Toledo (CA 133) - Naval Cruise Book

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U. S. Naval Station, Subic Bay, was TOLEDO's host twice. Combined operations with the British showed us their seamanship. Back af Sangley, trips fo Manila passed native huts. julie Baa... Joint operations with the British Far East Fleet were good practice, and from the .standpoint of liberty with their Navy at Subic Bay, a lot of fan. The kinks of unfamiliarity were soon ironed out, communica- tion difficulties overcome, and the joint force was operating like a single, sharp outfit. At Subic, ele- ments of the Argyll and Sutherland bagpipe.s .staged a retreat and pipe concert, both novel and entertain- ing for us, most of whom had never seen anything quite like it. Visits were exchanged by crews of the two navies' ships at Subic, a factor which definitely made for closer understanding and cooperation. Just plain Subic, though, still offered very little in the way of recreational facilities, and in the opinion of most, there was a worthwhile feeling behind the wartime favorite, We Won't Go Back to Subic Any- more. Back to Sangley we went and more and more to the hot, humid little area around Cavite. Those who ventured to go to Manila over the land route, brav- ing the dangers of the Huks and bad roads, saw a great deal of the real Philippine countryside. Grass huts like the ones in the geography books were plentiful, and the farmers could be seen guiding ancient water bujalo and caribou along their fur- rowed fields, pulling old upright wooden plows. Rural Philippineana and modern Wlanilag we were seeingltwo opposite sides of a many-sided country. Full-dressed ship for Washingfon's Birthday at Sangley.

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Une of the highlights of the Philippines stay was Camp .lohn Hay rest camp at Baguio. Located high in the mountains of central Luzon. the rest camp and nearby city of Baguio is the Shangri-la of the Philippine Islands. Camp John Hay was a heaven after the hot, sun-baked ship in Manila Bay. lts location and high altitude. some 5,800 feet ahove sea level. give it a constant cool tem- perature. Travel to and from the camp was at times unique. Wie took a motor launch from the ship to Manila, a hus from the dock area to the Manila Port of Embarkation where a Greyhound bus took us to Clark Field and a plane for Baguio. The trip was also made by Greyhound bus from Clark, or an open Hsix-hyi' as one unfortunate party had, to the small village at the foot of the mountain on which Baguio is located. Arriving at the vil- lage, we piled into still another bus and finally reached our destination. We checked in at the rest center as if guests at a hotel. No one told us what to do, where to go, what time to report for a work- ing party or what time to get up. In other words-no Navy-we were living! Everyone was always on the go at John Hay. Bowling, tennis, golf, ping-pong, arch- ery, bicycle riding, tours, hiking, swimming and pool kept most every 'cguestn so occu- pied that few went into town. There was one drawback to bicycle riding . . . there were always more hills to climb than to coast down. Jeeps could he checked out to make trips to nearhy places of interest. Food was served cafeteria style at 3.40 per meal, the only cost while at the Camp. Each morning, we were greeted with a cheerful HGood morning, how many eggs do you want and how do you want them cooked ?', This idea was entirely new to TOLEDO person- nel, hut we got used to it quickly.

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Xhout a month after arrival in Sanglcy rumors started to circulate amid thc general run of scuttle- butt about a combined exercise with thc British Far Eastern Fleet. For once thc hot dope pcddlcrs had it straight and before long thc ship received a dis- patch confirming it. The operation began with the sortie of Seventh Fleet units from Suhic Bay early one morning which was followed shortly thereafter by a visit from the bird men of Clark Air Force Base. For several days our task group steamed out at Condition III to make contact with the British task group. On the third day patrol aircraft from the Boxer spotted the other force and strikes were launched for the attack while we awaited the British thrust which followed shortly. This accomplished and declared a draw by the respective commanders the ships joined up into one large task force. For the first day or two of this all hands lined the rails to get a look at the HLimey ships, noting the differences in construction and size, and, of course, pausing for a moment or two with curious eye on HMS MAINE, the hospital ship. Both sides were on their guard because of the dif- ferences in operating procedure which existed be- tween the two fleets. However, before long a mutual respect for the ship-handling abilities of the other was gained and everyone relaxed. That is, as much The Scots' dancing rated 4.0. The Allies get together at Subic RADM Andrewesv RIN., Called on VADM Be'-key: Sleek British destroyer performed well. at rxght, RADM Boone, ComCarDiv FIVE. A X fff,,V,f,f,