NOTE: This Operation Plan was transcribed from COPY NO. 1016, typed 60 years ago. The pages have aged, the type is not always clear, and the text has been amended by hand-written notes (which will be shown in green, although it is not always clear where the hand-written notes are additions, or corrections or simply clarify faint text. Deleted text (strike-thru) is displayed in [grey].

Every reasonable step has been taken to preserve the original formatting, pagination, spelling, etc., but allowances should always be made for the possibility of errors in my transcription.    --HyperWar


ANNEX "E" TO COMMANDER ALLIED NAVAL FORCES
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA
OPERATION PLAN 13-44


ATTACK PLANS

Appendix 1. Fire Support Plan.
  2. Battle Plan.
  3. Minesweeping Plan.
  4. Retirement Plan.
  5. Motor Torpedo Boat Operating Instructions.


APPENDIX 1 TO ANNEX "E" TO CANF SWPA OP-PLAN NO. 13-44

FIRE SUPPORT PLAN
  1. INTRODUCTION
    General information on target areas is contained in Annex "M". Additional information will be disseminated in Intelligence Summaries.

  2. GENERAL
    These instructions will be used as a general guide by Attack Force Commanders in scheduling and executing ship's gunfire against shore objectives. Attack Force Commander may modify these instructions as necessary to conform to the requirements of their specific objectives. Scheduled fires and target assignments will be promulgated by Attack Force Commanders. Army Map Service World Grid will be used.

  3. AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY.
    Areas of responsibility are assigned to the Attack Force Commanders. Areas of responsibility include the enemy defenses which may affect the success of his landings. Areas of responsibility are shown in Appendix 4 to Annex "L".

  4. Prior to the arrival of the Commanders Northern Attack Force and Southern Attack Force in their respective areas Commander Bombardment and Fire Support Group will provide bombardment and night harassing fire in accordance with instructions issued by Commander Southern Attack Force. Upon the arrival of Commander Northern Attack Force in this area he will assume control of Fire Support Unit North and Close Covering Group and will control Naval Gunfire Support in his area. Upon the arrival of Commander Southern Attack Force in his area he will assume control of Fire Support Unit South and will control Naval Gunfire Support in his area.

  5. ALLOCATION OF TARGETS.
    Targets should be allocated so as to place as many important targets as possible under fire simultaneously to confuse the enemy trying to return fire. Targets should be allocated to appropriate types of vessels. For instance, battleship main battery fire should be delivered against blockhouses and heavy gun emplacements. Armor-piercing projectiles should be reserved for use where penetration of heavy structures is required, and should be used only where penetration cannot be accomplished by the use of bombardment projectiles. Prior to (A)-Day underwater demolition teams and minesweepers should be covered primarily by destroyers with 5"/38 and 40 mm non-self destructive ammunition. Destroyers should be rotated in screens to utilize as many vessels as required for bombardment.

  6. TYPES OF FIRE.

    1. Destructive fire should be delivered at ranges under 2000 yards when possible against very small areas and targets which are plainly visible. It should be delivered against objectives whose destruction will contribute materially to the success of

App. 1 E-1

      the operation, and whose importance is such as to warrant the expenditure of comparatively large quantities of ammunition.

    1. Neutralization fire should be delivered to cause casualties. It should be used to hamper and interrupt enemy fire, movement, or action, and to reduce combat efficiency of enemy personnel. During neutralization fire air spotters should be alert to detect and report concentrations of enemy personnel driven from installations to locations obscured from the vision of ship spotters, and ships should be instructed to deliver short bursts of fire on such enemy personnel.

  1. AIR SPOTTING

    1. Spotting planes from bombarding vessels should be pooled and tended by a seaplane tender to avoid the necessity of support ships stopping to recover and service their own planes. Spotting planes from the pool should be available to fire support ships on call; but planes should be assigned from the pool to spot for their own ships whenever possible. An anchorage should be provided from the seaplane tender near DINAGAT, HOMONHON, SULUAN, or HIBUSON ISLAND as soon as practicable on (A-3) Day and an anti-submarine patrol stationed for its protection.

