Leyte Gulf order of battle

The Battle of Leyte Gulf, generally considered to be the largest naval combat in history, was fought 24–25 October 1944 in the waters of the Philippine Islands by elements of the Imperial Japanese Navy's Combined Fleet (bringing together the IJN's 2nd Fleet, 3rd Fleet and 5th Fleet) and the United States Navy's Pacific Fleet (bringing together the USN's 3rd Fleet and 7th Fleet). Of the five separate engagements that made up the battle as a whole, the forces involved in the three principal ones are listed here. <br />

Since the Japanese assumed the tactical initiative in all three actions, their forces are listed first in each section.

Losses in these three actions<br /> IJN: 1 fleet carrier, 3 light carriers, 2 old battleships, 3 heavy cruisers, 3 light cruisers, 9 destroyers, 1 oiler<br /> USN: 2 escort carriers, 2 destroyers, 1 destroyer escort

• The light aircraft carrier was heavily damaged and scuttled with great loss of life on 24 October while engaging in battle against land-based Japanese aircraft flying into the Leyte area east of Luzon. The loss of Princeton is always included in the casualties of the Battle of Leyte Gulf.

24–25 Oct – Battle of Surigao Strait

(according to )

Japanese Forces

<big>Southern Force</big><br /> Vice Admiral Shōji Nishimura (killed during battle) in battleship Yamashiro

<big>Force C</big> (sortied from Brunei Bay 22 Oct)

Vice Adm. Nishimura (KIA)

: Battleship Division 2 (Vice Adm. Nishimura – KIA)

:: 2 Fusō-class old battleships (12 × 14-in. main battery)

::: Fusō , Yamashiro

:: 1 Mogami-class heavy cruiser (6 × 8-in. main battery)

::: Mogami

: Destroyer Division 4 (Capt. Kameshirou Takahashi) (KIA)

:: 3 Asashio-class destroyers (6 × 5-in. main battery)

::: Michishio , Yamagumo , Asagumo

:: 1 Shiratsuyu-class destroyer (5 × 5-in. main battery)

::: Shigure

<big>Second Striking Force</big> (sortied from Pescadores, Formosa 22 Oct)

Vice Admiral Kiyohide Shima in heavy cruiser Nachi

: Cruiser Division 21 (Vice Admiral Shima)

:: 2 Myōkō-class heavy cruisers (10 × 8-in. main battery)

::: Nachi, Ashigara

: Destroyer Squadron 1 (Rear Adm. Masatomi Kimura)

:: 1 Nagara-class light cruiser (7 × 5.5-in. main battery)

::: Abukuma

:: 4 destroyers

::: 2 Fubuki-class (6 × 5-in. main battery)

:::: Akebono, Ushio

::: 1 Asashio-class (6 × 5-in. main battery)

:::: Kasumi

::: 1 Kagero-class (6 × 5-in. main battery)

:::: Shiranui

American Forces

<big>Seventh Fleet</big><br /> Vice Admiral Thomas C. Kinkaid in amphibious command ship Wasatch<br />

<big>Task Force 77 (Central Philippines Attack Force)</big>

Vice Admiral Kinkaid

: Task Group 77.2

: Rear Admiral Jesse B. Oldendorf in heavy cruiser Louisville

:: Task Unit 77.2.2 (Left Flank)

:: Rear Admiral Jesse B. Oldendorf

::: 3 heavy cruisers

:::: 1 Northampton-class (9 × 8-in. main battery)

::::: Louisville (Capt. S.H. Hurt)

:::: 1 Portland-class (9 × 8-in. main battery)

::::: Portland (Capt. Thomas G. W. Settle)

:::: 1 New Orleans-class (9 × 8-in. main battery)

::::: Minneapolis (Capt. H.B. Slocum)

::: 2 light cruisers

:::: Both Cleveland-class (12 × 6-in. main battery)

::::: Denver (Capt. Albert M. Bledsoe)

::::: Columbia (Capt. Maurice E. Curts)

::: Destroyer Squadron 56 (Capt. Roland N. Smoot)

:::: 9 Fletcher-class destroyers (5 × 5-in. main battery)

::::: Newcomb, Richard P. Leary, Albert W. Grant , Robinson, Halford, Bryant, Heywood L. Edwards, Bennion, Leutze

:: Task Unit 77.2.1 (Battle Line)

:: Rear Admiral George L. Weyler in battleship Mississippi

::: 6 old battleships

:::: 2 Colorado-class (8 × 16-in. main battery)

::::: West Virginia (Capt. Herbert V. Wiley)

::::: Maryland (Capt. Herbert J. Ray)

:::: 2 Tennessee-class (12 × 14-in. main battery)

