Manchester (CL 83) - Naval Cruise Book

Page 44 text:

PROBLEM PROPOSAL AND COUNTER-PROPOSAL is presented by army liaison team aboard Manchester by minds of specialists — gunners, communicators, intel- via helicopter. ligence men. The cruiser Manchester performed a whole array of jobs in the Korean waters. No one could say one job was more important than the one we did yesterday or the one we would do tomorrow, for each bit of work had its individual importance. Our gunfire, supporting the US ground forces, was precision planned, con- trolled, and executed. With only a narrow strip of no man ' s land sepa- rating adversaries, it was our work to move in close to the beach and lay our explosives on the enemy before he knew how or where death was coming from. The success of our work depended basically on teamwork. Each man, from Captain to the Seaman Apprentice, had to know where to go and what to do without being told. We were playing for keeps. This was work — not a driU.

Page 43 text:

On the bombline Manchester was called for close fire support of the ground forces. Neither the UN nor the enemy armies were making major movements. Influenced by the stalemate at Panmunjom, the war was limited to buffer action with scattered patrols and light contacts being made on the shell- and blood-scarred Korean hills. Although our ground forces did not advance, it was imperative they hold their ground from the Communist soldiers entrenched and awaiting, just over the hill . It was Man ' s work to see that this was done.

Page 45 text:

PLANNING and final analysis of methods is confirmed . . . each small detail is considered. DECISION AND DIRECTION is spoken by Captain Frost: Manchester will gd to work for ground forces.