|
This book has been edited to fit the internet.
The Battle Off Samar - Taffy III at
Leyte Gulf
SECOND EDITION
< Condensed Internet Version >
Copyright © 2001 Robert Jon Cox
All rights reserved
Ivy Alba Press, LLC
Time-Line, Events, & Comments
What makes this book unique is the use of a time-line for all events, all
listed in chronological, time-line order. The events in Chapters two through
nine are listed in the order in which the author believes they occurred.
Entries listed simply as "EVENT" are also placed in a chronological,
time-line order and are closely related in time to the last numbered
"time" event. Comments by the author associated with events are
often listed also. Entries are displayed as follows:
| 0708 |
A time-specific event, in the order in
which the author believes they actually occurred. |
| EVENT |
A specific event, closely related in time
to the last numbered "time" event. |
| A/C |
Author's Comment. A personal explanation
of events by the author. |
Chapter 12
1030 to 1200
KAMIKAZE & CONTROVERSY
Wednesday, October 25, 1944
1030 Vice
Admiral McCain's powerful Task Group 38.1 launches thirty-three Helldiver
dive-bombers, nineteen Avenger torpedo-bombers, and forty-eight Hellcat
fighters from the heavy carriers HORNET, HANCOCK, and WASP.
A/C This
strike became one of the longest-range carrier strikes of the entire Pacific
war. Centre Force put up an effective anti-aircraft defense and downed three
of the aircraft. Only one bomb hit was scored, on heavy cruiser TONE,
which did not explode.
| A/C
Vice Admiral McCain’s perception of the Taffies’ dilemma seemed to
be more in tune with the predicament they were in, more so than Admiral
Halsey’s.
1030 With
air operations complete, DE DENNIS changes course to 135° T,
speed 20 knots.
1032 TBS -
Mercury 3 v Taffy 3, "SIGNAL EXECUTE UPON RECEIPT
SHACKLE KING ITEM EASY UNSHACKLE TURN. DERBY AND GEORGIA
ACKNOWLEDGE." .... v DERBY, GEORGIA, "WILCO
OUT."
A/C Ships
of the task unit change course to 010° T.
1035
Destroyer Escort DENNIS changes course to 010° T for air
operations. |
ADM Kimpei Teraoka,
IJN
Commander, First Air Fleet
"Conventional methods of warfare are no longer adequate. Since
death is the inevitable fate of the young eagles (Japanese pilots) they
should be allowed to die in the most worthwhile way. We must steel our
hearts in order to win the war. It is necessary that the names of those
who volunteer for this death mission be reported beforehand to the
Imperial GHQ, in order that they may prepare themselves with dignity and
maintain a cool head...No, it would be better to work through their
immediate superiors in view of the consequences. If the fighter pilots
can first be organized, other units will automatically follow suit. If
the air forces carry this out, they will in turn inspire the surface
forces. If the entire Navy is inspired with this spirit, the Army too,
will no doubt follow in line. It was finally concluded that in order to
save the country there was no other method than the crash-dive tactic.
Further it was agreed that Admiral Ohnishi, the incoming commander
(First Air Fleet), should assume complete responsibility for the
formation of the Special Attack Corps." |
1036 TBS - Great
Danes v Taffy 3, "LOAD ALL AVAILABLE FISH WITH TORPEDOES TO
ATTACK THE ENEMY. DERBY ACKNOWLEDGE." .... v DERBY, "WILCO
OUT."
1040 The
flight deck crew of CVE ST LO is kept busy landing aircraft from the
other CVEs of Taffy III. One Wildcat from the KALININ BAY, two
Avengers from WHITE PLAINS, and two Avengers from ST LO are
landed aboard.
A/C All
aircraft were struck below to clear the flight deck for further landings.
This also aided refueling and rearming three of the torpedo bombers with
torpedoes.
1045 Repair
party #1 aboard DE DENNIS reports the ship is taking water in the
ordnance storeroom. Compartment A-306A remains flooded. The repair party
pumps water to make temporary repairs.
1049 Task Unit
77.4.3, now clear of the battle area, steams southward, recovering its
aircraft. All deck crews are very busy making emergency repairs and tending
to their wounded after a long morning of battle.
| EVENT
Approaching Taffy III at low altitude, five kamikaze "Zeke 52"
fighters sight the five remaining escort carriers and climb sharply to
attain a suitable attack position. The escort carriers’ Combat Air
Patrol sights the aircraft, but are out of position and unable to
intercept the approaching aircraft.
