The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1943-11-11

naked, ana makeSnift clothes were
found them. All were filthy with
oil. Some required medical treat
ment. but they grew strong on the
simple first-aid care and nursing
which their shipmates and the ma
tives provided
A day later a semi-permanent
camp, sheltered by giant banyan
trees from enemy ships and planes.
was up in the bush close by the sea.
The wounded were put to bed in the
house of hospitable Chinese. Med
ical supplies and emergency ra-
lions collected from some of the
ships RATS which had drifted ashore
furnished dependable fare for the
injured. Natives brought TO camp
daily supply Of potatoes. tapioca.
vans. papaw and other tropical
foods A stew, consisting of four
cans of meat and native vegetables
was cooked twice daily and provid-
ed the chief article of diet. Fortune
obligingly saw to it that the u. S.
Navy still had its inexhaustible sup
ply of coffeei Five 25-lb. cans of
coffee were washed up on the beach.
providing an amply supply for all
hands
Japanese patrols and scouting par
ties were on Vella LaVella, and
planes bearing the red spot of the
Japanese sun We're common sight
overhead The possibility of dis
covery and capture of the Helena's
unarmed survivors was uppermost
in everyone's mind. Major Kelly or
gained guard from the five ma
rines and few of the sailors. The
natives produced seven old rifles
including one of Japanese make,
and shotgun. Enough ammunition
was rounded up to provide a few
shots for each weapon Guards were
posted nightly.
The natives assisted in protecting
the camp by reporting Japanese ac-
tivities. On one occasion, it was re-
ported -four japanese approached
too closely and they were disposed
of by the natives.
Within a few days communication
was established with the United
States Naval forces at Tulagi I'm
mediately plans were initiated at
Tulagl to rescue the men in Lieu
tenant Chew's group and a smaller
group similarly stranded few miles
away. 1t was a bold and difficult
scheme, for not only was the enemy
in control of Vella LaVel,a, Kolom-
bangara and all of the waters
around them. but available charts
were unreliable for negotiating the
narrow and crooked channels
through which rescue ships must
pass.
In addition, neatly all United
States ships were engaged night
and day in supporting landing OPP
erations being made on New Georg-
la and Rendova Islands. Moreover,
the rescue dash must be made at
night, because daylight would ex-
pose the ships to air attack by the
enemy.
Captain Francis X. McInerney, u.
S. N, of Cheyenne, Wyo., command
er Of destroyer squadron, was
placed in charge of the rescue ex-
petition. He ordered destroyer
transports Converted average de-
stroyers) to handle the actual rescue
work. They were to be covered by
an inner escort screen of modern
destroyers while taking off the
Helena's survivors and by an outer
screen also composed of destroy
ers, operating independently of
both of the other forces.
Captain Thomas ]. Ryan, Jr., u.
S. ~, 4607 Connecticut Ave, N. W.,
Washington, D. G., commanded the
escort and Commander John D.
Sweeney, U. S. NJ, Belmont, Mass,
the destroyer transports.
The transports and their escort
/ departed from Guadalcanal at noon
ON July Is. There were two de-
stroyer-transports: the u. S. S.
Dent, Lieutenant Commander Ralph
A. Wilhelm, U. S. NJ R., 2515 5th
Ave. West, Seattle, Wash, and the
u. S. S. Waters, Lieutenant Com
mander Charles j McWhinnie, u.
S. N. R., 435 Teresita Blvd, San
Francisco, Calf, with Commander
Sweeney in the Dent Four destroy
ers made up the escort. the U. S. S.
Taylor, Lieutenant Commander Ben
jamin Katz, u. S. N, Ellsworth
Ave, Cambridge, Mass, the u. S. S.
Muary, Lieutenant Commander Gel
ger L. Sims, u. S. ~, of Orange
burg, S. c.; the u. S. S. Gridley,
Lieutenant Commander Jesse H.
Notes, u. S. N, of Mountville, S. c.;
and the u S. S. Ellet, Lieutenant
Commander Thomas c. Phifer, u.
S. ~, of Spartanburg, S. c. Capt.
Ryan was in the Taylor.
The force proceeded toward its
destination, keeping New Georgia to
starboard, As far as Rendova the
course was familiar .F-hecause some
Of the ships had participated in OPP
erations near that island But be-
yond Banyetta Point, at the west
ern extremity of Rendova, the sea,
the islands, and their many reefs
were unknown territory. The night
! was clear with bright moonlight
which greatly aided navigation.
1t was then after midnight, and
the rendezvous hour was near. The
ships inched their way cautiously
!