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Rennell Island - 30 January 1943 (Read More...)


January 30, 1943
 
G.C.T.L.C.T.
 
  Task Force 16 in cruising formation 11, ENTERPRISE guide, steaming on course 017°T. and at 28 knots.
13300100 Despatch received from Commander Task Force 16 stated that during the night of 29-30 January Task Force 18 had been attacked by enemy torpedo planes and bombers south of Guadalcanal. CHICAGO had been damaged and was being towed by LOUISVILLE. Task Force 16 to search for and provide air coverage for Task Force 18 during daylight of January 30, 1943.
 
18260556 Launched 7 VSB for intermediate and inner air patrols and 4 VSB for special search to locate CHICAGO.
 
18580628 Changed fleet course and axis to 012°T.
 
20140744 Launched 10 VF for combat air patrols (4 over Task Force 16 and 6 over Task Force 18).
 
20300800 0800 position: latitude 13° 00' 00" S., longitude 161° 11' 15" E.
 
21080838 Changed fleet course and axis to 335°T.
 
21470917 Sighted SUWANEE, CHENANGO and two destroyers bearing 047°, distance about 20 miles.
 
22080938 Launched 10 VF for combat patrol, 2 VSB for inner air patrol and 6 VSB for intermediate air patrols. Landed 11 VSB planes.
 
22431013 Changed fleet speed to 21 knots.
 
23021032 Commenced zigzagging according to plan No. 6.
 
23331103 Sighted Rennel Island bearing 312°T., distance 41 miles.
 
00001130 Launched 10 VF for combat air patrols. Landed 10 VF.
 
00291159 Changed fleet course to 145°T.
 
00301200 1200 position: latitude 12° 11' 00" S., longitude 161° 03' 00" E. Course and distance made good since 1200, Jan. 29, 1943: course 336°T, distance 230 miles.
 
00331203 Changed fleet course to 140°T.
 
00381208 Changed speed to 18 knots.
 
00521222 Changed speed to 15 knots.
 
01021232 Changed fleet course and axis to 100°T.
 
01181248 Changed course to 070°T.
 
01521322 Changed speed to 20 knots.
 
01551325 Launched 10 VF for combat air patrol, 2 VSB for inner air patrol and 6 VSB for intermediate air patrol. Landed 10 VF and 8 VSB.
 
02231343 An F4F-4 airplane (10-F-5), pilot Lieutenant T.E. Edwards, U.S.N. crashed in the water while approaching for a landing. Plane sank, pilot was not recovered.
 
02281358 Changed fleet course and axis to 295°T. and speed to 21 knots.
 
03211451 Emergency landing by VF plane.
 
03551525 Launched 10 VF for combat air patrol, 2 VSB for inner air patrol and 8 VSB for intermediate air patrols. Landed 10 VF, 8 VSB.
 
04451615 CHENANGO and SUWANEE passed from sight bearing 075°.
 
04541624 Radar picked up a group of unidentified planes approaching, bearing 300°T, distance 67 miles.
 
05001630 Went to general quarters and prepared to repel air raid.
 
05041634 Changed speed to 27 knots.
 
05051635 Launched 10 VF for combat air patrol.
 
05131643 Changed course to 126°T.
 
05141644 Fighters in contact with enemy planes.
 
05151645 Enemy torpedo planes attacked CHICAGO, our fighters shot down 12 out of 13 attacking planes.
 
05181648 Sighted smoke from enemy plane shot down by our VF bearing 340°T.
 
05351705 Changed fleet course to 295°T. and speed to 21 knots.
 
05491719 Launched 6 VF for Task Force 18 combat air patrol. Launched 8 VSB for inner and intermediate air patrols. Landed all planes except above two patrols.
 
06121742 Secured from general quarters.
 
07131843 Changed fleet course and axis to 180°T.
 
07391909 Landed air patrols.
 
08001930 Changed course and axis to 120°T.
 
08151945 Changed speed to 18 knots.
 
08302000 2000 position: latitude 12° 45' 15" S., longitude 161° 02' 15" E.
 
08502020 Ceased zigzagging.
 
09002030 Changed fleet course and axis to 180°T.

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