.3
in accordance with CTF 78 Op Plans 1-45 and 2-45, under command of Rear
Admiral D. STRUBLE, USN, COMPHIBGR 9. Further assigned to
TASK UNIT 78.3.5 in accordance with CTG 78.3 Op Plan 1-45. Commander
TASK UNIT 78.3.5 is Captain
B. F. BROWN, USN CDS 49, U.S.S. PICKING, flagship. Anchored
in center anchorage, SAN PEDRO BAY, LEYTE. Positions: 0800,1200,
2000, Latitude - 11°-06.0 N; Longitude - 125°-03.0 E. January 25, 1945 Zone description (-)9 Anchored in center anchorage, SAN PEDRO BAY, LEYTE. During the afternoon, an hour before sunset, unidentified aircraft were reported in the area. All ships went to general quarters in accordance with the SOPA Flash Red. At 1845 the All Clear was given; no attacks having been made, nor were any planes sighted by this ship. Positions: 0800,1200,
2000, Latitude - 11°-06.0 N; Longitude - 125°-03.0 E. |