10/01 Sun. Office of Deputy Commander in Chief United States
Fleet and Deputy Chief of Naval Operations (Vice Adm.
R. S. Edwards) is established.
United States naval vessel sunk:
Motor minesweeper YMS-385, by mine, western
Caroline Islands area,
09 d. 52'N., 139 d. 37'E.
United States naval vessel damaged:
Destroyer FORREST (DD-461), by collision, Southern
France area,
43 d. 20'N., 05 d. 20'E.
Destroyer BAILEY (DD-492), by strafing, Palau
Islands area, Caroline Islands,
06 d. 59'N., 134 d. 13'E.
Japanese naval vessel sunk:
Coastal minelayer AJIRO, by submarine SNAPPER (SS-
185), northwest of Bonin Islands,
28 d. 11'N., 139 d. 30'E.
10/02 Mon. United States naval vessels damaged by storm, Palau
Islands, Caroline Islands:
LST 129, LST 278, and LST 661,
06 d. 59'N., 134 d. 13'E.
10/03 Tue. United States naval vessels sunk:
Submarine SEAWOLF (SS-197), accidentally by United
States forces, off Morotai Island, Netherlands
East Indies.
Destroyer escort SHELTON (DE-407), by submarine
torpedo Netherlands East Indies area,
02 d. 33'N,, 129 d. 18'E.
Japanese submarine sunk:
I-364, by destroyer escort SAMUEL S. MILES (DE-
183), Palau Islands area, Caroline Islands,
07 d. 48'N., 133 d. 18'E.
10/06 Fri. Japanese naval vessels sunk:
Gunboat SAGA, by mine, off Hong Kong,
22 d. 17'N., 114 d. 10'E.
Coast defense vessel NO. 21, by submarine SEAHORSE
(SS-304), South China Sea,
19 d. 17'N, 118 d. 08'E.
10/08 Sun. Land-based aircraft from the Marianas Islands
increase tempo of air strikes on Iwo Jima, Volcano
Islands.
10/09 Mon. Cruiser and destroyer group (Rear Adm. A. E. Smith)
bombards enemy coast defense positions on Marcus
Island.
Carrier RANDOLPH (CV-15) is commissioned at Newport
News, Va.
10/10 Tue. Aircraft from fast carrier task force (Vice Adm. M.
A. Mitscher) composed of 17 carriers, escorted by 5
battleships, 14 cruisers, and 58 destroyers bomb
Japanese shipping and shore facilities on Okinawa and
other islands in the Ryukyus.
Japanese naval vessels sunk, Ryukyu Islands area:
Submarine tender JINGEI, by carrier-based aircraft,
26 d. 39'N., 127 d. 52'E.
Transport NO. 158, by carrier-based aircraft,
26 d. 38'N., 127 d. 52'E.
10/11 Wed. Aircraft from two carrier task groups (Vice Adm. J.
S. McCain and Rear Adm. R. E. Davison) attack
airfields and other enemy facilities in northern
Luzon, P. I.
United States naval vessel sunk:
PT-368, by grounding, western New Guinea area,
01 d. 59'N., 127 d. 57'E;
sunk by United States forces.
Japanese naval vessel sunk:
Transport NO. 105, by submarine TREPANG (SS-412),
off Honshu, Japan,
33 d. 18'N., 137 d. 42'E.
10/12 Thu. Carrier-based aircraft from Third Fleet (Adm. W. F.
Halsey) commence 5-day attack against enemy shipping,
airfield facilities, and industrial plants on Formosa
and northern Luzon, P. I. These strikes meet with
intensive counterattacks by Japanese aircraft.
United States naval vessel damaged:
Destroyer PRICHETT (DD-561), accidentally by United
States naval gunfire, Formosa area,
21 d. 08'N., 123 d. 19'E.
10/13 Fri. Peleliu Island in the Palau Islands is secured.
United States naval vessels damaged, Luzon, P. I.,
and Formosa area:
Carrier FRANKLIN (CV-13), by suicide plane,
22 d. 55'N., 123 d. 12'E.
Heavy cruiser CANBERRA (CA-70), by aircraft
torpedo,
22 d. 48'N., 123 d. 01'E.
10/14 Sat. United States naval vessels damaged, Luzon, P. I.,
and Formosa area:
Carrier HANCOCK (CV-19), by horizontal bomber,
23 d. 30'N., 121 d. 30'E.