    2. In the event of inability to pool planes as set forth in paragraph 5(a) above, firing schedules should be so arranged as to permit support ships to recover and service their own planes.

    3. A destroyer desiring airspot should make request to its Attack Force Commander.

  2. BOMBARDMENT ALLOWANCE

    1. Bombardment allowances are show below. Attack Force Commanders should be advised of any additions or deficiencies in the quantities show. Stowage of bombardment ammunition should be such that service ammunition will be readily available in the event that surface forces are encountered. Allotment of ammunition allowances by days will be made by Attack Force Commanders.

    2. AMMUNITION ALLOWANCE PER GUN.
        Bombardment
      Allowance
          Remaining available
      for action against
      surface ships & aircraft

      WEST VIRGINIA
      16/45 H.C. 100   ---
        A.P. 10   15
      5"/38 AP Com. 350   100
        W.P. 10   ---

      MARYLAND
      16"/45 H.C. 100   ---
        A.P. 10   15
      5"/51 H.C. 200   ---
        Com. 10   95
      5"/25 AA Com. 350   165

      MISSISSIPPI
      14"/50 H.C. 100   ---
        A.P. 10   15
      5"/51 H.C. 200   ---
        Com. 10   250
      5"/25 AA Com. 350   135

App. 1 E-2

      TENNESSEE, CALIFORNIA
      14"/50 H.C. 80   ---
        A.P. 10   10
      5"/38 AA Com. 350   100
        W.P. 10   ---

      PENNSYLVANIA
      14"/45 H.C. 80   ---
        A.P. 10   10
      5"/38 AA Com. 350   100
        W.P. 10   ---

      LOUISVILLE
      8"/55 H.C. 110   ---
        A.P. 10   25
      5"/25 AACom 125   125-130

      MINNEAPOLIS
      8"/55 H.C. 100   ---
        A.P. 10   25
      5"/25 AACom 125   125-130

      PORTLAND
      8"/55 H.C. 90   ---
        H.C. 10   25
      5"/25 AACom 125   125

      HONOLULU, NASHVILLE,
      PHOENIX, BOISE
      6"/47 H.C. 150   ---
        A.P. 10   55
      5"/25 AACom 200   110

      COLUMBIA, DENVER
      6"/47 H.C. 180   ---
        A.P. 10   90
      5"/38 AACom 250   100
        W.P. 10   ---

      H.M.A.S.
      AUSTRALIA, SHROPSHIRE
      8" H.E. or U.S.H.C. 80   ---
        S.A.P. 10   140
      4" H.E. (AA) 100   150

      H.M.A.S.
      ARUNTA, MARRAMUNHGA
      4.7 H.E. 100   50
      4" H.E. None   ---

      DD's
      5"/38 AACom 150   80
        Com. 25   25
        S.P. 10   ---

App. 1 E-3

    1. The following minimum percentages of bombardment ammunition allowance will be reserved for call fire after the completion of all scheduled fires:

      16 inch and 14 inch 10%
      8 inch and 6 inch 20%
      5 inch BB's, CA's and CL's 25%
      (DD's should be rotated in screen as necessary)
      5 inch DD's 50%
      4.7 inch 25%
      4.0 inch 25%

    2. Starshells will be conserved and requests for starshell illumination will be coordinated by Regimental and Division Commanders controlling frontal areas. Starshell fire should be controlled to place bursts where fragments of spent starshells will not fall into friendly areas.

  1. REPLENISHMENT AMMUNITION

    1. Replenishment ammunition for United States vessels will be available at KOSSOL ROADS or ULITHI, WOENDI, HOLLANDIA and MANUS.

