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 Author  Topic: Shore Batteries
CJ Willis

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Post a Reply To This Topic    Reply With Quotes     Edit Message     View Profile of CJ Willis  Posted on: Jul 9, 2007 - 10:51am
On April 5th, 6th or 7th (I recall being near my 19th birthday- April 4th) PT 242 was sent from Green Island Base to patrol the Buka - Bougainville area. Lt. Gillman, section leader, Lt.(jg) Alpine Mclane, skipper, Ensign Don Hanna, Exec.. We arrived on station and patroled around for a while. The officers got the wise idea to check Buka Passage for shore batteries. Buka Passage is a narrow body of water separating Buka Island from Bougainville. It was a clear night and as we entered the narrow body of water, the shore line was very visible to us and I am sure we were very visible out in the water to the Japs. We were at General Quarters. We were idling and approximately 500 yds off shore when all hell broke loose from the Buka side. 3 or 4 shore battery location opened up. These were big guns 5 inch or bigger. The shells were going over the boat and exploding in the water beyond. I can still hear the whirr and swosh as they went over. They were really close. I just knew the next volly would find our range. We were out of range for our guns to return fire. Mr. McLane immediately opened the throttles to get out of there. He opened them too quickly and one engine konked out so we only had two engines. Mr. McLane ordered John Grace, torpedoman, to open the smoke generator and I believe that was the only thing that saved us. We were immediately enveloped in smoke. Down in the engine room Warren Trosclair had gotten on the hand wobble pump to get the fuel flowing to the dead engine. Got it going and we picked up speed. Shells continued to fall all around us but we were laying puffs of smoke for them to to shoot at. They fired on us until we were out about 4 miles. I don't know if any other boats ever went through Buka Passage, all I know is we never tried it again. I do know the gun locations were reported to the Air Force and am sure they softened them up. That was the most frightening situation I have ever had. Over the years I have wondered why we were spared when others were not. You just have to believe the Lord works in wonderous ways!

C. J. Willis

Total Posts: 464 | Joined: Nov 5, 2006 - 5:02pm | IP Logged

  Greg Matthews

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Post a Reply To This Topic    Reply With Quotes     Edit Message     View Profile of Greg Matthews   Send Email To Greg Matthews Posted on: Jul 9, 2007 - 11:18am
C.J.-

That is some story! My Dad use to tell me about encounters like that. All I can say is ata-boy and good job to you all and a toast to a job well done and the hell you boys went through. My Dad was on the 221 boat. I see you mentioned the 242 boat. He was RON 16. Did you guys ever hook up with the 221 or anyone from RON 16? My Dad's name was John Matthews. He was the youngest on board at 17. His Captain was Lt.(jg)J.C. Rock. Rock was an Indian fellow. Dad's nickname was "ducky". This is just a long shot, but I thought I'd ask in case your RON and RON 16 played together.

Greg Matthews

2nd PT 221 RON 16


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Will Day

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Great story as always, C.J. Keep 'em coming!



Will

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CJ Willis

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Post a Reply To This Topic    Reply With Quotes     Edit Message     View Profile of CJ Willis  Posted on: Jul 10, 2007 - 8:11am
Greg and Will
Thanks for your comments.
Greg, I was on PT 242 in Ron 19 and 23. We were based in the Solomons while I was aboard. We never operated with Ron 16. I believe they were in New Guinea.

C. J. Willis

Total Posts: 464 | Joined: Nov 5, 2006 - 5:02pm | IP Logged

Greg Matthews

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Post a Reply To This Topic    Reply With Quotes     Edit Message     View Profile of Greg Matthews   Send Email To Greg Matthews Posted on: Jul 10, 2007 - 8:22am
C.J.-


Thank you for the information. Have a great day and look forward to corresponding with you again.

Greg


Total Posts: 76 | Joined: Nov 30, 2006 - 9:33am | IP Logged


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