Just a quick summary for Memorial Day:
October 25, 1944
During the retaking of the Philippines Admiral Halsey was lured away by the Japanese, leaving 6 escort carriers (mini aircraft carriers with a limited number of aircraft) to conduct sub protection for the invasion ships and 7 destroyers. Japan’s plan was to then sneak in 4 battleships (including Yamato, the biggest battleship mankind will ever see), 6 heavy cruisers, 2 light cruisers and 11 destroyers in to sink the invasion fleet.
What transpired was nothing but a miracle. Upon seeing the Japanese the 6 escort carriers turned and ran. But they are slow and the Japanese faster. The planes we had used the few torpedos we had. Scored some hits. Then with no ammo they made fake torpedo runs to force the Japanese into evasive action to buy the escort carriers time. They dropped what bombs they had, then made fake bombing runs. Over and over until they had no fuel or where shot down.
The 7 destroyers did the unthinkable. They charged the Japanese fleet. 4 battleships, 6 heavy cruisers, 2 light cruisers and 11 destroyers against 7 tin cans.
They too fired what torpedos they had, then made fake torpedo runs until they were sunk or so badly damaged they had to withdraw.
In the end, the US lost 2 escort carriers and 3 destroyers. Japanese lost 3 heavy cruisers, 3 heavy cruisers badly damaged. And most importantly the Japanese were forced to withdraw and did not impact the invasion forces landing.
The charge of the tin cans:
This is our escort carrier Gambler Bay being bracketed and hit by Japanese battleships. You can see a Japanese heavy cruiser to the right of the spray.
Escort carrier White Plains.
Escort carrier St Lo being hit by a kamikaze.
October 25, 1944
During the retaking of the Philippines Admiral Halsey was lured away by the Japanese, leaving 6 escort carriers (mini aircraft carriers with a limited number of aircraft) to conduct sub protection for the invasion ships and 7 destroyers. Japan’s plan was to then sneak in 4 battleships (including Yamato, the biggest battleship mankind will ever see), 6 heavy cruisers, 2 light cruisers and 11 destroyers in to sink the invasion fleet.
What transpired was nothing but a miracle. Upon seeing the Japanese the 6 escort carriers turned and ran. But they are slow and the Japanese faster. The planes we had used the few torpedos we had. Scored some hits. Then with no ammo they made fake torpedo runs to force the Japanese into evasive action to buy the escort carriers time. They dropped what bombs they had, then made fake bombing runs. Over and over until they had no fuel or where shot down.
The 7 destroyers did the unthinkable. They charged the Japanese fleet. 4 battleships, 6 heavy cruisers, 2 light cruisers and 11 destroyers against 7 tin cans.
They too fired what torpedos they had, then made fake torpedo runs until they were sunk or so badly damaged they had to withdraw.
In the end, the US lost 2 escort carriers and 3 destroyers. Japanese lost 3 heavy cruisers, 3 heavy cruisers badly damaged. And most importantly the Japanese were forced to withdraw and did not impact the invasion forces landing.
The charge of the tin cans:
This is our escort carrier Gambler Bay being bracketed and hit by Japanese battleships. You can see a Japanese heavy cruiser to the right of the spray.
Escort carrier White Plains.
Escort carrier St Lo being hit by a kamikaze.
