NOTE: This Operation Plan was transcribed from COPY NO. 1016, typed 60 years ago. The pages have aged, the type is not always clear, and the text has been amended by hand-written notes (which will be shown in green, although it is not always clear where the hand-written notes are additions, or corrections or simply clarify faint text. Deleted text (strike-thru) is displayed in [grey].

Every reasonable step has been taken to preserve the original formatting, pagination, spelling, etc., but allowances should always be made for the possibility of errors in my transcription.    --HyperWar


ANNEX 'C' TO COMMANDER ALLIED NAVAL FORCES
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA
OPERATION PLAN 13-44


MOVEMENT PLAN

Appendix 1. Assault Shipping Schedule.
  2. Entry Plan.
  3. Cruising Instructions.


APPENDIX 1 TO ANNEX "C" TO COMMANDER ALLIED NAVAL FORCES, SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA OPERATION PLAN NO., 13-44.
  1. Refer to:
    1. Appendix 1 to Annex "L".
      (Geographical Reference Points and Code Names).

    2. Appendix 2 to Annex "L".
      (Traffic Routes, Fueling Areas and Sea Operating Areas).

    3. Appendix 3 to Annex "L".
      (Time and Distance Tables).

    4. Chart Attached to this Appendix.
      (Estimated Noon Positions).

  2. Task Group of the Northern and Southern Attack Forces will sortie from MANUS and HOLLANDIA in order to pass through Point ART approximately at the times indicated in the schedule below:

         UNITS TIME DAY Estimated speed
    of Advance
    TG 77.5 Minesweeping and Hydrographic Group.
    Northern Attack Force.
    2315 A-6 10 knots
    TG 78.4 DINAGAT Attack Group. 2330 10 knots
    TG 77.2 Bombardment and Fire Support Group plus 12 CVE 0430 A-5 14 knots
    TF 79 Southern Attack Force
    LST Group
    1255 A-3 8 knots
    TF 78 Northern Attack Force
    Transport Group
    LST Group plus 2 CVE.
     
    1355
    1425
     
    A-3
    A-3
     
    8 knots
    8 knots
    TF 79 Southern Attack Force
    Transport Groups plus 2 CVE
     
    1240
     
    A-2
     
    12 knots
    TG 77.1 Flagship Group
    Northern Attack Force
    1345 A-2 12 knots
    TG 78.6 Reinforcement Group #1 plus 2 CVE 1425 A-1 8 knots

  3. At 1200 on A-1 Day the task groups indicated below will pass through the following coordinates and assume their respective approach cruising dispositions as required for entry into the approach channel at Point FIN:

    TF 79 Southern Attack Force  
              LST Group 09°-50'-00"
    127°-16'-30"
    TF 78 Northern Attack Force  
      Transport Group
    LST Group plus 2 CVE
    09°-46'-00"
    127°-24'-00"
    TF 79 Southern Attack Force  
      Transport Groups plus 2 CVE 09°-07'-00"
    128°-45'-00"
    TG 77.1 Flagship Group  
        09°-02'-00"
    128°-56'-40"

--1--

  1. The first reinforcing echelon of the Northern Attack Force at 1200 on A+1 will pass through the following coordinates and assume their respective approach cruising dispositions as required for entry into the approach channel at Point FIN.

    A+1 Day.
    (a) TG 78.6 Reinforcing Group #1 (Guide)
    and 2 CVE from TG 77.4
         09°-44'-00"
    127°-27'-30"

  2. Task Groups indicated will regulate their speed of advance in order to arrive at Point FIN at the entrance to the Approach Channel at the following times:

  3. Designated units of the Bombardment and Fire Support Group will arrive at Point FIN at 0600 A-3 in order to render fire support for initial minesweeping operations.

  4. Refueling will take place between Points FIN and ART as outlined in Annex "K" (Logistics) and time schedules have made allowances for reduced speeds during these periods.

Southern
LST Group
Northern
Transport
Group
Northern
LST Group
Southern
Transport
Group
Fleet
Flagship
Group
Minesweeping
and
Hydrographic
Group
DINAGAT
Attack
Group
Bombardment
and
Fire Support
Group
2300
A-1
0000
A-day
0030
A-day
0315
A-day
0340
A-day
0600
A-3
0615
A-3
1000
A-3

App. 1 -- C-2


Estimated Noon Positions
Appendix 1 to Annex C
CANF-SWPA Op Plan 13-44


APPENDIX 2 TO ANNEX "C" TO COMMANDER ALLIED NAVAL FORCES,
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA OPERATION PLAN NO. 13-44.

