Sunday in hell, p.20
Sunday in Hell, page 20
The 4 December message was one of the last key intelligence intercepts the Navy was decoding and translating, in attempts to determine Japanese intentions and plans during their deteriorating diplomatic relations and negotiations with the United States. There was some delay and uncertainty in decoding and translating the message, which, as indicated in the Japanese government’s 19 November message, would be contained in the Tokyo news broadcasts’ weather reports. After considerable discussion of the 4 December intercept, senior Naval Intelligence officers concluded the message meant an imminent break in diplomatic relations with Great Britain, at least, and probably the United States - since the embassies had received instructions to destroy their codes. Code destruction and replacement was a routine procedure at regular, specified intervals throughout the year, but ominously, the most recent order to destroy codes didn’t fit the normal pattern of Japanese behavior in managing their most secret codes.
But unknown to American intelligence another more ominous message had been sent to the combined fleet at 0730 hours on 2 December, Tokyo time, Monday, 1 December in Washington and Hawaii. Sent by Admiral Yamamoto’s chief of Naval General Staff, Rear Admiral Matome Ugaki, it was to become one of the most famous messages in naval history. “Climb Mount Niitaka, 1208.” It signaled that X-Day - the day to execute the Japanese war plan - was 0000 December 8, Japan time. Nagumo’s task force received the information at 2000 hours, and at this hour was about 940 miles almost directly north of Midway, well beyond the arc of U.S. reconnaissance flights.12
Enterprise: Twelve F4F Wildcats to Wake Island
The morning of 4 December, at a position approximately 2,100 miles west of Pearl Harbor and 175 miles north of Wake Island, at 0450 hours, the carrier Enterprise sounded General Quarters and mustered all hands preparatory to beginning flight operations. At 0500 she ceased zigzagging, reduced speed to 18 knots, and at 0515 hours turned starboard to 354 degrees, into the wind, to begin launching aircraft. At 0529 hours the first of twenty-one Enterprise aircraft became airborne. First, were four Grumman F4F Wildcats - fighters - on combat air patrol. Next came three Douglas Dauntless SBD-3s as inner air submarine patrol. Third were fourteen more SBDs on a search mission.
Carrier Enterprise (CV-6) en route to Pearl Harbor, 8 October 1939. Photographed from the cruiser Minneapolis (CA-36). NA
Between 0630 and 0700, Enterprise radar detected a lone aircraft approaching from the south - a Navy Catalina PBY long range patrol aircraft with the mission of leading the twelve F4F-3s of Marine fighter squadron VMF-211 to Wake Island. The twelve pilots, already briefed, were prepared to launch, and at 0656 hours, 0956 Hawaii time, the first aircraft, with engine roaring at full power, and the flight control officer’s hand signal, released brakes and lifted off to begin the final leg of the mission to reinforce Wake Island’s garrison. At 0700, in the midst of the F4Fs’ launch, lookouts spotted the PBY. Eleven minutes after the first Marine fighter lifted off, the last of the twelve was airborne, including their escorts, and Task Force 8 began an immediate starboard turn from 354 degrees to Fleet course and axis 084 degrees to return to Pearl Harbor.
Six SBDs from Scouting Six, and the Air Group Commander, Lieutenant Commander Howard L. Young in a seventh SBD, accompanied the fighters toward Wake. Among the seven escorts was plane 6-S-7, with its crew: pilot, Lt. (jg) Hart D. Hilton and Radioman/gunner Second Class (RM2c) Jack Leaming. The escorts’ instructions were to return to the ship upon sighting Wake Island on the horizon. Under no circumstances were any of the escorts to approach Wake any closer than instructed. The precaution was to avoid being recognized and placed in the vicinity by any hostile surface vessel or submarine.
In the minds of the Marine fighter pilots en route to Wake that morning, thoughts and questions about their future must have abounded. When they lifted off the Ewa Mooring Mast Field Friday, 28 November, to begin what they believed to be carrier qualifications aboard Enterprise, they were totally unprepared for the orders they would receive at the end of that day. They wore light summer flight suits, carried only a few toilet articles, and a towel. If they did not qualify for carrier landings the first day, they would be required to try again the next day. Consequently, they would need toilet articles for an overnight stay. The contents of the orders were so unexpected and remote the Marines were aghast.
Major Paul Putnam, the commander of VMF-211, had been called to the bridge. He was told that his men would be completely outfitted from Enterprise’s small store supplies. They could sign “chits” for articles they needed and purchased at the canteen.
Their gray fighters, that flashed in the sun, were to be painted Navy blue-gray above, so if seen from above, they would blend with the sea, and gray underneath, so if seen from below, they would blend with the sky. Complete overhaul of the engines, airframes, and guns was to begin immediately upon dismissal from quarters. Radio receiver and transmitter frequencies were checked for correctness.
