IZ. EVACUATION AND RE-ENTRY
The date, 28 October 1952, had beon designated Hi minus 4 in CJTF 132
|
Operational Directive No, 1 (HIKE dvent) dated 1800K, 19 October 1952, For
the Navy Task Group, this meant that evacuation of tho EFniwetck Atoll was a
job to be started regardless of whether or not i. Day would be eonfirmed by
the and of the day.
.
Liberty and shore leave on Eniwotok was suspended ty dispateh (cts
132.3 DIG 2704242) effective 2300K on 27Oatobere The Japtén Recreational
facility had been closed on 26 October. From there on, barring a poste
ponement of several days, Task Group 132.3 would be engaged in operations
aromd the leek, BEST AVAILARLE COPY
An evacuation reheargal was conducted on 25 October 1952. The rehearsal
prirarily was a test of commmications facilities to support the evacuation,
The results were considered satisfactory.
The evacuation began on 26 Ootober when the Port Company of Task Group
132.2 moved aboard the USNS GENERAL 2. T. CO! LINS (TAP2147).
On 27 October, Task Force ‘ieather Control, except for upper Air Weather
observations, transferred operations ‘fror. Eniwetok to the USS ESTES (AGC~12).
During the afternoon on 27 October, mits of the Headquarters of CJTF
132, ConTaskGroup 132.3 and ConffaskGroup 132.2 moved on beard their respestive
evacuation ships for the IIKE Svent rehearsal, —
The USS RENDOVA (CVE~114), Task Group flagship, got underway at 1800 on
* 27 October and moved out to soa, She operated outside the lagoon on the
15