02/01 Thu. United States naval vessels sunk:
PT-77, accidentally by United States naval gunfire,
Philippine Islands area,
13 d. 55'N., 120 d. 36'E.;
beached and abandoned.
PT-79, accidentally by United States naval gunfire,
Philippine Islands area,
13 d. 55'N., 120 d. 36'E.
Japanese naval vessels sunk:
Transport NO. 115, by Army aircraft, Philippine Islands
area,
20 d. 00'N., 121 d. 00'E.
Submarine RO-115, by destroyers JENKINS (DD-447),
O'BANNON (DD-450), and BELL (DD-587), and destroyer
escort ULVERT M. MOORE (DE-442), Philippine Islands
area,
13 d. 20'N., 119 d. 20'E.
02/02 Sat. Japanese naval vessel sunk:
Coast defense vessel NO. 144, by submarine BERGALL
(SS-321), off Malay Peninsula,
04 d. 32'N., 104 d. 30'E.
02/07 Wed. Japanese naval vessels sunk:
Submarine RO-55, by destroyer escort THOMASON (DE-203),
Philippine Islands area,
15 d. 27'N., 119 d. 25'E.
Coast defense vessel No. 53, by submarine BERGALL
(SS-320), South China Sea,
12 d. 04'N., 109 d. 22'E.
02/09 Fri. Submarine BATFISH (SS-310) sinks Japanese submarine; this
is the first of three Japanese submarines sunk in 4 days
by BATFISH. (See 11 and 12 February 1945.)
Japanese naval vessel sunk:
Submarine I-41, by submarine BATFISH (SS-310),
Philippine Islands area,
18 d. 50'N., 121 d. 40'E.
02/11 Sun. Yalta Conference attended by the President, British Prime
Minister, and Russian Premier ends; conference has been in
session since 4 February.
United States naval vessel sunk:
LST 577, damaged by submarine torpedo, east of
Philippine Islands,
08 d. 01'N., 130 d. 37'E.,
sunk by United States forces.
United States naval vessel damaged:
Ocean tug TAKELMA (ATF-113), by collision, Philippine
Islands area,
10 d. 50'N., 125 d. 25'E.
Japanese submarine sunk:
RO-112, by submarine BATFISH (SS-310), Philippine
Islands area,
18 d. 53'N., 121 d. 50'E.
02/12 Mon. Japanese submarine sunk:
RO-113, by submarine BATFISH (SS-310), Philippine
Islands area,
19 d. 10'N., 121 d. 23'E.
02/13 Tue. Motor torpedo boats enter Manila Bay, Luzon, P. I., for
night reconnaissance; these are the first United States
naval units to enter Manila Bay since May 1942.
02/14 Wed. United States naval vessel sunk:
Motor minesweeper YMS-48, by coastal defense gun,
Philippine Islands area,
14 d. 24'N., 120 d. 33'E.
United States naval vessels damaged, Philippine Islands
area:
Destroyer FLETCHER (DD-445), by coastal defense gun,
14 d. 25'N., 120 d. 30'E.
Destroyers RADFORD (DD-446) and LAVALLETTE (DD-448), by
mines,
14 d. 25'N., 120 d. 30'E.
Destroyer HOPEWELL (DD-681), by coastal defense gun,
14 d. 24'N., 120 d. 33'E.
Japanese naval vessels sunk:
Submarine chasers NOs. 4 and 114, by submarine HAWKBILL
(SS-366), Java Sea,
08 d. 20'S., 115 d. 43'E.
Coast defense vessel NO. 9, by submarine GATO (SS-212),
Yellow Sea,
34 d. 48'N., 125 d. 58'E.
02/15 Thu. Army forces are landed in the Mariveles Harbor area of
Bataan Peninsula, Luzon, P. I., by naval task group (Rear
Adm. A. D. Struble).
United States naval vessel sunk:
Submarine SWORDFISH (SS-193), Pacific Ocean area,
reported as presumed lost.
United States naval vessel damaged:
Motor minesweeper YMS-46, by coastal defense gun,
14 d. 23'N., 120 d. 36' E.
02/16 Fri. Aircraft from fast carrier task force (Vice Adm. M. A.
Mitscher) bomb airfields, aircraft factories, and shipping
in the Tokyo area, Japan; attack is repeated on 17
February.
