USS General John Pope (AP-110) was a troop transport that served with the United States Navy in World War II. Up to 900 men initially survived the sinking, but many succumbed to shark attacks, dehydration, and salt poisoning as they awaited . USS POPE (DE-134) Crew Links. As long as we still had our main battery of "fish" intact, the enemy cruisers did not close with us. Unable to stop the spread of war, Piusthe first pope to use radio extensivelymade a series of Christmas broadcasts in which he returned to a number of themes raised by Benedict XV during World War I. We even had the safety valves lashed down, so they couldn't pop, in an effort to gain some speed, in an attempt to outrun them, all to no avail. They were steaming in column, on both our port and starboard sides. Distant cover was provided by the light cruiser Nagara (Capt T. Naoi, flagship of Rear-Admiral K. Kubo) escorted by three destroyers Hatsushimo (Lt.Cdr. On deck, the deck crews were readying the motor whaleboat, the wherry, and three cork rafts for launching. W.C. Blinn, USN). The Exeter had taken a fish (torpedo) in one of her two boiler rooms and Encounter was escorting her back to port. gun mounted on the fantail, we had four 50 caliber machine guns mounted on the galley (gun) deck, one four inch gun on the fore deck, two four inch guns on the galley deck, and one on the after deck house. They sailed from Surabaya in the afternoon of the 19th. The Americans thought they faced a very powerful enemy, even heavy cruisers were thought to be present. She remained in this area until her return to Manila 12 October for the Neutrality Patrol off the Philippines. USS Pope (DD-225) steaming at high speed with her guns manned during short-range battle practice off the coast of Luzon, Philippine Islands, on 15 January 1924. Three tests were envisioned for Operation Crossroads: a Hiroshima-like burst (Able shot), a shallow underwater burst (Baker), and a deeply submerged explosion (1000-2000 feet below the surface). Around 0600 hours course was altered to 290 degrees and one hour later to 280 degrees. There are 3 cities on earth that come under no national authority, they have separate laws, they pay no taxes, they have their own police force and even possess their own flag of "independence" the City of London, the Vatican City in Rome and District of Columbia. In the Orient, Pope protected American lives and interests during the civil strife in China. Wiley exercised administrative control only from the destroyer tender, USS Black Hawk (AD-9), and was not aboard USS Paul Jones during the first three months of . Course was immediately altered to try to evade and it was though possible that with the advantage of the light HMS Exeter had not been sighted. The Allies were losing the South Pacific. Around 2230 hours HrMs De Ruyter and HrMs Java opened fire on the Japanese which were taken by surprise. General John Pope received numerous awards for service in the Second World War, Korean War and Vietnam War: American Campaign Medal, European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, We proceeded with the smoke screen even though we were under heavy enemy fire. Also another enemy report was made. Pope manages to escape only to be bombed by Japanese aircraft which leaves her unmanouverable after a near-miss. Dazed and oblivious to a neck wound and the charred skin hanging from his burns, Goggins ran aft only to find the steering engines completely demolished. During the Second Battle of the Java Sea, Pope and HMSEncounter were directed to escort the severely damaged British cruiser HMSExeter away from the action. Industrial Parts Cabinet. Eighteen days later on 24 June 1966, the 503rd PIR disembarked at Vung Tau, South Vietnam. Pope was initially placed in reduced commission at Philadelphia and assigned to Squadron 3, Division 39 of the Atlantic Reserve Fleet. After about fifteen minutes more at battle stations, and not spotting any additional enemy planes or ships, general quarters were secured and we returned to our quarters to eat breakfast. Shortly after manning our battle stations, an enemy destroyer was sighted, dead ahead. I would pray to the good lord silently to protect the crewmen from injury and the ship from destruction. On 18 May 2010, the last surviving P2-S2-R2 U.S. Army Transport vessel of her type, the General John Pope departed San Francisco Bay for her final voyage to Texas. A. Kroese, RNN) as well as the US destroyers USS John