1051
Aboard escort carrier ST LO, anti-aircraft fire is seen and heard
forward. General Quarters is immediately sounded.
EVENT Upon
sighting the enemy aircraft, General Quarters is announced on all of the
other escort carriers and remaining screen ships, DD HEERMANN, DE
BUTLER, DE DENNIS, and DE RAYMOND. Men stationed at
the 20mm and 40mm gun mounts, silent during their engagement with Centre
Force, now open fire at the attacking aircraft. |
CTU
77.4.3/COMCARDIV 25 Action Report
RADM C.A.F. Sprague, USN
At 1050, a series of suicide crash-dives by Jap dive
bombers began while we were attempting to land aircraft. Those planes
never showed as bogeys on the radar screen, and it is thought that they
approached from very low altitude, climbed very rapidly inside SK range,
and began their dives from 5 to 6 thousand feet. In all, there were
eight of these dive bombers who attacked the five remaining CVEs. One
crashed into the middle of ST. LO’s flight deck, appearing to
penetrate the flight deck, and started a tremendous fire. This fire
resulted shortly afterwards in a tremendous explosion thought to have
been caused by torpedoes and bombs stowed on the hanger deck. There were
several other explosions accompanied by intense fire, and survivors
could be seen abandoning ship. The ST. LO sank without further
enemy action.
All escorts were ordered to standby ST. LO and the area of
battle to rescue survivors. |
A/C The
task units’ anti-aircraft screen had been badly depleted by the loss of HOEL,
JOHNSTON, and ROBERTS.
EVENT From CVE
ST LO, numerous aircraft, both enemy and friendly are seen at 1,000
to 3,000 feet ahead and on the starboard bow. The aircraft move aft to
starboard, and one of them, when about abeam to starboard, goes into a right
turn toward the escort carrier. The aft-starboard 40mm and 20mm guns open
fire, but with no apparent effect. The suicide-aircraft approaches the ship
from aft over the ramp at very high speed.
A/C The
aircraft pursuing its attack on the ST LO was a "Zeke 52",
loaded with a bomb under each wing.
EVENT In very
quick succession, all five Japanese aircraft attack the escort carriers of
Taffy III. One aircraft aims for the bridge of CVE KITKUN BAY,
strafing as it approaches. It misses the bridge and strikes the port
catwalk, exploding in flames, causing damage and fires.
EVENT The four
remaining suicide planes are placed under effective anti-aircraft fire. Two
are shot down before they complete their runs.
EVENT The two
remaining aircraft begin their suicide dive on CVE WHITE PLAINS from
astern. One Japanese pilot attempts to hit the carrier’s landing ramp.
Escort carrier WHITE PLAINS places her helm over hard to port. The
escort carrier turns in response and the plane misses the ship by a slim
margin. Hit by anti-antiaircraft fire, it explodes in the air and covers the
flight deck of CVE WHITE PLAINS with debris, injuring eleven crew
members.
EVENT The last
plane, already on fire from the intense flak put up in defense of the escort
carriers, veers off from CVE WHITE PLAINS and turns towards CVE ST
LO, positioning to strike her flight deck hard with catastrophic
results.
1052 Destroyer
Escort DENNIS’ aft 40mm gun opens fire on the attacking Japanese
aircraft, which bear 045° relative to the ship.
| 1053
After crossing ST LO’s ramp at not over fifty feet, the Zeke 52
appears to push over sufficiently to hit the flight deck at about the
number 5 wire, 15 feet to the port side of the center line. A tremendous
crash and flash of explosion follows as one or both bombs the aircraft
is carrying explodes. The remnants of the plane continue up the flight
deck leaving fragments strewn about, some continuing forward across the
flight deck and going over the bow.
A/C There
was no certain evidence as to whether the bombs were released before the
plane struck the flight deck. Captain McKenna’s first impression was
that no serious damage had been suffered. There was a hole in the flight
deck with smoldering edges which sprang into flames. Hoses were
immediately run out from both sides of the flight deck and water was
immediately started on the fire.
1054 TBS -
FIDO v Taffy 3, "HOW BAD ARE YOU HIT?" |
LTJG
Joseph A. Mamica, USNR
Damage Control Officer
USS JOHN C. BUTLER (DE 339)
"...the pause from the surface action did not
last long for Taffy 3. From the airfields on Luzon came a number of Jap
Zero fighters, each carrying 550 pound bombs. The CVEs were under attack
again by the Kamikaze suicide planes whose mission was to dive on the
decks of the carriers.
