U.S.S. PHILIPPINE SEA (~VA-47) Care of Fleet Post Office 20/JHS/st San Francisco, California Al6-13 Ser: DDVJNCRAD[D Ai 3 YEAR INTERVALS: DECLASSi'-IED AFTER 12 YEARS DOD DIR 5200.10 AUG 1 1953
From: Commanding Officer, U.S.S. PHILIPPINE SEA (CVA-47) To: Chief of Naval Operations Via: (1) Commander Task Force SEVENTY SEVEN (2) Commander SEVENTH Fleet (3) Commander Naval Forces, Far East (4) Commander in Chief, U.S. Pacific Fleet
Subj: Action Report for the period 15 July through 30 July 1953
Ref: (a) OpNav Instruction 348o.4
Encl: (1) CVG-9 Action Report 15 July t~ough 30 July 1953
1. In accordance with reference (a) the action report for the period 15 July through 30 July 1953 is submitted.
P,~\T I - COMPOSITION OF orNN FORCES AND MISSION:
The USS PHILIPPINE SEA (CVA-47) got underway from Yokosuka, Japan at 0548I on 15 July 1953. No ships accompanied ~be USS PHILIPPINE SEA on this sortie, which was made in accordance with Commander Task Force SEVENTY SEVEN confidential dispatch 130346z of July 1953. At o650I on 16 July the USS PHILIPPINE SEA was joined by the USS FLETCHER (DD-445) off Southern Kyushu. The Task Force was joined at o620I on 17 July in operating area CTF-77 and Sugar. Commanding the Task Force was RADM W. D. JOHNSON, USN 1 CcmCarDiv ONE. Composition of the Force included the following ships: USS LNCE CHAMPtAIN (CVA-39) with RADH If. D. JOHNSON, USN, CTF-77 and Com CarDiv ONE embarked, USS PRINCETON (CVA-37) with RADM R. E. BLICK, JR., USN, ComCarDiv THREE embarked, USS BOXER (CVA-21) and units of DesDivs 92, 131, 301 and CortDiv 11. Task Force SEVENTY SEVEN continued to operate in accordance with Com mander Task Force SEVENTY SEVEN Operation Order 2-52. It supported the United Nations Forces in Korea and upheld the policy of the United States in the }"ar East. This was accomplished through aerial and surface attacks on enemy targets throughout Northeast Korea.
fJhjps ,joining and leaving the Task Force during this period were the USS :'.P ,f'I'SSFY (BB-62) with VADM J. J. CLARK, USN, Com7tbPlt embarked, USS HAN the period - ~-·:,r·:>c ':~-~·3) and units of DesDiv 32. At the conclusion of 28 July and re ~-,, -L. · ·n'"!""!l\lE SEA departed the Task Force at lOOli on combat operations which t-.ll D ~,. ·<:c. v._ ic::>rouka. This concluded six months of the truce between begrn _,' :::~ . .,_ y 1953 and culminate -2- SECURITY INFORMATION numerous armed re 23 July 1953 A full day of combat operations produced connaissance sorties against the major enemy supply routes. the Trucks, tanks, rail cars, and bridges were attacked from bombline north to Songjin. Coastal defense guns near Wonsan were hit and Sondok airfield wns bombed. MPQ and ECM were conducted. Bonbline weather precluded all but a few close air support sorties. Night refueling and rearming were conducted. LCDR B. O'B HOLMES, USNR, of VF-94 was rescued by helicopter following a flight deck incident in which verte his plane went ove:::- the side. Pilot suffered a cracked brae. Weather forced a divert from Cherokee and close air support 24 July 1953 was to MPQ and Rccco. The communist rail and road network heavily attacked with emphasis on bridges. Troop billeting areas near Kojo were bombed and two locomutives were caught at west of Kowan. ECM was con•iucted. The force replenished plane night. Ensign D. E. CROSS, USNR, of VF-94, ditched his off Yodo but was recovered uninjured, to the north. 25 July 1953 Inclement weather again forced most sorties All front line activity was confined to MPQ bombing. In terdiction work against supply rou-tes continued with attacks on rail and highway bridges, vehicles, and the marshalling yards at Hungnam and Tanchon. ECM was conducted. Rearming the was accomplished at night and units of DesDiv 32 joined in Task Force. Ensign C. H. SELLS, USNR, of VF-94 crashed kill enemy territory due hostile flak ~amage and is presumed ed in action. main Ma.jor effort today centered on armed interdiction of the 26 July 1953 hit enemy supply routes. Package targets l, 2, 3, and 4 were hard and the airfields at Hoemun and Sondok were cratered. all ECM and MPQ were conducted. TI"e USS PHILIPPINE SEA led day carriers in total sorties over a record-breaking three period. Lt. (.ig) M. vl. HAKEIA'ID, USNR, of VF-91 was forced to bail out over frienc'-ly