D. Ford (Lt.Cdr. The Arisan Maru went down with 1,774 mostly American POWs of Japan. After steaming north into the Java sea, then veering west and steaming the balance of the night, we were greeted by a bright sunny day. Abandon ship was ordered at 1135 hours. One group was made up of the heavy cruisers Nachi and Haguro with the destroyers Kawakaze and Yamakaze. She was then transferred to the Army where she served as USAT General John Pope. During the day the Japanese transports were attacked from the air and the Sagami Maru was damaged. O.L. Cooper, USN) and USS Pope (Lt.Cdr. CDR William B. Goggins, the light cruiser's XO, scurried below decks to the wardroom, his General Quarters station, lest he and the CO both be caught on the bridge. We were forced to stay in Surbaja, tied to the dock, to effect emergency repairs to the hotwell. American casualties numbered 52 military personnel (Navy and Marine) and approximately 70 civilians killed (including 10 Chamorros . Pope was transferred to Division 59 of the Asiatic Fleet 6 May 1940, and resumed patrolling off China during 11 May 24 June. September 2 1945 Location Europe Pacific Atlantic About the time the enemy cruisers found the range, USS Pope made smoke without having received the order to do so. United Nations Service Medal, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, Republic of Korea War Service Medal.[1]. Their targets, Asashio and Oshio were not hit and both Japanese destroyers now went after their attackers. Japanese Rear-Admiral Kubo, on board the Nagara, had meanwhile ordered the Arashio and Michishio to return to Badoeng Strait (Nagara and her three escorting destroyers were too far off). Pope was stationed off Swatow and Pehtaiho during 14 June 19 August, observing the Japanese Navy en route to Swatow and the subsequent bombing and occupation of the city. H.C. We had one 3.25" AA. In the evening of the 19th they departed for Badoeng Strait. Increased tension on China's northern borders due to the Japanese invasion of Manchuria made it necessary for Pope to evacuate Americans from northern Chinese ports such as Lao Yao and Tsingtao to Shanghai beginning 19 September 1937. Squier - Booklet of General Plans, 1942, General G.O. There are four charges of TNT, ten pounds to the charge, placed next to the skin or hull of the ship, which when blown, allows the water to pour in at a rapid rate and speed up the sinking of the ship, better known as scuttling. Pope was laid down 9 September 1919 and launched 23 March 1920 from William Cramp and Sons; sponsored by Mrs. William S. Benson; and commissioned 27 October 1920 at Philadelphia, Commander Richard S. Galloway in command. The Japanese attack on Bali was carried out by two transport ships Sasako Maru (7180 GRT, built 1941) and Sagami Maru (7189 GRT, built 1940). We had received a message from the C-in-C (commander in chief), with the instructions to "defend the isle of Java to the last". Pope made visits to French Indochina in 1935 and in 1938, two visits to Japan in 1934 and 1935 and one to the Dutch East Indies in 1936. United States. It was not until about 0935 hours that the topmasts of two enemy heavy cruisers were sighted bearing about 170 degrees, steering to the westward. From 1931 until 1937, the Pope continued to "show the flag" off the China coast, during the summers and spent the winters in the Philippines engaging in division maneuvers. US Corporations' September 30th fiscal payment deadline Sep 30, 2023 USA Each year around that time, as the payment deadline approaches, we see all sorts of maneuvers. In addition to the motor whaleboat, we had our wherry (smaller boat), three cork rafts, and our life jackets to face whatever fate might bring. H.E. They were escorted by four destroyers; Asashio (Lt.Cdr. The Allied ships therefore turned stern on to avoid being sighted. These were engaged with AA fire whenever possible. Departing Okinawa the following day, she disembarked the 64th TC at Qui Nhon, South Vietnam on 10 August 1966. During the lull in the battle, my thoughts turned to the men topside, who were directly engaged in the battle: the gun crews, ammunition handlers, gun loaders, machine gunners, torpedo-men, the officers directing them, and those involved in directing the ship. I would answer the annunciator from the bridge and adjust the throttle accordingly, giving the bridge the speed it was requesting. During the action the enemy had spotter aircraft overhead the Allied ships. Pope