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Notable events involving Thatcher (ii) include:

6 May 1943

Combined convoy OS 47 / KMS 14.

This combined convoy was assembled off Oversay on 6 May 1943.

It was made up of the following merchant vessels; Albion Star (British, 7946 GRT, built 1919), Amstelkerk (Dutch, 4457 GRT, built 1929), Baron Dunmore (British, 3938 GRT, built 1933), Baron Yarborough (British, 3388 GRT, 1928), Brika (British, 4412 GRT, built 1929), Chateauroux (British, 4765 GRT, built 1921), City of Agra (British, 6361 GRT, built 1936), City of Auckland (British, 8336 GRT, built 1914), City of Calcutta (British, 8063 GRT, built 1940), City of Hereford (British, 5101 GRT, built 1927), City of Oran (British, 7323 GRT, built 1915), Clan Forbes (British, 7529 GRT, built 1938), Clan MacBean (British, 5000 GRT, built 1918), Clumberhall (British, 5198 GRT, built 1930), Collegian (British, 7886 GRT, built 1923), Daldorch (British, 5571 GRT, built 1930), Egret (British, 1391 GRT, built 1937), Eildon (British, 1447 GRT, built 1936), Empire Barrie (British, 7168 GRT, built 1942), Empire Beatrice (British, 7046 GRT, built 1943), Empire Brook (British, 2852 GRT, built 1941), Empire Carpenter (British, 7025 GRT, built 1943), Empire Chamois (British, 5684 GRT, built 1918), Empire Clive (British (CAM ship), 7069 GRT, built 1941), Empire Commerce (British, 3722 GRT, built 1943), Empire Cougar (British, 5758 GRT, built 1919), Empire Eve (British (CAM ship), 5979 GRT, built 1941), Empire Galahad (British, 7046 GRT, built 1942), Empire Geraint (British, 6991 GRT, built 1942), Empire Lake (British, 2852 GRT, built 1941), English Prince (British, 7275 GRT, built 1943), Explorer (British, 6235 GRT, built 1935), Filleigh (British, 4856 GRT, built 1928), Fort Anne (British, 7134 GRT, built 1943), Fort Douglas (British, 7129 GRT, built 1942)), Fort Drew (British, 7134 GRT, built 1943), Fort Thompson (British, 7134 GRT, built 1942), Fort Vermillion (British, 7133 GRT, built 1942), Govert Flinck (Dutch, 7178 GRT, built 1942), Groix (French, 9975 GRT, built 1922), Guinean (British, 5205 GRT, built 1936), Harmonic (British, 4558 GRT, built 1930), Havildar (British, 5401 GRT, built 1940), Indian Prince (British, 8587 GRT, built 1926), James Barbour (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), John Holt (British, 4964 GRT, built 1943), Kingsland (British, 3669 GRT, built 1930), Kong Haakon VII (Norwegian, 7073 GRT, built 1942), Liberian (British, 5129 GRT, built 1936), Llancarvan (British, 4910 GRT, built 1937), Lombardy (British, 3379 GRT, built 1921), Lwow (Polish, 1409 GRT, built 1932), Macharda (British, 7998 GRT, built 1938), Manchester Port (British, 7071 GRT, built 1935), Maplewood (British, 4566 GRT, built 1930), Masirah (British, 6578 GRT, built 1919), Merkland (British, 1363 GRT, built 1934), Myrtlebank (British, 5150 GRT, built 1925), Nea (Norwegian, 1877 GRT, built 1921), Nestor (British, 14629 GRT, built 1913), Nigerstroom (Dutch, 4639 GRT, built 1939), Ocean Valour (British, 7174 GRT, built 1942), Ocean Vanity (British, 7174 GRT, built 1942), Ocean Verity (British, 7174 GRT, built 1942), Pencarrow (British, 4841 GRT, built 1921), Phrontis (Dutch, 6616 GRT, built 1926), Prince de Liege (Belgian, 2588 GRT, built 1938), Rallus (British, 1871 GRT, built 1922), Salawati (Dutch, 6643 GRT, built 192), Sellinge (British, 2327 GRT, built 1916), Silversandal (British, 6770 GRT, built 1930), Spero (British, 1589 GRT, built 1922), Stad Vlaardingen (Dutch, 8501 GRT, built 1925), Stanforth (British, 1817 GRT, built 1915), Tactician (British, 5996 GRT, built 1928), Thurland Castle (British, 6372 GRT, built 1929), Topsdalfjord (Norwegian, 4271 GRT, built 1921), Trader (British, 6087 GRT, built 1940), Tynemouth (British, 3168 GRT, built 1940) and Umvuma (British, 4419 GRT, built 1914).

On assembly the convoy was escorted by the sloops HMS Scarborough (Lt.Cdr. E.B. Carnduff, RN), HMS Deptford (Lt.Cdr. H.R. White, RN), corvettes HMS Azalea (Lt. G.C. Geddes, RNR), HMS Balsam (Lt. J.E.L. Peters, RNVR), HMS Coltsfoot (T/Lt. the Hon. W.K. Rous, RNVR), HMS Mignonette (Lt. H.H. Brown, RNR), minesweepers HMS Fort York (Lt.Cdr. C.H. Corbet-Singleton, DSC and 2 Bars, RN), HMS Parrsboro (T/A/Lt.Cdr. J.G. Raven, DSC, RNVR), HMS Qualicum (T/Lt. H. Stevens, RNVR), HMS Wedgeport (T/A/Lt.Cdr. G.L. Fetherstonhaugh, RNR), HMS Hazard (Lt.Cdr. L.C. Smith, RN) and the M/S trawler HMS Prodigal (T/Lt. G.C. Norman, RNR).

