by Unknown
“The Admiral says we can send him to the beach by helo day after tomorrow. Is that OK or should I speed up?
“How much sooner would we get there?
“Maybe a few hours.”
“Then day after is fine. But if we can, let’s not shake things up much. I would recommend we get there as soon as we can and fly him out. I’ll go with him and meet you there,” the Doc said.
Hammond nodded. “I’ll talk to the Admiral about speeding things up a little and maybe postponing a gunshoot. That will all help. How about the others?” he asked.
“Ask Grotke about the Chief, but the others are ok. This guy is my main concern. Now let me keep working here. I’ll come see you when I’m done,” Dickerson said.
Hammond nodded. “Thanks, Doc,” he said.
Dickerson reached over and squeezed his arm. “We’ll make it,” Dickerson said.
Hammond turned and left the compartment. The other doctor looked up as Dickerson re-gloved. “I like him,” he said.
“He’ll do. Now let’s make this guy well,” Dickerson said as he placed another layer of gauze.
The Admiral increased speed to the maximum for the slowest ships do on just one boiler per shaft. That meant the formation would arrive in helo range eight hours earlier than planned. Owens had a bad night, but he was stable enough to travel. Doc Dickerson kept him heavily sedated and he was wrapped securely for the trip. The SH-60 refueled before landing on the Iowa’s pad early in the morning. Both Owens and Dickerson were loaded aboard and the big doors shut. The hospital was at the far range of the helo’s endurance, but with the severity of the injuries everyone knew it was the best thing to do.
Hammond had seen the men to the helo and stood there until the helicopter was out of sight. Then he made his way back to the pilot house. He never liked losing a crewman. In this case it was an unfortunate accident. The line that ruptured looked substantial, but the one section was thinner than the ends. A sudden jump in pressure or even the vibration associated with the operating boiler probably opened it up. The engineers immediately pounced on the damage. The XO assigned an officer to make a formal investigation and all the people were being interviewed and the parts retrieved. At the same time the damaged line was replaced and the boiler room cleaned. The bilges were totally dried and cleaned and any lagging replaced on the pipes. The Chief Engineer went over the boiler with a fine tooth comb and determined it was ready for operation. Late the next afternoon fires were lit once more and the boiler brought up to operating specifications. Fireman Maxwell was allowed the chance to light the boiler while Chief Houck and the rest of the team watched. Houck and the other two had to leave after light off since the heat from the boiler would not help their healing. Hammond swore he almost saw a tear in the Chief’s eye.
Breakfast was a quick affair before a prefire briefing in the wardroom at 0730. Hammond arrived to find the wardroom full of weapons and fire control crewmen as well as representatives from other departments. The Weapons Officer began the briefing.
“Good morning, everyone. As you all know there is a planned GUNNEX this morning at 1000. The ship will be firing along with the battleships North Carolina, Alabama, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Missouri, and Wisconsin. We will be firing BL&P rounds at a killer tomato that will be launched by USS Semmes at a range between 8 and 10 nautical miles. The operation will be accomplished in two phases. First, each ship will be allowed to shoot three ranging rounds. The rounds will be fired in sequence by ship, beginning with the North Carolina and ending with the Wisconsin. Upon completion of this phase the formation will fire three broadsides at the target, one broadside at a time, at the direction of the Division Commander. All ships will fire the broadsides together. A helo will be in the air to take photographs. Our journalists and photographers will be allowed to ride the helo for the photo op. Prefire checks will be conducted immediately following this briefing. We will be using the standard six bag configuration….
The briefing droned on listing the types of ammunition, special precautions, and any possible changes as may be directed such as changes in course or speed. After thirty minutes, the briefing was finishing up when it came the Captain’s turn to speak.
