SECRET INFORMATION BULLETIN NO. 22

BATTLE EXPERIENCE

BATTLE FOR LEYTE GULF

(A) BATTLE OF SURIGAO STRAIT
(B) BATTLE OFF SAMAR
(C) BATTLE OFF CAPE ENGANO
(EAST OF LUZON)

23-27 OCTOBER 1944

 

  CAUTION

THIS BULLETIN AND THE INFORMATION CONTAINED
HEREIN MUST NOT FALL INTO THE HANDS OF THE ENEMY

 

  UNITED STATES FLEET
HEADQUARTERS OF THE COMMANDER IN CHIEF


UNITED STATES FLEET
HEADQUARTERS OF THE COMMANDER IN CHIEF
NAVY DEPARTMENT
WASHINGTON 25, D.C.

1 March 1945

SECRET

These bulletins on "Battle Experience" are issued for the general information of officers.

They are planned to promulgate reliable information concerning actual war experience. Any adverse comment made, is not intended to reflect criticism on any individual but to assist officers in appreciating the best line of action in many circumstances.

It is inevitable that there would be considerable delay if complete analysis were made before issue to the Fleet. Comments that are made in these bulletins represent those expressions of opinion from responsible sources that were available at the time the particular operation under discussion was completed.

Studies are continuing to the end that divergent views may be reconciled and complete analysis made.

Encounters with the enemy discussed in these bulletins, are generally presented in their chronological order. it will be apparent that "lessons learned" during the earlier part of the war were put to good advantage in subsequent engagements.

Air combat actions, antisubmarine experiences, submarine patrol experiences, amphibious operations and technical gunnery experiences are not specifically covered in this bulletin.

Material contained in these bulletins was drawn largely from war diaries, and battle reports of various commanders and ships.

These bulletins are SECRET and shall be safeguarded in accordance with the provisions of Article 76, U.S. Navy Regulations, 1920. They should be widely circulated among commissioned personnel.

When no longer required they shall be destroyed by burning. No report of destruction need be submitted.

Transmission by registered Guard Mail or U.S. registered mail is authorized in accordance with Article 76 (15) (e) and (f), U.S. Navy Regulations.

C.M. COOKE, Jr.,
Chief of Staff.

--I--

CHAPTER 78
TABLE OF CONTENTS

Preface 1
Composition of Forces 2
  Charts: Japanese Fleet Approaches 3
    Three-Pronged Battle of Philippines Sea 4
Results of Battle 8
  Box Score 9
Time Table 9
Preliminary Events 10
Plans 14
  Chart: Type "A" Battle Disposition for Small Task Forces 16
Narrative 17
  Battle of Surigao Strait 17
  Charts: Sequence of Contacts with enemy Ships Attempting Entry of LEYTE Gulf 18
    Track of Night Action 19
    USS Daly Track 22
  Battle East of Samar 25
  Charts: T.U. 77.4.3 Track 27
    Composite Plot of T.U. 77.4.1, 77.4.2, 77.4.3 Tracks 28
    Probable Formation of Japanese Fleet 44
  Battle East of Luzon 38
  Chart: USS Lexington Track 39
General Recapitulation 43
Highlights of Philippines Fleet Action 45
 
Photographic Section  
  I - Aerial Strikes on FORMOSA, 12-14 October 1944 Ia
  II - Enemy Southern Force, SULU SEA, 24 October 1944 IIa
  III - Enemy Central Force, SIBUYAN SEA, 24 October 1944 IIIa
  IV - Sinking of the Princeton, 24 October 1944 IVa
  V - Japanese Cripples from Battle of SURIGAO STRAIT, 25 October 1944 Va
  VI - Our CVEs Under Fire, East of SAMAR, 25 October 1944 VIa
  VII - Our Ships Under Suicide Attacks VIIa
  VIII - Japanese Northern Force, 25 October 1944 VIIIa
 