territory due to a fire in cockpit. Pilot suffered no injuries. The ship conducted night re plenishment. before the 1953 The day had a fast start with 49 sorties launched 27 July Com- truce was signed at PaQmUnjom. VADM J. J. CLARK, USN, USN, 7tbFlt came aboard in company with RADM W. D. JOHNSON, ComTaskForce 77 and RADM R. E. BLICK, Jr., USN, ComCarDiv 3- The purpose of the visit was to present awards to various shi~ and air gro~~ personnel. purposes 2Fl July 1953 Aircraf-t were flown to other ships for replacement and the USS PHILIPPINE SEA departed the Task Force at 10011 CTF-77 for Yokosuka, Japan. Departure was in accordance with M fir confid.ential dis-patch 2714Lf2Z of July 1953. Conducted ing~ -3- sEcURITY INFOTIMATioN r., E!11\SSlfllD 29 July 1953 Enroute Yokosuka. Aircraft launched to Atsug1, 30 July 1953 Arrived Yokosuka. PART III - ORDNANCE 1. l4at~ial: There were no material casualties of prolonged duration affecting the ship 1 s ordnance equipment. All casualties were restored within a maximum time of eight hours. 2. Gunnery Exercises: Large d=one firing was conducted enroute from and no Yokosu.~a to the Task Force. The drone was staged from the ship appreciable trouble was encountered. The practice was discontinued after the second firing run, ,.,hen material hits were made on the drone causing difficulty in control of the drone plane. VT non frag ammunition was used. Enroutc from the Task Force to Yokosuka, simulated "George" and "How" A.A. practice was conducted utilizing weather balloons. The large ball oons with radar ret'~ectors were used for the 5"/38 guns, and small ones, approximate diameter 3 feet, were used for the 4011M. Two balloons were shot down by the 5"/38 battery and four by the 40MM battery. 3. 1\mmuni tion Expenditures: (a) s~r: 5 38 FCL VT (Non Frag) 34 rounds 5 "/38 FCL VT 8o rounds 5 "/33 M Common 54 rounds 40MM All 'I'ypes 1,686 rounds (b) Ai.!___Q_r._oup: (l) Covered in a separate enclosure. PART IV - BATTLE-·--- DM1.\GE: l. No battle damaGe was inflicted on the PHILIPPINE SEA during the period. 2. Damage inflicted on PHILIPPINE SEA aircraft (refer to enclosure (1)). 3. Da.;·nage inflict.ed by PHILIPPINE SEA aircraft (refer to enclosure ( 1)). PERFORMJ\NCE AND CASUALTIES: PA.tl.T V - PERSONNEL-·- - 1. Performance---- a. Personnel-·--- Morale and discipline continued to be exceptionally high. The ed ucational pror:ram has remained papular with all hands. Classes in Leader ship have been continued and are conducted weekly for officers and senior petty officer51. -4- . I '-/ SECUTIITY INFORMATION GED tests administered 9 USAFI Correspondence courses requested 17 Enlisted Correspondence courses 25 Counselling hours 35 20 Self-Icproveaent Mnnunls'1~sued b. Welfare and Recreation The ship's orchestra and "hill-billy" bo.nd have played regularly echeduled concerts for groups throughout the ship, and during replenish ment. Numerous requests were received from replenishment ships for var ious selections which were fulfilled whenever possible. The noticeable lift in morale, due to the efforts of the ship's musicians reemphasized the desirability of retention of the ship's band in CVA class ships. Tbe hobby shop continues to be popular with the men, with leather work, model planes and model ships at the top of the list. The crew's and officers' work-out rooms, with qualified physical instructors as supervisors, continually remain crowded. The recreation room continues to lend in popularity as a place for the men in an off-duty status to read, write letters or listen to short vnve radio programs. A mimeograph morning newspaper has been published daily containing '~e Philippine world news and shi~board happenings. A Sunday supplement, ship Sen Lines" was published weekly, containing feature stories about the with pictures of current ship happenings. The U.S. Naval Liaison Officer Task Force JOe, Korea, furnished copies of "Stars and Stripes" to ships of Seventy-Seven dnily. This service enabled wide dissemination of a far greater ne-vrs coverac;e than is possible with the regular ship's press news. c. Divine Services Divine services vrere held recularly for men of the Protestant, Catholic, Jewish, Latter Day Saint and Christian Science faiths. Cath olic Mass vas celebrated daily and three times on Sundays, and