March-April, 1944

As the battles progressed westward toward Japan, Allied airstrips and ship anchorages were quickly constructed on previously occupied islands, sometimes in as little as 2 days.

After picking up ammunition and supplies at the anchorage on Majuro Atoll, the Mobile provided cover for troops landing on Emirau in the Admiralty Islands just north of New Guinea. From there, the task force sailed back to the Carolines, arriving March 29, for air strikes on Palau, Yap, Ulithi, and Woleai Islands. (photo below is Yap)

The Japanese Second Fleet, however, got wind of the American approach, and shipped out of Palau on March 28. Nevertheless, the task force sank many Japanese tankers and cargo ships and one destroyer, and demolished at least 150 aircraft. The Americans lost about 25 planes in combat.

In April, the Mobile provided cover for troop landings, air support and shore bombardment on New Guinea, and in the Caroline Islands on Truk, Sawtawan and Ponape, with Japanese air attacks on the task force in each location. They finally got a decent rest in May, spending the month mostly at anchor in the Kwajalein Atoll and Maduro, preparing for their next assignment.
______________________________

From the Data Section of Joe's Journal:

10 - Admiralty Is. ____________ Mar 20, 1944
"Emirau" _ Escorted troops.

11 - Caroline Is.
Palau _________________ ___ Mar 29, 1944
Yap ______________________ Mar 30, 1944
Woliea* ___________________Apr. 1, 1944
46 Japs ships sunk
300 planes destroyed.

12 - New Guinea _____________ Apr. 21, 1944
"Hollania"
Escorted troops
Sarmi ____ } _______________Apr. 21, 1944
Wadre# ___ } shore bombardment _ Moderate damaged done to island.

13 - Caroline Is. ______________ Apr 29, 1944
Truk
Satawan+
Ponape
air strike & straffed
Moderate Damaged.

* Woliea is a misspelling of Woleai
# Sarmi and Wadre are misspellings, referring to Sawar Airfield and Wakde Island.
+ Satawan is a misspelling of Sawtawan Island.