Lexington (CV 16) - Naval Cruise Book

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AIR OFFICER SUTHERLAND-ACI OFFICER GROSSCUP DISCUSS MILLE PHOTGGRAPHS 7649934 for our task group planes will be Mille and Ialuit, the largest lap air bases protecting the Gilbert Islands. The Lexington? planes are to concentrate on Mille, knock it out of commission and intercept Iap planes that may come down from more distant Marshall Island bases. Some of the talk about eagerness for action has folded up. There are serious looks on faces that plainly reflect an inner questioning. Down in the ready rooms the pilots and aircrewmen study maps and photographs, are given their final briefings. The intelligence officer is handing out information about the enemy and some of it must have come directly from enemy-held islands. Does it come from our submarines? . . . I-Iave we intelligence agents and radio senders on the islands? . . . I speculate but ask no questions . . . these things are in the domain of atop secret. A new kind of stillness hangs over the ship tonight. Will We surprise the enemy? . . . Does he expect us? . . . Will he give us the Works? And how about the Marines that will land at Tarawa? Some say it has all been planned so minutely and will be carried out in such a big Way it will be easy going, others think it will be tough, plenty tough. I'm glad the families back home don't know about this great amphibious assault that will begin when we strike at dawn tomorrow. 21