Saufley (DD 465) - Naval Cruise Book

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ed over 1000 rounds of 5 ,f38 ammunition. Many ma- chine gun and coastal-defense-gun emplacements were destroyed, and several harrassing and interdiction mis- sions Were accomplished. This ship departed fo-r Moro- tai on 19 July. The SAUFLEY Went to Leyte from Morotai and re- mained in the Leyte area until 5 August when the ship left for Ulithi, Caroline Islands to report to Comman- der Marianas Group for escort duty because of the sub- marine menace in the area at that time. The last week of the War was spent escorting ships between Ulithi and Leyte. On 25 August the SAUFLEY reported to the Com- mander Yangtze Patrol Force in Subic Bay for duty. This ship arrived at the Saddle Islands, China on 9 September. The Commanding Officer, Lt. Comdr. F. W. SILK, was in charge of mine sweepers clearing the approaches to the Yangtze River mouth. This ship served as mine destruction vessel as Well. On 26 Sep- tember, the .SAUFLEY left for a Week's liberty in Shang- hai - the first liberty since October, 1944. On October 7th, the SAUFLEY went to Tinghai, Chusan Archipelago, China, about 100 miles south of Shanghai, in the mouth of Hangchow Bay, to uassistv the Chinese Governor of Tinghai Archipelago, the Hon- orable Sin Pao, to effect the surrender of 2700 members of the Japanese Naval Garrison stationed on Tinghai Island at the suicide boat base, and who had stubbornly refused to surrender. For the next ten days, the Commanding Officer and several officers and members of the crew participated actively in the disarming and concentration of this gar- rison. These ,Iaps were well-fed, well equipped and 22

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Officer Present Afloat at Zamboanga. Until 21 April, this ship was ancho-red at Zamboanga except during the Sanga Sanga and Jolo operations in which the SAU- FLEY served as flagship, screening vessel, and covering vessel. The landing on Sanga .Sanga was made on 2 April. That afternoon, the SAUFLEY and several other vessels near the beach were fired upon by ,lap machine guns. No counter battery fire was delivered, because the extent of our patrols was not known. From 8 April to 11 April the SAUFLEY partici- pated in the attack on Jolo. Un the 9th, this ship de- livered a pre H-hour bombardment. The next day, this ship silenced a Japanese gun emplacement during a bombardment. From 22 April to 2 May, the SAUFLEY was an- chored in Tawi Tawi Bay, Sulu Archipelago with Com- mander of Sulu Attack Group on board in charge of sweeping operations. This ship then went to Morotai, Halmahera Group and spent the next two weeks escorting convoys between Leyte and Morotai. The SAUFLEY received tender availability alongside the U.S.S. WHITNEY from 21 May to 28 May to effect structural repairs. On 3 June the SAUFLEY left Morotai with a convoy to Brunci Bay, British North Borneo. This ship screened un- loading operations at the objective area on 15 June and then proceeded to the Miri-Lutong area to cover mine- sweeping operations. Three days later the SAUFLEY left for Mo-rotai. On 26 June, the SAUFLEY departed with the at- tack force for Balikpapan. She served both in screen- ing and fire-support assignments. During 7 shore bom- bardments and 2 star-shell missions, this ship expend- 21 I i 3 5 4 5 Q 5 E Z 5 f ! E ,X S 4 1 5 Q b r I 1 i 1 N

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well prepared to give the Allies a great deal of trouble from this base, for not only were they excellently equipped from a defense standpoint, but as a major of- fensive weapon against Allied shipping, they had ap- proximately eighty-seven Q-boats fjapanese suicide motor boatsl . The Official U. S. Naval Inspecting party was feted, dined, wined and paraded through several villages in the locality by the grateful. Chinese. The first Inspecting Party ashore consisted of the Command- ing Officer, Lieutenant Commander Francis W. Silk, USN, Lieutenant James W. Beebe, USNR, Lieutenant Philip B. Holbrook, USNR, Lieutenant fjgl .lames M. Pennebaker, USNR, Lieutenant fjgl Douglas C. Reid, USNR, Ensign Joseph F. Carroll, USNR fattached to the SAUFLEY for temporary dutyl, Chief 'Gunner's Mate Henry C. Evans, USN, and Chief Yeoman Roy W. Akers, USN. The first day on the beach, these men were all treated to a luncheon party by the Governor. All large guns were rendered inoperative, and all portable guns and ammunition were assembled and put under guard. The ,laps themselves were interned in a Fishing School and the buildings near the air strip. In China, one of the days for much celebration is the 10th of October, known as HDouble Ten Dayw, the tenth day of the tenth month. On the night of October 10th, a dinner was given by the village of Tinghai, and several members of the crew of the SAUFLEY were in- vited over, where they were paraded through the streets to the accompaniment of wild cheers and shouts. Fur- ther relaxation was enjoyed by the crew by a basketball game and a volleyball game between the Chinese soldiers occupying Tinghai and the SAUFLEY crew. The SAL'- FLEY won the basketball game with a score of 4-9 to 3l. Members of the SAUFLEY team were: HAWICINS, 23