NationMaster - Encyclopedia: Task Force 31

Task Force 31 (TF 31) was a US Navy task force formed at the end of World War II, under Rear Admiral Oscar C. Badger II, to begin the occupation of Japan. The TF 31 combatant ships were the first to enter Tokyo Bay when the US was not certain what kind of reception was waiting from the Japanese. The Task Force transported US Marine units to the Miura Peninsula area of Japan, which forms the southwest arm of Tokyo Bay, for occupation duties. The Marines were tasked with securing the military bases at Yokosuka and demilitarizing the entire peninsula. The United States Navy (USN) is the branch of the United States armed forces responsible for naval operations. ... A task force or task group is a temporary organization formed to work on a single defined task or activity. ... This article is becoming very long. ... The term Rear Admiral originated from the days of Naval Sailing Squadrons, and can trace its origins to the British Royal Navy. ... Tokyo Bay from space, October 1993 Map of Tokyo Bay, 1917 Tokyo Bay (æ±äº¬æ¹¾; TÅkyÅ-wan) is a bay in the southern Kanto region of Japan, surrounded by the Boso Peninsula (Chiba Prefecture) and the Miura Peninsula (Kanagawa Prefecture). ... United States may refer to: Places: United States of America SS United States, the fastest ocean liner ever built. ... United States Marine Corps Emblem The United States Marine Corps (USMC) is the second smallest of the five branches of the United States armed forces, with 170,000 active and 40,000 reserve Marines as of 2002. ... Categories: Stub ... Tokyo Bay from space, October 1993 Map of Tokyo Bay, 1917 Tokyo Bay (æ±äº¬æ¹¾; TÅkyÅ-wan) is a bay in the southern Kanto region of Japan, surrounded by the Boso Peninsula (Chiba Prefecture) and the Miura Peninsula (Kanagawa Prefecture). ... Categories: Cities in Kanagawa Prefecture | Japan geography stubs ...

Note: Task Force numbers were reused, there were earlier incarnations of TF 31 during World War II.

History

Background

Anticipating a possible Japanese surrender, plans were underway for the occupaton of Japan. General MacArthur's Operation Blacklist was chosen over Admiral Nimitz' plan. Both commanders agreed that the prompt occupation of Japan was essential. Third Fleet, under Admiral Halsey, was the only unit deemed capable and ready to do this. "On 8 August, advance copies of Halsey's Operation Plan 10-45 for the occupation of Japan setting up Task Force 31 (TF 31), the Yokosuka Occupation Force, were distributed. The task force's mission, based on Nimitz's basic concept, was to clear the entrance to Tokyo Bay and anchorages, occupy and secure the Yokosuka Naval Base, seize and operate Yokosuka Airfield, support the release of Allied prisoners, demilitarize all enemy ships and defenses, and assist U.S. Army troops in preparing for the landing of additional forces. Three days later, Rear Admiral Badger, Commander, Battleship Division 7, was designated by Halsey to be commander, TF 31.^[1]" The existing Task Force 38 was also alerted. Douglas MacArthur (January 26, 1880 â€“ April 5, 1964) was an American general and Medal of Honor recipient, who was Supreme Commander of Allied forces in the Southwest Pacific Area during World War II. He led the defense of Australia, and the recapture of New Guinea, the Philippines and Borneo. ... Chester Nimitz Chester William Nimitz (February 24, 1885 _ February 20, 1966) was the Commander in Chief of Pacific Forces for the United States and Allied forces during World War II. He was the nations leading authority on submarines, as well as Chief of the Navy Bureau of Navigation... The name Third Fleet can refer to: The United States 3rd Fleet The British Third Fleet, part of the British effort of the late Eighteenth Century to colonize Australia Category: ... William Bull Halsey William Frederick Bull Halsey, Jr. ... The Fast Carrier Task Force, known at different times as Task Force 38 and Task Force 58, was the main striking force of the United States Navy in the latter half of the Pacific War. ...