“Gentlemen, this is Iowa’s chance to shine. Let’s get rounds on target. But most of all, let’s make sure we’re safe. Remember, no metal in the turrets or magazines. If anyone sees anything suspicious, sing out and stop the exercise. Keep in mind the forty-seven crewmen still with us in turret two. Keep this safe.” He looked out at the men there. “We’re getting close. I will share with you that in just a few days this ship will be in action. What we do each day brings us closer to being ready.” Hammond looked around. “This ship of ours has seen almost a quarter of the history of the United States. And every time she takes part, she has proven her worth. It’s a great reputation to live up to.” He smiled at them. “Fear God and Dreadnought,” he said.
The men got up and began filing out of the room. Hammond turned to Weaps. “What happened to Spot One?”
Weaps called over a Master Chief. “It’s still on the CASREP list but we’re 100 percent,” he said. “The Master Chief had the fix. Tell him about it,” he said to the old smiling face that appeared beside him.
Master Chief Skelly had requested Iowa from the beginning, but had taken the time to get all the ships back up through Newport News. Now he was even sleeping in the rack he had when he had been aboard from '88 on. If there was any fire control system that he knew backwards and forwards, it was the Mk-38 gunfire control system. He beamed at the Captain.
“We had the same problem before, sir. It’s a little lead brush about an inch long and a quarter inch wide that sits against the rotors in the servo. It’s only about as thick as a fingernail. There’s a spring on one end to keep it pressing against the contact. It’s like one of the old generator brushes they had in old cars; just rubs up against the rotor and relays information. That little piece of lead is so soft it is constantly getting worn down and wearing out. The last time I tried to price getting one made it was going to cost thousands. Then one of my first class came up with an idea. That brush is just soft metal. It has to be softer than the steel rotors and still conduct the electricity. So whenever it goes out, we buy a can of Coke and get one of the government ball point pens. We cut out a small strip of the aluminum to match the size of the piece of lead and then take it down to the HTs. They buff the paint and varnish off and then tack weld the spring from the pen to the aluminum. You insert the piece into the old housing and we’re back in business. The thing works good for about six months, then we buy another Coke and destroy another ink pen,” he said.
Hammond looked at the man with admiration. “And it really works?”
“Yes, sir. I’ve even checked to make sure we weren’t damaging the rotors, but everything looks fine. The North Carolina didn’t have any of those old lead brushes. Their system is working, too.”
Hammond nodded. “Not bad. Not bad at all,” he said making his way back to his cabin.
Three hours later the signal flags broke from the main yard. It signaled a “formation one” with ships in order by hull number. After all the heavies acknowledged, the signal was executed. Slowly and almost majestically the old battleships began to maneuver into position forming what was once called a line of battle, one ship ahead of the other until there was but one line of strength. The ships were spaced only 1,000 yards apart. On the Iowa’s fantail, a small remote controlled aircraft that had been supplied by the Israelis was started and warmed up. When all was ready, a small rocket launched the frail looking aircraft into the sky and it turned toward USS Semmes in the distance.
When ready, USS Semmes, a DDG on a parallel course slightly ahead of the ships, let go the “killer tomato” – a red target balloon 10 feet in diameter that floated on top of the water. A small helium-filled balloon on a tether was attached to the tomato. It had radar reflectors to help the fire control systems lock on. For the first time since getting u
nderway, the powerful fire control radars were switched on. Inside the directors the men were already tracking the tomato using their optical sights. They determined the range to be 9.16 miles. The radar range matched the optics. Using signal flags, Admiral Thacke’s staff began the exercise. Far ahead, the guns of the North Carolina swung from their centerline position and rose toward their target. A gout of flame erupted and a loud bang was heard in the distance as one of the North Carolina’s guns fired. Almost thirty seconds later a tall column of water rose within 200 yards of the balloon. A minute later, after corrections were dialed into the computer, a second round was fired. This one landed within 100 yards. The third round was closer still.
