Re: Formosa (Taiwan) during the KW

[<geminiad@whidbey.com>]

Jhk789@aol.com wrote:
>  
*  Thanks for the useful background info!
> Seems you are very well informed.  

Student of Pacific War and Asian military  in particular. As for China,
it has been WW II period thru Civil War, then 1965 - 2001.  Been
filling in period of 1949-1965 lately.  Lived in Hong Kong, Taiwan
and Malaysia. Language incl. Mandarin and Russian. Getting rusty,
however, so I concentrate on military terminologies only - until one
needs to fill one's rice bowl and then do fine in restaurants!

*  May I ask what was your rank and where
> you were stationed during the Korean War?

Not a KW vet -  too young. Vietnam-Beirut-Gulf War vet.
> 
*  Where was the 7th Fleet located on June 25?
*  Was it under the Far Eastern Command or
> under the Pacific Command in Hawaii at the time?

Under  immediate operational control of Commander, Naval Forces, 
Far East (VAdm.  C. Turner Joy). 
 
*  When the 7th Fleet intervened in the Formosa Straits,
 how many ships were sent there? One CV, one CA and 8 DDs.
Transit from Philippines to Okinawa, only.  No permanent patrol at
this stage. VP squadrons flew patrols from Okinawa and PI  but
no permanent ships presence.  

Seventh Fleet (VAdm. Arthur D. Struble) - Adm. Struble was actually
in Washington, DC at the time; RAdm. J.M. Hoskins, Commander,
Carrier Division Three was "Acting" 7th Fleet.
 
SEVENTH FLEET, centered on USS Valley Force (CV-45) 
 (TF-77.4), departed Hong Kong on June 24th for  Subic Bay, Philippines.
 Departed Subic Bay, June 27th  - 
passed through the Formosa Straits and air wing aircraft (Air Group Five
or CAG 5) overflew Taipei on June 29th.  

(Some sources indicate TF-77 was split between Hong Kong and 
Manila  Bay prior to June 27th - as CTF-77 had conducted large scale 
exercises between the PI and SE China in late May.  This would 
coincide with arrival of new destroyer escort squadron from States.)

Destroyer Squadron 92 - 

BRUSH (DD-745) - Ordered to Asia , May  1st,1950. No details on arrival
date.
MADDOX (DD-731) - Sailed for Asia, May 1,  from San Diego.
SHELTON (DD-790) - Sailed Asia, May 1,  from San Diego.
TAUSSIG (DD-746) -  Sailed for Asia,  May 1st,  from San Diego.
EVERSOLE (DD-789) -  Sailed forAsia, May 1st, from San Diego.
SAMUEL N. MOORE (DD-747) - Sailed for Asia, May 1st from San Diego
FLETCHER (DD-445) - Sailed for Asia, May 1st from San Diego. 
	Confirmed Hong Kong, June 24th
RADFORD (DDE-446) -  Recommissioned Oct 1949, home port PH.
	ASW escort for CV-45.  Unconfirmed Hong Kong, June 24th. 

AMPHIBIOUS GROUP ONE was conducting amphibous exercises
at sea in southern Japanese waters on June 25th.

SUPPORT FORCE and MINRON 3 were at Sasebo, Japan. Flag JUNEAU
and DD De Haven were ordered to sea June 27th to patrol coastal waters
south of the 38th Parallel. Ammo ship SERGEANT KEATHLEY was 
ordered from Tokyo to Pusan and CARDINAL O'CONNELL was ordered
Pusan under escort of DDs Mansfield and Collett. 

Planned CTF-77 arrival Sasebo, Japan changed after teletype 
conference between CNO (Adm. F.P. Sherman) and CinC, US Pacific Fleet
 (Adm. Arthur W. Radford), following which Commander, Naval Forces, 
Far East (Adm. Joy) ordered  CTF-77  to Buckner Bay, Okinawa
to be closer to Formosa in accord with Truman directive.  

*   I assume some of the ships were also sent to Korea at the same time?

(See above) - CTF 77 sorties Okinawa on July 1st, seaming to West Coast
of Korea, with anticipated air strikes against North Korea following UN
Resolution approving various command set-ups and UN action.

*   How was it diviided into?   Reorganization came on July 1, 1950, 
after VADM Stuble retured from States to Tokyo, 
and after Admiral Sir Patrick Brind, Royal Navy ( as
CinC, Far East Station, Hong Kong) on June 28th offered British
assistance.
Royal Navy (RN) Task Force 96.8, centered on RAdm Andrews Triumph (CVL),
Belfast and Jamaica CLs, two destroyers and three frigates, was at Hong
Kong.

Thus, after July 1, naval forces became - 

TF-77 Striking Force (VAdm Struble)
TG77.1  Support Force  (RAdm. Andrews, RN) - USS Rochester, HMS Belfast
TG 77.2 Screening Group (Capt C.W. Parker, USN) - 8 USN desteroyers, 2
RN destroyers
TG 77.4 Carrier Group  (RAdm. Hoskins) - Valley Forge, HMS Triumph (Capt
A.D. Torless) 
>
CINCFarEast authorized first strikes north of 38th Parallel. July 3rd
first pre-dawn
(0530) air attack was launched from Triumph; 0600 Valley Forge launched
it strike. 
--------
There is more, specific to  naval squadrons, in my Tailhook Association
journals
but have not consulted, mostly due to time limitations.