Thanks for the log info and letter. One has to think that loading 500 tanks of acetylene and taking them in an unescorted convoy to Hollandia would be a little nerve-wracking!
I am surprised that these LSTs were unescorted most of the time. I guess US ability to decode IJ codes meant they could send ASW to the precise location of any IJ sub that might interfere rather than escort the many small convoys operating in the backwaters.
Historical AAR - LST 590
Moderators: wdolson, MOD_War-in-the-Pacific-Admirals-Edition
RE: Historical AAR - LST 590
No matter how bad a situation is, you can always make it worse. - Chris Hadfield : An Astronaut's Guide To Life On Earth
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jedwardpita
- Posts: 86
- Joined: Tue Jan 19, 2021 8:21 pm
RE: Historical AAR - LST 590
When they get to the Philippine islands they will start traveling with escorts. Historically the Japanese concentrated on sinking capital ships and not transports. However one the convoys 590 was in was attacked by a sub.ORIGINAL: BBfanboy
Thanks for the log info and letter. One has to think that loading 500 tanks of acetylene and taking them in an unescorted convoy to Hollandia would be a little nerve-wracking!
I am surprised that these LSTs were unescorted most of the time. I guess US ability to decode IJ codes meant they could send ASW to the precise location of any IJ sub that might interfere rather than escort the many small convoys operating in the backwaters.
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jedwardpita
- Posts: 86
- Joined: Tue Jan 19, 2021 8:21 pm
RE: Historical AAR - LST 590
Today we are closing out 1944 for LST 590.
12/21/44 Received orders to beach and discharge cargo. Beached alongside LST 466 to discharge cargo.
12/26/44 Underway for Milne Bay, New Guinea. LST 752 SOPA. No Cargo. - SOPA stands for Senior Officer Present Afloat. What that meant was that the commander of LST 752 was in charge of the small convoy.
12/30/44 Arrived at Milne Bay. Voyage uneventful. Received orders to beach. LST 936 moored to starboard side.
12/31/44 Taking on men and equipment of 104th CB BN. If I remember correctly, the game lists the LST capacity as 1500 tons of cargo and 0 personnel. However, LSTs often carried personnel. I think this is game rule focuses LST usage on their primary function, transporting heavy equipment with fast discharge at non port locations.
Tomorrow - into the danger zone!
12/21/44 Received orders to beach and discharge cargo. Beached alongside LST 466 to discharge cargo.
12/26/44 Underway for Milne Bay, New Guinea. LST 752 SOPA. No Cargo. - SOPA stands for Senior Officer Present Afloat. What that meant was that the commander of LST 752 was in charge of the small convoy.
12/30/44 Arrived at Milne Bay. Voyage uneventful. Received orders to beach. LST 936 moored to starboard side.
12/31/44 Taking on men and equipment of 104th CB BN. If I remember correctly, the game lists the LST capacity as 1500 tons of cargo and 0 personnel. However, LSTs often carried personnel. I think this is game rule focuses LST usage on their primary function, transporting heavy equipment with fast discharge at non port locations.
Tomorrow - into the danger zone!
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jedwardpita
- Posts: 86
- Joined: Tue Jan 19, 2021 8:21 pm
RE: Historical AAR - LST 590
Mail call bonus
12/11/1944
" I found the trees I could not recognize to Australian Pine and Ebony. They are very pretty.
Tell Bill (his nephew) that we have a big dog and a little cat on board. The dog is part German Shepard and part hound with droopy ears and a sad expression in general. The cat is all cat. Oh yes, the dog barks sometimes - sounds good to me. Some of the officers don't appreciate it however. Have prospects of seeing a movie tonight so will defer the writing until I return."
12/11/1944
" I found the trees I could not recognize to Australian Pine and Ebony. They are very pretty.
