Louisville (CA 28) - Naval Cruise Book

Page 132 text:

, , 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.

Page 131 text:

.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

Page 133 text:

P Heading in for another hard dayis work. Continuously but unhurriedly We pour it in. Here gun crews take time out for a smoke. 40-mm Director Operator awaits his chance. AA gun crews stand by to repel air attacks. Gun boss and his side-kick in the foretop 113