12 FEB 44
As the Task Group maintained station 50 to 100 miles from ENIWETOK Princeton's radar watch team began to notice activity to the South and Southeast of the Task Group. At 0040, 0114 and 0135 they reported unidentified aircraft suspected to be hostile to the O.T.C. in Saratoga, who correlated and concurred. The contacts were determined to be heading east, in the direction of KWAJALEIN.
"At 0323 received information over the Secondary Warning Net that about 12 enemy planes were attacking Roi Island with bombs."
At 0921 Rear Admiral Ginder, anticipating more potential enemy activity, issued a blanket order "not to start planes on flight deck during darkness until immediately prior to takeoff."
In the early afternoon Princeton was notified that after the last of her three strikes against ENGEBI had been recovered, TG 58.4 would once again be making the night transit back to KWAJALEIN. The War Diary does not indicate a reason but presumably it would be to help defend our ground positions there from these unexpected Japanese forays, but also for further resupply as amphibious landings on multiple atolls and Islands of ENIWETOK were planned for the 17th.
13 FEB 44
Through the early morning darkness of February 13th TG 58.4 steamed east at 18 knots. 0739 brought the following message from the O.T.C.:
"In view of enemy aircraft situation be prepared to sortie at zero hour 1700 today, returning to anchorage at daybreak tomorrow."
At 0924 "The P" passed through the Mellu Pass entrance buoys and was anchored by 0945. Immediately after dropping anchor a message was received directing that all ships of TG 58.4 "be ready to get underway on 2 hours' notice."
There was a sense of urgency in the Roi anchorage and almost immediately LCT-576 was alongside to onload ammunition. Simultaneously USS MILLICOMA anchored 400 yards ahead "preparatory to refueling this vessel by the floater hose method."
Necessity, in this case required by a crowded lagoon, is the mother of invention.
"At 1030 dropped an additional anchor underfoot at short scope to reduce yawing." I really enjoy Nautical lingo, especially when I have to look up what it means.
Just enjoying the lingo while not understanding it may explain why I have been more scared in the boat I owned than I ever have been in an airplane.
Within an hour Princeton had received 16,000 gallons of aviation fuel and, impressively, in 90 minutes she had onloaded 156,966 gallons of fuel oil.
"At 1613 hove in* starboard anchor and at 1615 made preparations for getting underway."
By 1732 Princeton had passed the Mellu Pass buoys outbound in order to avoid being at anchor during the night due to the likelihood of enemy air attack. The Task Group would spend the night maneuvering in a "northerly circle" until reentering the lagoon at dawn.
This procedure would repeat for the 14th and 15th of February as well. The only disruption to the routine was a conference of all Ship, Air Group and Squardon Commanders on the 14th aboard Saratoga on the 14th.
15 FEB 44
Just after 1400 the War Diary notes receipt of "311 sacks of mail from USS CANBERRA."
Less importantly, at 1527 The Peerless P was in the open sea and making 19 knots with her "course being directed toward launching position for air strikes against Japanese installations on Eniwetok atoll."
NNNN
*Anchor brought in close to ships side.
Comments