Battle of Empress Augusta Bay

On 24 October 1943, Commodore Arleigh A. Burke, ComDesRon-23, was summoned by Admiral Halsey to a meeting with the major participating Commanders in the up-coming invasion of Bougainville. The meeting was held at Camp Crocodile on Guadalcanal, across Iron Bottom Sound from Purvis Bay at Florida Island where Task Force 39 would assemble.

Rear Admiral Ray Thurber handled the actual briefing. He told the assembled officers that various scattered preliminary landing, bombings and bombardments was planned to perplex and it was hoped, disperse the Japs. The Third Amphibious Force, covered by Task Force 39, would land 14,000 U.S. Marines near Cape Torokina on Empress Augusta Bay - halfway up the west coast of Bougainville.

This would be a daring, but logical operation. It would be daring because it by-passed the Treasury and Shortland Islands. It would be logical because Cape Torokina was lightly defended and was located midway between the Jap airfields at the northern and southern ends of the island.

The idea was - instead of fighting through the jungle to capture an enemy airfield - the Americans would build their own airstrip at Empress Augusta Bay and let the Japs fight through the jungle to do the capturing - like at Guadalcanal.

The following afternoon, 25 October 1943, Admiral Tip Merrill’s Task Force 39 was in Pervis Bay finalizing preparations for the campaign. Commodore Burke scheduled an afternoon meeting of his destroyer commanders to brief them on their role as part of Task Forrce-39. He then set out to inspect each ship of his eight DesRon-23 Destroyers before the meeting..

The Task Force was organized as follows: Van Destroyers (DesDiv-45), Capt. Arleigh A. Burke (ComDesRon-23): CHARLES F. AUSBURNE (Flag), DYSON, STANLY & CLAXTON.
Main Body (CruDiv-12), Rear Adm. Tip Merrill (CTF-39): MONTPELIER (Flag), CLEVELAND, DENVER & COLUMBIA.
Rear Destroyers (DesDiv-46), Commander Bernard L. Austin: SPENCE (Flag), THATCHER, CONVERSE & FOOTE.

It was while inspecting the CLAXTON that Commodore Burke first saw the "Little Beaver" painted on one of their Torpedo Tubes.

At the end of the afternoon meeting, in which Burke explained to his Commanders their rather awesome duties of the next few days and nights, he asked for suggestions for a distinguishing emblem for the entire squadron. When nothing was forthcoming, he offered the "Little Beaver" he had seen on the CLAXTON - the proposal was unanimously accepted - so, the "Little Beaver" squadron was born.

The following morning, 26 October 1943, Task Group 39.3, comprising Cruisers CLEVELAND and DENVER accompanied by AUSBURNE, SPENCE, CLAXTON & FOOTE sortied from Pervis Bay and steamed up through the Slot. This force was followed at some distance by eight troop carrying APDs, escorted by three destroyers. They were joined by four additional transports along the way.

Task Group 39.3 had orders to support the landing on Treasury Island and stand off to the west in a covering position to intercept any enemy surface forces sent to interfere with the operation. The landing of 6,000 New Zealanders was scheduled for 0600 on 27 October 1943. At 2300 we went to G.Q. and set material condition AFIRM. Task Group 39.3 is steaming in Night Battle Formation - speed 25-knots. Our position is astern of SPENCE as rear force screen. At 0150, radar picked up a Bogie - distance 22-miles.

It was a single aircraft that closed, but not threatening enough for the Task Force to open fire. The Bogie continued to snoop around dropping an occasional flare. At 0300 he dropped a flare in AUSBURNE’s wake. The Task Group maintained the planned patrol maneuvers and the Bogie got a bit bolder by dropping a bright float light on our port beam about 6-miles away; then, dropped a second float light about 2-miles away. The Bogie dropped two bombs between the SPENCE and the FOOTE - one was bearing 285-degrees and one 250-degrees. The idea is to keep the Bogie occupied so he will not bother the troop ships. He dropped four more flares at 0412 - closest, about one mile - too close. We opened fire with the 5-inch at range of 1,800-yards - the Bogie reversed course and headed away a best speed. We expended 30 rounds of 5-inch AA Common under radar control. As dawn began to break we could see Task Force 31 with the landing forces bombarding Treasury Island - the time was 0555.

By 0903 the beach was secured, ships were unloading and the beach area resistance was eliminated. All 6,000 New Zealanders were ashore taking care of business. At 1005 Task Group 39.3 begin retiring southeast toward Purvis Bay, Florida Island. We used various courses and speeds to conform to the channel as we entered Purvis Bay harbor at 1817. We tied up starboard side to SPENCE, in nest with CLAXTON, AUSBURNE and YO-169 in Berth #13. At 1850 we began taking on fuel. There had been no challenge by the Jap Surface forces - so, in reality, the operation had been a "cakewalk" for us - only casualty was no sleep for thirty seven hours.

As a diversion for the ongoing Treasuries operation and for the forthcoming Torokina invasion, 725 U.S. Marines landed on Choiseul Island, where they were to create confusion for about a week before withdrawing.

On 30 October we moved to Berth #20 and anchored in 22-fathoms of water putting out 90-fathoms of chain on the starboard anchor. We received, by barge, 50-rounds of 5-inch ammunition and 50-canisters of flashless powder. At 1354 a barge came alongside and topped-off our fuel tanks.

Late afternoon of the 30th all unit Commanders and ship’s Captains of Task Force 39 met in conference in USS MONTPELIER to receive a briefing on plans and details of the Buka Island and Shortland Island bombardments. The Task Force is to get underway at 0230 on 31 October. Due to the congestion in the harbor it was decided that some of the destroyers would get underway a bit early - the FOOTE weighed anchor at 0138 - SPENCE at 0145. CTF-39 Operations Plan 3-43 was underway. We passed through the anti-submarine net at 0221 - put out running lights and speed lights.

