Philippine Islands (Click map for a larger view.)

Background of the Battle As the Allied landings began in the Leyte Gulf area on October 24, 1944, Admiral Halsey ordered Task Force 38 to move to the north in search of a Japanese fleet of carriers and support ships reportedly steaming south in the area off Cape Engano. The task force consisted of three task force divisions including six large carriers (CVs) and 6 light carriers (CVLs). The admiral firmly believed that this was a chance to crush naval air capability of the Japanese. His controversial decision left the Sixth Army's landing operation at Leyte with limited air support. Admiral Ozawa, commander of the Japanese Northern Force, was on a suicide mission to lure Allied naval forces away from the Leyte area. He had few planes and did everything possible to expose his presence in the waters northeast of Cape Engano. Ozawa's fleet consisted of one large carrier Zuikaku, three light carriers, Chitose, Chiyoda and Zuiho, two battleships, two destroyers and nine additional support ships. By the early morning hours of October 25, Task Force 38 reached the northern waters of the Philippine Sea. Search planes spotted the enemy fleet 140 miles to the north. (The area is marked on the map with the number "3".) Once located, the Japanese had achieved their goal of diversion and attempted to reverse their course northward.

Allied Task Force Group 38.3 commander, Admiral Frederick Sherman, began the attack. U.S.S. Essex Air Group 15 was the first squadrons of planes to be launched. The F6F Hellcat fighters, SB2C Helldiver bombers, and TMB Avenger torpedo bombers began launching from the carrier's deck about 5:30 a.m. The U.S.S. Lexington sent out a second wave of attack aircraft by 7:40 a.m.

The operation was under the command of Air Group 15 commander David McCampbell. From his F6F fighter circling high above the engagement, McCampbell directed the aerial attack. Wave after wave of carrier based aircraft pounded Ozawa's ships. Nine of Ozawa's seventeen ships were sunk by 5:00 p.m. including all four carriers. The remainder were either severely damaged or retreating north out of range.

Zuikaku and smaller carriers under attack.

By 11:00 p.m. Task Force 38 had turned south towards Leyte. Admiral Halsey succeeded in destroying the last reminisces of the Japanese carrier forces. Yet, many critics believe he left the Leyte landings open to Japanese attack through the Surigao Strait to the south and the San Bernardino Strait to the north.

Main Page

Mission