Tell Bill (his nephew) that we have a big dog and a little cat on board. The dog is part German Shepard and part hound with droopy ears and a sad expression in general. The cat is all cat. Oh yes, the dog barks sometimes - sounds good to me. Some of the officers don't appreciate it however. Have prospects of seeing a movie tonight so will defer the writing until I return."
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Uncivil Engineer
- Posts: 1292
- Joined: Wed Feb 22, 2012 12:56 pm
- Location: Florida, USA
RE: Historical AAR - LST 590
ORIGINAL: BBfanboy
Thanks for the log info and letter. One has to think that loading 500 tanks of acetylene and taking them in an unescorted convoy to Hollandia would be a little nerve-wracking!
I am surprised that these LSTs were unescorted most of the time. I guess US ability to decode IJ codes meant they could send ASW to the precise location of any IJ sub that might interfere rather than escort the many small convoys operating in the backwaters.
This time frame is after the invasion of Leyte and the LST is at Hollandia, how many thousand miles away? As others have noted, the Japanese subs were used quite differently than US subs, and disrupting rear area logistics was not a high priority. Just my 2¢.
BTW, this write up of LST 590 is terrific!
RE: Historical AAR - LST 590
Cargo space can be used as troop space at a ratio of 3 cargo:1 troop. That accounts for the inability to stack troops and their lower density (in weight, not brainpower) than most cargo. So LSTs can carry troops, but there are lots of vessels that can unload troops quickly but not cargo. The LST is one of the best at unloading cargo, especially heavy items like tanks and artillery. So in the game I hardly ever move troops exclusively by LST.ORIGINAL: jedwardpita
Today we are closing out 1944 for LST 590.
12/21/44 Received orders to beach and discharge cargo. Beached alongside LST 466 to discharge cargo.
12/26/44 Underway for Milne Bay, New Guinea. LST 752 SOPA. No Cargo. - SOPA stands for Senior Officer Present Afloat. What that meant was that the commander of LST 752 was in charge of the small convoy.
12/30/44 Arrived at Milne Bay. Voyage uneventful. Received orders to beach. LST 936 moored to starboard side.
12/31/44 Taking on men and equipment of 104th CB BN. If I remember correctly, the game lists the LST capacity as 1500 tons of cargo and 0 personnel. However, LSTs often carried personnel. I think this is game rule focuses LST usage on their primary function, transporting heavy equipment with fast discharge at non port locations.
Tomorrow - into the danger zone!
No matter how bad a situation is, you can always make it worse. - Chris Hadfield : An Astronaut's Guide To Life On Earth
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jedwardpita
- Posts: 86
- Joined: Tue Jan 19, 2021 8:21 pm
RE: Historical AAR - LST 590
Thanks for the info, I did not know that rule. Sometimes the 590 carried a LCT in the cargo well and once it towed a LCT. Are either methods of transport allowed by the rules?ORIGINAL: BBfanboy
Cargo space can be used as troop space at a ratio of 3 cargo:1 troop. That accounts for the inability to stack troops and their lower density (in weight, not brainpower) than most cargo. So LSTs can carry troops, but there are lots of vessels that can unload troops quickly but not cargo. The LST is one of the best at unloading cargo, especially heavy items like tanks and artillery. So in the game I hardly ever move troops exclusively by LST.ORIGINAL: jedwardpita
Today we are closing out 1944 for LST 590.
12/21/44 Received orders to beach and discharge cargo. Beached alongside LST 466 to discharge cargo.
12/26/44 Underway for Milne Bay, New Guinea. LST 752 SOPA. No Cargo. - SOPA stands for Senior Officer Present Afloat. What that meant was that the commander of LST 752 was in charge of the small convoy.
12/30/44 Arrived at Milne Bay. Voyage uneventful. Received orders to beach. LST 936 moored to starboard side.
12/31/44 Taking on men and equipment of 104th CB BN. If I remember correctly, the game lists the LST capacity as 1500 tons of cargo and 0 personnel. However, LSTs often carried personnel. I think this is game rule focuses LST usage on their primary function, transporting heavy equipment with fast discharge at non port locations.