Later, between latitudes 49°N and 42°N, the AA cruiser HMS Scylla (Capt. I.A.P. Macintyre, CBE, DSO, RN) was near the convoy to provide cover.

On 7 May 1943, the Ocean Valour developed a fire in her lower bunker. As she was carrying ammunition and at 0800Z/7 she was detached in position 55°18'N, 08°58'W to return to Belfast.

Around 0200Z/9, HMS Mignonette was detached to make rendezvous with the merchant vessel Empire Guinevere (British, 7072 GRT, built 1942) which had been unable to sail with the convoy and had left Barrow-in-Furness later to proceed and join the convoy via the south of Ireland.

Around 0800Z/10, HMS Mignonette and the Empire Guinevere joined the convoy in position 49°16'N, 14°12'W as did the corvette HMS Spiraea (Lt. A.H. Pierce, OBE, RNR) and the merchant vessel Ocean Volunteer (British, 7174 GRT, built 1942) which came from Milford Haven.

At 0722Z/11, when the convoy was in position 47°07'N, 14°19'W, the air cover, a Halifax aircraft (Sqdn. 58/D), reported sighting a submarine bearing 217° - 10 nautical miles from the convoy. On receipt of this report HMS Mignonette was ordered to proceed to this position and she was ordered to rejoin by 1000Z/11 if not in contact. The convoy changed course to 150°.

At 0749Z/11, the aircraft reported that she had sighted and attacked a submarine in position 280° - 8 nautical miles. HMS Fleetwood was ordered to proceed to this position and she was ordered to rejoin by 1030Z/11 if not in contact. At 0820Z/11, HMS Fleetwood reported that she was in the position marked by the aircrafts smoke float and at 0856Z/11, she reported that she was in contact. On receipt of this info, HMS Mignonette and HMS Wedgeport were ordered to join HMS Fleetwood.

The convoy altered course to 200° at 1200Z/6.

At 1345Z/11, HMS Fleetwood reported that the submarine had been sunk and that she had picked up 39 survivors and HMS Mignonette another 6. The submarine in question was U-528 which had been damaged by the depth charges from the aircraft and HMS Fleetwood. The damaged U-boat managed to surface and was then scuttled by her crew.

At 1500Z/11, HMS Fleetwood, HMS Mignonette and HMS Wedgeport were ordered to rejoin the convoy. HMS Fleetwood and HMS Mignonette were back in station by 2130Z/11. HMS Wedgeport could not find the convoy in the bad visibility and was ordered to remain behind the convoy until the following morning. At 2000Z/11, the convoy altered course to 182°

On the 12th, HMS Wedgeport was homed on to the convoy and resumed station at 1140Z/12. Earlier, the Llancarvan had to stop in approximate position 45°35'N, 14°10'W with engine trouble and at 0608Z/12, HMS Qualicum was ordered to remain with her until further orders. They were subsequently ordered to proceed to Lisbon which was the port of destination of the Llancarvan.

At 0800Z/12, the convoy was in position 44°56'N, 14°03'W, course 182°, speed 6.75 knots.

At 1315Z/14, in position 38°50'N, 12°17'W, HMS Prodigal was detached to escort Merkland to the territorial waters of Lisbon and the Brika to Huelva. HMS Prodigal was then to proceed to Gibraltar. In the end the destination of the Brika was changed to Gibraltar and HMS Prodigal escorted her to her new destination.

Also on the 14th, HMS Mignonette transferred her six German survivors from U-528 to HMS Fleetwood.

At 0600Z/15, the convoy was in position 37°15'N, 11°32'W when course was altered to 135°. HMS Fleetwood was now detached to Gibraltar to land her prisoners and complete with depth charges, ammunition and fuel and then rejoin the convoy.

At 1830Z/15, in position 36°02'N, 10°36'W, convoy KMS 14 parted company to make rendezvous with convoy UGS 8 which was effected in the afternoon of the 16th in position 35°44'N, 08°15'W. Convoy KMS 14 was made up of the following merchant vessels; Baron Yarborough, City of Agra, City of Auckland, Clan Macbean, Collegian, Daldorch, Egret, Eildon, Empire Beatrice, Empire Carpenter, Empire Clive, Empire Commerce, Empire Eve, Empire Guinevere, English Prince, Explorer, Filleigh, Fort Anne, Fort Vermillion, Govert Flinck, Havildar, Indian Prince, James Barbour, Kingsland, Kong Haakon VII, Lwow, Macharda, Manchester Port, Masirah, Myrtlebank, Nea, Nigerstroom, Ocean Vanity, Ocean Verity, Ocean Volunteer, Pencarrow, Prince de Liege, Rallus, Salawati, Sellinge, Spero, Stanforth, Tactician, Thurland Castle, Topsdalfjord, Trader and Tynemouth.

They were escorted by HMS Fort York, HMS Parrsboro, HMS Wedgeport and HMS Hazard.

In the early hours of 16th May 1943, the Maplewood straggled from the convoy and was not seen again. She proceeded independently to Freetown.