Fire support vessels and carrier-based aircraft commence
3-day prelanding bombardment and bombing of Iwo Jima,
Volcano Islands.
Cruiser and destroyer task force (Rear Adm. J. L. McCrea)
bombards enemy shore installations at Kurabu Zaki,
Paramushiro, Kurile Islands.
Army forces, preceded by naval bombardment and attack by
Army aircraft, land on Corregidor, Luzon, P. I.
United States naval vessel sunk:
Submarine BARBEL (SS-316), Pacific Ocean area,
reported as presumed lost.
United States naval vessels damaged:
Destroyers INGRAHAM (DD-694) and BARTON (DD-722), by
collision, Iwo Jima area,
31 d. 45'N., 141 d. 54'E.
Submarine chaser PC-1119, by coastal defense gun,
Luzon area, P. I.,
14 d. 23'N., 120 d. 35'E.
Japanese naval vessel sunk:
Minelayer NARIU, by submarine SENNET (SS-408),
off Shikoku, Japan,
32 d. 10'N., 135 d. 54'E.
02/17 Sat. United States naval vessels damaged:
Battleship TENNESSEE (BB-43), by coastal defense gun,
Iwo Jima area,
24 d. 44'N., 141 d. 19'E.
Heavy cruiser PENSACOLA (CA-24), by coastal defense gun,
Iwo Jima area,
24 d. 46'N., 141 d. 19'E.
Destroyer LEUTZE (DD-481), by coastal defense gun,
Iwo Jima area,
24 d. 46'N., 141 d. 19'E.
Destroyer DORTCH (DD-670), by strafing, Iwo Jima area,
30 d. 01'N., 141 d. 45'E.
Destroyer WALDRON (DD-699), by intentional ramming of
Japanese picket boat, Iwo Jima area,
29 d. 27'N., 141 d. 34'E.
Tug HIDATSA (ATF-102), by mine, Luzon area, P. I.,
14 d. 25'N., 120 d. 30'E.
Japanese naval vessels sunk:
Transport NO. 114, by Army aircraft, off Formosa,
23 d. 04'N., 120 d. 30'E.
Coast defense vessel NO. 56, by submarine BOWFIN
(SS-287), off Honshu, Japan,
33 d. 53'N., 139 d. 43'E.
02/18 Sun. United States naval vessels damaged, Iwo Jima area:
Light minelayer GAMBLE (DM-15), by horizontal bomber,
24 d. 55'N., 141 d. 08'E.
High-speed transport BLESSMAN (APD-48),
by horizontal bomber,
25 d. 05'N., 141 d. 10'E.
02/19 Mon. Marines land on Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, supported by
intensive naval gunfire and air attack. The operation is
under the overall command of Adm. R. A. Spruance,
Commander Fifth Fleet. Vice Adm. R. K. Turner is the Joint
Expeditionary Force Commander and Lt. Gen. H. M. Smith,
USMC, commands the Expeditionary Troops. Naval gunfire and
air bombing continue to support the troops ashore during
this difficult campaign.
Army troops covered by Marine aircraft are landed at Allen
on the northwest coast of Samar and on Capul Island, P.
I., to insure control of San Bernardino Strait. (See 20
February 1945.)
United States naval vessels damaged, Iwo Jima area:
Heavy cruiser CHESTER (CA-27), by collision with
amphibious force flagship ESTES (AGC-12),
24 d. 13'N., 141 d. 25'E.
Destroyer BRADFORD (DD-545), by collision,
24 d. 46'N., 141 d. 20'E.
Destroyer JOHN W. Weeks (DD-701), by coastal defense
gun,
25 d. 32'N., 141 d. 01'E.
Destroyer escort FINNEGAN (DE-307), by collision,
22 d. 46'N., 141 d. 19'E.
02/20 Tue. Army troops under cover of Marine aircraft are landed on
Biri Island, P. I., to insure control of San Bernardino
Strait. (See 19 February 1945.)
United States naval vessels damaged, Iwo Jima area:
Light cruiser BILOXI (CL-80), accidentally by United
States naval gunfire,
25 d. 47'N., 141 d. 15'E.
Hospital ship SAMARITAN (AH-10), accidentally by United
States naval gunfire,
24 d. 46'N., 141 d. 19'E.
