USS Fletcher (DD 445) of the US Navy - Allied Warships of WWII

Notable events involving Fletcher include: 12 Aug 1942. USS R-12 (Lt. E.E. Shelby, USN) participated in A/S exercises of Guantanamo Bay together with USS ... uboat.net   Home TheU-boats TheMen TheAllies Maps Forums Articles Gallery Books Movies WWI Frontpage-FightingtheU-boats-AlliedWarships AlliesinWWII ShipshitbyU-boats AlliedWarships Warshiplosses Warshiptypes Warshipclasses Recentupdates Wartimehistories AlliedCommanders Ships&Navies Aircraft&AirForces Weapons&Techn. Warshipfinder Alliedevents Whathappenedon29September?Seemaineventpage FollowusonTwitter@uboatnet AlliedWarships USSFletcher(DD445) DestroyeroftheFletcherclass NavyTheUSNavy TypeDestroyer ClassFletcher  PennantDD445  BuiltbyFederalShipbuilding&DrydockCo.(Kearny,NewJersey,U.S.A.)  Ordered1Jul1940  Laiddown2Oct1941  Launched3May1942  Commissioned30Jun1942  Endservice1969  HistoryDecommissioned15January1947. ReclassifiedDDE-445on26March1949. Recommissioned3October1949. ReclassifiedbacktoDD-445on30June1962. Decommissionedin1969. Stricken1August1969. Sold22February1972andbrokenupforscrap.  CommandslistedforUSSFletcher(DD445) Pleasenotethatwe'restillworkingonthissectionandthatweonlylistCommandingOfficersforthedurationoftheSecondWorldWar. CommanderFromTo 1Lt.Cdr.WilliamMarchantCole,USN30Jun194211Dec1942 2T/Cdr.FrankLesherJohnson,USN11Dec194211Apr1943 3T/Lt.JohnGerardHughes,USN11Apr194319Apr1943 4T/Cdr.RobertDevoreMcGinnis,USN19Apr194310Feb1944 5T/Cdr.JohnLeeFoster,USN10Feb194414Mar1945 6T/Lt.Cdr.RobertRobinsonGreen,USN14Mar194515Jun1946 Youcanhelpimproveourcommandssection ClickheretoSubmitevents/comments/updatesforthisvessel. Pleaseusethisifyouspotmistakesorwanttoimprovethisshipspage. NotableeventsinvolvingFletcherinclude: 12Aug1942USSR-12(Lt.E.E.Shelby,USN)participatedinA/SexercisesofGuantanamoBaytogetherwithUSSFletcher(Lt.Cdr.W.M.Cole,USN)andwithUSSO’Bannon(Cdr.E.R.Wilkinson,USN). 4Sep1943USSCabrilla(Cdr.D.T.Hammond,USN)conductedexercisesoffPearlHarbourtogetherwithUSSFletcher(Lt.Cdr.R.D.McGinnis,USN) 14Feb1945DamagedbyShorebatteries,thereare7killedand6woundedamongstthecrew. 16Mar1945ThelightcruiserHMASHobart(Capt.R.S.Dowling,RAN)andthedestroyersUSSFletcher(T/Lt.Cdr.R.R.Green,USN)andUSSJenkins(T/Cdr.P.D.Gallery,USN)departedLeyteforSubicBay.(1) 18Mar1945ThelightcruiserHMASHobart(Capt.R.S.Dowling,RAN)andthedestroyersUSSFletcher(T/Lt.Cdr.R.R.Green,USN)andUSSJenkins(T/Cdr.P.D.Gallery,USN)arrivedatSubicBayfromLeyte. HMASHobartnowjoinedTaskGroup74.3ofwhichthetwodestroyerswerealreadypartof.(2) 24Mar1945LandingsoffCebu,aspartofoperationVictorII. Around0700I/24,TaskGroup74.3departedSubicBayforoperations.Itwasmadeupofthefollowingunits; TaskUnit74.3.1wasmadeupofthelightcruiserUSSPhoenix(T/Capt.J.H.Duncan,USN,flyingtheflagofRear-AdmiralR.S.Berkey,USN)andthedestroyersUSSNicholas(T/Cdr.D.C.Lyndon,USN,withCOMDESRON21,T/Capt.J.K.B.Ginder,USNonboard)andUSSO'Bannon(T/Lt.Cdr.J.A.Pridmore,USN). TaskUnit74.3.2wasmadeupofthelightcruiserHMASHobart(Capt.R.S.Dowling,RAN)andthedestroyersUSSAbbot(T/Lt.Cdr.F.W.Ingling,USN)andUSSTaylor(T/Lt.Cdr.H.H.deLaureal,USN). TaskUnit74.3.3wasmadeupofthelightcruiserUSSBoise(T/Capt.W.M.Downes,USN)andthedestroyerUSSFletcher(T/Lt.Cdr.R.R.Green,USN)andUSSJenkins(T/Cdr.P.D.Gallery,USN). Around1645I/24,TaskUnit74.3.3partedcompanytoproceedtoMangarinBay,Mindorowheretheyweretoremaininreserve. At1530I/25,theAttackForce(seebelow)wasjoinedbythepatrolvesselPCE(R)-850(Lt.J.C.Mallien,USNR)whichhadonboardmembersofthe8thArmystaff.ShecamefromPanayGulf. Around1600I/25,offthesouthernpointofNegrosIsland,thedestroyerHMASWarramunga(Lt.Cdr.J.M.Alliston,DSCandBar,RN)joinedTaskUnits74.3.1and74.3.2.Shehadonboardmapsforthenavalbombardmentswhichwerethendistributed. Around2100I/25,theymaderendezvouswiththeAttackForcetothenorth-westofSiquijorIsland.TheythenproceededupBoholStraittomakeforthelandingbeachestothesouthofCebuCity.TaskForce74wasstationed10milesaheadoftheAttackForce. TheAttackForce(TaskGroup78.2)haddepartedLeytearound1800I/24andcomprisethefollowingunits; TaskUnit78.2.1wastheheadquarters(CommunicationsCommand)shipUSCGCSpencer(Cdr.J.R.Hinnant,USCG,withtheoverallcommanderT/Capt.A.T.Sprague,USNonboard). TaskUnit78.2.2werethefasttransportsUSSLloyd(Lt.Cdr.W.R.Taylor,USNR,withT/Cdr,Wm.S.Parsons,USN,CommandingOfficerCOMTRANSDIV103,onboard),USSNewman(Lt.Cdr.R.I.Thieme,USNR),USSKephart(Cdr.I.H.Cammarn,USNR)andUSSCofer(Lt.H.C.McClees,USNR). TaskUnit78.2.3wastheLCIunitwhichwasmadeupofthefollowingLCI(L)'s;USSLCI(L)-972(Lt.L.B.Brown,USNR,withCOMLCI(L)FLOT15,T/Cdr.W.V.Deutermann,USNonboard),USSLCI(L)-607(Lt.C.V.Fox,USNR),USSLCI(L)-609(Lt.K.N.Krecke,USNR),USSLCI(L)-613(Lt.E.E.Kern,USNR),USSLCI(L)-683(Lt.(jg)B.H.Keppel,USNR),USSLCI(L)-685(Lt.P.T.O'Hare,USNR),USSLCI(L)-686(Lt.(jg)B.H.Keppel,USNR),USSLCI(L)-963(Lt.W.A.Tomb,Jr.,USNR),USSLCI(L)-965(Lt.A.T.Wellman,USNR),USSLCI(L)-966(Lt.(jg)R.E.Dein,USNR),USSLCI(L)-970(Lt.W.A.Moore,Jr.,USNR),USSLCI(L)-976(Lt.W.C.Lawton,USNR),USSLCI(L)-977(Lt.J.T.Morgan,Jr.,USNR),USSLCI(L)-978(Lt.(jg.)L.B.Huckabee,USNR),USSLCI(L)-980(Lt.(jg.)K.R.Hopkins,USNR)andUSSLCI(L)-984(Lt.(jg)F.J.Keller,USNR). TaskUnit78.2.4wastheLSMunitwhichwasmadeupofthefollowingLSM's; USSLSM-168(Lt.R.Whelan,USNR,withCOMLSMGR24,T/Lt.Cdr.G.F.Baker,USNonboard),USSLSM-35(Lt.J.M.Burke,USNR),USSLSM-50(Lt.J.C.Rogers,USNR),USSLSM-150(Lt.G.B.McCauley,USNR),USSLSM-151(Lt.W.H.Fitzgerald,USNR),USSLSM-219(Lt.H.Burns,USNR),USSLSM-225(Ens.F.C.Sheppard,USNR),USSLSM-237(Lt.J.L.Poole,USNR),USSLSM-268(Lt.N.Steinberg,USNR),USSLSM-316(Lt.W.F.Ney,USNR)andUSSLSM-317(Lt.W.J.Ayres,USNR). TaskUnit78.2.5wastheLSTunitwhichwasmadeupofthefollowingLST's;USSLST-640(Lt.F.P.McKenney,Jr.,USNR,withCOMLSTFLOT24,T/Capt.H.B.Hudson,USNonboard),USSLST-18(Lt.F.C.Merriam,USCGR),USSLST-171(Lt.R.L.McGirl,USNR),USSLST-181(Lt.