Around 0700Z/16, in position 34°43'N, 10°14'W, rendezvous was made with convoy OS 47G, the Gibraltar section of the convoy. The following merchant vessels now joined the convoy; Anglo-African (British, 5601 GRT, built 1929), Benledi (British, 5943 GRT, built 1930), Carlton (British, 7210 GRT, built 1942), Cefn-Y-Bryn (British, 5164 GRT, built 1939), Clan Murray (British, 5953 GRT, built 1918), Empire Ruskin (British, 7037 GRT, built 1942), Empire Torrent (British, 7076 GRT, built 1942), Fort Ellice (British, 7129 GRT, built 1942), Fort Livingstone (British, 7135 GRT, built 1942), Fort Simpson (British, 7133 GRT, built 1942), Jan Lievens (Dutch, 7178 GRT, built 1942), Mahout (British, 7921 GRT, built 1925), Ocean Messenger (British, 7178 GRT, built 1942), Ocean Pilgrim (British, 7178 GRT, built 1942), Ocean Trader (British, 7178 GRT, built 1942), Ocean Wayfarer (British, 7178 GRT, built 1942) and Stancleeve (British, 5970 GRT, built 1942).

They were escorted by the destroyer HMS Wishart (Cdr. H.G. Scott, DSC, RN) and the ASW trawlers HMS Foxtrot (T/Lt. J.B. Bald, RNVR) and HMS Reighton Wyke (Skr. G.M. Sutherland, RNR).

At 1000Z/16, rendezvous was made with the Casablanca section of the convoy which had departed that port on the 15th. The following merchant vessels now joined the convoy; Empire Addison (British, 7010 GRT, built 1942), Essex Trader (British, 7237 GRT, built 1943), Fort Rupert (British, 7142 GRT, built 1942) and Orient City (British, 5095 GRT, built 1940).

These had been escorted to the rendezvous with the convoy escorted by the destroyers USS Guest (T/Cdr. H. Crommelin, USN), USS Thatcher (T/Cdr. L.R. Lampman, USN) and USS Brownson (T/Cdr. J.B. Maher, USN).

These destroyers then returned to Casablanca where they arrived on the 17th having taken the following merchant vessels with them; Baron Dunmore, Empire Barrie, Fort Douglas, Fort Drew and Fort Thompson.

Around the same time the HMS Foxtrot and HMS Reighton Wyke were detached to proceed to Gibraltar. HMS Wishart was to join the combined convoy UGS 8 / KMS 14.

At 0700Z/19, in position 25°57'N, 16°27'W, the RFA tanker Fortol (2629 GRT, built 1917) and her escorts, the corvette HMS Bellwort (A/Lt.Cdr. N.F.R. Gill, RNR) and the ASW whaler HMS Wastwater (T/Lt. W.J.L. Storey, RNVR) joined the convoy. The Fortol was to fuel the escorts which commenced at 0900Z/19 when HMS Scarborough went alongside.

At 1106Z/19, when the convoy was in position 25°38'N, 16°51'W, the air escort, a Sunderland flying boat, reported having sighted a periscope bearing 120° - 14 nautical miles from HMS Scarborough, the escort leader. Immediately HMS Balsam was ordered to proceed to this position and at 1114Z/19, HMS Coltsfoot was ordered to join her. HMS Scarborough slipped from the Fortol at 1120Z/19 to also proceed to the scene.

At 1120Z/19, HMS Scarborough arrived on the reported location and with the two corvettes a large square search was carried out until 1615Z/19, but no contact was obtained. The escorts then made off to rejoin the convoy after having dropped a depth charge pattern each for exercise purposes. [No enemy submarine appeared to have been in the immediate area, closest one was U-511 but she was further to the west.]

Around 0200Z/20, HMS Scarborough, HMS Balsam and HMS Coltsfoot rejoined the convoy.

Around 1050Z/20, HMS Fleetwood rejoined the convoy from Gibraltar.

During the 20th, all escort vessels fuelled from the Fortol.

Around 1600Z/22, in position 14°52'N, 18°05'W, two merchant vessels joined the convoy coming from Dakar [No clue on their identity] escorted by local escorts. Four of the merchant vessels then parted company to proceed to Dakar escorted by the local escorts. These were the Empire Addison, Empire Cougar and Fort Livingstone. [No clue on the identity of the fourth.]

At 1100Z/23, in position 12°45'N, 18°30'W, one of the mercant vessels which was to proceed to recife was detached. This was most likely the City of Hereford.

At 1700Z/23, in position 11°08'N, 18°41'W, two additional escorts joined, these were the corvette HMS Armeria (Lt. M. Todd, RNR) and the ASW whaler HMS Buttermere (Lt. J.D.E. Lewis, RNR).

Around 1100Z/25, the convoy was approaching the end of the swept channel into Freetown. Some ships of the convoy split off forming convoy OSS 47 escorted by HMS Bellwort, HMS Armeria, HMS Buttermere and HMS Wastwater. [The ships that split off were probably the following (to be researched further); Albion Star, Amstelkerk, City of Calcutta, Clan Forbes, Empire Galahad, Empire Geraint, Guinean, Harmonic and Lombardy.]

Three merchant vessels; Lida (Polish, 1387 GRT, built 1938), Peterston (British, 4680 GRT, built 1925) and Rhesus (British, 6530 GRT, built 1911) joined convoy OSS 47 coming from Freetown escorted by the armed boarding vessel HMS Corinthian (Cdr. E.J.R. Pollitt, RNR), corvette HMS Burdock (Lt.Cdr. E.H. Lynes, RD, RNR) and the ASW trawlers HMS Birdlip (Lt. E.N. Groom, RNR) and HMS Duncton ( Lt. J.N. Burgess, RANVR).

On these ships joining, HMS Bellwort, HMS Buttermere and HMS Wastwater parted company with convoy OSS 47 and also entered Freetown.

