OPERATING PROCEDURES

ORGANIZATION OF FLEET
The ships in Task Force 38 and Task Force 58 were the identicaly same ships. Task Force 38 was part of the Third Fleet under the command of Admiral William F. Halsey. Task Force 58 was part of the Fifth Fleet under the command of Admiral Raymond A. Spruance. Each of the commanders was in charge of alternating operations, while the other was planning for the next operation.
Both Task Force 38 and Task Force 58 were subdivided into Tasks Groups, usually five; 38.1, 38.2, 38.3, 38.4, 38.5, or 58.1, 58.2, 58.3, 58.4, 58.5. Each of the five Task Groups operated independently of each other but in concert to accomplish the overall goals of the Task Force.
Each of the Task Groups generally included:
2 Fast Battleships (BB)
2 Essex Class Carriers (CV)
1 or 2 Independence Class Carriers (CVL)
4 Cruisers Heavy or Light (CA & CL)
18-20 Destroyers (DD)
The USS Indiana was usually part of Task Group 38.1 or 58.1.

NORMAL FORMATION

This will be a discussion of Task Group formations under normal steaming conditions and air defense.

Normal Steaming Conditions
58.1flagplot.jpg Task Group 58.1 Flag Plot Maneuvering Board on 24 March 1945, showing TG 58.1 in Cruising Disposition 5 Roger (Special). Axis 010*. At this time TG 58.1 consists of Carrier Division 5, Battleship Division 8, Cruiser Division 14, Destroyer Squadrons 25, 49, 50, and 61. TG 58.1 has been temporarily augmented by the three Battleships USS New Jersey, USS Missouri and USS Wisconsin all from TG 58.4






REPLENISHMENT

Prior to World War II, the navy perfected the technique of fueling and provisioning major combatant ships while underway. This enabled them to remain in forward areas, constantly operating, for as long as 60 days.
Refueling from oiler. Fueling a destroyer. (1)
08 April 1945, Transfer at sea of powder for the main battery 16inch/45 guns from the USS Wrangell (AE-12), while underway east of Okinawa. Each aluminum casing held 3 bags of powder, half of a full charge for one gun. NARA #80-G-318948 Long awaited mail delivery. (2)
August 1945, Refueling destroyer at sea 1944, Transferring "gedunk" (ice cream) to destroyer at sea after refueling. (3)


DAILY ROUTINE

To give an idea of what routine activity was done on a daily basis, the following representive Plans Of The Day and Memoranda have been selected.
Every late afternoon the next Plan Of The Day and other Memoranda was posted on a bulletin board in the mess area. The Plan directed when to get up, what to wear, tasks we would be doing, and recreation, if any. Memos were instructional, advisory, and precautionary.

Plan Of The Day, Port Routine 08 November 1943

Plan Of The Day, Sea Routine 07 December 1943

Plan Of The Day, Port Routine 16 December 1943

Plan Of The Day, Christmas Day 25 December 1943

Plan Of The Day, Entering Tokyo Bay 05 September 1945

Memorandum, Obscene Language 03 December 1943

Memorandum, Fresh Water Consumption 16 June 1944

Memorandum, Leyte Gulf Area 12 June 1945

Memorandum, Censorship #2 29 September 1944

Memorandum, Censorship #3 11 July 1945

Memorandum, Censorship #4 17 July 1945

Memorandum, Spit and Polish 18 August 1945


SPECIAL CONDITIONS OFF JAPANESE HOME ISLANDS

This will be a discussion of special conditions that occured off of the Japanese Home Islands when they unexpectedly surrendered and the fleet was short of supplies and short of occupation personnel.

SOURCES

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Last Updated 25 March 2002

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