Japanese Forces
KEY - CV = carrier / CVL = light carrier / BB = battleship / CA = Heavy Cruiser / CL = Light Cruiser / DD = Destroyer / A0 = Oiler
The Mobile Fleet
(Vice Admiral Jisaburo Ozawa in carrier Taiho)
5 carriers, 4 light carriers, 5 battleships, 12 heavy cruisers, 2 light cruisers, 28 destroyers.
The Mobile Fleet was divided into three forces - the
Van Force, and "A" and "B" Forces.
Van Force
(Vice Admiral Kurita in heavy cruiser Atago)
Consisting of 3 light carriers, 4 battleships, 9 heavy cruisers, 8 destroyers.
Carrier Division 3
CVL Chitose
CVL Chiyoda
CVL Zuiho
Combined air complement of these three light carriers -
62 Mitsubishi A6M Zero fighters/fighter-bombers
-
"Zekes"
9 Nakajima B6N torpedo-bombers
- "Jills"
17 Nakajima B5N torpedo-bombers
-
"Kates"
Carrier Division 3 escorted by -
BB Yamato
BB Musashi
BB Kongo
BB Haruna
CA Atago
CA Maya
CA Takao
CA Tone
CA Chikuma,
CA Chokai
CA Kumano
CA Suzuya
CL Noshiro
DD Naganami
DD Asashimo
DD Okinami
DD Kishinami
DD Tamanami
DD Shimakaze
DD Fujinami
DD Hayanami
DD Hamakaze
"A" Force
(Vice Admiral Ozawa in carrier Taiho)
Carrier Division 1
CV Taiho
CV Zuikaku
CV Shokaku
Combined air complement of these three carriers -
79 Mitsubishi A6M Zero fighter/fighter-bombers
- "Zekes"
70 Yokosuka D4Y Suisei dive
bombers - "Judys"
7 Aichi D3A dive-bombers - "Vals"
51 Nakajima B6N torpedo-bombers
- "Jills"
Carrier Division 1 escorted by -
CA Myoko
CA Haguro
CL Yahagi
DD Asagumo
DD Urakaze
DD Isokaze
DD Tanikaze
DD Hatsuzuki
DD Wakatsuki
DD Akizuki
DD Shimotsuki
DD Minazuki
"B" Force
(Rear Admiral Takaji Joshima in carrier Junyo)
Carrier Division 2 (Rear Admiral Joshima) -
CV Junyo
CV Hiyo
CVL Ryuho
Combined air complement of these three carriers -
81 Mitsubishi A6M Zero fighter/fighter-bombers
- "Zeros"
27 Yokosuka D4Y Suisei dive-bombers
- "Judys"
9 Aichi D3A dive-bombers - "Vals"
18 Nakajima B6N torpedo-bombers
-"Jills"
Carrier Division 2 escorted by -
BB Nagato
CA Mogami
DD Michisio
DD Yamagumo
DD Nowaki
DD Shigure
DD Hayashimo
DD Samidare
DD Hamakaze
DD Shiratsuyu
DD Harusame
DD Akishimo
Supply Forces
1st. Supply Force
AO Hayasui
AO Nichiei Maru
AO Seiyo Maru
AO Kokuyo Maru
DD Hibiki
DD Yunagi
DD Tsuga
DD Hatsushimo
2nd. Supply Force
AO Azusa Maru
AO Genyo Maru
DD Yukikaze
DD Uzuki
24 submarines -
I-5, I-10, I-38, I-41, I-53, I-184, I-185, RO-36, RO-41,
RO-42, RO-43, RO-44,RO-47, RO-68, RO-104, RO-105, RO-106, RO-108, RO-112,
RO-113, RO-114, RO-115, RO-116, RO-117
Main source for this order of battle - S.E. Morison "History of US Naval Operations in World War II" (Little Brown & Co., Boston) - Vol.VIII.
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