Catholic instructions were held tvrice weekly. The Blessed Sacrament was reserved ao pilots could receive communion at any time. Protestant Diving Services were held tvrice on Sundays with a do.ily norning prayer service and Bible study three evenings a week. Jewish, La.tter Day Saints and Christian per Science services and Study groups 'tTere held regularly 1·Ti th interested the sonnel in charge. Evening t~rayers followed "Taps" every night with Catholic and Protestant Chaplains nlter!k~ting. 2. Medical a. Performance This period on the line was again marked by an exemplary performance on the part of the ere\.:, -5- ~llli.l\TION DEIUSSIFIED The psychological hnndicap of waiting for the peace did not inter fere with the "all out" effort. The morale of the crew has always been and continues to be ex ceptionally high. The general health and well being of the personnel remained good. h. ----Illness During this period there were 731 outpatient treatments rendered and 98 admissions to the sick list. These figures include V.D., o.nd are the totals for all on-board personnel. There were no serious aceidents on board (see enclosure (1) for aircraft in~uries). The sick bay handled 14 surgical cases one of ~-rhich "ms ma.jor. c. Casualties No serious injuries or deaths in the ship's company. d, Venereal disease G.C.------9 Non G.C. ------50 Chancroid ------8 Total ------..·----- P.i\TIT VI - CO!>'!MENTS l. .i\viation a. Safety - No comments. b. Catapults and /.rresting Gear SUill11lD.ry of Arrested Landinc;s and Catapult Launches For Period Total Comba.t Ops Totals This This Report 31 Jnn - 28 Jul 53 Ship .i\rrested Landings 1,148 7,853 59,553 Launches Port Cat. 314 2,473 10,448 Launches S'Gbd. Cat. 284 2,394 10,136 During this ship's combat tour, there were no aircraft lost due to malfunction of the catapult machinery, improper "hook-up'', or premature re- -6- ~RMATION lease. This record is due to a constant progr~~ of preventative main tenance, a. "safety conscious" attitude of all personnel, and close super vision of all hook-ups. In order to prevent a shortage of parts while operating on the line, it is necessary that Catspult and Arresting Gear Officers ensure a complete allownnce of spare parts prior to departure from the U.S. and set-up a vrcll planned program of replenishment. Durinz th2 inport period 6 July to 15 July 1953, lo.minnted teak wood was used t) replare !':pproximately 11,000 square feet of flight declt planking. The arc.::. beJ~lT2Cn frar.Jes 161 and 172 was completely replaced. Recent opc:-a.tions inctica.te that the laminated teakwood planking becomes dangerously slick vrhcn exposed to water or to small quantities of oil and grease. The planking docs not absorb oil in any quantity and when slightly greasy or we~ its planed surface does not provide suitable brak ing surface for handling aircraft. During the perio:i covered by this re port one F4U -4 skiCJ.ded over the side, an1 a second F4U -l> skidded danger~ ously while taxiinc; into the ta.ke off spot loCt\~.e d. Gasoline Total aviation gas and oil expended from period 29 Jan 1953 thru 29 July 1953 follows: Aviation Gas Aviation Lubricating Oil 1100 4,-032,-100 cfc-i"llons - 17,874 Gallons The brief cleaning of the ship's aviation gas taruts at Ship Repair Facility, Yokosuka, Japan, ~eriod 26 April 1953 thru 8 May 1953, has proven sufficient only to alleviate contamination of the aviation gas during the remainder of our tour in 1-Test Pacific, as traces of powclered rust are again appearing in the ship and aircraft filters. The ship's present type aviation gas fueling station strainers have proven inadequate and inefficient in filtering the powdered rust which has contiU!linat.ed the aviation gas. Therefore, a new type filter designed to arrest powdered :~ust in suspension with aviation gas is highly ·des1rab~•· 2. Gunnery a. Replenishment ( 1) The ship refueled from AO 's a. total of 6 times, taking aboard -7- n£et~lFiln 390,200 ~llons of gasoline and 1,303,252 gallons of fuel oil. ~11 re fuelings were accomplished at nir,ht. (2) Two destroyers were refueled during the period of this re port. (3) The ship replenished provisions once during the period of this report. (4) The ship went alongside the USS JUPITER to transfer Aviation Stores. (5) Seven destroyers were received alongside for transfer of per sonnel, guard mail, and/or light freight. (6) Rearming was accomplished on 3 occasions, all night oper- ations: Date 18 July 1953 USS FIRE DR!