Ship by ship the battleships tested their systems. When Iowa’s turn came, everyone not on watch was topside to see the spectacle. The Iowa’s guns turned on their roller paths and elevated. A buzzer was heard sounding. On the third one the center gun from turret one belched forth its projectile. Deep in the ship the crew of the remotely piloted vehicle watched the television screen to see where the round went. It splashed very close to the balloon. One of the crewmen placed the tip of a light pin on the splash point and the offset information was fed into the computers. The buzzer began sounding again. This time, the center gun of turret two fired. With everyone watching, the projectile sailed through the atmosphere making a sound like linen being torn in a long sheet. To everyone’s amazement, the projectile passed through the center of the killer tomato, causing the balloon to tear into pieces and float near the surface for a while.
“Damn!” came the voice of Admiral Thacke as he stood on the bridge next to Hammond. This was his first gunshoot and this kind of gunnery was rare indeed. “I sure hope the Semmes has that other balloon ready,” he said.
It took nearly thirty minutes for the next balloon to be put in the water and for the Semmes to get out of the way. Iowa’s third round was so close the balloon was lifted out of the water for a second, coming back down but still afloat. The firing continued down the line with no one else able to be anywhere near as close.
Phase one ended. A “turn port 180” signal was executed and all the ships turned together 180 degrees so they could pass the target again. The staff raised the signal to engage and put it at the dip. All the ship’s guns now turned in the opposite direction and pointed toward the small red dot in the distance. The signal was executed. The entire line of battleships erupt in flame as the great guns unleashed their might. The sound was ear splitting – a deep and heavy bang that threw a concussion through the air that flattened the waves around the ships where they were pointed. Great columns of water rose from all around the target balloon as the 1,900 pound projectiles slammed into the water. Yet, when the sheets of liquid finally settled, the tomato was still there.
The staff ordered a new course change, taking the great ships even farther from the tomato. At a range of 18 miles the barrels of the guns were angled up nearly 40 degrees. Again, following the orders of the Division Commander, the line of guns erupted. This time, the Admiral followed the Captain to Strike where they could see the screen of the RPV. The rounds all fell within 200 yards of the target. Once again, one round pierced the balloon slinging the remnants across the water and calling an end to the exercise.
Later that evening, the images taken by the photographers were downloaded from the electronic cameras. They clearly showed in vivid detail the devastating power that was about to be unleashed on an unsuspecting enemy.
South Korea
The attack was coming in earnest now. South Korean units had discovered a marshalling area just behind the lines where units were resting up and getting ready for another assault. For some reason, the North decided to take a breather and the constant level of attack had been reduced to just sporadic engagements as the lines firmed up and positions were adjusted. During the brief rest, some South Korean scouts found a hole in the line and a decision was made to take advantage of it. Peterson, now promoted to a Lieutenant Colonel, was chosen to lead the raid because of his ability to inflict the maximum damage to the enemy without a corresponding loss of life. He selected the people he would take with care. Hufham and Ricks had been a foregone conclusion. Between them, they gathered thirty men and women. These included some mortar artillery, demolitions experts, and infantry who were good in both weapons and hand-to-hand action.
The equipment was hard to dig up. The Americans and South Koreans were expending ordnance at an alarming rate. Resupply kept them going, but the supply did not kept pace with the demand. In most cases, soldiers improvised with whatever materials they had to slow the enemy’s progress. Ricks commandeered a supply of explosives from an engineering company and made up a number of pipe bombs, hand-placed explosives, and all the Molotov Cocktails that they could carry with them. The cocktails were set up after he had gone to Su Lynn and asked the people in her facility to help him round up all the glass bottles and jars they could find. Within a day, they responded with over 200 containers of all kinds. Many couldn’t be used, but most were perfect for what Ricks had planned. The bottles and jars were fashioned with cloth wicks and placed in some ammo boxes that were lying around. They would be filled with gasoline or other fuel later.
