April 1, 1945
Underway pursuant to ComPhibsPac Operation Plan A1-45, in column formation, second ship in Sweep Unit 5, astern of USS CHAMPION (AM-314), in company with Sweep Unit 8, USS ADAMS (DM-27) and USS SHEA (DM-30). OTC in USS ADAMS. Returning to Okinawa Shima from night retirement.
0100, changed speed to 12 knots. All hands manned general quarters stations, enemy planes in vicinity. Fired upon enemy aircraft, no plane shot down.
0616, commenced firing on enemy aircraft.
0617, plane crashed-dived into USS ADAMS (DM-27) and bounced off into the water. Steering casualty to ADAMS.
0619, USS ARDENT (AM-340) ordered to stand by ADAMS to render assistance.
0620, changed course to 320 degrees T by emergency turn to stay clear of ADAMS which has lost steering control.
[Here is a photo of the USS ADAMS]
0632, commenced firing at enemy aircraft.
0635, ceased firing; plane disappeared into cloud.
0640, sighted plane attempting suicide dive on USS SWEARER (DE-186), about 6,000 yards on starboard bow. Plane did not hit SWEARER but crashed into water.
1200, position: Lat 26D-20’ N; Long. 127D-22’ E.
1340, stationed special sea details and proceeded on various courses and speeds into harbor in KERAMA RETTO, Okinawa Islands group.
1415, Moored alongside USS KISHWAUKEE (AOG-9) port side to and commenced taking on fuel oil.
[Official US Navy History Note: Marines and Army forces land on Okinawa, Ryukyu Islands, under cover of heavy naval gunfire and air attack. The operation is under the overall command of Adm. R. A. Spruance, Commander Fifth Fleet. Vice Adm. R. K. Turner commands the Joint Expeditionary Force, and the troops are commanded by Lt. Gen. A. B. Buckner, USA.]
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This link will show a very good map of the activity during the invasion of Okinawa. |
[Roy’s Note: Oddly enough, the official US Navy History doesn’t mention the ADAMS being damaged on this date. The history shows the ADAMS being hit on March 30]
April 2, 1945
On patrol in area B-5.
0021, all hands manned general quarters stations; enemy aircraft in immediate vicinity.
0045, USS ACHERNA (AKA-53) 3500 yards on port beam, hit by enemy suicide plane (a two-engine bomber that passed low overhead the USS DEFENSE according to War Diary) and fire broke out on weather deck. DEFENSE left station to standby ACHERNA to render assistance. Closed to about 400 yards but unable to communicate by voice radio.
[Roy’s Note: the official US Navy History shows the ACHERNA being hit on April 1 — but the DEFENSE deck logs show the ship being hit on the second]
0110, ACHERNA brought fire under control, increased speed to about 15 knots and rejoined own formation. [War Diary differs slightly — says name of ship was "ACHEINA"]
0126, returned to patrol station.
0622, began firing on enemy aircraft. Ceased fire as friendly planes were in line of fire.
0911, proceeded to harbor in KERAMA RETTO, Okinawa Island Group.
1745, provisions and stores boat alongside.
1810, Underway pursuant to orders CTG 52.2, proceeding to screening station A-56 at various courses and speeds on all engines standing out protected anchorage, KERAMA RETTO.
1845, commenced firing at unidentified aircraft.
1847, ceased firing.
2000, entered smoke screen with visibility of about 500 yards, proceeding on various courses and speeds to maneuver safely through groups of ships.
April 3, 1945
Underway pursuant to ComPhibsPac Operation Plea A1-45, and verbal orders CTG 52.2 of 2 April 1945, patrolling screening station A-56 on base courses 061 degrees T and 241 degrees T, speed 10.5 knots on all engines.
0109, all hands manned general quarters stations, enemy aircraft in vicinity of Okinawa.
0555, all hands manned general quarters stations, enemy aircraft in vicinity.
April 4, 1945
Underway pursuant to ComPhibsPac Operation Plan A1-45, and verbal orders CTG 52.2 of 2 April 1945, patrolling screening station A-56 on base courses 063 degrees T and 243 degrees T, speed 10.5 knots on all engines.
0715, commenced patrolling station 2,000 yards southeast of station A-56 upon visual orders of CTG 51.5 representative.
April 5, 1945
Underway pursuant to ComPhibsPac Operation Plan A1-45, and visual orders CTG 51.5, patrolling station A-56 of inner screen on base courses 061 degrees T and 241 degrees T, speed 10.5 knots on all engines.
[Note from Official US Navy History: United States Naval Advanced Air Base, Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, is established. Koiso cabinet in Japan resigns; Admiral Suzuki becomes Prime Minister.]
