The Battle for Leyte Gulf
23-26
October 1944
United States Forces
CV = Fleet Aircraft-Carrier
/ CVL = Light Fleet Aircraft-Carrier / CVE = Escort Aircraft-Carrier
BB = Battleship / CA
= Heavy Cruiser / CL = Light Cruiser / CLAA = Anti-aircraft Light Cruiser
/ DD = Destroyer
DE = Destroyer escort
/ PF = Frigate / PT = Motor Torpedo Boat
Seventh Fleet
[and Central Philippines Attack
Force]
(as of 1600 24 October 1944)
Seventh
Fleet commanded by Vice Admiral T.C. Kincaid
The Seventh Fleet consisted of the amphibious forces for the Leyte
operation and
their close escorts, fire support ships, logistics support vessels etc.
It contained 738 ships as of 20 October 1944, the day of the initial
landings on Leyte.
As of dawn on 24 October the fire support, escort and covering
units of Seventh Fleet included the following -
6 Battleships (BB)
18 Escort Aircraft Carriers (CVE)
9 Cruisers (4 CA, 5 CL)
83 Destroyers (DD)
25 Destroyer Escorts (DE)
11 Frigates (PF)
44 Motor Torpedo Boats (PT)
Third Fleet
(at
dawn 24 October 1944)
Commanded by - Admiral W.F.
Halsey
Third Fleet consisted essentially of the Fast Carrier Task Force
(Task Force 38) and its logistical support units.
Task Force 38 was officially under the tactical command of Vice
Admiral Marc Mitscher, but Admiral Halsey in practice exercised tactical
command of the Fast Carrier Force for much of the Leyte operation, by-passing
Mitscher and giving his orders directly to the carrier group
commanders.
Task Force 38
(The Fast Carrier Task Force)
Commanded
by Vice Admiral Marc Mitscher in carrier Lexington