Tomorrow - into the danger zone!
RE: Historical AAR - LST 590
LCTs (and Japanese Barges) are "created" by a special method in the game that abstracts what you read. If the TF was loaded in a national home port or (for US devices) a couple of Australian ports, and carries at least 1000 supply, when the TF arrives at a new port the game will offer the option to create PT/MTB boats, LCTs/Barges and for the Japanese, mini-subs. If you select one of these and there are some of those devices in the pools, the game abstracts that you intended to convey them to that location on that convoy. Think PT boats or LCTs lashed to the deck of a freighter. Or in your case, carried on the well deck of an LST. Supply is deducted for the devices created from the convoy.ORIGINAL: jedwardpita
Thanks for the info, I did not know that rule. Sometimes the 590 carried a LCT in the cargo well and once it towed a LCT. Are either methods of transport allowed by the rules?ORIGINAL: BBfanboy
Cargo space can be used as troop space at a ratio of 3 cargo:1 troop. That accounts for the inability to stack troops and their lower density (in weight, not brainpower) than most cargo. So LSTs can carry troops, but there are lots of vessels that can unload troops quickly but not cargo. The LST is one of the best at unloading cargo, especially heavy items like tanks and artillery. So in the game I hardly ever move troops exclusively by LST.ORIGINAL: jedwardpita
Today we are closing out 1944 for LST 590.
12/21/44 Received orders to beach and discharge cargo. Beached alongside LST 466 to discharge cargo.
12/26/44 Underway for Milne Bay, New Guinea. LST 752 SOPA. No Cargo. - SOPA stands for Senior Officer Present Afloat. What that meant was that the commander of LST 752 was in charge of the small convoy.
12/30/44 Arrived at Milne Bay. Voyage uneventful. Received orders to beach. LST 936 moored to starboard side.
12/31/44 Taking on men and equipment of 104th CB BN. If I remember correctly, the game lists the LST capacity as 1500 tons of cargo and 0 personnel. However, LSTs often carried personnel. I think this is game rule focuses LST usage on their primary function, transporting heavy equipment with fast discharge at non port locations.
Tomorrow - into the danger zone!
And you can motor your PT-boats and LCTs across the ocean by having them follow a larger ship TF at 0 Hex distance. The big ship TF will refuel the small fry from time to time. This is nearly the equivalent of towing the small fry. It does slow down the trip by expending ops points on refueling rather than movement.
No matter how bad a situation is, you can always make it worse. - Chris Hadfield : An Astronaut's Guide To Life On Earth
RE: Historical AAR - LST 590
You can also make an escort TF with the small fry right in that TF.
Seek peace but keep your gun handy.
I'm not a complete idiot, some parts are missing!
“Illegitemus non carborundum est (“Don’t let the bastards grind you down”).”
; Julia Child
I'm not a complete idiot, some parts are missing!
“Illegitemus non carborundum est (“Don’t let the bastards grind you down”).”
; Julia Child-
jedwardpita
- Posts: 86
- Joined: Tue Jan 19, 2021 8:21 pm
RE: Historical AAR - LST 590
For this entry I will combine the ship's war diary with an oral history recording of William Traylor. The lines in quote marks are from Mr. Traylor.
1/6/45 Underway for Hollandia. Mean and equipmdng of the 104th CB BN aboard LST 742 was formation guide. LSTs 721, 1812 591 and 936 comprise the rest of the convoy.
1/10/45 Arrived at Hollandia. Voyage uneventful.
"January 10,1945, we arrived in Hollandia and found we were going to go to Leyte. This was what we had been waiting for. We were going to the Philippines. The weather was very hot now. Every day it was close to 100 degrees in the shade, and over that several times. January 10, 1945, Tokyo Rose said that our convoy would be sunk and told date we were to leave and how many ships in the convoy. Everyone was wondering what was going to happen."
