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Post by silentwolf on Sept 5, 2021 14:20:49 GMT
"We arrived at the Rendova PT Base at 07.00 hours on July 1st, 1943. I was eager to take the squdron out on their first war patrol later in the evening. Mother nature had planned otherwise -
A large storm moved in that afternoon. Solid rain and high winds would prevent any missions for a couple of days.
We finally got a break on the afternoon of July 3rd. The weather was still poor, but the downpour had eased up a bit and the sea state was navigable.
Our first patrol was going to be a long one - an offensive mission in the Gizo Strait. We left base just after sunset.
The rain and cloud cover worked to our advantage, we encountered no enemy aircraft along the way.
The sea got rough near the Ferguson straight - a sea state of 4. The boys held on tight but things calmed down on the Gizo side.
We headed North and made our way to the target zone. We spent 2 hours patrolling the coast line, but to no avail. We could not locate Jap barges. We carefully scanned the shoreline looking for signs of activity, MG nest and shore guns - but none were to be found.
Fuel supply was beginning to dwindle, so I ordered the squadron to make turns for home.
We cruised back without incident - Until we were South of Wana Wana. Here we encountered another strong tropical storm system. Very heavy rain and a sea state of 4 made things a bit dicey, however, the squadron stayed together and we made it back to Rendova just after dawn.
We are gonna hunker down and try to stay dry.
Hopefully this storm will pass soon so we can get back out to sea!"
- Carl "Fierce" Pierce PT Boat Squadron Commander, USN 08.00 hours, July 4th, 1943
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Post by silentwolf on Sept 9, 2021 3:11:44 GMT
"When I hit the sack around 09.00, it was raining cats and dogs. I woke up at 15.00 hours to the sound of birds chirping outside of my tent.
Just like that, the storm had moved out. Only a few white puffy clouds remained in the sky on what was now a beautiful, sunny day.
The weather here is really something else. One minute, it's hell. The next, it can trick you into believing that you are in paradise.
Soon, the sweltering heat and humidity brought me back to reality.
This place is far from paradise.
The water is pretty, and sure, there are some exotic fish, birds and flowers but have you seen how big the cockroaches get?
Lurking within the jungle surrounding our base, malaria, dysentery and venomous snakes wait for yet another victim to claim.
A short distance across the azure blue waters, Jap bases are filled with men who want to put lead and bayonets into our bodies, along side of pilots who's mission is to locate and destroy our boats.
The barges we hunt for are armed to the teeth and IJN Destroyers are not an adversary to be underestimated.
I made certain to remind all four crews of these grim facts before we departed on the second patrol.
We were to run another offensive mission, this time in red zone one.
We set out at 21.00 hours.
"Happy fourth of July, boys. Stay sharp. We may let off some fireworks this evening." I told my crew as we shoved off.
The sky was mostly clear and the sea very calm. In these conditions, one can easily get lost in wonder while gazing into the countless stars over the South Pacific.
It's another example of how deceitful and dangerous this place can be. These clear conditions were optimal for the enemy to spot our phospherant wake!
The squadron was in green zone 2 when a Mitsubishi F1M "Pete" was spotted closing fast.
We scattered.
Boat #2 was able to put some lead into the plane's fuselage, but "Pete" still managed to strafe boat #4, causing some damage to her systems.
The Jap then broke off and we quickly got the boats back into formation, then continued on with the mission.
We made it to red zone one and had been patrolling for over an hour with no enemy contacts sighted -
I was beginning to think that this was going to be another patrol without action, and then, we spotted the barge convoy!
At the front of the convoy, a lone Type Super A led the pack. Further behind, a second wave of two barges could be seen approaching.
We made a run at high speed. We were spotted. The barge opened fire on my boat when we were at medium range. Our boats returned the favor.
Boat #2 Scored a few hits but inflicted only superficial damage on the barge.
The barge made a quick change in course in an attempt to evade but we stayed on her.
I kept the squadron at medium range.
I had the boats slow down for better accuracy with the guns.
The barge focused it's defensive fire on boat # 4 but couldn't couldn't score a hit.
My boat scored several hits. I'm certain we damaged systems and caused some flooding in the attack.
The barge then made another sharp change in course and I had to disengage -
The second wave was now nearly on top of us!
We moved out to long range and prepared for another attack run.
