USS PICKING WORLD WAR II LOG

February 2, 1945                  Zone description (-)9

Patrolling in anti-submarine screen off assault beach areas, SAN NARCISO, LUZON. At 0225 made radar contact on unidentified aircraft bearing 280° T., 37 miles; held general quarters to repel possible enemy air attack. The aircraft was tracked in to 12 miles at which time contact was lost on a bearing of 280° T. An half four later an unidentified airplane approached from over land, crossed over the assault area and retired on a northwesterly course. Motor noises were heard as it passed overhead and shortly thereafter radar contact gained. The plane was tracked out to range 12 miles on bearing 00° T. where contact was lost. 0314 “ALL CLEAR” was given, secured from general quarters, set condition of readiness II. Again at 0445, unidentified aircraft were reported by the shore fighter director station, the S.O.P.A., CDS 49, in PICKING, ordered all ships to general quarters. Twenty-five nutes later, the “ALL CLEAR” was given, no unidentified aircraft having been contacted by this ship. 0725 Ceased antisubmarine patrol, formed a special cruising disposition with the remaining landing craft and screening ships in the vicinity and set course for SUBIC BAY, LUZON, in accordance with CTG 78.3 instructions of the previous day. Disposition guide, LST 1025. OTC is CTU 78.3.5, CDS 49, in PICKING. Arrived in SUBIC BAY at 1240 and anchored in assigned berth.

Positions:

               0800 - Latitude - l5°-OO.O’  N; Longitude - l20°-OO.6’ E.

               1200 - Latitude - l4°-44.5’  N; Longitude - l20°-l2.2’ E.

               2000 - Latitude - l4°-47.3’  N; Longitude - l20°-l4.0’ E.

 

February 3, 1945                      Zone description (-)9

Remained anchored in SUBIC BAY all day. Twice during the evening, at 2053 and 2236 unidentified aircraft were reported in the vicinity, each time the S.O.P.A. ordered general quarters, each a]ert lasting for an half hour.There were no unidentified aircraft contacts made by this ship during either alert.

Positions:

               0800 - Latitude - l4°-47.4’ N; Longitude - l20°-14.O’ E.

               1200 - Latitude - l4°-47.4’ N; Longitude - l20°-l4.O’ E.

               2000 - Latitude - l4°-47.4’ N; Longitude - l20°-l4.O’ E.

 

February 4, 1945                      Zone description (-)9

At anchor in SUBIC BAY, LUZON until late afternoon. During the afternoon CTG 78.3 (REAR ADMIRAL A. D. STRUBLE) ordered the PICKING and WICKES to accompany TASK UNIT 78.3.26, scheduled for sortie at 1700, to MINDORO ISLAND, then to pick up another task unit and return to SUBIC BAY. Underway at 1700 and proceeded from SUBIC BAY. Upon completion of sortie of the landing craft, formed a special cruising disposition with TASK UNIT 78.3.26 in accordance with CTG 78.3 instructions. Disposition guide and OTC in LST 924. OTC, COMLSTGR 44. PICKING in station about 3200 from the fleet center

Positions:

               0800 - Latitude - l4°-47.3’ N; Longitude - l20°-l4.O’ E.

               1200 - Latitude - l4°-47.3’ N; Longitude - l20°-l4.O’ E.

               2000 - Latitude - l4°-32.O’ N; Longitude - ll9°-58.O’ E.

 

February 5, 1945                      Zone description (-)9

Steaming in company with TASK UNIT 78.3.26. At 0800 left the disposition, in company with the WICKES, and proceeded to MINDORO ISLAND at 22 knots. Arrived in MANGARIN BAY, MINDORO ISLAND at l300, fueled ship, then anchored in assigned berth in the anchorage area.

Positions:

               0800 - Latitude - l3°-ll.9’ N; Longitude - l19°-22.6’  E.

               1200 - Latitude - l2°-36.O’ N; Longitude - l20°-42.O’  E.

               2000 - Latitude - l2°-20.8’ N; Longitude - l2l°-02.O’  E.

February 6, 1945                      Zone description (-)9 

Anchored in MANGARIN BAY, MINDORO ISLAND, P.I. At 1200 got underway and proceeded from MANGARIN BAY along with the other ships of TASK UNIT 78.3.27. Upon completion of sortie, 1300, formed a special cruising disposition with TASK UNIT and set course for SUBIC BAY, LUZON in accordance with CTG 78.3 instructions of 4 February 1945. PICKING in station #1 of Anti-Submarine Screen Plan #52. Disposition guide, U.S.S. GRASP (ARS 24). OTC is CTU 78.3.27; CDS 49, in PICKING. At 2000 U.S.S. THOMASON and U.S.S. NEUENDORF destroyer escorts, joined the disposition; formed Anti-Submarine Screen #54, with PICKING in station #1. An half hour before midnight, unidentified aircraft were contacted bearing 220° T, 60 miles. The aircraft closed the range slowly and passed down the port side of the disposition at 30 miles. Contact was lost at 0005, February 7, bearing 325° T., 57 miles.

         Positions:

0800 – Latitude - l4°-20.8’ N; Longitude - 12l°-02.O’ E.

1200 - Latitude - l4°-20.8’ N; Longitude - l2l°-02.O’ E.

2000 - Latitude - l3°-08.O’ N; Longitude - l20°-09.O’ E.

0800 - Latitude -

 

February 7, 1945                   Zone description (-) 9

          

Steaming enroute MINDORO to SUBIC BAY, LUZON. Shortly after midnight, the THOMASON reported a sonar contact, after investigation, evaluated as large school of fish. At 0325 the U.S.S. PHOENIX and escorts overtook this disposition and CTG 77.3, in the PHOENIX, ordered the THOMASON and NEUENDORF to join him. PICKING and WICKES remaining as screen for TASK UNIT 78.3.27, formed Anti-Submarine Screen Plan 52, with PICKING in station #1. Arrived in SUBIC BAY at 0840 and anchored in assigned berth. There was one air alert during the evening at 2102, which lasted for three quarters of an hour; no planes attacked, nor were any contacted by this ship. 

Positions:

0800 - Latitude - l4°-43.l’ N; Longitude - l20°-ll.8’ E.

1200 - Latitude - l4°-43.l’ N; Longitude - l20°-ll.8’ E.

2000 - Latitude - l4°-43.l’ N; Longitude - l20°-ll.8’ E.

 

February 8, 1945, through February 12, 1945            Zone description

Remained anchored in SUBIC BAY.

Positions:

   0800 - Latitude - l4°-43.0’ N; Longitude - l20°-ll.0’ E.

   1200 - Latitude - l4°-43.0’ N; Longitude - l20°-ll.0’ E.

   2000 - Latitude - l4°-43.0’ N; Longitude - l20°-ll.0’ E.

0800 - Latitude -

 

February 13, 1945.                   Zone description (-) 9.

               Anchored in SUBIC BAY, LTJZON. 0330 CDs 49 temporarily transferred his pennant to the U.S.S. WICKES. At 0400 underway, joined TASK UNIT 78.3.6 (Mine Sweepers) and set course for CORREGIDOR ISLAND to carry out minesweeping operations in accordance with CTG 78.3 OP Plan 4-45. PICKING’s

task

            Positions:

                         0800 - Latitude - l4°-l8.5’  N;  Longitude  - l20°-l8.6’ E.

                         1200 - Latitude - l4°-20.7’  N;  Longitude  - l20°-32.l’ E.

                         2000 — Latitude - l4°-32.8’  N;  Longitude  - l20°-l2.5’ E.

 

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