USS Columbia - Naval Cruise Book

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canal Island in support of the American offen- sive. A four-plane Japanese dive bombing attack developed. With the aid of friendly fighters, two of the attacking planes were shot down and the attack was fought off, but the H. M. A. S. ACHILLES sustained a bomb hit on her number three turret. The Gem tasted her first danger and learned to know the sound of Ja]) dive bombers. When the task group returned to Espiritu Santo, the Gem paused only briefly and then left for Efate in the New Hebrides. Here, Task Force 18 was formed consisting of six cruisers and eight destroyers. The first duty given this combined cruiser- destroyer force was covering a large transport group moving reinforcements and supplies to Guadalcanal. Making a rendezvous with the transports, the task group shouldered its way through the South Pacific sea alerted for general quarters. About dusk on January 29, as the convoy was approaching Rennell Island from the south, it was suddenly attacked by a number of Jap torpedo planes. COLUMBIA ' S gunners trained their sights and shot down one of the Nip planes and assisted in the destruction of two others. Several more planes were destroyed by other U. S. ships, but the heavy cruiser CHICAGO suffered two hits in the attack and later sank. On the bridge of the COLUMBIA a scoreboard was started. Later, the transports Battle of Rennell Island. arrived safely off Guadalcanal and the task group retired. From February till June of 1943, Task Force 18 operated and trained in areas supporting the Beethoven ' s Fifth gets a going over. 10

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2 2 ST BATTLE CRIJISE IN October the shakedown in the Chesa- peake Bay ended and the Gem proceeded to Portsmouth, Va., where repairs to the bugs developed during the cruise were made and additional fighting gear stowed aboard. It was here that she was stripped for action and all unnecessary equipage, including paint and linoleum, was removed. Stores, ammunition and fuel were brought aboard and on November 9, 1942, the Gem headed out through Hampton Roads on a southerly course. This was good-by to the United States for a good many months to come; this was the beginning of the first battle cruise. The destination of the COLUMBIA was the Pacific War Zone and she was in company with new units of the Pacific Fleet. Speed was a necessity with these units for at that time U. S. Forces were in the earlier stages of the long and bloody campaign for the Solomon Islands, and Japanese Admirals were risking major units in the defense of that outer rim of their Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere. The Panama Canal was reached after a five- day voyage from the States through sub-infested waters. The trip through the canal commenced almost immediately and by nightfall of the day of arrival, the Pacific Coast was reached. Here, the Gem paused briefly to take on fuel. No liberty was granted and many of the crew missed their only chance to see Panama City with its famous sights. The COLUMBIA left the Canal Zone and nosed her way through the Pacific bound for Tongatabu in the Tonga Islands. It was a smooth journey out to Tongatabu with various types of drills and practices being held along the route. The Royal Domain of Neptune Rex was entered but due to the war, the usual honors bestowed while in his domain were dis- pensed with. A number of funny-looking hair cuts, however, and various colored skins were noted among the crew and it was understood that the Chief ' s quarters qualified several bom- bardiers. At Tongatabu a few of the crew went ashore to see their first South Sea Island, but found it unlike the ones in the movies and to add to their disillusionment the Army had arrived somewhat earlier and had the situation well under control. By December 1, the COLUMBIA was sailing with a small group of ships for Noumea, New Caledonia. This was an important base in the early months of the war for it was from Noumea that many task forces staged hammering blows at the Japs. The Gem ' s stay there, however, was very short for she sailed the morning after her arrival. While at Noumea, the battle veteran cruiser HELENA tied up beside the Gem and many discussions between crews were carried on over the life lines and later many days were spent cruising with the HELENA in various task forces of Admiral William (Bull) Halsey, Commander South Pacific Forces and later Commander Third Fleet. After leaving Noumea, the Gem was definitely in the Forward Area for her next stop, Espiritu Santo in the New Hebrides Islands, had several raids after her arrival by single Jap planes. At Espiritu Santo, the COLUMBIA encountered major units of the Pacific Fleet back from the Solomon Islands, some with battle damage getting temporary repairs, others fueling and loading ammunition and stores. Joining the vets, the Gem prepared for her first fighting assignment. She was now ready to prove her fighting ability, and by this time her crew had a smart appearance — not veterans, but definitely not green. For nearly a month the COLUMBIA oper- ated out of Espiritu Santo with Task Group 67.2. This task group, using the Solomons as its stomping grounds, consisted of the NASH- VILLE, ST. LOUIS, HELENA, HONOLULU, LOUISVILLE, H. M. A. S. ACHILLES, COLUMBIA and four destroyers. The days of this month passed slowly for the crew of the Gem. Many were anxious for action, but as it happened they had not long to wait for the ambitious Jap was anxious too; and what could be a sweeter target for him than the Gem, her champagne-christened bow hardly more than dry. On January 5, 1943, the day came. Task Group 67.2 had sortied from Espiritu Santo to operate in the areas south and east of Guadal-

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Captain Beatty assumes command. Captain F. E. Beatty, USN. CRU DIV 12 off Havannah Harbor, Efate Island. p ■ !H!ff J i w i t ,|