150

UNITED STATES NAVAL AVIATION 1910-1995

1945-Contin ued

Marine F4U in rocket attack on Okinawa USMC l29356

ously damaged the carrier Franklin and scored hits on

four others. For the next three months the fast carrier

force operated continuously in a 60-mile-square area

northeast of Okinawa and within 350 miles of Japan,

from which position it neutralized Amami Gunto air-

fields, furnished close air support for ground opera-

tions, intercepted enemy air raids, and on occasion

moved northward to hit airfields on Kyushu.

Task Group 52.1 (Rear Admiral C. T. Durgin), origi-

nally 18 escort carriers strong, conducted pre-assault

strikes and supported the occupation of Kerama Retto

(25-26 Mar), joined in the pre-assault strikes on

Okinawa (27-29 Mar) and, from a fairly restricted

operating area southeast of the island, supported the

landings and flew daily close support for operations

ashore until the island was secure (21 Jun). The arrival

- - -- -

A Japanese bomber,

hit by antiaircraft

guns while attack-

ing an Essex class

Camel; leaves a

trail of fire 313866