Status - John Skinner - USS O'Brien:
O'Brien had returned to Pearl Harbor from Pago Pago, to join Task Force 17.
Operation Watchtower
Navy command had settled on the invasion of the Solomon Islands as the new direction for the Pacific War. The intent was to move up the Solomons chain, to then attack and capture the Japanese naval base at Rabaul. MacArthur would move into New Guinea and be available for the attack on Rabaul when the time came.
The initial invasion of the Solomons was to be covered by three of the US Navy fleet carriers; Task Force 17 (Hornet), with the O'Brien, was retained at Pearl Harbor as the other 3 carries went to the South Pacific.
U. S. Navy Task Forces:
- Task Force 17 (Hornet) was at Pearl Harbor (until July 13). Hornet was having some refitting done, mostly radar installations.
- Task Force
16 (Enterprise) was at Pearl Harbor (until July 15). Enterprise also had some refitting, mainly anti-aircraft batteries.
- Task Force 11 (Saratoga) was at Pearl Harbor (until July 7).
- Task Force 18 (Wasp) was heading for the South Pacific (initial destination Tonga), escorting transports with Marine forces that would be part of the invasion of the Solomons (Operation Watchtower).
More Information:
- Official Navy Chronology, pp. 224-226.
- The First Team and the Guadalcanal Campaign, John B. Lundstrom, pp 18-19.
- Coral Sea, Midway and Submarine Actions, Samuel Eliot Morison, pp. 260-261.
NEXT POST: JULY 8TH
No comments:
Post a Comment