::::: Tennessee (Capt. J.B. Heffernan)

::::: California (Capt. H.P. Burnett)

:::: 1 New Mexico-class (12 × 14-in. main battery)

::::: Mississippi (Capt. H.J. Redfield)

:::: 1 Pennsylvania-class (12 × 14-in. main battery)

::::: Pennsylvania (Capt. C.F. Martin)

::: 6 destroyers

:::: 4 Fletcher-class (5 × 5-in. main battery)

::::: Sigourney, Claxton, Aulick, Cony

:::: 2 Gleaves-class (4 × 5-in. main battery)

::::: Thorn, Welles

: Task Group 77.3 (Right Flank)

: Rear Admiral Russell S. Berkey in light cruiser Phoenix

:: 1 heavy cruiser

::: 1 County-class (8 × 8-in. main battery)

:::: Shropshire (Capt. C.A.G. Nichols, RN)

:: 2 light cruisers

::: Both Brooklyn-class (15 × 6-in. main battery)

:::: Phoenix (Capt. J.H. Duncan)

:::: Boise (Capt. J.S. Roberts)

:: Destroyer Squadron 24 (Capt. Kenmore M. McManes)

::: 5 Fletcher-class (5 × 5-in. main battery)

:::: Hutchins, Bache, Beale, Daly, Killen

::: 1 Tribal-class (8 × 4.7-in. main battery)

:::: Arunta

: Picket Patrol

: Destroyer Squadron 54 (Capt. Jesse G. Coward)

:: Destroyer Division 107

::: 2 Fletcher-class (5 × 5-in. main battery)

:::: Remey, Monssen

:: Destroyer Division 108

::: 3 Fletcher-class (5 × 5-in. main battery)

:::: McDermut, McGowan, Melvin

: Task Group 70.1 Motor Torpedo Boats

:: 18 motor torpedo boats (MTB)

::: MTB Squadron 7: MTBs 127, 128, 129, 130, 131, 132, 134, 137

::: MTB Squadron 12: MTBs 146, 150, 151, 152, 190, 191, 192, 194, 195, 196

25 Oct – Battle off Samar

Japanese Forces

<big>Centre Force ('Force A')</big> (sortied from Brunei Bay 22 Oct)

<big>1st Section</big>

Vice Admiral Takeo Kurita

: Battleship Division 1 (Vice Adm. Matome Ugaki)

:: 2 battleships

::: Yamato (9 × 18-in. main battery)

::: Nagato (8 × 16-in. main battery)

: Cruiser Division 4 (Vice Adm. Kurita)

:: 1 heavy cruiser

::: Chōkai (10 × 8-in. main battery)

: Cruiser Division 5 (Vice Adm. Shintaro Hashimoto)

:: 1 heavy cruiser

::: Haguro (10 × 8-in. main battery)

: Destroyer Squadron 2 (Rear Adm. Mikio Hayakawa)

:: 1 light cruiser

::: Noshiro (6 × 6.1-in. main battery)

:: 9 destroyers

::: 8 Yugumo-class (6 × 5-in. main battery)

:::: Akishimo, Asashimo, Fujinami , Hamanami, Hayashimo , Kishinami, Okinami, Naganami

::: 1 Shimakaze (experimental destroyer type with 15 torpedo tubes)

::::Shimakaze (6 × 5-in. main battery)

<big>2nd Section</big>

Vice Admiral Yoshio Suzuki

: Battleship Division 3 (Vice Adm. Suzuki)

:: 2 battleships

::: Kongō (8 × 14-in. main battery)

::: Haruna (8 × 14-in. main battery)

: Cruiser Division 7 (Vice Adm. Kazutaka Shiraishi)

:: 4 heavy cruisers

::: Kumano (10 × 8-in. main battery)

::: Suzuya (10 × 8-in. main battery)

::: Chikuma (8 × 8-in. main battery)

::: Tone (8 × 8-in. main battery)

: Destroyer Squadron 10 (Rear Adm. Susumu Kimura)

:: 1 light cruiser

::: Yahagi (6 × 6.1-in. main battery)

:: 6 destroyers

::: 5 Kagero-class (6 × 5-in. main battery)

:::: Hamakaze, Isokaze, Nowaki , Urakaze, Yukikaze

::: 1 Yugumo-class (6 × 5-in. main battery)

:::: Kiyoshimo

:: Note: Battleship Musashi and heavy cruisers Atago (Kurita's original flagship), Takao, Myōkō, and Maya had been assigned to Center Force, but had been sunk or damaged by air and submarine attacks prior to the Battle off Samar.

