US Marine Corps - The Black Vault

368 Amphibians Came To Conqtier
did not list this message as having been received at all by his flagship, the
Az~tralia. In 1960, Admiral Turner and one member of his staff reasoned
that the second sighting report was not available on the Flag Bridge when
CTF 62 (Turner) drafted and sent out his 081055 just before 10 p.m., or
it would have been referenced in that despatch just as the initial sighting
report was referenced. The only possible reference in the TF 62 official record
currently available in regard to this second despatch is found in Rear Admiral
Turner’s statement:
All or at least some of these [four highly important] dispatches {from
COMSOWESPACFOR] were brought into my cabin during my conference
with Admiral Crutchley and General Vandegrift.30
General MacArthur’s Combined Headquarters at Townsville drew the
inference from these two aircraft sighting reports of
a possible occupation of Bougainvillea and Buka Islands in strength . . .
[and] possible use of Kieta aerodrome.sl
Rear Admiral Turner had gotten into the guesstimating act at 082155—35
minutes before General MacArthur’s guesstimating despatch sought the air.
Rear Admiral Turner’s guess, influenced by the fact that a Wa~p scout had
shot down a seaplane north of Rekata Bay, was quite as wrong as General
MacArthur’s. He opined:
Estimate from NPM 706 that Force named may operate torpedo planes from
Santa Isabel possibly Rekata Bay. Recommend strong air detachments arrive
Rekata Bay early forenoon. Bomb tenders in manner to ensure destruction.”
When Rear Admiral Turner sent this despatch, he did not know that
CTF 63’s (Rear Admiral McCain) search planes on the eighth of August,
had not covered the Slot areas which TF 63 had been requested to cover.
CTF 63’s report of his air searches for the 8th was not time dated in his
New Caledonia Headquarters on that day until 233+—27 minutes before
midnight .33
The special air reconnaissance in the Choisel-Bougainville Slot Area
requested by CTF 62 (Turner) of CTF 6334 failed to provide a contact
90(a) COMSOPAC Action Report; (b) Turner; (c) Staff Interview (d) Undated, but
probably June 1943 Official Statement of Rear Admiral Turner on Admiral Hepburn’s Report.
Made prior to submission of CINCPACS 28 June 1943 endorsement on that Report.
“ COMSOWESPACFOR to CINCPAC and All Task Force Commanders, Pacific Fleet, 081130
Aug. 1942. Hepburn Report, Annex T.
WCTF 62 to COMAIRSOPAC, 081055 Aug. 1942. Hepburn Report, Annex T.
= CTF 63 to CTF 61 into CTF 62, 081233 Aug. 1942 in Hepburn Report, Annex T
~ CTF 62 to CTF 63,070642 Aug. 1942. Hepburn Report, Annex T.