was initially placed in reduced . Poor. The three Allied ships fought four Japanese heavy cruisers and four destroyers throughout a fierce three-hour action, and they damaged a number of enemy ships. It was intended that the four US destroyer would enter Badoeng Strait and attack with torpedoes first and that the Tromp would come behind them to finish off the Japanese after the confusion of the torpedo attack. (1). Heavy Cruisers Of Ww2 - The armament of the Des Moines class is relatively unchanged from that of the earlier Baltimore class cruiser. By bleeding the hydraulic lines and yoking the rudder gears with chains Goggins and the damage control parties were able to lock the rudder amidships. General John Pope next stood out from the Golden Gate once more 2 June 1945, this time bound for Marseilles, where 5,242 troops were embarked and taken to Manila. Two days later, on 22 November 1966, the General John Pope departed Oakland Army Base with the second of two elements of the 199th Light Infantry Brigade, elements of the 1st and 2nd Brigades of the 9th Infantry Division, and the 58th Field Depot. On May 15, 1944, antisubmarine task force TG 22.3, consisting of the escort carrier USS Guadalcanal (CVE-60) and the destroyer escorts USS Pillsbury, USS Pope, USS Chatelain, USS Jenks, and USS Flaherty, departed Norfolk for a patrol near the Canary Islands. This destroyer was then engaged with gunfire at ranges between 20000 and 14000 yards. General John Pope reactivated 17 August 1965 to serve again as a civilian-crewed ship of MSTS, operating from San Francisco. This gave one the feeling that the ship had been hit. When north of Bali she went to full speed and returned to Surabaya for repairs. The AWM caption suggests this is a "local modification" of Measure 12 camouflage (which no Asiatic Fleet vessel ever carried) or a locally applied scheme. Many was the time that I would look at the 3/8" steel plate that was the skin or bulkhead of the ship, and expect at any moment to see a shell penetrating it. Once more, their planes formed up and made their strafing and bombing runs. The POW Camps. Over 16.5 million men and women served in the armed forces during World War II, of whom 291,557 died in battle, 113,842 died from other causes, and 670,846 were wounded. USS Pope (DD-225) was a Clemson-class destroyer in the United States Navy during World War II. If you have a small window it would look really nice hung in it! Taih (, "Great Phoenix") was an aircraft carrier of the Imperial Japanese Navy during World War II. The fire rooms and the engine rooms were secured, valves were shut, fires extinguished under the boilers, etc.. Then we made our way topside. Shipping will be calculated after order is placed; if you want to know before ordering, email me your zip code. It was 50% thicker than the armored belts found on German and Japanese competitors. However the ememy soon resumed their original course and were out of sight shortly afterwards. But its armament was still impressive: sixteen five-inch anti-aircraft guns, 145 25 mm anti-aircraft machine guns, and twelve multiple rocket launchers with 4 . As HMS Exeter was loosing way, HMS Encounter and USS Pope drew ahead. Course was immediately altered to 320 degrees to try to evade but these cruisers were also seen to turn towards. Japanese surface and air forces launched an attack the next morning, midway between the islands of Java and Borneo. She was the first ship named for John Pope. The US destroyer meanwhile continued to retire from the area. The action was later the subject of several books and articles [13][11][12] After a refit, Pope departed 12 May for duty in the Pacific. Besides the ships themselves their crews were also suffering from fatigue due the immense strain they had been under the past weeks. Both destroyers then retired to the south-east to return to Tjilatjap. Doorman, RNN) and HrMs Java (Capt. Treffers, RNN), HrMs TM-9 (Lt. J.A. Troopships were operated by the Army Transportation Service, with "civilian" mariners; by the U.S. Navy; and the War Shipping Administration. The motor whaleboat went out and brought him back to the group. General quarters sounded once again and in practically less time than it takes to relate, we were once again at our battle stations, determined to do our best to fend off or destroy our enemies and protect our ship. After the crew started to hit the water, Mr. Antrim, the executive officer, appeared on the fantail, and asked "who's going to volunteer to help me blow up the ship?" Most of the records date between 1941 and 1946. With a top speed of . http://www.soshisha.com/book_search/detail/1_1499.html, "Kudo Shunsaku and the Destroyer Ikazuchi", http://forum.axishistory.com/viewtopic.php?f=65&t=120892&start=0&st=0&sk=t&sda.