(jg)C.V.Lynch,USNR),USSLST-454(Lt.D.J.Morrison,USNR),USSLST-457(Lt.W.W.Hacker,USNR),USSLST-560(Lt.H.T.Holsapple,USNR),USSLST-595(Lt.A.C.Jackson,USNR),USSLST-619(Lt.J.M.Brennan,USNR),USSLST-638(Lt.F.Data,USN),USSLST-709(Lt.G.P.Cruikshank,USNR),USSLST-777(Lt.W.F.Lagotic,USN),USSLST-922(Lt.R.A.Stallings,USN).ItalsoincludedthreeLCT's,USSLCT-747(?),USSLCT-830(?)andUSSLCT-1296(?). TaskUnit78.2.51wastheLSTtractorunitwhichwasmadeupofthefollowingLST's;USSLST-597(Lt.W.H.Loving,USNR,withCOMLSTGR70,T/Cdr.D.P.Stickley,USNonboard),USSLST-467 (Lt.M.B.Taylor,USN),USSLST-941(Lt.L.M.Edwards,USN)andUSSLST-1035(Lt.M.Perry,USN). TaskUnit78.2.6wasthesupportunit;itwasmadeupofthefollowingLCI(R)'s;USSLCI(R)-230(Lt.(jg)R.M.Prestidge,USNR,withT/Cdr.D.H.Day,USNonboard),USSLCI(R)-225(Lt.(jg)A.F.McCormick,USN),USSLCI(R)-340(Lt.(jg)J.O.Luby,USN),USSLCI(R)-341(Lt.E.W.Slavik,USNR),USSLCI(R)-342(Lt.(jg)J.A.Hynes,USNR)andthefollowingLCS(L)'s;USSLCS(L)-30(Lt.C.H.Sanders,USNR,withCOMLCS(L)GR1,Lt.Cdr.W.F.Hunt,USNRonboard),USSLCS(L)-28(Lt.R.H.Bost,USNR),USSLCS(L)-29(Lt.J.F.McNamara,USNR)andUSSLCS(L)-50(Lt.B.T.Clark,USNR). TaskUnit78.2.7wasthecontrolunitandwasmadeupofthefollowingpatrolvessels;USSPC-1134(Lt.O.A.Barge,Jr.,USNRwithCdr.A.J.Petersen,USNRonboard)andUSSPC-1133(Lt.H.G.Wheelock,USNR). TaskUnit78.2.8wasthescreenandwasmadeupofthefollowingdestroyers;USSFlusser(T/Lt.Cdr.K.G.Robinson,USNwithCOMDESRON5,T/Capt.F.D.McCorkle,USNonboard),USSShaw(T/Lt.Cdr.V.B.Graff,USN),USSConyngham(T/Lt.Cdr.F.W.Bampton,USN),USSDrayton(T/Lt.Cdr.V.A.Dybdal,USN)andUSSSmith(T/Lt.Cdr.E.H.Huff,USN). TaskUnit78.2.9wastheminesweepingunitandwasmadeupofthefollowingYMS's;USSYMS-68(Lt.G.L.O'Neil,USNR,hewasalsocommandingtheminesweepinggroup),USSYMS-9(Lt.B.F.Hildes,USNR),USSYMS-46(Lt.(jg)C.W.Lorer,USNR),USSYMS-52(Lt.(jg)R.J.Ball,USNR),USSYMS-313(Lt.(jg)W.H.Reibold,USNR),USSYMS-339(Lt.(jg)M.E.Fitzgerald,USNR),USSYMS-340(Lt.P.Schminke,USNR)andUSSYMS-481(Lt.(jg)T.D.Anglin,USNR). TaskUnit78.2.10wasthebeachpartymadeupofBeachPartyNo.5. TaskUnit78.2.11wasthedemolitionpartyandwasmadeupoftheUSSLCI(D)-228(Lt.(jg)R.W.Kearns,USNR). TaskUnit78.2.12wasthesalvageandserviceunitandwasmadeupofthetugUSSATA-179(Lt.(jg)T.C.McClaren,USNR). At0538I/26,TaskUnits74.3.1and73.3.2wereorderedtoactindependentlyandtakeassignedstationstocoverminesweepingunits.HMASWarramungawasorderedtopatrolintheHilutunganChannel. At0700I/26,USSPhoenixandHMASHobartopenedthebombardment.ForspottingdutiestwoaircrafthadbeenlaunchedbyUSSPhoenix,onetospotherowngunfireandtheothertospotforHMASHobart. Between0740I/26and0750I/26,USSO'Bannon,USSNicholas,USSTaylorandUSSAbbotalljoininonbombardmentduties. Thebombardmentwasceasedaroundat0825I/26. AtthesametimethebombardmentstartedtheAttackForcewasinit'ssheduledpositionandthecommand'Deploy'wasexecuted.Theapproachbegan. At0716I/26,theCommanderMinesweepingUnitreportedthathisoperationswereonschedulewithnegativeresultstothattime. Around0745I/26,USSSpenceranchoredinposition.TheCommanderMinesweepingUnitreportedcompletionofsweepingofarea'Orchestra'withnegativeresults.At0750I/26,theLSTunitcarryingLVT's[LVT=LandingVehicle,Tracked]anchoredinposition.ThecontrolofficerreportstheControlVesselsanchoredinpositionatthelineofdeparture.TheCloseSupportUnithadgainedstation.LST'scommencedlaunchingLVT'sandLCVP's[atypeoflandingcraft].Allunitswereconformingtotheshedule. At0815I/26,thefirstwave(LVT's)leftthelineofdeparture.Destroyerbombardmentofthebeachareaceasedat0822I/26,ClosesupportfirebyLCS'sandLCI(R)'sbeganat0820I/26.Thefirstwavelandedat0828I/26followedbythesecondwave(LVT's)at0831I/26.At0835I/26,thethirdwave(LCVP's)landed.At0837I/26,theCommanderCloseSupportUnitreportedmortarfireontheleftflankofthebeach.Thelandingforcereportedthepresenceoflargequantitiesoflandminesonthebeachfromthehightwatermarktotheedgeofthecoconutgrovebackofthebeach.Thefourthandfifthwaves(LCVP's)landedonshedule,followedbythesixgandseventhwaves(LCM's).Theartilleryembarkedinthelatterunloadedwithoutdifficulty.ReportsfromthebeachindicatedthatLVT'sontherightflankhadbeenabletocrossthebeach.Troopswereworkinginland.Noenemyoppositionhaddeveloped.Landmineswerebeingcleared.Waveeight(DUKW's)beachedat0910I/26intime. Beginningabout0900I/26,acontinuousseriesofexplosionstookplaceinCebuCityanditwasapparentthattheJapaneseweredestroyingthecity.Strangelynoexplosionswerenotedinthedockarea.Sporadicmortarforelandedonthebeach,butallinonerathersmallsectionwhichwaskeptclearandnodamageresulted.At0912I/26,HMASHobarttookasuspectedmortarsiteunderfire.At0917I/26,theAirObserverreportedseeingtwoenemyplanestakeofffromLahugairstrip.TheCombatAirPatrolcouldnotfindthem.Theywerenotpickedupbyradarandwerenotseenagainanditisbelievedthattheaircraftflewacrosstheislandatlowaltitude. Wave9(LCI)wasslightlydelayed.TheLCI'scouldnotbeachduetothesubmergedlogboomobstaclethathadnothamperedearliersmallcraft.TheywereunloadedjustoffthebeachbyLCVP,LCMandLCT.Unloadingwascompletedat1030I/26.TheUDT[UnderwaterDemolitionTeam]beganthetaskofclearingtheobstruction.TheLCT'sbeachedsatisfactorilyat0930I/26andunloaded. LSM'swereheldupfrombeachinguntiltheobstructioncouldbecleared.PontoonsectionswerelaunchedfromLST'sandtowedtoapositionjustoffthebeach.ThehighpriorityLST'swerebroughtinandramptorampunloadingintoLCT'sgotunderway.At1045I/26,theBeachmastercalledinthefirstLSM.At1100I/26,USSLSM168reportedthathewasunloadingtankswithoutdifficulty.However,itwasapparentthatthebeachgradientwouldingeneralpreventthesatisfactorybeachingofLSM'sandLST'sforunloading.Notonlywasthegradienttoolow,butasmallsandbaroffthebeachcausedbothtypestogroundaftwithrampsinvaryingdepthsfrom5to7feetofwater.Foralimitedwith,LSM'scouldbeachfairlywell.Theybeachedthreeatatimeandunloadedthroughoutthedaybutslowlyandwiththeassistanceofbulldozerstohauloutdrownedvehicles. At1130I/26,oneroadwayhadbeenclearedthruthebeachminesashoreandtwootherswerenearingcompletion.Vehicleswerebeginningtomoveacrossthebeach.Ramptorampinloadingwasgettingunderway.At1148I/26mortarof75mmfirebracketedthecontrolloneandnearbyLST'sandthePC'sandLST'sweredirectedtomovetoseaward. ThefirstLSTwascalledinandbeachedabout1300I/26andworkbeganimmediatelytorigapontooncausewayramp.Unloadingcommencedat1435I/26.Inloadingcontinuedwithnofurtherenemygunfireonthebeachorunloadingarea. At1535I/26,USSConynghamreportedsightingapossiblyperiscopeinthechannelfromCebuHarbour.USSPC1133wasorderedtoinvestigate.At1610I/26,USSFlusserandUSSConynghamopenedfireonanobjectsightedinCebuHarbourChannel.Itwasreportedastheconningtowerofasmallsubmarinethatbroachedapparentlyfromrunningonabarwhilesubmerged.Althoughstraddled,actualhitscouldnotbevarified.TheTaskGroupgotunderwayimmediatelyandclearedtheharbour,formedcruisingdispositionandsteamedinBoholStraitforthenight,returningtotheanchorageatdaylighton27March.USSPC1134,USSPC1133,USSKephart,USSNewmanandUSSCoferweredirectedtoconductasonarsearxhoftheanchorageandvicinity.USSFlusserremainedintheareaavailableforfiresupportifneeded.TheCloseSupportUnitremainedtoscreenbeachedshipsagainstsmallcraftattacks.At1800I/26,soundsearchresultshadsofarbeennegativeandthetworemainingloadedLSM'sandtwoLST'sreturnedandbeachedtobeunloadedduringthenight.NopositiveresultswereobtainedfromtheA/Ssearchoftheanchorageandlowerharbourarea,butat0035I/27,USSNewmansightedamidgetsubmarneonthesurfaceinposition10°09'N,123°51'E.USSNewmanopenedfirewithautomaticweaponsat100yardsscoringmanyhits,attemptedtorambutthesubmarinesubmerged.Twopatternsofdepthchargesweredropped,onewithashallowsettingasrammingmissedandsecondwithdeepsettings.Sonarcontactwasnotregained.Therewerenootherenemycontactsduringthenight. At1700I/26,theCruiserCoveringForcewasreleasedandleftthearea.USSPhoenix,USSNicholas,USSO'BannonandUSSTaylorsetcourseforMangarinBay,Mindorowheretheyarrivedaround1115I/27wherethefuelledandammunitioned.TheydepartedMangarinBayaround1900I/27forSubicwheretheyarrivedaround1000I/28. HMASHobartandHMASWarramungasetcourseforLeytewheretheyweretofuelandammunitionandthenproceedtoSubicBayafterwards.TheyarrivedatLeyte(SanPedroBay)around0815L/27.TheydepartedLeyteonthe28thandarrivedatSubicBayaround0800I/30. At1900I/26,USSKephartwasrecalledfromtheA/Ssearch.ThefirstreturningecholonwasformedandwasknownasTaskUnit78.2.15.ItwasmadeupofUSSAbbot,USSKephart,USSLSM-168,USSLSM-35,USSLSM-219,USSLSM-150,USSLSM-316,USSLCI(L)-965,USSLCI(L)-980andUSSLCI(L)-984wasorderedtoreturntoLeyte.USSLCI(L)-965,apparentlydisabled,wasbeingtowedbyUSSLSM-316.TheyarrivedatLeyteonthe28th. Ongoingminesweepingoperationsmeanwhileallhadnegativeresults.SweepingoftheareasouthofMactanIslandandCebuHarbourinsidethe100fathomcurvetoSanFernandowascompleted. Uponarrivalattheanchoragearound0730I/27,LSTbeachedorcommencedunloadinfinstreamasdirectedbytheBeachmaster.At0945I/27,4LCI(L)'sweredetachedtoSibonga,Cebuwith600guerillatroops.TheywerecoveredbyanLCSandandLCI(R).Thisgroupreturnedaround1545I/27,missionaccomplished.At1500I/27,anArmydetachmentusingLVT'slandedonCauitIsland,coveredbyLCS'sandLCI(R)'s.TheminesweepingdetachmentsweptOlangoChannelwithnegativeresults.DuringtheafternoontroopsoccupiedCebuCity.Thedockswerereportedasessentiallyundamaged. At1900I/27,thesecondreturnecholon,knownasTaskUnit78.2.16,madeupofUSSNewman,USSCofer,PC-1134,PC-1133,USSLST-560,USSLST-595,USSLST-597,USSLSM-50,USSLSM-151,USSLSM-225,USSLSM-237,USSLSM-268andUSSLSM-317departedforLeytewheretheyarrivedonthe29th. At1930I/27,asingleunidentifiedenemyplaneflewoverthebeachandanchoragearea.Threeorfourbombsweredroppedharmlessly.Noradarwarningwasreceivedduetothelowaltitudeoftheplaneovertheisland,andtheplanewasnotsighteduntiloverhead.AsmokehazelayovertheanchoragefromfiresinCebuCitythatmadevisibilitypoorduringthetwilightperiod.TherewerenootherenemyincidentsduringthenightandtheunloadingofLST'scontinued. On28March,unloadingcontinued.Progresswassuchthatitwasestimatedthatitwouldbecompletedaround1500I/28.TheminesweepingunitsweptthesouthernapproachestoCebuHarbour,area'Stagedoor',to15feetwithnegativeresults.TheCloseSupportUnitcoveredthenorthernadvanceofArmyelementsfromCebutowardsMandaueandalsoofonecompanylandingonMactanIslandtosecureit. By1500I/27,indeedallLST'swereunloadedandby1600I/27thelastreturningecholon,TaskUnit78.2.17,wasformeduptoproceedtoLeyte.ItwasmadeupofUSSFlusser,USSShaw,USSDrayton,USSSmith,USSPCE(R)-850,theremaining13LST'sand2LCI(R)'s[identitiesunknowntous].TheyarrivedatLeyteon29March. At2320I/27,USSPCE(R)-850partedcompanywithTaskUnit78.2.17tolandthestaffofficersshehadonboardatTolosa. At1800I/27,CTG78.2(inUSSSpencerturnedovercommandoftheobjectiveareatoCTU78.2.14(COMLCIFLOT15)anddepartedforLeyteescortedbyUSSConyngham.AtCeburemained11LCI's,4LCS's,3LCI(R)'s,3LCT'sandthe8YMSminesweepers.(3) 6Apr1945Around0500I/6,TaskGroup74.3.1.,madeupofthelightcruisersUSSPhoenix(T/Capt.J.H.Duncan,USN,flyingtheflagofRear-AdmiralR.S.Berkey,USN),HMASHobart(Capt.R.S.Dowling,RAN)andthedestroyersUSSNicholas(T/Cdr.D.C.Lyndon,USN,withCOMDESRON21,T/Capt.J.K.B.Ginder,USNonboard),USSFletcher(T/Lt.Cdr.R.R.Green,USN),USSJenkins(T/Cdr.P.D.Gallery,USN),USSTaylor(T/Lt.Cdr.H.H.deLaureal,USN)andHMASWarramunga(Lt.Cdr.J.M.Alliston,DSCandBar,RN)departedSubicBayforManilaBaywheretheyarrivedaround0830I/6.(4) 7Apr1945Around1600I/7,TaskGroup74.3.1.,madeupofthelightcruisersUSSPhoenix(T/Capt.J.H.Duncan,USN,flyingtheflagofRear-AdmiralR.S.Berkey,USN),HMASHobart(Capt.R.S.Dowling,RAN)andthedestroyersUSSNicholas(T/Cdr.D.C.Lyndon,USN,withCOMDESRON21,T/Capt.J.K.B.Ginder,USNonboard),USSFletcher(T/Lt.Cdr.R.R.Green,USN),USSJenkins(T/Cdr.P.D.Gallery,USN),USSTaylor(T/Lt.Cdr.H.H.deLaureal,USN)andHMASWarramunga(Lt.Cdr.J.M.Alliston,DSCandBar,RN)departedManilaBayforSubicBaywheretheyarrivedaround1900I/7.