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USS PICKING WORLD WAR II LOG May_25,
1945. Zone
description (-)9 Enemy
planes in moderate force attacked at midnight and were in the area until 0300.
Nine groups of planes made the raid. The airfields were reported bombed. Ceased night firing mission at 0445
having expended 152 rounds of 5 AA Common. Relieved the BARTON at 0600
northwest of NAHA in Positions:
0800 -
Latitude - 26°-16.O N; Longitude - 127°-38.3 E. 1200 - Latitude - 26°-16.8 N; Longitude -
127°-39.6 E. 2000 - Latitude - 26°-15.4 N; Longitude -
127°-38.8 E. May 26, 1945 Zone description (-) 9 Completed
night firing at 0500 having expended 159 rounds of AA Common. Remained in area
northwest of NAHA to continue fire support during day. At 0815 took area
containing enemy artillery pieces under a harassing fire of 8 rounds per hour.
Weather remained foggy throughout day hindering air
and shore spotting of gun fire. At 1500 bombarded areas in which enemy troop
movements were observed. Ceased bombardment at 1615; 111 rounds of 5/38 AA
Common expended. At 1850 proceeded to anchor at HAGUSHI as a unit of TASK
GROUP 54.2. There were no enemy air raids. Positions: 0800 - Latitude - 26°-17.7
N; Longitude - 127°-39.3 E. 1200 - Latitude - 26°-l6.7
N; Longitude - 127°-40.2 E. 2000 - Latitude - 26°-19.6
N; Longitude - l27°-43.5 E. May 27, 1945 Zone description (-) 9 Underway at 0540 proceeding with TASK GROUP 51.3 from HAGUSHI ANCHORAGE to KERAMA RETTO for logistics. Departed KERAMA RETTO at 1700 having fueled and replenished ammunition. Assigned to TASK GROUP 54.2, anchored in HAGUSHI ANCHORAGE. There were many enemy air raids during the Positions: 0800 - Latitude - 26°-12.5
N; Longitude - 127°-20.4 E. 1200 - Latitude - 26°-11.8
N; Longitude - l27°-19.9 E. 2000 - Latitude - 26°-2l.4
N; Longitude - l27°-42.4 E. May 28, 1945 Zone description (-) 9 As of midnight, Fifth Fleet designated Third Fleet under command of Admiral Halsey. The following changes in task organization now in effect: Anchored
in HAGUSHI ANCHORAGE with TASK GROUP 54.2. At general quarters at 0730; ships warned to
be alert for low flying planes over land. Weather foggy. At 0810 a plane identified as a TONY made
a suicide attack on An LCI bearing
310° T, 5000 yards; missed, and exploded in the water. All clear at 0858. Underway at 1715 for fire support group,
southwestern OKINAWA, to conduct flycatcher, or anti-small boat operations,
during the night. At 1817, when the PICKING had made the turn
south, west of NAHA AIRFIELD, an enemy shore battery took the ship under fire.
A shell, estimated 3 to 4 in calibre,
exploded 100 yards off the starboard side even with bridge. The commanding officer
immediately went to flank speed and commenced maneuvering radically. A second salvo splashed in the
wake 100 yards astern. The enemy gun flashes were seen in a direction of and
above the airfield. Commenced a rapid counter-battery fire in that area. All enemy fire had ceased by
1827 . PICKING ceased firing at 1835 having
expended 245 rounds of 5/38 AA Common. Continued southward
to southern end of OKINAWA to conduct harassing fire from that area. The
surface search radar was inoperative until 2015. It became necessary to anchor
after dark in order to repair the antenna and to avoid the danger of collision
or going aground on the shoals off southern OKINAWA. The radar back in, a
patrol was established, and night bombardment commenced. Positions: 0800 -
Latitude - 26°-21.4 N; Longitude - l27°-42.4 E. 1200 -
Latitude - 26°-21.4 N; Longitude - 127°-42.4 E. 2000
- Latitude - 26°-05.O N; Longitude - 127°-37.O E. May 29, 1945 Zone description ((-) 9 Continued
bombardment while patrolling southwest of OKINAWA until 0510. 275 rounds
of 5/38 AA Common were expended on harassing fire; 3 starshells
on an unidentified LCI. Proceeded to a station three miles
northwest of NAHA to answer call fires as requested by the shore fire control
party. However, the latter had no targets to take under fire. The ground
forces (1st MARDIV) were not anxious to have close fire support since the lines
were in a fluid state, and friendly patrols were operating in enemy territory.
A spotting plane reported on station but a low haze and fog prevented the
spotter from observing from altitudes greater than 500 feet. The BARTON reported
a 6 enemy coast defense gun south of NAHA east of the airport. Our plane took a
look at it when the haze lifted momentarily. The observer verified the position
and reported it was an open mount. One round of 5/38 AA Common was fired. Fire was not resumed on the gun due to the continued haze and the evaluation by another air spotter in the afternoon that the gun was not operational. Fired into enemy troop locations during the afternoon. Results reported as excellent by the shore spotter; the JAP troops were forced to retreat from their position. Expended 135 rounds of 5/38 AA Common. At 1800 joined TASK GROUP 32.11 in a dusk AA formation. Released at 1900 to
take station two miles west of
NAHA airfield for night assignment. Commenced harassing and illumination fire
at 2000. At 2200 accompanied the VINCENNES to a new fire support station
3½ miles northwest of NAHA TOWN. Continued night firing from
there. Positions: 0800 -
Latitude - 26°-l6.6 N; Longitude - l27°-38.3 E. 1200 -
Latitude - 26°-l4.8 N; Longitude - 127°-38.l E. 2000 -
Latitude - 26°-l2.5 N; Longitude - 127°-36.0 E. May 30, 1945. Zone description (-) 9 Expended 192
rounds of 5/38 AA Common during nights harassing fire. Visibility poor during
the day; remained in vicinity of U.S.S. IDAHO for mutual
air support. Commenced night harassing and illumination fire at 1900. Positions: 0800 - Latitude - 26°-l3.2
N; Longitude - l27°-34.5 E. 1200 - Latitude - 26°-15.2
N; Longitude - l27°-37.5 E. 2000 - Latitude - 26°-05.8
N; Longitude - 127°-22.9 E. June 1, 1945 Zone description (-) 9 PICKING operating with TASK FORCE 32,
the GUNFIRE and COVERING FORCE at OKINAWA, Rear Admiral Mc CORMICK in the IDAHO.
Further assigned to TASK GROUP 32.11, the WESTERN FIRE SUPPORT GROUP,
commanded by senior officer in the group. Supporting Army and Marine ground
forces on southwestern OKINAWA SHIMA. Present night mission is to harass
assigned target areas at irregular intervals and to guard against enemy
suicide boats and barges by illuminating the southwestern coast of OKINAWA.
Conducting operations with the VICKSBURG. Ceased firing at 0452 having
expended 107 rounds of 5/38 AA common and 73 starshells. Weather fogy in the
morning. Joined LOUISVILLE and later the VICKSBURG for mutual AA Support in accordance C.T.G 32.11 verbal
dispatch. Exercised at depth charge attack drills during the day. Reassigned
with the VICKSBURG to flycatcher or anti-small boat patrol for the
night. Commenced harassing and illumination fire at 2015. Positions: 0800 - Latitude - 26°-l2.7 N; Longitude -
l27°-33.2 E. 1200 - Latitude - 26°-l8.2 N; Longitude -
l27°-39.2 E. 2000 - Latitude - 26°-08.2 N; Longitude -
l27°-34.6 E. |