Convoy OSS 47 continued on to Takoradi though most of the merchant vessels were detached to proceed independently before arrival at Takoradi. (1)

13 Apr 1944

Operations of Task Force 58 from 13 April 1944 to 4 May 1944.

Providing (air) cover for operations Reckless and Persecution the landings at Hollandia and Aitape.

Also Attacks on Truk, Satawan and Ponape afterwards.

Task Force 58 (under Vice-Admiral M.A. Mitscher, USN) provided cover for the landings, it was made up of the following Task Groups;
Task Group 58.1 which was made up of Task Units.
Task Unit 58.1.1 under Rear-Admiral J.J. Clark, USN, was made up of the aircraft carrier USS Hornet (T/Capt. M.R. Browning, USN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral J.J. Clark, USN) and the light carriers USS Belleau Wood (T/Capt. J. Perry, USN), USS Cowpens (T/Capt. R.P. McConnell, USN) and USS Bataan (T/Capt. V.H. Schaeffer, USN).
Task Unit 58.1.2 under Rear-Admiral L.T. DuBose, USN, was made up of the light cruisers USS Santa Fe (Capt. J. Wright, USN), flying the flag of Rear-Admiral L.T. DuBose, USN), USS Mobile (Capt. C.J. Wheeler, USN), USS Biloxi (Capt. D.M. McGurl, USN) and the AA cruiser USS San Juan (Capt. G.W. Clark, USN).
Task Unit 58.1.3 under T/Capt. W.K. Phillips, USN, was made up of the AA cruiser USS Oakland (T/Capt. W.K. Phillips, USN) and the destroyers USS Izard (T/Cdr. E.K. van Swearingen, USN, with COMDESRON 46, T/Capt. C.F. Espe, USN on board), USS Charrette (T/Capt. E.S. Karpe, USN), USS Conner (T/Cdr. W.E. Kaitner, USN), USS Bell (T/Cdr. J.S.C. Gabbert, USN), USS Burns (T/Cdr. D.T. Eller, USN), USS Boyd (T/Cdr. U.S.G. Sharp, Jr., USN , with COMDESDIV 92, T/Capt. W.M. Sweetser, USN on board), USS Bradford (T/Cdr. R.L. Morris, USN), USS Brown (T/Cdr. T.H. Copeman, USN), USS Cowell (T/Cdr. C.W. Parker, USN), USS Bancoft (T/Cdr. R.M. Pitts, USN, with COMDESDIV 28, T/Capt. E.L. Beck, USN on board), USS Meade (T/Cdr. J. Munholland, USN), USS Caldwell (T/Cdr. G. Wendelburg, USN), USS Frazier ( T/Cdr. F.O'C. Fletcher, Jr., USN), USS Edwards (T/Cdr. P.G. Osler, USN), USS Maury (T/Cdr. J.W. Koenig, USN, with COMDESRON 6, T/Capt. E.G. Fullinwider, USN on board), USS Gridley (T/Cdr. J.H. Motes, Jr., USN), USS Craven (T/Cdr. R.L. Fulton, USN), USS McCall (T/Cdr. E.L. Foster, USN) and USS Case (T/Cdr. C.M. Howe, 3rd, USN).

Task Group 58.2 which was made up of Task Units.
Task Unit 58.2.1 under Rear-Admiral A.E. Montgomery, USN, was made up of the aircraft carriers USS Bunker Hill (T/Capt. T.P. Jeter, USN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral A.E. Montgomery, USN), USS Yorktown (T/Capt. R.E. Jennings, USN) and the light carriers USS Monterey (T/Capt. S.H. Ingersoll, USN) and USS Cabot (T/Capt. M.F. Schoeffel, USN).
Task Unit 58.2.2 under Rear-Admiral O.M. Hustvedt, USN, was made up of the battleships USS Iowa (Capt. J.L. McCrea, USN, flying the flag of COMBATDIV 7, Rear-Admiral O.M. Hustvedt, USN), USS New Jersey (Capt. C.F. Holden, USN) and the heavy cruisers USS Boston (Capt. J.H. Carson, USN, flying the flag of COMCRUDIV 10, Rear-Admiral L.H. Thebaud, USN), USS Baltimore (Capt. W.C. Calhoun, USN), USS New Orleans (Capt. S.R. Shumaker, USN, also acting COMCRUDIV 6), USS Minneapolis (Capt. R.W. Bates, USN), USS San Francisco (Capt. H.E. Overesch, USN) and USS Wichita (Capt. D.A. Spencer, USN).
Task Unit 58.2.3 under T/Capt. G.R. Cooper, USN was made up of the destroyers USS Owen (T/Cdr. R.W. Wood, USN, with COMDESRON 52, T/Capt. G.R. Cooper, USN on board), USS Miller (T/Cdr. T.H. Kobey, USN), USS The Sullivans (T/Cdr. K.M. Gentry, USN), USS Stephen Potter (T/Cdr. C.H. Crichton, USN), USS Tingey (T/Cdr. J.O. Miner, USN), USS Hickox (T/Cdr. J.H. Wesson, USN, with COMDESDIV 104, T/Capt. H.B. Bell, Jr., USN on board), USS Hunt (T/Cdr. H.A. Knoertzer, USN), USS Lewis Hancock (T/Cdr. W.M. Searles, USN), USS Marshall (T/Cdr. J.D. McKinney, USN), USS Dewey (T/Cdr. R.G. Copeland, USN, with COMDESRON 1, T/Capt. E.R. McLean, Jr., USN on board), USS MacDonough (T/Cdr. J.W. Ramey, USN), USS Hull (T/Lt.Cdr. C.W. Consolvo, USN), USS Farragut (T/Lt.Cdr. E.F. Ferguson, USN, with COMDESDIV 2, T/Capt. T.H. Tonseth, USN on board), USS Monaghan (T/Cdr. W.F.A. Wendt, USN), USS Dale (T/Cdr. C.W. Aldrich, USN) and USS Aylwyn (T/Cdr. R.O. Strange, Sr., USN).