1/15/45 Underway to join convoy enroute Leyte Gulf, Philippine Islands. Joined convoy as 26th ship in position of convoy of 42 ships. USS Medusa was convoy guide. - Medusa was the first purpose built AR ship below is an excerpt from Wikipedia:
Medusa commissioned as a very modern repair ship by the standards of 1924, capable of blacksmith work, boiler repairs, carpentry, coppersmithing, electrical work, foundry work, pipe work, plating, sheet-metal work, welding, and repairs of optical and mechanical equipment. Her machinery shop's equipment included lathes, radial drills, milling machines, slotting machines, boring machines, optical repair equipment, armature bake ovens, and coil winding machines. To meet additional demands from the fleet, she had a motion picture shop, large laundry and bakery facilities, and large refrigeration units. She also embarked two officers and 20 enlisted men from aviation Observation Squadron 2 (VO-2) to repair floatplanes based on battleships and cruisers.
Medusa continued her fleet support duties out of San Pedro until mid-August 1941, when she moved to Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. She was there on 7 December 1941 when Imperial Japanese Navy carrier aircraft attacked. With her commanding officer ashore, her repair officer, Lieutenant Commander John F. P. Miller, took command. Medusa fired on a Japanese Type A midget submarine she sighted in the harbor, ceasing fire on it when destroyer Monaghan closed in to sink the submarine. Medusa's antiaircraft machine gunners claimed two Japanese Aichi D3A1 dive bombers shot down during the attack. After the attack, she went to work in her primary role as a repair ship; she provided pumps to the damaged seaplane tender Curtiss, machine gun ammunition to the grounded battleship Nevada, and rifles to U.S. Army troops at Schofield Barracks, and food, beverages, and fuel to ships' boats that visited her, and she assisted in efforts to rescue men trapped in the hull of the capsized antiaircraft training ship Utah.
On 1 March 1942, the Base Force was redesignated the Service Force, Pacific Fleet. Now a Service Force unit, Medusa continued to aid the clean-up at Pearl Harbor.
On 4 April 1943, Medusa got underway for the combat area. She arrived at Havannah Harbor at Efate in the New Hebrides on 20 April 1943, relieving repair ship Rigel there on 24 April 1943. She operated at Efate for the next 11 months, temporarily deploying to Espiritu Santo from 24 July 1943 to 4 August 1943 to fashion a temporary bow for the torpedoed light cruiser Honolulu.
On 27 March 1944, Medusa departed Efate for a series of shorter assignments. First sailing to New Guinea, she repaired ships of the 7th Fleet at Milne Bay and Buna Roads; she then steamed to Guadalcanal, where she arrived on 15 May 1944 for service with the 3rd Fleet. On 1 June 1944, she steamed to Sydney, Australia, for repairs to her hull, damaged by grounding on Buna Shoal in May, before continuing on to Manus Island in the Admiralty Islands. After the ammunition ship Mount Hood disintegrated in a massive explosion at Manus on 10 November 1944, she provided repairs and medical supplies to internal combustion engine repair ship Mindanao, which had suffered heavy damage in the explosion.
In mid-January 1945, Medusa departed Manus for Hollandia where she joined a convoy for San Pedro Bay in the Philippine Islands. There she serviced ships engaged in the capture of Luzon and other Japanese-held islands in the Philippines and the Ryukyus until 6 July 1945, when she returned to Manus.
This is getting long, so I will start another entry.
1/6/45 Underway for Hollandia. Mean and equipmdng of the 104th CB BN aboard LST 742 was formation guide. LSTs 721, 1812 591 and 936 comprise the rest of the convoy.
1/10/45 Arrived at Hollandia. Voyage uneventful.
"January 10,1945, we arrived in Hollandia and found we were going to go to Leyte. This was what we had been waiting for. We were going to the Philippines. The weather was very hot now. Every day it was close to 100 degrees in the shade, and over that several times. January 10, 1945, Tokyo Rose said that our convoy would be sunk and told date we were to leave and how many ships in the convoy. Everyone was wondering what was going to happen."