April 6, 1945
Underway pursuant to ComPhibsPac Operation Plea A1-45, and visual orders CTG 51.5, patrolling station A-56 of inner screen on base courses 061 degrees T and 241 degrees T, speed 10.5 knots on all engines.
0310, all hands manned general quarters stations, enemy aircraft present.
0800, joined column formation with USS REQUISITE (AM-109), USS TRIUMPH (AM-323), and USS VIGILANCE (AM-324), on course 160 degrees T, speed 15 knots. OTC is CominDiv 13 in REQUISITE.
0802, changed speed to 5 knots and commenced streaming "o" type and acoustic minesweeping gear.
0834, all minesweep gear streamed, 300 fathoms port and starboard sweep wire, 40 ft. float pendants, 18 fathoms depressor wire, hammer box at 30 feet.
0906, USS SPEAR (AM-322) joined formation.
0907, entered area D-2 and commenced scheduled sweeping operations on various courses conforming to contour of area.
1428, completed scheduled sweep of assigned area D-2. Made preparations to recover minesweeping gear. Sweep results negative.
1509, set course to 210 degrees T, speed 15 knots, proceeding independently awaiting orders from CTG 51.5.
1536, all hands manned general quarters stations, enemy aircraft attacking various units at beachhead.
1800, all hands manned general quarters stations. AA gunfire seen coming from TF 54 which bore 270 degrees T, distance 6 miles.
1802, increased speed to flank with radical changes of course, enemy aircraft in large numbers seen to be coming in from northwest. One plane made suicide run on this vessel and was shot down by 20mm fire. (The War Diary states that this was a Val)
1804, speed reduced to standard and ship steadied on northerly heading.
1805, two suicide planes (Vals) commenced runs from the east on this vessel and were taken under heavy fire by starboard battery. Speed increased to flank with radical changes of course. One plane pulled out, other plane crashed into flying bridge and superstructure.
1806, all engines stopped until report that only minor damage had been received on the bridge.
1807, speed increased to flank with radical changes of course as another plane was observed making a run on this vessel from west. Plane was taken under fire by starboard battery but crashed 40mm platform. Course was changed to westward to close with TF 54 as still more enemy planes were observed in the air and this vessel had received some damage from shrapnel.
[Roy’s Note: I noticed that the planes that attacked at 1805 came out of the east and were fired upon by the starboard batteries. Two minutes later, another plane was observed coming out of the west, which was also taken under fire by the starboard batteries. I assume that the "radical changes of course" and the engine stoppage combined to turn the DEFENSE from a northerly heading to a southerly one. Those poor guys on the starboard side of the ship must have thought the Captain was trying to get rid of them.]
1815, reduced speed to standard and commenced to close with USS NEWCOMB (DD-586) and USS LEUTZE (DD-481) which had received major damage and were burning.
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[Roy's Note: Here are two images of the damage that the NEWCOMB received in this attack. Photo 1. Photo 2.] |
1820, commenced to pull along starboard side of LEUTZE, but received orders from Commanding Officer of LEUTZE to pick up survivors. Commenced maneuvering as instructed.
1825, vessel violently shaken by explosion of depth charges from one of damaged vessels nearby.
1853, BOWELL, James Padelford, SM3c, USNR, went over the side and rescued WALKER, H., StM1c, a non-swimmer, whom he brought back to the ship. BOWELL went over the side a second time, taking two life preservers to five men, two of whom were seriously burned. Bowell is to be commended for his actions done in the face of possible combined air attacks and darkness coming on rapidly. He materially speeded the recovery of survivors without thought of himself. (click on his name to see a photo) Preliminary investigation of the action showed the following men wounded in action:
[Casualty Report, page 1] [Casualty Report, page 2] [Casualty Report, page 3]
The following ammunition was expended during the attack: 45 rounds 3"/50 cal; 550 rounds 40mm; 3600 rounds 20mm.
Material damage suffered was as follows: Hull: Seven holes in starboard side near and above waterline varying in size from 2" in diameter to 2" x 6"; ten holes in superstructure varying in size up to 6" in diameter; one shroud starboard side almost severed; life lines and stanchions on forecastle deck carried away; two holes in ship’s boat. Ordnance: One 40mm gun and one 20mm gun damaged; two 40mm ready boxes bent out of shape and covers ripped off; one Mk 14 sight damaged beyond repair; six 20mm magazines damaged; 3"/50 cal. Operating handle not functioning properly. Radio: all high frequency antenna carried away.
1900, received orders from ComDesRon 55 in USS PORTERFIELD (DD-682) to take LEUTZE in tow.
2005, LEUTZE secured astern with 1,000 fathoms of towing cable. Commenced slow acceleration on all engines on course 280 degrees T.