Some missed their target and fell into the sea; and
others were shot down by the defenders. I saw the ST LO get hit
squarely on the flight deck. A series of explosions tore the ship
asunder. In less than half an hour, the ST LO descended slowly
below, and after another explosion, rose again for a minute or two as if
to get another gasp of air and slowly disappeared under the sea.
...when the kamikaze attack was over BUTLER and HEERMANN
began picking up the live survivors from the ST LO.... ...We
picked up about 150 survivors from ST LO. One was badly hurt. A
doctor aboard our ship, LT T. W. Steege, did what he could, but the man
died on our wardroom table. We buried him at sea the next day...." |
A/C CTU 77.4.3
asks WHITE PLAINS to report her damage.
1054 Aboard
CVE ST LO, an explosion occurs on the hangar deck. Smoke and flames
shoot through the hole on the flight deck, bulging the flight deck near and
aft of the hole made by the suicide plane.
1054 As seen
from DE DENNIS, a Japanese aircraft is observed to crash into the
sea, bearing 190° relative, at approximately 5,000 yards.
1055 TBS - DERBY
v Taffy 3, "HOW BAD ARE YOU HIT?"
A/C CTU 77.4.3
asks ST LO to report her damage.
EVENT Smoke is
noticed coming through the hole in CVE ST LO’s flight deck from
below. Smoke appears on both sides of the ship, coming from the hangar deck.
A/C Captain
McKenna attempted to contact the hangar deck without success.
1055 A much
more violent explosion occurs aboard CVE ST LO, rolling back a part
of the flight deck, bursting through aft of the original hole.
A/C It was
very likely that the fires caused by the suicide crash were not fatal in
themselves. The most convincing explanation was that torpedo and bombs
present on the hangar deck below were damaged and/or ignited by the fires.
Essentially, ST LO was blown apart by her own ammunition.
1055 All
escorts of the task unit are ordered to standby CVE ST LO.
EVENT Heavy
cruiser SUZUYA comes under air attack by taffy aircraft. Bomb hits
cause fires and she is forced to drop out of formation. Destroyer Squadron 2
DD OKINAMI is left behind to assist CA SUZUYA.
1059 Another
heavy explosion tears out more of CVE ST LO’s flight deck and also
blows the forward elevator out of its shaft. At this time, Captain McKenna
decides the ship cannot be saved.
A/C With the
smoke and flame obscuring the aft end of the ship, Captain McKenna was even
uncertain as to whether the after-part was still attached to the ship,
although he stated he later had glimpses of it. All communications were
lost, except the sound-powered phones, which apparently were working for
some time although no damage reports could be obtained from aft.
1100 Surveying
the hopeless situation aboard his ship, Captain McKenna of CVE ST LO
announces "Stand by to abandon ship."
| 1100
Farther to the north, the surviving warships of Centre Force have
reformed and VADM Kurita once again orders the formation to proceed
towards Leyte Gulf.
A/C Vice
Admiral Kurita had no idea that the Kamikaze Corps had been formed. Had
he known of it’s existence and had GHQ planned to have these two
forces attack in unison, it might have been the death knell for the
remaining warships of Taffy III.
1101 The
remaining escort carriers of the task unit commence zig-zagging on base
course, 120° T, speed 17 knots, moving away from CVE ST LO,
unescorted.
A/C HEERMANN,
DENNIS, RAYMOND, and BUTLER remained behind with ST
LO to pick up her survivors. The surviving CVEs continued to clear
the area unescorted.
1105 TBS -
v Taffy 3, "ALL GREAT DANES COME INTO THE WIND." 1105 A very
heavy explosion aboard CVE ST LO blows out part of the port side.
1106 TBS - DERBY
v Taffy 3, "HOW BADLY DAMAGED ARE YOU, OVER."
|
SURVIVING
SHIP’S OF CENTRE FORCE
Upon conclusion of the surface action
Battleship Division ONE
BB YAMATO
BB NAGATO
Battleship Division THREE
BB KONGO
BB HARUNA
Cruiser Division FIVE
CA HAGURO
Cruiser Division SEVEN
CA TONE
Destroyer Squadron TWO
CL NOSHIRO
DD KISHINAMI
DD HAMANAMI
DD AKISHIMO
DD SHIMAKAZE
Destroyer Squadron TEN
CL YAHAGI
DD URAKAZE
DD ISOKAZE
DD YUKIKAZE |
A/C CTU 77.4.3
asks ST LO to once again report her damage.
