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April 21, 1945. Zone description (-) 9 Furnished
night illumination and harassing fire until dawn.The harassing fire was
requested by the 7TH INFANTRY DIVISION. A total of 134 rounds
of starshells and 141 rounds of 5 AA common were expended on all targets.
Remained at anchor during the day. No calls for fire support were received. In the evening
CTG 51.19 (ComCruDiv 6) ordered SALT LAKE CITY, MOBILE, PICKING and CALLAGHAN
to anchor at dusk in assigned berths near the entrance
channel to NAKAGUSUKU WAN. Air attacks were expected during the night. Several
enemy planes were in the OKINAWA area during the night, but no
attacks were made on ships in NAKAGUSUKU WAN. Positions: 0800 - Latitude - 26°-13.2
N; Longitude - 127°-50.2 E. 1200 - Latitude - 26°-l3.2
N; Longitude - 127°-20.2 E. 2000 - Latitude - 26°-15.O
N; Longitude - 127°-53.O E. April 22, 1945. Zone description (-) 9 Weighed anchor
before dawn and moved in with the cruisers taking fire support stations.
Awaited arrival of minesweepers which were to clear the area between KUTAKA and
OKINAWA; PICKING was assigned by CTG 51.19 to render fire support to
these sweepers. Took a station at 0730 at the southern extremity of the swept
area in NAKAGUSUKU WAN. Sweep operations were carried on by YNSs. The area
contains many shoals and LCVPs rigged with sweeping gear were used in shallow
areas. Sweeping operations were completed at 1630 with no fire having been
encountered from the beach. Anchored at dusk in an assigned berth in western
NAKAGUSUKU WAN. Enemy planes attacked OKINAWA in force during the day. Two
outlying ships, the LONGSHAW and ISHERWOOD, were damaged, but the
Combat Air Patrol prevented the enemy raiders from reaching the beachhead area.
Fifty-three enemy planes were reported shot down, mostly by CAP. Positions: 0800 - Latitude - 26°-10.4 N; Longitude -
l27°-52.5 E. 1200 - Latitude - 26°-lO.2 N; Longitude -
l27°-52.8 E. 2000 - Latitude - 26°-13.0 N; Longitude -
l27°-56.2 E. April 23, 1945. Zone description (-) 9 Proceeded at
0635,by orders of CTG 51.19, to HAGUSHI to report to CTG 51.22. Anchored in the transport area. Took
aboard 175 starshells and 40 rounds of AA
Common as directed by CTF 52, and returned to NAKAGUSUKU WAN to report to CTG
51.19. Arrived at 1600 and lay-to until dusk before anchoring in berth assigned
by CTG 51.19. Received no night firing assignments. Positions: 0800 - Latitude - 26°-l5.0 N; Longitude -
l27°-53.0 E. 1200 - Latitude - 26°-19.2 N; Longitude -
l27°-42.7 E. 2000 - Latitude - 26°-l4.0 N; Longitude -
l27°-50.5 E. April 24, 1945. Zone description (-) 9 Rain and bad
weather prevented bombarding with air spot throughout the day. Received no fire
support missions until a night harrassing assignment
was given by C.T.G. 51.19 at 1955. Thirty rounds were to be expended in each of
four target areas. Positions: 0800 - Latitude - 26°-l4.2 N; Longitude -
l27°-50.0 E. 1200 - Latitude - 26°-l4.2 N; Longitude -
l27°-50.0 E. 2000 - Latitude - 26°-l3.5 N; Longitude -
127°-49.2 E. April 25, 1945. Zone description (-)9 Expended 200
rounds on four target areas during night harassing fire mission. Underway at
dawn in accordance with orders of C.T.G. 51.19 and proceeded in
company with the LAWS to Fire Support Sector Five (transport area,
HAGUSHI) to join the TEXAS and escort her to NAKAGUSUKU WAN. PICKING and LAWS formed
anti-submarine screen for TEXAS west of NAHA and returned to NAKAGUSUKU
WAN. Back in that bay at 1030. Lay to, expecting large scale air attack. The
threatening weather of the past two days had hampered air operations, and it
was probable that the enemy would take advantage of the weather. At
1600, assigned to a call fire mission by C.T.G. 51.19. Worked with a S.F.C.
party and an air borne spotter from the TEXAS. A building, caves,
trenches, and a rifle pit were hit before the OSC had to return to TEXAS. Expended
58 rounds 5 AA common.
Anchored after dark and at 2040 commenced
night harassing fire on targets designated by C.T.G. 51.19. A total of 90
rounds were to be expended over a period lasting until dawn. At 2230,
commenced firing an additional 12 rounds of starshells per hour after an urgent
request was made by the S.F.C. party. Positions: 0800 - Latitude - 26°-07.5
N; Longitude - l27°-36.4 E. 1200 - Latitude - 26°-l2.5
N; Longitude - l27°-50.3 E. 2000 - Latitude - 26°-l4.8
N; Longitude - 127°-49.8 E. April 26, 1945. Zone description
(-) 9 Ceased
illumination and harassing firing at 0552 having expended 159 rounds 5 AA common
and 36 rounds of starshells . Underway at 0723 and proceeded
to Fire Support Sector Five (HAGUSHI) in company with the CALLAGHAN to
report to C.T.F. 54 in accordance with orders of C.T.G. 51.19. Upon arrival
at transport area, reported to C.T.F. 54 in the TENNESSEE and anchored
standing by for further assignment. Night orders were to remain anchored.
Bad weather prevented any enemy air operations. Positions: 0800 Latitude - 26°-12.6 N;
Longitude - 127°-56.5 E. 1200 - Latitude - 26°-22.0
N; Longitude - 127°-41.9 E. 2000 - Latitude - 26°-22.0
N; Longitude - 127°-41.9 E. April 27, 1945. Zone description (-)9 Underway from
HAGUSHI ANCHORAGE at 0530 for logistics at KERAMA RETTO. Assigned to T.G. 51.15
by C.T.G. 52 for these operations. Steamed in company
with the SALT LAKE CITY, MOBILE and CALLAGHAN. Replenished ammunition,
unloaded empties, fueled and took aboard provisions during the day.
Returned with the same ships in the evening to HAGUSHI and reported to C.T.G.
54.2. Received an anchorage assignment for the night. At 1901 received
a report on the voice radio that an enemy shore battery was harassing ships in
the southern end of the anchorage. The report stated the location
of the gun position was in a grid area to the north of NAHA. Went to general
quarters at dusk when AA bursts were observed to the north. It turned
out that the plane was friendly and had been taken under fire by one of our own
ships which had thought the aircrafts actions unfriendly. Returned
to general quarters at 2050. Three groups of enemy planes were reported
approaching the area from the east and northeast. Smoke boats laid an
effective screen over the anchorage. The SOPA ordered ships to hold fire until
given permission to commence firing. At least one of the planes came within
two miles of the anchorage and was fired on by many ships. PICKING did
not fire; the plane was invisible through the smoke. At 2335 another unidentified
plane was in the area. Smoke was made and then followed more obviously wild
shooting by machine guns at an invisible target. Positions: 0800 - Latitude - 26°-ll.2
N; Longitude - 127°-19.7 E. 1200 - Latitude - 26°-12.0
N; Longitude - l27°-20.2 E. 2000 - Latitude - 26°-2l.9
N; Longitude - l27°-41.9 E. |