Attack transports NAPA (APA-157) and LOGAN (APA-196),
by collision,
24 d. 46'N., 141 d. 19'E.
Attack cargo ship STARR (AKA-67), by collision,
24 d. 46'N., 141 d. 19'E.
LST 779, by coastal mortar,
24 d. 46'N., 141 d. 19'E.
Japanese naval vessel sunk:
Destroyer NOKAZE, by submarine PARGO (SS-264),
South China Sea,
12 d. 48'N., 109 d. 38'E.
02/21 Wed. Naval land-based and Army aircraft bomb and strafe enemy
installations at Truk, Caroline Islands.
United States naval vessel sunk:
Escort carrier BISMARCK SEA (CVE-95), by suicide plane,
Iwo Jima area,
24 d. 36'N., 141 d. 48'E.
United States naval vessels damaged:
Carrier SARATOGA (CV-3), by suicide planes, Iwo Jima
area,
24 d. 56'N., 142 d. 01'E.
Escort carrier LUNGA POINT (CVE-94), by suicide plane,
Iwo Jima area,
24 d. 40'N., 141 d. 44'E.
Destroyer WILLIAMSON (DD-244), by collision,
Iwo Jima area,
24 d. 39'N., 142 d. 01'E.
Destroyer RENSHAW (DD-499), by submarine torpedo,
Luzon area, P. I.,
24 d. 36'N., 141 d. 48'E.
Attack cargo ship YANCEY (AKA-93), by collision,
Iwo Jima area,
24 d. 46'N., 141 d. 19'E.
Net cargo ship KEOKUK (AKN-4), by suicide plane,
Iwo Jima area,
24 d. 36'N., 141 d. 48'E.
LST 390, by collision, Iwo Jima area,
24 d. 46'N., 141 d. 19'E.
LST 477, by suicide plane, Iwo Jima area,
24 d. 40'N., 141 d. 44'E.
LST 809, by suicide plane, Iwo Jima area,
24 d. 08'N., 142 d. 06'E.
02/22 Thu. United States naval vessels damaged:
Destroyer escort MELVIN R. NAWMAN (DE-416),
by collision with LST 807, Iwo Jima area,
24 d. 46'N., 141 d. 19'E.
02/23 Fri. United States naval vessels damaged, Iwo Jima area:
Submarine chaser PC 877, by collision,
24 d. 46'N., 141 d. 19'F
LST 684, by coastal defense gun,
24 d. 46'N., 141 d. 19'E.
LST 716, by grounding,
24 d. 46'N., 141 d. 19'E.
LST 792, by coastal defense gun,
24 d. 46'N., 141 d. 19'E.
Japanese naval vessels sunk:
Frigate YAKU, by submarine HAMMERHEAD (SS-364),
off Indochina,
12 d. 39'N., 109 d. 29'E.
Submarine chaser No. 35, by Army aircraft,
South China Sea,
10 d. 15'N., 107 d. 31'E.
02/24 Sun. Japanese resistance in Manila, Luzon, P. I., ceases.
United States naval vessels damaged, Iwo Jima area:
Heavy cruiser SAN FRANCISCO (CA-38), by storm,
30 d. 00'N., 145 d. 00'E.
Destroyer COLAHAN (DD-658), by storm,
29 d. 45'N., 146 d. 20'E.
Destroyer HEYWOOD L. EDWARDS (DD-663), by collision,
24 d. 47'N., 141 d. 25'E.
Destroyer BRYANT (DD-665), by collision,
24 d. 47'N., 141 d. 25'E.
Destroyer MOALE (DD-693), by storm,
25 d. 00'N., 141 d. 00'E.
Submarine chaser PC-578, by collision,
24 d. 46'N., 141 d. 19'E.
LST 792, by coastal defense gun,
24 d. 46'N., 141 d. 19'E.
Japanese submarine sunk:
RO-49, by submarine LEGARTO (SS-371), off Kyushu,
32 d. 40'N., 132 d. 33'E.
German submarine sunk:
U-3007, by Army aircraft, Bremen, Germany.
02/25 Sun. Aircraft from fast carrier task force (Vice Adm. M. A.
Mitscher) bomb aircraft factories and airfields near
Tokyo, Japan.