1/15/45 Underway to join convoy enroute Leyte Gulf, Philippine Islands. Joined convoy as 26th ship in position of convoy of 42 ships. USS Medusa was convoy guide. - Medusa was the first purpose built AR ship below is an excerpt from Wikipedia:
Medusa commissioned as a very modern repair ship by the standards of 1924, capable of blacksmith work, boiler repairs, carpentry, coppersmithing, electrical work, foundry work, pipe work, plating, sheet-metal work, welding, and repairs of optical and mechanical equipment. Her machinery shop's equipment included lathes, radial drills, milling machines, slotting machines, boring machines, optical repair equipment, armature bake ovens, and coil winding machines. To meet additional demands from the fleet, she had a motion picture shop, large laundry and bakery facilities, and large refrigeration units. She also embarked two officers and 20 enlisted men from aviation Observation Squadron 2 (VO-2) to repair floatplanes based on battleships and cruisers.
Medusa continued her fleet support duties out of San Pedro until mid-August 1941, when she moved to Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. She was there on 7 December 1941 when Imperial Japanese Navy carrier aircraft attacked. With her commanding officer ashore, her repair officer, Lieutenant Commander John F. P. Miller, took command. Medusa fired on a Japanese Type A midget submarine she sighted in the harbor, ceasing fire on it when destroyer Monaghan closed in to sink the submarine. Medusa's antiaircraft machine gunners claimed two Japanese Aichi D3A1 dive bombers shot down during the attack. After the attack, she went to work in her primary role as a repair ship; she provided pumps to the damaged seaplane tender Curtiss, machine gun ammunition to the grounded battleship Nevada, and rifles to U.S. Army troops at Schofield Barracks, and food, beverages, and fuel to ships' boats that visited her, and she assisted in efforts to rescue men trapped in the hull of the capsized antiaircraft training ship Utah.
On 1 March 1942, the Base Force was redesignated the Service Force, Pacific Fleet. Now a Service Force unit, Medusa continued to aid the clean-up at Pearl Harbor.
On 4 April 1943, Medusa got underway for the combat area. She arrived at Havannah Harbor at Efate in the New Hebrides on 20 April 1943, relieving repair ship Rigel there on 24 April 1943. She operated at Efate for the next 11 months, temporarily deploying to Espiritu Santo from 24 July 1943 to 4 August 1943 to fashion a temporary bow for the torpedoed light cruiser Honolulu.
On 27 March 1944, Medusa departed Efate for a series of shorter assignments. First sailing to New Guinea, she repaired ships of the 7th Fleet at Milne Bay and Buna Roads; she then steamed to Guadalcanal, where she arrived on 15 May 1944 for service with the 3rd Fleet. On 1 June 1944, she steamed to Sydney, Australia, for repairs to her hull, damaged by grounding on Buna Shoal in May, before continuing on to Manus Island in the Admiralty Islands. After the ammunition ship Mount Hood disintegrated in a massive explosion at Manus on 10 November 1944, she provided repairs and medical supplies to internal combustion engine repair ship Mindanao, which had suffered heavy damage in the explosion.
In mid-January 1945, Medusa departed Manus for Hollandia where she joined a convoy for San Pedro Bay in the Philippine Islands. There she serviced ships engaged in the capture of Luzon and other Japanese-held islands in the Philippines and the Ryukyus until 6 July 1945, when she returned to Manus.
This is getting long, so I will start another entry.
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jedwardpita
- Posts: 86
- Joined: Tue Jan 19, 2021 8:21 pm
RE: Historical AAR - LST 590
1/21/45 Arrived at Leyte Gulf, Philippine Islands. Went to "General Quarter" upon receipt of Flash Red. Received Flash White, secured.
