|
|
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
clear of enemy planes. Continued night assignment until 0510. Expended
188 rounds of 5” AA Common and 8 starshells during
the night. First call in the morning was a rapid neutralization
fire during which 133 rounds of AA Common and one of white phosphorous were
expended. An attempt was made to knock Positions: 0800 -
Latitude - 26°-l6.6’ N; Longitude - 127°-36.6’ E. 1200 - Latitude - 26°-16.6’
N; Longitude - l27°-38.8’ E. 2000 - Latitude - 26°-15.8’
N; Longitude - 127°-37.8’ E. May 15, 1945 Zone description (-) 9 Ceased firing night mission at 0512; expended 114 rounds of 5” AA Common. Ships of TASK GROUP 54.1 underway at 0515 prepared to form up and maneuver. Shore fire control party gave a “cease fire” after six direct hits were made. Other targets for the morning were camouflaged gun positions Furnished
with an air borne spotter in the afternoon who located enemy activity and troop
movement.
Bombarded these areas using a plane’s spots during afternoon. At 1800
formed up with units of TASK GROUP 54.1 in special AA disposition for mutual
support against a possible dusk air attack. This formation is used at
dawn, dusk, and at other times when air attack is expected. The axis is made
parallel to the beach to permit shore bombardment to be maintained. Received a call at 1900 to fire on enemy artillery position.
Battery was reported as silenced by the shore spotter. Ships released
after dark (1938) to proceed on night duty. Anchored at 2009 in
a position three miles northwest of NAHA. Commenced night harassing and illumination. Positions: 0800 - Latitude - 26°-14.2’ N; Longitude -
l27°-37.4’ E. 1200 -
Latitude - 26°-l5.5’ N; Longitude - 127°-39.7’ E. 2000 - Latitude - 26°-14.7’ N; Longitude -
l27°-37.6’ E. May 16, 1945 Zone description (-)9 Went
to general quarters at 0315 for approaching enemy planes. Secured at 0400, no attacks
having been made, and resumed shore bombardment. Completed
night firing mission at 0452; 5” ammunition expended: 32 starshells
and 16 AA Common. Relieved of call fire duty at 0600 to
proceed to KERAMA RETTO for logistics. Returned to
fire support sector five, northwest of NAHA, with the logistic group.
Anchored there at 2015 and commenced night harassing and illumination fire as
assigned by CTG 51.22. A small number of enemy planes were over OKINAWA at 2000
and again at 2140 to midnight. At 2257 a low flying twin engined
enemy bomber passed from over land directly over the PICKING. The plane
was visible for a few seconds and a 5 round burst of 20mm was fired by this
vessel with no observed results. Positions: 0800 -
Latitude - 26°-ll.3’ N; Longitude - 127°-l9.8’ E. 1200 -
Latitude - 26°-l2.5’ N; Longitude - 127°-l9.9’ E. 2000 - Latitude - 26°-18.0’
N; Longitude - 127°-42.3’ E. May 17, 1945. Zone description (-) 9 Ceased firing night harassing and illumination fire at 0505 having expended 85 rounds of 5” AA common and 33 rounds of starshells. Stood by for call fires from shore fire control party. With a spotting plane on station, commended firing on cave at 0740. From 0900 to 0915 expended 226 rounds of AA common as a preparation fire to precede advance of 1st MARDIV troops. Continued bombardment throughout day in areas designated by shore party. Expended a total of 369 AA common and 60 white phosphorous during day’s firing. In special A.A. disposition with T.G. 54.1 at dusk for mutual support Positions: 0800 -
Latitude - 26°-l2.2’ N; Longitude - l27°-36.3’ E. 1200 -
Latitude - 26°-l2.3’ N; Longitude - l27°-36.7’ E. 2000 - Latitude - 26°-15.7’ N; Longitude -
127°-38.3’ E. May 18, 1945. Zone description (-) 9 Completed
night harassing fire assignment at 0526 having expended 163 rounds of AA common
and 4 starshells.shore fire control party. Received no requests for fire
and at 0744 directed by C.T.G. 54.1 (western fire support commander) to proceed
and render any possible assistance to the LONGSHAW (DD559) . This
destroyer had gone aground southwest of NAHA airfield. The visibility, although
it was two hours after sunrise, was very poor. A low haze reduced the
visibility to 3,000 yards or less. Sufficient landmarks could not be seen until
approximately 0745 to rely totally on visual bearings for piloting. PICKING closed
the LONGSHAW by a circuitous route, approaching from the southwest to
clear the shoals as far as possible. A series of bearings on the grounded ship
plotted her position grid area 6768 05, latitude 26°-ll’-13” N., longitude
l27°-37’-15” E. She was being set on the reef with a northeasterly current
running at that time. The shoals in this area extend 2,600 yards from the beach
on OMINESAKI, the point projecting out from the airfield. The LONGSHAW had
shifted weight aft –projectiles, fuel, and personnel. She then made an attempt
to back off with no results. PICKING made a try at pulling her off with
a tow, but the wire cable parted. The LONGSHAW also reported her shackle
had given. The tug, ARIKARA, AT98, arrived and PICKING backed off
to stand by to render any assistance. The tug was unable to pull her off and it
was apparent that the destroyer had run well up on the shoal. Marine growth was exposed about 3 feet on her hull forward. At 1100 the LONGSHAW reported she was under fire from enemy shore batteries. PICKING went to general quarters and. commenced immediate counter-battery fire at the beach. A shell was observed to hit near number two stack on the starboard side. The JAPS were obviously taking advantage of the grounded LONGSHAW and making her the primary target. The enemy gun fire, as near as could be determined by the fall of the shots, was coming from the direction of the airfield. The LONGSHAW was firing on that bearing and the PICKING also opened up in rapid fire with all 5” and the starboard 40 mm guns. Having been lying to, PICKING steamed on a northwesterly course to allow all guns to bear on the airport and make a difficult target for the enemy’s guns, estimated to be 3 to 5 inch field artillery pieces. A fire broke out forward on the LONGSHAW in the vicinity of gun two and the bridge, and at 1105 a violent explosion occurred which blew off the bow, demolished the bridge. The hull forward of number two stack was burning heavily with a black smoke. An oil fire burned on the water around the forward part of the ship and around the bow which had been hurled forward 200 yards. Several salvos, estimated at six, splashed on either side of the PICKING at distances of two o five hundred yards. The tug, only two hundred yards astern of the LQNGSHAW was not hit. Flashes from the enemies gun fire were sighted by bridge
|