Franklin (CV 13) - Naval Cruise Book

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There u iisii I much lejl to do on } ( ) ifler llie T hirteentli juii.sheil Big Bevis bombs explode on Peleliu

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L ' ig tJciis Bombers have pinpointed their objectives on wo Jinui after two days of furious assault, unchecked and unharmed. This time Big Ben carried with her two unwilling stran- gers ; Japanese naval prisoners of war who had been picked up by a destroyer from a blasted ship. Fearful and hesitant, they were brought aboard in a breeches buoy, much as Dr. Moy had returned to the ship. As Chief Gregg led them down the flight deck through the groups of curious blue- jackets the Japs glanced once at the many IVipponese flags painted on the island structure, then passed along with bowed heads. Their first question to Tom Young, radarraan, who interpreted their language, was: ' hen will wo be done away with, please? Enemy planes buzzed through the night as the task group steamed south. Two Emilys, closing from the northward, flying 75 miles apart, were detected by the radar. Without hesitation, two night fighters were catapulted from Big Ben ' s deck. Lt. Tony Martin, veteran Jap killer, and Lt. (jg) Warren X ' olf, flew out to meet the Japanese Sand- man. In CIC, Lt. John Wineger stationed Tony and Wai- ren in the path of one on-rushing Jap. Warren made the

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A few mimttes before H hour, folloiving a coordinated bombing strike. Peleliu looked like this A few minutes after hour; already American landing craft blaze on the beach, as one of Big Ben ' s Hellcats swoops down to give an assist