\KE 72 tons 180 T/hr. 23 July 1953 USS VESUVIUS 225 tons 148 T/hr. 25 July 1953 USS VESUVIUS 268 tons 143 T/hr. a. Aviation Supply (1) During the period 15 July to 30 July eleven aircraft were grounded due to lack of parts. Ten items were furnished by other ships in the Task Force within 48 hours. During the period 31 January 1953 to 30 July 1953 a total of 24 aircraft were grounded for lack of spare parts. The other carriers in the Task Force were always requested to furnish ACOG i terns at the same ti.'lle the i terns were req_uested through normal sup ply channels. A critical shortage exists in the area for R83-AP-25400-20 Valves. Several ACOG 's vrere experienced throughout the tour for this i tern. ( 2) On ,July 19 a conference was held with the Supply Officers of the USS LAKE CHi'lHPLAIN, USS BOXER, USS PRINCETON, and the Staff Supply Off icers of Carrie,"· Divisions ONE an\1 THREE. Procedures for obtaining material from other carriers on the line were discussed ancl stancln.rct procedures were incmsurated. ( 3) On 2'7 July the ship was replenished on the line by the USS JU::)ITER. Seven items were requesteil and five items we:ce furnished. At the same time approximately 4 tons of Aeronautical Haterial was transferr ed to the JUPITER FFT to the LAKE CIL'\l-1PLhiN and 4 tons FFT to the BOXER. The BOXER, LAXE CHI\MPL\IN, anc1 PRINCETON had been asked to submit re quests for material anc1 the :t::c'lterial was transferred prior to departure from the area. Alto;ether 259 line items were transferred to the three re::·ninins carriers. -8- ~RMATION DECLASSIFIED (4) During the period 31 January to 30 July 1953 this vessel re plenished Aviation Stores two times from the USS CHOURRE and four times from the USS JUPITER at sea. Approximately 43 per cent of the items re quested from the USS CHOURRE were received and 64 percent of the items re quested from the USS JUPITER were received. The ship replenished from the JUPITER four times in Yokosuka. b. Col!ll!lisso.ry (1) During the operating period this vessel replenished pro visions (fresh, frozen, o.nd dry) as indicated below: PTIOV. PROV. DJ\TE ORDERED BBCEIVED SHIP TIME 7/19/53 52 tons 45 tons USS GR11FFftJS (1\F-29) 35 min. (2) The supply of provisions both as to quality·~nd quantity Yas considered satisfactory with the exception of fresh lettuce and to matoes which were not available. (3) There was no supply shortage of any critical items. 4. ?ngine_c:!J._ng a. No comment. 5. Dnmo.ge Control a. No comment. 6. CIC a. !he primary feature most unsatisfactory throughout the entire cruise was the physical layout of the equipment as presently installed in CIC. All displays and status boards are not readily accessible to the Hatch Officer, nor is it possible for him to be cognizant of both the air situation and the surface picture simultaneously since these displays are on opposite sides of the CIC. Search operators aml air controllers using the SX consoles must sit with their backs to the various status boards. This l'lay be elimi!k·Yted by the impending replacement of the SX consoles by VK an:'', VL !11epeate,~s, if the VK an(l VL scopes arc situated such tto.t the oper~.tors using them are nble to face the vertical displays. It is proposed thnt. ';L:; vertical plot and air status boards be a:c-rangerl alone; the forwnrd 1:u1LFcn1 of CIC. Also, various floor levels cauL~ be used, elevating the 'lir controllers an:'l search operators so that 'c1.1e cnti::-e vertical plot caul•'. be readily seen, thus eliminating the ever pi'esent "dmm-in-front" situacion, 7. Comnunic8.tions a. No comment; -9- OE&lASSlflO 8. Air Operations a. Air Operations hns experienced no difficulty in maintaining con trol of flight operations durinc; the current tour in ~vestpac. Even dur ing periods of inclement weather and consequent flight schedule change little or no confusion has existed. A complete understanding of the problems involved, and mutual cooperation between ere I Flight Deck Con trol, Primary Fly, Air Intelligence, Air Group, and Air Operations hns o. clear ~reduced this result. It is necessary thnt all constituents have understanding and