Flight crews helped with the masking and painting of the F4Fs and checked the radio equipment. Mechanics pulled engine checks and overhauls. Using extra care to prevent possible jams, ordinance men belted ammunition for the four, fixed .50-caliber machine guns - two in each wing - for the Wildcats, and the .30-caliber free guns mounted in the rear cockpit of the SBDs which would escort the Wildcats toward Wake Island.
The voyage had been made in the utmost secrecy. Absolutely no one was permitted to discuss it or refer to it in any conversation - anywhere. Not even between shipmates, especially in a public place. The penalty for violation of this order, if there were a leakage of information, would be a General Court Martial.
Later, all the aircrews aboard ship were told not to maintain a log, carry any confidential material that could not be dispensed with hastily or totally destroyed in the event of an emergency, and not to precipitate any hostile action. They were to test fire their guns periodically on scouting flights to ensure proper and ready operation. They could drop smoke bombs and fire on them for accuracy if they chose. Above all, they were to maintain radio silence. No mistakes! Check the transmitter switches often!
Flight crews were given small sandbags, about four inches square, containing a message pocket, to be thrown onto the carrier deck in the event they made contact with any foreign ship or needed to communicate with their own forces while they were airborne. Some practiced dropping messages on the Enterprise deck while flying scouting missions.
Every precaution was to be taken. Do not fly close to foreign vessels lest they be detected. They were to fire on and destroy any unidentified ship or aircraft that approached the task force. It was known the Japanese fleet was at sea, and they might encounter them. All had realized history-making events were in progress, that internationally the situation was extremely tense and that the Japanese envoys were on their way to Washington for talks. Guns were to be manned and ready continuously. Each aircraft on a search mission would carry a 500-pound bomb.
Approximately one hour and fifteen minutes after takeoff, still early morning on 4 December, Wake became a barely visible speck on the horizon. A beautiful morning was beginning around the Island, as the escorts waggled their wings in a farewell gesture to VMF-211, and turned toward the Enterprise. During the return leg a storm was moving in, which could spell trouble for landings, but the carrier and her task force steered just clear of its edges, and the SBDs landed without incident. Task Force 8 was on the way back to Pearl Harbor.13
Aircraft Carriers Lexington and Saratoga at Sea
At 0400 hours Pacific Time, 0200 in Hawaii, on Friday morning, 5 December, Lieutenant Wellington T. Hines came on duty for a four-hour stint as Officer of the Deck, on the aircraft carrier Saratoga (CV-3). The ship was on course 180 degrees, standard speed 23 knots, at 199 rpm (shaft revolutions per minute), sailing south, singly, toward San Diego Harbor, continuing sea trials en route. After completing overhaul at the Puget Sound Navy Yard, her crew had begun loading ammunition and other supplies on 30 November, and, with its commander, Captain Archibald H. Douglas at the conn [ship’s control], the ship got under way at 0902 on 2 December to begin sea trials preparatory to rejoining the Pacific Fleet in San Diego Harbor.
Now on course for San Diego the morning of the 5th with boilers 1 through 9 operating, at 0405 hours preparations for full power trials began, as boilers 10 through 16 were lit, one by one. At 0610, after generators and main engine set-up, the great ship began accelerating, her speed continuing to build until she reached 31.7 knots, 281 rpm, at 0713 hours - one hour and three minutes after the run began. The crew kept her at maximum power for twelve minutes, at a speed just under 36.5 miles per hour, nearly 150 percent of the maximum speed of the battleships moored at Pearl Harbor.14
Early Friday morning, 5 December was more than busy at Pearl Harbor, as well. On board the aircraft carrier Lexington (CV-2), the electrical gang energized her degaussing coils at 0705, 0905 Pacific coast, and at 0728 the ship got under way, moving slowly toward the harbor entrance. At 0750 the crew was ordered to torpedo defense quarters, a standard operating procedure when the ship left harbor. While on the watch that morning, Lieutenant John R. Moore, the Officer of the Deck on Lexington noted the following ships stood out of Pearl Harbor: the destroyers Porter (DD-356), Lamson (DD-367), and Drayton (DD-366); the high-speed minesweepers Hopkins (DMS-13) Southard (DMS-10); the heavy cruisers Chicago (CA-29), Astoria (CA-34), Minneapolis (CA-36), Portland (CA-33), and Indianapolis (CA-35). Three of the five destroyers, Porter, Drayton, and Lamson, were later joined by two other destroyers, the Flusser (DD-368) and Mahan (DD-364), plus cruisers Chicago, Astoria, and Portland, with Lexington, the fleet guide, and together they became Task Force 12. Admiral Kimmel ordered the task force to move by a direct route to a point 400 miles 130 degrees (southeast) of Midway Island where Lexington would launch 18 gray, Vought SB2U-3 Vindicators of Marine Scout Bombing Squadron 231, which had been based at Ewa. The 18 VMSB-231 planes were to land at Midway to reinforce the island’s garrison.15