American Forces

<big>Seventh Fleet</big><br /> Vice Admiral Thomas C. Kinkaid in amphibious command ship Wasatch

<big>Task Force 77 (Central Philippines Attack Force)</big>

Vice Admiral Kinkaid

: Task Group 77.4 (Escort Carrier Group)

: Rear Admiral Thomas L. Sprague

:: Task Unit 77.4.1 ("Taffy 1") (Rear Admiral Thomas L. Sprague)

:::6 escort carriers

::::Sangamon (Captain M.E. Browder) Air Group 37 (Lt. Commander S.E. Hindman)

::::Suwannee (Captain W.D. Johnson) Air Group 60 (Lt. Commander H.O. Feilbach USNR)

::::Chenango (Captain George Van Deurs) Air Group 35 (Lt. Commander F.T. Moore)

::::Santee (Captain R.E. Blick) Air Group 26 (Lt. Commander H.N Funk)

::::Saginaw Bay (Captain F.C. Sutton) Composite Squadron 78(Lt. Commander J.L. Hyde)

::::Petrof Bay (Captain J.L. Kane ) Composite Squadron 76(Commander J.W. McCauley)

:::3 Fletcher-class (5 × 5-in. main battery)

::::: McCord, Hazelwood, Trathen

:::4 John C. Butler-class destroyer escorts (2 × 5-in. main battery)

::::: Richard S. Bull, Eversole, Richard M. Rowell, Coolbaugh

:: Task Unit 77.4.3 ("Taffy 3")

:: Rear Admiral Clifton A.F. Sprague

::: 6 escort carriers

:::: Fanshaw Bay (Capt. D.P. Johnson)

::::: Composite Squadron 68 (Lt. Cmdr. R.S. Rogers)

:::::: 16 FM-2 Wildcat fighters

:::::: 12 TBM Avenger torpedo bombers

:::: St. Lo (Capt. F.J. McKenna)

::::: Composite Squadron 65 (Lt. Cmdr. R.M. Jones)

:::::: 17 FM-2 Wildcat fighters

:::::: 12 TBM Avenger torpedo bombers

:::: White Plains (Capt. D.J. Sullivan)

::::: Composite Squadron 4 (Lt. E.R. Fickenscher)

:::::: 16 FM-2 Wildcat fighters

:::::: 12 TBM Avenger torpedo bombers

:::: Kalinin Bay (Capt. T.B. Williamson)

::::: Composite Squadron 3 (Lt. W.H. Keighley)

:::::: 16 FM-2 Wildcat fighters

:::::: &nbsp;&nbsp;1 TBF, 11 TBM Avenger torpedo bombers

:::: Carrier Division 26 (Rear Adm. Ralph A. Ofstie)

::::: Kitkun Bay (Capt. J.P. Whitney)

:::::: Composite Squadron 5 (Cmdr. R.L. Fowler)

::::::: 14 FM-2 Wildcat fighters

::::::: 12 TBM Avenger torpedo bombers

::::: Gambier Bay (Capt. W.V.R. Vieweg)

:::::: Composite Squadron 10 (Lt. Cmdr. E.J. Huxtable)

::::::: 18 FM-2 Wildcat fighters

::::::: 12 TBM Avenger torpedo bombers

::: Screen

:::: 3 Fletcher-class destroyers (5 × 5-in. main battery)

::::: Hoel , Heermann, Johnston

:::: 4 John C. Butler-class destroyer escorts (2 × 5-in. main battery)

::::: Dennis, John C. Butler, Raymond, Samuel B. Roberts

: Task Unit 77.4.2 ("Taffy 2")

: Rear Admiral Felix B. Stump

:: 6 escort carriers

::: Natoma Bay (Capt. A.K. Morehouse)

:::: Composite Squadron 81 (Lt. Cmdr. R.C. Barnes)

::::: 16 FM-2 Wildcat fighters

::::: 12 TBM Avenger torpedo bombers

::: Manila Bay (Capt. Fitzhugh Lee III)

:::: Composite Squadron 80 (Lt. Cmdr. H.K. Stubbs)

::::: 16 FM-2 Wildcat fighters

::::: 12 TBM Avenger torpedo bombers

::: Carrier Division 27 (Rear Adm. William D. Sample)

:::: Marcus Island (Capt. C.F. Greber)

::::: Composite Squadron 21 (Lt. Cmdr T.O. Murray)

:::::: 12 FM-2 Wildcat fighters

:::::: 11 TBM Avenger torpedo bombers

:::: Kadashan Bay (Capt. R.N. Hunter)

::::: Composite Squadron 20 (Lt. Cmdr. J.R. Dale)

:::::: 15 FM-2 Wildcat fighters

:::::: 11 TBM Avenger torpedo bombers

:::: Savo Island (Capt. C.E. Ekstrom)

::::: Composite Squadron 27 (Lt. Cmdr. P.W. Jackson)

