kwselke
Member
Homer's diary goes back to when he took delivery of the ship in 1944. I've only shared a small portion of the story here.
Now that the USS Yolo has been in Okinawa for two months, rumors of the next assignment are about. In my opinion, it is depressing.
Now this date 1945 as seen by Homer Bast CO of the USS Yolo.
June 1, 1945
No raids or alerts all day although at 1935 my friend Mac’s (DE 750), Mc Clelland, downed a Zeke north of Kerama. It seems strange to go this long without some enemy activity. Unlike the most recent weather, today was ideal with a bright sun and a rather stiff breeze. The morning passed with the usual procession of ships coming alongside. Lunch over, the officers sat around in the ward¬room and discussed all aspects of the war. Most believe this campaign is rapidly coming to a close and we will be sent to a staging area for the next invasion - the Kyushu landings. Most would like to see a period of intense bombing and a blockade established. There was no conclusion as to whether Japan could be defeated in this manner rather than invasion. It was not long after this discussion that we learned the Kyushu invasion was set for November 1.
I spent most of the afternoon on the bridge observing the harbor, the beachhead and activity ashore. Three vessels, PC 1599, LCI(R) 648 and the LCI 565 grounded at Hagushi but all freed with some damage. One can easily follow our aircraft as they bomb Japanese positions. One too, can clearly see the AA as the enemy seeks to halt this intrusion. The entire anchorage is visible and shore activity is constant. Captain Brereton reported today 56 LSTs were present. He also told us there was a shortage of water for small vessels. We understand that Teton (AGC 14) issued 96,000 gallons to Calamus (AOG 25) for further issue to small ships. Dinner over, all hands scrambled below to a double feature which had been arranged for tonight. With the projector fixed it was good to see a show again. While we were enjoying the movie five destroyers got underway from their Hagushi anchorage and formed a special screen which patrolled the edge of the anchorage on an East-West line rather than the North-South line as they usually did.
Now that the USS Yolo has been in Okinawa for two months, rumors of the next assignment are about. In my opinion, it is depressing.
Now this date 1945 as seen by Homer Bast CO of the USS Yolo.
June 1, 1945
No raids or alerts all day although at 1935 my friend Mac’s (DE 750), Mc Clelland, downed a Zeke north of Kerama. It seems strange to go this long without some enemy activity. Unlike the most recent weather, today was ideal with a bright sun and a rather stiff breeze. The morning passed with the usual procession of ships coming alongside. Lunch over, the officers sat around in the ward¬room and discussed all aspects of the war. Most believe this campaign is rapidly coming to a close and we will be sent to a staging area for the next invasion - the Kyushu landings. Most would like to see a period of intense bombing and a blockade established. There was no conclusion as to whether Japan could be defeated in this manner rather than invasion. It was not long after this discussion that we learned the Kyushu invasion was set for November 1.
I spent most of the afternoon on the bridge observing the harbor, the beachhead and activity ashore. Three vessels, PC 1599, LCI(R) 648 and the LCI 565 grounded at Hagushi but all freed with some damage. One can easily follow our aircraft as they bomb Japanese positions. One too, can clearly see the AA as the enemy seeks to halt this intrusion. The entire anchorage is visible and shore activity is constant. Captain Brereton reported today 56 LSTs were present. He also told us there was a shortage of water for small vessels. We understand that Teton (AGC 14) issued 96,000 gallons to Calamus (AOG 25) for further issue to small ships. Dinner over, all hands scrambled below to a double feature which had been arranged for tonight. With the projector fixed it was good to see a show again. While we were enjoying the movie five destroyers got underway from their Hagushi anchorage and formed a special screen which patrolled the edge of the anchorage on an East-West line rather than the North-South line as they usually did.