a"P"Preciation of the other's problems to avoid confusion and delay. b. The arrangement of the communications equipment hns placed Air Oper ations at a disadvantage; however, communications difficulties should be eliminated if the modification to Air Operations proposed by Commanding Officer, USS Vl~LEY FORGE (CVA-45) letter Ser 947 of 4 April 1953 is approved for CVA-9 class vessels. c. In connection with control of aircraft in the immediate vicinity of the Task Force, it hns been the practice aboard this vessel for Pri mary Fly to give landing signal (Charlie) at all times except when in coming flights are staggered and no delays are anticipated. Primary Fly has visual contact with the aircraft in the landing circle and on the flight deck and is therefore in a more advantageous position for anti cipating gaps in the pattern, or flight deck delays and the correction thereof. This has proved to be a safe nnd expeditious method of con trolling recoveries. 9. Air Intelligence a. n1e air intelligence office hns operated during the entire per iod with a complement of t~o officer and two enlisted personnel. The air group has operated with six officer and five enlisted personnel. These numbers are adequate in all respects and proper utilization has allowed the intelligence function to be performed with a minimum of -~~ra~n and_confusion Rather, it is felt that intelligence performance wus highly sntis:i:actory. Certainly two ship AI officers are sufficient, provided they can stick to office functions, nnd two enlisted AI per sonnel can acle1ua.tely mnnage all ship board duties. The air group, with six officers, 5.G at n peak where there is one officer who can act as an AIO. T'ile emergency br~.e :-·er in case of the absence of any other squadron air group AIO can then fulfill his role as coordinator and at the same tine lemrn the shipboard intcl:ic:Gnce duties, to provide assistance in c3.sc of an er:.2:;:--~sency there. b Spac<. s :Jc're proved sc- ~.; c ~._.ctory but are crowcled and allow no ex pP.nsinn. 'rns office suffrclT _,-- Y1 the lack of a teletype board, or some si:c.ilo..r o_ns·i,n.llotion to nl:LOvi -;Ls '-ant reception of pertinent information. such an in Hm1e7er, c,~::,·,cr> n.s -provided on this class of carrier precludes stalla-::ior,. ;,2curate estimn.tions of chart usage and needs can prevent These estimates ove:;_· cro~Ji'irt:_; o:i:' s tovTage spaces with un..r1ecessnry material. -10- SECURITY INFO~TION can be obtained from the carrier being relieved. c. Charts as ~rovided by the various air navigation offices are sat isfcctory. The roost ~opular to be issued yet are the Texo-print strip era c~.o.rts, now userl on an experill'J.Cntal basis. These charts allow easy sure of n~rkings without appreciable discolo~ation and are of very sturdy construction, showin<; little wear over considerable periods of time. Next in favor are the 1\MS L552 series (1:250,000 scale). 'fhese charts have better terrain markings than others of this scale and are rJUch pre ferred for reconnaissance and frontline nissions where correct inter pretation of terrain is paramount. Flak c~~rts (1:50,000 scale) are very satisfactory and have been used not only to display flak, but also air fields, hospitals, pl,~ camps, radar sites, the bomb line, and prominent land marks. 10. Photographic Labor_at~y a. Personnel ( 1) Photo Lab personnel complcncnt consists of a. War:;. :\."lt Officer, c. Chief Petty Officer, 8 Petty Officers and 15 Non-rated men in ships con pany, plus a Chief Petty Officer, 4 Petty Officers and 4 Non-rated men T~D from the ~ir Group. Of this number, 2 Chief Petty Officers and 6 Petty Officers were experienced personnel. The balance of the personnel were obtained from other departments as potential strikers or were recent Photo School graduates. (2) By early, intensive, on the job training, the complement of personnel was found to be more than satisfactory to carry out all phases of shipboard photographic work. Laboratory personnel are divided into three shifts of twelve hours each, 0700 - 1900, 1200 - 2400, and 1900 - 0700, provicl.ins maxi= manpower at peak work-load periods. VC-61 de taclment personnel, althoun;h assigned to the Photo La.b on TAD were em ployed exclusively in the photocraphic maintenance of VC-61 aircraft. All aerial mo..c;azines weTe loo.decl by VC-61 personnel. One Petty Officer and a striker wc~"e assigned pe"'111anently to Photo Interpretation. b. Su-ppl::C ( l) I,, several instances vi tally needed photographic supplies, 11 the although order· :c"t on a Priority "A or ''B ", were delivered far past deadline date 'Jr "lvere not delivc:rr"d o.t nil. 