War Diary of LSM 51, Including Cargo Run to Batangas Town, March 1945

Transcription of a war diary filed by the LSM¹ in April 1945 for its activities the previous month, including a cargo run to Batangas Town (now City). This is a declassified document² taken from the United States National Archives. Originally a 5-page document, this transcription includes only diary entries on dates with relevance to Batangas.

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Historic documents relevant to the Province of Batangas.

LSM 551
FLEET POST OFFICE
San Francisco, California

File No: LSM51/A16-3
Serial No: 07

2 April 1945

CONFIDENTIAL

From:	The Commanding Officer.
To:	The Commander in Chief, United States Fleet.
Subject:	War Diary – Submission of.
Reference:	(a) AlNav 176 of 26 October 1943. (b) CominCh Ltr. FF1/A12-1/A16-3, Serial 7152 of 29 Oct. 1943. (c) Art. 712 & 874(6), U.S. Navy Reg. 1920.
Enclosure:	(A) War Diary of U.S.S. LSM 51 for period from 1 March 1945 to 1 April 1945.

1. Enclosure (A) is forwarded in accordance with reference (a) as amplified by reference (b).

[Sgd.] JAMES O. POTTS, Jr.

cc:	CinCPac Com7thFleet ComAdComd7thPhib ComLSMFlot7 ComLSMGrp19 File

[Page 2 not transcribed for lack of relevance to Batangas.]

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LSM 551
FLEET POST OFFICE
San Francisco, California

File No: LSM51/A16-3
Serial No: 07

2 April 1945

CONFIDENTIAL

WAR DIARY

[Entries for 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20 and 21 March 1945 not transcribed for lack of relevance to Batangas.]

22 March 1945

Shifted anchorage in morning to Lingayen Gulf. Received movement orders at 1200 and got underway in accordance with orders from Commander U.S. Naval Section Base, Lingayen to join convoy NLY-106. Moving independently to Subic Bay, Philippine Islands with one escort vessel. Cargo on board for delivery to Batangas Bay, Philippine Islands.

Position: 2000-Lat. 16°23’ N: Long 120°10’ E.

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LSM 551
FLEET POST OFFICE
San Francisco, California

File No: LSM51/A16-3
Serial No: 07

2 April 1945

CONFIDENTIAL

WAR DIARY

[Entries for 23-24 March 1945 not transcribed for lack of relevance to Batangas.]

27 March 1945

Underway at 0231 in accordance with Commander SEVENTH Amphibious Force speed letter, serial M-00229 of 26 March 1945. In convoy enroute to Batangas Bay, S.C. 981 (O.T.C.).

Positions:

0800 1200

Lat. 14°17' 30" N Lat. 13°56' N

Long. 120°16' E. Long. 120°24' E.

Arrived and anchored in Balayan Bay, off Lemery City³, Luzon, P.I. at about 1800.

28 March 1945

Underway in convoy to Batangas Bay, Luzon for delivery of cargo. Arrived and anchored at about 1100.

29 March 1945

Remained at anchor in Batangas Bay awaiting further orders.

Enclosure (A)

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LSM 551
FLEET POST OFFICE
San Francisco, California

File No: LSM51/A16-3
Serial No: 07

2 April 1945

CONFIDENTIAL

WAR DIARY

30 March 1945:

Beached near Batangas City at 1044 and commenced unloading cargo. Retracted at about 2230 having received word of Jap sniper patrols in vicinity. Rebeached and continued unloading at 2318.

31 March 1945:

Completed unloading at 0015; retracted and anchored in Batangas Bay awaiting further orders from S.C. 981 (O.T.C.) 0249-Got underway in convoy enroute to Subic Bay via Manila Bay. Proceeded from Manila Bay in company with S.C. 981 (O.T.C.) only. Arrived and anchored in Subic Bay at 1830. Awaiting further orders.

Notes and references: