War Diary of USS Tinsman (DE589) Related to the Nasugbu Landing, Jan 1945

Transcription of a war diary filed by the USS Tinsman (DE¹ 589) on the Nasugbu Landing of 31 January 1945. This is a declassified document² taken from the United States National Archives.

[p. 1]

CONFIDENTIAL

W A R D I A R Y

U.S.S. TINSMAN (DE 589)
[p. 2]

CONFIDENTIAL

WAR DIARY OF U.S.S. THE TINSMAN (DE 589)

1 FEBRUARY 1945: 0001 Steaming on various courses & speeds in Nasugbu Bay, Batangas Province, Luzon Island, P.I. in search of small craft. 0002 illuminated a possible target momentarily; results negative. 0010 Received reports that at PC³ had been sighted with deck awash and sinking. USS LOUGH steamed alongside dropping her whaleboat for survivors. All survived except one enlisted man. 0026 unloaded gun 51 through the muzzle. 0306 Set condition of readiness III and material condition Baker. Resumed patrol in inner screen. Following ammunition expended: 3 rounds star shell 8 rounds AA⁴ common flashless powder, 20 rounds 45 caliber. Survivors from PC 1129 stated that these small craft seemed to surround them and then crash into their sides. It is believed that these small craft carry armed bombs that go off as craft crashes into side of ship. 1730 opened fire with small arms and 20 M/M on round metal object. 1750 ceased firing, object destroyed, having expended 356 rounds 20 M/M, 180 rounds 45 caliber, 40 rounds 30 caliber. 2255 made radar contact with two surface craft. Set condition of readiness I and material condition Afirm. USS LOUGH (DE 586) and USS CONYNGHAM (DD 371) ordered to investigate contacts. Targets destroyed as enemy motor torpedo boats. Motor boats were later identified as friendly. They gave every indication of being enemy, showed no recognition signals when called on four different frequencies without contact, and closed in on bow of USS LOUGH.

0800	–	14° 03' 00" N 120° 35' 00" E
1200	–	14° 03' 00" N 120° 35' 00" E
2000	–	14° 03' 00" N 120° 35' 00" E

2 FEBRUARY 1945: 0035 Set condition of readiness III and material condition Baker. Ammunition expended: 1 round star shell, 1 round flashless powder. 0255 commenced forming convoy of all remaining ships of T.G. 78.2. 0315 Convoy formed. Underway from Nasugbu Bay, Batangas Province, Luzon Isle, P.I., enroute to Mindoro Isle, P.I., in accordance with orders of C.T.G. 78.2. Took station two in screen bearing 325° relative, distance 3500 yards from fleet center. Base course 270° T. Base speed 8 knots. 1444 Departed formation proceeding independently to Mangarin Bay, Mindoro, P.I., in accordance with visual dispatch of C.T.G. 78.2.8. 1613 Maneuvering on various courses and speed standing into Mangarin Bay, Mindoro Island, P.I. 1905 Anchored in berth 107 Mangarin Bay, Mindoro Isle, P.I.

0800	–	13° 45' 30" N 119° 57' 30" E
1200	–	13° 09' 18" N 120° 19' 48" E
2000	–	Mangarin Bay, Mindoro, P.I.

[p. 3]

CONFIDENTIAL

WAR DIARY OF U.S.S. THE TINSMAN (DE 589)

3 FEBRUARY 1945:

T.U. 78.2.11
C.T.G. 78.2 Speed Letter
U.S.S. LOUGH (DE 586) O.T.C.

0340 Underway from berth 107 standing out of Mangarin Bay, Mindoro Isle, P.I. Maneuvering on various courses at various speeds to join T.U. 78.2.11 in accordance with C.T.G. 78.2 speed letter dated 2 February 1945. 0545 Departed from Mangarin Bay, Mindoro Island, enroute to Nasugbu Bay, Batangas Province, Luzon Island, P.I., in company with T.U. 78.2.11. Lieutenant-Commander B. TURNER, USNR, C.T.U. 78.2.11 in U.S.S. LOUGH (DE 586) O.T.C. Patrolling station bearing 345° relative, distance 300 yards from column I on base course 300° T. Base speed 6 knots.

