ACTION REPORT
1 - 20 October, 1944
Contributed by ANDY CESCHINICovers activity while in screen of Task Group 38.2
during air strikes on Formosa, in support of Leyte Operations.
U.S. S. TWINING (DD-540)
DD540/A16
(080 )Hc/o Fleet Post Office,
San Francisco, Calif.,
20 October 1944.From: The Commanding Officer.
To: The Commander in Chief, U. S. Fleet (Readiness Division).
Via:(1)The Commander Destroyer Division 106.
(2) The Commander Destroyer Squadron 53.
(3) The Commander Task Group 38.2.
(4) The Commander Task Force 38.
(5) The Commander in Chief, Pacific Ocean Area.
Subject: Action Reports (1 October - 20 October 1944).References:(a)Pacific Fleet Confidential letter 2 CL-44.
(b)AlPac 165.
(c)Ce O.,U.S.S. TWINING Confidential Ltr. DD540/Al6,
Serial (078) of 28 September 1944.
Enclosures:
(A)First Attack, 1904 Item, 12 October.
(B)Second Attack, 1915 Item, 12 October.
(C)Thfrd Attack, 1927 Item, 12 October.
(D)Fourth Attack, 2112 Item, 12 October.
(E)Fifth Attack, 2115 Item, 12 October.
(F)Sixth Attack, 2140 Item, 12 October.
(G)Seventh Attack, 2154 Item, 12 October.
(H)Eighth Attack, 2204 Item, 12 October.
(I)Ninth Attack, 2227 Item, 12 October.
(J)Tenth Attack, 2329 Item, 12 October.
(K)First Attack, 1845 Item, 14 October.
1. In accordance with references (a) and (b) action
reports covering the period from 1 to 20 October 1944
are hereby submitted. Reference (c)is the previous
action report for the period 29 August - 30 September
1944. This present report then brings all action
reports up-to-date from 29 August to 20 October 1944,
during which time this vessel was a part of Task Force
38, and particularlly Task Group 38.2.2. This vessel, in company with Task Group 38.2,
departed Saipan 29 September 1944 for Ulithi, arriving 1
October 1944. From 1 - 6 October we remained at Ulithi
repleneshing supplies and logistic requirements. On 3 October
a typhoon developed in the Ulithi area, northeasterward of
the atoll, necessitating the Task Group to clear the harbor
for 36 hours. All logistic requirenents were completed on 5
October and at 1500, 6 October, Task Group 38.2, in company
with Task Force 38 and Commander Third Fleet, put to sea toward
the Eastern Philippine Area in order to carry out mission
contained in Commander Third Fleet's operation order No.14-44.
3. The first action against the enemy by this vessel
during this period occurred at the end of evening twilight
on 12 October 1944, Zone Minus NINE (Item) time. At 1904 a
group of 8 to 10 enemy planes, twin-engine, believed to be
"Bettys" approached the formation from the Northwest at an
altitude of about 300 feet. This vessel was in picket station
bearing 3300 True, distance 12 miles from guide of Task
Group 38.2. Due to this vessel's location, relative to the
main body, we were able to be the first ship to take under
fire the approaching enemy planes. At this time the Task
Group was in approximate position 229 30' N3 1230 001 E. The
group of enemy planes was taken under fire at a range of
about 10,000 yards. The minimum range never got below 8700
yards (See Enclosure A). As a result of this firing one
probable hit and subsequent splash was scored. On the
second attack at l9l5 (Enclouure B) one plane was fired on
and shot down. On the ninth attack one single plane was
taken under fire and a probable hit and splash was scored,
as shortly after ceasing fire a glow of fire was observed
over the horizon toward the North in which direction the
enemy plane was last observed to be going. All of the
attacks were by single planes. Their attacks and maneuvers
were of that of "hecklers". The next phase of action took
place at dusk on 14 October when one of the "hecklers"
approached from the Northwest at a time when aircraft were
being recovered. Although "Hold Fire" had been given, the
force Fighter Director Officer gave this vessel permission
to open fire in order to either shoot him down or drive him
away so as not to interfere with the remainder of the
recovery of our own aircraft. The enemy plane inmediately
reversed course to the North when the first bursts appeared
at a range of about 7000 yards. Therefore, total score of
all actions during this period is one sure and two probable
enemy planes shot down.4. This vessel was assigned picket duty in position
relative to main body of Task Group 38.2 as noted above from
6 to 16 October 1944. From 16 - 20) October joined
anti-submarine screen. All phases of communications
functioned satisfactorily. The newly installed MAN
equipment, now located on the bridge, is a great benefit
and aid for Fighter Director work. This vessel is, however,
fully equipped for all phases of Fighter Director duty
(being designated a Fighter Director ship) and as such the
MAN is used as a secondary means of comnunication for
Fighter Director work. The 808 and TCS equipmnent being used
as primary when those channels are in use. This results in
longer range and better modulation through the 30 - 40 MCS
band. Our 610 - 612 receiver-transmitter is also set up on
IFD frequency and is a further standby means of Fighter
Director communication but the range is very limited. All
radars functioned satisfactorily and especially good results
were obtained on low flying planes with the 3C-2 radar. As
usual, the Fighter(Fox)Director(Dog) radar had difficulty picking
up low flyirg planes.5. During this period it had been the practice on this vessel to
hold a daily general quarters drill for about one hour during the
forenoon while not in immediate enemy area. This was in
addition to the morning and evening general quarters alert periods. Also, quarters for muster and physical drill was held on an
average of four times a week. However, after the starting of
this phase and at the end of a two week period, this program
was noticed to be too rugged for the crew as signs of
fatigue were apparent. Drills were then conducted during
morning and evening general quarters and physical drill was
reduced to twice a week. The watches were also changed so
that all hands get a full night's sleep every other night.
The results of this program have had a beneficial effect,
especially pemiitting more ship's work to be accomplished
during daytime and all hands getting more rest. About once a
week we have a "shipping-over-chow" for the crew, consisting
of turkey with all the trimmings. Ice cream is also served
twice to four times weekly. This appears to be a good idea
as all hands look forward to this meal and at the same time our
neccessary food stores are not reduced materially. On one
occasion during 16 - 18 October, in order to reduce fuel
consumption to a minimum, restrictions were placed on the
laundry, general lighting throughout the ship reduced and
all power requirements lowered to basic minimum. The reason
for this was that night contact with the enemy was expected
and opportunity for fueling may have been delayed. A movie
is shown below decks in the mess hall to one section at a
time, three times weekly.6. No casualties or damage has resulted. Minor repairs
have been constantly carried out, especially to reduce water
leaks in the engineering plant. This consisted of repairs to
two superheaters and various minor valves.7 On 14 October two men from the U.S.S. HANCOCK were
picked up from a plane that crashed close ahead of the ship.
They were Lieut. (jg) LUTEY, U.S.N.R. and Radioman HOWAT.
Lieut. LUTEY had been injured by enemy gun fire during the
strike on 14 October and by skilfull application of first
aid had managed to fly his plane back to the formation. Our
Ship's Doctor took good care of the patient and he was
returned to the HANCOCK via "stretcher and pulley" on 18
October.8. On various occasions transmissions were heard on the
MIKE NAN equipment as coming from Guam and Saipan,
approximately 1200 miles away. On numerous occasions the
transmissions were heard loud and clear. The time was
between 1200 and 1600.
Commanding Officer
E. K. WAKEFIIED