Helena (CA 75) - Naval Cruise Book

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OKINAWA After participating in the amphibious exercises on Two Jima, the Helena dropped her hook in Buckner Bay. Okinawa for three days of R R. Okinawa is one of the 108 islands that make up the Ryukyu Islands and one of the top priority projects of the Department of Defense. As a permanent base it will be the United States ' Gibraltar of the Pacific. The strategic importance of Okinawa has been recognized for years. In 1853, Commodore Matthew C. Perry, on his way to Japan, stopped off in Okinawa and established a coaling station. Today, Okinawa fuels destroyer types and is one of the ports of call of the Formosa Strait Patrol Force. In addition to the service clubs and recreational facilities, the crew had an opportunity to visit some of the points of interest on the Island. There was Nakagusuku Castle, a 500-year old castle that marks the site of World War IPs bloodiest battles on Okinawa. It was built about 1450 as a fortress for Gosamaru, the ruler of Shuri, one of Okinawa ' s three fifteenth century kingdoms. The battered ruins overlook Buckner Bay where our forces hit the beach in 1945. On the southern tip of the island is the Virgin ' s Cave where 122 school girls were killed during the battle for Okinawa. During the mopping up operations, an American soldier called for those inside to surrender. The story goes that the Japanese had told the girls that all American soldiers were rapacious beasts. They refused to leave the cave. After several warnings, there was no alternative but to burn the cave out with flame throwers. A monument now marks the spot of the Virgin ' s Cave. Shuri Castle, the ancient capitol of the Ryukyus, was the Okinawan headquarters of the Japanese Army. It was practically obliterated during World War II by naval air attacks and bombardment. Suicide Cliffs is the name of a bluff on the southern coast where hundreds of Japanese soldiers committed mass suicide by plunging into the sea rather than surrender- ing or risking capture. On le Shima Island, the Ernie Pyle Memorial marks the spot where the war correspondent was killed by machine gun fire three months before the war was over.

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fs MANILA In March we visited Manila, capital of the Republic of the Philippines. The city is over 6000 miles from Stateside, situated in the south central part of Luzon, the largest of the over 7,000 islands which make up the Philippine Archipelago. There are approximately a million and a half people in the city to drink up the local beer called San Miguel. It ' s a huge, unplanned city sprawling along the coastal lowlands of the bay and the sluggish Pasig River. Like Topsy it just grew. . . .by extending its boundaries California-style, embracing small towns on its outskirts. Factories live alongside palatial mansions replete with elaborate gardens and extensive grounds. Sheet metal shacks lean against modern air-conditioned office and public buildings. It is a blending of the old and the new, oriental and occidental. It gives the impression of a small town with a sophisticated and cosmopolitan people. Architectural styles clash. Native art, 400 years of Spanish domination, 50 years of United States rule and ultra modern Filipino veneer hobnob. Everybody speaks English and wears western clothes. Although evidences of heavy destruction of World War II are everywhere, the city is slowly removing the scars of its war wounds. The principal avenues and streets have been paved since the war and bridges repaired, but many side streets are still full of holes, with mud during the wet season and clouds of dust in the dry months. There are very few paved sidewalks, and even the few that do exist are interrupted by bland spots and piles of debris or garbage. Yet with all of this, there is a tree lined shady bayside drive named Dewey Boulevard which rims the most attractive natural scenery in the islands, Manila Bay. Manila Bay, rimmed by low hills and islands, is beautiful at sunset, splashed with a flamboyant riot of color from the horizon of the Bay to the eastern hills of the city. It is one of the largest and finest land-locked harbors in the world. Here and there in the harbor, grim, unsalvaged hulks of ships sunk during World War II mar the scene with deep shadows. Within the city of Manila is the old Walled City. This area, near the American Embassy, was badly damaged by shelling during the War. It is all that remains of the original fortified city built by the Spaniards when they conquered the natives and established the town in the early 16()0 ' s. The ancient walls are several feet thick and some of them cannot be breached even with heavy artillery.