US Marine Corps - The Black Vault

548 Amphibians Came To Conquer
The Buchanan from the Fire Support Unit, which was designated by CTG
31.1 to silence the batteries so that the anti-submarine units could continue
their patrol, reported:
. . . there were six guns of 3“ to 4.7” firing at this vessel. . . . 15 salvos
were observed to be fired and as many splashes were observed close aboard.
(5o to 300) yards. . . . A total of 223 rounds were fired in this first phase
[by Buclumar]. The enemy appeared to fire an estimated 50 rounds. . . .
At 0832 one gun of Baanga Point opened up on the Z?ucbanan again. . . .
At 1030 one shore battery on Baanga Point opened fire again using the
Bzzckdnun as target. . . .
At 1315 single gun in Munda Point Area opened fire. . . . Buchanan
. . . poured 64 rounds into the immediate area. No guns from any sector
m ~re heard thereafter.
It is believed that a total of seven guns were silenced [by fire by Bti-
Chvrdn].14
The Gzuin was hit in the engine room by a 4.7 inch projectile during
the early Japanese salvos at about 0710. The Furenbolt and the ]enkinf
in the Anti-Submarine Unit reported near-misses. The Buchanan continued
to offer herself as a target until the troops were all landed.
Since Kundu Kundu Island is about two and a half miles south of Munda
Point and only six miles from Renard Entrance to Rendova Harbor, the
local Japanese officer controlling the guns rendered a major assist to TF 31
when he disclosed the presence of his guns to the destroyers. The 4.7-inch
guns were silenced without taking real advantage of a good opportunity
to shoot at much larger and nearly stationary targets—the large transports
and cargo ships hove-to unloading off Renard Entrance to Rendova Harbor.
WESTERN FORCE AIR DEFENSE
On D-Day, aircraft from TF 33 had three clashes with Japanese aircraft
during which the defensive effort of these United States planes made a major
contribution to the successful landing. During the eight hours covering the
period from 0645 to 1445 on 30 June when the large transports were unloading
troops and impedimenta in the Rendova area, the Japanese mounted
only one ineffective air attack on the large transports. However, they did
delay the unloading.
Many bogies were reported to CTF 31 at 0856. TU 31.1.31 immediately
‘4Bticbamm Action Report, Ser 00124 of 11 Jul. 1943, pp. 3–4.