'l\ro examples being, 9f2 x 390' aerial t'O,.-,''", which "1-TaS r e c• vor1 t-wo months c.fter the deadline date, n.ncl spare parts for the A-F'.J' "~ -r r I·Thich were orde:'ec'c in November 1952 anc1. n.s ye·c hf'""'' :1ot been cor.11= :.. i·::_y delivered. In instances where vitally nec- n:,<•Jocc S".pp1.'ce:> v~re not c'k;li· before the c'eacUine date, it l·ras This sit c·S'C:·"." t• '"~r":.;Lition same J';·; ':cr units of tl1c •ro.sk Force. lea.,,, ., . c.·, n · r·c: "· harrlship :)n l::; : ~;.:'vi ties .c:,n•' sci·iously affects their ( 1 I .,.,, U[oS founc1., dUl"iEg the entire tour, that i·t was extremely -11- mo.terial needs. rlifficult to arrive at accurate estimates of photographic of aerial prints to other a.ctivitics wa.s never consistent, Distribution Adverse from two to eight complete sets of prints per sortie. va.ryinr, reduced the esti weather conditions during late spring o.nd early summer matec1 nunber of sorties consid.era')ly. Cm:rr:nn'ier (3) For a short period, this vessel was flac;ship of photographic workloads Carrier Div~ion THREE. With the staff embarked, ·a considerable nE::m·ly clou*d. As this was an unscheduled occurencc, was experienced. drain on ph~o~raphic material inventories c. Equipment of aerial (1) During the latter half of the tour, 9t x 390' rolls type B-5 deve~ping film were used exclusively in photo aircraft. The length of film. units have been found 1nadequate for processing this several exposures to Rolls had to be cut in half to be developed, causing be ruined. in con (2) K-38 aircraft cameras were employed in photo aircraft K-38 photo with a K-17, 6 inch camera for orientation of the junction needs when used graphs. The K-38 camera proved adequate for operational developed by VC-61 Detach in conjunction with the image motion co~ensator still consicLerecl. desirable. ment MIKE. However, a shorter re-cycle tilile is operating (3) A B-13 print dryer was used throughout the entire for both ma.tte and perioil. This rlryer was found highly sat.isfa.ctory employed dm~ing this glossy print c1rying. Two A-lOA film r9.ryers were dryinr; sonne paper and operating periol. One being used exclusively for possibility of wax other fo:r drying aerial film. This eliminated the the film. from the sonne pa-per being carried over to the aerial camer Various installations ot F-56, 20 inch nn~ K-25 aeri~l (4) No satisfactory mn.cl.e on AD typG aircraft for so;rike photo[3raphy. as were to limit- werG obta:Lnerl from any of these installations, due -photographs of the aircraft. at ions of the cameras nncl minimun opera'~ing altitucl.es correct GX (5) Gun camera photoc;raphy, although of technically to "be of little or no posure nncl reasonably reliable operation, was founcl. operating periocl. value due to aircraft tactics enrployeCI l.urinc; this d. Statistics the line, Photoc;raphic sorties flqwn during the periods on (1) ne(3atives and 29 January to 27 July 1953, were 151. I'he usable aerial prints made from these sorties are as follows:· 1409 9 x 9 j_nch net;atives •...... 2596 9 x 9 inch prints ...... • . . • . . . 1546 3 9 x 18 inch nc c;o. tive s ...... • . . . . • 9 x 18 inch prints ...... • . . . . 51>209 -12- SECURITY INFOP~TION target pinpoint (2) Still negatives and prints of overlays, and photographs were o.s follows: 500 8 x 10 inch negatives 8 x 10 inch prints 1.2893 Further s~~tistics were as listed below: .37,475 feet Blo.ck and white gun camera film processed . . x 200' aerial film used 110 Number of rolls of~ 69 Number of rolls of~ x 390' aerial film used Major checicals expended were o.s follovrs: 380 gals. . D-19 551 c;.