Franklin (CV 13) - Naval Cruise Book

Page 94 text:

1 'i'-X 'T' MQ. . 4- l KSA .-iff., l l 1 .4 Corsair takes a 'fwnve-off, as others circle to land firmly in control of American armies, with every major island port in American hands, with the surviving Japanese surrounded in the barren mountain ranges, with Two Jima, only six hundred miles from Tokyo, hloodily collapsing in death, the next move would he close to the main islands of Japan. By the familiar pattern of amphibious warfare it would find the fast carrier forces neutralizing the air bases of Japan proper, followed by a terrific fleet bombardment of the next doomed stronghold. Then the Marine and Army di- visions would pour ashore, under an umbrella of sea-borne airpower. Every flattop in the fleet would be needed! The expected orders did not come immediately. There would be three weeks of operation in the Hawaiian area to further qualify the fliers of Air Group Five in carrier land- ings, as well as the pilots of another group, Air Group 87., Those weeks passed swiftly. The airmen trained hard, much as the pilots of Air Group Thirteen had trained here nearly a 'ear before' da landings niffht landings, simulated at- y 7 Y D 7 D Q, tacks, formation Hying. During the days Franklin practiced vigorously with her guns, with damage control problems, first aid drills, physical exercises to put the men in peak condition. Every man now knew the seriousness of combat and the importance of striv- ing for high battle efheiency. Comdr. Taylor and Captain Gehres frequently addressed the crew at quarters, instilling the determination to make Big Ben the best and toughest ship in the fleet. As the refresher training ended, the painstaking care with which the Navy and its oflicers strive to be forehanded and provide for every possible contingency was impressed upon everyone. The productivity of Ameriea's assembly lines was making itself felt on the fighting front: accessories that men once counted as luxuries were conmionplace. livery man had a sheath knife, life jacket with pin-on lamp. gas mask, steel

Page 93 text:

i we iioininandt-it had sent his last inessage to the liome- fit n, Mere wal ing Ilirongli tlie stratospliere over tlie lvattered title- nt tlie .lapanewe li-nne islands. tlnee again news reports tl II A I' 'I' E R 'I' E N . . uv multi lmzw' lvfl her there, I glless . . . Hy all the rules they use in .'. J1is gfinn' xlw .vlmzzld tw slffvpirzg now on the liotiorn off the mast Of japan. I lim ,wine pf-pple Joni! f1l'lI'f'I'l' in all the rules . . . Uur lfllllflllllf flifllldf . . . M f 1 W N V 1 r 1 9 A L IHIf HIP IHAI WOULD I BE ini- xiriot S t2XI'll.li tor lim ,lima was sulusidinge e tlie Jap- of tlie mighty task groups of tlie lfiflli lfleet were lacking during one of tlie lirief periods of inactivity that portended dz I expel-l to die lieref' Superllorts. in massive forma- awful Consequences for tlie once-arrogant yellow men. Ilig llen daily expected orders to up anclior and Steam westward, Ilank Speed, to join tlie fleet. Wlitli tlie Philippines r .1f,,w,4f, !,l ',lil1' ly fnllfrfw. ILS Nl. fdlllllllllllllll-llfl Uyivvr. USS l ranklin, .7Vnw'r11Iwr 7111, 194-1, In fum' .3'Utli. 1945

Page 95 text:

.. ---Jn, ,, ..., ..... -V.-...uf-s A ...,,...,,,. : o -Q.-,..f-.infill f ' ' ....,,,. . ...-- U ..-1 . ,.. ..... L S.. life' lifll-N men luke I1 'f'I1fU1l,'1'I1 fool: at Pearl Harbor Plfllffl. plastic whistle. waterproof tlashlight. protec- fi e f 'tilting and cream to prevent flash hurns from ex plo 'f lir-I aifl lmxfs and lockers were located at dozens of 'ri ' ,f' places. l.iif- rafts and lliiF5I1l'l4, fully equipped with il kit-. Z'-f'Tf1 plfrntifnl. livery fflYlf'I'IQl'TIlf'y that human fgoulfl lor'-rfe as proviflr-fl for in the f-lahoratc sys tl fldflldffe fnntrol. ill'f'-iljflliltlg' and rr-pair. f.omrlr. ll. f'. fnppli. fllllf'f'l'. and Himrlr. VX. lt. l,el'ax'our. f' f,fn.trul ijill'f'il', lioth of, wlmm hall workt-rl wonrlt-rs l':vfr1l'lQ.n. xwcrf: flfftaffltffel at thi- time and l,t. tion iflr. llK'tg1'f1'.illf ir1'fdHl11 supply f'l1ir'li while l,t. tiomflr. li. pf- tn-ul: ww: llarnagrg f,fmtrol. lhg liens mission T' Q' -wwf-tl and flu' '-trfamerl wvstwaitl on Xlldl lr id, ,.,l, fr. , 1 'aft' Ilrf f'f l1'-IWYT .1 v f- v , Mali' lint: ljenf nn-'-ion was itlrQlgIlt5d and slit: 2' :nun 'f--I Nlurfli ful. l'1l3. Shu was rtfurly. X f ,r:,p,.',l,,:lg l.1-r were the usual elf:-troyer escorts a the mighty new battle cruiser, Guam. A stream of westbound warships moved with her, separated by distances of 50 to ltltl miles. The push was onl The task group arrived in Ulithi Lagoon March 13th. Here the stay was short. Full of transports, foreshadowing invasion, the wide anchorage made men marvel at the prodi- gality and power of their country. These hundreds of war- ships, undreamed of when war shattered the Pacific peaceg these tens of thousands of soldiers then unmustered, were here at a newly conquered base. trained to perfection and ready to strike a foe who had lgieen preparing twenty years for this war. Ready to strike him on his doorstep, for this would lie the long awaited Okinawa operation. lffllllkllill. departed Ulitlii, the flagship of Task Group 58.2, with lt:-ar Admiral ltalph Davisorfs two-starred ilag at her truck. Also alroartl, as passengers, were Rear ,Mhniral Began -A--main . ... U. . n-V1-nn