1943-08-18: 0313

0000-0400 Steaming in company with Task unity THIRTY ONE POINT SIX on base course 330(T), 330(PSC), 322(PGC), speed 30 knots in company with USS PHILIP proceeding to join Commander Destroyer Squadron 21 in Vella Gulf in accordance with verbal orders received from Commander Task Group THIRTY ONE POINT SIX, boilers #1, #2, #3, and #4 in use. 0014 Changed speed to 34 knots. 0022 Changed course to 343(T), 343(PSC), 339(PGC). 0027 Changed course 080(T), 080(PSC), 073(PGC) - returning to join Commander Task Group THIRTY ONE POINT SIX in accordance with Commander Destroyer Squadron TWENTY ONE's verbal orders. 0042 Set modified general quarters. 0100 Changed course to 120(T), 190(PSC), 090(PGC). 0123 Changed speed to 30 knots - changed course to 110(T), 110(PSC), 101(PGC). 0135 Changed speed to 25 knots. 0145 Rejoining Task Group THIRTY ONE POINT SIX, taking screening station astern of formation - patrolling speed 15knots. 0221 LST on starboard bow (#396) on fire, on various courses and speeds maneuvering to close. 0234 Lowered boat to pick up survivors - maneuvering to allow survivors to come aboard. 0245 Landing barge and SC1266 picking up men in the water and bringing them aboard for treatment. 0301 LST going down bow first. 0313 Searching area for stragglers. Position: 08-20-00" S., 156-54-00E. 0348 SC coming alongside to transfer wounded. Total survivors on board: 93 including 10 officers among whom was Commanding Officer Lieutenant Eric Walter WHITE, USN.

0400-0800 Steaming as before, searching area for survivors. 0402 SC1266 came alongside to transfer one casualty. 0408 Leaving area to rejoin Task Unit, steering 303(T), 303(PSG), 294(PSC), speed 30 knots(316 RPM). 0457 Rejoined group, steadied on course 290(T), (PSG), 281(PSC), speed 15 knots(146 RPM), patrolling on station. 0510 SC1266 being attacked by enemy plan, proceeding to render assistance, steadied on course 180(T), (PSG), 172(PSC), speed 25 knots(256 RPM). 0520 Went to general quarters, made contact with enemy plan bearing 170(T), distance 4500 yards. 0535 Joined SC1266 forming screen, steadied on course 000(T), (PSG), 351(PSC), speed 13 knots (126 RPM), proceeding to Barakoma Beach. 0610 Changed course to 040(T), 040(PSG), 030(PSC). 0710 On station screening LST's. 0740 Enemy planes contacted 205(T), 65 miles, went to general quarters, speed 30 knots(316 RPM), maneuvering radically. 0745 Attack by enemy planes, all batteries firing to repel attack by dive bombers.

0800-1200 Patrolling as before, zigzagging radically to cover LST's unloading on the beach. 0822 Bombs which fell near ship at 0745 were near misses. Water was observed on both forecastle and fantail from them. One dive bomber shot down. 0834 Changed speed to 25 knots. 0846 Reducing speed maneuvering to allow SC to come alongside and transfer Captain Cooke, commander Destroyer Squadron TWENTY TWO, from the USS WALLER. 0854 Captain Cooke (Commander Destroyer Squadron TWENTY TWO) came aboard and temporarily transferred his flag to the USS SAUFLEY - continuing patrol off beach speed 20 knots. 1152 Unidentified planes reported - went to general quarters - changed speed to 25 knots.

1200-1600 Steaming as before. 1355 Changed speed to 15 knots(146 RPM). 1431 Changed speed to 20 knots(201 RPM). 1441 Contacted enemy planes 300(T), 27 miles, changed speed to 25 knots(256 RPM). 1450 Commenced making smoke, patrolling radically. 1457 Ceased making smoke. 1503 Commenced making smoke. 1510 Ceased making smoke. 1514 Lost contact with enemy planes. 1540 LST's leaving beach, formed screening station on starboard bow. 1549 Being attacked by enemy bombers, all batteries firing to repel attack, maneuvering radically, speed 30 knots(316 RPM), bombs hit 300 yards off port quarter. Standing out through Gizo Strait. One enemy bomber shot down.

1600-2000 Maneuvering radically as before. 1617 Commenced firing at enemy planes. 1618 Ceased firing having shot down one and possibly two planes, 45 rounds 5"/38 Cal AA common expended - no casualties. 1650 Commenced firing on planes. 1657 Ceased firing having expended 130 rounds of 5"/38 Cal AA Common ammunition. 1700 Changed base course to 180(T), 180(PSC), 173(PGC), patrolling radically screening LST's. 1802 Burial MULKEY, Vernon Hanard, PhM1c, USN, was conducted on fantail. Lieutenant E. R. WHITE, Commanding Officer of LST 396 officiating. 1847 Changed base course to 120(T), 120(PSC), 108(PGC). 1858 Changed speed to 20 knots. 1906 Changed speed to 15 knots. 1847 Set modified general quarters.

2000-2400 Steaming as before. 2059 Entering Blanch Channel, changed course to 075(T), (PSG), 064(PSC). Changed speed to 9 knots(096 RPM). Passing Rendova Island abeam to starboard. 2259 Changed course to 140(T), (PSG), 129(PSC), changed speed to 13 knots(126 RPM), commenced patrolling on station. 2330 Contacted enemy planes bearing 295(T), 18 miles, went to general quarters. Changed speed to 15 knots (146 RPM). 2352 Changed speed to 25 knots(256 RPM). 2357 Commenced making smoke.

USS Saufley (DD-465)

Patrol Track