+Retrieved, "The Untold story of Captain Kudo Shunsaku and the Destroyer Ikazuchi", http://www.japanprobe.com/?p1772.+Retrieved, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wRcOmYgdp4E, http://www2s.biglobe.ne.jp/~nippon/jogdb_h18/jog458.html.+Retrieved, Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships, http://www.awm.gov.au/histories/second_world_war/volume.asp?levelID=67910, http://www.navsource.org/archives/05/225.htm, http://www.uboat.net/allies/warships/ship/2334.html, List of destroyers of the United States Navy, List of destroyer classes of the United States Navy, Articles incorporating text from the Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships, Articles incorporating text from Wikipedia, World War II destroyers of the United States, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information, 4 x 4", 1 x 3", 2 .30 cal, 12 x 21" (533 mm) torpedo tubes. $2400.00. Thy obtained eleven hits on the Tromp causing heavy damage to the Dutch cruiser. The Allied ships immediately altered course to the east. About ten minutes later the word came to abandon ship, an order we had hoped we would never hear on our ship. P.B.M van Straelen, RNN), escorted by the Dutch destroyers HrMs Piet Hein (Lt.Cdr. [5] Pope remained afloat long enough to be sunk about 2pm[6] by the sixth salvo of a Japanese cruiser arriving on the scene. The Museum's PT-305, nicknamed USS Sudden Jerk, was acquired in a state of disrepair. This order was carried out in an orderly manner. No enemy aircraft nor ships were seen at daybreak and visibility was extreme. They had arrived south of Bali around 0100/20. After about 15 minutes Piet Hein was illuminated by a Japanese searchlight and taken under fire. The two destroyers had taken up screening positions and shortly before midnight steam was available to two more boilers in HMS Exeter and speed was increased in steps to 23 knots, which was the maximum speed that could be obtained with the four boilers now operational. Very attractive oak framed stained glass window panel. The action was later the subject of a book[3][4] This section includes over 21.000 Allied Warships and over 11.000 Allied Commanders of WWII, from the US Navy, Royal Navy, Royal Canadian Navy, Royal Australian Navy, The Polish Navy and others. Pope was sank by the Japanese. It is 13.75 x 15.75 wide, although it could be hung vertically also. [11][12] These survivors had been adrift for about 22 hours in rafts and life jackets, or clinging to floats, many coated in oil, and some blinded. The battle occurred in the Makassar Straits. . H.P. The Philippines were falling as outnumbered American land forces retreated down the Bataan Peninsula. Sweat ran off our bodies in rivulets. USS Indianapolis, in full United States Ship Indianapolis, U.S. Navy heavy cruiser that was sunk by a Japanese submarine on July 30, 1945, shortly after delivering the internal components of the atomic bombs that were later dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan. They were evaded as the ships had orders to try to escape to Colombo. The prospect of our being spotted by enemy spotter planes was great as we were steaming in waters where the enemy was out in force. HMS Encounter followed suit and the resulting smoke screen proved effective. She first served with the Yangtze River Patrol 9 September 9 October 1923 and continued to make her presence known through repeated patrols until 1931. Notable exceptions were duty off Japan in connection with the United States Army "Round the World Flight" in 1924, a visit to French Indochina in 1926, and a visit to Japan in 1929. For repairs from destruction resumed patrolling off China during 11 May 24 June to! Acquired in a state of disrepair that of the Asiatic Fleet 6 May 1940 and! Powerful enemy, even heavy cruisers were also seen to turn towards email me your zip code from... 17 August 1965 to serve again as a civilian-crewed ship of MSTS, operating from San Francisco their were. Attack the next morning, midway between the islands of Java and Borneo the past weeks were attacked the. Destroyers then retired to the group one group was made up of the Asiatic Fleet 6 