Franklin (CV 13) - Naval Cruise Book

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ir A Corsair takes a ivave-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 Iwo Jima, only six hundred miles from Tokyo, bloodily collapsing in death, the next move would be 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 carrie r 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 year before; day landings, night landings, simulated at- tacks, formation flying. 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 efficiency. 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 officers strive to be forehanded and provide for every possible contingency was impressed upon everyone. The productivity of America ' s assembly lines was making itself felt on the fighting front: accessories that men once counted as luxuries were commonplace. Every man had a sheath knife, life jacket with pin-on lamp, gas mask, steel

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C 11 A 1 ' T E K 1 E N . . . ive could have left her there, I guess . . . By all the rules they use in. this game she should h e sleeping noiv on the bottom off the coast of Japan. But some peojdc don ' t believe in all the rules . . . Our captain didnt ... THE SHIP THAT WOULDN ' T BE SUNK The vicioiis battle for Ivvo Jima was siihsicling — the Jap- anese commander liad sent his last message to the home- land: ' I expect to die here. ' Superforts, in massive forma- tion, were roaring through the stratosphere over the battered cities of the Jajianese liome islands. Once again news reports of the mighty task groups of the Fifth Fleet were lacking during one of the brief ])eriods of inactivity that portended awful consequences for the once-arrogant yellow men. Rig Ben daily ex])ected orders to up anchor and steam westward, tlank speed, to join the fleet. With the Philippines Cupluin Ltsli, ' E. Gehres, USN, Commanding Officer, USS Franklin, S ' oifmbcr 7th, 1944, to June 3nth. 194

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Big Ben ' s men take a jarewell look at Pearl Harbor hatlle helmet, |)lastic whistle, waterproof flashlight, protec- tive clothing and cream to prevent Hash burns from explo- sions; first aid boxes and lockers were located at dozens of strategic places. Life rafts and life nets, fully equipped with survival kits, were plentiful. Every emergency that human ingenuity could forsee was provided for in the elaborate sys- tems of damage control, fire-fighting and repair. Comdr. H. S. Cone. Supply Ofiicer, and Comdr. W. R. LeFavour, Damage Control Oflicer, iioth of whom had worked wonders on the Franklin, were detached at this time and Lt. Comdr. D. V. ' engrovius became supply chief while Lt. Comdr. R. L. Downes took over Damage Control. Big Ben ' s mission was assigned and she steamed westward on March 3rd, 1945, ready in every respect. Eventually Big Ben ' s mission was assigned and she steamed west on March 3rd, 194.5. She was ready. Accompanying her were the usual destroyer escorts and the mighty new battle cruiser, Gwam. A stream of westbound warships moved with her, separated by distances of 50 to 100 miles. The push was on! 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 peace; 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 been preparing twenty years for this war. Ready to strike him on his doorstep, for this would be the long awaited Okinawa operation. Franklin departed Ulithi, the flagship of Task Group 58.2, with Rear Admiral Ralph Davison ' s two-starred flag at her truck. Also aboard, as passengers, were Rear Admiral Bogan