Comet (AP 166) - Naval Cruise Book

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came out with a clayyic report that will forever be rernern- bered. While rtearning along toward Leyte, the above rnen-' tioned crew rnernber noticed fornething in the sky. Here if his report, via phoner, to the bridge: linerny-air-craft-at-090 elevation if . . . Wait! I think it'f flapping ity wingrf' On D plus 2, 11 January, the convoy steamed into Lingayen Gulf on the west coast of the island of Luzon. The whole area was under dense smoke screen at the time, making ship maneuvers very hazardous. Upon anchoring about 0830, debarkation began imme- diately, and by 1400 all troops except the shipis platoon had been put ashore, and the discharge of cargo was begun. Unloading con- tinued throughout several Flash Red warnings, and numerous reports were received of enemy planes being shot down. By mid- night on 12 January the ship was completely unloaded and ready for sea. One boiler had been secured for emergency repairs, result- ing in a reduced speed. Consequently, this ship was placed in a convoy of LST's, for the return trip. The escorticarrier SALA- MAUA, which hadisustained severe damage by the enemy and was intermittently receiving help from an attendingtug, was part of the group. Since the carrier's storm rooms had been destroyed, supplies from this ship were sent to them on an LCI which came alongside while underway. . The gro-up proceeded to Leyte at a speed of advance of9'knots, encountering no enemy forces enroute. V Onlythree hours were spent at anchor in Leyte Gulf on 18 Jan- uary before the COMET received orders to proceed independently to Hollandia, to be escorted by the destroyer ROBINSGN. A mes- sage requesting medical assistance was received from the escort on 21 January, and a landing craft was lowered away to pick up the patient. Shortly thereafter a successful appendectomy was per- formed on him by Lt. Comdr. L. Bain. LUzoN RE1NFoRcEMENT Arrived in Hollandia 23 January and took on oil and water before proceeding to an anchorage in Humboldt Bay. Un the 26th 62

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Track your target F orming-up ' . ' WHAT!-No rurru - -FRU!-ru occ mean? I i f i I Taking up the k slack

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Battin' the Breeze 'hm MINI vi' , 3g.,1- gy, -2, A Y ,. , -if ' :fa -we-.Qv:fv..:11:J,,'z ' '45 K' -N ,F .,-rf' 155 1 1' fb IUMA 1 7 1 4 2 yr M' 4? 44 4 , , . 'S ' 'iw 1-12: , 1 , V Q M Q K0 ,,..fA.5 f -4 7,9 3' M N 3 X ,,,f ,A ,Jw , My ' - M' Lf 2wwM.,.Mfw,:f2QwZQ,x9 2,1 in Air attack-Lingayen Gulf Berled Erl