Action Report of USS Russell (DD 414) on the Nasugbu Operation, Jan 1945

Historic documents relevant to the Province of Batangas.

DD414/A16-3/vfp Serial 07

U.S.S. RUSSELL (DD 414), c/o Fleet Post Office, San Francisco, California

C O N F I D E N T I A L

2 February 1945.

From:	The Commanding Officer.
To:	The Commander-in-Chief, U.S. Fleet.
Via:	(1) The Commander SEVENTH Fleet. (2) The Commander Task Force 78 (Com7thPhibFor). (3) The Commander Task Group 78.2 (ComPhibGroup EIGHT, SEVENTH Fleet). (4) The Commander Task Unit 78.2.8 (ComDesRon-3[unsure, blurred]). (5) The Commander Destroyer Squadron TWO.
Subject:	Action report – NASUGBU Operation.
Reference:	(a) Article 874 (6), U.S. Navy Regs., 1920. (b) Com7thPhib Conf. ltr. FE25/A-16/3(3), Ser. 0212 of 17 Feb. 1944. (c) CTC 78.2 OpPlan 1-45 Ser. 00059 of 23 Jan. 1945.

Part I

1. Acting in accordance with CTG 78.2 Operation Plan 1-45, this vessel was lying to just south of the boat lane in Fire Support Area “BAKER.” Orders were to cover NASUGBU POINT with neutralizing fire with a maximum limit of 450 rounds of 5"/38 AA common ammunition. Four 75 mm guns plus an unknown number of machine gun nests and rifle pits were reported to be in this area. This vessel was the only large ship firing on NASUGBU POINT but LCI’s³ fired both rockets and 40 MM on the point. There was no enemy opposition to shore bombardment and reportedly very light opposition on the beach. No enemy ships or planes were encountered nor were any mines found by the mine sweeps although a mine was reported to have been destroyed.

1. Firing was commenced at 0718. Three spotting shots were fired from gun #1. 0720 commenced firing four gun salvoes, walking the salvoes over the area in 60 yard steps. 0725 commenced firing two gun salvoes using guns #1 and #2. Continued using 60 yard steps which were applied in plot with correction spots applied by control (Mark 37 Director). 0730 resumed four gun salvoes. These salvoes were fired in approximately 12 second intervals and on six occasions, three gun salvoes were fired due to guns failing to answer salvo buzzers. 0752 Commenced firing three gun salvoes using guns #1 and #3 and #4. Power was lost to #2 Dredger hoist and a jam occurred when an attempt was made to run it in manual. 0801 Ceased firing. The approximate range and bearing of the area was 4200 yards and bearing 038 (t).

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DD414/A16-3/vfp Serial 07

U.S.S. RUSSELL (DD 414), c/o Fleet Post Office, San Francisco, California

C O N F I D E N T I A L

2 February 1945.

Subject:

Action Report – NASUGBU Operation.

2. At 1118 CTU 78.2.8 ordered this vessel to fire on a machine gun nest reported to be on NASUGBU Point at the mouth of the WAWA River. This gun was hampering the advance of the landing forces on the jetty on the opposite side of the river mouth. 1121 Commenced firing on this point using guns #1 and #2 in two gun salvoes. Gun #4 did not fire due to a failure in the Gun Elevation Order selsyn system⁴. Our #3 joined in eight salvoes. Gun #3’s salvo buzzer was inoperative most of the time. 1129 ceased firing.

Part III.

1. The performance of ordnance material and equipment was fair. Gun #4 gave indications of a faulty coarse synchro in its elevation receiver regulator, for it synchronized at any 10 degrees point.

2. Power was lost to #2 Dredger hoist when a short caused the overload circuit-breakers to trip. However, personnel was at fault when the hoist was jammed while being operated in manual. The hoist functioned normally after the pressure was released. (The short was caused by a broken primer line to the forward submersible pump.)

3. The salvo buzzer on gun #3 failed to function due to an as yet undetermined failure in the 17 MC.

Part IV

1. This ship was not fired upon and no damage was sustained. Damage to the enemy was indeterminate but fire appeared to be accurate. The machine gun nest was eliminated and it was reported that all shells were kept clear of the landing force which was in the very near vicinity.

Part V

1. It is suggested that personnel be made to expect casualties and be prepared to cope with them.

Part VI

1. Personnel performance on the whole was satisfactory and without casualty.

J. E. WICKS, Jr.

Cominch (Direct).

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Notes and references: