USS PICKING WORLD WAR II LOG

March 1, 1945.                       Zone description (-)9

PICKING a unit of the FIFTH FLEET and flagship of CDS 49, Captain BROWN, USN. Acting under COMPHIBGROUP 7, Rear Admiral KILAND; flagship,

U.S.S. MT. MCKINLEY. In drydock ARD-19 since 1630 yesterday to have screws replaced by those of the damaged DD, RENSHAW. The bottom was scraped and

painted

Positions:

             0800 — Latitude - 1l°-09.O’  N;  Longitude - l25°-09.2’ E.

             1200 - Latitude - 1l°-08.2’  N;  Longitude - l25°-09.4’ E.

             2000 - Latitude - ll°-08.2’   N;  Longitude - l25°-09.4’ E.

 

March 2, 1945.                       Zone description (-) 9

Shifted to berth 62, SAN PEDRO BAY; in the morning, continued with minor ship repairs.

Positions:

0800 - Latitude - l1°-07.9’ N; Longitude - 125°-07.7’ E.

1200 - Latitude - ll°-03.4’ N; Longitude - l25°-lO.4’ E.

2000 - Latitude - ll°-O3.4’ N; Longitude - 125°-lO.4’ E.

 

March 3, 1945 through March 6, 1945.           Zone description (-) 9

Anchored as before; completed “at anchor” availability period.

 

March 7, 1945.                       Zone description (-)9

Just after daylight, on verbal orders of CDS 49, shifted to TARRAGUNA ANCHORAGE, LEYTE GULF.

Positions:

0800 - Latitude - l0°-5l.6’ N; Longitude - l25°-02.8’ E.

1200 - Latitude - l0°-5l.6’ N; Longitude - l25°-02.8’ E.

2000 - Latitude - lO°-5l.6’ N; Longitude - l25°-02.8’ E.

 

March 9, 1945.                       Zone description (-) 9

In accordance with Commander Amphibious Group 7 Training Order, A70345, PICKING assigned to TASK GROUP 51.1, with Rear Admiral KILAND, in

MT. MC KINLEY, T.G. commander. By the same order, PICKING further assigned to T.U. 52.1.13 (Western Islands Attack Group Screen), with Captain BROWN,

CDS 49, T.U. commander; flagship, PICKING. In accordance with ComUDTSPhibsPac Op. Order 4-45, effective March 9 only, PICKING re-assigned

to

BROWN, T.U. commander; flagship, PICKING. These two training orders are based on COMPHIBGROUP 7 attack plan, A70l-45; and movement plan, A702-45.

Underway in morning for rehearsal U.D.T. operations in accordance with ComUDTSPhibsPac Op. Order 4-45, in company with U.S.S. ISHERWOOD and

U.S.S. KIMBERLY; O.T.C. was C.T.U. 52.11.2, Captain BROWN; flagship, PICKING. Joined other units of T.G. 52.11 at 0700 northwest of HOMONHON ISLAND, P.I. Made four rehearsal assaults according to plan during the day. PICKING’s assignment, to form a line of departure with other DD’s for the assault

boats

Reverted to T.U. 52.1.13.

Positions:

0800 - Latitude - 10°-49.O’ N; Longitude - 125°-39.4’ E.

1200 - Latitude - l0°-49.3’ N; Longitude - 125°-39.6’ E.

2000 - Latitude - lO°-5l.5’ N; Longitude - 125°-03.8’ E.

 

March 10, 1945.                      Zone description (-) 9

Underway in the morning in accordance with COMPHIBGROUP 7 Training Order A703-45, proceeded to AA firing area north of SULUAN IS., P.I., in

company

OBERRENDER, DE-344, joined formation. Scheduled AA firing practice delayed by rain squalls; were carried out during the morning and afternoon. The

5”/38, 40mm, and 20mm batteries were exercised in the morning and afternoon. Evasive emergency turns were made during several runs. Returned to TARRAGUNA in the evening.

Positions:

0800 - Latitude - lO°-49.O’ N; Longitude - 125°-39.4’ E.

1200 - Latitude - 1O°-49.3’ N; Longitude - 125°-39.6’ E.

2000 - Latitude - l0°-5l.5’ N; Longitude - l25°-03.8’ E.

 

March 13, 1945.                      Zone description (-) 9

Underway before dawn for sortie patrol station east of transport area.

‘I TARE“ with TASK GROUP 51.1, PICKING in station #1 of anti-submarine screen plan 57. Formation proceeded to sea through SURIGAO STRAIT in

accordance

51.1, Rear Admiral KILAND, in U.S.S. MT MC KINLEY. Screen Commander is C.T.U. 51.1.13, Captain MOOSBRUGGER, flagship, U.S.S. BISCAYNE.

Positions:

0800 - Latitude - l0°-47.2’ N; Longitude - 125°-ll.3’ E.

1200 - Latitude - lO°-37.4’ N; Longitude - l25°-38.5’ E.

2000 - Latitude - lO°-40.8’ N; Longitude - l25°-37.8’ E.

 

March 14, 1945.                      Zone description (-) 9.

Returned into LEYTE GULF through SURIGAO STRAIT. When north of HIBUSON ISLAND, the PICKING, in company with CHARLES J. BADGER, WILLIAM

D. PORTER and KIMBERLEY left their screening stations; formed a scouting line with PICKING in center as guide, and conducted an anti-submarine

sweep

ISLAND where ships acted independently and proceeded to their assigned anti-submarine patrol sectors. PICKING first conducted search around

CABUGAN GRANDE and CABUGAN CHICO ISLAND be fore going to sector A-5. Ships of screen synchronized so that all units move in same direction

around

necessary

Positions:

0800 - Latitude - 10°-32.3’ N; Longitude - 125°-26.9’ E.

1200 - Latitude - lO°-23.5’ N; Longitude - l25°-2l.O’ E.

2000 - Latitude - l0°-29.O’ N; Longitude - l25°-14.O’ E.

 

March 15, 1945.                      Zone description (-) 9.

Continued anti-submarine patrol during day. On verbal orders from Screen Commander, anchored for the night.

Positions:

0800 - Latitude - lO°-26.5’ N; Longitude - l25°-24.2’ E.

1200 - Latitude - 10°-27.5’ N; Longitude - l25°-24.5’ E.

2000 - Latitude - l0°-35.2’ N; Longitude - 125°-l4.3’ E.

 

March 16, 1945.                      Zone description (-) 9.

Departed training area in the afternoon in anti-submarine screen with TRANSDIV 49.

Positions:

0800 - Latitude - 10°~35.2’ N; Longitude - l25°-l4.3’ E.

1200 - Latitude - 10°-29.0’ N; Longitude - l25°-16.8’ E.

2000 - Latitude - 10°-57.6’ N; Longitude - 125°-04.0’ E.

 

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