Feb 14, 1944
At 0900 to 1500 we blasted 4 targets at Anzio. Shore batteries returned fire.
Winged our own P.80?? by mistake. Anchored at Naples approx 2200. Good job
done.
Feb15, 1944
Underway at 0600 for Anzio. In fire area 11:00 to 3:00 pm. Good air cover kept
bombers off. Shore batteries hurled 12” shells at us but scored nothing.
Plenty of dog fights overhead. Anchored at Naples 6:00 pm
Feb 16
Spent the day at anchor in the bay at Naples. At 8:00 pm had air raid scare.
Unidentified planes proved to be friendly.
Feb 17, 1944
A quiet day today. Fire in L.J. locker. We are on a ½ hr notice to go
wherever we may be needed. Anchored all day just off Naples.
Feb 18, 1944
Underway at 0900 anchored on the other side of Mt. Vesuvius. Came back to Naples
in afternoon. Submarine emergency at 2000. A few depth charges were dropped.
Feb 19, 1944
Underway at 0300 arrived at fire support area 0900. Stayed & fired until
5:00 pm. All firing effective. Pulled out and are heading at battle area at
0900 tomorrow. Tough goin these days. Was at G.Q. all day, then were on 2 section
watches.
Feb 20, 1944
We steamed all day and last night or ever since we finished firing at the Anzio
beachhead yesterday. We penetrated into enemy waters as far as Rome trying
to locate some enemy warships and to sink them. No luck so anchored at Naples
some time this afternoon while I was asleep.
Feb 21, 1944
Hung around Naples area from Pompeii to Naples. 1 false air raid alarm.
Feb 22, 1944
Anchored most of the day at Pompeii ____ underway and anchored at Naples. Air
raid alarm at 11:30 pm
Feb 23, 1944
3rd section rated a sightseeing & recreation leave for 3 hrs. Went through
all the ruins of the historical city of Pompeii. 8 men & our Jr. officer
in charge. Walked through Passuito or something like that or else it was Torre
Annunziata.. Will find out what name later.
Feb 24
Stayed in Naples area more or less a peaceful day. A G.Q. at 11:50. AA fire
ashore.
Feb 25
Underway at 0300. Arrived at Anzio but couldn’t do any firing on account
of bad ___ & very rough weather. Cruised around there most of the day then
anchored at Naples area.
Feb 26
Underway again at 0800 for Anzio. Arrived in fire area 0830. A well done for
today. Gave the Nazis hell all day. Destroyed all targets. Started fires.
Anchored 0900 off Naples.
Feb 27th
Been here all day waiting for the next job.
Feb 28th
Still anchored off Naples. Nothing happened for 2 days.
Feb 29th to March 6th
Have been anchored about 3 miles or less off the coast of Naples, Italy
March 7th
At 1730 underway for Palermo, Sicily. Due there around 0600.
March 8th
Docked at Palermo, Sicily 0630. 2 & 4 section rated liberty.
March 9th
1st & 3rd section liberty from 1300 to 1800. I & Issy went ashore in
Palermo.
March 10th
Underway 0800 anchored at Naples 0730. Air raid alert, a few planes, shore
batteries & AA & Brooklyn opened up.
March 11th
Anchored off at the coast of Naples more or less a peaceful day.
March 12th
Went up to Anzio for shore bombardment & gun positions. Very rough weather & fog
prevented any action.
March 13th
Up at Anzio again, arrived at fire support area but couldn’t get in close
enough. The Germans with their big guns almost shot the ass of us.
March 14th
A beautiful day spent at the coast of Naples all quiet.
March 15th
At 0200 GQ sounded I was right in the middle of that long letter I promised
Helen. We really had the _____ air raid action that I was in. Bombs really
came down but not very close to us. Lots of people killed in Naples. Around
6 planes. Shot one down. Moved out tonight in case of another attack on the
harbor, maybe the heinies get pictures but ___ of location of ships. Flares
were dropped. We set out smoke pots.
March 16, 1944 Thursday
At 7:20 pm a couple of us talking about yesterday’s raid GQ sounded.
Well we happened to move to Torre Annunziata for tonight. Red alert over in
Naples. Nothing happened this side.
March 17th Friday
Naples to Torre Annunziata Been shifting around. Had field day & inspection
March 18th Saturday
Enemy planes in vicinity broke up captain’s personnel inspection. Mt.
Vesuvius is acting up sending molten lava down the mountainside from her eruption
March 19th Sunday
Supposed to have gone to Anzio but army called it off. Mt. Vesuvius still boiling.
March 20th Monday
Anchored off Torre Annunziata.. Quiet all day. Mt. Vesuvius is going to town.