The 6th Marine Division, was tasked to provide a regiment for the land portion of the operation. The Fleet Landing Force was commanded by Brigadier General William T. Clement. The 4th Regiment was selected. The choice was symbolic as the Old 4th had been captured in the Philippines early in the war. The 4th, and additional support units, made up the 5,400 man Task Force Able^[1]. The 6th Marine Division of the United States Marine Corps was a short-lived unit created during World War II for the Battle of Okinawa and a planned invasion of the Japanese home islands. ... A Brigadier General, or one-star general, is the lowest rank of general officer in the United States and some other countries, ranking just above Colonel and just below Major General. ... The 4th Marine Regiment was formerly an organic part of the United States Marine Corps 3rd Division; currently each of the Regiments three separate battalions is attached as a fourth battalion to the Marine infantry brigades of the 1st Marine Division. ...

Beginning

The elements of TF 31 began loading the Marines and their equipment on 1945-08-14. On the 18th, advance command elements of the task force on board the USS Ozark joined up with the USS Missouri in Task Force 38. The Task Force was officially created on at 1400 on 1945-08-19 enroute to Japan^[1]. Two landing plans were considered: landing at Zushi on the western side of the peninsula or at Zushi and Yokosuka on the Tokyo Bay side. It was decided not to risk entering the bay until the "threat of Japanese treachery" was dealt with^[1]. At sea, some 3,500 men were transferred between the ships to organize the assault units. 1945 (MCMVL) was a common year starting on Monday (the link is to a full 1945 calendar). ... August 14 is the 226th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (227th in leap years), with 139 days remaining. ... Radars: AN/SPS-49 Air Search Radar AN/SPS-67 Surface Search Radar Fire control: 4 Ã— Mk 37 Gun Fire Control 2 Ã— Mk 38 Gun Director 1 Ã— Mk 40 Gun Director EW: AN/SLQ-32 Other: AN/SLQ-25 NIXIE Decoy System 8 Ã— Super Rapid Bloom Rocket Launchers (SRBOC) Armor... 1945 (MCMVL) was a common year starting on Monday (the link is to a full 1945 calendar). ... August 19 is the 231st day of the year (232nd in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar. ... Zushi (逗子市 Zushi-shi) is a city located in Kanagawa, Japan. ...

On 1945-08-21 plans were changed to land at Yokosuka, the primary objective. This would reduce the forces' exposure on two narrow roads from Zushi to Yokosuka. General MacArthur's choice of Zushi as his headquarters also was a factor in the decision. L-Day was originally scheduled for 1945-08-26, but was delayed to the 28th by a typhoon developing 300 miles to the southeast that was going to delay USAAF operations for 48 hours. L-Day was again delayed until 1945-08-30. 1945 (MCMVL) was a common year starting on Monday (the link is to a full 1945 calendar). ... August 21 is the 233rd day of the year (234th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar. ... 1945 (MCMVL) was a common year starting on Monday (the link is to a full 1945 calendar). ... August 26 is the 238th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (239th in leap years). ... USAAF recruitment poster. ... 1945 (MCMVL) was a common year starting on Monday (the link is to a full 1945 calendar). ... August 30 is the 242nd day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (243rd in leap years), with 123 days remaining. ...

Occupation

On 1945-08-27, Japanese reported on board the Missouri and their pilots were sent on a destroyer to guide Task Force 31 into Yokosuka Bay. Minesweepers did a defensive sweep on the way in as the Japanese had not been able to sweep the approaches. That afternoon Task Force 31 anchored in Sagami Wan, just outside Tokyo Bay. 1945 (MCMVL) was a common year starting on Monday (the link is to a full 1945 calendar). ... August 27 is the 239th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (240th in leap years), with 126 days remaining. ... left|Signal flag H(Hotel) - Pilot on Board Boarding is tricky, as both vessels are moving and cannot afford to slow down. ... USS Lassen, an Arleigh Burke-class destroyer In naval terminology, a destroyer (French: contre-torpilleur, German: ZerstÃ¶rer, Spanish: destructor, Italian: cacciatorpediniere) is a fast and maneuverable yet long-endurance warship intended to escort larger vessels in a fleet or battle group and defend them against smaller, short-range attackers... Minesweeper can refer to: One who performs demining, or the removal of landmines in minefields. ... Sagami Bay (相模湾, Sagami-wan), also known as the Sagami Gulf or Sagami Sea, lies south of Kanagawa Prefecture in Honshu, central Japan, with the Miura Peninsula to its east and the Izu Peninsula to its west. ...

