Manchester (CL 83) - Naval Cruise Book

Page 97 text:

It seemed unusually quiet around the ship during our eight days in the harbor, with the thudding of our guns replaced by the scraping of paint chippers. But the day before we left, the Manchester had begun to buzz with new activity. Commander Hughes came aboard to relieve Captain Fleck as Exec, and Commander Lee reported for duty as our new interpreter.

Page 96 text:

MANCHESTER MARINES LAND IN SASEBO . . .

Page 98 text:

One night near the end of our period in Sasebo, Commander Task Force 95 broke his flag in the Manchester. Rear Admiral Allan E. Smith (at left) carried momentous plans for our future. Meanwhile, UN ground forces in Korea were successfully correcting previous mistakes. Led by General Matthew Ridgeway, the Allies had launched Operation Killer : 1. The front line was no longer ov er-extended and vulnerable as it had been. General Ridge- way was advancing carefully, compactly, and on constant guard against surprise attacks and flank threats. 2. The greatest problem to the UN limited advance was the ability of the Chinese to mass and suddenly threaten our front by pure force of number. The routine never changed: hordes of Chinese from the North would flow down on the coastal highways and railroads, gather into a huge unified body — then strike. If that flow could be interrupted and at intervals demolished, their attack, if attempted at all. would be ineffectual. A naval blockade of the 250-mile east coast transportation system in coordination with air power was assigned to accomplish this vital task of retardation. 3. If, as a result of this plan, Communist forces were kept off balance, the Allies could contain the enemy and Operation Killer ' s final phase — annihilation — could begin. The Manchester, with Admiral Smith embarked, left Sasebo in the early morning of February 21st.