im BFFSCTS OF DELAYS ie The last shot in the CASTLE schedule cs it was cantempleted a the comancensnt of the operational period was to be detonated on 22 spell. MEOTAR, the last chot sctuslly fired, was detonated approx isstely three weeks after that date, on 14 Hey. In retrospect the extension of the operation for three weeks bayend ite planned length wes not a considercble delay, A delay approsching that length ef tims was not entirely unexpected. Ferhape the most elgnificsmt ef- - fects that the elensnt of delay had upon the Navy Task Group vere attirubtabls more to the lack of any firs knoxleize as to when the Operation would end, than to the delay tha’ actually occurred, The added factor of the delays on iniividusl chots contributed substant~ felly to the Huryts problems during CASTLE, 2. , Ae the Operation continued on with its end not in aight, sai shots were postponed agein and again because of unsetisfactory weather, apprehensions were fel& for a nosber of reesons, Esny tark group shipe wore due for shipyard overhaul in lsete Nay o@ early dune, Some were scheduled for other employment, notably the for DBEs of Becart, Deatroyer Division Twelve who were te deploy to the Far Kast in duns. The material condition of all units was deteriorsting. Lack of repair facilities and the impossibility of scheduling sdequate per fods of upkeep, due in part to the many shot postponements, began te be felt {nm April and had an increasing effeat es time went on. Ships begen to suffer mechanical failures: LST 762 was released from CASTLE AFWUIHO ay ae. 178 4