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OPERATION "ICEBERG" Page 1.
(Enclosure No. I to V.A.B.P.F. No. 1092/4 of 9th May, 1945)
INTRODUCTION.
Allied Object
1. The first objective of operation ICEBERG was to capture OKINAWA GUNTO and, gaining control of the NANSEI SHOTO area, use them to attack the main islands of JAPAN with their sea and air approaches.
B.P.F. object
2. The particular object assigned to the British Pacific Fleet was to neutralise the airfields in the SAKISHIMA GUITTO as continuously, and for as long as possible.
Assignment of B.P.F.
3. On 14th March, 1945, the British Pacific Fleet was situated as follows:-
Most of Task Force 113, (consisting of the 1st Battle Squadron, 1st Aircraft Carrier Squadron, 4th Cruiser Squadron, 25th, 4th and 27th Destroyer Flotillas) was at sea exercising from MANUS, ADMIRALTY ISLANDS. Task Force 112 (ships of the Fleet Train and Escort Vessels) was in harbour at MANUS.
4. On the forenoon of 15th March, whilst 1st Battle Squadron and 1st Aircraft Carrier Squadron were exercising the following signals were received:-
CTF 113 (R) CTF 112 From C IN C B.P.F.
In accordance with instructions received from COMINCH you are to report Task Force 113 together with Task Force 112 to C in C Pacific forthwith for duty in operations connected with ICEBERG.
14 1205 Z March.
TF 113 (R) TF 112 From C IN C B.P.F.
COMINCH has directed that employment of TF 113 and TF 112 must be such that they can be disengaged and reallocated at seven days notice from him 1
4 1208 Z March.
5. On receipt of these signals all exercises were cancelled and Task Force 113 ordered into harbour to top up with fuel, ammunition, stores and to embark the aircraft squadrons which had been landed for training ashore. After considering all factors the following signal was despatched:-
C IN C PAC CTF 112 From CTF 113
C IN C B.P.F.
I hereby report TF 113 and 112 for duty in accordance with orders received from C IN C British Pacific Fleet. I have recalled ships from sea exercises and am embarking air squadrons from shore training. Anticipate TF 113 with complementary units of TE 112 be ready by 1200 K 17th March to sail from MANUS as you may direct. I would add that it is with a feeling of great pride and pleasure that the British Pacific Force joins the U.S. Naval Forces under your command.
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OPERATION "ICEBERG" Page 2.
(Enclosure No. I to V.A.B.P.F. No. 1092/4 of 9th May, 1945)
INTRODUCTION (Contd)
6. The factors referred to above were:-
(a) Fuelling, embarkation of aircraft, stores etc. The timetable for these was in some measure the lack of boats and the sport of the swell.
(b) Final preparation of operation orders and arrangements for replenishing in the forward areas over a period of up to three weeks' continuous operations.
(c) The speed (9 knots in fine weather) at which the tankers could move to the first fuelling area.
(a) Adjustment of aircraft between the Fleet Carriers, and UNICORN SPEAKER and SLINGER so that the Fleet might leave fully equipped.
16th March
7. The Flect continued making ready.
The following signal was received from C IN C Pacific:-
The UNITED STATES PACIFIC Fleet welcomes the BRITISH Carrier Task Force and attached units which will greatly add to our power to strike the enemy and will also show our unity of purpose in the war against JAPAN.
16 0602 Z March
17th March
8. In order to have the Tanker Group in position for the Fleet to top up with fuel at the last prudent moment, Task Unit 112.2.1 and Task Unit 112.2.5 were sailed on 17th March. The former consisted of H.M. Ships STRIKER ( with replacement aircraft), CRANE, FINDHORN, WHIRLWIND and the Tankers SAN AMBROSIO, CEDARDALE and SAN ADOLPHO; the latter consisted of H.M. Ships PHEASANT, SPEAKER (for CAP duties) and KEMPENFELT.
18th March
9. Task Force 57 sailed from MANUS a.m. on 18th March, and carrying out exercises on passage arrived a.m. on 20th March at ULITHI where the Fleet fuelled from U.S. resources.
10. During the period 21st to 23rd Morch final drafts of operation orders were completed and distributed, intelligence material streaming in continuously. The date of sailing to commence operations, as that of sailing from MANUS was dictated by the arrival of the Tankers in the fuelling area.
11. (a) On 22nd March the following signal was despatched:-
COM 5th Fleet FROM CTF 113
Intend to sail Task Force 113 to clear ULITHI at 0715 item 23rd March and then to assume designation Task Force 57. I am happy to report Task Force 57 for duty under your orders after leaving ULITHI. Unless otherwise directed by you, intend movements of Task Force 57 as in C I.: C POL's 210937.
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OPERATION "ICEBERG" Page 3.
(Enclosure No. I to V.A.B.P.F. No. 1092/4 of 9th May, 1945)
INTRODUCTION (Contd)
11. (b) The following reply was received:-
CTF 57 From COM 5th Fleet
CTF 113's 220148. Affirmative. Fifth Fleet welcomes Task Force 57 and wishes you good hunting.
24 0203 March
12. The British Pacific Fleet, until then Task Force 113, sailed from ULITHI at 0630 on 23rd March, 1945, as Task Force 57.
Composition of T.F.57 on sailing from ULITHI on 23rd March, 1945.
1st Battle Squadron T.U.1 KING GEORGE V (Flag of CTF 57)
HOWE
1st Aircraft Carrier Sq T.U.2 INDOMITABLE (Flag of A.C. 1 and second in command T.F.57)
VICTORIOUS
ILLUSTRIOUS
INDEFATIGABLE
4th Cruiser Squadron T.U.5 SWIFTSURE (Flag of C.S.4)
GAMBIA
BLACK PRINCE
ARGONAUT
Destroyers T.U.8 EURYALUS (Flag of R. A (D) temporarily)
25th Destroyer Flotilla GRENVILLE (Capt. D.25)
ULSTER
UNDINE
URANLA
UNDAUNTED
Note:- URSA was docking at MANUS
4th Destroyer Flotilla QUICKMATCH (Capt. D.4)
QUIBERON
QUEENBOROUGH
QUALITY
27th Destroyer Flotilla WHELP
WAGER
Note:- KEMPENFELT (Capt. D. 27) was attached to T.U. 112.2.5 the group remaining in the Replenishing area.
WHIRLWIND and WESSEX were attached to T.U. 112.2.1 and T. U. 112.2.2 respectively, the Tanker Groups proceeding between LEYTE and the replenishing Area.