Task Group 58.3 which was made up of Task Units.
Task Unit 58.3.5 under Rear-Admiral J.W. Reeves, Jr. USN, was made up of the aircraft carriers USS Enterprise (T/Capt. M.B. Gardner, USN, with Rear-Admiral J.W. Reeves, Jr. USN on board), USS Lexington (T/Capt. E.W. Litch, USN, with COMFASTCARTASKFORPAC, Vice-Admiral M.A. Mitscher, USN, on board), light carriers USS Langley (Capt. W.M. Dillon, USN) and USS Princeton (T/Capt. W.H. Buracker, USN).
Task Unit 58.3.1 was the Support Unit under Vice-Admiral W.A. Lee, Jr., USN, was made up of the following Task Units;
Task Unit 58.3.12 was made up of the battleships USS Massachusetts (Capt. W.W. Warlick, USN, USN, flying the flag of COMBATDIV 8, Rear-Admiral G.B. Davis, USN), USS North Carolina (Capt. F.P. Thomas, USN, flying the flag of COMBATPAC, Vice-Admiral W.A. Lee, Jr., USN), USS South Dakota (T/Capt. R.S. Riggs, USN, flying the flag of COMBATDIV 9, Rear-Admiral E.W. Hanson, USN) and USS Alabama (Capt. F.D. Kirtland, USN).
Task Unit 58.3.13 was made up of the heavy cruisers USS Louisville (T/Capt. S.H. Hurt, USN, flying the flag of COMCRUDIV 4, Rear-Admiral J.B. Oldendorf, USN), USS Portland (T/Capt. T.G.W. Settle, USN) and USS Canberra (Capt. A.R. Early, USN).
Task Unit 58.3.4 was made up of the destroyers USS Charles Ausburne (T/Cdr.L.K. Reynolds, USN, with COMDESRON 23, T/Capt T.B. Dugan, USN on board), USS Albert W. Grant (T/Cdr. T.A. Nisewaner, USN), USS Dyson (T/Cdr. J.D. Babb, USN), USS Converse (T/Cdr. J.B. Colwell, USN, with COMDESDIV 46, T/Capt. R.W. Cavenaugh, USN on board), USS Spence (T/Cdr. H.J. Armstrong, Jr., USN), USS Thatcher (T/Cdr. L.R. Lampman, USN), USS Clarence K. Bronson (T/Cdr. J.C. McGoughran, USN, with COMDESRON 50, T/Capt. S.R. Clark, USN on board), USS Cotten (Cdr. F.T. Sloat, USN), USS Dortch (Cdr. R.C. Young, USN), USS Gatling (Cdr. A.F. Richardson, USN), USS Healy (Cdr. J.C. Atkeson, USN), USS Cogswell (T/Cdr. H.T. Deutermann, USN, with COMDESDIV 100, T/Cdr. J.F. Chillingworth, Jr., USN on board), USS Caperton (T/Cdr. W.J. Miller, USN), USS Ingersoll (T/Cdr. A.C. Veasey, USN), USS Knapp (T/Cdr. F. Virden, USN).

Chronology.

Around 0800Y/12, the destroyer USS McCall got underway from Majuro for Green Island (Nissan Island).

Around 1500Y/12, Task Group 50.17, the oiler group for the 5th fleet, departed Majuro for the first fuelling rendezvous near position 00°01'S, 150°00'E. Task Group 50.17 was made up of the tankers USS Caliente (Cdr. H.J. Schroeder, USNR, with COMTASKGR 50.17, T/Capt. E.E. Pare, USN on board), USS Guadalupe (T/Capt. H.A. Anderson, USN), USS Platte (Cdr. F.S. Gibson, USNR), USS Sabine (Lt.Cdr. H.C. von Weien, USNR), USS Lackawanna (T/Cdr. A.J. Homann, USN), USS Neosho (T/Capt. D.G. McMillan, USN), USS Monongahela (T/Cdr. F.J. Ilsemann, USN), USS Neshanic (Capt. A.C. Allen, USNR) and USS Cahaba (Cdr. E.H. Danesi, Sr., USNR). They were escorted by the destroyers USS Maury, USS Gridley, USS Craven, USS Case [These four destroyers were to join Task Force 58.1 after fuelling], USS Porterfield (T/Cdr. J.C. Woelfel, USN, with COMDESRON 55, T/Capt. C.R. Todd, USN on board), USS Laws (T/Cdr. Lester Orin Wood, USN), USS Longshaw (T/Cdr. R.H. Speck, USN), USS Morrison (T/Cdr. W.H. Price, USN), USS Callaghan (T/Cdr. F.J. Johnson, USN) and the destroyer escorts USS Swearer (Lt. K.H. Hannan, USNR, with COMCORTDIV 44, T/Cdr. E.C. Woodward, USN on board), USS Samuel S. Miles (Cdr. G.B. Coale, USNR) and USS Riddle (Lt.Cdr. R.H. Cramer, USNR).

