General Quarters that lasted hours was uncomfortable for the six radarmen and three officers crowded into the radar shack. Adding to the stress was that only three people had jobs to perform and took the only three chairs. (An ensign and I almost came to blows once.) If it was stressful for us, you can understand how it could be even worse for gun crews who craved action.
One afternoon at Iwo Jima we were on General Quarters when a Japanese observation plane flew overhead, flying so slow it appeared to be stationary. Without being given permission, the gunners on the transport ships, including the Pickens, cut lose, firing all their guns. The cry to cease fire came over the TBS immediately and firing stopped. No ship was hit but how ironic that the greatest danger most attack transports faced was from friendly fire.
One afternoon at Iwo Jima we were on General Quarters when a Japanese observation plane flew overhead, flying so slow it appeared to be stationary. Without being given permission, the gunners on the transport ships, including the Pickens, cut lose, firing all their guns. The cry to cease fire came over the TBS immediately and firing stopped. No ship was hit but how ironic that the greatest danger most attack transports faced was from friendly fire.
No comments:
Post a Comment