Two carrier groups had already gone back to rearm, removing a large share of Third Fleet's nominal striking strength before the crisis developed. Continuous land-based air attacks also consumed ammunition, supplies, and machinery life across the groups still present. The loss of the light carrier Princeton and damage to Birmingham further reduced the fleet during 24 October. These losses left a force that looked overwhelming on paper with hard choices about detaching battleships, cruisers, and destroyers.
Notable Point · 8:21-10:30
Paper strength concealed Third Fleet's attrition
Rearming groups, exhausted ships, ammunition demands, and the loss of Princeton made Third Fleet's available strength smaller than its order of battle suggested.