0800	–	12° 36' 42" N 120° 44' 15" E
1200	–	13° 02' 30" N 120° 29' 12" E
2000	–	13° 57' N 119° 54' 18" E

4 FEBRUARY 1945: 0200 Maneuvering on various courses and speeds standing into Nasugbu Bay. 0325 Assumed station patrolling from 2000 yards east of Fortune Island to 2000 yards west of Fuego Point. 0630 Proceeding in vicinity of Red Beach to rendezvous with Naval landing team to investigate reported party of U.S. Naval personnel on beach south of Talin Point. 0800 steaming on course 190° T, speed 12 knots, proceeding to beach south of Talin Point with men and officers of U.S. Naval beach party aboard and in LCVP⁵ being towed astern. 0831 Members of beach party shoved off in LCVP to search for party. Party met natives on beach, saying motor torpedo boat picked up 39 U.S. Naval men the day before. This was confirmed by transmissions from the U.S.S. TINSMAN to Motor Torpedo Base as being men surviving the sinking of two motor torpedo boats between 000 and 0100 1 February 1945. 1005 Landing Party departed ship. 1022 Lieutenant-Colonel Penpack came aboard. 1056 Lieutenant-Colonel Penpack departed ship with CPhM Bates to visit and discuss the evacuation of the wounded. 1840 BATES, A. L., CPhM, returned to ship.

0800	–	14° 03' 00" N 120° 32' 30" E
1200	–	14° 03' 00" N 120° 32' 30" E
2000	–	14° 03' 00" N 119° 32' 30" E

5 FEBRUARY 1945: 0130 Took station in convoy bearing 015° relative from the guide, distance 3000 yards. Took departure from PAT, base course 270° T, speed 10 knots, in company with C.T.U. 78.2.11 in U.S.S. LOUGH (DE 586) O.T.C. enroute from

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CONFIDENTIAL

Nasugbu Bay, Batangas Province, Luzon, to Mindoro, P.I. 0330 Changed base course to 250° T. 0713 Set condition of readiness III and material condition Baker. Secured from dawn alert. 1600 Commenced maneuvering on various courses and speeds standing into Mangarin Harbor, Mindoro Isle P.I. 1746 Anchored in Mangarin Bay, Mindoro Isle, P.I.

0800	–	13° 23' 54" N 120° 03' 54" E
1200	–	12° 48' 30" N 120° 27' 48" E
2000	–	12° 48' 30" N 121° 30' 00" E

Anchored in berth 122, Mangarin Bay, Mindoro Island, Philippine Islands from February 5, 1945 until February 15 1945.

15 FEBRUARY 1945:
C.T.U. 78.2.18
O.T.C. U.S.S. SUESENS (DE 342)

1015 Made preparations for getting underway. 1055 In accordance with orders of Commander Task Unit 78.3.19, file FE 25/A16-3, secret serial 0072, of 14 February 1945, got underway to Nasugbu, Batangas Province, Luzon, P.I. Maneuvering at various courses and speeds standing out of Mangarin Bay. 1130 took station in convoy, bearing 050° relative from the convoy guide, FS 365, distance 3,000 yards. Base speed 9 knots, base course 290° T.

0800	–	Mangarin Bay, Mindoro Island, P.I.
1200	–	12° 51' 42" N 120° 56' 36" E
2000	–	13° 24' 00" N 120° 13' 12" E

16 FEBRUARY 1945: 00 Steaming on base course 000° T, base speed 9 knots, in company with Task Unit 78.2.18. 0428 Changed base course to 090° T. 0450 Commenced maneuvering on various courses and speeds guiding convoy to Red Beach Area, Nasugbu Bay. 0545 Proceeding to anti-submarine patrol area. 0605 Assumed anti-submarine patrol from 2,000 yards east of Fortune Island to 2,000 yards west of Talin Point, speed 12 knots. 0635 Set material condition Afirm and condition of readiness 1 for dawn alert. 0724 Set condition of readiness III and material condition Baker. 1000 Small boat P-9 from “C” Company, 286 Regiment, U.S. Army Engineers, alongside taking party to photograph and investigate captured enemy “Q” boat. 1530 departed from patrol area and commenced standing in toward Nasugbu Beach to pick up personnel. 1538 Lying to, Army boat P-9 alongside to starboard. Party returned aboard. 1626 Returned to anti-submarine patrol. 1830 Proceeding to transport area. 1844 Laying to in Nasugbu Bay

