Task Force 95

Task Force 95 (TF-95) was established in early July 1945 at Buckner Bay in Okinawa. The formation was a surface striking force intended to be used to sweep the East China Sea of Japanese shipping, and was commanded by Vice Admiral Jesse B. Oldendorf.[1] Upon formation, TF-95 comprised the large cruisers USS Alaska and Guam, four light cruisers and several destroyers.[2]

TF-95 undertook its first anti-shipping sweep into the East China Sea between 17 and 24 July. At this time it comprised Alaska and Guam, light cruisers Cleveland, Columbia, Denver and Montpelier and nine destroyers. No Japanese ships were encountered.[1] Official historian Samuel Eliot Morison noted that "direct results were few but the fact that a surface sweep of Japan's home waters could be made with impunity demonstrated how low the enemy's air and naval power had sunk".[2]

The Task Force's second operation began on 1 August. This operation involved the ships used in the first attack, which were designated Task Group 95.2, as well as a covering force designated Task Group 95.3. The covering force comprised battleships California, Nevada and Tennessee, escort carriers Cape Gloucester, Lunga Point and Makin Island, heavy cruiser Wichita, light cruiser St. Louis, six destroyers and three destroyer escorts.[1][3] During this operation Task Group 95.2 patrolled along the Chinese coast north of the Yangtze Delta each night. As with the first operation, no Japanese ships were located. The escort carriers conducted two anti-shipping strikes which resulted in the sinking of a coastal barge as well as damage to a small cargo ship and shore installations.[1] One of these attacks was made on 6 August, during which aircraft from all three escort carriers struck shipping in Tinghai.[3] Fighters flying from the carriers also shot down four Japanese aircraft. One American fighter, a Grumman F4F Wildcat, was shot down by anti-aircraft guns. Two other Wildcats and three Vought F4U Corsairs were damaged. TF-95 broke off the operation on 6 August, and reached Buckner Bay the next day.[1]

In his report on the 1-7 August operation, Oldendorf noted that Japanese shipping in the East China Sea had been "practically eliminated" by air and submarine attacks. He judged that "appropriate targets for Naval guns no longer existed in the area near the Yangtze mouth.[1] Historian Brian Lane Herder has observed that despite its lack of results, "TF-95 tightened the pressure on Japan, and its mere existence demonstrates the extravagance of naval power the Allies were bringing to bear [in] the final weeks of the war".[4]

A large minesweeping force, designated Task Group 95.4 also operated in the East China Sea during the final days of the war. Task Group 95.4 departed Buckner Bay on 11 August. At this time it comprised four light minelayers, 40 minesweepers, 10 motor minesweepers and several support ships. The Task Group returned to Buckner Bay on 25 August; during this operation it destroyed 578 mines.[3]

The battleship Pennsylvania arrived at Okinawa on 12 August, and became Oldendorf's flagship. That night a Japanese aircraft penetrated Buckner Bay and torpedoed Pennsylvania. A total of 20 American sailors were killed, and Oldendorf and many others were wounded.[5]

Oldendorf continued as the commander of TF-95 until November 1945.[6]