altitude of this plane was approximately 500 feet. At no time did this
plane approach the ship in any fashion. His distance remained approxi-
mately 12 to 15 miles.
It was possible to visually sight the minaret which is quite con-
spicuous at El Arish. This was used as a navigational aid in determining
the ship's position during the morning and afternoon of 8 June. It became
visible at about 0930 and the ship's position was verified, and was within
our established operating area. Radar ranges were taken on the nearest
land on the same bearing as the minaret. The minaret was also identi-
fiable by radar. There were no other conspicuous or outstanding naviga-
tional features in the area. At about 1056 in the morning of 8 June an
aircraft similar to an American flying boxcar crossed astern of the ship
at a distance of about three to five miles. The plane circled the ship
around the starboard side, proceeded forward of the ship and headed
back toward the Sinai peninsula. This aircraft continued to return in a
somewhat similar fashion approximately at 30 minute intervals. It was
not possible to see any markings on the aircraft and the identity of this
aircraft remains unknown. This aircraft did not approach the ship in
any provocative manner. It made no attempt to signal the ship. The ship
made no attempt to signal the aircraft.
At 1039B the minaret at El Arish was bearing 189°T, 17 miles. At
the time the ship was on a course of 253 at speed five knots. At 1132, the
ship changed course to 283 true, speed five knots and was on this course
and this speed at the time of the attack. At about 1310, 8 June, the ship
went to general quarters for drill purposes to conduct training for a
mandatory noncompetitive exercise to exercise the crew in chemical attack
procedures. The drill was performed in a satisfactory manner. At the
commencement of the drill it was possible to see a large billowing cloud
of black smoke rising from approximately 15 to 20 miles to the west of
El Arish on the beach. The exact identity of the cause and the location of
thin explosion is not positively known, although it was believed to be near
the beach in that area. This was noted at about 1300. Before dismissing
the crew from general drills, I gave the crew a short talk on the PA system,
reminding them of the importance of expeditiously responding to general
quarters and the setting of condition Zebra for drills and in the event of
an actual attack. So that they would be impressed I pointed out to the crew
at that time that the column of black smoke on the beach should be sufficient
evidence that the ship was in a potentially dangerous location. I had no
evidence or indication that an attack would actually be made on the ship
at the time that statement was made to the crew. After conducting
general drills, it is my usual practice to go to the wardroom and have a cup
