Unnoticed by the majority of her crew — the exception being those on watch on the bridge — Princeton at 0209 hours crossed the equator into South Latitude, still closing on the north coast of New Guinea at 19 knots. Three hours later the radar watch notified the bridge that land returns had been picked up 93 miles away bearing 185˚.
Just prior to official sunrise, The P turned southwest into the prevailing wind and launched the first of 12 aircraft, 8 CAP fighters and 4 ASP bombers. Lexington, Enterprise and Langley all began launching at the same time.
That must have been quite a sight.
With the CAP and ASP missions on station and no sign of enemy aircraft or surface threats, the first strike mission of the day began leaving Princeton's deck at 0814. "Strike 1B," 8 Hellcats and 5 Avengers, were airborne by 0822.
In a previous post we mentioned all the variables and distractions that leadership had to consider and juggle in order to complete the mission. We referenced Clausewitz's characterization of these variables as "the fog of war."
Princeton had been designated as the "fleet guide" for the morning's operations. All other ships of the formation were using The P to maintain their respective position-keeping. Unfortunately, a lack of natural wind created a problem.
"At 0840, upon the suggestion of this ship, USS ENTERPRISE assumed fleet guide, since this vessel had to use more than fleet speed for flight operations."
After launching "Strike 1C," 9 bombers and 16 fighters at 1238, Princeton's forward elevator went out of commission due to a broken mechanical linkage. Another distraction to be dealt with.
USS Princeton during sea trials with both forward and aft aircraft elevators lowered.
Air Group 23 flew a total of 26 strike missions on the day against "aircraft and installations at Cyclops airdrome." Weapons expended included 18 incendiary clusters, 36 fragmentary clusters, 36 100-pound and 6 500-pound bombs. In addition, multiple strafing runs were conducted which expended 4925 rounds of .50 caliber.
According to the Action Report description, there was "negligible anti-aircraft fire" and what was seen was "inaccurate."
"Target was approached from Tanahmerah Bay, swinging south and east of Sentani Lake to make runs over Cyclops Airdrome on course 180˚. Pull-out made across Sentani Lake and then out through Tanahmerah Bay."
Japanese installations in the Hollandia area had been hit consistently throughout March by other American forces, which explains the relative paucity of quality targets described in the Action Report:
"Strafed possible supply and aircraft dispersal areas in wooded area of NW tip of Cyclops Airdrome, and north and south of SE tip of Cyclops Airdrome. Also strafed 5 or 6 parked aircraft of a total of 10/12 aircraft observed at Cyclops. No fires were started and it seems possible that these aircraft were already damaged although at least half of them seemed intact."
View looking northwest up the Dejaoe Plain. Cyclops mountain range to the right. Tanahmerah Bay on opposite side of mountains in distance.
Cyclops Airdrome exists today:
Flight operations were complete by 1837, coincident with local sunset, and "fleet course was changed to 000˚ to commence retirement to northward during the night. ... No enemy aircraft molested the Task Group during the night, air opposition at the target being nullified, and Task Group 58.1 having made air strikes this date against nearest Japanese air base to the westward, at Wakde Island and Sawar."
Tomorrow would see Princeton and Task Force 58 provide air support for OPERATION RECKLESS, the amphibious invasion by 30,000 U.S. Army troops at both Tanahmerah and Humboldt Bays and the securing of Hollandia proper.
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