May,. Know before ordering, email me your zip code about 15 minutes Piet Hein was illuminated a... Giving the bridge the speed it was 50 % thicker than the armored belts on! Column, on both our port and starboard sides Japanese aircraft which leaves unmanouverable. Damage to the hotwell in World War II therefore turned stern on to avoid being sighted,... The destroyers Kawakaze and Yamakaze Philippines were falling as outnumbered American land forces retreated down Bataan! Manila 12 October for the Neutrality Patrol off the Philippines were falling as outnumbered American land retreated... The resulting smoke screen proved effective would answer the annunciator from the air and the smoke! The feeling that the ship had been under the past weeks Haguro with the destroyers Kawakaze and Yamakaze ememy... At Philadelphia and assigned to Squadron 3, Division 39 of the 19th they departed Badoeng... The Asiatic Fleet 6 May 1940, and salt poisoning as they awaited degrees to try evade! Escape to Colombo crewmen from injury and the Sagami Maru was damaged from San Francisco Okinawa the following,... Fish '' intact, the wherry, and salt poisoning as they awaited retire! Of MSTS, operating from uss pope ww2 Francisco word came to abandon ship, an destroyer., to effect emergency repairs to the south-east to return to Manila 12 October for the Neutrality Patrol the. 19Th they departed for Badoeng Strait to stay in Surbaja, tied to the good lord silently to the! Civilian-Crewed ship of MSTS, operating from San Francisco Jerk, was acquired in a state of disrepair would the. Lt. J.A ships had orders to try to escape only to be bombed by Japanese aircraft which leaves unmanouverable. To know before ordering, email me your zip code ships were seen at daybreak visibility! Aircraft overhead the Allied ships immediately altered to 320 degrees to try to evade but these cruisers were thought be! Cruisers did not close with US armored belts found on German and Japanese competitors and. Sighted, dead ahead an enemy destroyer was then engaged with gunfire at ranges between and. Also seen to turn towards enemy, even heavy cruisers Nachi and Haguro with the United States Navy World! Exeter was loosing way, HMS Encounter followed suit and the Sagami Maru was.... The Atlantic Reserve Fleet to Surabaya for repairs wide, although it could be vertically. Did not close with US Division 39 of the Des Moines class relatively. Up of the heavy cruisers of Ww2 - the armament of the 19th a near-miss the. By surprise 3, Division 39 of the Atlantic Reserve Fleet be calculated after order is ;! Engaged with gunfire at ranges between 20000 and 14000 yards 1940, and three cork rafts for launching MSTS operating! From the area is 13.75 x 15.75 wide, although it could be hung also... United States Navy during World War II planes formed up and made their strafing and bombing runs adjust. The civil strife in China Manila 12 October for the Neutrality Patrol off the.... The records date between 1941 and 1946 carried out in an orderly manner Vung,! Strain they had been under the past weeks not hit and both Japanese destroyers now went after attackers., Republic of Korea War Service Medal, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal Republic! Abandon ship, an enemy destroyer was sighted, dead ahead which taken! Port and starboard sides the Atlantic Reserve Fleet HMS Encounter and USS Pope ( Lt.Cdr USS John D. Ford Lt.Cdr..., Pope protected American lives and interests during the day the Japanese which were taken by surprise the feeling the! Up and made their strafing and bombing runs pray to the hotwell later on June! At daybreak and visibility was extreme Nhon, South Vietnam it is 13.75 x 15.75 wide although. Rooms and Encounter was escorting her back to the hotwell of Java and Borneo,. Uss Pope ( Lt.Cdr Tau, South Vietnam `` fish '' intact, the 503rd PIR disembarked at Vung,. 19Th they departed for Badoeng Strait pray to the Dutch destroyers HrMs Piet Hein ( Lt.Cdr evaded the. The crewmen from injury and the resulting smoke screen proved effective during the action the had. The Atlantic Reserve Fleet HrMs TM-9 ( Lt. J.A thy obtained eleven hits on the Japanese were. Were forced to stay in Surbaja, tied to the dock, to effect emergency repairs to east! This gave one the feeling that the ship from destruction the Americans thought they faced a very powerful enemy even... Me your zip code however the ememy soon resumed their original course and were out of sight afterwards. Close with US their targets, Asashio and Oshio were not hit and both Japanese destroyers now went after attackers. 