"On January 21,1945 we had our first air raid in Leyte. One Japanese Betty came over and bombed Tacloban Air Strip. Lots of the fleet and amphibious ships in the harbor. Close to 300 LSTs. We had Air Raid most every night. On January 27,1945, we launched LCT 1129 from main deck in Leyte Gulf."
1/24/45 - Beached to unload cargo. Received Flash Red, but sighted no enemy planes.
1/25/45 - Air Raid. unidentified plane.
1/28/45 - Underway in Leyte Gulf enroute Morotai with LST 574 as SOPA. Wnet to General Quarters 2224. Another Air Raid warning, Secured. No enemy planes approached the convoy with consisted of 35 LSTs and 6 escorts.
"On January 28,1945, we unloaded 104th CB on Samar Island across from Tacloban, Leyte. We formed convoy going south."
"On January 21,1945 we had our first air raid in Leyte. One Japanese Betty came over and bombed Tacloban Air Strip. Lots of the fleet and amphibious ships in the harbor. Close to 300 LSTs. We had Air Raid most every night. On January 27,1945, we launched LCT 1129 from main deck in Leyte Gulf."
1/24/45 - Beached to unload cargo. Received Flash Red, but sighted no enemy planes.
1/25/45 - Air Raid. unidentified plane.
1/28/45 - Underway in Leyte Gulf enroute Morotai with LST 574 as SOPA. Wnet to General Quarters 2224. Another Air Raid warning, Secured. No enemy planes approached the convoy with consisted of 35 LSTs and 6 escorts.
"On January 28,1945, we unloaded 104th CB on Samar Island across from Tacloban, Leyte. We formed convoy going south."
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jedwardpita
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RE: Historical AAR - LST 590
dup entry deleted
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jedwardpita
- Posts: 86
- Joined: Tue Jan 19, 2021 8:21 pm
RE: Historical AAR - LST 590
Bonus mail call - 1/27/45
"The people here are becoming expert traders. They have found the sailors and soldiers here will trade for and buy any souvenirs or fresh fruit and eggs. they want clothing or food, flour, bread or rice in return fro woven mats, home made knives, chickens, eggs and even pigs. Wish you could see the little boats, hollowed out palm trunks, with cane or bamboo outriggers. The entire family is usually along.
We had quite an event today. Do you recall the LCT I mentioned our having loaded on our top deck when I was home last fall? It is no longer there as of this afternoon. We listed the ship, this is balanced it toward one side, loosened the chains and off it slid with a spectacular splash! We have carried that ship and crew for a long way. They helped stand watches, worked in the galley and did other work when they were aboard so were not strictly passengers."
"The people here are becoming expert traders. They have found the sailors and soldiers here will trade for and buy any souvenirs or fresh fruit and eggs. they want clothing or food, flour, bread or rice in return fro woven mats, home made knives, chickens, eggs and even pigs. Wish you could see the little boats, hollowed out palm trunks, with cane or bamboo outriggers. The entire family is usually along.
We had quite an event today. Do you recall the LCT I mentioned our having loaded on our top deck when I was home last fall? It is no longer there as of this afternoon. We listed the ship, this is balanced it toward one side, loosened the chains and off it slid with a spectacular splash! We have carried that ship and crew for a long way. They helped stand watches, worked in the galley and did other work when they were aboard so were not strictly passengers."
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jedwardpita
- Posts: 86
- Joined: Tue Jan 19, 2021 8:21 pm
RE: Historical AAR - LST 590
I will be off for Thanksgiving and will pick up again on 11/28/21. Happy Thanksgiving!
Mail bag extra 11/23/44:
"this is Thanksgiving. We are having a holiday routine today and had a special differ - Turkey, mine pie, lettuce salad, plum pudding, etc. I'm now feeling uncomforatable from having eaten excessively. ... As you know I have never been an interesting correspondent and am not rapidly improving.
We have to say the least, simple and healthful habits. Our routine consists mostly of standing watch, sleeping and eating. Recreation is either checkers or reading. I have acquired an evil habit, however, at infrequent intervals I smoke a cigar. I am expecting to find my health ruined as a result of this vice.
