|
|
USS PICKING WORLD WAR II LOG April 9, 1945. Zone description (-) 9 (Continued) Sixty-six rounds of AA Common were fired into the first target, a town
in the center of the peninsula. Results were reported as “very good” by the
plane; and several fires were started. Firing was shifted to a new target area which
was covered with 20 rounds of AA Common. The observer reported that all salvos
were well within the area and that all installations in the area were
eliminated. The next target selected was outside the range of the main battery:
19,000 yards. The beach was closed to shorten the range, but this was not
sufficient to bring the target within effective range. However, 6 rounds of AA
Common and a single round of white phosphorus were fired. No observation was made and a new target
was requested. Thirty-two rounds of AA Common were fired into a town in the
northern side of MOTOBU. Results were excellent. A road junction was pitted, a
bridge knocked out. The bombardment was shifted to a town further to the west.
The area was well covered with 72 rounds of AA Common.
Two bridged knocked out, roads pitted, the town half demolished. PICKING was ordered by CTF 54 to
report to the NEW MEXICO and escort her to the rendezvous for the night
retirement. The LAFFEY relieved on call fire support station, and PICKING
proceeded to KERAMA RETTO to join the NEW MEXICO. Took station ahead
of the NEW MEXICO north of KERAMA RETTO and escorted her to PT “MONK”,
the night retirement rendezvous for units of TF 54. PT “MONK” is nine miles
west of ZAMPA MISAKI, the prominent point of land on western OKINAWA. Elements
of TF 54 sortied and formed up in special cruising disposition 5RD as TG 54.2. OTC, CTF 54 in the TENNESSEE; SOPA, Commander
5th Fleet in the NEW MEXICO. Took departure from PT “MONK” at 1800 and
commenced zigzagging at 1530. Ships were assigned radar guard sectors. Went to
general quarters at 1856 when an unidentified aircraft was detected bearing
245° T, 5 miles from the fleet center. Fired at a low flying
plane which broke out of the clouds on the port side and quickly disappeared
again. Visibility was very poor with approaching darkness and a
drizzling rain. Eighty one rounds of 5” and thirty-two rounds of 40mm were
fired in full radar control with results unobserved. The ROOKS in
station #6 of the circular screen reported having been attacked by three
planes, one a “BETTY”. The attack was turned back without any damage
having been sustained by any ships of the formation. Secured
from general quarters, but another attack followed seven minutes later.
A plane came in from the west and circled the formation. PICKING opened
fire along with other ships. Target was sighted on the port beam in flames.
C.I.C. detected another air target 035°, 26 miles. PICKING opened fire
when it was within effective range and shot it down in flames at a range of 3
miles. Lights were reported near the burning plane. The IRWIN investigated
and reported the glow was being caused by a chemical effect. An amplifying
report stated that the plane had carried a charge of white phosphorous. 103
rounds of Mk 32, 44 rounds of Mk 18 and 70 rounds of 40mm were expended during
the raid. No further attacks were made during the night. Positions: 0800 - Latitude
- 26°-49.4’ N; Longitude - 127°-44.0’ E. 1200 - Latitude
- 26°-39.6’
N; Longitude - l27°-44.9’ E. 2000 - Latitude
- 26°-54.5’ N; Longitude - l27°-32.0’ E. April 10, 1945 Zone description (-) 9 Task Force
54.2 made a wide circle counterclockwise by a series of course changes and
headed southward so as to arrive back in the vicinity of the transport area at
daybreak. No air attacks occurred during the dawn alert, but at 0650 a
low-flying enemy plane was reported ten miles north of “BOLO”, the contact reference point, PICKING at
that time five miles west of there. Returned to general quarters, but no planes
came within range. The PORTERFIELD
reported she was attacked by and shot down an “OSCAR” type Japanese
plane. Ships of the night retirement group were now proceeding independently. PICKING
ordered by CTF 55 to take aboard ammunition from an LCI in the HAGUSHI
ANCHORAGE (transport area) . Six hundred and forty rounds
of AA Common and flashless powder were transferred
aboard by an LCM. Empties were unloaded. Operation was completed by 1230.
