Evening star., 1942-05-06
Continued From First Page }

was bombed to hell. and was brought
right out of it again by a crew that
doesn't know the meaning of the
word abandon
When the war broke out, the
Marblehead and several United
States destroyers were at Tarakan,
a port in Northeast Borneo. The
Marblehead forged into action i'm
mediately and for the first month
of the war was engaged in covering
the evacuation of United Nations
shipping from the Philippines to
the southwark. Protected by the
sweeping guns of the Marblehead
and other United States cruisers and
destroyers, more than so merchant
ships were evacuated in these opera
tions without a loss.
Jap Convoy Blasted.
"As the Japanese bore down on
the Netherlands Indies, a United
States striking force consisting of
cruisers and destroyers made sew
eral attempts to intercept the enemy
cAAAA 1AdAO LllC d0td dllSC. WlCC lIlC
japanese command of the air
frustrated such efforts, but finally,
on January "a, an enemy convoy was
caught edging southwark through
Macassar Straits.
This convoy was lashed and
heavily punished in successive at
tacks by United States and Dutch
submarines and aircraft, and a
United States naval force consisting
of four destroyers, the John D. Ford,
Parrott, Pope and Paul Jones. The
night Of January "a proved to be
fulf1llment of destroyer COM
mander's dream. Under cover of
darkness and heavy mists the United
States destroyers named above
plowed up and down the straits
pumping torpedoes and shells into
the massed Jap ships. This attack,
previously described in communiques
and press reports, resulted in a bag
by the United States destroyers of
at least four large transports dam
aged.
Covered Destroyers' Getaway.
"The Marblehead, while not ac-
lively participating in the battle,
had share in it, that backed up
and covered the destroyers' entry
into the straits and then their get
away.
Despite the beatings received in
Macassar Straits, the Japanese con-
tinued their advance and succeeded
in occupying Balikpapan, in Borneo.
From their base at Sourabaya, the
Marblehead and four accompanying
World War destroyers-the Stewart,
John D. Edwards, Barker and Bull
mer-slipped forth to attempt stab
at the concentration of Jap ships of
Balikpapan.
AT about $50 pm. on February /,
this small force encountered Japa-
nese fleet consisting of seven cruisers
and 13 destroyers. In the face Of
such superior opposition, the United
States ships retired southwark and
joined the Houston and three Dutch
light cruisers-the Java, De Ruyter,
Tromp-and three Dutch destroyers.
On February 4, this combined force
was standing by to ambush the
Japanese armada in the vicinity of
Balipapan when 1t was attacked by q
large flight OF Japanese planes. The
Jap aircraft winged high overhead
on formations Of nine at a time,
showering bombs. At least 81 air
craft participated In the attack.
Rocked by Explosions.
One Of the Japanese planes was
hit by anti-aircraft fire from the
Houston. As this plane fell, its pilot
attempted suicide dive on the Mar
blehead, but the cruisers gunners
poured fire on the falling plane and
completed its destruction with hits
that sent it crashing into the sea
about 30 feet from their ship.
I'm this engagement the Houston
was hit by one bomb while the Mar
blehead received two direct hits and
was badly damaged under water by
a near miss. All three bombs caused
serious damage. The Marblehead
was rocked by explosion, swept by
fire and threatened with flooding
The crisis was intensified as her
steering gear was completely dis
abled.
Fifteen men were killed and 20
more wounded during the bombing.
The projected attack on the jap
anese had to be abandoned, and the
Marblehead and her destroyers pro-
ceeded to Tjilatjap on the south
coast Of Java. The feat of seaman
ship required to negotiate this jour-
ney is attested by the fact that the
Marblehead had to be steered by her
engines. The Marblehead was an
old ship, as modern war vessels 60,
and was lightly armored and pro-
tected.
Bailed by Bucket Brigade.
"The damage caused by the bombs
was, indeed, critical. Only through
the ability and determination OF
Marblehead's personnel was the ship
kept afloat.
"At one stage, water was pouring
into the Marblehead at such a rate
her pumping equipment proved in
adequate to keep up with the rising