United States naval vessels damaged:
Destroyer HARRISON (DD-573), by storm,
south of Honshu, Japan,
33 d. 00'N., 141 d. 00'E.
Attack transport FAYETTE (APA-43), by collision,
Iwo Jima area,
24 d. 45'N., 141 d. 20'E.
Attack cargo ship MULIPHEN (AKA-61), by collision,
Iwo Jima area,
24 d. 46'N., 141 d. 19'E.
Seaplane tender HAMLIN (AV-15), accidentally by United
States naval gunfire, Iwo Jima area,
24 d. 46'N., 141 d. 19'E.
Motor minesweeper YMS-175, by mine,
Caroline Island area,
07 d. 20'N., 134 d. 35'E.
LST 918, by collision, Iwo Jima area,
24 d. 46'N., 141 d. 19'E.
02/26 Mon. United States naval vessels damaged:
Light cruiser PASADENA (CL-65), by naval gunfire,
south of Honshu, Japan,
31 d. 20'N., 141 d. 15'E.
Destroyer PORTERFIELD (DD-682), by naval gunfire,
south of Honshu, Japan,
33 d. 10'N., 143 d. 30'E.
Minesweeper SAUNTER (AM-195), by mine,
Luzon area, P. I.,
14 d. 17'N., 120 d. 38'E.
LST 121, by collision and grounding, Iwo Jima area,
24 d. 46'N., 141 d. 19'E.
LST 760, and LST 884, by coastal defense gun,
Iwo Jima area,
24 d. 46'N., 141 d. 19'E.
Japanese naval vessels sunk:
Submarine I-368, by aircraft (VC-82) from escort carrier
Anzio (CVE-57), Volcano Islands area,
24 d. 43'N., 140 d. 37'E.
Submarine I-370, by destroyer escort FINNEGAN (DE-307),
near Volcano Islands,
22 d. 45'N., 141 d. 27'E.
Submarine RO-43, by aircraft (VC-82) from escort carrier
Anzio (CVE-57), near Volcano Islands,
24 d. 07'N., 140 d. 19'E.
Frigate SHONAN, by submarine HOE (SS-258), South China
Sea,
17 d. 08'N., 110 d. 01'E.
Picket boat, by naval gunfire, south of Honshu, Japan.
02/27 Tue. United States naval vessels damaged, Iwo Jima area:
Light carrier SAN JACINTO (CVL-30), by collision,
23 d. 00'N., 139 d. 00'E.
Destroyer COLHOUN (DD-801), by collision,
24 d. 49'N., 141 d. 20'E.
Oiler MERRIMACK (AO-37), by collision,
23 d. 00'N., 139 d. 00'E.
Attack transport PRESIDENT ADAMS (APA-19), by collision,
24 d. 46'N., 141 d. 19'E.
Attack transport KNOX (APA-46), by collision,
14 d. 49'N., 141 d. 21'E.
Attack cargo ship TOLLAND (AKA-64), by collision,
24 d. 46'N., 141 d. 19'E.
LST 779, by collision and grounding,
24 d. 46'N., 141 d. 19'E.
LST 809, by collision,
24 d. 46'N., 141 d. 19'E.
German submarine sunk:
U-317, by United States naval land-based aircraft
(VPB-112), and British surface ships, English Channel,
49 d. 46'N., 05 d. 47'W.
02/28 Wed. Army troops are landed at Puerto Princesa, Palawan
Island, P. I., by naval attack group (Rear Adm. W. M.
Fechteler); landing is preceded by naval bombardment,
United States naval vessels damaged, Iwo Jima area:
Destroyer BENNETT (DD-473), by aircraft bomb,
24 d. 46'N., 141 d. 19'E.
Destroyer TERRY (DD-513), by coastal defense gun,
24 d. 48'N., 141 d. 33'E.
Submarine chaser PCS-1461, by collision,
24 d. 46' N.,141 d. 19'E.
Attack cargo ship WHITLEY (AKA-91), by collision,
24 d. 46'N., 141 d. 19'E.
LST 641 and LST 787, by collision,
24 d. 46'N, 141 d. 19'E.
German submarine sunk:
U-869, by destroyer escort FOWLER (DE-222) and French
surface vessel, off Morocco,
34 d. 30'N., 08 d. 13'W.