Louisville (CA 28) - Naval Cruise Book

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THE LOU,S 8-INCH GUNS SHATTER THE NIGHT AS THE COMMAND COMES TO HOPEN FIRE, 151

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tion under our big guns. One, unfortu- nately, dropped behind the main destroyer formation and being mistaken for an enemy ship was fired upon by our own forces. ln night engagements, gunners do not take a chance on questionable targets. However, the Grant finally identified her- self by radio and limped through our formation, and returned to Leyte Gulf. Meanwhile, our own radar has picked up the approaching ships. The ranges and bearings were being continually dis- seminated. Over the telephone circuits came the ominous report, using code nomenclature, Skunks-bearing 192- range 28,5007 Anticipation made our breathing shorter, quicker. Again the range, . . . 25,0007 Not long to go now. At 241,000 we expected all hell to break loose, for that was the maximum effective range of our main battery. Unconsciously we sucked in our breath, taut for the expected blast. The moon had set, leaving a sky blank- eted with low, dense clouds, blacker than ink. Only the churning of the propellors, and the throaty rumble of the screws, which ordinarily are imperceptible back- ground noise, broke the deadly silence. c'Range-21,000.93 For Chrissakes, what tha' hell are dey waitin' for,', muttered one of the anti-air- craft gunners, anxiety and fright giving a hoarse trembling timber to his voice. For once it was his turn to wait and pray and watch, with his fate in the hands of the men of the main battery. Range-18,000.39 e The silence was heavy, unbearable. Why didn't they open up? They should have fifteen minutes ago. Was something wrong? Weren't we crossing the damned laps' T,'? Wasn't that what every Admiral in the world dreamed of doing 150 ,S

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152 FOLLOWING US OTHER SHIPS OPEN UP IN RAPID SUCCESSION in naval battle? What the hell Was Wrong with the old man? Open upl Doubts, curses, misgivings such as these flashed through our minds. Those of us ,With binoculars thought We could vaguely make out the portentous hulls of the enemy ships. Doubts were giving Way to a gnawing, helpless fear when the word was passed, Stand by for main batteryf, The range Was 17,000 yards, almost close enough for our secondary battery. It appears that difficulty had been experienced getting ships into position. With further delay impossible, Oldendorf gave the Word 120 open fire. Two rapid Warning buzzers alerted us. Bodies stiffened, hands cupped protect- ingly over the ears. Suppose We missed! The lap's Hre was going to be just as benefited by the closer range as ours-. A blinding spurt of Hre billowed int0 massive, rolling flames, filled with acrid, orange smoke. The Lady lifted a few feet, recoiled to port and shook as her nine- gun salvo hurled over a ton of steel and .A