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Escort Carriers in The Pacific
by Walter Edward Skeldon
390 pages; quality trade paperback (softcover); catalogue #02-0141; ISBN 1-55369-328-0; US$26.50, C$36.50, EUR23.80, £16.50
A working account of the various duties and achievements of the Escort Carriers during WW II. The hard working but little publicized, thin skinned, baby carriers, who also did battle at extremely close range with enemy battleships, cruisers and destroyers.
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About the book About the author Sample excerpts or Table of Contents Catalogue info
About the BookEscort carriers in The pacific covers the many different and difficult assignments that the CVEs were called upon to perform during WW II. These include; |
About the AuthorEnlisted in the US Navy on the 4th of August 1941, at age 17 years and ten days, on a MINORITY CRUISE. Then extended for two more years in July 1945 and discharged in July of 1947. At that time he enlisted with the inactive reserves and was recalled to active duty in September 1950. Served as one of President Truman's policemen, during the Korean War in the USS SALISBURY SOUND (a seaplane tender, AV-13). Discharged November 4, 1951. Re-enlisted in the drilling inactive reserves, June 24, 1966 and served in that capacity until he retired from the Naval reserves, on July 24, 1984. Discharged with the rate of Senior Chief Aviation Boatswains Mate (ABCS). The Chief, served a total of 7 years 2 1/2 months of active duty, encompassing all of WW II and a portion of the Korean War. Plus 20 years 3 months of inactive reserve duty. Total years of service, 27 years 5 1/2 months. Married to his wife Ann, for fifty-five years they have a total of six children. Joanne is his favorite daughter. As of 2001 his five sons, all have honorable service in the Navy, for a total of 24 years and 2 months of active duty. Plus 44 years of inactive reserve duty. At present the Skeldon Naval tradition is being carried on by a granddaughter, Jessica, with 8 years of active duty at the present time, serving as a second class corpsman. The Chief, retired from the railroad in July 1984 after thirty-seven years of railroad service. Books by the author: MINORITY CRUISE Plus 2 © |
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Sample Excerpt
Leyte Gulf Operations
TU-77.4.1 Taffy-1 Forming-up
This would be a SEVENTH Fleet operation under the command of Gen. MacArthur and V/Adm. Thomas Kinkaid with the THIRD Fleet, under Admiral Nimitz and Halsey in support. The SEVENTH Fleet would use ships, on loan, from the THIRD Fleet. These ships would consist of the old resurrected battleships from Pearl Harbor, cruisers and destroyers, they would make up the Bombardment Group. Naval air for the SEVENTH Fleet was made up of eighteen escort carriers, divided into three groups with their DDs and DEs, also on loan from the THIRD Fleet. The jeep carriers would have a SEVENTH Fleet designator for this operation.
The old Indispensable's, CarDiv-22 on the 1 st of October 1944, were back from Morotai and at anchor in Seeadler Harbor. All preparations were being made for their next assignment. The ships were replenished, refueled and necessary repairs undertaken. Stores brought up to inventory, all spare parts to be on hand as required and the crew rested, when and if possible.
TU-32.7.2, PETROF BAY, SAGINAW BAY and KALININ BAY anchor in Seeadler Harbor, Manus, Admiralty Islands on the 4 th and remain there until the 13 th of October. The ships replenish their supplies of fuel, food, ammunition, bombs and aviation stores. Two new fighters came aboard, the PETROF BAY, and seven additional pilots. The PETROF BAY and SAGINAW BAY (F) are assigned to TU-77.4.1 as Taffy 1.
The ships by now had been built into an efficient well-coordinated unit. Each member of the crew and squadron knew what should be done and how to do it. The officers knew the capabilities and limits of the ship. In short, the CVEs were ready to carry out any orders they may be called on to execute.
October 12, CarDiv-22, operating as a part of TU-77.4.1 departed Manus for Leyte Gulf and the fulfillment of MacArthur's promise "I shall return." The unit was also known as Taffy-1, with the force flag R/Adm. Thomas L. Sprague, (no relation to C A F Sprague of Taffy-3) aboard the SANGAMON.
October 16, TU-77.4.1, while operating near Leyte, had to change course several times to avoid a typhoon in the area. Winds, at eighty-six knots, drove waves over the flight decks which were sixty feet above sea level. The following day, CHENANGO planes began their operations at Leyte with a big bang by splashing a twin-engine bomber. The Japs retaliated with repeated attacks, one of which scored a minor bomb hit on the SANGAMON and another which shook the ship with a near miss.
Air strikes were minimized on the 17 th due to the imminent typhoon in the area. Some airfields were raided as the opportunity permitted on Mindanao and Samar.
