Deck log from the USS Bunch, July 4th, 1945
 

APD79/TE306/A12-1	U.S.S. BUNCH (APD 79)
Serial  (0132)	c/o Fleet Post Office
	San Francisco, Calif.
CONFIDENTIAL	4 July 1945
From:	The Commanding Officer
To:	The Commander-in-Chief, U.S. Fleet.
Via:	(1)     Commander Task Unit 31.24.5  (Commanding Officer UDT-21). (2)     Commander Task Group 31.24  (Commander Destroyer Squadron 63). (3)     Commander Task Force 31  (Commander Fifth Amphibious Force). (4)     Commander Amphibious Forces, U.S. Pacific Fleet. (5)     Commander Third Fleet. (6)     Commander-in-Chief, U.S. Pacific Fleet.
Subject:	Action Report on KUME SHIMA Operation, a subdivision of the Okinawa Operation.
Reference:	(a) PacFlt Confidential Letter 1CL-45.
1.	In compliance with reference (a), the action report of this ship for the period 23 June through 26 June 1945 is submitted herewith.  During this period BUNCH participated in the assault and capture of the island of KUME SHIMA forming a part of the OKINAWA GUNTO in the Ryuku Group; the ultimate mission in occupying the island being to establish a radar-air warning station and an auxiliary landing field thereon.
ACTION REPORT
Part I	Part I is omitted in view of the difficulty of further condensing an already brief account of operations.
Part II	U.S.S. BUNCH (APD 79), temporary flagship Transport Division 104, attached to the Amphibious Forces, U.S. Pacific Fleet, and assigned in compliance ComPhibsPac’s Opplan A1-45 to Task Force 31, under the overall tactical command of Commander FIFTH Amphibous Force (Rear Admiral H. W. HILL, USNAVY), for the invasion and occupation of various islands of the NANSEI SHOTO, under the over-all command of Commander THIRD Fleet (Admiral William F. HALSEY, USNAVY), now operating under the immediate tactical command of Commander Task Unit 31.24.5 (Lt. Comdr. E. P. CLAYTON, USNAVY, Commanding Officer UDT 21) in BUNCH and under the direct tactical command of Commander Task Group 31.24 (Captain BUCHANA, USNAVY, Commander Destroyer Squadron 63) in COMPTON, comprising the following units:  Underwater Demolition Team 21.  BUNCH now operating under the following top secret orders: ComPhibsPac’s Opplan A1-45. CTG 31.24’s Opplan 2-45.
Part III	Chronological account of the action.
23 June – 25 June   At 0622 got underway for Hagushi in accordance with CTF 31’s secret dispatch 210704, leaving three days uncompleted work at IE SHIMA.  After fueling from NESHANEC (AO 71) off northern HAGUSHI on the following day, reported for duty to CTG 31.24 (Captain BUCHANAN, USNAVY, Commander Destroyer Squadron 63) in COMPTON for screening and demolition operations as necessary in the assault on KUME SHIMA.  The assault was scheduled for 25 June but was postponed 24 hours because of bad surf conditions.  26 June   Commenced operating directly under CTU 31.24.5 (Lt. Comdr. E. P. CLAYTON, USNAVY, Commanding Officer UDT 21), in BUNCH, and in accordance with CTG 31.24’s operation order 2-45.                 King day for KUME SHIMA was assigned for 25 June with “H” hour at 0615, and at 2100 got underway with TG 31.24, in station 3, in the van of cruising disposition three tare, and proceeded along course 257°T at 9 knots.  Enemy aircraft appeared in the vicinity in considerable force, and the illuminating effect of the full moon gave cause for much concern, until at midnight an almost total eclipse occurred which lasted two hours and somewhat alleviated conditions.                  The plan for landing on the preferred beaches was abandoned because of heavy swells from the south, and an alternate plane in which a landing was made to the southeast in the more sheltered waters of SHIMAJIRI WAN was substituted.  No observable enemy opposition occurred, and after UDT 21 had guided LSTs into the bay and equipment had been discharged, formed in convoy and returned HAGUSHI, where task group was dissolved and BUNCH was directed to report to CTG 31.21.
Part IV	Ordnance None (No ammunition expended)
Part V (A)	Damage to own ship None
Part V (B)	Damage to enemy units None
Part VI	Special comments and information.   As BUNCH took part in all the earlier phases of the OKINAWA operation, it is not felt necessary to repeat again here the comments made in the earlier action report submitted by this ship on April 27, 1945.
Part VII	Lessons learned, conclusions and recommendations.   Once again, as during the earlier phases of the operation, BUNCH carried aboard a flag together with an underwater demolition team.  It is felt that this condition results in extremely crowded living conditions particularly in the Officers’ living quarters.  The ship was carrying an average of 32 officers during this operation, and the problems of messing are acute in the small wardrooms which these ships have.  It is recommended that APDs do nor carry both a flag and a team whenever it is possible not to do so.
	Benjamin D. HYDE.

CC:	ComUDTPao
	CO UDT 21
	ComDesRon 63
	ComFIFTHPhibsForce
	ComPhilbsPac
	ComThird Fleet
	Cincpac

USS Bunch contact: David L. Hibbs, Sr.