Continuous rain squalls and fog prevented effective fire support, and CTF 55
gave the order to standby and be prepared for any fire
support missions that might be needed. Remained underway, patrolling five miles
west of the transport area. Bad weather and poor visibility continued through
the afternoon, and no calls were received for fire support. Moved
down towards NAHA and the front lines late in the afternoon, anticipating a
night firing assignment in that sector. At 1645 the night assignment was
received from CTF 55: Call fires from 1900 until dawn. A frequency was given on
which to contact the NLO on the beach. The latter requested six rounds of star
shells per hour, in an area close to the beach and over the Japanese
front lines. An additional order received later called for five rounds of
harassing fire per hour commencing at 2000. The target
area included road junctions a mile behind the Japanese front lines. Remained
underway, maneuvering in an area 6000 yards off the beach, 6 miles north of NAHA, until after
dark when the ship anchored at short stay. Ships, particularly small craft,
were advised by CTF 51 on the voice radio circuit to expect heavy seas. Swells
increased in size and rain squalls continued, but the seas did not attain very
dangerous proportions during the night. Illumination and harassment
firing proceeded on schedule. Positions: 0800 - Latitude - 26°-24.8’
N; Longitude - 127°-40.5’ E. 1200 - Latitude - 26°-25.l’
N; Longitude - l27°-39.5’ E. 2000 - Latitude - 26°-l8.4’
N; Longitude - l27°-43.5’ E. April 11, 1945. Zone description (-) 9 Continued with
night illumination and harassing fire in assigned target areas during the
night. By daylight, 74 rounds of starshells and 51 roundsBy
eight o’clock, no assignment had been received. Weather was bad, rain and low
ceiling. Anchored again in the fire support area, standing by to get underway1015,
enemy aircraft were reported twenty-five miles north of Pt. ZAMPA the contact
reference point. Underway and went to general quarters to repel a possible with the N.L.O. and the spotting plane on an
assigned frequency. Firing was commenced on the target -- a Japanese 100 mm gun
firing from target area 7877. The observation plane (from the C.V.E. FANSHAW
BAY) reported his plane was hit by enemy AA fire and he had to make an
emergency landing on YONTAN airfield. Continued to
fire with navigational ranges without spots until another spotting plane
arrived on station. One gun salvo were used until the projectiles were dropping on or
near the target. Two gun salvos, either slow or rapid fire, were fired to
neutralize the area. Firing was ceased at 1343 and the ship went to general
quarters when an unidentified aircraft approached to thirteen miles on a
bearing of 275° T. The plane went over land (KERAMA RETTO) and finally
disappeared from the screen. Bombardment was resumed until 1640. All firing was
done by the ondition watches. In general, results were good and the
firing effective in neutralizing four target areas containing gun emplacements
and defense works. 227 rounds of 5” AA. Common and 1
W.P. were expended. The plane returned to base and no
further call fire missions were received. Maneuvered in the
area until after dark and anchored south of the HAGUSHI transport area, 6 miles
north of NAHA. At 1905 received orders from C.T.F. 55 to take two target
areas under harassing fire commencing at 2000. Five rounds were to be expended
in each area per hour. Target areas included a town and road junctions between the enemy lines and NAHA. Scheduled firing
was interrupted by an unidentified plane which approached from the north, and
closed to 17 miles before retiring from the area. Ships in transport area made
smoke. At 2200, two new target areas were received from C.T.F. 55. Twenty
rounds were to be expended in one; fifty rounds in the other.
Firing intervals were to be irregular and bombardment was to extend until
daylight. 134 rounds were expended during the night. Positions: 0800 -
Latitude - 26°-l8.7’ N; Longitude - 127°-4l.7’ E. 1200 -
Latitude - 26°-l8.5’ N; Longitude - l27°-41.8’ E. 2000 - Latitude - 26°—18.7’ N; Longitude -
127°-42.8’ E. |