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.

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