Late the next evening the raiding party silently made its way through the line, passing through a drainage culvert part of the way and ending up in a wooded area on the outside of town. Using everything they learned in a six-hour crash course of covert ops, the soldiers moved through the trees and brush without much of a sound. Crossing over several hills, they finally saw their objective – several groups of tanks and other heavy equipment and dozens of tents spread out along a secluded valley. It was a good spot to remain protected from the action. Hills were on three sides with the opening facing the north. A few lights were on as people worked on some of the machines and others stood guard. What looked like a central command area had lots of telephone and power lines running in and out, lights on inside the tents and occasionally someone walking around. Sentries were positioned around the camp and patrols were making their way constantly between posts. Additional sentries were placed on the hilltops surrounding the camp. Peterson and his men nearly stumbled on one of the patrols. Fortunately the soldier was not paying as much attention as he should and Peterson’s people blended into the night as the soldier passed.
Peterson planned his attack based on where the enemy would not be looking – the northern entrance to the valley. It took the men another hour to make their way around to the entrance. Once there, they waited near the one sentry post for the roving patrol to check in and leave. Once done, the sentry was taken out swiftly and silently by one of the men. A South Korean soldier took his place after donning part of the uniform. The remainder of the raiding party passed through the line and into the valley.
Peterson looked around the encampment and pulled Hufham and Ricks in. “Look, I don’t want a single one of these people to get out of this valley alive. I want to put my mortar crews up a little higher on the hill on either side. Hufham, take some of the guys over to the left toward the main camp area and start using those Molotovs. I think I spotted a fuel truck and some cans over that direction. Ricks, you take some to the right and hit those. But before then, I think you need to place some of your explosives on the nearest tanks so that when the time comes they block the escape. Then place a few more on anything of value. Concentrate everything along the entrance so that they tend to keep people in. Then have your people shoot anything that moves in those camps. The big thing is to keep these people and machines out of the war. Once we have this place burning really good, have all your people regroup here and we’ll get out,” he said quickly. Checking their watches, they decided to wait on Ricks’ charges to go off to begin their attack.
The men moved off quickly. Ricks found a small gasoline store near one of the trucks and his men walked off with about fifty gallons of the fuel. They made their way up the hill and began quickly filling the containers and soaking the wicks. They s
pread out and waited. Ricks and six men took several packs full of explosives and made their way toward the tank farm near the entrance. Several different kinds of tanks were there, from the old T-34s to the newer Type 59s. But what caught Ricks’ eye were the rocket artillery launchers. The North had more than twenty of the things and they could wreak havoc on the Allied lines. Carefully, the men crept up to each launcher and placed a packet of plastic explosive between two of the tubes. Ricks set a manual timer on each and they moved on. They were interrupted three times as a sentry walked through the line of machines. On two occasions the sentry walked no farther as Ricks dispatched each silently and returned to his task. On the tanks, Ricks molded the explosives so they were packed tightly along the turret ring of the tank under the main gun.
It took thirty minutes to complete the task. Ricks and his men eased back to the right side of the hill where his people were waiting. Along the way they found the ammunition trucks holding the extra rockets and gun ammo. Ricks cursed himself for using the last of his explosives and timers on the tanks. All he had left was dynamite with fuses which had to be lit. There was no way to time that and no time to get word to the mortar crews. Ricks and his men were just over 100 yards away when the first charges went off with a deafening roar.
One after another the rocket launchers seemed to disintegrate as the charges not only destroyed the tubes, but also set off all the rockets. The rockets not actually destroyed went off in their tubes, flying forward and striking some of the tent areas in front of them. Ricks watched as arcs of flame seemed to make their way into the tent encampments from a variety of places along the hill. Coming down in the camp, the Molotov Cocktails smashed into tents and along the ground, splashing the fuel everywhere as the wick ignited it. Men awoke from their sleep to find their tents and equipment on fire. They rushed out as a second volley came arcing overhead. This time the soldiers were splashed with the liquid and they began running through the camp setting more things afire.
