USS Franklin Deck Log 16 March 1945-Moving Toward Japan
This is the third in a series of posts based on USS Franklin’s deck log from 14 March to 24 March 1945. A part of Task Force 58, Franklin was the flagship of Task Group 58.2, one of four in the task force. Their mission was to eliminate as many Japanese air and naval assets as possible before the invasion of Okinawa on 1 April of that year.
The Mid Watch entry (the first four hours of the day) recorded by Lieutenant C. C. Durr, USNR, listed the course, the boilers in operation, the ships in the cruising formation, and the ship’s material readiness.
Transferring Pilots, Mail, Gas, And Supplies
Much of the day was spent having various ships come along either side of Big Ben to transfer fuel (in this case, aviation gasoline) mail, replacement pilots, and other supplies. An oil tanker USS Kankakee (AO39) provided the fuel, and various destroyers including USS Owen (DD 536), and USS Marshall (DD 676) transferred the mail, supplies, and pilots.
Transferring men and supplies from one ship to another while underway was a complicated and risky business. The crews of the ships involved accomplished the numerous transfers without incident.
Air operations launched and recovered aircraft for patrol duties between these replenishments.
Steaming As Before
At 1600 the ship tested its whistle and siren, reporting satisfactory results. At 1800, the ship went to evening general quarters, material condition ZEBRA, and darkened ship. At 1857, the ship ended general quarters, setting readiness III material condition YOKE.1 (Material Condition III was a “relaxed” status where the ship did not expect an attack. YOKE was the middle of three categories relating to the number of hatches closed for watertight integrity.)
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