MacArthur's southwest advance and Nimitz's central Pacific drive reached positions from which the Philippines could be assaulted. Carrier strikes revealed comparative Japanese air weakness, allowing the Leyte landing date to move forward, though the many nearby airfields could not be fully neutralized. Third Fleet brought six modern battleships, 15 fleet and light carriers with 987 aircraft, 15 cruisers, and 59 destroyers, although its organization changed during the operation. It was ordered to protect the invasion and communications, with destruction of a major enemy fleet becoming the overriding task if the opportunity appeared.
Chapter · 37:41-41:30
The Allied advance that set up Leyte Gulf
Converging Allied drives and unexpectedly weak Japanese air resistance accelerated the invasion of Leyte and defined Third Fleet's supporting mission.
Aircraft CarriersAmphibious WarfareBattle Of Leyte GulfBattleshipsCarrier AviationCentral Pacific CampaignChester W. NimitzCoron BayCruisersDestroyersDouglas MacArthurFast Carrier Task ForceFormosaGilbert Islands CampaignGuamLeyteLuzonMaluku IslandsMariana Islands CampaignMarshall Islands CampaignMorotaiNew Guinea CampaignPhilippines CampaignSea Lines Of CommunicationSouthwest Pacific AreaThird FleetWest Caroline IslandsWilliam Halsey Jr.