Louisville (CA 28) - Naval Cruise Book

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.I A SECTION OF THE TREMENDOUS MAJURO ANCHORAGE dim shadow of Mutcho Point blurred into the hazy dawn, word was passed that a surface contact had been made. Guns whirled to positions on the target. Men tense with the anticipation of action, waited for the order to fire. Long minutes of delay passed. Then the Melvin, one of the screening destroyers, reported the con- tact to be an enemy cargo vessel. She alone was ordered to destroy the ship, much to the disappointment of the Louisville. The Melvinfs early hits dashed the enemy vessel into brilliant flames which lighted the task group's way on to Saipan. A short time later the first salvos from the bombardment group found their targets and the incessant pounding of Saipan was begun. Bombarding ships searched for targets with glasses and planes, seeking to destroy all visible means of the enemy,s power to resist landing forces. The Louisville moved in for close range tiring. It was a danger- ous mission. An enemy battery could spell doom at any moment. Alert eyes earched the shore. Men were excited beyond fatigue. The Louisville unloaded her deadly salvos and received no return fire. She was earning her nickname- The Lucky Lou. Reaching a point close into the beach early in the afternoon, the ship covered under-water demolition teams by holding snipers at bay with automatic weapon fire. Meanwhile the gallant demolition teams removed all boat obstacles protecting the shore. The unceasing bombardment continued hour after hour throughout the long day. During the night a fleet of transports moved silently into position for an early morning discharge of their cargo. Vice Admiral Turner, commander of the am- phibious operation, directed movement of

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ll0 K I :L-1-, . x 'W j. L I T - weather interference during the approach, it was entirely uneventful. Stopping briefly at Eniwetok, we pushed on to the peaceful Majuo Lagoon where some rest and recreation loomed high in our expectations. The Marianas The Marianas, heart of Hirohito's mighty Central Pacific defense, and great- est obstacle to the increasingly important American supply lines, had become, by Spring of 1944, number one on the Navyis hit parade. These islands were later to become the site of air bases from which the enemy was pounded unmercifully. At that time of the war the job appeared as difficult as entering the city of Tokyo to steal the Emperoris famous white horse. Yet it had to be accomplished. That was the task facing the Louisville and other ships of the Fifth Fleet! in the early sum- mer of 1944. Fresh from a monthas rest in the quiet Lagoon of Majuro, men of this heavy cruiser were once more ready to put forth to action. They had enjoyed ball games, swimming and beer parties-even the mail had come in abundance. Then orders were received, and prep- arations were made for getting underway for the operation. The plan provided for preparatory attacks on three of the Mari- anas lslands: Saipan, Tinian and Guam, with the opening attack by the full might of Task Force 589s gunhre and aircraft. Meanwhile the Louisville and countless other ships of the bombardment and fire support groups loaded provisions and ammunition. On June 6, the fire support group under the command of Rear Admiral Oldendorf, aboard the Louisville, set a course to a staging point for the assault on the islands. The Admiralgs force, similar to that employed so successfully against Kwajalein, Eniwetok and Satawan, included battleships, cruisers and destroy- ers. The ships were not of the latest design, but were veterans of proven ability. Such was the Lady Lou. The fighting groups assembled with close air support units at Roi Anchorage for fueling and final review of plans. On .lune 10, the entire force got underway for the first phase of the greatest amphibious effort yet made against the lap. The Louisville was guide ship, and the first stop was Saipan. Tenseness gripped us as we pushed through water near the enemy stronghold. Word had been received that Task Force 58 had completed the attack on the islands. It was early morning June 14. The Louisville and her force were to take over the firing line. 1 With night shades still on the water, we edged toward our objective. As the

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, , Our 8-inch cause havoc ashore on Saipan Island. The 5-inch bombarding near 6'Sl1iCid6 Bluff-'i Saipan- 40-mm pumping projectiles into Jap barracks. Captain observing as bombardment continues P nearny 112 1p's broadside cuts loose. U. S. S' port land coming in to relieve us.