Light cruiser HOUSTON (CL-81), by aircraft torpedo,
22 d. 27'N., 124 d. 01'E.
Light cruiser Reno (CL-96), by suicide plane,
22 d. 30'N., 124 d. 50'E.
Destroyer COWELL (DD-547), by collision,
22 d. 27'N., 124 d. 01'E.
Destroyer CASSIN YOUNG (DD-793), by strafing,
22 d. 30'N 124 d. 50'E.
10/15 Sun. Aircraft from carrier task group (Rear Adm. R. E.
Davison) bomb targets in the Manila area, Luzon, P.
I.
Coast Guard Cutter EASTWIND (AG-279), captures German
trawler, EXTERNSTEINE, off the northeast coast of
Greenland.
Command designated Minecraft, Pacific Fleet (Rear
Adm. A. Sharp), is established.
United States naval vessel damaged:
Carrier FRANKLIN (CV-13), by horizontal bomber,
Philippine Islands area,
16 d. 29'N., 123 d. 57'E.
10/16 Mon. United States naval vessel damaged:
Light cruiser HOUSTON (CL-81), by aircraft torpedo,
off Luzon, P. I.,
20 d. 54'N., 125 d. 09'E.
Japanese naval vessel sunk:
Torpedo boat HATO, by Army aircraft, East China
Sea,
21 d. 49'N., 115 d. 50'E.
10/17 Tue. Aircraft from carrier task group (Rear Adm. R. E.
Davison bomb Japanese airfields on Luzon, P. I.
Army troops are landed on Suluan and Dinagat Islands
at the entrance to Leyte Gulf, P. I.
Submarine Narwhal (SS-167) lands supplies on
northeast coast of Tawi Tawi, P. I.
United States naval vessel sunk:
Motor minesweeper YMS-70, by storm, off Leyte, P.
I.
10 d. 56'N., 125 d. 12'E.
United States naval vessel damaged:
Minelayer MONTGOMERY (DM-17), by mine, east of
Palau Islands, Caroline Islands,
10 d. 56'N., 125 d. 12'E.
10/18 Wed. Aircraft from three task groups of the Third Fleet
(Adm. W. F. Halsey), including 13 carriers, attack
Japanese installations and shipping in northern Luzon
and the Manila area, P. I.
Cruiser task group (Rear Adm. J. B. Oldendorf)
bombards enemy shore installations on Leyte, P. I.
Army troops land on Homonhon Island at the entrance
to Leyte Gulf, P. I.
United States Naval Advanced Base, Le Havre, France,
is established.
United States naval vessel damaged:
High-speed transport GOLDSBOROUGH (APD-32), by
coastal defense gun, Leyte Gulf area,
10 d. 57'N., 125 d. 02'E.
LST 906, by grounding, off Leghorn, Italy.
Japanese naval vessels sunk:
Auxiliary submarine chaser NO. 95, by carrier-based
aircraft, Luzon area, P. I.,
18 d. 54'N., 121 d. 51'E.
Transports NOs. 135 and 136, by carrier-based
aircraft, Luzon area P. I.,
17 d. 46'N., 120 d. 25'E.
10/19 Thu. Submarine NARWHAL (SS-167) lands men and supplies on
southwest coast of Negros, P. I.
United States naval vessels damaged, Leyte area, P.
I.:
Escort carrier SANGAMON (CVE-16), by horizontal
bomber,
10 d. 46'N., 126 d. 23'E.
Destroyer ROSS (DD-563), by mine,
10 d. 17'N., 125 d. 40'E.
Destroyer AULICK (DD-569), by coastal defense gun,
11 d. 13'N., 125 d. 02'E.
Salvage vessel PRESERVER (ARS-8), by horizontal
bomber,
10 d. 50'N., 125 d. 25'E.
10/20 Fri. Army forces land on Leyte, P. I., supported by naval
gunfire and carrier-based aircraft. The overall
commander is Gen. Douglas MacArthur, the naval
commander is Vice Adm. T. C. Kinkaid, and the ground
troops are commanded by Lt. Gen. W. Krueger.
Naval Operating Base, Guam, Marianas Islands, is
established.
United States naval vessels damaged, Leyte area, P.
