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Truk Atoll Raids - 16-17 February 1944 (Read More...)


U.S.S. ENTERPRISE
FLY SHEET FOR DOG MINUS ONE AND DOG DAYS 16-17 FEBRUARY, 1944:
DO  NOT  TAKE  IN  AIRCRAFT!!!
  1. GENERAL TACTICAL SITUATION:
    1. Three carrier task groups under the tactical command of Commander Task Force 58 are operating in the TRUK area with the two-fold purpose of striking aircraft, shipping, and air installations at TRUK and covering landing operations at ENIWETOK. All naval forces in the area are under the Command of Commander Task Force 50 (Commander TRUK Striking Force).
    2. We are Task Group 58.1 consisting of Enterprise, Yorktown, Belleau Wood, Santa Fe, Biloxi, Mobile, Oakland, and 9 destroyers.
    3. Submarine sanctuaries are established (a) within 50 miles of the center of PONAPE, (b) within 50 miles of the center of Northeast Pass TRUK between radii 000 and 120 degrees, and (c) To the North or West of a line drawn from latitude 14° N., 162° E. to 11° N., 152° E. to 7° N., 152° E., and to the West or South of a line from this last point to GREENWICH (KAPINGAMARANGI) Island. It is expected that a number of friendly submarines will be present in the TRUK sanctuary for aircraft rescue purposes.
    4. Particular attention must be paid to recognition. The following friendly planes may be operating in our area: B-24 Attack Planes, PBY Search Planes, Curiser SOC and Battleship OS2U rescue planes, and all types U.S. Carrier aircraft. It is expected that land based aircraft will strike TRUK on the nights of DOG MINUS ONE, DOG, and DOG PLUS ONE days.
    5. In case of opposition by major enemy Task Forces this group will operate with Task Group 58.2 in disengaged area as a carrier Striking Group.
  2. MISSION:
    1. Destroy enemy aircraft, shipping and aircraft installations at TRUK by combined strafing and bombing attacks.
    2. Destroy enemy aircraft and enemy shipping in sea areas adjacent to TRUK.

      Additional Missions:

      1. Provide anti-submarine patrols as necessary.
      2. Provide Combat Air Patrols as necessary.
      3. Provide night fighters as necessary.
      4. Conduct search flights as ordered.
      5. Take photographs of MOEN, DUBLON, and ETEN islands and make mapping runs of Atoll fringe from North Pass to 120 degrees True.
  3. SCHEDULED FLIGHTS DOG MINUS ONE AND DOG DAYS.  ZONE PLUS 12 TIME:
     Launching timeType OperationLanding Time
    (a)0645Strike 1E (12 VF)0900
    (b)0700Strike 1AE (8 VF, 9 VB, 8 VT)0900
    (c)0900Strike 1BE (8 VF, 9 VB, 7 VT)1100
    (d)1100Strike 1CE (12 VF, 9 VB, 8 VT)1300
    (e)1300Strike 1DE (12 VF, 9 VB, 7 VT)1500
    (f)1500Strike 1EE (12 VF, 9 VB, 8 VT)1700
    (g)1700Strike 1FE (12 VF, 9 VB, 7 VT)1910
    (h)20002 VF(N) Ready For Launching----

    NOTES:

    1. Launching and landing times are proposed times and may be changed due to weather or other unforeseen circumstances.
    2. Sunrise 0805; Sunset 1958.
    3. Armament for Dog Minus One Day will be in accordance with Table I, Enclosure D to Annex B, CTG 58.1 operation order 2-44. Armament for Dog Day will be in accordance with Table II of the above enclosure.
    4. Communications as directed by Air Group Ten Communications Plan, Addenda, and Aircraft Radio Recognition and Emergency Indentification Signal Sheet for Dog Minus One and Dog Days.
  4. SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR FLIGHT OPERATIONS:
    1. Avoid coming close to friendly vessels except when essential. When necessary, approach in a manner which clearly indicates plane's friendly status. Approach lanes as follows:
      1200  15 Feb.- 1200   16 Feb. - 135 or 315 (T)
      1200  16 Feb.- 1200   17 Feb. - 045 or 225 (T)
      1200  17 Feb.- 1200   18 Feb. - 135 or 315 (T)
      1200  18 Feb.- 1200   19 Feb. - 045 or 225 (T)

