Meade (DD 602) - Naval Cruise Book

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X i We , ll-Q We trail a storm into Tonkin Gulf 3

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MAROC MISSION-INDO CHINA The next chapter in the history of the Meade was spread tar and wide over Asso- ciated Press channels. Throughout the United States and its possessions headlines such as these were presented to the pub- lic. DECKS RUN RED WITH PIRATE BLOOD, and DESTROYER ON RELIEF SWEEP TO CHINA. I-Iere is an account of the mission as we on the Meade witnessed 11. About the middle of September we weighed anchor and left Okinawa for Manila. Something was in the air for upon orders from Commander Philippine Sea Prontier the Captain, Communication OI- Iicer, Navigator, Supply and Medical Offi- cers attended an operations conference at the Manila base and returned with orders for an assignment that all on board will remember for its interest and good will. Now do you hear there, the voice of the Executive Officer sounded over the public address system, The Meade has been ordered to establish contact with an isolated Prench garrison located near Table Island close to the boundary oi China and Indo China. It is our task to bring them food and medical supplies, offer medical treatment, locate anchorage areas and air- strips, and set up communications for this The officers gathered around the captain to examine the charts

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-v,aM!':,fq, fi ,V . ,4,,,f'Agl,1i -, ,,.,g.,H,1 ,en ., . WZ-f-.25 ., The first landing party starting off around Table Island French mission which was driven from Haiphong by the invading Japanese. This military group has been out of communi- cation with French authorities for almost a year. No supplies have been brought to them. Their situation is questionable. We were anxious to get started and im- patient of the delays incidental to secur- ing stores from the army, information on minefields, a skimmer to supplement the whaleboat and setting up a communica- tion plan. The Supply Officer, by some manner of miracle, had thirty tons of food -and clothing aboard by 0330 the morning of departure and all preparations were made for getting underway. -The 602 heavily laden with supplies Q and a skimmer weighed anchor and headed for Tonkin Gulf. Our progress was temporarily impeded by a minor typhoon and we altered -course to skirt the southern edge of the storm. On the morning of Sep- tember 21 we approached Table Island making smoke, blowing the whistle, and shooting star shells hoping to attract the attention of any Frenchmen in the area. Although a few natives could be seen sculling sampans from one island ,to an- other no one appeared curiousfabout our presence in the area. Failing to arouse any response in this manner the motor whaleboat was put in the water and the first landing party set out through Phaka Strait into the narrow