31. Also escorting the flotilla was Steam Gun Boat ( SGB ) 9, ready to provide close support . 32. The next day, she joined the fire support group for shore bombardment and close support gunfire operations. 33. Herbst converted to close support of infantry. 34. Close support of artillery and combat engineers was an important factor in the success of Operation Uranus.35. It flew close support for General William Slim's Burma campaign bombing Japanese supply routes, bridges and artillery. 36. On the llth, she headed for the east coast of Korea for interdiction and close support missions. 37. Allied air superiority helped tip the balance, providing close support to troops in combat and targeting Japanese logistics. 38. The squadron continued to give close support to ground forces until the fall of Rome in June 1944. 39. Only one crewman normally flew in the aircraft for close support missions, permitting a slight increase in ordnance. 40. The 315th continued to give close support to ground forces until the fall of Rome in June 1944.