      Planes shall never approach from the bearing of the sun when the sun is low. If challenged ("Z's" on searchlight) single plane or leading plane if there is a formation reply by circling and dipping wing twice as follows:

      1200 15 Feb. 1200 16 Feb. Circle left, dip left wing.
      1200 16 Feb. 1200 17 Feb. Circle right, dip right wing.
      1200 17 Feb. 1200 18 Feb. Circle left, dip left wing.
      1200 18 Feb. 1200 19 Feb. Circle right, dip right wing.

      At night when challenged turn on running lights, or make emergency pyrotechnic signal.

    2. I.F.F. must be turned on at all times.
    3. DO not land on another carrier except on order or in case of emergency.
    4. Aircraft/Rescue facilities:
      1. Submarine rescue vessels.
      2. VOS aircraft.
      3. Surface rescue vessels.

      The location of all personnel forced down at sea will be reported in true bearing and distance from the highest peak on DUBLON island. Life guard Submarine calls: PLUSHBUTTON (D-1 Day), DAISY MAE (D Day), Standby lifeguard - DICK TRACY. Calls are also name of reference point. Pilots sighting survivors should remain in the vicinity as long as possible in order to afford protection to submarine, ship, or rescue plane while picking up survivors.

    5. All flights will have several subordinate leaders who are thoroughly briefed as the flight leader and are competent to take charge in event of the absence of the regularly assigned leader.
    6. Launching of night fighters may be directed at any time from the designated duty carrier. Use tentative night fighter doctrine.
    7. Pilots are cautioned to equip themselves with several packages of green dye and in the event of a forced landing use this dye upon the approach of friendly aircraft.
    8. Pilots are once again reminded of the value and importance of radio discipline. Pilots must refrain from making unnecessary transmissions.
    9. Rendezvous after attacks will be 15 miles north of North Pass.
    10. Strikes 1DE and 1EE will take photographs of MOEN, DUBLON and ETON islands. Strikes 1BE and 1CE will make mapping runs of the atoll fringe from North Pass to 120 degrees True.
    11. Planes of the hanger deck will be degassed each night. Pilots check planes on morning flights to make certain they have full supply of gasoline.
    12. In case of forced landings near the target every effort should be made to land outside the lagoon. In case of forced landings inside the lagoon every possible effort will be made to effect rescue with available seaplanes, but rescues outside the lagoon will be more easily and expeditiously made.
    13. Primary targets for VB and VT are Combatant CV's, BB's, CA's, SS's, AO's, other auxilary types and DD's in the order named. Secondary targets for all aircraft are aircraft installations and fleet servicing facilities.
    14. Night glow light colors are: Enterprise - RED, Yorktown - GREEN; Belleau Wood - AMBER.
  5. POSITIONS:
    MOEN ISLAND7-26 N, 151-52 E.
    DUBLON ISLAND7-23 N, 151-53 E.
    NORTH PASS7-41 N, 151-42 E.
    NORTHEAST PASS7-31 N, 151-58 E.
    PONAPE06-53 N, 158-15 E.
    OROLUK07-32 N, 155-18 E.
  6. AIR INTELLIGENCE REPORTS:
    Reports will be handled by squadron intelligence officers who will pass their information to the ship and flag intelligence officers. All strike and group leaders will report to flag plot immediately upon returning to the ship.
  7. Information contained in this fly sheet would be of vital interest and use to the enemy. DO NOT CARRY THIS SHEET ON ANY FLIGHT MISSION.
 (Signed) R. W. JACKSON,
Lt-Cdr., U.S. Navy,
Air Operations officer.
Copy to:
   All Pilots.
 

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