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USS PICKING WORLD WAR II LOG June
2 1945
Zone description (-) 9 Released
from “flycatcher” duties by ComCruDiv 14 at 0543. 155 Rounds 5/38 AA common
were expended in harassing fire; 23 starshells in illumination.
Illumination was ceased by all ships during most of the night as directed by
C.T.G. 31.22 to permit reconnaissance of the NAHA area by small boats.
At 1000, with approval of C.T.G. 31.22 and 32.11, proceeded to south western
tip of OKINAWA to harass targets in the area. Steamed 2000 –4000 yards
from the beach to permit effective firing of the 40mm guns. Harassed the town
of KIYAMU with 40mm. A cruiser’s observation plane reported
troops were being flushed out, and fires were started. Two rock pillboxes
spotted along the beach were battered with 5” common. Operations were ceased at
1540 due to bad visibility caused by heavy rains. Ammunition expended: 71
rounds 5”/38 common, 2800 rounds of 40mm. Proceeded to south of KEISE SHIMA
to screen heavy ships. After dark moved south again to conduct “flycatcher”
operations off southwestern OKINAWA during the night. Carried out
mission in same manner as last night. VICKSBURG covered coastline to
north. Positions: 0800 - Latitude - 26°-09.O’ N; Longitude -
l27°-35.5’ E. 1200 - Latitude - 26°-03.9’ N; Longitude -
l27°-38.5’ E. 2000 - Latitude - 26°-04.5’ N; Longitude -
l27°-36.l’ E. June 3, 1945 Zone description (-) 9 A few enemy
planes were in the area during the night; but there were no reported attacks.
Completed night “flycatcher” mission at 0515, expended 175 rounds of 5”/38 AA
common and 68 starshells. Assigned to deep support of 3rd PHIBSCORPS for the
day. A list of targets were given to bombard with the aid of an
air-borne spotter. Commenced firing at 0810 in these areas which contained
blockhouses, a radio direction finder, and a cave. Pin-pointing targets has
become increasingly difficult due to excessive gun erosion, the total number of
rounds fired now close to 15,000. Today, after a great many small and
inconsistent spots had to be made, the commanding officer decided to recommend
to the TASK FORCE commander that the PICKING be assigned to duty other
than fire support pending regunning. Commenced night harassing fire at 2014 on
targets assigned by C.T.G. 31.22. Positions: 0800 - Latitude - 26°-08.O’
N; Longitude - l27°-34.O’ E. 1200 - Latitude - 26°-07.5’
N; Longitude - 127°-34.2’ E. 2000 - Latitude - 26°-08.3’
N; Longitude - 127°-35.l’ E. June 4, 1945 Zone description (-) 9 Harassed fire
target areas with 200 rounds of 5”/38 AA common during the night. Proceeded to
HAGUSHI ANCHORAGE at 0597 to replenish ammunition.
Returned towards the fire support area at noon in a heavy rainstorm. Relieved
the PRESTON of fire support duties and stood by awaiting call
fires from the shore fire control party. Received no missions in the afternoon
probably due to the poor visibility and the rapid changes in the front
line Took night station west of SENEGA SHIMA at 1800. Received a call at 1815.
Target was two mortar positions close to the front lines just east of NAHA
AIRFIELD. Results were good, the shore party reported direct hits with 4 gun
salvos. Expended 3 rounds 5” white phosphorous and 47 rounds of AA common.
Commenced adjusting illumination for the night at 1945, after which the
scheduled night illumination and harassing fire assignments were carried
out. At 2200 an urgent request for illumination was received from the 6th
MARDIV. Permission was obtained from C.T.G. 31.22 to deliver the illumination
and station shifted northward to give a desired line of fire. Ships prepared
for heavy weather, an approaching typhoon is expected to pass 100 miles to the
eastward of OKINAWA between midnight and noon tomorrow. Positions: 0800 - Latitude - 26°-20.6’
N; Longitude - l27°-42.5’ E. 1200 - Latitude - 26°-20.6’
N; Longitude - l27°-42.6’ E. 2000 - Latitude - 26°-12.0’
N; Longitude - 127°-35.2’ E. June 5, 1945 Zone description (-) 9 Ceased
harassing and illumination firing at 0500; expended: 140 rounds 5”/38 AA
common, 66 rounds starshells. Having been assigned a list of possible
targets by C.T.G. 31.22, commenced day’s firing at 0803 when a spotting plane
was on station. Neutralized an area containing caves and gun Positions: 0800 - Latitude - 26°-04.O’ N; Longitude -
l27°-35.O’ E. 1200 - Latitude - 26°-08.2’ N; Longitude -
l27°-34.9’ E. 2000 - Latitude - 26°-lO.l’ N; Longitude -
l27°-35.5’ E. June 6, 1945 Zone description (-) 9 Ceased night
firing mission at 0430; expended: 190 rounds of AA common. Remained in sector
off southwestern coast OKINAWA to give fire support
for 6th MARDIV. Commenced day’s firing at 0745. Targets were a fuel dump, camouflaged
trucks and areas, and locations of enemy troop movements. The fuel dump was hit
directly with no visible effects; the air borne spotter believed it empty. One
truck was destroyed and the other areas neutralized with AA common and white
phosphorous. Ceased firing at 1540 due to an air strike in the area. Total
ammunition expended: 264 rounds AA common, 27 rounds white phosphorous.
Conducted “flycatcher” (anti-small boat) operations off southwestern OKINAWA in
company with the VICKSBURG during the night. Illuminated the coast line
and harassed targets assigned by C.T.G.31.22. Positions: 0800 - Latitude - 26°-05.5’
N; Longitude - 127°-37.O’ E. 1200 - Latitude - 26°-06.O’
N; Longitude - 127°-37.O’ E. 2000 - Latitude - 26°-06.2’
N; Longitude - 127°-36.5’ E. June 7, 1945 Zone description (-) 9 Patrolling off
southwestern OKINAWA in company with the VICKSBURG illuminating the
coast to prevent enemy operation: of small boats and harassing
target areas in southern OKINAWA. Ceased firing at 0509; expended 160 rounds
5”/38 AA common, 64 starshells. At 0540, PICKING relieved of fire support
duties by the GUEST. Proceeded to HAGUSHI to report to C.T.F. 31 for further
orders. Assigned to TASK GROUP 31.5 as a radar picket support ship. Directed to
proceed to KERAMA RETTO for replenishment of fuel and ammunition.Logistics
completed, returned to HAGUSHI and anchored for the night. Positions: 0800 - Latitude - 26°-2l.2’
N; Longitude - l27°-42.5’ E. 1200 - Latitude - 26°-lO.2’
N; Longitude - l27°-19.O’ E. 2000 - Latitude - 26°-21.5’
N; Longitude - l27°-42.6’ E. June 8, 1945 Zone description (-) 9 Underway at
0812 for radar picket station number nine, 18 miles southeast of KUME SHIME.
Joined at 0900 by the MOALE. Arrived on station Positions: 0800 - Latitude - 26°-2l.5’
N; Longitude - 127°-42.6’ E. 1200 - Latitude - 25°-57.O’ N; Longitude -
126°-48.8’ E. 2000 - Latitude - 25°-58.1’ N; Longitude - 1270_48.9’ E. |