On the following day, the 13th, Task Groups 58.1 (minus Desron 6, see above), 58.2 and 58.3 departed Majuro for the operations area to the north of New Guinea.

On 17 April, USS Sabine, USS Lackawanna and USS Cahaba from Task Force 50.17 fuelled ships of their screen. USS Sabine fuelled USS Maury, USS Gridley, USS Craven and USS Riddle. USS Cahaba fuelled USS Laws, USS Longshaw, USS Case and USS Swearer.

Also on 17 April, USS McCall arrived at Green Island to pick up four passengers, photographs, grid charts and mail which she was to transport to Task Force 58. She departed to join Task Force 58 later the same day. She joined TF 58 the following day when her passengers and cargo were transferred to USS Lexington.

In the early afternoon of 18 April 1944, the three Task Force 58 Task Groups joined Task Group 50.17 from which they were the fuel the following day.

On 19 April 1944, USS Guadalupe, USS Platte and USS Sabine temporarily joined Task Force 58.1 and fuelled the following ships; USS Guadalupe fuelled USS Izard, USS Belleau Wood, USS Boyd, USS Santa Fe, USS Conner, USS Cowell, USS Bell and USS Edwards. USS Platte fuelled USS Cowpens, USS Bancroft, USS Frazier, USS Oakland, USS Caldwell, USS Meade and USS Mobile. USS Sabine fuelled USS Maury, USS Bataan, USS Gridley, USS Craven, USS Case, USS Biloxi, USS McCall, USS Brown and USS San Juan.

USS Caliente, USS Monongahela and USS Cahaba temporarily joined Task Force 58.2 and fuelled the following ships; USS Caliente fuelled USS Owen, USS Miller, USS The Sullivans, USS Stephen Potter, USS Tingey, USS Hunt, and possibly USS San Francisco, USS Wichita, USS Hickox and USS Marshall. USS Monongahela fuelled USS Dewey, USS Boston, USS Hull, USS Baltimore, USS MacDonough and USS Monaghan. USS Cahaba fuelled USS New Orleans, USS Monterey, USS Minneapolis, USS Cabot and USS Farragut. USS Aylwin fuelled from USS Cabot. USS Dale fuelled from USS Minneapolis, USS Lewis Hancock fuelled from USS Baltimore.

USS Lackawanna, USS Neosho and USS Neshanic temporarily joined Task Force 58.3 and fuelled the following ships; USS Lackawanna fuelled USS Spence, USS Princeton, USS Dyson, USS Louisville, USS Albert W. Grant and USS Charles Ausburne. USS Neosho fuelled USS Capeton, USS Ingersoll, USS Knapp, USS Langley, USS Converse and USS Cogswell. USS Neshanic fuelled USS Canberra, USS Portland, USS Cotton, USS Gatling, USS Healy and USS Clarence K. Bronson.

On completion of fuelling Task Group 50.17 was reformed (minus DESRON 6) and set course for Seeadler Harbour, Manus Island where it arrived the following afternoon.

At 1326K/19, the Combat Air Patrol from USS Cowpens reported having shot down a Japanese Betty reconnaissance aircraft 20 miles on the starboard quarter of Task Force 58.

On 20 April, all Task Force 58 Task Groups topped off their destroyers from the bigger ships and then set course towards position 01°10'S, 139°00'E. The CAP from USS Cowpens shot down another Betty around 1013K/20.

On 21 April, Task Force 58 arrived in the operations area and air strikes were launched against Hollandia and Wadke. Main targets of the air strikes were enemy air fields and the aircraft based on them. Following the air attacks Task Force 58 retired to the northward for the night.

At 2150K/21, Task Unit 58.1.6, under Rear-Admiral L.T. DuBose, USN, made up of the light cruisers USS Santa Fe, USS Mobile, USS Biloxi and the destroyers USS Izard, USS Charette, USS Conner, USS Bell and USS Burns parted company to bombard Wadke and Sawar airstrips.

At 0109K/22, fire was opened on Wadke airstrip. No fires were seen ashore and no opposition was encountered.

At 0156K/22, fire was opened on Sawar airstrip. Again no fire was seen ashore other then one which was already raging as a result of the air attacks earlier in the day. Again no enemy opposition was encountered.

Around 0711K/22, Task Unit 58.1.6 rejoined Task Group 58.1.

On 22 April, Task Force 58 returned towards New Guinea and air operations were commenced against target in the Tanahmerah Bay and Humboldt Bay areas.

On completion of the days operations Task Group 58.1 parted company to proceed towards position 00°25'S, 146°00'E and make rendezvous with Task Group 50.17 to refuel on 23 April 1944.

Around 1830K/22, Destroyer Division 45, made up of USS Charles Ausburne, USS Albert W. Grant and USS Dyson parted company with Task Force 58.3 to proceed to a point 30 nautical miles west of Cape Touch Merak. They then swept about 9 miles from the coast to the eastwards as far as to the west of Cape Sarmi but with negative results. They rejoined Task Group 58.3 around 0525K/23.

On 23 April, Task Groups 58.2 and 58.3 conducted air operations in support of Task Force 77 operations. On completion of the air strikes Task Force 58.2 proceeded eastwards to rendezvous with Task Group 50.17 to fuel.

Around 1826K/15, Destroyer Division 45, made up of USS Charles Ausburne, USS Spence and USS Dyson parted company with Task Group 58.3 to proceed to Seeadler Harbour, Manus where they arrived around 0800K/25.