(4) 10Apr1945Around0800I/10,TaskGroup74.3,madeupofthelightcruisersUSSPhoenix(T/Capt.J.H.Duncan,USN,flyingtheflagofCOMCRUDIV15,T/Rear-AdmiralR.S.Berkey,USN),HMASHobart(Capt.R.S.Dowling,RAN)andthedestroyersUSSNicholas(T/Cdr.D.C.Lyndon,USN,withCOMDESRON21,T/Capt.J.K.B.Ginder,USNonboard),USSFletcher(T/Lt.Cdr.R.R.Green,USN),USSJenkins(T/Cdr.P.D.Gallery,USN),USSO'Bannon(T/Lt.Cdr.J.A.Pridmore,USN),USSTaylor(T/Lt.Cdr.H.H.deLaureal,USN)andHMASWarramunga(Lt.Cdr.J.M.Alliston,DSCandBar,RN)departedSubicBayforexercises. Around1700I/10,TaskGroup74.2,madeupofthelightcruisersUSSDenver(Capt.T.F.Darden,Jr.,USN,flyingtheflagofCOMCRUDIV21,T/Rear-AdmiralR.S.Riggs,USN),USSCleveland(T/Capt.H.G.Hopwood,USN),USSMontpelier(T/Capt.W.A.Gorry,USN)andthedestroyersUSSConway(T/Cdr.J.H.Besson,Jr.,USN,withCOMDESDIV44,T/Capt.S.G.Hooper,USNonboard),USSStevens(T/Cdr.G.W.Pressey,USN),USSCony(T/Cdr.A.W.Moore,USN),USSEaton(T/Cdr.C.Brown,USN),USSYoung(T/Cdr.D.G.Dockum,USN)andUSSSigourney(T/Lt.Cdr.F.Hale,Jr.,USN)joinedtheexercisesuntil2345I/10whentheypartedcompany. AllshipsofTaskGroup74.3returnedtoSubicBayon11April.Someratherearlyinthedaybutsome,whichhadcontinuedwithexercisesarrivedlaterintheday.(4) 1May1945OperationOboeI,AlliedlandingsatTarakan. TheCruiserCoveringGroupandFireSupportGroup(Rear-AdmiralR.S.Berkey,USN),knownasTaskGroup74.3,wasmadeupofthelightcruisersUSSPhoenix(T/Capt.J.H.Duncan,USN,flyingtheflagofRear-AdmiralR.S.Berkey,USN),USSBoise(T/Capt.W.M.Downes,USN),HMASHobart(Capt.R.S.Dowling,RAN)andthedestroyersUSSNicholas(T/Cdr.D.C.Lyndon,USN,withCOMDESRON21,T/Capt.J.K.B.Ginder,USNonboard),USSFletcher(T/Lt.Cdr.R.R.Green,USN),USSJenkins(T/Cdr.P.D.Gallery,USN),USSO'Bannon(T/Lt.Cdr.J.A.Pridmore,USN),USSTaylor(T/Lt.Cdr.H.H.deLaureal,USN)andHMASWarramunga(Cdr.M.J.Clark,DSC,RAN). TheTarakanAttackGroup(Rear-AdmiralF.B.Royal,USN) wasmadeupofthefollowingunits; TaskGroup78.1wasmadeupoftheAmphibiousForceCommandShipUSSRockyMount(T/Capt.F.A.Hardesty,USN,flyingtheflagofRear-AdmiralF.B.Royal,USN). TaskGroup70.1.9wastheMTBsupportunit,whichwasmadeuptheMotorTorpedoBoatTenderUSSWachapreague(Lt.Cdr.H.A.Stewart,USNR,withCOMMTBRON36,Lt.Cdr.F.D.Tappaan,USNRonboard)andthefollowingMotorTorpedoBoats,MTBRON9madeupofUSSPT-156,USSPT-157,USSPT-159,USSPT-160,USSPT-161,USSPT-162,USSPT-187,USSPT-318andUSSPT-319aswellasMTBRON36madeupofUSSPT-522,USSPT-523,USSPT-524,USSPT-525,USSPT-526,USSPT-527,USSPT-528,USSPT-529,USSPT-530,USSPT-531andUSSPT-532.MTBRON9wastooperatefromMalamauiandMTBRON36wastooperatefromTawiTawi. TaskGroup78.1.11wasthetransportunitmadeupofLandingShipsHMASManoora(A/Capt.A.P.Cousin,RANR(S)),HMASWestralia(A/Cdr.E.W.Livingston,RANR(S)),LandingShipDockUSSRushmore(Lt.Cdr.E.A.Jansen,USNR)andtheAttackCargoShipTitania(T/Cdr.(Retd.)M.W.Callahan,USN). TaskGroup78.1.12wastheLSTunit,whichwasmadeupthefollowingLST's;USSLST-466(Lt.B.M.Bryant,Jr.USCG,withCOMLSTFLOT7,T/Capt.G.A.Sinclair,USN,onboard),USSLST-67(Lt.R.L.McGirl,USNR),USSLST-171(Lt.M.B.Taylor,USNR),USSLST-467(Lt.M.B.Taylor,USNR),USSLST-562(Lt.F.P.Lawrence,USNR),USSLST-584(Lt.D.B.Russell,USNR),USSLST-585(Lt.A.P.Morse,USNR),USSLST-590(Lt.B.J.Arnett,USN),USSLST-613(Lt.H.P.Rollinck,USNR),USSLST-626(Lt.M.J.Codoner,Jr.,USNR),USSLST-637(Lt.R.A.Vielhaber,USNR),USSLST-667(Lt.W.S.Biernat,USN),USSLST-697(Lt.J.E.Tanner,USNR),USSLST-711(Lt.F.C.Huntley,USNR),USSLST-742(Lt.W.W.Holmes,USNR),USSLST-743(Lt.F.H.Emerick,USNR),USSLST-924(Lt.L.Tinsley,USN),USSLST-993(Lt.A.W.Bates,USNR),USSLST-1025(Lt.C.L.Curfman,USNR),USSLST-1027(Lt.P.J.Shropshire,Jr.,USNR)andUSSLST-1035(Lt.M.Perry,USNR). TaskGroup78.1.13wastheLSIunit,whichwasmadeupthefollowingLSI(L)'s;USSLCI(L)-624(Lt.E.F.Harris,USNR,withCOMLCIFLOT24,Cdr.A.V.Jannotta,USNR,onboard),USSLCI(L)-625(Lt.(jg)C.E.Bole,USNR),USSLCI(L)-626(Lt.(jg)L.H.Keckler,USNR),USSLCI(L)-634(Lt.(jg)A.Gain,USNR),USSLCI(L)-655(Lt.(jg)E.KingdonHurlock,USNR),USSLCI(L)-699(Lt.(jg)P.B.Gates,USNR),USSLCI(L)-700(Lt.(jg)J.E.Howe,USNR),USSLCI(L)-712(),USSLCI(L)-1008(Lt.(jg)R.I.Basch,USNR),USSLCI(L)-1025(Lt.(jg)W.C.Kingsley,USNR),USSLCI(L)-1072(Lt.(jg)M.B.Kirby,USNR)andUSSLCI(L)-1076(Lt.(jg)H.S.Fish,USNR). TaskGroup78.1.14wastheLSMunit,whichwasmadeupthefollowingLSM's;USSLSM-269(Lt.H.T.Turner,Jr.,USNR,withCOMLSMGR19,T/Lt.Cdr.W.A.Burgett,USN,onboard),USSLSM-151(Lt.W.H.Fitzgerald,USNR),USSLSM-224(Lt.D.B.Wrensch,USNR)andUSSLSM-267(Lt.R.F.Ruben,USNR). TaskGroup78.1.15wastheLCTunit,whichwasmadeupthefollowingLCT's;USSLCT-1317(WithCOMLCTgR74,Lt.DeMoss,USNRonboard),USSLCT-1310,USSLCT-1312,USSLCT-1314,USSLCT-1316,USSLCT-1319,USSLCT-1321,USSLCT-1323,USSLCT-1325,USSLCT-1327,USSLCT-1329andUSSLCT-1331.[LCT'swerebeingtowedtothelandingarea.] TaskGroup78.1.21wastheScreen,whichwasmadeupofthedestroyersUSSWaller(T/Cdr.H.leR.Thompson,Jr.,USN),USSPhilip(T/Cdr.J.B.Rutter,Jr.,USN),USSBailey(T/Lt.Cdr.A.F.Johnson,USN),USSBancroft(T/Lt.Cdr.C.E.Pond,USN),USSCaldwell(Lt.Cdr.D.R.Robinson,USNR),USSDrayton(T/Lt.Cdr.V.A.Dybdal,USN),USSSmith(T/Lt.Cdr.E.H.Huff,USN).andthefrigatesHMASBarcoo(A/Lt.Cdr.C.G.Hill,RANR(S)),HMASBurdekin(Lt.Cdr.T.S.Marchington,RD,RANR(S))andHMASHawkesbury(Lt.Cdr.H.J.Weston,RANR(S)). TaskGroup78.1.22wastheDestroyerEscortUnit,madeupoftheescortdestroyersUSSFormoe(T/Lt.Cdr.J.C.Spencer,USN)andUSSCharlesE.Brannon(Lt.Cdr.O.M.Shirey,Jr.,USNR). TaskGroup78.1.3wastheSupportUnitwhichwasmadeupofthefollowingunits. TaskGroup78.1.31wastheLCSUnitandwasmadeupofthefollowingLCS's;USSLCS(L)-50(Lt.B.T.Clark,USNR,withT/Cdr.D.H.Day,USNonboard),USSLCS(L)-8(?),USSLCS(L)-28(Lt.R.H.Bost,USNR),USSLCS(L)-43(Lt.(jg)E.A.Blakley,USNR),USSLCS(L)-44(J.M.Leggat,USNR)andUSSLCS(L)-48(Lt.D.E.Widel,USNR). TaskGroup78.1.32wastheLCI(R)UnitandwasmadeupofthefollowingLCI(R)'s;USSLCI(R)-71,USSLCI(R)72,USSLCI(R)74andUSSLCI(R)338. TaskGroup78.1.33wastheLCI(M)UnitandwasmadeupofthefollowingLCI(M)'s;USSLCI(M)-359(Ens.T.S.Adair,USNR)andUSSLCI(M)-362(Lt.(jg)R.W.Kearns,USNR). TaskGroup78.1.34wastheDemolitionUnitandwasmadeupofthefollowingUSSLCI(D)-29(Lt.J.F.McNamara,USNR)andUSSLCI(D)-228(Lt.(jg)R.W.Kearns,USNR). TaskGroup78.1.41wasControlUnitRedandwasmadeupof;USSPC-1120(Lt.J.R.Goodrich,USNR)andUSSLCI(L)-624(thislastwasassignedtothisunitfortheassaultonly). TaskGroup78.1.42wasControlUnitGreenandwasmadeupof;USSSC-698(?)andUSSSC-746(?). TaskGroup78.1.5wastheminesweepingunitandwasmadeupofthehighspeedtransportUSSCofer(Lt.H.C.McClees,USNR)andtheminesweepers(YMS's)USSYMS-51(Lt.