The single page below is taken from TG 22.2's Report on operations from May 4, 1944 to July 3, 1944 |
| CVE9/A16-3 U.S.S. BOGUE 10/hl | ||||
| Serial 0022 | ||||
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| At 2155, ROBINSON reported picking up pilot, Lt. R.D. Morrison, and crew of TBM #16 which had crashed into the sea at 2131 in 14-07 North, 38-20 West. At 2205, HAVERFIELD reported picking up pilot and crew of TBM #21. ROBINSON and HAVERFIELD came alongside BOGUE on 21 June, to transfer pilots and crews of planes which had crashed on the day previous. Bomb loads of both planes exploded after planes sank and crews were in rubber boats. | ||||
| 17. At 0039, 24 June, TBM #20, Lt.Cdr. J.D. Taylor, had a radar contact bearing 230 T, distant 55 miles in 15-15 North, 39-55 West. At 0044, sono-buoys and smoke lights were dropped. At 2345, TBM #20, dropped a flare and sighted a fully surfaced large enemy submarine. At 0046, TBM #20, attacked submarine with depth bombs, which yielded one explosion close aboard starboard side of submarine and another farther away. Propeller noises were clearly heard on sono-buoys after submergence and until explosion of proctor three minutes later, after which propeller noises faded out and were followed by breaking up sounds. TBM #12, Lt(jg) A.L. Hirshbrunner, was vectored to the scene and remained there throughout. He also obtained sono-buoy indications and was of invaluable assistance in maintaining radio communication between the ship and the other planes and in helping to coordinate activities at the scene. At 0124, TBM #12, reported faint submarine propeller noises on sono-buoys. At 0155, TBM #17, Lt.(jg) W.D. Gordon, attacked noises with proctor near sono-buoy giving loudest indications and a violent explosion resulted approximately eighteen minutes later. The propeller noises stopped and were not heard again. Sono-buoy recordings were obtained of both attacks. HAVERFIELD and JANSSEN were dispatched to search area of attack. They first reported little oil evident, but a strong smell of diesel oil. At 1145, TBM #19, reported sighting oil slick and HAVERFIELD proceeded to investigate. At 1400, HAVERFIELD reported having picked up debris from oil slick. At 1658 JANSSEN passed through oil slick and reported considerable debris present. JANSSEN was ordered to pick up debris found there. Inventory of the debris picked up by HAVERFIELD and JANSSEN is contained in enclosure (Q). Photographs of all debris and analysis of pieces of flesh conducted by several medical officers are contained in enclosures (R) and (S). The JANSSEN reported that light samples of Diesel oil could not be picked up despite repeated efforts to do so due to spreading and reduction of the slick to the lightest possible film. Oil samples which were obtained seem to be lubricating oil or sludge. Rubber continued to rise to the surface during the day and JANSSEN estimated that at least three times as much as was picked up remained in the area at darkness when she ceased recovery attempts and departed. JANSSEN reported large number of sharks in the area apparently attracted by the bodies and this doubtless accounts for the fact that only one piece of human flesh was recovered. Commander Task Group 22,6 was advised of the rubber afloat in the area and requested to recover more if convenient. | ||||
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