Task Group 58.1, made rendezvous with Task Group 50.17 around 0800K/23 and commenced refuelling which continued . Task Group 50.17, now made up of the tankers (FuelDiv 2 and FuelDiv 3) USS Caliente, USS Monongahela, USS Cahaba, USS Lackawanna, USS Neosho and USS Neshanic. They were escorted by DesRon 55, made up of the destroyers USS Porterfield, USS Laws, USS Longshaw, USS Morrison and USS Callaghan. They had departed Seeadler Harbour (Manus) around 1200K/22.

On 23 April, USS Caliente [no names mentioned in her war diary, so there might be ships missing] fuelled USS Cowpens, USS Izard, USS Conner and USS Burns. USS Monongahela fuelled USS Edwards, USS San Juan, USS Meade, USS Mobile and USS Bancroft. USS Cahaba fuelled USS Biloxi, USS Maury, USS Case and USS McCall. USS Lackawanna fuelled USS Brown, USS Belleau Wood, USS Charette, USS Bradford, USS Gridley and USS Craven. USS Neosho fuelled USS Cowell, USS Bell, USS Santa Fe, USS Boyd, USS Oakland and USS Caldwell. USS Neshanic fuelled USS Craven, USS Bataan, USS Frazier, USS Hornet and USS Cowell. On completion of fuelling Task Group 58.1 proceeded westwards to join Task Group 58.3 in the operations area.

On 24 April, Task Groups 58.1 and 58.3 conducted air operations in support of Task Force 77 operations. On completion of the air strikes Task Force 58.3 proceeded eastwards to rendezvous with Task Group 50.17 to fuel. Task Group 58.1 also proceeded eastwards to cover the fuelling operations of Task Group 58.3 together with Task Group 58.2.

On 24 April, USS Caliente [no names mentioned in her war diary, so there might be ships missing] fuelled USS Bunker Hill, USS Monterey USS Owen and USS Aylwin. USS Monongahela fuelled USS Wichita, USS Hunt, USS Farragut and USS San Francisco. USS Cahaba fuelled USS The Sullivans, USS Minneapolis, USS Steven Potter, USS New Orleans and USS Dewey. USS Lackawanna fuelled USS Yorktown, USS Hickox, USS Dale and USS Cabot. USS Neosho fuelled USS Iowa, USS Miller, USS MacDonough, USS Monaghan and USS New Jersey. USS Neshanic fuelled USS Boston, USS Lewis Hancock, USS Hull and USS Baltimore. USS Tingey and USS Marshall fuelled from the cruisers USS San Francisco and USS New Orleans respectively bofore both cruisers then fuelled from a tanker.

On 25 April 1944, Task Group 58.3 fuelled from Task Group 50.17. Task Groups 58.1 and 58.2 provided cover.

USS Caliente [no names mentioned in her war diary, so there might be ships missing] fuelled USS Lexington, USS Princeton USS Ingersoll and USS Knapp. USS Monongahela fuelled USS Gatling, USS South Dakota, USS Healy, USS Morrison and USS Langley. USS Cahaba fuelled USS Dortch, USS Cotton, USS Porterfield, USS Canberra and USS Alabama. USS Lackawanna fuelled USS Enterprise, USS Thatcher, USS Albert W. Grant, USS Callaghan and USS Louisville. USS Neosho fuelled USS Converse, USS Massachusetts, USS Clarence K. Bronson and USS Longshaw. USS Neshanic fuelled USS Cogswell, USS North Carolina, USS Caperton and USS Portland.

On completion of fuelling Task Force 50.17 set course to proceed to the area to the north of Manus Harbour escorted by Task Group 58.1 which was to fuel from the tankers during 26/27 January 1944.

Task Force 58.2 and 58.3 remained in the area to the north of central New Guinea to be in position to assist the landing forces of the 7th Fleet if required.

On 26 January, USS Caliente [no names mentioned in her war diary, so there might be ships missing or listed in error] fuelled USS Belleau Wood, USS Caldwell and USS Case. USS Monongahela fuelled USS Maury, USS Bataan and USS Edwards. USS Cahaba fuelled USS Biloxi, USS Craven, USS Boyd and USS Santa Fe. USS Lackawanna fuelled USS Mobile, USS Brown and USS Bancroft. USS Neosho did not fuel any ships. USS Neshanic fuelled USS Izard, USS Cowell, USS Meade, USS Frazier, USS Charette and USS Gridley.

On 27 January, USS Caliente [no names mentioned in her war diary, so there might be ships missing or listed in error] fuelled USS Belleau Wood, USS Caldwell and USS Case. USS Monongahela fuelled USS Maury, USS Bataan and USS Edwards. USS Cahaba fuelled USS Biloxi, USS Craven, USS Boyd and USS Santa Fe. USS Lackawanna fuelled USS Mobile, USS Brown and USS Bancroft. USS Neosho did not fuel any ships. USS Neshanic fuelled USS Izard, USS Cowell, USS Meade, USS Frazier, USS Charette and USS Gridley. On completion of the fuelling operations Task Force 50.17 proceeded to Seeadler Harbour arriving there later the same day.

Around 0545K/28, USS Massachusetts parted company with Task Force 58.3 to proceed to Seeadler Harbour escorted by USS Converse and USS Thatcher. They arrived at Seeadler Harbour around 1415K/28. Rear-Admiral G.B. Davis, USN, then transferred his flag to the battleship USS Indiana (Capt. T.J. Keliher, USN).

Around 0845K/28, USS Bataan parted company with Task Force 58.1 to proceed to Seeadler Harbour escorted by USS Caldwell and USS Bancroft. They arrived at Seeadler Harbour just before noon.