&ls. . D-72 .2,322 gals. Fixer Sonne paper expended: 64 rolls No. 1 307 rolls No. 2 3 230 rolls No. 130 rolls No. 4 11. Photo Interpretation officer, e.. Due to the o.ddi tion of another photo interpretation photo interpreter and previous to the last tour on the line, the senior preparation of a hand one enlisted man were able to devote time to the photography. This book boocl on the intellic;ence potcntialitics of IMC concerned. will soon be clistributed to the various col11lnO.nds 12. Aero logy was dominated (1) The weather durin; the period from 17 to 28 July over Southern Manchuria by two low pressure systems. The first of these, fog concli ttons in the and Korea, caused light easterly 1.rinds and extensive flight operations. operating area and target area, greatly restricting westward across Southern The pacific high intensified and began to bulge weat and north and to Japan and Korea, forcing the original low to move south of the operating and rlissipace consic1erably. As the high moved in wind flow veered to the south to.r,;et o.reas and the lm' moved north"ard, the a marl~:ecl improvement in the ¥res i; anrl west. This westerly winil flo•r caused ana_ upslope flow from the enst coast operating a:·ea weather. The onshore however, with low broken west caused generally poor target area weather, east coo.st. Frequent to overcast clourls over all except the extreme moving out to sea. thunrlerstorns occun·ed over the land mass, occasionally 10 and 20 knots. Tenrpern.tures Hin~ls vrere westerly, r;enerally between ranged in the mirl.-sevGnties o.nd low eir;hties. during this 13. The following congratulatory dispatches were received ~eriocl.: -13- I . DE!.'I.ASSIFIED FROM: COMNAVFE ON 24 JULY 1953 PLEASE PASS TO ALL UNITS OF YOUR FLEET MY CONGRA~TIONS UPON THE SUPERB EFFORT THEY HAVE PUT OUI' DtiRING '!HE PAST FEW HEEKS X IN SPITE OF !ILMOST IMPOSSIBLE OPEI'J\.TING WEl\THER 'l'l!!':Y HAVE PREVENTED THE ENEMY FROM CAPITALIZING UPON HIS ADVJINrAGE AND HAVE ADDED IMMEASURL\BLY TO THE DES'IDUCTION OF HIS RE SOURCES X ,\ HEARTY WELL DONE TO ALL OF YOU X VJIDM R P BRISCOE FROM: COM7THFLT ON 24 JULY 1953 THE FOLLOWING MSG RECEIVED FROM CG 8 ARMY QUO'IE WITH THE AP PARENT ENDING OF THE ENm1Y EFFORTS IN THE AREA OF KUMSONG SALIENT, THE EIGHTH ,'u~.ff SENDS YOU SINCERE THANKS FOR THE SPLENDID SUPPORT OF YOUR AVIATORS DURING THE BATTLE X IN SPI.'m OF THE MOST UNFAVORABLE FLYING WEATHER, YOUR AIRPLANES BORE IN UPON THE ENBMY, DISRUPTING HIS CONCENTRATIONS AND IM PEDING HIS ADVANCE X THEY HAVE PLAYED A :vERY LARGE PART IN THE REPULSE OF THE LARGEST ENEMY OFFENSIVE IN OVER 'IWO YEARS X THE EIGHTH ARMY IS DEEPLY APPRECIATIVE X SIGNED TAYLOR L'NQUOTE X CoMSEVENTHFLT ADDS WELL DONE TO ALL HANDS X FROI FIIOM: CTF T7 Oil 28 JULY 1953 I IJISH TO EXTEND liT HE!u:\TIEST CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL OFFICERS PLI\.YED MID MEN OF Cl\l~RIER TASK FORCE 77, ON THE PART THEY HAVE IN BRINGING J'J30UT THIS LONG HOPED FOR TRUCE X PAP-A X WITHOUT THEin UJIJTIHING EFFORTS IN SlJPPORT OF THE GROUJIID FORCES IN KOREA, THIS MOMEJiF.COUS DAY MIGHT STILL BE IN THE UNCERTAIN FUTLJRE X Pfi.Pu\ X THIS IS A PJ\.t\TICULAIILY .'\PPROPRIATE Tll.ffi! TO SEND CUI\ WARMEST REG."IRDS TO OVR F li1>1ILIES MID DEA.tlEST ONES AT HOME X \HTHOUT THEin CONSTfu'I!T FAITH MID UNSWERVING DEVOTION OUR HORK HEHE WOULD HAVE BEEN INFINITELY MORE ARDUOUS AND TEDIOUS X PARA X TO THE FAMILIES MID LOVED ONES OF OUR SHIPMA'IES WHO HAVE NOT SURVIVED 'YrtE BATI'LE WE C,\N ONLY GIVE THE COHFORT THAT THEY HAVE NOT DIED IN VAIN, ,'\liD THAT TREY STAND PTIOUDLY IN THE LISTS OF THOSE \VHO HAVE CONTTIIBUTED TO THE PHYSICAL AND SPIRI TUf.L FHEEDOM OF 1•11\N X PAI'ill X IT MUST NOH BE OUR SOBEH HEAL I7.u\TION TH!\T THIS IS A TIME FOTI CON'l'INUED AND UNCEJ\SING VIGI hi\.NCE X Pi\RA X HE NUST BE 1\l'ID I\RE WILLING TO FACE THE FACT FIRE TILI\.T OVR ~JOTIK HEBE vJILL NOT BE FINISHED 1JNTIL THE CEASE OF 1\.N tJUHSTICE BECOMES THE FINAL ACCORD OF A LASTING PEACE X -14- SECURITY INFORMATION FROM: COM7THFLT ON 27 JULY 1953 BASE C~\NDER UPON THE OCCASION OF AN ARMISTICE IN KOP~ THIS TO ALL SEVENTH FLEET EXPRESSES HIS HEARTFELT CONGRATULATIONS IN SHIPS AND UNITS UNDER HIS COMMI\ND ON THEm OU!.rSTANDING AGf,INST COM DIVIDUAL AND COLLECTIVE PERFOilMl\.NCE IN THE FIGHT WHEN THE FATE MUNIST J\.GGRESSION X DURING THE CTIITICAL PERIOD IN A Mt\NNETI OF THE TRUCE WAS Hl\NGING IN Bi\Ll\NCE YOU HESPONDED THE NAVY AND THli.T IS IN KEEPING vli'l'B THE BEST 'illl\.DITIONS OF BY PERSUf,~NG YOU Hli.VE Mt\TEIUALLY AIDED THE CAUSE OF FREEDOM PRAY THAT WE Hli.VF: THE EN&'fi' THJ\.T WAR IS NOT IN HIS INTEREST X WE AND ALERT ACHIEVED A LASTING PEACE