1107 A very
heavy explosion aboard CVE ST LO blows out part of the starboard
side.
1107 Observing
the explosions on CVE ST LO, DE DENNIS moves in fast to pick
up survivors.
1108 TBS - Mercury
3 v Taffy 3, "SIGNAL EXECUTE UPON RECEIPT TURN SHACKLE ITEM
JIG BAKER UNSHACKLE, OUT."
A/C The task
unit changes course to 180° T.
1108 The
attacking Japanese aircraft are observed aboard DE DENNIS. CVE KALININ
BAY’s assailant is observed diving from bearing 240° T. Three of the
attacking aircraft are observed to be shot down by ships of the task unit.
1109 TBS - Mercury
33 v Taffy 3, "ALL SMALL BOYS STANDBY DERBY. I SAY
AGAIN ALL SMALL BOYS STANDBY DERBY, OUT."
A/C CTU 77.4.3
orders all screening vessels to standby ST LO.
A/C Clear of
the battle area and no longer immediately threatened by the IJN Centre
Force, RADM Sprague was able to provide immediate assistance to the sinking
escort carrier.
1110 Fifteen
Japanese "Judy" bombers sight Taffy III and are intercepted by
Taffy III's Combat Air Patrol.
A/C The escort
carriers of Taffy III were now an easy target for all Japanese aircraft
within sight of the task unit. With CVE ST LO furiously ablaze and
displaying an enormous mushroom cloud, the task unit was visible for many
miles.
1110 Destroyer
Escort DENNIS stops dead in the water to rescue survivors of CVE ST
LO.
EVENT One
plane charges CVE KITKUN BAY. All escort carriers open fire once
again on the aircraft, shoot its wings off. The plane falls short of the
ship and causes minor damage.
EVENT Four
more kamikazes place CVE KALININ BAY in their sights. Two are
immediately shot down. One approaches from the rear, on fire, and impacts
the port side of the flight deck, causing serious damage. The last plane
approaches from the starboard quarter and hits the ships after
superstructure. Escort carrier KALININ BAY remains in formation with
the other escort carriers and combats the damage.
1113 TBS - v OVERTURE,
"IS DERBY OUR FRIEND IN TROUBLE?"
A/C BUTLER
inquires....
1114 A very
heavy explosion rocks the escort carrier ST LO.
| 1115
As Task Force 38's surface strike forces are preparing to engage the
Japanese Northern Force, ADM Halsey regretfully redirects them southward
towards Leyte Gulf to intercept VADM Kurita's IJN Centre Force.
A/C Task
Force 38 carrier aircraft were very successful in their persecution of
the Northern Force during their initial attacks. Many of the Japanese
ships were crippled and now were easy prey for VADM Lee's battle line
surface forces.
A/C Vice
Admiral Mitscher, bypassed frequently by ADM Halsey, was the commander
of Task Group 38. His carrier aircraft first engaged the Northern Force
at 0845 and by 0930 had sunk DD AKITSUKA, heavily damaged CVL CHITOSE,
and damaged the other two remaining carriers. |
"Where is Task
Force 34"
At 1115, Task Force 34, 20 miles ahead of the TF 38
carriers, turned away from ADM Ozawa and his crippled fleet, only 45
miles away. They were finally being sent south to assist Seventh Fleet.
When they passed VADM Mitscher's carriers, which were still going
northward, ADM Halsey dispatched heavy cruisers WICHITA and NEW
ORLEANS, light cruisers SANTA FE and MOBILE, and ten
destroyers to protect the advancing fleet and light carriers. In turn,
he ordered RADM Bogan's TG 38.2 fleet carrier INTREPID and light
carriers CABOT and INDEPENDENCE south to provide TF 34 air
support. This reorganization delay took two and one-half hours to
complete. The process was later slowed once again when TF 34 slowed to
12 knots to refuel the destroyers. |
A/C The second
air attack on the Northern Force came at 0945. This strike crippled the
light carrier CHIYODA and the light cruiser TAMA. Four more
strikes would be launched throughout the remainder of the day, culminating
in the loss of all four carriers and several of their escorts. This
engagement became officially known as the Battle Off Cape Engano.