    2. Replenishment ammunition for Australian vessels will be available at WOENDI and HOLLANDIA.

  2. BOMBARDMENT.

    1. Prior to A-Day, air bombardment and preparatory Naval gunfire bombardment to produce maximum destruction and neutralization should be provided from A-2 until assault troops are well established on the beach. Naval gunfire bombardment and air bombardment should be coordinated to produce maximum effort on enemy installations and personnel.

      Bombardment at this time should:

      1. Destroy enemy aircraft on ground.
      2. Render enemy airfields unserviceable.
      3. Destroy enemy guns and emplacements in the objectives area.
      4. Destroy enemy fuel storage and ammunition dumps.
      5. Destroy enemy Naval Forces and shipping, including motor torpedo boats, barges and small craft.
      6. Destroy beach defenses and strong points.
      7. Destroy personnel concentrations and reserves.
      8. Provide close fire support of underwater demolition teams and reconnaissance parties.
      9. Prevent reconstruction of fortifications and airfields by night harassing fire.
      10. Prevent movement of enemy reserves by night harassing fire.
      11. Destroy concentrations of enemy personnel driven from fortifications by our fire.
      12. Destroy enemy torpedo launching ramps and torpedo barges.
      13. Provide destruction fire against enemy forces attempting to evacuate the island.
      14. Provide destruction fire against overwater movement of enemy forces in the area.

    2. On A-Day the following purposes should be accomplished:

      1. Cover the approach of transports and tractor groups to unloading areas and furnish necessary counter battery fire.

App. 1 E-4

      1. From dawn until (H) Hour provide an intensive fire on landing areas.
      2. Coordinate gunfire schedules with air strikes in order to obtain maximum effectiveness of each without endangering friendly planes. Particular care must be exercised to prevent damaging friendly planes when trajectories with high maximum ordinates such as low velocity five inch and mortar fire are being used.
      3. Give special attention to landing beaches from which enemy enfilading or flanking fire may be delivered.
      4. Coordinate bombardment with operations of our own Motor Torpedo Boats, if Motor Torpedo Boats are operating in the area.
      5. Cover enemy observation posts and defensive terrain.
      6. Thoroughly cover beach areas from low water line to approximately 400 yards inland.
      7. Closely support landings with rockets, mortars and ship's gunfire of all calibers.
      8. Continue scheduled fires in areas surrounding landing beaches until ground troops are ready to take over positions or can furnish their own beach defenses.
      9. Be prepared to deliver counter battery fire against newly discovered enemy gun positions as soon as they are discovered.
      10. Provide call fire as requested by shore fire control parties.
      11. Provide fire against reverse slopes of enemy positions, where necessary, to prevent enemy forces from obtaining temporary shelter during bombardment of their positions.
      12. Provide interdiction fire to prevent overland reinforcement of enemy forces in the assault area.
      13. Provide neutralization fire against batteries concealed by reverse slopes of hills.
      14. Destroy enemy forces attempting to evacuate the area by overwater movement.
      15. Destroy enemy forces attempting to reinforce enemy forces by overwater movement.
      16. Be prepared to breach walls and parapets on landing beaches and in the path of our assault troops.

    1. Bombardment after A-Day will consist principally of call fire on request of shore fire control parties and fire on suspected areas as requested by the landing forces. It should be directed by Attack Force Commanders as the situation develop.

  1. AIR SUPPORT.
    Air Support will be coordinated with Naval gunfire by Attack Force Commanders. Requests by Troop Commanders for air strikes or air support of troops shall be made to the Commander Support Aircraft of their own Attack Force and will include a brief statement as to what areas are under fire at that time and whether or not fire should be checked for the strike.

  2. COMMUNICATIONS.
    Communications will be in accordance with Annex "N". Details concerning Naval Gunfire Support will be promulgated by Attack Force Commanders.

App. 1 E-5

  1. REPORTS

    1. Commanders Northern Attack Force and Southern Attack Force will report the following to Commander Central PHILIPPINES Attack Force prior to 0800 daily:

      1. Summary of ammunition received, expended and on hand by calibers for vessels of their forces during previous days' operations.