I.:
Light cruiser HONOLULU (CL-48), by aircraft
torpedo,
11 d. 01'N., 125 d. 07'E.
Destroyer BENNION (DD-662), by coastal defense gun,
10 d. 50'N., 125 d. 25'E.
LST 452, by coastal defense gun,
11 d. 10'N., 125 d. 01'E.
10/21 Sat. Carrier-based aircraft (Rear Adm. G. F. Bogan) attack
Panay, Cebu, Negros, and Masbate, P. I.
United States naval vessels damaged, Leyte area, P.
I.:
Transport WARHAWK (AP-168), by collision,
10 d. 57'N., 125 d. 02'E.
LST 269, LST 483, LST 486, and LST 704, by coastal
mortars,
10 d. 50'N., 125 d. 25'E.
10/22 Sun. Japanese naval vessel sunk:
Auxiliary submarine chaser NO. 5, by carrier-based
aircraft, Leyte area, P. I.,
12 d. 55'N., 121 d. 35'E.
10/23 Mon. Battle for Leyte Gulf (13-16 October) opens as United
States submarines off Palawan Island sight and attack
the Center Force of three Japanese naval groups
moving on Leyte in a major effort to drive United
States forces from the Philippines. Two enemy
cruisers are sunk.
Submarine NAUTILUS (SS-168) lands men and supplies on
east coast of Luzon, P. I. (Operation continues on 24
and 25 October)
Japanese naval vessels sunk, off Palawan, P. I.:
Heavy cruiser MAYA, by submarine DACE (SS-247),
09 d. 11'N., 117 d. 07'E.
Heavy cruiser ATAGO, by submarine DARTER (SS-227),
09 d. 28'N., 117 d. 17'E.
10/24 Tue. Battle for Leyte Gulf (23-26 October) continues.
Carrier-based aircraft (Vice Adm. M. A. Mitscher)
locate and heavily attack the Japanese Center Force
south of Mindoro in the Sibuyan Sea, and the Southern
Force steaming through the Sulu Sea, Enemy aircraft
counterattack United States forces. During the night,
the United States fast carriers move north from San
Bernardino Strait to be in a position for dawn
strikes against the enemy Northern Force. The
Japanese Center Force moves through San Bernardino
Strait and south toward Leyte Gulf.
United States naval vessels sunk:
Light carrier PRINCETON (CVL-23), damaged by dive
bomber, Battle for Leyte Gulf,
15 d. 12'N., 123 d. 36'E.;
sunk by United States forces.
Submarine DARTER (SS-117), damaged by grounding,
Bombay Shoal, Palawan Passage, P. I.; destroyed by
United States forces.
Submarine TANG (SS-306), by circular run of her own
torpedo, north of Formosa.
Ocean tug SONOMA (ATO-12), by suicide plane,
Battle for Leyte Gulf,
10 d. 57'N., 125 d. 02'E.
United States naval vessels damaged, Battle for
Leyte Gulf:
Light cruiser BIRMINGHAM (CL-62) and destroyers
MORRISON (DD-560), GATLING (DD-671), and IRWIN
(DD-794), by rolling against PRINCETON (CVL-23)
while alongside, and by fragments from her
exploding magazines.
Destroyer LEUTZE (DD-481), by horizontal bomber,
10 d. 50'N., 125 d. 25'E.
Destroyer ALBERT W. GRANT (DD-649), by naval
gunfire,
10 d. 27'N., 125 d. 25'E.
Oiler ASHTABULA (A0-51), by aircraft torpedo,
11 d. 03'N., 125 d. 22'E.
LST 552, by horizontal bomber,
11 d. 11'N., 125 d. 05'E.
LST 695, by underwater explosion,
08 d. 31'N., 128 d. 34'E.
Japanese naval vessels sunk, Battle for Leyte Gulf:
Battleship MUSASHI, by carrier-based aircraft,
Sibuyan Sea,
12 d. 50'N., 122 d. 35'E.
Destroyer WAKAHA, by carrier-based aircraft,
11 d. 50'N., 121 d. 25'E.
Submarine I-362, by destroyer escort RICHARD M.
ROWELL (DD-403),
09 d. 45'N., 126 d. 45'E.
10/25 Wed. Battle for Leyte Gulf (13-16 October) continues.
