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USS PICKING WORLD WAR II LOG April 16, 1945 Zone description (-)9 At 0220 a
large enemy plane, probably a bomber approached from west and passed close
aboard the formation. Fire was not opened as friendly night fighter was
pursuing the enemy plane. At 0540, on orders from CTG 51.19, left the formation
(steaming southeast of OKINAWA) and escorted the BILOXI to the western side of OKINAWA.
Joined the COLORADO south of KEISE JIMA and screened it back around the
southern end of OKINAWA and into NAKAGUSUKU WAN. At 0850, as
the COLORADO and PICKING entered NAKAGUSUKU WAN, many enemy planes
were reported coming from the north and were attacking our picket ships. The OTC, CTG 51.19 ordered
a circular anti-aircraft formation on an axis of 090° T to facilitate moving
out of the bay if necessary. The raiding enemy planes were effectively met by
the CAP. None reached the area, although the attacks persisted throughout the
morning and afternoon. The scheduled bombardments went on. PICKING
set up an anti-submarine patrol to seaward of the firing heavy units.
Departed from NAKAGUSUKU WAN at 1800 with the fire support units of 51.19 and
retired to seaward on a course of 150° T. Left the formation at 2000 in company
with the COLORADO and proceeded to Fire Support Sector Three,
southeastern OKINAWA, to conduct night harassing bombardment in accordance with
CTG 51.19 orders. 125 rounds of AA Common were to be expended on assigned
target areas. Positions: 0800 - Latitude -
26°-02.5 N; Longitude - l27°-39.4 E. 1200 -
Latitude - 26°-l3.O N; Longitude - 127°-52.3 E. 2000 - Latitude -
26°-04.6 N; Longitude - l28°-04.2 E. April 17, 1945. Zone description (-) 9 Steamed in
company with COLORADO in Fire Support Sector Three, off southeastern
OKINAWA and furnished harassing fire in two target areas. 125 rounds of 5 AA common were expended. Went to general
quarters when an unidentified aircraft was reported approaching the area from
the north. This plane did not come closer to the ship than 22 miles. Escorted COLORADO to NAKAGUSUKU WAN in morning.
Arrived in the bay at 0650 and proceeded to fire support station at the southwestern end. Established
communications with a V.O.F. spotter and shore fire control party; commenced
firing in areas selected by S.F.C., applying observers spots. Targets were a
pillbox, gun emplacements, and locations of enemy activity. By 1200, 580 rounds
of AA common were expended. Salt water was used to cool the
heated gun barrels. Relieved on station at noon by the CALLAGHAW; set up
an anti-submarine patrol outboard of the ARKANSAS conducting shore
bombardment in the bay. At 1444 a Helldiver in formation was observed to give
off smoke and lose altitude. One man parachuted into the water three thousand
yards west of TSUGEN JIMA, in the eastern end of NAKAGUSUKU WAN. The pilot
landed his plane on the water successfully and took to a rubber life raft. He
was picked up by an L.C.I. outside of the bay. PICKING proceeded at
flank speed to the assistance of the radioman. He was taken aboard uninjured
having kept afloat by means of a rubber raft dropped by a plane of the
squadron. Transferred the radioman (DYKES, Wilson H., ARN1c, U.S.S. BUNKER
HILL) to the HUTCHINS enroute to HAGUSHI
for further transportation to KERAMA RETTO. At 1800 ships of C.T.G. 51.19
ceased day bombardment, sortied, and proceeded to sea
off southeastern OKINAWA. C.T.G. 51.19 was COMCRUDIV 4 in the WICHITA. At
2200 enemy aircraft were around OKINAWA. One of these circled the formation. O.T.C.
ordered ships to hold fire until the range was closed to 3,000 yards.The plane retired without attacking. Positions: 0800 -
Latitude - 26°-l2.3 N; Longitude - l27°-50.0 E. 1200 -
Latitude - 26°-l2.l N; Longitude - 127°-59.2 E. 2000 - Latitude - 26°-07.3
N; Longitude - 128°-06.6 E. April 18, 1945. Zone description (-) 9 The task group
(51.19) steamed various courses during the night so as to remain in an area off
the southeastern coast of OKINAWA. At 0510 the LEARY
left the
formation and COMDESRON 49 took charge of the screen. The THOMPSON and PICKING
formed anti-submarine screen 52. Proceeded independently atbay, established communications
with a S.F.C. party and spotting plane. A pillbox, houses and caves were taken
under fire. A direct hit was made on the pillbox; houses were blown up. In
addition to Naval bombardment, the enemys positions
were subjected to a heavy air strike from 1100 till 1220. Also, the army ground
forces are regrouping and preparing for a new drive, commencing tomorrow, the
19th. In the afternoon, no spotting plane was available and, at the suggestion
of the S.F.C. party, PICKING moved towards YONABARU WAN to close the
beach and pick out targets of opportunity. Enemy activity was sighted in a
gulley and the area was covered. Several stone tombs in the hillside which
afford excellent protection were fired into. Firing was ceased at 1600 in order
to retain an allowance on board for a scheduled bombardment tomorrow morning. Anchored after dark in a standby condition for call fire support.
Opened fire at 2330 on enemy shore batteries firing on our
lines. Expended four rounds. Battery was
silenced. Positions: 0800 - Latitude - 26°-ll.6
N; Longitude - l27°-49.4 E. 1200 Latitude - 26°-l4.O
N; Longitude - l27°30.8 E. 2000 - Latitude - 26°-09.O
N; Longitude - l27°-52.2 E. April 19, 1945. Zone description (-) 9 Underway at 0500 to move down into YONABARU WAN and take station for scheduled shore bombardment. This bombardment preceded the attack of our land Almost the entire allowance of AA Common was now expended. The EDWARDS relieved on station and PICKING assumed Received
orders from CRUDIV 6 to accompany the SAN FRANCISCO, COLORADO and MOBILE
around to Fire Support Sector 6 off the western side No air raids were encountered during the
night. Positions: 0800 - Latitude - 26°-13.7 N; Longitude -
l27°-55.7 E. 1200 -
Latitude - 26°-l3.7 N; Longitude - l27°-53.2 E. 2000 -
Latitude - 26°-40.7 N; Longitude - l27°-3l.8 E. April 20, 1945. Zone description (-) 9 Formation of
T.F. 54.2 broke up at 0617 on return to assault area. Screened
SAN FRANCISCO to KERAMA RETTO. Entered EASTERN ANCHORAGE to fuel and replenish ammunition. A strong ebb tide running
through the anchorage combined with a 12 knot wind made ship handling in the
crowded narrow confines of the channel difficult. There is no protection
given by the islands at the northern or southern ends of the harbor. Logistics
were completed at 1615. A total of 1,355 rounds of common, 44
rounds AA special, 74 starshells and 31 common
projectiles were received. Screened the MOBILE to NAKAGUSUKU WAN. Anchored
in the western end of the bay after dark and commenced firing starshells in assigned grid areas at the rate of 6 per
hour. At 2250, on request of 7TH INFANTRY DIVISION and orders of C.T.G. 51.13,
further given target area for harassing fire. There were a few snooper enemy planes in the area during the night. There
were no reported attacks. Positions: 1200 - Latitude - 26°-13.3 N; Longitude -
127°-20.2 E. 2000 - Latitude - 26°-13.2 N; Longitude - 127°-50.2 E. |