      2. Names of Vessels whose bombardment allowance requires replenishment.

  2. SPECIAL NOTES ON DINAGAT BOMBARDMENT.

    1. Sufficient depth of water exists to permit close approach by Supporting Destroyers and LCI(G)'s, except in the vicinity of KAYASA ISLAND.

    2. Tide rips exist off the Northwest Coast of DINAGAT ISLAND and in LOOC BAY.

    3. Ships should be stationed to prevent enemy reinforcement by troops from LEYTE.

    4. Attack by enemy Motor Torpedo Boats should be anticipated.

  3. SPECIAL NOTES ON HOMONHON BOMBARDMENT.

    1. Sufficient depths of water exists for operation of all types of vessels.

    2. Ships should be stationed to prevent enemy reinforcement by troops from SAMAR.

    3. Attack by enemy Motor Torpedo Boats should be anticipated.

  4. SPECIAL NOTES ON SULUAN AND HIBUSON ISLAND BOMBARDMENT.
    Bombardment of SULUAN and HIBUSON ISLANDS, if requested, should provide for:

    1. Close support of reconnoitering party during party during reconnaissance in the event that artillery fire is not sufficient.

    2. Counter battery fire, if batteries are discovered.

    3. The prevention of enemy reinforcement from SAMAR or LEYTE.

  5. SPECIAL NOTES ON PANAON STRAIT BOMBARDMENT.
    Bombardment of PANAON STRAIT area should provide for:

    1. Counter battery fire, if batteries are discovered.

    2. Destruction of reinforcements from DAVAO or SOGOD BAY.

    3. Destruction of enemy Motor Torpedo Boats attacking from the southern end of DINAGAT ISLAND.

App. 1 E-6

APPENDIX 2 TO ANNEX E TO CANF, SWPA OP PLAN 13-44.

  1. General Situation.

    Enemy Forces. See Intelligence Annex, Annex M.

    Own Forces.
    Third Fleet, including Four Carrier Groups, will cover and support this operation by:

    1. During the period A-10 to A-7, being prepared to effect carrier strikes on either OKINAWA and/or FORMOSA or on Northern LUZON and FORMOSA. Selection of targets will be dependent upon intelligence data and the strategic situation obtaining at the time.

    2. During the period A-4 and including A-day, effecting carrier strikes on LUZON-BICOL Area, the LEYTE-CEBU-NEGROS Area and in support of the landing in the LEYTE Area.

    3. Beginning on A+1 and thereafter operating in strategic support of the operation, affecting strikes as the situation at that time requires.

    Assumptions:

    1. Any major enemy naval force approaching from the North will be intercepted and attacked by Third Fleet covering force.

    2. Enemy surface units may approach the landing area from SULU and CELEBES SEAS and through SAN BERNARDINO STRAIT.

    3. The enemy may attempt "Tokyo Express" runs to reinforce, evacuate, harass or interfere with our operations.

  2. This Force will protect transport shipping and embarked troops from attack by enemy surface forces.

  3. In the event of threatened attack, it is the present intention of Commander Central Philippines Attack Force

    1. If an enemy naval force containing heavy units threatens our operations, to order Commander Bombardment and Fire Support Group to concentrate, interpose between enemy force and Attack Forces and destroy the enemy force. Close Covering Group may be ordered to reinforce Bombardment and Fire Support Group.

    2. If an enemy naval force containing light units only threatens our operations, to order the Light Surface Striking Force (Third Fleet Task Force Thirty-Five) and/or the Close Covering Group to concentrate, interpose between enemy forces and Attack Forces and destroy the enemy force.

    3. In either of the foregoing situations, to order Escort Carrier Group, if conditions permit, to launch air strikes against the enemy force.

    4. To order appropriate retirement of transport and train units as required by the tactical situation.

APPENDIX 2 TO ANNEX E TO CANF, SWPA OP PLAN 13-44.