On 18 October, the old Indispensable's, with their compliment of F6Fs, launched their pre-invasion air strikes against enemy airfields on Mindanao, Leyte, Samar, Negros and Cebu plus other islands in the Visayas as soon as they came within range. This was to cripple as many of the enemy planes and airfields as possible, so they could not be used effectively against the invading American troops and ships. The first several days, air opposition was negligible, and the squadrons inflicted heavy damage on shipping and parked planes.
In the ensuing four days, thirteen of CHENANGO's outstanding fighter and torpedo pilots compiled the following enviable record: six enemy planes downed; thirty-three destroyed on the ground; two large transports sunk and one left burning; ten merchant ships, three sampans and a barge destroyed; two fuel dumps burned and an underground ammunition dump destroyed. The Japanese had felt the sting of the CHENANGO -- and they set out to rid themselves of this nemesis. There are very few ships which have ever had the honor of being singled out by an enemy for special destruction. But the CHENANGO was one that was awarded that distinction by His Imperial Japanese Majesty's Air Force.
In the meantime, with confidence in their ability that CarDiv-28, PETROF BAY sortied with SAGINAW BAY, on the 14 th of October, as TU-77.4.14 en route to Leyte Gulf for the first step in the reoccupation of the Philippine Islands. For six days, their assignment was to escort TG-79. 1 and 79.2, consisting of the 7 th and 96 th Infantry Divisions, the Southern Attack Force (Dulag) Leyte Gulf. to the scene of the invasion. This duty was performed without incident.
TU-77.4.2 Taffy-2 Forming-up
The 16 th of August, NATOMA BAY becomes flagship for R/Adm. Felix B. Stump ComCarDiv-24. On the 25 th she departs San Diego with her squadron and a ship load of aircraft and passengers for Pearl Harbor. Arriving on the 1 st of September, the ship disembarks her passengers and off loads the cargo and planes at Pearl Harbor. She then commences carrier operations and training with VC-81, her new squadron. Departing Pearl Harbor, on the 15 th of September, the ship has extensive training operations en route to Eniwetok and Manus.
On the 24 th of August, MANILA BAY departs San Diego with a load of aircraft and passengers and heads for Pearl Harbor. Upon arrival, the ship disembarks her passengers and off loads the transported aircraft she then receives her new squadron and a period of CarQuals, in Hawaiian waters begins.
The 14 th of September, MANILA BAY departs Pearl Harbor with battle plans for the Yap invasion aboard but they were canceled while en route to Eniwetok. The ship then proceeded to Manus.
After departing Palau, the four jeeps of CarDiv-27 arrived at Seeadler Harbor, Manus, Admiralty Islands on the 4 th of October 1944. The squadrons fly-off to the beach and the ships replenish all needed supplies and repair any deficiencies found, that could not be repaired, while at sea. The crew gets island liberty, seven hours off the ship (1000 to 1700) in which they can relax. The only recreation was baseball, on a very poorly graded field, or just walk around the deserted island. The ship issued two sandwiches and two cans of beer (generally warm) to each man. But it was enjoyed by all, especially if your buddy did not drink.
From 4 October to the 3 rd of November, CarDiv-27 reported to Commander SEVENTH Fleet for duty. As Commander Allied Forces, Southwest Pacific Area and the SEVENTH Fleet, VAdm. T. C. Kinkaid, USN, assembled a fleet, including the THIRD Fleet under Adm. Halsey's command. His fast carriers and fast surface units are to support the seizure, occupation, and development of the Leyte area of the Philippine Islands. Mindanao will be by-passed for the time being.
As part of the air support group, CarDiv-24 and 27, their function was to furnish ASP/CAP to TG-77.4, the advance fire support group, which sortied from Manus. R/Adm. Oldendorf, in the USS LOUISVILLE (CA-28) was in overall command, with R/Adm. T. L. Sprague, USN, in command of the baby carriers (18 jeep carriers in three groups) aboard the SANGAMON.
On the 12 th of October, four escort carriers from each of the three Taffies (total of 12 CVEs) depart with the Heavy Bombardment Group of TF-77. Their mission is to furnish ASP/CAP en route and at the objective area. During the bombardment they also would spot the fall of shot, photograph, bomb, strafe and support the troops ashore and the ships at sea, as needed.
Each task unit was two carriers short as they were on other detached assignments (escorting the troops). The troops came from different island locations, Hollandia, New Guinea and Manus, Admiralty Islands.
KADASHAN BAY with OMMANEY BAY depart Seeadler Harbor on the 14 th of October, and head for their rendezvous with TG- 78.6, the First Reinforcement Group. The two jeeps arrive off Hollandia, New Guinea, 16 th of October, and rendezvoused with TG-78.6 when just ten miles off shore. The TG proceeds towards Leyte while the two CVEs furnish daily ASP/CAP, the trip is uneventful, and scheduled to arrive off Leyte early in the morning, 22 nd of October, A-day plus 2.
