| January 30, 1943 |
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| G.C.T. | L.C.T. | |
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Task Force 16 in cruising formation 11, ENTERPRISE guide, steaming on course 017°T.
and at 28 knots. |
| 1330 | 0100 |
Despatch received from Commander Task Force 16 stated that during the night of 29-30
January Task Force 18 had been attacked by enemy torpedo planes and bombers south of
Guadalcanal. CHICAGO had been damaged and was being towed by LOUISVILLE. Task Force 16 to
search for and provide air coverage for Task Force 18 during daylight of January 30, 1943. |
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| 1826 | 0556 |
Launched 7 VSB for intermediate and inner air patrols and 4 VSB for special search to
locate CHICAGO. |
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| 1858 | 0628 |
Changed fleet course and axis to 012°T. |
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| 2014 | 0744 |
Launched 10 VF for combat air patrols (4 over Task Force 16 and 6 over Task Force 18). |
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| 2030 | 0800 |
0800 position: latitude 13° 00' 00" S., longitude 161° 11' 15" E. |
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| 2108 | 0838 |
Changed fleet course and axis to 335°T. |
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| 2147 | 0917 |
Sighted SUWANEE, CHENANGO and two destroyers bearing 047°, distance about 20 miles. |
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| 2208 | 0938 |
Launched 10 VF for combat patrol, 2 VSB for inner air patrol and 6 VSB for intermediate
air patrols. Landed 11 VSB planes. |
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| 2243 | 1013 |
Changed fleet speed to 21 knots. |
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| 2302 | 1032 |
Commenced zigzagging according to plan No. 6. |
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| 2333 | 1103 |
Sighted Rennel Island bearing 312°T., distance 41 miles. |
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| 0000 | 1130 |
Launched 10 VF for combat air patrols. Landed 10 VF. |
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| 0029 | 1159 |
Changed fleet course to 145°T. |
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| 0030 | 1200 |
1200 position: latitude 12° 11' 00" S., longitude 161° 03' 00" E. Course and
distance made good since 1200, Jan. 29, 1943: course 336°T, distance 230 miles. |
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| 0033 | 1203 |
Changed fleet course to 140°T. |
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| 0038 | 1208 |
Changed speed to 18 knots. |
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| 0052 | 1222 |
Changed speed to 15 knots. |
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| 0102 | 1232 |
Changed fleet course and axis to 100°T. |
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| 0118 | 1248 |
Changed course to 070°T. |
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| 0152 | 1322 |
Changed speed to 20 knots. |
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| 0155 | 1325 |
Launched 10 VF for combat air patrol, 2 VSB for inner air patrol and 6 VSB for intermediate
air patrol. Landed 10 VF and 8 VSB. |
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| 0223 | 1343 |
An F4F-4 airplane (10-F-5), pilot Lieutenant T.E. Edwards, U.S.N. crashed in the water
while approaching for a landing. Plane sank, pilot was not recovered. |
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| 0228 | 1358 |
Changed fleet course and axis to 295°T. and speed to 21 knots. |
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| 0321 | 1451 |
Emergency landing by VF plane. |
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| 0355 | 1525 |
Launched 10 VF for combat air patrol, 2 VSB for inner air patrol and 8 VSB for intermediate
air patrols. Landed 10 VF, 8 VSB. |
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| 0445 | 1615 |
CHENANGO and SUWANEE passed from sight bearing 075°. |
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| 0454 | 1624 |
Radar picked up a group of unidentified planes approaching, bearing 300°T, distance
67 miles. |
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| 0500 | 1630 |
Went to general quarters and prepared to repel air raid. |
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| 0504 | 1634 |
Changed speed to 27 knots. |
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| 0505 | 1635 |
Launched 10 VF for combat air patrol. |
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| 0513 | 1643 |
Changed course to 126°T. |
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| 0514 | 1644 |
Fighters in contact with enemy planes. |
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| 0515 | 1645 |
Enemy torpedo planes attacked CHICAGO, our fighters shot down 12 out of 13 attacking
planes. |
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| 0518 | 1648 |
Sighted smoke from enemy plane shot down by our VF bearing 340°T. |
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| 0535 | 1705 |
Changed fleet course to 295°T. and speed to 21 knots. |
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| 0549 | 1719 |
Launched 6 VF for Task Force 18 combat air patrol. Launched 8 VSB for inner and intermediate
air patrols. Landed all planes except above two patrols. |
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| 0612 | 1742 |
Secured from general quarters. |
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| 0713 | 1843 |
Changed fleet course and axis to 180°T. |
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| 0739 | 1909 |
Landed air patrols. |
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| 0800 | 1930 |
Changed course and axis to 120°T. |
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| 0815 | 1945 |
Changed speed to 18 knots. |
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| 0830 | 2000 |
2000 position: latitude 12° 45' 15" S., longitude 161° 02' 15" E. |
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| 0850 | 2020 |
Ceased zigzagging. |
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| 0900 | 2030 |
Changed fleet course and axis to 180°T. |