Suwannee (CVE 27) - Naval Cruise Book

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8. Saipan and Guam, initial landings-12 June- 1' August 1944. 49. Morotai, initial landings-15-24 September . 1944. 10. Leyte and adjoining islands, initial landings- 17-20 October 1944. I 11. Battle for Leyte Gulf-25-26 October 1944. 12. Okinawa, initial landings and occupation talso neutralization of Sakishima DHSESJ-I April-16 June 1945. 13. Balikpapan fBorneoj, initial landings-go JUHC-3 july 1945. G. Change in type and number of aircraft: September I943-OCIODCF 1943-I8 F4F, IS TBF. PART The serious shortage of aircraft carriers in the Fleet when the United States entered the war prompted the conversion of a number of cargo vessels and oilers as an emergency measure, pending initiation of a new construction program. SUVVANNEE was one of four fleet oilers so converted and then was immediately pressed into service as a combat carrier in the North African invasion. Due to their large fuel capacity, the converted oilers were ideally suited for extended combat operations, as amply demonstrated in the Okinawa operation. SUVVANNEE is attached to Carrier Division TVVENTY-TWO fRear Admiral XV. D. Samplel, and has been Division Flagship since early May 1945. Structural changes made since commissioning include conversion of the signal bridge, addition of four state- rooms forward on second platform deck to compensate for space lost when a second catapult was installed at Puget Sound Navy Yard, when the ship received battle, damage repair after the Leyte operation. SUWANNEE has been a combat ship since com- missioning, although providing convoy cover during movements and during the Solomons campaign. During the Okinawa operation, SUVVANNEE and the rest of Carrier Division TWENTY-TWVO were given only a relatively small amount of Air Support work. Instead, this Division's major mission was the continual neutra- lization of enemy air bases in the Sakishima Gunto to October 1943-March X944-I2 F6F, 9 TBF, 9 SBD. March 1944-November 19.1.4-22 F6F, 9 TBF. February 1945-September I94.S-20 F6F, I2 TBM. H. .Jir Units attached: VGS 27-24 September 1942'to I5 August 1943. Air Groups SIXTY-18 October 1943 to 26 No- vember 1944. Air Groups FORTY-8 February 1945 to 2 September 1945. I. Enemy --lircraft destroyed by -4 XJ: One possible enemy aircraft was destroyed off Leyte on 26 October 1944g other ships were firing at this plane at the time. II the south. This duty was considerably more wearing on ship and air group personnel than air support missions ever were, and it proved that a combat CVE can perform the same functions as the large carriers, where speed is not essential. The problem of supply was never critical until the Okinawa operation. The ship was at sea for eighty- five days, excepting for time spent in the Kerama Retto anchorage for replenishment. This anchorage was exposed to frequent enemy air attacks, and was a difficult problem to transfer sufficient supplies and ordnance and depart from the anchorage in ample time to place the ship a safe distance away by the time the usual dusk attacks began. As a result of this experience, re-arming at sea was recommended in the ship's action report, and subsequently re-arming exercises were held at sea with satisfactory results. Ship and air group relations have been, on the whole, harmonious. Air group personnel are assigned to radio, radar and aircraft maintenance, and to the photo laboratory and parachute loft. Half the space in the air office is assigned to the air group. The Air Department's activities includes flight deck and hangar deck crews, gasoline detail, CIC, Air Plot, Aerology Laboratory, ACI Officer, radar and radio maintenance, photographic laboratory, parachute loft, machine shop, metal shop, ordnance gang and Air Office. .:..,, Q., - - list.

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