BUT WE MUST HEMli.IN READY FHEE WOTILD X TO MEET ANY FUTtffiE THREAT TO TEE SECURITY CF THE CLARK SENDS X I 1\M PHOUD OF YOU X WELT, DONE TO ALL HANDS X VAIM FROM: COMCl\HDIV THTIEE ON 28 JULY 1953 HETI AIR GROUP THE Hli.RD PUSHES DELIVEHED BY PHILIPPINE SEA AND LONG BE REMEMBERED AS A SPLENDID EXilME'LE OF FIGHTING HILL ON TEAMWOTIK UNDER DIFFICULT CONDITIONS X MY CONGRi\.TULATIONS SUCCESS X YOUTI PEHFOI\1.11\NCE AND BEST WISHES FOR CONTINUED PII.RT VII - RECOMMmDATIONS 1. Avin.tion---- that all carriers a. Refer to ~age 7 paragraph ld. It is recommended the United States. Ethy conduct acidity tests on fluids prior to leaving quantities in the for lene Glycol and Prestorewere not available in large ward areas. that where teak b. Refer to page 7 pnragraph 16. It is recommended should be given wood planking is used on the flight deck, consideration addition, the possibility to more frequent cleanings of the flight deck. In to provide b~ttcr of scoring or roughening the surface of the plar~ing braking surface should be investigated. that a new type Refer to pnge 7 paragraph ld, It is rcconnnendecl c. with aviation filter be designed to arrest ~owdered rust in suspension gas. 2. Photographic Laboratory that spare a. Refer tn page 11 paragraph lOb(l). It is recommended of one dryer will kits be provided for A-lOA film dryers as failure parts processing, seriously impecle photographic reconnaisnnce film per~ to pr:ge 11 parngrnph lOb(l). During the entire o:rerating b. Hofer film. With was nr occasion to use% x 75' panchromatic aerial iod there it is recommended the increase in use of 9 x 18 inch size aerial cameras from the allowance list. that 9t x 75' panchromatic aerial film be dropped -15- DEIUSSIID It is recommended that the c. Refer to page 12 paragraph lOc (1). or equipment of equal capacity be type B-6 aerial film developing outfit film. procured for processing 390 foot aerial The allowance of K-38 aerial d. Refer to p~gc 12 paragraph 'lOc (2). ina0eq'J.ate for prolonged operating cameras and A.-Pi'J I:'J.[c.:c::.r:;p, is corsio.ercd pcrcEcnt srares be provided for each periods. It is rc;~r,·:ncGderl tLa+ 100 and trained c2.Dcr£>. rcpaimen are operating photo ~il·~r-J.t't : f Sl,JIJ."c: yCcrts not available. this operating period to r-:gc 12 t;nrc,rro.ph lOc ( 3). During a, Refer aml all photo ]rr~.r,t, r:\1 ~tc, 26 inch, Wo.8 stoned, the E-18-D-83(' C.ryc'r, type B-13 print gior;sy .•.r/1 r.:.:1tte, ·,;ere dried in the graphic -prints, trotl' would be j in the CV A. photo labs, it dryer. Due to tt,c sp,v.::e lir.1i t~, l. ons allowcnce to two type B-13 print highly desirable to change. Sect~.on "p" no.tte clrycr. This would result in dryers in lieu of or_c ;;loc:sy o.nd one conpactness of the B-13 dryer and considerable sr-,vine; of crpo.ce clue to a dr;urwdc as it can be used for greater flexibility in rncRti.:'lg vcrk::Co!'.d i''tt the rrcser:t time tvro J\-10-A. and either mo.tte or glossy t:rint cir;rj.::~r;. the sptJ.cc no:·mally occupied by one two B-13 dryers could ce instc.l iccl in mrrtte and one glossy dryer. 3. Photo I~t~retation The distribution of ground re a. Refer to page 13 paragraph 11n. command, would aid the photo inter ports, presently not available to this that objects not readily identifiable preter in his study of photography in a logical pattern. If these re or out of place would be resolved into recoi!1I'lended that periodic briefings, ports cannot be c'.issenina ted, it is by members of the staff for the utilizing such infornation, be conducted might include such things as new photo interpreter. T11esc briefings of new design, areas o~possible build eneny techniques, new installations up and current intelligence sm&naries. the criteria used in the deter llefer to page 13 paragraph lla. If b, to the individual P. I. of acceptable mo8aics is nude availo.blc ninntion process would save valuable it is believc;d tha.t an early culling units, be made avo.ila.ble if feas time. It is reconmc;ncled that such information ible, The photo interpreters under this c. Tiefer to page 13 paragraph lla. I\rmy forward Photo Interpretation commnd found u trip to A.ir Force and It is recoa~ended that a great Units to be beneficial end enlishtening. services be effected. er exchange of inforrnation between the Copies to: -16-