Japanese Southern Force enters Surigao Strait where
it is engaged and virtually destroyed by Rear Adm.
J. B. Oldendorf's force of battleships, cruisers,
destroyers, and motor torpedo boats (Battle of
Surigao Strait). Meanwhile, the Japanese Center
Force, including 4 battleships and 5 cruisers, having
passed into the Philippine Sea during the night,
attacks 6 escort carriers and screening vessels
commanded by Rear Adm. C. A. F. Sprague (Battle off
Samar). After inflicting severe damage on this light
United States force, the enemy Center Force retires
without molesting the landing operations in the Leyte
Gulf area. At the same time, carrier aircraft from
Third Fleet (Adm. W. F. Halsey) locate and strike the
Japanese Northern Force. Four Japanese carriers and
other vessels are sunk (Battle off Gape Engano).
Submarine NAUTILUS (SS-168) lands men and supplies on
east coast of Luzon, P. I.
Untied States and Great Britain resume diplomatic
relations with Italy.
United States naval vessels sunk, Battle for Leyte
Gulf:
Escort carrier ST. LO (CVE-63), by suicide plane,
11 d. 10'N., 126 d. 05'E.
Escort carrier GAMBIER BAY (CVE-73), by naval
gunfire,
11 d. 31'N., 125 d. 12'E.
Destroyer HOEL (DD-533), by naval gunfire,
11 d. 46'N,, 126 d. 33'E.
Destroyer JOHNSTON (DD-557), by naval gunfire,
11 d. 40'N., 126 d. 20'E.
Destroyer escort SAMUEL B. ROBERTS (DE-413), by
naval gunfire,
11 d. 40'N., 126 d. 20'E.
PT-493, by coastal defense gun,
10 d. 15'N., 125 d. 23'E.
United States naval vessels damaged, Battle for
Leyte Gulf:
Escort carrier SANGAMON (CVE-26), by suicide plane,
09 d. 45'N., 126 d. 42'E.
Escort carrier SUWANEE (CVE-27), by suicide plane,
09 d. 45'N., 126 d. 42'E.
Escort carrier SANTEE (CVE-29) by suicide plane and
submarine torpedo,
09 d. 45'N., 126 d. 42'E.
Escort carrier WHITE PLAINS (CVE-66), by suicide
planes and naval gunfire,
11 d. 40'N., 126 d. 20'E.
Escort carrier KALININ BAY (CVE-68), by suicide
plane,
11 d. 10'N., 126 d. 20'E.,
and naval gunfire,
11 d. 40'N., 126 d. 20'E.
Escort carrier FANSHAW BAY (CVE-70), by naval
gunfire,
11 d. 40'N., 126 d. 20'E.
Escort carrier KITKUN BAY (CVE-71), by suicide
plane,
11 d. 10'N., 126 d. 20'E.
Destroyer HEERMAN (DD-523), by naval gunfire,
11 d. 30'N., 126 d. 15'E.
Destroyer escort RICHARD M. ROWELL (DE-403), by
strafing,
10 d. 05'N., 127 d. 10 E.
Destroyer escort DENNIS (DE-405), by naval gunfire,
11 d. 40'N., 126 d. 20'E.
Japanese naval vessels sunk, Battle for Leyte Gulf:
Carrier ZUIKAKU, by carrier-based aircraft,
19 d. 20'N., 125 d. 51'E.
Light carrier CHITOSE, by carrier-based aircraft
and surface craft,
19 d. 20'N., 126 20'E.
Light carrier CHIYODA, by carrier-based aircraft,
18 d. 37'N., 126 d. 45'E.
Light carrier ZUIHO, by carrier-based aircraft,
19 d. 20'N., 125 d. 51'E.
Battleships FUSO and YAMASHIRO, by surface craft,
10 d. 25'N., 125 d. 20'E.
Heavy cruisers CHIKUMA, CHOKAI and SUZUYA, by
carrier-based aircraft,
11 d. 30'N., 126 d. 30'E,
Heavy cruiser MOGAMI, by carrier-based aircraft and
surface craft,
09 d. 40'N., 124 d. 50'E.
Light cruiser TAMA, by carrier-based aircraft and
submarine JALLAO (SS-368),
21 d. 23'N., 127 d. 19'E.
