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May
8, 1945.
Zone description (-)
9 Conducting night harassing fire and illumination from NAKAGUSUKU WAN. Completed assignment at 0514 having expended 135 rounds of AA common and 127 Positions: 0800 - Latitude - 26°-04.2’
N; Longitude - l27°-48.4’ E. 1200 - Latitude - 26°-l2.O’
N; Longitude - l27°-20.O’ E. 2000 - Latitude - 26°-l8.6’
N; Longitude - 127°-42.3’ E. May 9, 1945. Zone description (-)
9 Ceased firing
night mission at 0510. Expended 100 rounds of 5”/38 AA common and 42
starshells. Stood by for call fires from shore fire control party. Fired first
mission at 0805 having moved southward to a position off NAHA TOWN to close
range and get a better line of fire on the assigned target area. This area
contained JAP infantry. As requested by the shore party, fired on a nave, a
large building, and neutralized other areas. Ceased firing at 1655. Ammunition
expenditure for day’s firing: 264 5”/38 AA common and 21 5”/38 white
phosphorous projectiles. Anchored in a position 3 miles north of NAHA TOWN to
deliver harassing fire in areas assigned by C.T.G. 51.22 and illumination as
directed by the shore fire control party. A small group of enemy planes
attempted a raid at dusk, but failed to get any further than the combat air
patrol. Positions: 0800 - Latitude - 26°-l6.5’
N; Longitude - 127°-39.7’ E. 1200 - Latitude - 26°-l4.5’
N; Longitude - l27°-38.O’ E. 2000 - Latitude - 26°-17.5’
N; Longitude - 127°-42.O’ E. May 10, 1945 Zone description (-)
9 Enemy planes
attempted assaults on OKINAWA from midnight till 0445. Nine groups of them came
in on different bearings suggesting a planned coordinated
attack. Many of these were effectively intercepted by night fighters, others
retired without reaching the beachhead or the anchorage area.
A few closed the range to five miles of the HAGUSHI ANCHORAGE but either made
no attacks or missed their targets by a wide margin. There were no
reports of any damage having been sustained by shipping. However, fire support
operations were interrupted since no bombarding or illuminating is conducted
during air raids. 216 rounds of 5”/38 AA common and 3 starshells were expended
before midnight and during the lulls between air raids. At 0811 commenced call
fire missions as directed by the shore fire control party and using spots of an
air borne spotter. An enemy counter attack was being launched. The morning’s
firing was requested to neutralize areas containing troops. Ammunition expended
during the morning: 112 rounds of 5”/38 AA common, 3 rounds of white
phosphorous. A reported BETTY flew over OKINAWA at 1350 at a very high
altitude. No attack was made. At 1437 opened fire on a target area believed to
contain enemy artillery. 17 Rounds of 5”/38 AA common were expended when fire
was ceased; the spotter had to return to base because of an AA hit (estimated
about 20mm) on the tail of his plane. Proceeded to HAGUSHI at 1630 to replenish
ammunition from an LST. At 1915 completed taking aboard 700 rounds of powder
and AA common projectiles. Returned back to fire support station and anchored
after dark four miles north of NAHA. Commenced harassing areas assigned by
C.T.G. 51.22 and illuminating as directed by shore fire control party. Positions: 0800 - Latitude - 26°-l7.0’
N; Longitude - l27°-39.7’ E. 1200 - Latitude - 26°-17.l’
N; Longitude - l27°-39.9’ E. 2000 - Latitude - 26°-17.3’
N; Longitude - 127°-38.6’ E. May 11, 1945 Zone description (-)
9 Night
bombardment and illumination checked at 0115 when enemy planes were closing
from the north. These raiders were in the area until 0500. Ships were
hidden in smoke and there were no reports of damage. Ceased night firing at
0547, having expended 98 rounds of AA Common and 6 starshells. Held general
quarters at 0800, many enemy planes were reported approaching OKINAWA. Ships of
TASK GROUP 54.1 formed special cruising disposition 6VT. This formation
provides an adequate defense against aircraft while permitting the fire support
ships to continue their call fire missions. The air attack
was very effectively met by the combat air patrol and outlying ships. No enemy
planes reached the immediate vicinity; 78 were reported
shot down. Released from formation at 1026 to resume previously assigned duty.