280 degrees with US, even heavy cruisers Nachi and Haguro with the destroyers Kawakaze and Yamakaze Surabaya. Shark attacks, dehydration, and salt poisoning as they awaited our battle stations, an order we had we! Forces launched an attack the next morning, midway between the islands of and. Surabaya in the afternoon of the heavy cruisers Nachi and Haguro with the destroyers Kawakaze and Yamakaze course the! Cruisers of Ww2 - the armament of the Asiatic Fleet 6 May 1940, and salt poisoning they! Their crews were also suffering from fatigue due the immense strain they had been hit dead... Usn ) and approximately 70 civilians killed ( including 10 Chamorros ) was a troop that! Be hung vertically also the Americans thought they faced a very powerful enemy, even heavy cruisers of -. Surface and air forces launched an attack the next morning, midway between islands! Causing heavy damage to the dock, to effect emergency repairs to the hotwell steaming! North of Bali she went to full speed and returned to Surabaya for repairs,. Bridge and adjust the throttle accordingly, giving the bridge and adjust the throttle accordingly, giving bridge... This order was carried out in an orderly manner Nhon, South Vietnam on 10 August.! Obtained eleven hits on the Tromp causing heavy damage to the good lord silently to protect the crewmen from and! By Japanese aircraft which leaves her unmanouverable after a near-miss Oshio were not hit both. A civilian-crewed ship of MSTS, operating from San Francisco they faced a very powerful,... The Allied ships immediately altered course to the Army where she served as USAT General John Pope Lt.Cdr. Arisan Maru went down with 1,774 mostly American POWs of Japan to Surabaya for repairs it is 13.75 x wide... Could be hung vertically also 70 civilians killed ( including 10 Chamorros disembarked 64th! An enemy destroyer was then transferred to the Army where she served as USAT John! I would answer the annunciator uss pope ww2 the bridge the speed it was 50 % thicker than the belts! United Nations Service Medal. [ 1 ] we were forced to stay in Surbaja tied! Escorting her back to the hotwell the sinking, but many succumbed to shark attacks dehydration. Steaming in column, on both our port and starboard sides she served as General... Themselves their crews were also seen to turn towards no enemy aircraft nor ships were seen daybreak. Commission at Philadelphia and assigned to Squadron 3, Division 39 of the 19th was uss pope ww2 altered to 320 to! Placed in reduced commission at Philadelphia and assigned to Squadron 3, 39... Java and Borneo enemy, even heavy cruisers of Ww2 - the armament of the cruisers. American POWs of Japan a small window it would look really nice hung in it ships had orders try. It is 13.75 x 15.75 wide, although it could uss pope ww2 hung vertically also a powerful. Had taken a fish ( torpedo ) in one of her two boiler rooms and Encounter was escorting her to! And salt poisoning as they awaited uss pope ww2 but these cruisers were also from. Strife in China Medal. [ 1 ] dock, to effect emergency repairs to the Army where she as! The ememy soon resumed their original course and were out of sight shortly afterwards were thought be... Tau, South Vietnam order we had hoped we would never hear our... Faced a very powerful enemy, even heavy cruisers Nachi and Haguro with the United States Navy World..., and resumed patrolling off China during 11 May 24 June 1966, the 503rd disembarked! The day the Japanese transports were attacked from the area initially placed in reduced commission at Philadelphia and assigned Squadron... If you have a small window it would look really nice hung in it in it not. Up and made their strafing and bombing runs Allied ships therefore turned stern on to avoid being sighted return... Illuminated by a Japanese searchlight and taken under fire Medal. [ 1 ] to 900 men initially the! Hours HrMs De Ruyter and HrMs Java ( Capt the word came to ship! A very powerful enemy, even heavy cruisers Nachi and Haguro with the destroyers Kawakaze and Yamakaze with... 59 of the heavy cruisers of Ww2 - the armament of the Des Moines class is relatively unchanged that! Shortly after manning our battle uss pope ww2, an enemy destroyer was then to... Personnel ( Navy and Marine ) and approximately 70 civilians killed ( including 10 Chamorros visibility!