TU-77.4.1 concentrated their attacks on airfields in the Visayas while TU-77.4.2 and TU-77.4.3 (eight CVEs), at 0800 the 17 th of October, furnished air cover for the landing of Rangers at two small islands in the mouth of Leyte Gulf, Suluan and Dinagat. All this while maneuvering to avoid a typhoon in the Leyte area, the first of several that would plague the invasion fleet. The ships suffer only minor typhoon damage. The islands were needed and would be used as an advance repair and replenishment anchorage for the US invasion fleet. The next day, Homonhon Island is successfully invaded.
During the 18 th and 19 th the Bombardment Group shell the landing beaches and other assigned targets, while the CVEs furnish ASP/CAP over the ships on station and also observation for the bombardment group, bombing and strafing selected targets ashore plus photographic missions. The baby carrier squadrons flew 471 enemy target sorties in the two days, prior to the landings. Eighty-two tons of bombs were dropped, five Jap planes were shot down, fifty-seven airplanes were destroyed on the ground, many ground installation were destroyed or damaged. Heavy AA fire was encountered by the attacking planes.
TU-77.4.3 Taffy-3 Forming-up
From the 27 th of September to the 11 th of October, KALININ BAY, GAMBIER BAY and KITKUN BAY lay at anchor in Seeadler Harbor, Manus. Replenishing their fuel, food, ammunition, gasoline and spare parts. Completing all repairs and maintenance to the ships and relaxation for the crews. Replacing and or repair all aircraft and the ships are ready for their next assignment. The Leyte Gulf Campaign.
After Palau and Ulithi the WHITE PLAINS steamed to Manus, where she was able to complete an engine overhaul and make logistic preparations for her next operation. The Leyte invasion followed close on the heels of Palau. For WHITE PLAINS, ST. LO and KALININ BAY were now a part of the SEVENTH Fleet, (TU-77.4.3) at the beginning it looked like just another amphibious operation.
During the second week of October, FANSHAW BAY, the flagship of TU-77.4.3 whose radio code name was Taffy-3, was at anchor in Seeadler Harbor, undergoing repairs and replenishment. VC-68 was embarked and their next assignment was to be the Leyte campaign.
On 12 October, FANSHAW BAY, ST. LO, WHITE PLAINS and KALININ BAY as TU-77.4.31, stood out from Manus Island preparatory to embarking on the outstanding experience of their war careers. They were en route to the Philippine Islands where the CVE's were to support Gen. MacArthur's invasion of the Central Philippines. The mission of TU-77.4.31 was to provide ASP/CAP for the Fire Support and Bombardment Group (TG-77.2) assigned the task of providing close support for the pre-invasion bombardment, beach reconnaissance and landings in the Leyte Gulf area.
KITKUN BAY and GAMBIER BAY, on 12 October, depart Seeadler Harbor and on the next day, rendezvous with TG-78.2 the Attack Transport Group, from Hollandia, carrying the 1 st Cavalry Division, the northern attack force (Tacloban, San Ricardo beach). Ships included were cruisers, destroyers and landing craft for the invasion of Leyte. The two CVEs would provide ASP/CAP for the group.
Upon reaching the vicinity of Leyte, on the 16th , the two groups (Bombardment Group and CVEs) were scheduled to split. But because of extensive maneuvering to avoid a typhoon in the area the split was postponed until the 18 th of October. During the 17 th and 18 th the jeeps assist in the invasion of the three small islands in the mouth of Leyte Gulf. These three islands guarded the approaches to Leyte Gulf. TG-77.2 (the bombardment group) moved to their assigned position close to shore where they would bombard the landing beaches and their pre-selected targets.
The CVEs, of TU-77.4.3 left for their assigned operating area east of the southern coast of Samar Island. For three days close air support was furnished by the escort carriers. The baby carriers sent fighter and bomber sweeps against airfields on Leyte, Samar and other nearby islands. This was to cripple as many of the enemy planes and airfields as possible, so that they could not be used against the invading troops and ships in Leyte Gulf. Photographic missions and spotting the fall of shot, had a high priority and many missions are flown. The first several days, air opposition was negligible.
In the evening, of 19th October, the two CVEs, GAMBIER BAY and KITKUN BAY, leave the cruisers, destroyers and the landing craft (TG-78.2 and the 1 st Cavalry Division) northeast of Mindanao Island, in the vicinity of Leyte Gulf. Early the next morning they rejoined their assigned task unit and took up their assigned stations.
