U.S. Navy Department (November 19, 1943)
The Tenth Fleet
When deliveries of ships and aircraft reached sufficient proportions to warrant such a move, about six months ago, the Tenth Fleet was organized to exercise unity of control over the U.S. Navy’s war against the U-boat in the Atlantic.
In addition to his other duties, Adm. Ernest J. King, USN, Commander-in-Chief, U.S. Fleet and Chief of Naval Operations, retained the immediate direction of anti-submarine operations and is the Commander, Tenth Fleet.
RAdm. Francis S. Low, USN, Assistant Chief of Staff (Anti-Submarine), U.S. Fleet, is Chief of Staff, Tenth Fleet.
The Tenth Fleet was assigned the following tasks:
- Destruction of U-boats.
- Protection of Allied shipping in the Sea Frontiers concerned.
- Support of other Anti-Submarine Forces operating in the Atlantic Areas.
- Control of convoys and shipping that are U.S. responsibilities.
- Correlation of U.S. anti-submarine research and personnel instruction.
To accomplish its assigned mission, the Tenth Fleet was organized into four principal divisions: Operations; Anti-Submarine Measures (materiel, training, analysis and statistics and operational research); Convoy and Routing; and a Scientific Counsel (composed of civilian scientists).
Through this organization Tenth Fleet Headquarters makes available the latest information regarding anti-submarine developments and intelligence and training and operating procedures to Adm. Royal E. Ingersoll, USN, Commander-in-Chief, Atlantic Fleet, and the several other Fleet and Sea Frontier Commanders who direct the actual operations in that part of the Atlantic Ocean under U.S. strategic control.
CINCPAC Press Release No. 171
Carrier aircraft raided Betio Island, Tarawa Atoll, Gilbert Islands, on November 18 (all dates herein West Longitude), starting large oil fires.
The following raids were made against enemy installations in the Marshall and Gilbert Islands by Liberators of the Army’s 7th Air Force:
-
Before dawn on November 17, barracks, runways and oil dumps on Mille were bombed. No enemy planes were encountered. No damage was suffered by our planes or personnel from intense anti-aircraft fire.
-
At sunset on November 17, bombs were dropped on Maloelap. Two of our planes were damaged by intercepting Zeros. There were no personnel casualties. One Zero was shot down, one was probably shot down and several were damaged.
-
At noon on November 18, raids were made against the Mille and Tarawa installations. There was no enemy air interception, although five Zeros were sighted over Tarawa.
CINCPAC Press Release No. 172
Enemy installations on Nauru Island were heavily hit by carrier aircraft on November 18, West longitude date.
Our planes dropped 90 tons of bombs in the airdrome and shop areas, starting fires and destroying several aircraft on the ground. One small ship vas set afire. Of the seven Zeros which appeared during later stages of the attack, two were shot down. Accurate anti-aircraft fire was encountered. All four planes returned. One pilot was wounded.