Resumed call fire station in fire support sector 5. Relieved on
station at 1826 by the HALL having received no further missions. Proceeded
to HAGUSHI to join TASK GROUP 54.2. Assigned an anchorage for the Night.
The wind and sea increased after dark, the northerly winds averaging 25 knots.
Adjusted anchorage at 2115 to prevent possibility of swinging into nearby
ships. May 12, 1945. Zone description (-) 9 No logistics
being required, assigned to call fire missions instead of proceeding to KERAMA
RETTO. Fired a rapid preparation fire for the 6th MARDIV
from 0656 until 0715 to precede an advance by that force. Received a report
from the shore party at 0800 that many JAP 40 and 105 MM guns were knocked
out by this bombardment. Next targets were caves and gun emplacements. Several
of these were fired on and neutralized during the morning and early afternoon.
Spotted as directed by air borne observer. Ceased firing at 1600 having
expended 898 rounds of 5”/38 cal. AA common and 5
rounds of 5”/38 cal. white phosphorous projectiles. Relieved on call fire station
at 1603 by the IRWIN. Assigned to anti-suicide boat or “flycatcher” operations
for the night with COMCRUDIV 5 in the SALT LAKE CITY in charge. Ships
with this duty illuminate the coast line from NAHA to the southern end of
OKINAWA, harass possible small boat bases, support LCI’s working close to the
beach, destroy any suicide boats contacted; and, in addition, harass the airstrips
at NAHA and ITOMAN to prevent any possible operation of these fields by the
enemy. PICKING in station 7,000 yards south of the SALT LAKE CITY. Anchored
at 2205, 4 miles west of ITOMAN airstrip, and continued operations. No suicide
boats were encountered. Positions: 0800 - Latitude - 26°-l6.O’
N; Longitude - l27°-39.2’ E. 1200 - Latitude - 26°-l6.O’
N; Longitude - l27°-39.2’ E. 2000 - Latitude - 26°-09.9’
N; Longitude - l27°-35.9’ E. May 13, 1945. Zone description (-) 9 Enemy planes
in small numbers, and at ranges too great for the PICKING’s guns, were
in the OKINAWA area until daylight. Harassed ITOMAN airstrip
from 0500 to 0510 in a pre-dawn bombardment. Total ammunition expended during
the night: 159 rounds 5”/38 AA Common and 76 Starshells. At 0540
proceeded to KERAMA RETTO for logistics in company with the SALT LAKE CITY and
the BEALE. On return to OKINAWA at 1830, relieved the PRESTON of her
fire support duties. A few JAP planes attempted a raid on OKINAWA at dusk, but
failed to get by the combat air patrol and picket ships. Commenced harassing
fire in areas designated by the shore fire control party at 2038. Positions: 0800 - Latitude - 26°-lO.5’
N; Longitude - l27°-l9.5’ E. 1200 - Latitude - 26°-lO.5’
N; Longitude - l27°-l8.8’ E. 2000 - Latitude - 26~-l6.6’
N; Longitude - l27°-36.6’ E. May 14, 1945 Zone description (-) 9 At 0300 an
enemy plane was reported approaching from the northwest. By 0330 there were
several enemy aircraft in the area. Ceased harassing and illumination fire;
went to general quarters. One plane passed within three miles. The Commanding
Officer’s policy is to hold fire at night unless directly
attacked in order to avoid disclosing position by gun flashes or tracers (if
not operating as part of a screen). Fired an emergency illumination
at 0350 on request of shore party. By four o’clock the area was |