APPENDIX 3 TO ANNEX 'E' TO COMMANDER ALLIED NAVAL FORCES, SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA OPERATION PLAN THIRTEEN DASH FORTY-FOUR.

MINESWEEPING PLAN
  1. Minesweeping of LEYTE GULF will be conducted in accordance with the following schedule in areas shown on enclosure "A".

    1. A-3 DAY

      1. Unit ONE conduct a tactical sweep ahead of the High Speed Transports to the landing beaches on DINAGAT and HOMONHON Islands and, thence, a clearance sweep of the TACLOBAN-DULAG Approach Channel, to Line X-Y, for acoustic and moored mines to a depth of forty feet. Time required - 14 hours.

      2. Units TWO and THREE complete sweep of Area "SWEEP".

      3. Units FOUR and FIVE conduct an exploratory sweep of Fire Support Area "DOG", extended to off WHITE and RED beaches, followed in the afternoon by a clearance sweep of the Northern Transport Area for acoustic and moored mines to a depth of thirty feet. Time required - 15 hours.

      4. Units SIX and SEVEN conduct a clearance sweep of the Southern Transport Area, up to beach area, for acoustic and moored mines to a depth of thirty feet and, in the afternoon, an exploratory sweep of Area "DRUM" as close to the beach as possible without endangering gear. Time required - 15 hours.

      5. LCPR's conduct an exploratory sweep of Fire Support Areas "ABLE" and "BAKER" for moored mines to depth of ten feet as close inshore as possible without endangering gear.

--1--

    1. A-1 Day

      1. Unit ONE conduct a clearance sweep of the channel through SURIGAO STRAIT for acoustic and moored mines to a depth of forth feet. Time required - 12 hours.

      2. Units TWO and THREE conduct exploratory sweeps in Areas "OTTER" and "PARAVANE" for magnetic, acoustic, and moored mines to a depth of sixty feet.

      3. Units FOUR, FIVE, SIX, and SEVEN complete clearance sweeps of Northern and Southern transport Areas and clearance sweep of Area "DRUM".

      4. LCPR's conduct an exploratory sweep along WHITE, RED, ORANGE< VIOLET and YELLOW beaches for moored mines to a depth of ten feet.

    2. A-Day

      1. Units TWO and THREE conduct an exploratory sweep of Area "CUTTER" for magnetic, acoustic and moored mines to a depth of sixty feet.

      2. Units, FOUR, FIVE and SIX conduct sweeps prior to H-Hour, of the approaches to WHITE, RED, ORANGE, BLUE, VIOLET, YELLOW and GREEN beaches, respectively, to a depth of twenty feet as close inshore as possible without endangering sweep gear.

      3. Units SEVEN and LCPR's conduct a clearance sweep of Fire Support Areas "ABLE" and "BAKER" to a depth of twenty feet as close inshore as possible without endangering sweep gear and with due caution to avoiding shoals.

    3. A plus 1 and SUBSEQUENT DAYS
      COnduct sweeps in areas as directed, particularly clearing southern entrance to SURIGAO STRAIT.

    4. CONTINGENCIES
      Above is on basis of no mines found in areas scheduled for exploratory sweeping only. Those areas schedule for clearance sweeps will be cleared in time allowed, whether or not mines are found.

      If mines are found in exploratory areas, the following applies:

      1. If in Area FLOAT, and none found in main channel, DMS's from main channel can clear.

      2. If in both main channel and Area FLOAT, clear main channel, buoy in Area FLOAT.

      3. If in Areas PARAVANCE, OTTER, CUTTER, buoy and report.

--2--


Enclosure "A" to Appendix 3, Annex "E"
CANF SWPA Opptn No 13044


APPENDIX 4 TO ANNEX E TO CANF SWPA OP PLAN 13-44

NIGHT RETIREMENT PLAN
  1. Vessels will anchor, remain underway, retire, or disperse at night:

    1. Prior to A-Day, at the discretion of the Commander Bombardment and Fire Support Group.

    2. After arrival of the Commanders of Attack Forces in the objective area, at the discretion of the Commanders Northern and Southern Attack Forces for units under their operational control.