Destroyers ASAGUMO, MICHISHIO and YAMAGUMO, by
surface craft,
10 d. 25'N., 125 d. 20'E.
Destroyer AKIZUKI, by submarine HALIBUT (SS-232),
20 d. 29'N., 126 d. 36'E.
Destroyer HATSUZUKI, by surface craft,
20 d. 24'N., 126 d. 20'E.
10/26 Thu. Battle for Leyte Gulf (23-26 October) ends as
carrier-based and Army aircraft bomb the retiring
Japanese ships which have survived the previous
days' action.
United States naval vessels damaged, Battle for
Leyte Gulf.
Escort carrier SUWANNEE (CVE-27), by dive bomber
and suicide plane,
09 d. 37'N., 126 d. 53'E.
PT-131, by dive bomber,
09 d. 00'N., 125 d. 00'E.
Japanese naval vessels sunk, Battle for Leyte Gulf:
Light cruiser ABUKUMA, by surface craft,
09 d. 20'N., 122 d. 32'E.
Light cruiser KINU, by carrier-based aircraft,
11 d. 46'N., 123 d. 11'E.
Light cruiser NOSHIRO, by carrier-based aircraft,
11 d. 35'N. 121 d. 45'E.
Destroyer HAYASHIMO, by carrier-based aircraft,
19 d. 05'N., 121 d. 50'E.
Destroyer NOWAKI, by surface craft,
13 d. 00'N., 124 d. 54'E.
Destroyer URANAMI, by carrier-based aircraft,
11 d. 50'N., 123 d. 00'E.
10/27 Fri. Aircraft from two carrier task groups (Rear Adm. F.
C. Sherman and Rear Adm. R. E. Davison) attack enemy
ships and installations in the Visayas and northern
Luzon area, P. I.
Submarine NAUTILUS (SS-168) lands men and supplies on
east coast of Luzon, P. I.
United States naval vessels damaged, Leyte area, P.
I.:
Battleship CALIFORNIA (BB-44), by strafing,
16 d. 57'N., 125 d. 02'E.
Submarine chaser PCER-848, by horizontal bomber,
11 d. 11'N., 125 d. 05'E.
PT-523, by dive bomber,
11 d. 15'N., 124 d. 59'E.
Japanese naval vessels sunk:
Destroyers FUJINAMI and SHIRANUI, by carrier-based
aircraft Luzon area, P. I.,
12 d. 00'N., 122 d. 30'E.
Transport No. 138, by submarine KINGFISH (SS-234),
Volcano Islands area,
25 d. 22'N., 141 d. 31'E.
10/28 Sat. Aircraft from carrier task group (Rear Adm. R. E.
Davison) bomb Japanese shipping near Cebu, P. I.
United States naval vessel sunk:
Destroyer escort EVERSOLE (DE-404), by submarine
torpedo, Leyte area, P. I.,
10 d. 18'N., 127 d. 37'E.
United States naval vessel damaged:
Light cruiser DENVER (CL-58), by suicide plane,
Leyte area P. I.,
10 d. 57'N., 125 d. 02'E.
Japanese submarines sunk, Leyte area, P. I.:
I-45, by destroyer escort WHITEHURST (DE-634),
10 d. 10'N., 127 d. 28'E.
I-54, by destroyers GRIDLEY (DD-380) and HELM (DD-
388),
10 d. 56'N., 127 d. 13'E.
10/29 Sun. Aircraft from carrier task group (Rear Adm. G. F.
Bogan) strike enemy airfields and shipping in the
Manila area, P. I.
Naval Operating Base, Leyte, and Naval Air Station,
Samar, P. I., are established.
United States naval vessel damaged:
Carrier INTREPID (CV-11), by suicide plane, Leyte
area,
15 d. 07'N., 124 d. 01'E.
10/30 Mon. United States naval vessels damaged, Leyte area, P.
I.:
Carrier FRANKLIN (CV-13), by suicide plane,
10 d. 20'N., 126 d. 40'E.
Light carrier BELLEAU WOOD (CVL-24), by suicide
plant
10 d. 20'N., 126 d. 40'E.
10/31 Tue. Japanese naval vessel sunk:
District craft KAIYO NO. 6, by submarine GABILAN
(SS-252) off Shikoku, Japan,
32 d. 50 N., 134 d. 21'E.