At 0900 on 1945-08-28, led by USS San Diego, the combat elements of Task Force 31 entered Tokyo Bay and by 1300 they were achored in Yokosuka Bay. Vice Admiral Michitaro Totsuka reported on board the San Diego for instructions on securing and surrendering the Yokosuka base. Around that time, an advanced party from the USAAF landed at Atsugi Airfield to prepare it for the L-Day landing of the 11th Airborne. 1945 (MCMVL) was a common year starting on Monday (the link is to a full 1945 calendar). ... August 28 is the 240th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (241st in leap years), with 125 days remaining. ... The second USS San Diego (CL-35) was an Atlanta-class light cruiser of the United States Navy, commissioned just after the US entry into World War II, and active throughout the Pacific theater. ... Vice Admiral is a naval rank of three star level, equivalent to Lieutenant General in seniority. ... USAAF recruitment poster. ... Naval Air Facility Atsugi is a United States Navy base located between Yamato City and Ayase City in Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan. ... Shoulder sleeve patch of the 11th Airborne Division. ...

On 1945-08-29, Admiral Halsey arrived in Sagami Wan. Two POWs resuced earlier from the beach convinced him to start the POW rescue operations that day. "That evening, for the first time since Pearl Harbor, the ships of the Third Fleet were illuminated. As General Metzger later remembered: 'Word was passed to illuminate ship, but owing to the long wartime habit of always darkening ship at night, no ship would take the initiative in turning their lights on. Finally, after the order had been repeated a couple of times lights went on. It was a wonderful picture with all the ships flying large battle flags both at the foretruck and the stern. In the background was snowcapped Mount Fuji.' Movies were shown on the weather decks. While the apprehension of some lessened, lookouts were still posted, radars continued to search, and the ships remained on alert.^[1]" 1945 (MCMVL) was a common year starting on Monday (the link is to a full 1945 calendar). ... August 29 is the 241st day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (242nd in leap years), with 124 days remaining. ... Combatants United States Empire of Japan Commanders Husband Kimmel (USN), Walter Short (USA) Chuichi Nagumo (IJN) Strength 8 battleships, 8 cruisers, 29 destroyers, 9 submarines, ~50 other ships, ~390 planes 6 aircraft carriers, 2 battleships, 3 cruisers, 9 destroyers, 8 tankers, 23 fleet submarines, 5 midget submarines, 441 planes Casualties... The name Third Fleet can refer to: The United States 3rd Fleet The British Third Fleet, part of the British effort of the late Eighteenth Century to colonize Australia Category: ... A Battle Ensign is the name given to a large war flag which is put up flown in flag terminology on a warships mast just before going into battle. ... Aft of the Soleil Royal, by Jean BÃ©rain the Elder. ... Mount Fuji Mount Fuji , IPA: ) is the highest mountain in Japan. ... A permanent covering over a compartment or a hull[1]. On a boat or ship, the primary deck is the horizontal structure which forms the lid of the hull, which both strengthens the hull and serves as the primary working surface. ... This long range RADAR antenna, known as ALTAIR, is used to detect and track space objects in conjunction with ABM testing at the Ronald Reagan Test Site on the Kwajalein atoll[1]. RADAR is a system that uses radio waves to detect, determine the direction and distance and/or speed...

