Ozawa's Northern Force offered the psychologically compelling target of enemy carriers, but carried only 108 aircraft across four carriers. Halsey took all three available carrier groups north and left neither a battle line nor even a destroyer picket at San Bernardino Strait. Reports from Independence, Rear Admiral Bogan, Willis Lee, and members of Mitscher's staff all pointed toward the risk that Center Force was returning. Their warnings show that the Japanese deception succeeded despite substantial contrary intelligence already circulating inside Third Fleet.
Notable Point · 16:25-19:53
Halsey takes every carrier group north
The weak Japanese carrier decoy drew all three American carrier groups north even as officers warned that Kurita's Center Force had turned back.