Carrier Saratoga (CV-3) launching planes, circa summer 1941, as seen from the rear cockpit of a plane that has just taken off. Aircraft on deck are Douglas TBD-1 Devastator torpedo planes, probably from squadron VT-3. NA
Carrier Lexington (CV-2) Leaving San Diego, California, 14 October 1941. Planes parked on her flight deck include F2A-1 fighters (parked forward), SBD scout-bombers (amidships) and TBD-1 torpedo planes (aft). NA
The cruiser Indianapolis and five high-speed destroyer-minesweepers, the Dorsey (DMS-1), Elliot (DMS-4), Hopkins, and Long (DMS-12) were bound for an amphibious exercise at Johnston Island, southwest of Oahu, while the Minneapolis and four destroyer-minesweepers, Boggs (DMS-3), Chandler (DMS-9), Hovey (DMS-11), and Lamberton (DMS-2) were proceeding to gunnery exercises south of Oahu.16
At the conn when Lexington moved out of the harbor was the commander, Captain Frederick C. Sherman, along with the Executive Officer, Commander Wallace M. Dillon, and the Navigator, Commander James R. Dudley. The carrier passed the channel entrance buoys at 0806 and brought the Vindicators from VMSB-231 aboard at 0940 hours. Commanded by Major Clarence J. “Buddy” Chappell, they landed aboard Lexington after a 1.7 hour flight from Ewa.
At sea, Task Force 12 then turned starboard to a course due west, 270 degrees, and at 1103 hours left the formation preparatory to landing the Lexington Air Group aboard the carrier. The ship maneuvered at various courses and speeds until 1202, when the last aircraft in the Group came aboard. During the recovery, at 1121, one fighter aircraft tailhook missed the arresting gear on landing, and the plane crashed into the barrier protecting aircraft parked on the forward flight deck. The pilot received slight facial lacerations. Following the Air Group landings, Lexington turned port, back to course 270 degrees and resumed her position in the Task Force formation.
Task Force 12 sailed with Rear Admiral John H. Newton, commander, Cruisers, Scouting Force, flying his flag from the cruiser Chicago. Unlike [Admiral Halsey on Enterprise when she sailed with Task Force 8 on 28 November], Newton had no indication that his mission might run into war. His orders being to reinforce Midway, then “return to operating area and resume normal operations,” there appeared to him “no special significance attached to it other than reinforcement.” He thought there might be some danger from submarines, so he kept to a speed of seventeen knots by day, zigzagged, and sent out scout flights to cover his advance. These were “normal operations in connection with training.” Again, unlike Halsey, he “gave no special orders regarding arming of planes or making preparations for war other than had been routine.”17
All three of the Pacific Fleet’s three aircraft carriers were now at sea, Enterprise with Task Force 8, sailing on an easterly course toward Pearl Harbor, returning from her mission to strengthen the garrison at Wake Island; Lexington with Task Force 12, outbound from Pearl Harbor toward the west to reinforce the garrison at Midway with additional aircraft; and Saratoga steaming south along the mainland’s West Coast to rejoin Pacific Fleet units in port at San Diego.
Far to the south of Oahu on 5 December, Task Group 15.5, the heavy cruiser Pensacola and gunboat Niagra, escorting the seven ships of Convoy 4002, “Operation Plum,” crossed the equator, moving slowly at speeds approximating nine and one half knots, still on a southerly route bound for Manila, Philippines.
Approximately 960 miles north of Oahu on 5 December the Imperial Navy’s Carrier Striking Force, with all its 32 ships darkened, refueled from the oilers Toho Maru, Toei Maru, and Nippon Maru, the carriers Hiryu and Soryu given priority. After the refueling was complete around 1130 hours, the three oilers of the Second Supply Group, in company of the destroyer, Arare, turned away to make for a designated rendezvous with the carrier force during return to the home islands. The next day, with the destroyer Kasumi escorting, oilers of the First Supply Group would refuel every unit in the carrier force before turning toward a designated rendezvous point for another refueling on 8 December. Once the Carrier Striking Force dropped off its remaining oilers, the formation would accelerate to 24 knots for its dash to a point approximately 200 miles north of Oahu.18
On Oahu: Boat Day, Charity Football, “Battle of the Bands” and Tranquility
“Boat Day” was in full swing at noon in Honolulu Harbor, on Friday, 5 December, when the Lurline prepared to sail to San Francisco on its twice monthly triangular voyage to San Francisco, Los Angeles and return. The gleaming white ship had arrived at her berth in Honolulu Harbor two days earlier carrying her normal passenger load, including the Willamette and San Jose State University football teams, with their coaches and small groups of fans and cheerleaders. The ship’s crew and port authorities efficiently completed a rapid, two-day turnaround for Lurline’s return voyage to the States.