While at our last stop I had a tooth pulled. I am as yet unable to decide whether the tooth was pulled from my jaw or my jaw from under the tooth as the dentist got a firm hold both on the pullers and on my chin and pulled on both."
Mail bag extra 11/23/44:
"this is Thanksgiving. We are having a holiday routine today and had a special differ - Turkey, mine pie, lettuce salad, plum pudding, etc. I'm now feeling uncomforatable from having eaten excessively. ... As you know I have never been an interesting correspondent and am not rapidly improving.
We have to say the least, simple and healthful habits. Our routine consists mostly of standing watch, sleeping and eating. Recreation is either checkers or reading. I have acquired an evil habit, however, at infrequent intervals I smoke a cigar. I am expecting to find my health ruined as a result of this vice.
While at our last stop I had a tooth pulled. I am as yet unable to decide whether the tooth was pulled from my jaw or my jaw from under the tooth as the dentist got a firm hold both on the pullers and on my chin and pulled on both."
RE: Historical AAR - LST 590
Wow! Do the sailors have to sweep the mine pie first or just eat it very carefully? [:D]ORIGINAL: jedwardpita
I will be off for Thanksgiving and will pick up again on 11/28/21. Happy Thanksgiving!
Mail bag extra 11/23/44:
"this is Thanksgiving. We are having a holiday routine today and had a special differ - Turkey, mine pie, lettuce salad, plum pudding, etc. I'm now feeling uncomforatable from having eaten excessively. ... As you know I have never been an interesting correspondent and am not rapidly improving.
We have to say the least, simple and healthful habits. Our routine consists mostly of standing watch, sleeping and eating. Recreation is either checkers or reading. I have acquired an evil habit, however, at infrequent intervals I smoke a cigar. I am expecting to find my health ruined as a result of this vice.
While at our last stop I had a tooth pulled. I am as yet unable to decide whether the tooth was pulled from my jaw or my jaw from under the tooth as the dentist got a firm hold both on the pullers and on my chin and pulled on both."
No matter how bad a situation is, you can always make it worse. - Chris Hadfield : An Astronaut's Guide To Life On Earth
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rogueusmc
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- Contact:
RE: Historical AAR - LST 590
I have enjoyed reading this. I floated to the PI and back from Okinawa on an LST (though it was one that was 20 years newer.)
I was embarked on the USS San Bernardino, a Newport class LST laid down in '69.
Oddly enough, I was actually on the ship when that pic was taken. I had come in late off of liberty in Olongapo a couple of weeks before and my platoon Sargeant had me restricted to the ship when we got to Hong Kong. A buddy had laundry duty down in the belly of that ship. I told him that I had to be here anyway and to skedaddle...lol
I was embarked on the USS San Bernardino, a Newport class LST laid down in '69.
Oddly enough, I was actually on the ship when that pic was taken. I had come in late off of liberty in Olongapo a couple of weeks before and my platoon Sargeant had me restricted to the ship when we got to Hong Kong. A buddy had laundry duty down in the belly of that ship. I told him that I had to be here anyway and to skedaddle...lol
There are only two kinds of people that understand Marines: Marines and the enemy. Everyone else has a second-hand opinion.
Gen. William Thornson, U.S. Army
Gen. William Thornson, U.S. Army
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jedwardpita
- Posts: 86
- Joined: Tue Jan 19, 2021 8:21 pm
RE: Historical AAR - LST 590
Some Thanksgiving meals can be dangerous to your health!ORIGINAL: BBfanboy
Wow! Do the sailors have to sweep the mine pie first or just eat it very carefully? [:D]ORIGINAL: jedwardpita
I will be off for Thanksgiving and will pick up again on 11/28/21. Happy Thanksgiving!
Mail bag extra 11/23/44:
"this is Thanksgiving. We are having a holiday routine today and had a special differ - Turkey, mine pie, lettuce salad, plum pudding, etc. I'm now feeling uncomforatable from having eaten excessively. ... As you know I have never been an interesting correspondent and am not rapidly improving.
