Action Report of USS Saufley (DD465) on the Nasugbu Landing, Jan 1945

U.S.S. SAUFLEY REPORT OF ACTION ON 1 FEBRUARY 1945

PART I

A. On morning of 1 February 1945, the USS SAUFLEY was returning from a night retirement from Nasugbu Bay in company with Commander Task Group SEVENTY EIGHT POINT TWO in the USS SPENCER screened by the SAUFLEY and the USS CONYNGHAM. Steaming on base course 083° (T), the SAUFLEY sighted what appeared to be a small P. T.³ Boat bearing 083° (T), distance 5000 yards. On reporting this target to Commander Task Group SEVENTY EIGHT POINT TWO the SAUFLEY was directed to investigate. Upon investigation, the target appeared to be one of the “Q” Boats⁴ frequently reported in this area. It was maneuvering radically at high speed. The SAUFLEY closed the target and opened fire first with the 40 MM battery and then with the main battery. Nine minutes later, the target was completely destroyed; the only remaining evidence being a gasoline slick and scattered indistinguishable debris.

Subsequent to this, the SAUFLEY was assigned a station in Fire Support are Able off San Diego Point in Nasugbu Bay and delivered thirteen salvos into grid positions as assigned by the Shore Fire Control Party. Results were unobserved as the spotter was not in a position to control the fire. Direct fire, however, was delivered into the area at the base of a heavily wooded cliff until ordered to cease fire by the Shore Fire Control Party who released SAUFLEY to the screen.

A. The SAUFLEY was operating as a unit of Task Unit SEVENTY EIGHT POINT TWO POINT EIGHT which was the screening unit for Task Group SEVENTY EIGHT POINT TWO, the Nasugbu Attack Force.

B. Prior to this date, this vessel had left Leyte Gulf under orders issued by Commander Task Force SEVENTY EIGHT to escort Commander Task Unit SEVENTY EIGHT POINT TWELVE POINT SIX in the CGC⁵ INGHAM to the San Antonio-Castillejos-San Felipe Area of Southern Luzon, Philippine Islands. Enroute, the SAUFLEY was detached on 30 January to investigate and assist a plane reported in the water off Agutaya Island. Upon arrival in that area, this assignment was taken over by the U.S. Army Crash Boat P-493 and the SAUFLEY rejoined the INGHAM in the Mindoro Straits. At 0800 the morning of 31 January, the SAUFLEY entered the San Antonio-Castillejos-San Felipe Area of Southern Luzon, was released by Commander Task Group SEVENTY EIGHT POINT THREE in the USS MOUNT MCKINLEY for duty. At 0940 the same morning the SAUFLEY got underway as escort for the tug, USS GRASP, enroute to Nasugbu in accordance with orders issued by Commander Task Group SEVENTY EIGHT POINT THREE. Upon arrival at Nasugbu on the afternoon of 31 January, the GRASP proceeded to the transport area and the SAUFLEY relieved the

C. In the first action the SAULEY’s mission was to investigate and destroy the target if identified as enemy. In the bombardment the SAUFLEY’s mission was to deliver call fire as directed by the Shore Fire Control Party in that area.

D. Our forces at the outset of the action consisted of Task Group SEVENTY EIGHT POINT TWO in Nasugbu Bay consisting of CGC SPENCER as flagship of Commander Task Group SEVENTY EIGHT POINT TWO, Task Unit SEVENTY EIGHT POINT TWO POINT ONE the Transport Group Composed of APD’s⁶, LCI’s⁷, LSM’s>⁸, LST’s⁹, Task Unit SEVENTY EIGHT POINT TWO POINT SIX the Support Unit, Task Unit SEVENTY EIGHT POINT TWO POINT SEVEN the Control Unit, Task Unit SEVENTY EIGHT POINT TWO POINT EIGHT the screen consisting of the destroyers FLUSSER, SHAW, CONYNGHAM, CLAXTON, and SAUFLEY, Task Unit SEVENTY EIGHT POINT TWO POINT NINE the Minesweeping Unit and Task Unit SEVENTY EIGHT POINT TWO POINT TEN the Beach Party.

E. Enemy forces encountered consisted of the one “Q” Boat although it was reported that others had been in the area during the previous night.

B. Visibility was good. The wind was from 075° (T), velocity 6.0 knots. The sea was calm. The sky was 50% overcast with scattered clouds.

C. See enclosure (B).

A. Own ordnance material performed well with the exception of 5" gun due to a defective powder case which was removed and replaced by a short case. The gun was then unloaded through the muzzle.

1-A Ammunition was expended as follows:

Fire discipline and gunnery communications were good.

B. The performance of enemy ordnance material was not observed.

A. There was no battle damage inflicted upon our forces.

B. Battle damage to the enemy consisted of the complete destruction of the “Q” Boat. No results were observed on the Fire Support Mission.

A. There are no special comments.

B. Air operations had no bearing on these actions.

C. Amphibious action had preceded the events related in this report.

D. CIC did not play a large part in these actions