The 784 [outbound] passengers - a record number because the SS Matsonia had been converted to a troop ship, leaving almost no transportation to California - were in a festive mood. Socialite model Miss Marjorie Petty and University of Hawaii President Dr. D. L. Crawford were among the group, which consisted primarily of defense workers returning to their homes on the West Coast. Local singers, accompanied by the Royal Hawaiian Band, sang their favorite island tunes, hula girls danced, and fragrant flower leis were everywhere. Thousands of kamaaina residents joined the celebration surrounding the departure of Matson’s “Great White Ship.”19
Friday evening for Joey and Bob was dinner on Tennessee again, with another movie. Bob, scheduled for duty as Officer of the Deck early Saturday morning from 0400 to 0800 hours, enjoyed his time with Joey before driving her back to the apartment, kissing her goodnight, and returning to the ship.
As Officer of the Deck, Bob’s one entry typed in the ship’s deck log that was signed later by Captain Reordan, was at 0745 hours. “Commenced embarking Landing Force for Annual Military Inspection.” After Bob completed and signed his entry, he stopped by his quarters, picked up personal belongings he needed, and left the ship for Pearl’s main dock, across the harbor, via motor launch, for the drive back to their apartment, and a well-earned rest.20
On Saturday, 6 December, Joey’s last day with the Canada Dry Bottling Company, she typed a two-page letter home, the first page on company letterhead stationery with the heading of INTER-OFFICE CORRESPONDENCE. Her enthusiastic letter told of Christmas plans including an open house for the men of Bob’s 5th Division.
Dearest Family –
Just a note to go off on the clipper–or rather to be started and finished later because I just thought that the clipper doesn’t leave till Dec. 12,—- It’s been raining ala Bremerton lately – with only one difference–I swear this is the craziest weather–The sun shines and the sky is a lovely blue with clouds floating around, and the rain comes down in buckets. Last night I went out to the ship for dinner and the movie. Bob drove me in. Twas a gorgeous night with the stars and clouds and a lunar rainbow and the rain came down and down. I received an announcement from the Skipton’s of Gael’s wedding. I have some Hawaiian print cocktail napkins which I’m going to send, but there was no card or address at all in the announcement. Do you have her address or her folks address? This is my last day at work–thank goodness. I haven’t even started on my Xmas preparations. And there are going to be many. I don’t know yet whether or not I’ll be able to get a tree cuz there is a shortage of trees. They all have to be brought in from the Mainland. A 2-footer costs about $1.00 a foot. Whee. I’m having open house on Xmas day for all the men in Bob’s division–there are about 70 to a division, but I think that only 25 will be able to come–some have to stand watch. I’m going to get a 28-lb turkey and have it roasted at one of the hotels–and have a large stocking–say would you please send out my big stocking? It will be just about right to hold all of the gifts for the men–just small things. I don’t know where I’ll put them, but if we have to park them on the stairs outside, we’ll do it. Bob and I are compromising this year on Xmas. He has always opened his presents in the morning, but had never gone to church Xmas Eve–so he’s going to church with me, and I’m going to wait till Xmas morning to open any of my things. Incidentally, dad, DO YOU HAVE THE NEGATIVES OR THE PRINTS OF THE THREE PICTURES I SENT YOU FROM LONG BEACH—two of which were taken on our honeymoon #1 and one of them taken in Long Beach. We have an album now, and I want those to go in it because they are the only ones we took in California. As long as we aren’t coming back for Xmas, we’ll probably be back sometime in January. Bob is going to put in for 30 days leave so that we’ll have plenty of time to travel. Mom, I hope you haven’t given away those sno-paks which I brought out from Minnesota because I’ll probably need them in Minn. when we go back. I sent Auntie some Hawaiian jelly and jam besides the ivory pin. I think that Aunt Anna and Betty are the only ones I missed, and I’m sending them something via clipper. You never did tell me how those colored stills you took of me in wedding gown etal came out. Were they any good? I think that Bob would like to have one if they are good at all. And, dad, you never mentioned whether or not you received the check I sent for my bill at the Club and Bob’s watch or whether or not it is on the way. What’s the dope? If you didn’t receive the check, we’ll cancel it. I also ordered a Navy ring for Bob because he wants that more than anything–to the tune of $75–but I’ve earned enough to pay for it myself–I can’t quite get used to the idea of buying Bob a present and then presenting him with the bill, —maybe that takes time. We had a letter from Missy last week—they can hardly wait for us to get to Pensacola as a matter of fact, Bob is getting pretty impatient himself. Must stop–have been rambling on for too long–though there isn’t much doing in the office today….