We have to say the least, simple and healthful habits. Our routine consists mostly of standing watch, sleeping and eating. Recreation is either checkers or reading. I have acquired an evil habit, however, at infrequent intervals I smoke a cigar. I am expecting to find my health ruined as a result of this vice.
While at our last stop I had a tooth pulled. I am as yet unable to decide whether the tooth was pulled from my jaw or my jaw from under the tooth as the dentist got a firm hold both on the pullers and on my chin and pulled on both."
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jedwardpita
- Posts: 86
- Joined: Tue Jan 19, 2021 8:21 pm
RE: Historical AAR - LST 590
Thanks for the feedback. I am sure the Newport class was a more comfortable ride.ORIGINAL: rogueusmc
I have enjoyed reading this. I floated to the PI and back from Okinawa on an LST (though it was one that was 20 years newer.)
I was embarked on the USS San Bernardino, a Newport class LST laid down in '69.
Oddly enough, I was actually on the ship when that pic was taken. I had come in late off of liberty in Olongapo a couple of weeks before and my platoon Sargeant had me restricted to the ship when we got to Hong Kong. A buddy had laundry duty down in the belly of that ship. I told him that I had to be here anyway and to skedaddle...lol
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jedwardpita
- Posts: 86
- Joined: Tue Jan 19, 2021 8:21 pm
RE: Historical AAR - LST 590
2/1/45 Arrived at Morotai. LSTs in harbor are 591, 590, 721, 697 and 932 with Commander of LSR Group 64 aboard the LST 932.
2/3/45 Anchored in Morotai Harbor. Went to "General Quarters." Unidentified aircraft. Secured, aircraft friendly.
2/7/45 Beached. Tanking on men and equipment from the following Army Units: 849th Ordinance Depot Company, 436th Signal Heavy Construction battalion, 796th Engineer Forestry Battalion. Total Eight (8) Officers and 238 enlisted men. - The forestry battalion was a saw mill! It makes a lot of sense to ship a lumber creating unit instead of lumber. In game turns these would all be generic support or engineer squads.
2/3/45 Anchored in Morotai Harbor. Went to "General Quarters." Unidentified aircraft. Secured, aircraft friendly.
2/7/45 Beached. Tanking on men and equipment from the following Army Units: 849th Ordinance Depot Company, 436th Signal Heavy Construction battalion, 796th Engineer Forestry Battalion. Total Eight (8) Officers and 238 enlisted men. - The forestry battalion was a saw mill! It makes a lot of sense to ship a lumber creating unit instead of lumber. In game turns these would all be generic support or engineer squads.
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jedwardpita
- Posts: 86
- Joined: Tue Jan 19, 2021 8:21 pm
RE: Historical AAR - LST 590
mailbag 12/14/44
"We had something of a domestic calamity today - the washing machine broke down and there is not much hope of repair at an early date. I spent part of the afternoon with a scrub brush and bucket of water getting out my weekly wash. As I was leaning over the side drawing up a bucket of water, my fountain pen dived into the water and kept going. This pen-a $1 one from the sip's service works all right for a while then the point begins sliding out and the writing fading.
Just now I was noticing some pretty clouds out the port window. I don't know which direction they are in. One doesn't keep muck track for relative directions except some times by the sun or moon when at sea."
"We had something of a domestic calamity today - the washing machine broke down and there is not much hope of repair at an early date. I spent part of the afternoon with a scrub brush and bucket of water getting out my weekly wash. As I was leaning over the side drawing up a bucket of water, my fountain pen dived into the water and kept going. This pen-a $1 one from the sip's service works all right for a while then the point begins sliding out and the writing fading.
Just now I was noticing some pretty clouds out the port window. I don't know which direction they are in. One doesn't keep muck track for relative directions except some times by the sun or moon when at sea."