(jg)A.L.Giesenschlag,USNR),USSYMS-68(Lt.G.L.O'Neil,USNR),USSYMS-73(Lt.J.H.Frederick,USNR),USSYMS-313(Lt.(jg)W.H.Reibold,USNR),USSYMS-314(Lt.(jg)J.W.Easton,USNR),USSYMS-329(Lt.W.L.Ballew,USNR),USSYMS-334(Lt.(jg)P.G.Rafferty,USNR),USSYMS-340(Lt.P.Schminke,USNR),USSYMS-363(Lt.F.A.Struve,Jr.,USNR),USSYMS-364(Lt.C.K.Soper,USNR)andUSSYMS-481(Lt.(jg)t.D.Anglin,USNR).TheseweresplitupintofourTaskGroups;TaskUnit78.1.51wasmadeupoffouroftheYMS's,TaskUnit78.1.52wasalsomadeupoffouroftheYMS's,TaskUnit78.1.53wasmadeupofthreeoftheYMS'sandTaskUnit78.1.54wasmadeupoftheUSSCoferandfourLCVP's. TaskGroup78.1.6wastheServiceUnit,madeupofTaskUnit78.1.61(theSurveyUnit)madeupofthesurveyvessel(frigate)HMASLachlan(Lt.Cdr.G.D.Tancred,RAN,withCdr.K.E.Oom,RANonboard)andthenettenderUSSSatinleaf(Lt.Lt.P.F.Taylor,USN).TaskUnit78.1.62(theSalvageUnit)madeupofthetugsUSSATR-61(Lt.W.M.Heywood,USNR)andUSSVireo(Lt.(jg)M.E.Seymour,USNR).TaskUnit78.1.63(theFireFightingUnit)madeupoftheLCI(L)'s,LCI(L)-185[thiscan'tbecorrectasthisLCIhadbeentransferredtotheRoyalNavyoncompletionandwassunkofNormandyon6June1944.],USSLCS(L)-961(?),USSLCS(L)-1000(?)andUSSLCS(L)-1071(?). TaskGroup78.1.7wasthePressUnit,whichwasmadeupofthepatrolvesselUSSPCE(R)-849(Lt.C.Sanders,USNR),USSLCI(L)-635(Lt.H.Hopkins,USNR)andthesmallarmycargoshipFP47. TheCruiserCoveringForceandFireSupportGroupdepartedSubicBayon24April1945.TheminesweepingandhydrographicgroupsleftLeyteon22April,joinedatZamboangawithotherunitscomingfromMalabang,Mindanao,andarrivedattheobjectiveon27April,andcommencedminesweepingandhydrographicsurvey. Minesweepingwasdifficult,becausethemanytypesofminesencounteredandwaterconditions.Theapproachofthemainforcethroughpreferred'TrackBaker',southofMenoeloenIsland,hadtobeabandonedbecauseofthepossibilitythatminestherehadnotyetbeenswept.Thisnecessitatedapproachingthough'TrackAble'whichaffordeddeeperwater,butwasmuchlessinwidth.AredconicaltopbuoyandablacktopbuoyofJapaneseoriginwerefoundbytheHydrographicGroupandleftremaining,thelatterbuoybeingthemid-channel.AbuoywasplantedatPointWhirlaway,buoy2southofPointEquinox,andbuoy3wasplantedmarkingthebreak-offpointforTracksAbleandBaker.Buoys1and4werealsoplanted,asordered,inpositionsaspreviouslycharted.TheHydrographicGroupontheafternoonof'PeterminusOneday'[PeterDaywas1May1945]installedfixedwhirelightsonthemid-channelbuoy(PointWhirlaway)andnumbers2and4buoystoaidtheapproachoftheAttackGroup.Theharbourentrancerangewaslighted.BeachreconnaissanceandmarkingofgapsthroughobstaclesforassaultwavesandslotsforLST'swerecompletedon30April,withoutcasualties,despiteenemymortarandmachinegunfirefromthebeach.Thesegroupsretiredeachnightpriorto'PeterDay'attheobjective. On27April,tenmotortorpedoboatsarrivedatTawiTawiandcommencedoperationsontheeastcoastofnorthernBorneothefollowingday. On26April1945,the'PulauSadau'attackecholondapartedMorotaiStraits.TheSadauattackecholonwasknownasTaskGroup78.1.16andwasmadeupfromshipsfromotherunitswhichweretorejointheirrepectiveunitson'PeterDay'.ThefollowingshipswerepartofTaskGroup78.1.16;USSPhilip,USSPC-1120,USSLST-667withUSSLCT-1331intow,USSLSM-151,USSLSM-359,USSLSM-362,USSLCI(L)-172,USSLCI(L)-185[???],USSLCI(L)-961,USSLCI(L)-1000,USSLCI(L)-1071,USSLCS-8andUSSLCS-48. Themainassaultforcedepartedonthe27th.Bothecholonsinvolvedinthetwoseparateassaultsarrivedintheirrespectiveareasoffthedesignatedbeachesontime,themainassaultforcearrivingonehouraheadoftimetoallowforthetransittotheanchorageareaofthelastshipsofthestrungoutapproachformationthroughthenarrowtrack'Able'.Thelandingsproceededexactlyashadbeenplanned. ThepreliminarynavalbombardmentwasconductedbytheCruiserCoveringGroupon'PeterDay'[1May1945]withonlythedestroyersparticipating.ThisGrouphadalsocoveredtheMinesweepingGroupintheiractivitiesfrom27Aprilto1May.TheMinesweepingGroupon27Aprilfirstmadeexploratorysweepsfromthehundredfathomcurveto'PointWhirlaway'withnegativeresults.TheythennextobtainednegativeresultsinsweepsofAreas'Fork','Spoon'and'Knife'toPoint'Baker'.OnethousandyardsnorthandsouthofthesidesofArea'Knife',westofPoint'Baker',fourmagneticmineswereswept.LCVPsweeps,thesameday,exploredSpatulaandswepttwochemicalhornedtypeminessouth-westofMenoeloenIsland,apparentlynewlylaid.TheCoveringForcecouldnotsafelyproceedwestof'PointBaker',sodidnot.On28April,threemagneticminesinarea'Knife',andsevenenemyhornedminesweresweptinarea'Spatula',south-westofMenoeloenIsland.Twomagneticmineswerestillknowntobeinarea'Spatula'andnotyetswept.OneofthesemagneticminesselfdetonatednearaYMSinarea'Knife',westof'PointBaker',approach'TrackBaker',aftertwodaysofsweeping,wasstillnotconsideredsafeforthepassageoftheCruiserCoveringForce. On29April,magneticsweepswerenegativeinareas'Knife'and'Spatula'.AfloatingminewassunkbygunfirefourmileseastofNo.2buoy.Nineadditionalenemycontactminesweresweptsouth-westofMenoeloenIsland.Aone-thousandyardchecksweepwasmadeonbothsidesof'ApproachTrackBaker'.Area'Plate'wassweptwithin1200yardsofthebeachesandtheLCVP'smadetwosweepswithin400yardsofthepier,allnegative.Bythistime,fivemagneticminesinarea'Knife'werestillunaccountedfor,aswellastwowestofthesoutherntipofTarakan.Sweeperson30Aprilweretocontinuetheirmagneticandacousticsweepsinareas'Knife','Spatula'and'Plate'andleavebythenorthchannel('TrackAble')alone.Thecruiserscouldnotyetsafelyventureintoarea'Knife'. On30April,twoinfluenceminesweresweptwestofthesouthtipofTarakan,andtwoadditionalenemyminessouth-westofMenoeloenIslandweresweptafterthelandingandfiresupportpartieshadpassedthroughroute'Baker'.Later,oneofthefiresupportdestroyers,USSJenkins,onretiring,struckamine1000yardsoffthecenterof'TrackBaker'.Thesweepersswepttwomoreminesin'ApproachTrackBaker'immediatelyafterthisincident.Five'influence'mineswerereportedremovedatanunknownlocation.Because'TrackBaker'wasnownotconsideredsafe,thesweepersconcentratedon'TrackAble'whichwasstillfoundnegative.ThatnighttheAttackGroupsafelytransited'TrackAble',ashadbeenrecommended,andbegantheassaulton'PeterDay',1May1945. TheSadauAttackForcemeanwhilehadlandedaround0800I/30whichwasonshedule.Theylandedwithoutopposition.Thelandingswerecompletedtwohourslater. At1527I/30,theCommanderTaskGroup74.3,reportedtheUSSJenkinshavingbeenmined.Casualtieswerelightdespitethedestroyerbeingextensivelydamaged. Around1730I/30,twomineswerereportedsweptintheareawhereUSSJenkinshadbeenmined.Thiswason'ApproachTrackBaker'. Around1900I/30,USSWachapreagueandMTBRON36(minussixoftheMTB's)departedTawiTawifortheobjectivearea. Around2000I/30,USSJenkinswasreportedtobedeadinthewaterandleaking. At2010I/30,USSWallerreportedhearingatorpedonoiseandwentontoinvestigate.Fourminuteslatersheattackedagoodsoundcontactwithdepthcharges.Halfanhourlatershereportedoilonthewaterandthendeliveredanotherdepthchargeattackonthatspot.At2045I/30,shelostcontact.USSFormoewasthenorderedtoremainintheareaandconductanA/Ssearch. At0520I/1,theorder'Deploy'wasgiventogoaheadwiththelandings.TenminuteslaterUSSRockyMountanchoredinberth4inArea'Mike'. At0630I/1,USSLST-562reportedatorpedopassingunderneathherbow.ThetorpedocamefromthedirectionoffCapePasir.NineminuteslaterdestroyersopenedfireatthemouthoftherivernearCapePasirasitwasconsideredlikelythetorpedohadbeenfiredfromhere.AtthesametimeUSSLST-562reportedasmallsubmarinesurfacingasternofherwhichimmediatelysubmergedagain.HMASBarcoowasorderedtoinvestigate. At0646I/1,USSLST-637launchedthefirstLVT[LandingVehicleTracked]asthelandingoperationscommenced.By0705I/1,allLVT'sfromvariousshipshadbeenlaunched. At0651I/1,USSRushmorelaunchedLCM'sandUSSTitaniahadlaunchedallherboats. At0654I/1,HMASManoorareportedherboatsinthewater.AtthesametimeUSSRushmorereportedatorpedoglancedoffherportbeamwithoutdamage.ItcamefromthedirectionofCapePasir. At0655I/1,thedawnCombatAirPatrolarrivedonstation. AtthesametimeUSSLST-467launchedLVT's.AllLVT'swaslaunchedby0659I/1. At0700I/1,AllassaultcausewayLST'sandUSSRushmoreonstationin'LSTAreaTwo'.HMASManoora,HMASWestraliaandUSSTitaniawereallonstationin'TransportAreaMike'. At0702I/1,USSLST-1027launchedthefirstcauseway. At0705I/1,CTU78.1.12(LSTUnit)reportedallLVT'stohavebeenlaunched. At0707I/1,theSupportLineformedup. At0712I/1,USSRushmorereportedallherboatstohavebeenlaunchedwhileboatwavesfromHMASManoorawereobservedproceedingtotheLineofDepature. At0714I/1,LCM'sfromUSSRushmorewereobservedformingupwellbehind'LSTArea'soastoremainoutoftheway. At0722I/1,USSSC-746reportedtobeonstationonthe'LineofDeparture'. At0724I/1,Allwaverforlandingarea'Green'wereformedup. At0725I/1,USSLST-637stoodoutbeyond'LSTAreaTwo'toclearthearea. At0726I/1,USSLST-584andUSSLST-585launchedcauseways.ThecausewaysfromUSSLST-590,USSLST-711,USSLST-743,USSLST-993andUSSLST-1027hadmeanwhilealsobeenlaunched. At0731I/1,the'LineofDeparture'wasformed. At0733I/1,waves1,2and3for'RedBeach'wereformedupandweremovingtothe'LineofDeparture'. At0736I/1,theLCSSupportGroupwasorderedintopositionaheadofthe'LineofDeparture'. At0738I/1,CTG78.1orderedCTU78.1.5toresweeparea'Spatula'inorderedthat'TrackBaker'maybemadesafe.Area'Platter'alsowastobesweptformines. At0739I/1,B-24'swereobservedcominginforairstrikesonthebeacharea.AtthesametimetheEngineerDemolitionPartywasdispatchedfromUSSLST-667. At0742I/1,allwavesfor'RedBeach'wereformedup. At0747I/1,CTU78.1.3reportedallshipsoftheSupportUnitreadyandonstation. At0750I/1,airstrikesonthebeachareacommenced,thoughthiswasalittlelate. at0756I/1,thefirstwavewasdispatchedto'Red'and'Green'beaches.LCI(M)'sopenedmortarfire.AtthesametimefourB-24'scameoverforanairstrikeonthebeacharea. At0800I/1,LCS(L)'sopenedfirewith3"and40mmguns. At0801I/1,thesecondwavewasdispatchedto'Red'and'Green'beaches. At0802I/1,sixB-24'scameoverforanairstrikeonthebeacharea.Theirbombslandedrightonthetarget. At0806I/1,thethirdwavewasdispatchedto'Red'and'Green'beaches. At0809I/1,Redflaresweresentupbysupportcraft,todirectnavalgunfiretoshiftinland. At0811I/1,wavefourwasdispatchedto'Green'beach. At0815I/1,thefirstwavelandedon'Green'beachfollowedoneminutelaterbythefirstwaveon'Red'beach. At0818I/1,thesecondwavelandedon'Green'beach. At0819I/1,theReserveBattalionfromHMASWestraliawasobservedmovinguptothe'LineofDeparture'. At0820I/1,thesecondwavelandedon'Red'beach. At0822I/1,CTG78.1directedthereservestobeheldatthe'LineofDeparture'. At0824I/1,USSLST-590moveduptothe'LineofDeparture'. At0825I/1,thethirdwavelandedon'Green'beachfollowedoneminutelaterbythethirdwaveon'Red'beach. At0826I/1,thefifthwavewasdespatchedto'Red','Yellow'and'Green'beaches.Alsothefourthwavelandedon'Green'beach. At0829I/1,USSLST-697andUSSLST-711moveduptothe'LineofDeparture'withcauseways. At0831I/1,thesixthwavesweredispatchedto'Red'and'Green'beaches.AlsoUSSLST-993moveduptothe'LineofDeparture'. At0833I/1,TaskUnit78.1.3ceasedimmediategunfiresupportscheduledfirings. At0836I/1,troopsreportedcoveringpositionsweretakenwithoutopposition.Bridgewasintactandlandingsweremadepracticallydry. At0839I/1,thefifthwavelandedon'Red','Yellow',and'Green'beaches. At0844I/1,thesixthwavelandedon'Greenone'beachfollowedoneminutelaterbythesixthwaveon'Redtwo'beach. At0845I/1,RedBeachmasterUnitreported'Redtwo'beachtobeobstructed,withlargelogsandadefensivewallonthebeach. At0847I/1,haze,smokeanddustobscuredthebeacharea. At0848I/1,theAirForcerequistedpermissiontomakeanotherairstrike. At0850I/1,theAustralianPrincipalBeachmasterAdvancedCommandPostindicatedtheconditionofLSTslotson'Yellow'beach.Extensivebull-dozingwasrequiredonsomeslots.Healsoindicatedthat'Red'beachwasnotreadyforLST's.AlsoatthistimeallcausewayLST'swereobservedonthe'LineofDeparture'. At0906I/1,CTG78.1orderedCTU78.1.4to'landthereserves'. At0907I/1,USSLST-584wasorderedtobeach. At0915I/1,theseventhwave,containingthereserveswassentinto'Green'beaches.AlsoUSSRushmorereportedthatherLCM'swerecompletelyunloaded. At0918I/1,USSLST-584beachedon'Red'beachslot1withcausewaybeacheddry. At0920I/1,theeightwavewasdispatchedto'Green'beach. At0921I/1,USSLST-585,withcauseways,beachedon'Red'beachslot2. At0923I/1,USSLST-590wasorderedtobeach. At0925I/1,theninthandlastwavewasdispatchedto'Green'beach. At0927I/1,aB-25strikeonenemybarrackscommenced.Alsotheseventhwavelanded. At0930I/1,USSLST-171wasorderedtobeach. At0931I/1,USSLST-743,withcauseways,beachedon'Yellow'beachslot5. At0932I/1,theeightwavelanded. At0936I/1,USSLST-590,withcauseways,beachedon'Red'beachslot3. At0937I/1,CTG78.1orderedgeneralunloading. At0939I/1,theninthwavelanded. At0941I/1,USSLST-711,withcauseways,beachedon'Yellow'beachslot4. At0955I/1,USSLST-993,withcauseways,beachedon'Yellow'beachslot6. At1001I/1,USSLST-1027,withcauseways,beachedon'Yellow'beachslot7. ThelineupofLST'swasnowasfollows; Slot1,RedBeach,USSLST-584, Slot2,RedBeach,USSLST-585, Slot3,RedBeach,USSLST-590, Slot4,YellowBeach,USSLST-711, Slot5,YellowBeach,USSLST-743, Slot6,YellowBeach,USSLST-993, Slot7,YellowBeach,USSLST-1027. At1020I/1,CTU78.1.4directedLCI'stoproceedtonorthpierandunloadtwoatatime. At1022I/1,enemymortarfirelandedinthewateroff'GreenTwo'beach. At1024I/1,USSLCI(L)-625andUSSLCI(L)-1025wereobservedalongsideUSSLST-590onthebeach. At1025I/1,artilleryfirewasobservednear'GreenTwo'beach. At1030I/1,USSLST-584andUSSLST-590startedunloading. At1034I/1,LCIFireSupportCraftobservedheadingbackfromthebeachtoformapicketline.AlsoBrigadierWhiteheadandhisstaffwentashore. At1035I/1,USSSC-698directedUSSTitaniaandHMASWestraliatoheadtowards'GreenTwo'beach. At1042I/1,HMASManooraorderedtodirectsmallcraftwithcargoto'GreenTwo'beachforunloading. At1104I/1,USSLCI(L)-634andUSSLCI(L)-1076wereobservedalongsideUSSLST-584on'Red'beach. At1106I/1,CaptainDugan,ChiefofStaff,andpartyleftUSSRockyMountforaninspectionofthebeaches. At1125I/1,ahugeexplosionwasobservedtotherightof'Green'beach. At1142I/1,mortarfirewasobservedfallingonthebeachheadarea. At1143I/1,USSLCI(L)-1076wasunloadedandretractedfromthebeach. At1145I/1,USSLST-742orderedtobeachonthestarboardsideofUSSLST-584. At1150I/1,nineLCI(L)'shaveunloaded.USSLCI(L)-699wasawaitinginstructions. At1154I/1,USSLST-171beached650feetoffthebeachaftofUSSLST-584andUSSLST-585on'Red'beach. At1157I/1,USSLCS-44wasfireduponbyenemymortaronemilesouthof'GreenTwo'beach. At1204I/1,theCommander26thBrigade,9thAustralianDivision,assumedcommandashoreofhistroops. At1216I/1,USSLST-171retractedfrom'Red'beachstillunabletobeachinaclearedarea. At1230I/1,the'LineofDeparture'wasdissolved. At1308I/1,USSO'BannonwasrelievedoffiresupportdutiesandwasorderedtostandbyUSSJenkins. At1315I/1,USSWachapreagueandMTBRON36(minus6PTboats)stoodinandreportedtoCTG78.1forduty. At1325I/1,thePrincipalBeachmasterindicatedthatitwasnowimpossibletounloadmoreLCM'sandLCT's. At1339I/1,itwasreportedthatthedockswareusablebyhandlaboronly.Thecraneonthelongpierwasreportedtobeunserviceable. At1349I/1,theunloadingofLCVP'sandLCM'sstoppedduetotherapidfallingofthetideandconsequentstrandingoftheboats. At1356I/1,theunloadingofLCT'sboggeddownbymud. At1401I/1,itwasreportedthatunloadingatthepierswaslimitedtothelandingofbulkstores.Damagehinderedunloadingatthesouthernpier. At1437I/1,itwasreportedthatthenorthernpierwasfoundtobeintactbutthatthetidewashinderingunloading. at1454I/1,CTG78.1directednonightretirementfromtheobjectiveareabecauseoftheslownessinunloadingandsothatgoodadvantagemightbetakenofthehightide.Norealenemyoppositionhadbeenencounteredsofar. At1500I/1,USSCoferandtheYMSminesweepersreportedtoCTU78.1.2inUSSWallerfordutyasA/Sscreenforthenight. At1524I/1,CTG78.1orderedallshipstomaintainsufficientarmedsentriesforprotectionagainsthostilesmallcraftandswimmers. At1538I/1,CaptainDuganandpartyreturnedtoUSSRockyMountafterinspectingbeachheadandconferringwithLandingCraftControlOfficer,BeachGroupCommanderandtheCommander,26thInfanteryBridgade. At1539I/1,USSSC-746reportedthattherewasapossible'Q'boatunmannnedinbushesnorthofCapeKaris. At1557I/1,Rear-AdmiralBerkeycameaboardUSSRockyMount. At1600I/1,HMASHobartandHMASWarramungawerereleasedbyCTG78.1anddepartedtheTarakanareaforHollandiaviaMorotai. At1610I/1,USSATR-61orderedtotowUSSJenkinsalongsideUSSPhoenixandremaintoassist. At1715I/1,Rear-AdmiralBerkeyleftUSSRockyMount. At1736I/1,twoLCS'swerestationedoffSadautopreventmovementofenemycraftintotheanchorageduringthenight. At1942I/1,CTG78.1advisedallshipsthatgeneralunloadingwouldcontinueduringthenightandthatrecognitionofourownsmallcraftwasmandatory. At2008I/1,allbeachedLST'sturnedonlightsandilluminatedthebeachanddocks. At2044I/1,USSLST-697wasorderedtoproceedtoCauseway1. At2045I/1,USSLST-924wasorderedtoproceedtoCauseway6. At2047I/1,allshipsandcraftwereorderedtousefullrunninglightsintheTransportArea. At2052/1,USSLST-613wasorderedtoproceedtoCauseway4. At2100I/1,USSLST-171wasorderedtoproceedtoCauseway2. At2120I/1,USSLST-626wasorderedtoproceedtoCauseway4. At2130I/1,USSLST-171beached. At2137I/1,USSLST-613beached.By2200I/1,USSLST-626,USSLST-697USSLST-924werealsobeached. At0048I/2,thebeachwasreportedtobeundermortarfire. At0155I/2,HMASManoorareportedthatshewascompletelyunloaded. At0653I/2,CTG78.1orderedUSSVireoUSSLST-584toassistinretractinganyoftheLST'sfromthebeach. At0710I/2,CTG78.1orderedUSSLST-1025andUSSLST-1035toassistotherLST'sinretractingfromthebeach. at0746I/2,CTG78.1orderedUSSATR-61,unlessrequiredbyUSSJenkins,toreporttoCTU78.1.4toaidinretractionofLST's. At0800I/2,B-25bomberscommencedacallairstrike1000yardsinfrontofownfrontlines. At0906I/2,CTG78.1orderedUSSLCS-8todestroytwosmallboatseastofCapePasir. At0916I/2,PT'boatswithB-25covercommencedoperatingtothenorthofTarakanisland. At1028I/2,MajorGeneralWootten,GeneralOfficerCommanding9thAustralianDivision,cameaboardUSSRockyMounthavingbeenflowninfromMorotai. At1045I/2,thedestroyerUSSRobinson(T/Cdr.R.E.Malpass,USN)arrived. At1050I/2,USSVireowasorderedtorelieveUSSATR-61andreportedtoCTG74.3totowUSSJenkinstoLeyte.USSATR-61wastoreturntotheTransportAreatoassistLST's. At1100I/2,MajorGeneralWoottenwentashoretotheBrigadeHeadquarters. At1125I/2,anairstrikebythreeB-25'swasobservednorth-westofthebeacharea. At1127I/2,thetankerUSSWinooski(Lt.Cdr.T.B.Christenson,USNR)arrived. At1130I/2,Rear-AdmiralBerkeycameaboardUSSRockyMount. At1200I/2,HMASManoora,HMASWestraliaandUSSRushmoreescortedbyUSSBancroftandUSSCharlesE.BrannondepartedtheTarakanareaforMorotaitoreloadandthenreturn. Alsoaround1200I/2,enemyshellslandednearUSSWachapreague.PTboatsalongsideshiftedberthtoavoidbeinghitbygunfireofsplinters. At1220I/2,CTU78.1.13reportedthatallLCI(L)'swereunloaded. At1258I/2,onlyoneLCTwasreportedunloaded,fourLCT'swerewaitingforLST'sonthebeachtoretract. At1310I/2,Rear-AdmiralBerkeylefttheflagshipwithRear-AdmiralRoyal.TheywentashoretoconferwithBrigadierWhiteheadandinspectthebeachhead. At1322I/2,CTG78.1directedsixLCI(L)'sforscreeningdutytoreporttoCTU78.1.3priorto1700I/2. At1530I/2,camouflagedbatteriesatCapeDjoeata(inthenorth-westofTarakanIsland)sankUSSYMS-481anddamagedUSSYMS-334andYMS-364.USSCoferandUSSLCS-8andUSSLCS-28silencedthebattery.USSLCS-44,USSLCI(L)-1008andLCVP'srescuedsurvivorscloseinshoreunderdirectenemyfire.USSYMS-51andUSSYMS-340whichwerealsosweepingintheareawerenothit. At1530I/2,Rear-AdmiralRoyalandMajorGeneralWoottenreturnedtoUSSRockyMount. At1543I/2,fourB-25'sstrafedandbombedtheCapeDjoeataarea.aftertheywerefinished,USSFletcherbombardedthesamearea. At1555I/2,COMLSTGR44shiftedhisflagtoUSSLST-924. At1600I/2,MajorGeneralWoottendepartedforMorotaibyaircraftwithCaptainHains,AssistantChiefofStafftoRear-AdmiralRoyal. At1630I/2,fourP-38'salsomadelowbombingandstrafingrunsongunemplacementsonCapeDjoeata. At1635I/2,USSYMS-340andUSSYMS-364putwoundedmenfromtheYMSengagementonboardUSSRockyMount. At1740I/2,USSLCS-44sightedamineinposition03°23'8"N,117°30'E.CTU78.1.3waslaterorderedtosearchforanddestroythismine. At1811I/2,USSFletchertookonboardwoundedfromtheYMSengagementfromUSSLCS-44.ShelatertransferredthemtoUSSRockyMount. At2015I/2,CTG78.1directedallLST'stoilluminateallcausewaysandbeachesbutat'FlashRed'todarkenshipuntilalertisover. At0751I/3,USSATR-61stoodintoassistLST'sretractingfromthebeach. At0830I/3,USSPhoenixproceededtothevicinityofSadauIslandtofireonenemycoastalbatteriesandinstallationsintheCapeDjoeataarea.Sheopenedfireat0850I/3. At0920I/3,USSLST-697retractedfromthebeach. At0925I/3,USSLST-711retractedfromthebeach. At0928I/3,USSLST-626retractedfromthebeach. At0929I/3,PT-boatsmaderunsparalleltothebeachtocreatewavestoassistinretractingtheLST's. At0931I/3,USSLST-171retractedfromthebeach. At0940I/3,USSLST-613retractedfromthebeach. At1000I/3,CTU78.1.2assumedcontrolofnavalgunfiresupport. At1010I/3,USSLST-924retractedfromthebeach.USSLST-584,USSLST-585,USSLST-590,USSLST-711,USSLST-743,USSLST-993andUSSLST-1027remainedonthebeach. At1025I/3,Rear-AdmiralBerkeycameaboardUSSRockyMount.Hedepartedagainat1103I/3. At1033I/3,USSPhoenixreturnedfromtheSadauIslandareaoncompletionofherbombardingduties. At1300I/3,USSPhoenix,USSBoise,USSNicholas,USSTaylorandUSSO'BannondepartedtheTarakanareatoreturntoSubicBaywheretheyarrivedaround1100I/5. At1700I/3,CTG78.1,inUSSRockyMount,escortedbyUSSCaldwell,departedTarakanforMorotaiwheretheyarrivedaround1400I/5.CommandhadbeenturnedovertoCaptainGray(CTG78.1.16)onboardUSSFormoe. At1830I/3,CTG78.1.92withCOMLSTGR44inUSSLST-924withUSSLST-171,USSLST-613,USSLST-626andUSSLST-697departedtheTarakanareaescortedbyUSSPhilip,USSSC-746,USSYMS-51andUSSYMS-363.SevenLST'swerestillfastinthemudonthebeach.TheremainingeightotherLST'shadcommencedtounloadfromthestream.Unloadingcontinuedslowlybutsteadilyasdidthefightingontheislandagainstincreasingopposition.CTG78.1.92arrivedatMorotaiaround1730I/5. [ThereportofCTG78.1endshere.] At0700I/5,HMASManooraandHMASWestraliadepartedMorotaitoreturntoTarakanwithreinforcementsandsupplies.TheywerestillescortedbyUSSBancroftandUSSCharlesE.Brannon.TheyarrivedatTarakanaround0830I/7. At1800I/5,CTG78.1.93madeupofUSSLCI(L)-624,USSLCI(L)-625,USSLCI(L)-626,USSLCI(L)-634,USSLCI(L)-655,USSLCI(L)-699,USSLCI(L)-700,USSLCI(L)-712,USSLCI(L)-1008,USSLCI(L)-1025,USSLCI(L)-1072,USSLCI(L)-1076,USSLCI(R)-71,USSLCI(R)-72,USSLCI(R)-74,USSLCI(R)-338,USSLCI(M)-359,USSLCI(M)-362,USSLCI(D)-29,USSLCI(D)-228departedtheTarakanareaforMorotaiwheretheyarrivedaround1700I/8.TheywereescortedbyUSSWaller,USSCofer,USSPC-1120,USSYMS-6,USSYMS-68,USSYMS-73,USSYMS-313,USSYMS-314,USSYMS-329,USSYMS-334andUSSYMS-364. At1200I/7,CTG78.1.94,madeupofthetankerUSSWinooskiandthefrigateHMASHawkesburydepartedTarakanforPollocHarbourwheretheyarrivedaround1430I/8. At1730I/7,USSLST-924,USSLST-171,USSLST-613,USSLST-626,USSLST-697,escortedbyUSSPhilipandUSSCaldwell,departedMorotaiforTarakanwithsupplies. At1730I/7,havingunloaded,HMASManooraandHMASWestraliadepartedTarakantoreturntoMorotai.TheywerestillescortedbyUSSBancroftandUSSCharlesE.Brannon.TheyarrivedatMorotaiaround1600I/9. At0800I/8,CTG78.1.96madeupofUSSLST-466,USSLST-467,USSLST-562,USSLST-637,USSLST-742,USSLST-1035,USSLCI(L)-635,USSLCI(L)-961,USSLCI(L)-985,USSLCI(L)-1000,USSLCI(L)-1071,USSATR-61towingUSSYMS-51departedTarakanforMorotaiwheretheyarrivedaround.TheywereescortedbyUSSRobinson,USSRudderow,USSPCE(R)-849,USSPC-1120andUSSSC-698. FightingonTarakancontinueduntil19June.Theislandwasdeclaredsecureon21June1945.[Uptothistimesupplieskeptcominginbutitgoestofartolisttheseshippingmovementshere.] Medialinks DestroyersofWorldWarTwoWhitley,M.J. U.S.DestroyersFriedman,Norman UnitedStatesDestroyerOperationsInWorldWarII.Roscoe,Theodore SourcesWarDiaryCOMDESRON21forMarch1945WarDiaryofUSSPhoenixforMarch1945ActionreportofCOMTASKGR74.3onCebuCityoperations24-28March1945+ActionreportofCOMTASKGR78.2onCebuCityoperationsWarDiaryCOMDESRON21forApril1945 ReturntotheAlliedWarshipssection AsanAmazonAssociateuboat.netearnsacommissionfromqualifyingpurchases. Frontpage About Contactus FAQ Glossary What'snew  ©1995-2022GuðmundurHelgason