A/C The
pressure placed upon Halsey by Nimitz, Kinkaid, Sprague, and others was too
much for the admiral to bear; he had finally divided his forces...
Ironically, VADM Lee's battle line had approached to within 45 miles of VADM
Ozawa's crippled Northern Force before it was ordered south to assist Taffy
III and Seventh Fleet. Admiral Halsey later called this decision,
"...the gravest mistake he had made...." during the Battle
of Leyte Gulf. The authors opinion’s are stated in Chapter 14, Epilogue.
1115 TBS - OVERTURE
v Taffy 3, "DERBY IS OUR FRIEND QUEEN KING HOW ABLE HOW TARE,
OUT."
A/C BUTLER
once again inquires....
| EVENT
Vice Admiral Lee's Task Force 34 steams south at only 20 knots to
facilitate the regrouping of the warships. Upon meeting VADM Mitscher's
Task Group 38 carriers, ADM Halsey detaches the heavy cruisers WICHITA
and NEW ORLEANS, light cruisers SANTA FE and MOBILE,
and ten destroyers for additional surface support for VADM Mitscher's
carrier forces.
EVENT Rear
Admiral Bogan's Task Group 38.2 CV INTREPID and light carriers CABOT
and INDEPENDENCE are ordered south with VADM Lee's Task Force 34
to provide air cover.
A/C The
tedious task of reorganizing the task groups was taking up valuable
time.
1118 TBS -
Mercury 3 v Taffy 3, "LOOK OUT FOR FRIENDLY AIRCRAFT
WHICH MAY BE OVERHEAD SHORTLY, OUT." 1119 TBS
- Taffy 3 v DEXTER, "I HAVE TWO VF FOR LOCAL CAP."
.... v Taffy 3, "ROGER OUT."
1120 Another
very heavy explosion rocks escort carrier ST LO.
|
Task
Force 34 VADM Lee
Fleet carrier
INTREPID
Light carriers
CABOT
INDEPENDENCE
Battleships
IOWA
NEW JERSEY
ALABAMA
WASHINGTON
MASSACHUSETTS
SOUTH DAKOTA
Light cruisers
BILOXI
VINCENNES
MIAMI
Destroyers
Eight ships |
1120 Steaming
in the Samar battle area, Centre Force regroups its remaining ships,
reverses course, and heads south once again, toward Leyte Gulf.
1125 USS ST
LO (CVE 63) sinks stern first into the Philippine trench, the second
escort carrier of Taffy III to meet this fate.
A/C She had
the unfortunate distinction of entering the record books as the first U.S.
warship to be sunk by a kamikaze aircraft.
1126 Destroyer
Escort DENNIS continues to rescue survivors of CVE ST LO,
maneuvering as necessary.
1130 TBS - Mercury
3 v Taffy 3, "SIGNAL EXECUTE UPON RECEIPT SHACKLE YOKE FOX
ROGER UNSHACKLE, OUT."
A/C The task unit
changes course to 135° T.
1130 Underwater explosions from CVE ST
LO are felt aboard DE DENNIS.
1132 TBS - Mercury
3 v Taffy 3, "SIGNAL EXECUTE UPON RECEIPT SHACKLE KING NAN
MIKE UNSHACKLE TURN."
A/C The task
unit changes course to 025° T.
1140 TBS - Mercury
3 v Taffy 3, "CANCEL MY SIGNAL NOW FLYING."
1142 TBS - Great
Danes v Taffy 3, "PREPARE TO PANCAKE. PREPARE TO PANCAKE,
OUT."
A/C CTU 77.4.3
orders the CVEs to prepare to land aircraft.
1150 TBS - Taffy
3 v DREADNAUGHT, "HOW MANY YOUR SMALL BOYS."
A/C HEERMANN
inquires....
1151 TBS - DREADNAUGHT
v Taffy 3, "I HAVE NO SMALL BOYS WITH ME AT THIS TIME."
A/C CTU 77.4.3
reports to HEERMANN.
Purchase the
Fourth Edition of my book
Forward to Chapter 13
Return to Book Index
Return
to Main Menu
Honor the Missing in Action and Killed in Action of Taffy III
We do remember. We won't forget.
Robert Jon Cox webmaster@bosamar.com
last revised
July 12, 2008
Copyright Robert Jon Cox 1996-2008 all rights reserved
Void where prohibited.
|