a zapa ~< Ue a V #4 ZI ‘thet final readiness for the ahot. Those not actually talcing part ‘simulated participationto.‘the extent practicable, ‘The LSTs’ BELLE . GROVEand the Boat Pool,GEPSY ani cOCOPA didnot take pert in the operation. APAGIE simulated AINSWORTH, not yet arrived in the areas, Ships anchored a in the lee of yu Island for evacuee enbarkation, , sortied from the Lagoon and took their evacuation stations at sea, returningto the Lagoon,Later in the‘day. asa drill for the coming BRAVO shot day itTew wasmes avaluablejpreparation, very profitable to partieipating chips. It Pointed out existing flaws in the basic. naval plan tor the ‘shots andpermitted their correction, These were largely in connection with communications, and in reporting by task (group units as| they completed‘Scheduledevents. It had been assumed Up to this : tine‘thatad wouldbeable to proceed1 in accordance with p thelr. -: . Pee | ‘found thattheym were often delayedia‘emcubing6 scheduled‘tora eS : because ‘of thetbrodect_ocpporttasz“complete éperation tosiswie been issued for“the"Feheareal. Foractu‘shots‘thiswas ouppiianted: a at : ‘byan exteanive and ‘detatied check List of‘eveate heading up ‘to and” sey x following the ‘shot’ supplenented by instructions concerning any “specdal procedures. This checkae called for prompt reporting by any unit falling behind schedule, » to permit early corrective action and readjust- ment of schedules if necessary. Since MOLALA, APACHE and SIOUX were employed up to_a few hours before “shot time in areas of expected heavy fallout, their adherence to the’schedule was of particular interest 4: 100