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CONFIDENTIAL

transport area. 1935 Commenced taking aboard captured enemy “Q” boat received from Army personnel boat P-9. Underway to resume anti-submarine patrol. 2218 Left station to investigate radar contact. Set condition of readiness I and material condition Afirm. Expended 17 rounds 5"/38 illuminating projectiles and flashless powder. 2317 Set material condition Baker and condition of readiness III. Resumed patrolling station.

0800	–	14° 00' 00" N 120° 30' 00" E
1200	–	14° 00' 00" N 120° 30' 00" E
2000	–	14° 00' 00" N 120° 30' 00" E

17 FEBRUARY 1945: Patrolling station 2,000 yards east of Fortune Island to 2,000 yards west of Talin Point, Nasugbu Bay, Luzon Isle, P.I., at a speed of 12 knots. OTC, CTU 78.2.18 in USS SUESENS (DE 342).

0035 Ceased patrolling station. Formed convoy of ships of T.U. 78.2.18. 0112 Underway from Nasugbu, Luzon, P.I., for Mangarin Bay, Mindoro Isle, P.I. Standing out of harbor on base course 225° T. Base speed 8 knots. Patrolling station I 3,000 yards, bearing 310° relative from guide 0138 Changed base course to 270° T. 0820 Changed speed to 10 knots. 0900 Changed base course to 135° T. 1120 Left station by orders of O.T.C. and proceeded to rear of convoy to investigate casualty to F.S. 325. 1146 Ordered to stand by F.S. 325 until engine repairs rendered. 1201 Underway in company with FS 325 to rejoin T.U. 78.2.18, course 147° T, speed 8.5 knots. 1800 Entered Mangarin Bay, Mindoro Island, P.I. 2005 Anchored in berth 117 after having refueled.

0800	–	13° 33' 00" N 120° 00' 18" E
1200	–	13° 08' 54" N 120° 22' 12" E
2000	–	Mangarin Bay, Mindoro Island, P.I.

18 FEBRUARY 1945: 0910 Delivered Japanese “Q” boat to NABU⁶ 7.

Task Unit 78.2.19
OTC USS SUESENS(DE 342)

1440 Got underway from Nasugbu, Batangas Province, Luzon, P.I. in accordance with orders of Commander Task Unit 78.3.19, File FE23/A16-3, serial 008A of February 1945.
1527 Base course 295° T, speed 6 knots. 1600 steaming on course 295°, speed 15 knots.
1655 Took station in convoy bearing 050° relative, distance 3,000 yards from convoy guide (FS 184).

0800	–	Mangarin Bay, Mindoro Island, P.I.
1200	–	Mangarin Bay, Mindoro Island, P.I.
2000	–	12° 57' 48" N 120° 35' 30" E

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CONFIDENTIAL

19 FEBRUARY 1945: 0650 – Took leave of convoy, proceeding independently to patrol station. 0715 Commenced patrolling station 2,000 yards east of Fortune Island to 2,000 yards west of Talin Point, Nasugbu Bay, Luzon Island, P.I., at speed of 12 knots. 1915 Pursuant to orders of C.T.U. 78.2.19, took departure from Nasugbu Bay, Batangas Province, Luzon Island, P.I., enroute to Mangarin Bay, Mindoro Island, P.I., escorting USS LSM 205 and USS LSM 127 on base course 270° T, base speed 11 knots. Patrolling station bearing 000° relative, distance 3,000 yards from guide, LSM 205. Changed speed base to 12 knots.

0800	–	14° 00' N 120° 31' E.
1200	–	14° 00' N 120° 31' E
2000	–	14° 00' 06" N 120° 26' 30" E

20 FEBRUARY 1945: 0620 Proceeding independently. Maneuvering on various courses and speeds, standing into Mangarin Bay, Mindoro Island, P.I. 0929 Anchored on berth 118.

