Sanborn (APA 193) - Naval Cruise Book

Page 43 text:

Zfiiimlu ,S -we Y' s SW Ni -3 X may if if s 1 r M eritoriozis M asf a few hundred yards of the beach close behind barrages from battleships and attacking rocket-firing planes. The ruse was effective as evidenced by the comparative lack of opposition met by our assault invaders on the west- ern beaches. The Task Group, less cer- tain vessels that were dispatched to Okinawa or Kerama Retto for unload- ing, operated for the next ten days in an area to the southwest of Okinawa, await- ing a call to land the troops carried. April l6 intelligence reported an attack of enemy surface forces imminent, and the group was ordered to retire. There were two alarms that evening occasioned by suspicious radar contacts, but no ac- tion developed. On the afternoon of ll April the group was ordered to return to Saipan and to stand by there for orders. After lying at anchor for 7 weeks at Saipan awaiting developments for further invasions the Sanborn was ordered to Tulagi, Florida Islands. This was the first trip the Sanborn had made. Much to-do was made over the Equator-crossing cere- monies and crew and officers partici- pated in the traditional and hilarious ordeal of initiation into the Solemn Mys- teries of the Ancient Order of the Deep. Many men got their first look at typical South Pacific lslonds and native inhabit- Meritorious Mast

Page 42 text:

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Page 44 text:

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