Toledo (CA 133) - Naval Cruise Book

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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,

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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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Around the bend, Magna Point Beach. A The ship's picnic on Grande lsland, Subic Bay. The Little Boys defeated the Fat Boys. as condition III., dawn and dusk 2110118 and other sundry air attacks would permit. The big difficulty from then on was trying to un- garble the British accents on the voice radio circuits which at times was a real problem. That weekend all ships streamed into Subic Bay for liberty and recreation. From all of these, boats plied the waters to the beach, crowding the small base with liberty- hungry sailors. The facilities of Subic Bay were expanded in every way possible, but the doors of the three clubs bulged wide as the crowds kept coming. Good fellowship was the keynote, and spirits rose as the spirits went down the hatch. Here we ac- quired an even deeper regard for the British for many a painful ordeal-the day after. A full athletic program was carried out with bowling, swimming, basketball, tennis and softball on the card. Several of our di- visions played softball with the willing but inexperienced Britishers, and from these games deci'ded British cricket must be very different from American baseball. The guests reciprocated by inviting some of our ships' officers aboard their ships for cocktail hour. The merits of the British sys- tem of having liquor aboard ship were Well absorbed. Monday the ships sortied for another two days of operating, at the end of which time the gray-green ships headed back for Hong Kong and Singapore and ours for Sangley Point. Old Spanish guns on Grande lsland. Q V ln spite of the iellyfish, swimming was good.