days that followed, with Hutchins claiming one aircraft shot down and assisting with another. After escorting a support convoy to Cape Gloucester from Buna on mainland New Guinea, the destroyer steamed with another LST group to Saidor, farther up the coast of New Guinea. During a rain squall, she collided with another destroyer in the congested assault area and was forced to steam to Cairns, Australia 16 January 1944 for repairs to her bow. 1944 Hutchins departed Cairns 22 February and, after night tactical drills, sailed 28 February with Admiral Daniel E. Barbey's amphibious group for the Admiralties. Arriving the next day, the ship carried out shore bombardment of Manus, a base which was to become vital in the coming campaigns, and with Rear Admiral Victor Crutchley, RN, in the heavy cruiser , established a patrol off Manus. During late March and April, Hutchins and other destroyers shelled Wewak and Hansa Bay, as a diversion for the planned assault at Hollandia. Steaming from Cape Sudest 18 April, Hutchins arrived Hollandia 22 April and with other fleet units gave gunfire support to the initial assault, then retired to screen escort carriers. She steamed south of Truk on 10 May to pick up survivors of a B-24 raid on the Japanese stronghold, returning for the next step in the New Guinea campaign.Hutchins next took part in the Wakde-Sarmi operation on 17 May. After shore bombardment and screening operations, she moved on to Biak ten days later. Early in June, she operated with Task Forces 74 off Biak. On the night of 8 June, the ships detected a Japanese force approaching from the northwest. The Japanese destroyers cast off their troop barges with Hutchins and the rest of Crutchley's force in pursuit, exchanging fire at long range. The Allied ships broke off the chase just before 02:30 and returned to the assault area. In July Hutchins provided gunfire support to the Noemfoor landings and operated with PT boats in the Aitape area 15–25 July harassing Japanese communications. She also took part in the 30 July landings at Sansapor, completing a series of amphibious hops along the northern coast of New Guinea. August 1944 was spent at Sydney and on fleet exercises off New Guinea. After a drydock period, Hutchins sailed from Humboldt Bay on 12 September to take part in the Morotai landings, a stepping-stone to the Philippines. She bombarded airstrips on 16