29.01.2013 Views

US Marine Corps - The Black Vault

US Marine Corps - The Black Vault

US Marine Corps - The Black Vault

SHOW MORE
SHOW LESS

Create successful ePaper yourself

Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.

280 Amphibians Came To Conquer<br />

I<br />

ORGANIZATION OF 80UTH PACIFIC FORCE<br />

b<br />

CINCPAC<br />

NIMITZ<br />

COMSOPAC<br />

GHORMLEY<br />

AMPHIBIO<strong>US</strong><br />

FORCES<br />

TF 62<br />

AIR<br />

FORCES<br />

TF 63<br />

ARMY<br />

FORCES<br />

NAVAL<br />

FORCES<br />

TF 61<br />

Turner<br />

McCain<br />

Harmon<br />

Fletcher<br />

I<br />

SERVICE<br />

SQUADRON<br />

Bowman<br />

I<br />

+<br />

ISLAND<br />

BASES<br />

Based on Pacific Fleet confidential notice of August 8, 1942 for<br />

Fleet Units.<br />

New Zealand, and went aboard his flagship, the U.SS McCawley. Saturday<br />

morning he assumed command of Amphibious Force, South Pacific Force.<br />

<strong>The</strong> heat was on him, and he raised the operating temperature all around<br />

him, as he threw himself into detailed planning and last-minute training.<br />

THE SOUTH PACIFIC AMPHIBIO<strong>US</strong> FORCE<br />

Rear Admiral Turner’s amphibious command was the first balanced<br />

amphibious force assembled by the United States Navy ,.in World War IL<br />

<strong>The</strong> backbone of its strength was a <strong>Marine</strong> Division, 13 transports, and five<br />

cargo ships. Temporarily assigned for the purpose of the particular opera-<br />

tions ahead were two <strong>Marine</strong> Defense Battalions tailored for island occupa-<br />

tion and defense, a <strong>Marine</strong> Barrage Balloon Squadron, four destroyer-type<br />

transports and five destroyer-type minesweepers.<br />

Rear Admiral Turner viewed his own duties in the command as purely<br />

operational. Administrative command of the units of the force was vested by<br />

him in the following subordinate commanders: the Commanding General,

Hooray! Your file is uploaded and ready to be published.

Saved successfully!

Ooh no, something went wrong!