  2. In retiring or dispersing within LEYTE GULF, units will remain within assigned operating areas. The boundary between the areas assigned to the Northern and Southern Attack Forces is delineated in Appendix 4 to Annex "L".

  3. Officers ordering retirement or dispersal will keep all Task Force and Task Group Commanders present advised as to their intentions and of any changes therein.

  4. Retirement areas outside of LEYTE GULF are indicated in Appendix 2 to Annex "L" and will be assigned by the SOPA in the objective area.

  5. The Commander Central Philippines Attack Force will keep Commanders of Task Forces and Task Groups this Operation Plan advised of his night intentions for the Flagship Group.

APPENDIX 4 TO ANNEX "E" TO CANF SWPA OP PLAN 13-44.

APPENDIX 5 TO ANNEX "E" TO COMMANDER ALLIED NAVAL FORCES, SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA, OPERATION PLAN 13-44.

MOTOR TORPEDO BOAT OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS
  1. The Commander Central PHILIPPINES Attack Force will control the operations of Motor Torpedo Boats in the objective area.

  2. ARRIVAL OF PT's, TENDERS AND ADVANCE BASE.

    (3) TP Tenders, the WACHAPREAGUE, WILLOUGHBY and OYSTER BAY and (30) PT's will arrive at SAN PEDRO BAY at 1000/I on A+1 Day.

    A P.T. Advance Base Unit will arrive by LST on A+9 Day and be established about one-half mile north of BINATAC POINT on the east bank of SAN JUANICO STRAIT.

    Additional PT tenders and squadrons will be moved into the area as early as practicable to extend PT operations.

  3. MOTOR TORPEDO BOAT OPERATIONS AND PATROL AREAS.

    PT operations will commence the night of A+1 in PT operating areas 100M, 101, and 91 as shown on Operating Area Chart this Appendix, and at the South entrance to SAN JUANICO STRAIT. When ground forces have established control of SAN JUANIC SCRAIT and the latter is passable by PT's, operations will commence through this channel in areas 122 and 123. As additional boats become available, patrols will be extended to include all practicable areas west of LEYTE GULF.

    PT operations will be conducted, initially, from the tenders anchored in SAN PEDRO BAY, and the Advance Base near BINATAC POINT. When a suitable anchorage is secured in the SURIGAO STRAIT area, one or more tenders will be moved there to extend the operating range of PT's in the CAMOTES and MINDANAO seas.

  4. MOVEMENTS OF PT's TO AND FROM OPERATING AREAS.

    Movement of PT's to and from the operating areas, and in the objective area will be governed by the following:

    1. Move to and from patrol areas during daylight. Be inside PT operating waters by thirty (30) minutes after sunset.

    2. Do not leave PT operating waters until thirty (30) minutes before sunrise.

    3. PT's will ordinarily clear operating areas shortly after daylight.

    4. PT's not on patrol after dark will remain at anchor dispersed in the vicinity of their tenders. They will not move about the objective area at night, except when ordered out for emergency operations.

App. 5 -- E-1

    1. When PT's are forced to return to tenders during the night, by reason of casualty, PT operating waters will not be left until permission is granted by the Officer in Charge of PT operations who will first inform other patrol vessels in the objective area of the PT's movement.

    2. PT's may be in the objective area during daylight enroute to and from operating areas, and on rescue and other missions.

  1. DAMAGED PT BOATS.

    PT's are sometimes delayed in leaving operating areas, and their sp;eed greatly reduced, by grounding, and by battle damage. Aircraft pilots will be briefed to the effect that they may expect to find PT's in enemy waters enroute to or returning from patrol areas during daylight, and that craft of their approximate size must be positively identified as enemy before attacking, and before assuming attack of hostile attitudes.

    All PT's carry IFF TRANSPONDERS only. They can be identified by vessels and planes equipped with Interrogators. PT's cannot identify other vessels or planes, however, by IFF, as they do not carry Interrogator units.