0800	1200	2000
Mangarin Bay, Mindoro Island, P.I.

21 FEBRUARY 1945: Seventh speed letter FE25/A16-3, Serial 009A.
CTU 78.2.17
OTC USS LOUGH (DE 586)
1500 Maneuvering on various courses and speeds standing out of harbor awaiting formation of convoy. 1537 Convoy formed TU 78.2.17. Took station #1 bearing 050° relative, 3,000 yards from the guide, LSM⁷ 217, enroute Mangarin Bay to Nasugbu Bay, Batangas Province, Luzon Island, P.I. Base course 293° T, base speed 6 knots. 1600 Changed base speed to 9.5 knots.

0800	–	12° 20' 00" N 120° 02' 00" E
1200	–	12° 20' 20" N 120° 02' 00" E
2000	–	12° 53' 30" N 120° 36' 30" E

22 FEBRUARY 1945: Steaming on course 322° T, base speed 10.5 knots, in company with T.U. 78.2.17 enroute Mangarin Bay, Mindoro Island, P.I., to Nasugbu Bay, Batangas Province, Luzon Island, P.I. 0635 Proceeding independently. Commenced maneuvering on various courses, speed 12 knots, to patrol station. 0715 Commenced patrolling station between the following points: 5,000 yards, 350° T, from Talin Point; 6,000 yards, bearing 285°, from Fortune Isle; and 6,000 yards, bearing 260° T from Red Beach in Nasugbu Bay, Luzon Isle, P.I., at a patrol speed of 12 knots. 2140 Ceased patrolling station. Commenced maneuvering on various courses

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CONFIDENTIAL

and at various speeds standing out of Nasugbu Bay enroute to Mangarin Bay, Mindoro, Philippine Islands, in company with Lt.-Cdr. TURNER in USS LOUGH (DE 586) 2150 Took station bearing 050° relative, distance 3,000 yards, from fleet guide on base course 250° T, base speed at 6 knots. 2155 Changed base speed to 10 knots.

0800	–	12° 57' 42" N 120° 27' 42" E
1200	–	12° 20' 00" N 120° 02' 00" E
2000	–	11° 14' 00" N 121° 22' 33" E

23 FEBRUARY 1945: Steaming on base course 120° T, base speed 10 knots. 1210 Left formation proceeding independently on various courses and speeds, standing in Mangarin Bay, Mindoro, P.I. 1235 Anchored. 1600 Underway in accordance with verbal orders of Commander Section Base Mindoro in company with USS LOUGH (DE 586) O.T.C. 1615 Set base speed 20 knots, base course 160° T. Took station 90° relative, distance 2,000 yards, from the guide. 1640 Changed base course to 180° T. Changed base course to 155° T.

0800	–	12° 57' 42" N 120° 27' 42" E
1200	–	12° 20' 00" N 120° 02' 00" E
2000	–	11° 14' 00" N 121° 22' 33" E

[Note: The succeeding entries to p. 8 no longer transcribed for lack of relevance to Batangas.]

To view or download the original document, please refer to Item ² below under Notes and References.

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Notes and references:
¹ DD stands for Destroyer. “Glossary of U.S. Naval Abbreviations – D,” online at Ibiblio.org.
² “USS TINSMAN - War Diary, 2/1-28/45,” online at the United States National Archives.
³ PC stands for Patrol Vessel, Submarine Chaser. “Glossary of U.S. Naval Abbreviations – P,” online at Ibiblio.org.
⁴ AA means Anti-Aircraft. “Anti-aircraft warfare,” Wikipedia.
⁵ LCVP stands for Landing Craft, Vehicle and Personnel. “Glossary of U.S. Naval Abbreviations – L,” online at Ibibio.org.
⁶ NABU stands for Naval Advanced Boat Unit. “Glossary of U.S. Naval Abbreviations – N,” online at Ibiblio.org.
⁷ LSM stands for Landing Ship, Medium. “Glossary of U.S. Naval Abbreviations – L,” online at Ibiblio.org.

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