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[Roy's Note: According to the official history, the USS DEFENSE was aat 26 degrees 38 minutes North latitude, 127 degrees 31 minutes East longitude. Please see this map for the approximate location of the action.] |
Read the official Anti-Aircraft Action Report for 6 April 1945.
April 7, 1945
Underway pursuant to ComPhibsPac Operation Plan A1-45, with USS LEUTZE (DD-481) in tow at 2,000 yards, proceeding to KERAMA RETTO ANCHORAGE, Okinawa Group, on base course of 197 degrees T, speed 5 knots, being screened by USS PORTERFIELD (DD-682)
0634, passed through nets into KERAMA RETTO ANCHORAGE.
0719, Lying to in vicinity of USS CRESENT CITY (APA-21) awaiting boats to transfer injured men. Lieutenant Commander WORDEN, (MC), USNR, CominPac staff Medical Officer, came aboard to assist in transfer of patients.
0741, Boats from USS CRESENT CITY came alongside and the following men were transferred for medical treatment:
[list men]
1400, transferred the following listed survivors from USS NEWCOMB (DD-586) to USS WAYNE (APA-34) for disposition:
[list men]
April 8, 1945
Anchored in Berth K-84, KERAMA RETTO ANCHORAGE, Okinawa Gunto, Nansei Shoto.
1203, Underway pursuant to CTG 52.2 dispatch proceeding out KERAMA RETTO ANCHORAGE on various courses and speeds. Captain at the conn, Navigator on the bridge, to conduct a channel sweep as ordered in Appendix Four to Annex "F" of CTF 51 Operation Plan A1-45. Ships conducting the sweep, USS DEFENSE (AM-317), OTC, USS EXECUTE (AM-232), USS FACILITY (AM-233), USS HAZARD (AM-240).
1354, completed streaming "O" type gear, port and starboard with 300 fathoms sweep wire, 60 foot float pendants, 30 fathoms depressor wire.
1828, completed recovery of gear. Sweep results negative.
1912, changed course to 025 degrees T and commenced patrolling in channel east of TOKASHIKI SHIMA and south of MAE SHIMA on course 025 degrees T and 205 degrees T.
April 9, 1945
Patrolling singly on station in channel channel east of TOKASHIKI SHIMA and south of MAE SHIMA on course 025 degrees T and 205 degrees T.
1038, entered KEREMA RETTO ANCHORAGE, maneuvering on various courses and speeds to anchorage in vicinity of USS TERROR (CM-5).
[Roy's Note - The USS TERROR has a home page at http://www.geocities.com/ResearchTriangle/Thinktank/8093/USS_Terror/USSTerrorHomePage.htm ]
1415, DANGELO, E. J., MoMM2c, went over the side in shallow water diving outfit to investigate possible seam ruptures at various parts of the ship.
1445, completed diving operation.
April 11, 1945
0800, reported to Commander L.S.T Flotilla 6 pursuant to ComTaskFor 51 dispatch 100710 for duty in Task Unit 51.29.13. ComTaskUnit, L.S.T. Flotilla 6 in LCI 1080. ComDesRon 45 in USS BENNETT (DD-473) as screen commander with following escorts: USS WESSON (DE-184), USS SC-1049, USS SC-1314, USS YMS 398, and USS YMS 311. This vessel in station 51809 screen, escorting LST Flotilla 6, on base course 205 degrees T, base speed 7.5 knots.
1200, with Point Chiyama bearing 085 degrees T, distance 13 miles, took departure for Siapan Island, Mariannas Islands, on course 148 degrees T, speed 7.5 knots.
April 12, 1945
Underway enroute to Saipan, Mariannas Islands, pursuant to CTG 51 secret dispatch 100710 and ComLSTFlot 6 Movement Order A6-45, in Task Unit 51.29.13 escorting various units of LST Flotilla 6 in station 5180 in cruising formation #1 on base course 118 degrees T.
[Note from Official US Navy History: President Franklin D. Roosevelt dies; Vice President Harry S. Truman succeeds to the Presidency.
April 13, 1945
1337, half mast colors in mourning for the death of the President of the United States.
April 14, 1945
1500, assembled all hands at general quarters stations to pay tribute to the late President Roosevelt with five minutes of silent prayer, colors half mast.
April 17, 1945
1115, land sighted bearing 120 degrees T.
1527, sighted small waterspout bearing 192 degrees T, distance 6 miles.
1709, Passed through net gate of Siapan Harbor, Saipan, Mariannas Islands.
1737, Anchored in Saipan Harbor.
April 24, 1945
1745, Underway pursuant to Commander Service Squadron TEN Representative Siapan, Voice Dispatch 210025, and PD Saipan, routing instructions of 24 April 1945, on route to Pearl Harbor.
April 25 — 30, 1945
Proceeding singly from Saipan to Pearl Harbor.