Tazewell (APA 209) - Naval Cruise Book

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XXXXQXXXXXXXXXX X XXXXXXXXNXXXXXX xxx ' 'X X Xxxxxxx Vsxxxxx and all ships sent up AA fire with llack bursting low. This turned out to be a B-29 Super-fortress, but it was far out of range. It was also at about this time that an AKA off our port quarter was taking pot shots with a 20mm at a Mariner coming in at low level for a landing at Kerama Retto. The 2nd and the 3rd of April, 1945, still remain as the days containing our most exciting experiences. Thank God for bringing us through without a scratch. . The next day the strategists agreed that the Japs were getting too rough and whittling us down too much each day, and so our Task Group 51.1 was sent to a waiting area in the Pacific, east of Okinawa, to sail around in circles for ten days awaiting further orders. While in this waiting area we witnessed the performances of one of the Navy's then secret weapons, the method of refueling while underway. On April 13th we received orders to sail to Okinawa, where we were to disperse with the rest of our cargo and troops, the bulk of which was beached on Ie Shima by our sturdy and well-trained boat crews, From the Okinawa anchorage, where we V parked at night without sleep, but with smoke in our eyes, we would leave each morning returning to le Shima, proceeding fi, , fra under Condition 1-A. The main event of this operation occurred on the morning of April 16th when at 0620 we com- menced unloading cargo and troops, the invasion of Ie Shima was on. The . - laps being aware of that fact, sent out a force of approximately two hun- dred planes to stop us. About nine planes got beyond the screening vessels to the transport J pq,-5'-f.-are area, and they were well taken care of by our fighter planes and the iw -ss.. .A -as X- - . . 5 - as-Sift-,ad E . 1 N- -s , . -- fda-xx S -fi t. 1- .,t....--N + surrounding ships. The mt M 'N-'W 21 wuz .Ii in 'i SU1hfvQ3f 5 9-4 KH 5 s e if 4 . I 1 l 1 ,l L r J 1 1 1 l -. 1 1? iv '11 1 ll ,Q

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xXXXXXXXX 'xxsa XxxxxxxxxxxwX'xxxxxxxxxWNXXxxxxxxXNXssxxx xxxXXXxxxxxxN 1'xx It was now getting late and as the ,laps were running our ul planes we began to feel as though we would be neglected. Three enemy planes were reported coming in at relative bearings 000U, 020 , and 060' respectively, and several ships opened fire on them. Uur 40mm quad opened fire on the plane at OOOO at extreme range. This plane headed for our bow, but being hir several times by our 40mm quad , winged over and exploded at the stern ol the U. S. S. Goodbye QAPA 1075. The plane at 0200 appeared to receive a direct hit from a five-inch shell and burst into flames, but the pilot held on and went into a dive, heading for the destroyer which had sent up the salvo of five-inch stuff. He overshot his target and made a beautiful splash just alt of the destroyer. Someone better take care of that plane at 0600 which appears to be diving on us , was the report from our control station. In a flash we knew, for in maniacal fashion the pilot headed her in, brushing aside or absorbing our AA as we opened a broadside fire on it with our 40mm guns and the five-inch, thirty eight. We continued firing with our 40mm and as soon as the plane came within range, the 20mm guns took their six short for a quarter, and the continuous firing of lead and trembling of the knees was maintained until the right wing was shot off and faltered like a feather making a splash for Hirohito. Immediately the tremendous cheers arose from the now breathing bodies of those on this ship. Darkness had now l set in and we hoped that sooner or later we would be able to turn inn, but this was not to be for the remainder of the night. Bogey reports and the sight of AA fire in the distance prevented us from securing although the situation was relative- ly quiet until at 0600 when we heard a plane in the low-ceiling fog. A Jap Tony had crashed into the sea. It was at this point that the whole squadron lived up to its name of Trigger happy recruits. Four planes passed overhead in formation and everyone opened lire. They were soon identifled as F6F Hellcats-our air coverage. W7 e were tired and scared, thinking all planes were Japs, Hring first and attempting recog- nition later. Suddenly a giant plane flying at very high altitude appeared overhead 20 , l

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up Qxxxxxxxxxx xsxxxXXN'W XX y Nxxxxxxxs XXxxxxxXN Mmixx X Xxx XXV in Mighty T opened fire on two low flying enemy planes approaching from our port beam at extreme range. They separated before coming into effective range, one being shot down by surface craft and the other by two of our hghter planes. The Tazewell then joined in a mock invasion upon the southeast shore of Okinawa. Task Group 51.1 along with battleships, cruisers, destroyers, and many planes put on a spectacular show to encourage the japs to draw their defenses, enabling the Marines to advance from the other side of the island. The boat crews that day again earned praise by riding a very rough sea. From that time until April 30th, we cruised around Okinawa and spent most of our time running to and from General Quarters. Yes! General Quarters was the routine day and night while we were undergoing bombing raids, and more suicide planes, and hoping that the Baka Bomb or a Suicide Boat would not pick our ship as a target. However we did manage to exist, eating the regular chow, sleeping now and then, and eating smoke . At that time, inspir- ed by the order make smoke , Lewis F. Connor, CM5c, wrote the following poem : -' They dropped their bombs and hurried away And let us go for another day. The sun came up and we were glad- fe We'll always think of the nights we had! C 5. 'MJ .1-S. '? sq 1- 'TI L.. Then we would eat and turn to : A bit of rest we never knew. The days dragged on, then the duskg Again they came, and in God we would trust. - We waited for days-what a terrible strain, Then came the clouds and then the rain. , 51 J ...K The rain meant rest and rest we had, But it was short and the story sad. 1 4.2 jf w The skies cleared up and again they tried, T They tried their bombs, then suicide. They died in vain trying that, But planes hit our ships fore and aft. MAKE SMOKE It was off Okinawa in forty-five, x ll Where the Japs invented the suicide dive. They first came days, and then at night, l l li lg The nights were long and the moon was il bright. The alarm would ring and that's no joke, 1: The words we would hear were Make Smoke , Q And the smoke We would make all through the night r As planes came in from far out of sight K A few were sunk and that's no joke, But our worst battle was Making Smoke . Now we're far away from there, And we can breathe some good fresh air. I hope they give away our boats, And send us back where there is no smoke. As our job was hnished and we cruised away We thanked our God for giving us an- other peaceful day 'y i 22 A