ENTRY PLAN
  1. Refer to:
    1. Appendix 1 to "Annex "L".
      (Geographical Reference Points and Code Names).

    2. Appendix 3 to Annex "L".
      (Time and Distance Tables).

    3. Appendix 4 to Annex "L".
      (Approach Channels, Harbor Operating Areas, and Areas of Responsibility).

  2. The Harbor Entrance Control Unit will regulate and coordinate entrance to and passage through the approach channel. The Close Covering Group Commander Southern LST Group will report to the Harbor Entrance Control Unit prior to arrival at point FIN in order to receive final instructions for entry.

  3. The order of entry of the Transport and LST Groups of the Northern and Southern Attack Forces are scheduled to permit each group to arrive in their respective transport areas in sufficient time to dispatch the assault waves to the beach.

  4. The following schedule indicates the times at which each group will pass through the reference points in the Approach Channel:

    Point Southern
    LSTs
    Northern
    Transports
    Northern
    LSTs
    Southern
    Transports
    Flagship
    Group
    FIN 2300 A-1 0000 A-day 0030 A-day 0315 A-day 0340 A-day
    REB 0053 A-day 0153 0223 0430 0455
    C 0437 0537 0607 0700 0725
    B 0617 ---- ---- 0800
    A ---- 0737 0807 ----

  5. Transports for GREEN Beach accompanying the Northern Transport Group will separate from their group at Point REB and proceed to the transport area as directed by Commander Northern Attack Force.

    Every effort will be made by various groups to maintain the entrance schedule as closely as possible in order that all groups will arrive at their transport areas in time.

App. 2 -- C-1

APPENDIX 3 TO ANNEX "C" TO COMMANDER ALLIED NAVAL FORCES,
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA, OPERAITON PLAN NO. 13-44.

CRUISING INSTRUCTIONS
  1. Movement of units enroute to the objective area are shown in Appendix 1 to Annex "C" (Assault Shipping Schedule) and on Appendix 2 to Annex "L" (Traffic Routes, Fueling Areas and Sea Operating Areas).

  2. Bombardment and Fire Support Group and Southern and Northern Attack Force Units proceed independently as shown, in formations as prescribed by Task Force or Task Group Unit Commanders. These forces do not merge and there are no cruising dispositions for the Central PHILIPPINES Attack Force.

  3. Air Attacks - Commanders of groups or units proceeding independently will issue instructions to own forces as to maneuvering against air attack, night or day. The following general instructions will be followed:

    1. In case of air attack during daylight screening vessels will close to within 1500 yards of the nearest vessel screened and maneuver at high speed in own sector.

    2. It is generally inadvisable to fire at night snooper planes as it furnishes a point of aim for the plane. Fire should be opened only when it is evident that the plane is approaching to attack. OTC may direct the withholding of fire on aircraft at night.

    3. Night bombing and torpedo plane attacks may be expected. Such attacks may be preceded by the dropping of float lights and flares to mark and illuminate the formation, and colored lights as attack signals to planes.

    4. Unless otherwise prescribed by OTC of ships in company, ships' gunfire at planes at night will be governed by the following:

      1. Radar controlled batteries open fire when range-keeper setup is obtained and target is within effective gun range.

      2. Other batteries open fire only when an enemy plane is in visual sight. Commanding Officers must exercise positive control over gunfire.

  4. Submarine Contacts - In the event of a submarine sound or visual contact the vessel making the contact will attack and immediately inform the OTC who will direct additional antisubmarine vessels to assist in search and attack. A submarine detected in the vicinity of our forces must be attacked immediately and vigorously to disrupt the submarine's plan of attack. The attack on the submarine must continue until it is destroyed or until danger to the formation has passed. Maneuvers of the formation to avoid the submarine will be as directed by the O.T.C.

App. 3 -- C-2

  1. Combat Air patrol and anti-submarine patrol will be provided by escort carriers when latter are in company.

  2. Echelons and units retiring from the objective area will be routed along a track thirty (30) miles south of the regular traffic routes shown in Appendix 2 to Annex "L".

  3. If a ship is torpedoed or sunk action to rescue survivors will be directed by the O.T.C.

  4. The use of voice radio must be kept to an absolute minimum. This is a command responsibility. Whenever possible course changes and other instructions for the night will be signaled during daylight.

  5. The Flagship Group will join any formation at discretion during daylight hours. O.T.C. will remain in the flag of disposition being joined.

App. 3 -- C-2

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