The formation then moved into medium range at slow speed. The enemy barges were well aware of our presence and opened up fire. Boat # 3 took some superficial damage but it did not stop us from completing the attack run.
My boat targeted a Super A class. Stern Gunner, Peter Reed, scored a few hits, but they appeared to cause only superficial damage to the heavily armored vessel.
Boats # 2, 3, and 4 went after the Type C class. Boat # 2 damaged some of the barge's systems.
I was determined to not let those barges get away.
We moved into close range and I bought the formation down to slow speed. We moved along parallel to the targets.
Boat #2 took two shell hits from the Type C - suffering system and superficial damage.
Again, my boat targeted the Super A, and we unloaded on her! Both gunners scored hits. The Bow Gunner, Dale Butler, inflicted some serious damage.
Boat # 4 Scored some hits on the Type C, but it was only superficial damage.
The formation continued to cruise alongside of the damaged barges, carefully avoiding collision with reefs and submerged structure.
Boat # 3 took heavy fire, sustaining more superficial damage.
My boat continued to attack our target. Both gunners continued to plink away, damaging her even more.
The other boats continued to lay down fire but were having a hard time hitting the Type C.
That's when a Kawanishi H8K "Emily" decided to join the party. Lucky for us, you can hear those loud suckers coming from far out. The anti aircraft gunners were ready to go when "Emily" attempted her bomb run.
Boat # 4 scored a hit on "Emily" and her bomb run was ineffective. She broke off and disappeared into the darkness.
We continued to pursue our targets through the dangerous, shallow waters. Our gunners continued to score hits, but we were inflicting only superficial damage. Those barges are tough!
Boat # 3 received more system damage and my boat took a shell hit (superficial damage) in the ongoing firefight.
Fortunately, Boats 3 and 4 scored enough hits on the Type C to finally disable her. Now she was dead in the water, but first we had to worry about the Jap plane who was now rushing to her assistance!
We spotted a "Pete" closing fast for a bomb run and opened up fire. The Stern AA Gun on my jammed up. Every other boat in the squadron scored a hit, but the enemy aircraft continued with the attack. Ole "Pete" killed a lot fish but his bombs did no harm to my PT boats!
That damned Super A kept shelling my boat and damaging her paint job!
Boat #4 was beginning to take on water!
I knew we had to hurry up and sink those barges!
Reed and Butler managed to disable our target with some well placed shots. Boats 3 and 4 continued to open up on the now listing Type C.
The Type C landed a couple of hits on my boat. The bilge pump would be working overtime, because they had punctured my hull below the water line! Most of our repair equipment had been destroyed at this point, too.
Boat 3 was beginning to sit noticeably lower in the water, she had taken on quite a bit of water.
After what had seemed like an eternity, Bow Gunner Butler finally had delivered a devastating blow to our target. The Super A began to sink. Soon after, the Type C followed her down!
Boat # 3 was now limited to traveling at cruising speed. Satisfied with the night's kills, I ordered the squadron to make turns for home.
We were inbound and South of Wana Wana, when the sea started to get rough. Oh yes, that fantastic weather of the Solomons - Another tropical storm system had moved in!
Unfortunately, the bad weather did not dissuade the Japs from searching for us. We were exiting green zone 2 when a Nakajima A6M2M "Rufe" popped out from the storm clouds and strafed us.
Boat # 2 received some superficial damage.
"Rufe" broke off.
In spite of bad weather and limited visibility, we were all able to get back into formation and continue on.
We moved into green zone one. The Japs were hungry for revenge for their losses. Yet another "Rufe" caught us off guard with a surprise strafing run.
"Rufe's" attack was unsuccessful, however, due to the storm, we were not able to get all of the boats back into formation.
Luckily, we were not too far from Rendova.
Everyone made it back to base safely at dawn.
Yes, it was one hell of a night. Now, please excuse me, I'm going to try to get some rest."
- Carl "Fierce" Pierce PT Boat Squadron Commander, USN 07.30 hours, July 5th, 1943
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Post by silentwolf on Sept 10, 2021 5:03:25 GMT
"The afternoon started with good weather and bad news. Stern Gunner Peter Reed was going home. The poor bastard went and caught malaria. His replacement - Leon Hayes. This kid looks like he's no more than 16 years old. The war will harden him up soon enough.
