USS Electra (AKA 4)

1942 - 1945

Contemporary account, thanks to Lloyd Grady

Page 4

At 0530 on 15 June 1944, U.S.S. Electra arrived in her assigned berth in the transport area off Saipan Island. All boats from Electra participated in the assault waves and landing of supplies and equipment on Red Beach. One of Electra boat crews was killed by mortar fire during this period. Ship closed beach to shorten boat trips late in the morning. The first two nights Electra retired to westward with Transport Group Able and returned in the morning to resume unloading. Air attacks were frequent during this period. On the third night Electra remained at anchor and late in the evening during an air attack had near miss by four bombs off the stern.   On the 18th U.S.S. Electra retired to northward with Task Group Able to refuel. This same morning burial services were held for a marine who had died of wounds received ashore.   After refueling the Task Group proceeded eastward due to reports of a Japanese Task Force en route to Marianas. At 1700 Electra developed engine trouble and received permission to return to Saipan with one escort. Electra arrived at her anchorage off Saipan in Berth B-48 at 0730 on 20 June 1944.   At mid-night the 20th U.S.S. Electra was under fire from Japanese assault boats attempting to land behind Marine lines. The ship got underway and shifted out of range until morning of 21st when she returned to anchorage. From this time on Electra remained at anchorage until unloaded. Unloading was completed on the 25th of June. During this latter period, frequent air raids were experienced in one of which an LCT was hit close off the port side. Many wounded from the beach were treated on board Electra during her stay off Saipan.   Late afternoon of the 25th U.S.S> Electra got underway with other ships of Task Force and proceeded for Eniwetok Atoll. The boyage to Eniwetok was without incident and U.S.S. Electra arrived there on the 30th of June. The ship remained at Eniwetok over night and at 1800, 1 July 1944, got underway for Kwajalein Atoll in company with U.S.S. Hercules, and U.S.S. Jupiter, the Electra acting as guide and with OTC aboard. Arrived Kwajalein Atoll northern entrance on 3 July. Entered and proceeded down lagoon to southern anchorage off Kwajalein Island. The morning of the 4th she went alongside stone pier on Kwajalein to load empty gas drums. Completed loading drums the afternoon of the 5th and proceeded to sea via Cecil Pass. Outside joined convoy returning Hawaiian area.   On 10 July U.S.S. Electra developed engine trouble and convoy was slowed to Electra's speed of 9 knots. On the 12th the convoy left Electra to proceed independently with one escort. The ship then proceeded at 8 knots to Pearl Harbor arriving there on 13 July 1944 and proceeded to Navy Yard.

VIII   The morning of 4 October 1944, U.S.S. Electra began loading elements of the 1st Cavalry Division (dismounted) and their combat equipment. Completed loading 1st Cavalry Division on 7 October. The morning of the 8th the ship got underway in company with Task Group 78.2 and proceeded to outside islands where rehearsal landing was conducted. Task Group 78.2 proceeded back to Manus anchorage the same afternoon but remained outside due to arriving too late to enter. Entered Manus Harbor next morning 10 October and remained there until 12 October 1944.   Late afternoon of the 12th U.S.S. Electra got underway in company with Transport Division 20, which was a part of Task Group 78.2 en route to the initial assault on the Philippine Islands at Leyte.   The morning of 20 October 1944, paravanes were streamed by all ships including U.S.S. Electra. On recovery of paravanes, mine cables were found in Electra paravanes. One air raid was experienced while approaching the transport area off Tacloban, Leyte.   All U.S.S. Electra boats engaged in the intial assault waves on the Tacloban beaches. Later in the day Electra closed the beach and anchored. On the 22nd cargo unloading was expedited to enable Electra to join convoy leaving that evening. It was reported that a Japanese Task Force was approaching Surigao Straits. At 1700 the 22nd Electra was underway and joined the convoy leaving Leyte Gulf bound for Kossol Passage, Palau Islands, to rejoin the Transport Division 20 APA's which has sailed previously.   U.S.S. Electra arrived at Kossol Passage on 25 October 1944 and rejoined Transport Division 20. On the 28th the ship was once more underway with Transport Division 20, Task Group 78.13, for Guam to lift the 77th Infantry Division.   Task Group 78.13 arrived at Guam on 31 October and U.S.S. Electra moored to Pier Able, Apra Harbor. The morning of the 1st of November she began loading elements of the 77th Infantry Division and their combat equipment. Completed loading 77th Infantry Division on the 3rd and Electra got underway with Transport Division 20, Task Unit 78.13, bound for Noumea, New Caledonia. En route to Moumea, the orders were changed and Task Group 78.13 proceeded to Seeadler Harbor, Manus Island, arriving there on 15 November 1944.   U.S.S. Electra left Manus on 17 November with Task Group 78.13 bound for Leyte. En route to Leyte on the night of 22 November the Task Group was attacked by Japanese torpedo planes. No ships were damaged. Arrived off Leyte in area Easy on the 23rd and began landing the 77th Division. Completed landing the 77th Division on the 24th. U.S.S. Electra with Task Group 78.13 was under air attack several times during unloading period, one ship being slightly damaged by a Japanese plane which fell in flames.   Task Group 788.13 got underway at 1700 on 24 November bound for Hollandia, New Guinea. U.S.S. Electra arrived at Hollandia on 29 November in company with Task Group 78.13.   The period from 29 November to 11 December was designated repair and upkeep period. On 12 December Task Group 78.13 got underway with Electra as a unit of Transport Division 20 and proceeded to Sansapor, New Guinea, arriving there 14 December, U.S.S. Electra anchoring in berth 15.   The morning of the 16th U.S.S. Electra began embarking elements of the 6th Infantry Division, U.S. Army, and their combat equipment. The period of 18 December to 30 December was utilized for upkeep and logistics. During the period two air raids were experienced in one of which a Japanese bomber was shot down.

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