:::::: 16 FM-2 Wildcat fighters

:::::: 12 TBM Avenger torpedo bombers

:::: Ommaney Bay (Capt. H.L. Young)

::::: Composite Squadron 75 (Lt. Cmdr. A.W. Smith)

:::::: 16 FM-2 Wildcat fighters

:::::: 11 TBM Avenger torpedo bombers

:: Screen

::: 3 Fletcher-class destroyers (5 × 5-in. main battery)

:::: Haggard, Franks, Hailey

::: 5 John C. Butler-class destroyer escorts (2 × 5-in. main battery)

:::: Richard W. Suesens, Abercrombie, Oberrender, LeRay Wilson, Walter C. Wann

25 - 26 Oct – Battle off Cape Engaño

Japanese Forces

<big>Northern Force ('Main Body')</big> (sortied from Japanese Home Islands 20 Oct)<br /> Vice Admiral Jisaburo Ozawa

Carrier Division 3 (Vice Adm. Jisaburo Ozawa and Rear Adm. Sueo Obayashi)

: 1 fleet carrier

:: Zuikaku

: 3 light carriers

:: Zuihō

:: Chitose

:: Chiyoda

::: Combined air group

:::: 39 Mitsubishi A6M2 'Zeke' fighters

:::: 42 Yokosuka D4Y1 'Judy' dive bombers

:::: 33 Nakajima B6N 'Jill' torpedo bombers

:::: &nbsp;&nbsp;4 Nakajima B5N2 'Kate' torpedo bombers

Carrier Division 4 (Rear Adm. Chiaki Matsuda)

: 2 hybrid battleship carriers

:: Ise (8 × 14-in. main battery)

:: Hyūga (8 × 14-in. main battery)

::: Combined air group for this operation: none

Screen (Rear Adm. Heitaro Edo)

: 1 light cruiser

:: Isuzu (7 × 5.5-in. main battery)

: 8 destroyers

:: 4 Akizuki-class (6 × 3.9-in. main battery)

::: Akizuki , Hatsuzuki , Shimotsuki, Wakatsuki

:: 4 Matsu-class (3 × 5-in. main battery)

::: Kiri, Kuwa, Maki, Sugi

: 2 light cruisers

:: Tama (7 × 5.5-in. main battery)

:: Ōyodo (6 × 6.1-in. main battery)

Supply Unit

: 2 oilers: Jinei Maru , Takane Maru

: 1 destroyer: Akikaze (4 × 4.7-in. main battery)

: 6 escort vessels: CD-22, CD-29, CD-31, CD-33, CD-43, CD-132

American Forces

(according to )

Third Fleet <br /> Admiral William F. Halsey in battleship New Jersey<br />

Task Force 38 (Fast Carrier Force)

Vice Admiral Marc A. Mitscher in fleet carrier Lexington

: Task Group 38.2 (Task Group Two)

: Rear Adm. Gerald F. Bogan

:: 1 fleet carrier

::: Intrepid

:: 2 light carriers

::: Cabot

::: Independence

:: 2 fast battleships

::: Both Iowa-class (9 × 16-in./50-cal. main battery)

:::: Iowa

:::: New Jersey

:: 3 light cruisers

::: Biloxi

::: Vincennes

::: Miami

:: 16 destroyers

: Task Group 38.3 (Task Group Three)

: Rear Adm. Frederick C. Sherman

:: 2 fleet carriers

::: Essex

::: Lexington

:: 1 light carrier

::: Langley

:: 2 fast battleships

::: Both South Dakota-class (9 × 16-in./45-cal. main battery)

:::: South Dakota

:::: Massachusetts

:: 3 light cruisers

::: Santa Fe

::: Mobile

::: Reno

:: 10 destroyers

: Task Group 38.4 (Task Group Four)

: Rear Adm. Ralph E. Davison

:: 2 fleet carriers

::: Franklin

::: Enterprise

:: 2 light carriers

::: San Jacinto

::: Belleau Wood

:: 2 fast battleships

::: 1 North Carolina-class (9 × 16-in./45-cal. main battery)

:::: Washington

::: 1 South Dakota-class (9 × 16-in./45-cal. main battery)

:::: Alabama

:: 2 heavy cruisers

::: New Orleans

::: Wichita

:: 15 destroyers

: Task Force 34 (formed at 02:40 on 25 October, dissolved at 10:55 on 25 October)

: Vice Adm. Willis A. Lee

:: 6 fast battleships

:: 2 heavy cruisers

::: New Orleans

::: Wichita

:: 5 light cruisers

::: Santa Fe

::: Mobile

::: Biloxi

::: Vincennes

::: Miami

:: 18 destroyers

Notes

References