Around 1700K/28, USS Bataan departed Seeadler harbour to make rendezvous with and rejoin Task Force 58.1. USS Caldwell and USS Bancroft were still escorting her. They rejoined Task Group 58.1 around 0630K/29.

Around 1745K/28, USS Indiana and USS Massachusetts departed Seeadler harbour to make rendezvous with and join Task Force 58.3. They were escorted by the destroyers USS Converse, USS Thatcher, USS Prichett (T/Cdr. C.T. Caufield, USN) and USS Cassin Young (T/Cdr. E.T. Schreiber, USN). They joined Task Group 58.3 the following morning.

On 29 April 1944, all three Task Groups fuelled from Task Group 50.17, which had departed Seeadler Harbour around 1630K/28. Task Group 50.17 was now made up of the tankers USS Caliente, USS Lackawanna, USS Monongahela, USS Neosho, USS Neshanic and USS Escambia (Lt.Cdr. J.M. Paulsson, USNR). They were escorted by the destroyers USS Porterfield, USS Laws, USS Longshaw, USS Morrison, USS Callaghan and the escort destroyers USS Levy (Lt. B.H. Hallowell, USNR, with COMCORTDIV 11, T/Cdr. F.W. Schmidt, USN, on board), USS Parks (Lt. E.R. Casstevens, USNR), USS Baron (Lt.Cdr. J.W. Stewart, USNR) and USS Acree (Lt.Cdr. C.O. Davidson, USNR).

On 29 April 1944, ships from Task Force 58 fuelled from the tankers. USS Caliente fuelled USS Charette, USS Burns, USS Brown, USS Cowell, USS Frazier, USS Edwards and USS Craven. USS Lackawanna fuelled USS Conner, USS Bell, USS Bradford, USS Boyd, USS Bancroft, USS Gridley, USS Maury and USS Caldwell. USS Monongahela fuelled USS Farragut, USS New Orleans, USS Miller, USS Minneapolis, USS The Sullivans, USS Baltimore and USS Stephen Potter. USS Neosho fuelled USS Dewey, USS Monterey, USS Hull, USS MacDonough, USS Cabot, USS Owen and USS Thatcher. USS Escambia fuelled USS Tingey, USS Hunt, USS Marshall, USS Dale and possibly USS Wichita and USS Boston. USS Cahaba fuelled USS Princeton, USS Cogswell, USS Ingersoll, USS Knapp, USS Prichett, USS Caperton and USS Albert W. Grant. USS Neshanic fuelled USS Langley, USS Gatling, USS Dortch, USS Healy, USS Converse, USS Cassin Young, USS Cotton and USS Clarence K. Bronson. USS Hornet fuelled USS Izard, USS Case, USS Meade and USS McCall. USS Cabot fuelled USS Hickox. USS Minneapolis fuelled USS Lewis Hancock. USS San Francisco fuelled USS Monaghan. USS Wichita fuelled USS Aylwin.

On completion of fuelling Task Force 58 and Task Group 50.17 parted company.

At 2320K/29, USS Escambia parted company with Task Group 50.17. She took USS Levy, USS Parks, USS Baron and USS Acree with her as escorts.

During 29 and 30 April 1944, Task Force 58 conducted air strikes against Truk and Satawan.

On 30 April a bombardment force, made up of all nine heavy cruisers of Task Force 58 (see above) escorted by the destroyers USS Izard, USS Charrette, USS Conner, USS Burns, USS Boyd, USS Bradford, USS Brown and USS Cowell bombarded Satawan. On 1 May 1944, Task Group 58.1 conducted air operations against Ponape. Also all battleships and fourteen destroyers were assigned to bombard the island. the Bombardment Group was organized as follows; BATDIV 7, made up of USS Iowa and USS New Jersey was escorted by the destroyers USS Owen, USS Miller, USS The Sullivans, USS Stephen Potter and USS Tingey. BATDIV 8, made up of USS North Carolina, USS Massachusetts and USS Indiana was escorted by the destroyers USS Converse, USS Thatcher, USS Prichett and USS Cassin Young. BATDIV 9, made up of USS South Dakota and USS Alabama was escorted by the destroyers USS Izard, USS Charette, USS Conner, USS Bell and USS Burns. The bombardment was carried out between 1530M/1 and 1649M/1. All forces involved in the operations against Ponape rejoined the other ships of Task Force 58 during the night of 1/2 May 1944.

Around 1430Y/3, USS Monongahela, USS Cahaba and USS Lackawanna parted company with Task Group 50.17 to proceed to Majuro escorted by the destroyers escorts USS Bangust (Lt.Cdr. C.F. MacNish, USNR, with COMCORTDIV 32, Cdr. R.H. Groff, USNR on board), USS Waterman (Lt.Cdr. W.B. Hinds, USNR) and USS Weaver (Lt.Cdr. R.S. Paret, USNR) which had joined about an hour earlier coming from Majuro. They arrived at Majuro the following day. The remainder of Task Group 50.17 proceeded to Pearl Harbour arriving there on 9 May. The destroyers of DesRon 55 had fuelled from the tankers on 3 May 1944 before the force split up. USS Callaghan had made a short stop at Majuro to replenish depth charges and pick up mail before she rejoined the Task Group.

Task Groups 58.1 parted company with the other two Task Groups to proceed to Kwajalein where it arrived on 4 May 1944. Task Groups 58.2 and 58.3 both arrived at Majuro on the same day.

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