Gators of Neptune by Christopher D Yung

Gators of Neptune by Christopher D Yung

Author:Christopher D Yung [Yung, Christopher D.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781612515182
Publisher: Naval Institute Press


Naval Task Force Planning for Neptune

After operational orders were issued in April, the Eastern and Western Naval Task Forces were responsible for putting out their own naval operational orders. In general, the guidance set down in Naval Task Force plans concentrated on interpreting Ramsay’s operational orders into tasks and orders for the Assault Forces. Both Kirk’s and Vian’s operational orders were published in May 1944.37 On May 7, 1944, Kirk’s staff released “OP Plan CTF 122: No. 2-44.”38 This plan started off with a list of numerous annexes that the Assault Force Commanders and other naval participants could reference for additional information on the operation. Annex A was the intelligence plan; B described the air plan; C covered area screening; D provided guidance on naval gunfire support; E covered assembly and staging; F discussed convoy and escort operations; G described the approach plan; H covered the follow-up plan; I went into detail over the buildup plan; J discussed logistics; K covered air defense; and L went into detail concerning the Western Naval Task Force communications plan.39

Because Ramsay’s operational orders were so detailed, the operational orders for the Western Naval Task Force and Eastern Naval Task Force were largely reflections of directives sent down by ANCXF. Kirk’s OP Plan 2-44 and its annexes read like a giant reference manual to much of the planning that ANCXF had done in the minutest detail. There are a few instances where the WNTF staff, like those of its Eastern counterpart, had to translate Ramsay’s detailed guidance into operational guidance for its subordinate Assault Forces. But these focused on the disposition of the Task Force, the timing of the arrival of the forces into the assault area, and the specific orders to individual ships such as the flagship or the fighter direction tender.40

For instance in annex F, covering convoy and escort operations, Kirk’s orders inform his Assault Force Commanders that convoys are to be controlled by CINC Home Commands and that the fast convoys are to arrive at the transport area as soon as possible after areas have been swept.41 The slow convoys were directed to refer to annex G, the Approach Plan—a close facsimile of ON 7 ANCXF’s approach plan. The Western Task Force staff did, however, provide some additional tactical information. It set a timetable for the fast escorts at no later than H-4 to get into the transport area. Kirk informed his Assault Force Commanders that “escorts other than fire-support ships will be reallocated at any time between Assault and Follow-up Forces by NCWTF as the necessity becomes apparent.”42 On bombardment forces Kirk’s orders stated that “bombarding cruisers and BBs may sail independently of the assault forces, but as they will use swept channels, their movements will be phased by assault commander.”43

The value added by the Eastern and Western Naval Task Force staffs was more apparent when their orders covered issues of coordination among NCWTF’s and NCETF’s own Assault Forces, and when directing the activities of ships that they had direct control over.



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