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USS PICKING WORLD WAR II LOG May 3, 1945. Zone description (-) 9 Continued anti-small
boat patrol and harassing fire mission till morning. Left BIRMINGHAM at
0500 and bombarded ITOMAN airstrip until 0540. Fifty
rounds of 5 AA common were expended in this mission. During the Entire nights
operations, 184 AA common and 44 starshells were
fired. Proceeded to HAGUSHI to await further orders. Assigned
to call fire missions by C.T.G. 51.22. Anchored off NAHA and commenced
firing into enemy held positions at 0824 as directed by shore fire control party. At
1233 a small scale raid was made by a VAL, KATE and an OSCAR. No
damage was sustained by our forces. Received a call for fire
at 1544. 77 rounds of AA common were fired into enemy troops. Air bursts
were reported as excellent. At 1650 enemy AA guns were sighted firing on friendly planes. Fired 44 rounds of 5 AA common into the location. No
further firing was observed from the enemy guns. Proceeded to HAGUSHI and anchored in berth
assigned by C.T.G. 51.22. There was another small enemy air raid at dusk (1850).
None of these planes reached the anchorage area. One VAL was observed
shot down by 3 planes of the Combat Air Patrol. Positions: 0800 -
Latitude - 26°-l6.0 N; Longitude - 127°-38.5 E. 1200 -
Latitude - 26°-l6.0 N; Longitude - l27°-38.5 E. 2000 -
Latitude - 26°-24.0 N; Longitude - 127°-41.l E. May 4, 1945. Zone description (-) 9 From 0215 till
0415 enemy planes were over and around the transport Area harassing ships in
the anchorage. Ships, were kept under a smoke screenduring these attacks. Several of these planes were
illuminated by our search lights on the beach, and the engines of one group
could be heard overhead. At 0346 a string of five bombs hit the water 500 yards
from the PICKING. No damage was observed by these explosions. In the morning, accompanied the group of ships going to KERAMA
RETTO for logistics. Fueled and replenished ammunition
in EASTERN ANCHORAGE. Enemy aircraft were reported in the area at 0800,
but the anchorage was not attached. Replenishing some 1300 rounds was not
assisted by the Flash Red; this vessel finally gave up trying to replenish at
general quarters and put all hands on the ammunition, to expedite clearing the
LST loaded with ammunition. Returned to HAGUSHI in the evening with the
logistics group and anchored for the night. Enemy planes were reported
approaching from the north at 1900, on our arrival at the anchorage. This
attack was effectively met by the combat air patrol; none reached the anchorage
or the assault area, the combat air patrol reported shooting down some fifteen
enemy planes, mostly ZEKES and VALS. Positions: 0800 - Latitude - 26°-12.0
N; Longitude - l27°-20.0 E. 1200 - Latitude - 26°-l2.0
N; Longitude - l27°-20.0 E. 2000 - Latitude - 26°-22.5
N; Longitude - l27°-41.9 E. May 5, 1945. Zone description (-) 9 Enemy snooper
planes were in the OKINAWA area from midnight until 0350. The closest any of
these approached was six miles. There were no reports heard of any damage to ships in the anchorage. Remained at HAGUSHI during the day while Captain BROWN, Commander
Destroyer Squadron 49, and the ships gunnery officer made an inspection of the
front lines, on the beach. These observations by naval personnel are
made primarily from a gunnery standpoint to better acquaint ships with the
problems and results of naval bombardments. Underway at 1745
proceeding to NAKAGUSUKU WAN in accordance with orders of C.T.G. 51.19.
Anchored in that bay at 2005 and at 2017 commenced night harassing fire in
areas assigned by C.T.G. 51.19 and illumination fire as directed by shore fire control party. Positions: 0800 - Latitude - 26°-22.0 N; Longitude - 127°-4l.9 E. 1200 - Latitude - 26°-22.0 N; Longitude -
l27°-41.9 E. 2000 - Latitude - 26°-l3.5 N; Longitude - l27°-5l.0 E. May 6, 1945. Zone description (-)9 Anchored in NAKAGUSUKU WAN, eastern OKINAWA providing, night harassing fire and illumination with other units of TG 51.19. Held general quarters at 0225 for an energy raid of a few planes. The closest of these approached to seven miles on a bearing of 175° T, but then opened the range to the west and north. Continued with night assignment until 0510, 167 AA Common and 45 Starshells were expended on the night mission. Call fire missions were commenced at 0645 using a VOF plane for spotting. Targets for the day were a blockhouse and caves. Firing was interrupted several times during the morning by enemy planes reported in the area. A TONY and a DINAH were sighted to the northwest. None of these planes approached NAKAGUSUKU WAN, but bombardment was checked in accordance with current practice. A total of 346 rounds of AA Common and 16 rounds of White Phosphorous were expended on call fires. At 1630 the beach along the southern part Positions: 0800 -
Latitude - 26°-ll.5 N; Longitude - l27°-48.3 E. 1200 -
Latitude - 26°-ll.5 N; Longitude - l27°-48.3t E. 2000 - Latitude - 26°-13.0
N; Longitude - l27°-49.0 E. May 7, 1945 Zone description (-)
9 Conducting night harassing
bombardment and illumination fire from NAKAGUSUKU WAN. Went to general quarters at
0211 when an unidentified plane approached from the
north to 22 miles. Plane remained in area until 0310. At 0420 another snooper
closed to seven miles before retiring. Completed night bombardment mission at 0515 having expended 125
rounds of AA Common and 37 Starshells. At 0752 commenced firing call fires for shore
fire control party with air-borne observer spotting. The spotter reported that
the bombardment sealed several caves and furnished good harassing fire in the
area. Other caves, one of which contained a gun emplacement were the targets
during the days firing which ceased at 1430. Ammunition expenditure: 389 rounds of 5 AA Common, 20 rounds of
White Phosphorous, 17 rounds of 5 Common. Underway at 1439 in company with the
Received a harassing and illumination fire assignment for the night from CTG 51.19. Positions: 0800 -
Latitude - 26°-13.0 N; Longitude - 127°-5l.6 E. 1200 -
Latitude - 26°-l3.2 N; Longitude - l27°-5l.6 E. 2000 -
Latitude - 26°-l3.8 N; Longitude - l27°-50.3 E. |