RECOLLECTION

Charles F. Reynolds 1989

“A High Level Conference.”

In late July 1944 when the Swanson was attached to the Seventh Fleet, as part of the Southwest Pacific Forces, under the command of General MacArthur, the Swanson sortied from Hollandia Bay, New Guinea with an amphibious landing force. The landing was to be at Cape Sansapor, the last invasion in New Guinea.

The Swanson was the flagship, and I believe the Admiral aboard was Admiral Fechteler. The approach to Cape Sanspor from Hollandia at one point was at or near the equator. This fact trigged a “high level conference” in the chart room as to which HO214 navigational table should be used, the one 0 to 10 north, or 0 to 10 degrees south. In attendance was the Admiral , Captain Ratliff, J.B. O’Neill, the Chief Signalman and myself. I do not recall the great decision, other than the fact that Chief Signalman worked it out.

After all the invasion preparations, the lone inhabitant at Cape Sansapor was a native left behind to take care of the coconut palm trees.

That ended the Swanson’s war in the Southwest Pacific. Our destroyer division (DesDiv 26) was scheduled for R & R in Australia, but this much-anticipated event was pre-emptied by orders for out division to report to the Third Fleet. Alas, no Australia.

R-35