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ť Forum Category: PT Boats of WWII
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ť Forum Name: PT Boats - General
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ť Topic: Mios Woendi to Surigao Strait
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After reading the two articles about the tenders Willoughby and Wachpreague I was wondering if there is anyone here who experienced that historic sea crossing?

Both of these tenders were In New Guinea servicing PT Rons' when the Japanaese finally withdrew and the decision was to send these boats to Leyte where they could be utilized better.

I believe 45 PT Boats accompanied by these two tenders sailed in open seas to Leyte. (about 1500 miles)

I would love to know more about this. Any body?

Posted By: Gary Szot | Posted on: May 29, 2007 - 7:31pm
Total Posts: 193 | Joined: Feb 12, 2007 - 1:00pm

I beleive it was 1200 miles from New Guinea to Leyte. My dad was on that crossing with Ron 33 (PT 495). Ron 33's tender was Oyster Bay so I'm guessing she was that crossing too.

Ray

Posted By: Ray Wilbur | Posted on: May 31, 2007 - 9:13am
Total Posts: | Joined: Unregistered

After doing further research the Oyster Bay was indeed in this group. Each tender had 15 boats they had to service. They had a two day stopover in Palou. They also had to refuel in the open seas. This had to be quite a sight, 45 PT Boats and three tenders in the open sea.

Scott Cunningham had a picture of a boat refueling at sea.

Posted By: Gary Szot | Posted on: May 31, 2007 - 10:30am
Total Posts: 193 | Joined: Feb 12, 2007 - 1:00pm

Here is a picture of PT 174 being refueled by the Wachapreague during the voyage from Borneo to Leyte Gulf.

[IMaGe]http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p249/ptboats/Gary%20Szot/PT174refuel.jpg[/IMaGe]

Posted By: Gary Szot | Posted on: May 31, 2007 - 12:58pm
Total Posts: 193 | Joined: Feb 12, 2007 - 1:00pm

From my log commencing Sept 29 1944:

Anchored off Morotai in the Halmahera Islands.

Oct 3rd - left Morotai for Woendi Island.
Stopped at New Amsterdam to refuel.
Very high seas.
Oct 5th - arrived at Woendi.
Oct 13th - Left Woendi in a convoy of boats. Final destination San Pedro Bay in the Philippines.
Oct 15th - Arrived at Palau. Our convoy now consists of 45 PT's.
Oct 18th - Underway at noon for the last 300 miles to Leyte/Samar
Oct 21 - Early morning. arrived at San Pedro Bay. Troops have made
a beach head on Leyte. Our warships are still shelling the island.....

Gus - Ron 33 - PT497

Posted By: area51 | Posted on: May 31, 2007 - 2:00pm
Total Posts: | Joined: Unregistered

Garry
I agree with adding the Oyster Bay to the tender list,and only 5 of the boats of Ron 36 made it 522,523,524,525,526.
the boats only ran on one engine.during the trip.Walt

Walter Kundis GMi/c

Posted By: Walter Kundis | Posted on: May 31, 2007 - 5:06pm
Total Posts: 9 | Joined: Oct 13, 2006 - 3:37pm