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destinationajourney — USS Gambier Bay (CVE-73) in port, April 1944

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Published: 2024-04-21 22:43:46 +0000 UTC; Views: 456; Favourites: 10; Downloads: 1
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USS Gambier Bay was a Casablanca-class escort carrier operated by the US Navy during world War Two. Launched on 22 November 1943, she was commissioned on 28 December 1943.

Her first voyage took troops to Pearl Harbour and replacement aircraft to the Marshall Islands. She then ferried damaged planes to San Diego where she undertook pilot qualification training. In June 1944, USS Gambier Bay covered the landing on Saipan. She continued to provide close air support until to Saipan and later to Tinian and Guam until the End of August.

During the invasion of the Philippines, Gambier Bay and other escort carriers were attacked by a powerful Japanese surface fleet which included 4 battleships, six heavy and two light cruisers as well as supporting destroyers. During the following Battle of Samar, Gambier Bay was hit by at least 15 heavy shells, primarily from the battleship Yamato . A total of 147 crew were killed when she sank, while around 800 survivors were rescued over the next two days.

More photos here .

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