To make things worse, boats 3 and 4 were down with repairs.
Fortunately I have a reserve boat, so 3 boats went out on the patrol.
We were heading back to red zone 5 for an offensive mission.
Intel indicated that the Japs were moving barges to and from the Vella Gulf. It was also believed that the Gizo Strait had been fortified with shore guns and machine gun nests.
We got under way shortly after sunset.
The night started off with a bang, quite literally.
Moments after we departed, there was an air attack on the base! Fortunately, none of the boats were damaged.
In green zone 2, a Mitsubishi G4M "Betty" made a surprise bomb run on the RON. We broke formation in the nick of time, the bombs fell far from our boats.
"Betty" must have had a veteran crew on board. She deployed a star shell and made a second pass to stafe.
All 3 boats were able to outrun her guns.
We got back in formation and pressed onward.
In yellow zone one, another "Betty" made a strafing run. This time we were able to spot her before the attack.
The sea was like glass - sea state 1. This made it easier for both of my AA gunners to score hits in spite of the high rate of speed at which we were traveling. They caused a decent amount of damage to "Betty".
Boats 2 and 3 also inflicted some superficial damage.
"Betty" continued her attack.
Boat number 3 took a hit and suffered minor flooding.
"Betty" then broke off and RON continued on.
The remainder of the outbound journey was uneventful, we made it to red zone 5 without incident.
We spent some time carefully searching for the barge convoy.
We eventually located a convoy, all right, but it wasn't a barge convoy! No, we had four destroyers moving towards our position!
The first wave consisted two destroyers - a Mitsuki and a Fubuki class. These fools must have been green, lights on their decks presented their positions to everyone in the vicinity!
We snuck up on them at a slow speed and attacked from medium range.
My boat targeted the Mitsuki with 2 torpedoes. I scored a critical hit causing a massive explosion!
Boat 2 also scored a critical hit. The destroyer began to sink.
RON would keep distance at medium range and our speed slow.
The Fubuki class was now aware of our presence and opened fire on boat # 3.
I signaled for boat # 3 to fire all 4 torpedoes. Boat 2 and my own would save our remaining fish for the next wave of destroyers.
Apparently the crew felt out of place in the reserve boat, as they were only able to score one hit. The destroyer was damaged but remained afloat, although she was losing speed due to flooding.
The destroyer's crew continued to fight. They sent a continuous volley of shells at boat 3 but failed to score any hits.
We made one more attack from medium range, this time both the 2 boat and mine released our remaining fish.
My boat scored a hit and the Fubuki class began to sink.
We were now out of torpedoes. I chose to disengage. Our guns are no match for a second wave of heavily armored IJN destroyers!
We entered yellow zone 6 when the crew starting showing signs of Dysentery. Everyone on the boat besides my besides myself, the XO and our Stern Gunner fell ill.
Bow Gunner Dale Butler was able to remain at his station.
Torpedo Mate (2) Calvin Edwards wasn't too bad off. He took over on the forward AA gun.
Torpedo Mate (1) Raymond Ross held it together and got on the stern AA gun.
In yellow zone number 4, The XO and Edwards fell ill and had to retire below deck. Now Ross moved to man the forward AA gun.
Almost my entire crew was below deck when a "Pete" surprised the squadron with a strafing attack.
"Pete's" first attack was unsuccessful, but he dropped a star shell and circled back for another run. This time, the reserve boat took a few hits and suffered system damage and flooding.
"Pete" broke off and we got back in formation.
The Japs must have had their entire airforce out on this night. In Yellow zone one, yet another "Pete" strafed us.
My boat took some superficial damage to her bow. Boat number 3 damaged "Pete" in a defensive counterattack.
"Pete" departed the area.
The 3 remaining crewmen above deck and myself searched for our squadron....
We lost them! We would have to complete the journey alone. We met back with the squadron at Rendova after sunrise.
The reserve boat is going to need a day's worth of repairs, she will be ready by tomorrow evening.
Well, at least we got 2 destroyers...It helps make up for the "crappy" night most of my crew endured....."
- Carl "Fierce" Pierce PT Boat Squadron Commander, USN 09.30 hours, July 6th, 1943
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Post by silentwolf on Sept 12, 2021 17:15:41 GMT
"I think I got in about an hour of sleep yesterday afternoon. My adrenaline was kicking pretty hard after taking out those destroyers.
