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USS PICKING WORLD WAR II LOG April 6, 1945 Zone description (-) 9 (Continued) Several ships
opened fire. One plane was observed to change course to the left and head away
from the area in a northeasterly direction. Two continued on in very low over the water
on a suicide run on the PICKING. One of these was hit at 1000 yards,
nosed upwards, burst into flames and dove into the water. The other closed the range
to a hundred yards or less. Tracers from PICKING’s
40mm guns could be seen striking the target. It exploded into flames. A large part of the
wreckage struck the water a few yards off the port quarter. The performance of
both the main battery and machine gun batteries in destroying the two
attacking planes was outstanding and prevented the ship from suffering certain
damage, Rounds expended were: 109 rounds of 5”/38, 333 rounds of
40mm, 180 rounds of 20mm. One man standing by on top of the main battery
director was struck in the leg by flying metal from a 5” air burst. Instead of
retiring to sea with T.G. 52.3, the PICKING was ordered to provide night
illumination for 24th Corps front lines. Lay to (anchored at 2200) in Fire
Support Sector Five, south of the transport area and five thousand yards from
the beach. Positions: 0800 - Latitude - 26°-l5.1’
N; Longitude - l27°-2l.2’ E. 1200 - Latitude - 26°-l6.0’
N; Longitude - l27°-22.l’ E. 2000 - Latitude - 26°-20.3’
N; Longitude - l27°-38.l’ E. April 7, 1945 Zone description (-) 9 Fired starshells as directed by shore fire control party who designated
target areas to be illuminated and spotted. At 0337 firing was discontinued when unidentified aircraft were reported in
the area. Ships were ordered to make smoke by C.T.F. 51, the SOPA; 48 rounds of
5” starshells were expended during the
night. Underway at daylight and maneuvered outside the transport area while awaiting
assignment. Passed U.S.S. HYMAN
which had been hit at the forward torpedo mount by
a “suicide” plane during yesterday’s air attacks. PICKING’S medical
officer went aboard to render assistance to the wounded. At 0820, relieved the ANTHONY
in Fire Support Sector Five and waited for call fire missions from the
beach. At 1025 received a call for fire in target area 7977Q. Fired four one
gun salvos and received a “cease firing” from the shore fire control party. Shifted
to a new target area and fired one round of neutralization fire. Another call
was received at 1300 to fire on an enemy artillery position. Results of firing
were reported as “very good” by the fire control party. Commenced firing on a
new target at 1340. A fire was started, results were reported “good” . Total ammunition expended on problems was 45 rounds of
AA Common and 3 rounds of White Phosphorous. Relieved on call
fire station at 1500 by U.S.S. HARDING, DMS 27. CDS 49 returned
to the ship from a conference aboard the TENNESSEE. Reports were
received that an enemy task force is heading southward from JAPAN. T.F. 54
would intercept any enemy ships attempting an attack on our beachheads. At 1530
T.F. 54 sortied and formed up in special approach
disposition 4AD. T.G. 54.5, composed of six battleships
in division columns at center; T.G. 54.6 consisting of three cruisers and
eleven destroyers on the right flank; T.G. 54.7, four cruisers and ten
destroyers, the left flank force. Cruisers 5000 yards and
destroyers 4000 yards from center of the battle line. IDAHO designated
as guide. OTC is CTF 54 in the TENNESSEE. PICKING assigned to left flank
force. T.F. 54 rehearsed deployment. At 1846 an unidentified aircraft was
detected by radar closing from 042° T., range 17 miles. The ship went to
general quarters. A “ZEKE” broke out
of the clouds on the starboard bow and commenced a suicide dive into the U.S.S.
MARYLAT\ID. An intense
barrage of AA fire was setup by the ships
present, but the plane got through and crashed into MARYLAND’s
number three turret. The MARYLAND commenced to steer out of column, but returned to station and
reported her condition as “excellent,”. 81 rounds of 40mm and 15 rounds of 20mm
were expended by the PICKING. Formation
steamed in north-south directions west of IE SHIMA. At 2300, the Task Force
went into cruising formation 5RD, upon news that TF 58 had intercepted and destroyed the lap task
force. PICKING in station 19 of a twenty ship circular
screen. Positions: 0800 - Latitude - 26°-20.O’
N. Longitude 127°-41.2’ E. 1200 -
Latitude - 26°-16.9’ N. Longitude 127°-4l.7’ E. 2000 - Latitude - 26°-52.3’
N. Longitude l27°-32.5’ E. April 8, 1945. Zone description (-) 9 At sea in company with T.F. 54 northwest of OKINAWA. Formation in special cruising 5RD, a circular disposition. PICKING in station 19 of a Positions: 0800 - Latitude - 26°-26.9’ N. Longitude l27~~34.l’ E. 1200 - Latitude - 26°-44.3’ N. Longitude l27°-4l.O’ E. 2000 - Latitude - 26°-46.8’ N. Longitude l27°-2l.4’ E. April 9, 1945. Zone description (-) 9 Arrived
back at area west of transport area in the morning in company with T.G. 54.2. Released from formation at
0615 and ordered by C.T.F. 53 to proceed to Fire Support Sector 7,
northwestern OKINAWA, with U.S.S. SAW FRANCISCO. PICKING a unit of T.F.
53 for the day’s assignment with orders are to support the 6th Marine
Division moving up the MOTOBU PENINSULA. The LAFFEY joined up northwest
of IE SHIMA. The SAN FRANCISCO launched an observation plane for spotting purposes.
Communications were established on an assigned frequency with a shore fire
control party working with the 8th Regiment. Bombardment was conducted
from the northern side of the peninsula. The approximate front line positions
as received by message were plotted on a grid chart to avoid firing into
friendly positions. Also, the shore fire control party advised ships as to
whether or not their line of fire was safe. The first target selected by the
F.C. party was a point of land on the northeastern end of the peninsula. Men in
uniform and probable boats were reported in the area. Fifty rounds
were fired into the area, in addition to those of the LAFFEY; but, the
fire control party reported the firing was “ineffective”. The SAN FRAWCISCO’s
plane spotted a large tank which was taken under fire by the cruiser.
Results were not reported. While awaiting another mission, orders were
received from C.T.F. 53 to relieve the BILOXI. Proceeded
to NAGO WAN, a bay southwest of the MOTOBU PENINSULA, by circling around IE
SHIMA to avoid upswept water in the strait between IE SHIMA and OKINAWA.
On station at 1220. Firing was ordered by shore fire
control party; spotting done by a plane from FANSHAW BAY, CVE-70. A
danger line was given to the south of which would be dangerous to friendly
patrols. |