  2. ADVANCE NOTIFICATION OF PT OPERATIONS.

    The areas to be patrolled by PT's, the hull number of each boat in each area, and the radio call of the patrol commander in each area will be included in the "operations intent" message sent out by ComMTBRons 7th Fleet each evening, showing PT patrols for the following night. This dispatch is broadcast on "BELLS" addressed to Z4Y (all interested in Motor Torpedo Boat Operations).

  3. COMMUNICATIONS.

    PT's and tenders in the objective area, will guard 3115 kcs, (air warning circuit) voice, and 142.74 mcs (VHF voice), day and night.

    Tenders and the PT Advance Base will guard the PT Net, 3200 kcs, night, and 7185 kcs day. Tenders will also copy BELLS and cover the Task Force Commanders' Circuit. The U.S.S. HILO, at WOENDI, will guard the PT Net, Task Force Commanders Circuit, BELLS, MANUS FOX, and Air Operations Intelligence Circuit.

    Urgent contact reports, requests for support, air cover, etc., by PT's on patrol will be sent to the Officer in Charge of PT operations at the base or tender on 3115 kcs, and relayed by them to the Commander Central PHILIPPINES Attack Force and the Attack Force Commander of the area. These will normally be intercepted by all interested on first transmission on 3115 kcs.

App. 5 -- E-2

    Voice and CW calls of PT Boats and Tenders are listed below for ready reference:

    UNIT VOICE CALL CW CALL
    PT (PT #) MARTINI (PT #) LL7D (PT #)
    C.T.C. 70.1 JAYBIRD LL3Q
    T.G. 70.1 SOUSA LM4O
    Senior PT Officer KING TWO BED BUG LK2E*
    All PT Tenders and Bases BALDKNOB LK1P
    PT Advance Base FIVE
    BINATAC POINT
    FIRST AID LK9M*
    USS HILO (AGP-2) PESTER LM0N
    USS FORTUNUS (AGP-4) PALMIST LM0A
    USS OYSTER BAY (AGP-6) OUTSPOKEN LL9V
    USS MOBJACK (AGP-7) LEEWAY LL5P
    USS WACHAPREAGUE (AGP-8) VERMOUTH LM7S
    USS WILLOUGHBY (AGP-9) PASSWORD LM0E
    USS ORESTES (AGP-10) TREETOP LM6X
    USS PONTUS (AGP-20) PRUNES LM1O*

    * Calls assigned by C.T.G. 70.1 from spares allotted.

  1. RECOGNITION.

    PT's can be recognized by their distinctive characteristics: Radar mast with dome tops, two to four torpedos in racks on deck, relatively wide beam and fairly blunt bow as seen from the air. PT's are dull dark green iun color. A standard U.S. Aircraft star (white with blue background) is painted on the boat topside. This, however, is difficult to sea except at very close range.

    All PT Boats are fitted with Mark III IFF transponders. No PT's carry Interrogation equipment.

    Code Position TWO (2) is normally used by all PT's. The Emergency Code Position will be used by PT's in distress or standing by friendly objects in distress.

    Two (2) PT Boats on each patrol will turn on their ABK equipments enroute to and from and while on patrol.

    All PT's carry extracts from current effective recognition manuals for one letter visual challenge and reply recognition signals.

    All PT's are prepared to make current effective pyrotechnic signals as prescribed for aircraft, for emergency identification.

  2. SHIPS ENTERING PT PATROL AREAS AT NIGHT.

    In case it is necessary for other surface craft to enter PT patrol areas at night to lend support to PT's or for other reasons, these craft will locate the PT's, establish communications on 3115 kcs, or 142.74 mcs, and insure that mutual recognition is established, if possible, before action is commenced. Supporting ships will direct PT's in joint actions, directing PT's to standby clear of scene of action if desirable.

App. 5 -- E-3


Motor Torpedo Boat Operating Areas

()

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