The medic gave most of my crew an IV to help them hydrate. They got some rest and quickly recuperated from the dysentery.
Everyone on base was still on edge from the previous evening's air raid. I was ready to get back out there for some payback.
After a cup of black coffee, I checked on the status of my boats:
The reserve boat had taken a beating, She would be down for a day.
Boat number 4 was still under repair.
Boats 1, 2 and 3 were ready for action.
Our 4th mission would be an offensive patrol in red zone one. The weather was poor when we departed base, with rain and cloudy skies.
The Japs hit our base again as we were heading out! Boat number 4 took some damage in the attack.
In green zone 2, My boat had an engine malfunction. Engine number 2 was down and could not be repaired at sea.
I took a moment and assessed the situation. As commander of a high speed attack boat squadron, I need a boat that is capable of traveling at high speed!
I decided to abort and return to base.
We'll get them tomorrow night!"
- Carl "Fierce" Pierce PT Boat Squadron Commander, USN 01.00 hours, July 7th, 1943
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Post by silentwolf on Sept 12, 2021 22:07:14 GMT
"The weather took a turn for worse when a large storm moved in on the 7th, preventing any operations.
I took advantage of the time off and got some rest.
The weather was still poor on the 8th when we received a special mission assignment.
One of our downed fly boys needed to be picked up. He was hiding out with a coast watcher in red zone six. The cloud filled, moonless sky would make ideal conditions for the extraction.
The squadron moved out at 21.00 hours.
Those damned IJN pilots never give up, the weather doesn't seem to phase them.
An Aichi E13A "Jake" welcomed us to green zone one with a surprise strafing attack.
The scatter pattern worked, "Jake" scored no hits.
"Jake" dropped a star shell and circled back.
RON tightened up and attacked with AA fire. Soon "Jake" was limping away from a failed attack.
We remained in formation and continued on.
It was high seas for the majority of the outbound journey. In yellow zone six, a Mitsubishi G4M "Betty" made a bomb run on the squadron.
Her green pilot nearly buzzed the squadron before attempting the attack. We had plenty of time to slow down and lay down some defensive fire.
Our gunners put enough lead into "Betty" to foil her attack. I was a little disappointed when she didn't drop a star shell and return, as I was looking forward to knocking that plane out of the sky!
We finally made it to red zone six. The extraction point was in a shallow cove, shielded from the wind. Here it was sea state of two, a much calmer environment.
We quietly got the boats in close to the shoreline. Our contact was late but we were able to remain undetected and pick him up. We slipped away from the extraction point and headed for home.
We made it back to Rendova without incident.
Our passenger, Adam Kroger, has pledged to buy four cases of beer for the squadron. A Nice fellow, he is....."
- Carl "Fierce" Pierce PT Boat Squadron Commander, USN 09.00 hours, July 9th, 1943
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Post by silentwolf on Sept 19, 2021 17:32:34 GMT
"How did I get the nickname? Well, it's an interesting story.....
It happened in San Francisco, back in '40. I was spending a week there before shipping off to Pearl.
There I was - sitting at a bar, minding my own business, when she sat down next to me.
This one was a real beauty. Her name was Elsie.
She was a redhead....with a fair complexion. Soft, full lips and green eyes like no other.... and those curves...oh, don't even get me started....
Anyway, I'm sitting there minding my own business and this gorgeus dame in a tight blue dress walks up and takes a seat. I light her cigarette, buy her a drink and small talk ensues.
We're sitting there having a good time when all of a sudden, I feel a tap on my shoulder. I turn around and behind me stands Elise's husband. This guy is built like a lumberjack - 6' 6 and weighs about 280 pounds. He had two pals with him, and let's just say that they did not look very friendly.
He was extremely upset. He said that I needed to leave the bar immediately, and stay away from Elsie. He said that he knew that we had be seeing each other for weeks.
Ha!
I tried to explain to him that I didn't even know this broad.
He did not want to hear it.
He took a swing at me, and boy, did he regret it.
I went into a blind rage and proceeded to beat this fellow and his friends into a bloody pulp. A couple of guys that I went through training with saw everything, and pulled me off of one of his buddies. They helped me get out of the bar before the cops arrived.
On the way back to base, they gave me the nickname, "Fierce" Pierce.
It stuck.
I did some boxing in my youth, and I was pretty good at it.
I've never been knocked out.
I can take a punch.
I've fought men twice my size and won.
Dysentery had me down for the count last night.
Last night's patrol was a disaster.
It was an offensive patrol in red zone two.
We set out under clear skies.
It was calm seas and smooth transit until we reached the Ferguson Strait - and then all hell broke loose.
An "Emily" came in low and surprised the squadron with a bomb run.
Boats 1, 3 and 4 were damaged in the attack.
My boat suffered a large amount of superficial damage.
Boat number 4 suffered multiple damaged systems.
"Emily" broke off after the attack.
We made our way into red zone 2, just South of Kolombangara. That's when the dysentery hit.
I felt like I had been kicked in the stomach by an elephant. I looked over at the XO, Robert Lewis, and he was turning green. AA Gunner number one and the Engineer were bad off, too -
All 4 of us were unfit for duty and had to retire to rest beds.
Torpedo mate 2, Calvin Edwards, took the helm.
Stern gunner, Leon Hayes, was suffering from mild dysentery, he was able to remain on station
Torpedo mate 1, Raymond Ross, was also not feeling well but manned the forward AA gun.
To make things even worse, "Jake" popped in for a strafing run. He caught us off guard, but luckily inflicted no damage.
Hats off to Calvin Edwards for effectively maneuvering the boat while under fire! His actions are a testament to my firm belief in the value of cross training the crews!
The squadron got back into formation.
With over half of my crew suffering from dysentery, I had to make the unfortunate decision to abort patrol and return to base.
There were no signs of enemy barges or shore guns in sight when we departed the area.
We made it back to Rendova at 04.00 hours.
I'm still dehydrated but I'm starting to feel better. The Medic says I should be good to go this evening.
Apparently, the boys and I had some bad drinking water.
The medic recommends that I stick with the rations of canned pineapple juice.
I hate pineapple juice!"
- Carl "Fierce" Pierce PT Boat Squadron Commander,USN 06.00 hours, July 10th, 1943
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Post by silentwolf on Sept 19, 2021 21:00:18 GMT
"Once again, a large storm rolled in, halting operations on the 10th.
The weather was still bad on the 11th when we received orders to conduct an offensive patrol in red zone one.
There was limited visibility on this dark, rainy night. Keeping the boats together would be a difficult task with the rough sea conditions we would be facing.
It was rough out there, a sea state of 4.
The sea was dramatically calmer upon entering yellow zone one, where a high pressure system had driven the storm away.
My radar equipment failed when we were passing through the Ferguson Strait. I chose to continue on with the mission anyway.
We were welcomed to red zone one by an "Emily". We spotted her early and laid down some defensive fire. She broke off after a failed strafing run.
We had been patrolling for about 30 minutes before another air attack ensued.
A Mitsubishi F1M "Pete" made an unsuccessful bomb run on the squadron.
All of the commotion must have alerted the Japs on Kolombangara to our presence.
Four MG nests and a Shore Gun opened fire on the squadron.
We moved into medium range and returned fire. The Enemy Shore Gun was destroyed in the counter attack.
The fire fight continued. My boat took damage.
We took out most of the MG Nest before another aircraft arrived.
This time "Betty" made a surprise strafing run, but failed.
A star shell was deployed. We were ready for her when she circled back for her second run.
This was another unsuccessful run for "Betty".
She limped away, heavily damaged.
It took a few minutes, but the squadron eliminated the final MG nest - Their gunners put up one hell of a fight but we overtook them in the end.
Damage assessments indicated that propeller shaft number one had been destroyed in the battle. This would limit my boat's top speed, but I chose continue the hunt.
We snuck around for another 30 minutes or so without enemy contact.
A "Betty" was spotted approaching for a bomb run.
The boys laced her up.
"Betty" went down in flames.
We spent about another half of an hour searching for the enemy before making turns for Rendova.
The return journey was uneventful. I stepped on the dock shortly after dawn.
Those radar units are hard to come by. Luckily for me, one is immediately available. It will take a day to get it installed along with the new propeller shaft. Boat number One will be ready to go on the 13th."
- Carl "Fierce" Pierce PT Boat Squadron Commander, USN 09.00 hours, July 12th, 1943
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