Comments, Lessons Learned, Recommendations and Conclusions  
Aerial Photography 47
Air Support 47
Ammunition 48
  Allowance 48
  Disposition 50
  Empties 50
  Expenditure 50
  Performance 51
Ammunition Ships -- Loading of 51
Anti-Aircraft Defense 51
Anti-Aircraft Dispositions 52
Approach Procedure for Friendly Planes 55
Assessment of Damage Inflicted by Air Attack 55
Attacking Planes 56
Easing Aircraft Ashore 56
Battle Damage -- Lack of 56
Bombs -- Effectiveness of Against Enemy Heavy Ships 56
Carrier Searches 57
Carriers in Northern Enemy Force 57
Casualty Drill 57
CL(AA)s 58
Combat Fatigue 58
CIC 58
  Fighter Direction and Radar 58
  General 61
  Identification by IFF 64
  Position reports 64
  Radar 64
  Radar Control Limitations 68
  Radar Deception 69
  Radar Equipment 70
  Radar Spares 70
  Station Keeping 71
Communications 71
  Circuits 71
  Eliminate difficulty of Understanding Voice Circuit Names 73
  Equipment 73
  General 74
  Jamming 75
  Plain Language -- Use of 75
  Radio Traffic 76
  Relay Communication Planes 77
  Security 77
  Support Air Radio Center 77
  TBS 78
  VHF Aircraft Frequencies 79
  Visual 80
Communication Troubles 80
Contact Reports 81
Control Officers Completely Informed 81
Cooperation by Aircraft 81
CVE Limitations and Recommended Protection 81
Damage Control 82
Defense Against Japanese Low-Flying Torpedo Attacks 84
Destroyer Escort Carry a Doctor 84
Doctrine 84
"Don't Give Up the Ship" 85
Emergency Antennae 85
Enemy Aerial Torpedoes 85
Enemy Air Operations 85
Enemy Anti-Aircraft 86
Enemy Gunnery 87
Enemy Radar 88
Enemy Radio 89
Enemy Tactics 89
Enemy Torpedo Attack 91
Enemy's Plan Fails 92
Engine Room Personnel 92
Fire Hazards -- Elimination of 92
Flag Plot Internal Communications 92
Forming a Large Disposition in Darkness 93
Fueling 93
Going Alongside Damaged Ships 93
Gunnery 94
  Effectiveness 94
  Fire Control 94
  Fire Discipline 95
  Fire Distribution 96
  Orders 96
  Restriction 96
  Salvo Fire 97
Inadequacy of Air Power Against Well-Armed Units 97
Japanese Fire Control 97
Japanese Language Officer 98
Japanese Pilots and Operations Personnel Demonstrate Understanding of Certain Principles 98
Japanese Striking Force Tactics, "Know Your Enemy" 98
Japanese Survivors 99
Laying Traps 99
Liquid loading 100
Loss of Gunpower 100
Medical Department Recommendations 100
Napalm 101
Navigation 101
Night Operations and "Dishpan" Lights 101
Ordnance Material -- Performance of 102
Own Tactics 104
Photographic Records 107
Planes Failed to Stay Together in Groups 107
Priority of Targets 107
PT Boats for Reconnaissance 107
Rations 107
Rescue of Aviation Personnel 108
Smoke, Camouflage and Deception 108
Suicide Attacks 109
"Suicide" Attacks -- Summary of Defensive Measures Against 120
Supply 121
Survivors 121
Tactical Commander's Battle Station 121
Target Coordinator 122
Time 122
Torpedo Attacks and Gunfire Attacks of Destroyers and Cruisers 122
Torpedoes 122
Towing Fleet Units 123
Training 124
Weather 125
Wind -- Direction of 125
Window 125


List of Effective Pages

  Page
Promulgating Letter I
Table of Contents III, IV, V inclusive
List of Effective Pages VI
Chapter 78 1 to 45 inclusive
Photographic Section I Ia to Id inclusive
Photographic Section II IIa to IIf inclusive
Photographic Section III IIIa to IIIj inclusive
Photographic Section IV IVa to IVd inclusive
Photographic Section V Va to Vf inclusive
Photographic Section VI VIa to VInn inclusive
Photographic Section VII VIIa to VIIIt inclusive
Photographic Section VIII VIIIa to VIIIn inclusive
Chapter 78 47 to 125 inclusive

Blank pages: II, 46, Ib, IIb, IIf, IIIb, IVb, IVd, Vb, Vf, VIb, VInn, VIIb VIIt, VIIIb.



Transcribed and formatted by Patrick Clancey, HyperWar Foundation