Before dawn on L-Day, 1945-08-30, three groups of transports and escorts from TF 31 left Sagami Wan for Tokyo Bay. At 0558, Marines landed on Fattsu Saki to secure the forts guarding Tokyo Bay, in coordination with the planned 0600 arrival of planes carrying the 11th Airborne at Atsugi Airfield. Finding the Japanese had followed the instructions on disabling their guns to the letter, the Marines quickly secured the forts and rejoined the task force at 0845. At 0805 a small crew from USS South Dakota boarded the Japaneses battleship Nagato and received its surrender from a skeleton crew. 0930 on L-Day saw the Marines of 1st and 3rd Battalion landing at Yokosuka. The Japanese at the Yokosuka base had complied completely by disabling their weapons and removing all non-essential personnel. At 1030 the San Diego docked at Yokosuka. The formal surrender of the Japanese First Naval District by Admiral Totsuka to Rear Admiral Robert Carney, acting for Admiral Halsey, and Rear Admiral Badger took place at 1045^[1]. 1945 (MCMVL) was a common year starting on Monday (the link is to a full 1945 calendar). ... August 30 is the 242nd day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (243rd in leap years), with 123 days remaining. ... USS South Dakota (BB-57), the lead ship of her class, was the second ship of the United States Navy to be named in honor of the 40th state. ... Nagato (Japanese: 長門, named after Nagato province) was a battleship of the Imperial Japanese Navy, the lead ship of her class. ... Robert Bostwick Carney (26 March 1895- 25 June 1990) was an admiral in the United States Navy who served as Chief of Naval Operations. ...

Dissoulution

After the delivery of the Marine occupation forces, TF 31 transport assets departed on 1 September to transport additional occupation troops. After the formal surrender of Japan on 1945-09-02, Task Force 31 had completed its mission. By 6 September all Navy personnel and ships' Marine detachments had returned to their ships from shore duties. On 1945-09-08, Admiral Badger's Task Force 31 was dissolved^[1]. The Surrender of Japan in August 1945 brought World War II to a close. ... 1945 (MCMVL) was a common year starting on Monday (the link is to a full 1945 calendar). ... September 2 is the 245th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (246th in leap years). ... 1945 (MCMVL) was a common year starting on Monday (the link is to a full 1945 calendar). ... September 8 is the 251st day of the year (252nd in leap years). ...

Ships of Task Force 31

The second USS San Diego (CL-35) was an Atlanta-class light cruiser of the United States Navy, commissioned just after the US entry into World War II, and active throughout the Pacific theater. ... A flagship is the ship used by the commanding officer of a group of naval ships. ... USS Iowa (BB-61), the lead ship of her class of battleship, was the fourth ship of the United States Navy, but second to be commissioned, to be named in honor of the 29th state. ... USS Wedderburn (DD-684), a Fletcher-class destroyer, was a ship of the United States Navy named for lieutenant (j. ... USS Twining (DD-540), a Fletcher-class destroyer, was a ship of the United States Navy named for Rear Admiral Nathan C. Twining (1869â€“1924). ... USS Stockham (DD-683), a Fletcher-class destroyer, was a ship of the United States Navy named for Gy. ... USS Yarnall (DD-541), a Fletcher-class destroyer, was the second ship of the United States Navy to be named for Lieutenant John Yarnall (1786â€“1815). ... USS Halsey Powell (DD-686), a Fletcher-class destroyer, was a ship of the United States Navy to be named for Captain Halsey Powell, (1883–1936), who served during World War I. Halsey Powell was launched by Bethlehem Steel Co. ... USS Southerland Underway in San Francisco, 1977 USS Southerland DD-743 William Henry Hudson Southerland, born in New York City on 10 July 1852, entered the Navy as an apprentice in 1867. ... USS Hambleton (DD-455/DMS-20) was a Gleaves-class destroyer of the United States Navy, named for Purser Samuel Hambleton (1777â€“1851). ... The third USS Hopkins (DD-249/DMS-13) was a Clemson-class destroyer in the United States Navy during World War II. She was named for Esek Hopkins. ... USS Macomb (DD-458/DMS-23) was a Gleaves-class destroyer of the United States Navy, named for Commodore William H. Macomb (1819â€“1872) and Rear Admiral David B. Macomb (1811â€“1927). ... USS Revenge (AM-110) was a World War II-era Auk-class minesweeper in the service of the United States Navy. ... USS Yarnall (DD-541), a Fletcher-class destroyer, was the second ship of the United States Navy to be named for Lieutenant John Yarnall (1786â€“1815). ... USS Lanier (APA-125) was a Haskell-class attack transport of the US Navy. ...

Contents

History

Background

Beginning

Occupation

Dissoulution

Ships of Task Force 31

See also

External links

References

Contents

History GA_googleFillSlot("encyclopedia_square");

Background

Beginning

Occupation

Dissoulution

Ships of Task Force 31

See also

External links

References

History