US Marine Corps - The Black Vault

Tough Toenails Paring 587
Recommend immediate transfer of New Georgia Occupation Force to
Griswold.’s
At the same time, Rear Admiral Turner advised Major General Griswold:
I agree with you and have so told Halsey. Request you take command as soon
as you are able to exercise it.’4
Upon the receipt of Major General Griswold’s despatch and of CTF 31’s
concurring despatch, COMSOPAC came immediately to the decision that
“the appropriate time” had arrived and issued orders:
a. for the turn over of the command of the New Georgia Occupation
Force from CTF 31 to Major General Griswold at midnight on 14 July;
b. for Rear Admiral Turner to proceed to the Central Pacific turning over
to Rear Admiral Wilkinson on 15 July.G5
This latter change occurred despite CTF 31‘s plea made some nine hours
before the COMSOPAC detachment despatch reached the air:
In fairness to Wilkinson and me, recommend that I retain command of this
operation until affairs are again going smoothly.”
Vice Admiral Halsey advised his subordinate who wanted to stay until
affairs were going more smoothly:
Your relief by Wilkinson will be effected on 15 July as planned in view of
CINCPAC’S requirement for your services.G7
(A) Logistic Support
TOENAILS’ LESSONS AND PROFITS
The Navy had been much condemned for its inadequacies in logistic
support during the first months of WATCHTOWER. Unlike the Guadal-
canal Operation, there were lst, 2nd, 3rd and 4th Echelon logistic support
movements set up for the TOENAILS Operation and a dozen support
echelons had sailed in the first 15 days of TOENAILS.
Just as Rear Admiral Turner was leaving SOPAC, Commander Landing
Craft Flotillas made a report to him on the performance of landing craft
in which was written the heartening logistic words:
68~F 31 to COMSOPAC, 131400 Ju1. 1943.
“ CTF 31 to Radio Rendova, 131510 Jul. 1943.
= CTF 31 to COMSOPAC, 131400 Jul. 1943.
WCOMTHIRDFLT to CINCPAC, 132320 Jul. 1943.
a COMTHIRDFLT to CTF 31, 132220 Jul. 1943.