Task Force 39, as a whole, including eight "Little Beavers" destroyers and Admiral Tip Merrill’s four light cruisers shaped course for Bougianville. STANLY assumed station as picket 15,000-yards ahead of the force. Speed of advance is 15-knots.

As the Task Force moved north through the Solomon Sea - all ships were at General Quarters. We picked up two groups of Bogies at 2023, distance 16-miles - they appeared to parallel our course and gave no indication at anytime they had seen us. We lost power in the after engine room due to contaminated fuel and fell out of position by 12,000-yards. The problem was cleared and we were back on station at 2331.

The plan called for us to be in firing position to bombard Buka airfield at mid-night 31 October. At 2345 we passed Bonis Island abeam to starboard - distance 7-miles. The night was clear and dark with about 50% clouds, especially over the islands. The moon is three days past new and will set at 2126. There is a slight sea with swells from the southeast - wind force is two from the south.

Bogies were on the radar screen in considerable number at various bearings and altitudes - most appear to be operating from Buka. The Task Force was in bombardment formation and increased speed to 32-knots to arrive at scheduled firing position on time. The FOOTE and STANLY were to keep a careful check of the area to the north and west to detect, and if possible prevent, any interference with the bombardment.

As planned the flagship (MONTPLIER) was on the firing leg at 0002, 1 November. At 0020 all the cruisers began firing at the Buka airfield and shortly thereafter the glow of fires and explosions could be seen beyond the hills that intervened.

The Japs began to fire straight up apparently thinking they were being bombed from the air. It sure was a great pyrotechnic show - like July 4th fire-works display. Then, a shore battery commenced firing at the bombarding ships at 0028, but appeared to be at least 1,000-yards short. CONVERSE begin firing at 0032 and we followed in their wake. Two flares were dropped to the southwest, illuminating the rear of the bombardment column. The FOOTE visually picked up one two-engine single tail bomber and immediately took it under fire. The Bogie turned left and went out to the west apparently not damaged. At 0100 the Task Force came to retirement course and increased speed, in steps, to 34-knots. CONVERSE commenced firing at a Bogie that dropped four flares at 0122 and the FOOTE begin firing at the same plane at 0123. Again the plane was driven off to the west with no apparent damage.

At 0205 the Task Force course to the Shortland Islands was set and the 125-mile run to the southern end of Bougainville was underway. The trip was comparatively quiet except for distant Bogies and contact with our transports to the east of us.

The Japs were ready to greet TF-39 - they had the word we were coming. At 0527 we sounded General Quarters and changed course to get on the desired firing line. Shore batteries on the south side of Margusaia Island opened fire on the ships ahead and all ships concentrated on the shore batteries until 0628 when the Commander of the Task Force ordered the scheduled bombardment to be put into effect. FOOTE had a shore battery under fire and continued to fire on it until 0631. The FOOTE had been assigned the Korovo District for bombardment. Other ships were firing in this area and the huge clouds of dust, debris and smoke made it impossible to see where the salvos were landing. At 0640 we checked fire and spotted off the target area to find our own salvos and then resumed fire in the area. A shore battery on the north end of Alu Island bracketed the FOOTE about 150-yards on each beam. A straddle - that will get your attention. The range was extreme limit for our 5-inch guns, but we fired two salvos (10-rounds) in return and changed course and speed to take anti-submarine screening station as the Task Force began to retire. We must have gotten a lucky hit - the shore battery ceased firing - last shot by the shore battery was on in deflection, but 400-yards astern. At 0706 we were on retirement course making 25-knots and at 0717 began maneuvering to form Cruising Disposition Two. The Task Force began zig-zagging in accordance with Plan No. 6 at 0761 and all ships secured from General Quarters.

The FOOTE had expended 576 rounds of 5-inch projectiles with base fuzes and smokeless powder cartridges. In this phase of the operation we had no casualties to personnel or material.
The aircraft carriers SARATOGA and PRINCETON prepared to send their bombers in to complete the paralysis of the Buka and Bonia airfields if necessary. While local Japanese air support was neutralized and Japanese attention drawn first to one area and then another, Admiral Wilkinson’s Third Amphibious Force entered Empress Augusta Bay at dawn on 1 November and began landing U.S. Marines at Cape Torokina. Approximately 300 Japs put up a determined resistance at the beachhead that was quickly overcome. AIRSOL (Air Solomon) scattered a Jap air attack from Rabaul and by dark Wilkinson’s amphibians had landed 14,000 Marines and 6,000-tons of supplies.

After bombarding the Shortland Islands, Task Force 39 retired to the vicinity of Vella Lavella to get a little rest and await developments - everyone rested but DesRon-45. This division of four destroyers was dangerously low on fuel, so Burke led them, at high speed, to Kula Gulf for a fill-up from an oiler and then back up toward Bougainville - catching up with Task Force 39 at 2315 on 1 November. By this time Admiral Merrill’s Cruisers and DesDiv-46 were already heading for Empress Augusta Bay to intercept an approaching Japanese Cruiser/Destroyer force that was reported by reconnaissance planes. It was less than three hours until the fateful encounter for the FOOTE. (Continued)

(USS FOOTE War Diary, USS DENVER War Diary & Admiral Arleigh A. Burke, by E. B. Potter, U.S. Destroyer Operations in WW-II & the USS SPENCE Narrative of Action)

CREDIT STATEMENT
The drawings and cartoons used in this blog, signed "Gene", were drawn by shipmate Gene Schnaubelt, Fire Controlman 2/c (Now Deceased) at sea over 60-years ago. Not only a shipmate, but a dear friend who is badly missed. .