Admiral W L Capps (AP 121) - Naval Cruise Book

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3rd DIVISION AI.I,, Gun and crew petty oliicer for the light machine guns and one roving gunner's mate who repaired all small damages. During the invasion of Okinawa, all guns were constantly manned. Proper maintenance of the shipls ordnance was vital. This responsibility fell into the hands of the 3rd Division, composed of a gunnery officer, assistant gunnery officer and approximately twenty Hrecontrolmen and gunnerls mates. Adverse climatic conditions and frequent drills and battle practices increased the task assigned to the 3rd Division, but always, the maintenance of the guns was placed before personal comfort. That the guns were known to be ready for action at all times, no doubt added to the confidence of the crew and the embarked troops. The Hne records established during gunnery practices dem- onstrated the excellence of the ship's ordnance, her gun crews, and her ordnance division. The Capps was ready to meet and defeat the enemy at all times due to the effort and ability of the 3rd Division. A view of some of the 20 mm. gun tubs

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,. 3rd DIVISION Although the Capps was not designed to be an attack ship, she carried sufficient ordnance to repulse enemy attacks by aircraft, submarine, or surface vessel. The main battery consisted of four 5 ,f38 caliber dual purpose guns, two guns being located atop the forward deck house and two aft- one on the fantail and one on the after deck house. Magazines for the main battery were located deep in the hull of the ship and almost directly beneath the guns they served. Ammunition necessary to feed these rapid Hre guns was hoisted from the magazines by electrically driven cage hoists. The fire control of the main battery was accomplished with the aid of three MK SI directors, two forward and one aft. The secondary battery consisted of four 1.1 f75 caliber quad- ruple mount heavy machine gunsr These guns were electric-hy- I i E Chief Connell at work in the armory ll! The after battery at 5 y 38 draulic driven and were controlled by individual MK SI gun directors. Two of the guns were located on the signal bridge and two on the boat deck aft. In addition sixteen 20 mm. light machine guns were located about the boat deck and superstructure decks. Gun watches of one sort or another were always stood on the Admiral Capps from commissioning to V-I day, the type of watch depending upon the proximity of enemy craft. Regular battle cruising conditions called for Watches to be stood on one 5 gun, one 1.1,!75 caliber gun, and Hve 20 mm. guns. VVhen the ship steamed through combat areas, a fire control watch was added consisting of one officer for the main battery, one chief petty Cliff? ti mate who ret Okinawa. all g Prose: T12 ., ,. respons1oiiiif.- of a twentf: conditions af task assigiitf the 1 VVCIS lslfliiwr to the cfgrifi The tire

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4th DIVISION Aboard each of the larger Navy transports during the war was a detachment of Marines, consisting of one officer and 30 en- listed men. The Marine detachment fit into the ship's organiza- tion as the 4th Division. The 4th Division aboard the Admiral Capps was composed of men of every Marine division and even Marine Raider units. The previous experiences of these men varied from those just out of 'gboot camp to the veterans of major Pacific engagements. The primary function of the 4th Division was to insure the security of the vessel, its crew, and its passengers. While in port this was done by assigning sentries to patrol both the vessel and the pier watching for accidents, sabotage, fire and in general main- taining law and order. l The cook :entry IXI The marine division az parade rest As soon as the ship left port, a thorough search was made to guard against the possibility of stowaways. If troops were aboard, a troop guard, composed of two guard companies totaling about 350 officers and men, was organized to enforce the ship's orders and prevent disturbances. Members of the troop guard were called upon for a great variety of things from stopping gambling games and racketeering to locating stolen property. Certain areas of the world called for special restrictive measures, such as, the siezing of cameras while passing through the Panama Canal. There were special tasks assigned to the 4th Division, such as, the guarding of all women passengers and the provision of a Marine orderly for the Commanding Officer. The Leathernecks, during the Okinawa invasion, performed the very important task of rnaririitfg lition rrief. explosif. A32 crew or as the f'.Vf1f' a flag. D: a Margie i their t papers. Merch T ' Y okob 2 it 3'EQ 1 !Cf D1f.'gQfr,r -ref . i, . sisted siia condztiefiiig. tices were ' Q ? . heid reguiarfl leas 1255 Q. T051- i xl - -.- ,, . 1 , unit. ine . and traditzois maintaiziiig ADMERAL fi rf xf