Background
In mid-summer 1944 President Roosevelt travelled to Hawaii to consult with General MacArthur and Admiral Nimitz regarding
Pacific war strategy. The President arrived in Oahu on the heavy cruiser Baltimore
on July 26. In conferences that afternoon on the Baltimore and the following morning at a residence in Waikiki General
MacArthur gained presidential support for the liberation of
the Philippine Islands arguing both the military and political perspectives. It is interesting that the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS), who
were questioning the military necessity of retaking the Philippines, were not part of the discussion.
- 15 September, Southwest Pacific Forces occupy Morotai while Central Pacific forces occupy Peleliu.
- 5 October, Central Pacific forces occupy Yap and later Ulithi
- 15 October, Southwest Pacific Forces occupy Salebaboe Island.15 November, Southwest Pacific Forces occupy Sarangani Bay Mindano
- 20 December, Southwest Pacific Forces occupy Leyte.
- Southwest and Central Pacific forces would then combine to occupy either Luzon (20 February) or Formosa and Amoy (1 March).
On 26 August, Admiral Halsey took command of the ship and land based elements of the fleet in the forward area of the Pacific with the title of Commander, Western Naval Task Forces. During the last half of the war, he and Admiral Spruance shared command of the forces of the United States Navy on the main battle line in the Pacific, alternating periods of rest and planning with periods in operational control. Initially, the fleet conducted a series of raids in support of the invasions of Morotai and Pelelieu. Because of the weak Japanese response Halsey signaled Nimitz suggesting the cancellation of the Palau, Yap, Morotai, and Mindano landings. Nimitz concurred with Halsey, except with regard to the Morotai and Palau invasions and forwarded the recommendation to the JCS. Halsey did not realize that the Japanese were conserving their strength for battles to come.
General MacArthur was under radio silence on the cruiser Nashville at the time on his way to observe the Morotai invasion. His chief of staff Lt. Gen Sutherland heard the 6th Army staff’s caution that conducting the Leyte invasion to the rainy season would necessary slow airfield development, but decided an aggressive position was warranted. Sutherland, in MacArthur’s name, advised the JCS that the Leyte invasion could be accomplished on 20 October. The JCS approved the Halsey-Nimitz-MacArthur proposal on 15 September. The Yap attack force was assigned to the Leyte operation. Ulithi was taken 23 September. Leyte was invaded on schedule.
An Island Too Far? Almost
In the end the Leyte invasion was successful, but at much greater difficulty than may have been anticipated by the generals and admirals. As the matter developed over the fall:
- The Americans were advancing well beyond their land based air cover, not only cover from the south but also cover from the Western Carolines.
- The Japanese would fight hard for the Philippines. Halesy's suggestion was based on faulty logic.
- The weather would be a major hindrance in the developing airfield capacity on Leyte. As a result the fleet would be required to cover the invasion for much longer than anticipated.
- The Japanese would introduce the kamikaze, one of the most potent anti ship weapons of World War II.
The following order of battle is for the date 17 October, 1944. It presents the situation of Allied Air Forces in the Pacific just prior to the Leyte invasion and the Battle of Leyte Gulf.
Halsey's Command
On 17 October, the air elements Halsey's command consisted of the air elements of Third Fleet and Task Force 59, the land based air elements of the Forward Area of the Central Pacific.
Third Fleet
air elements included:
- Task Force 38 consisted of 9 heavy and 6 light fast carrier air groups. The unit's Task Groups had rendezvoused on 7 October west of the Marianas and conducted air attacks on Okinawa, Formosa and the Philippines in preparation for the Leyte invasion.
- Task Group 30.2 consisting of two fast light carrier air groups assigned the task of protecting ships damaged by Japanese air attacks. The group was dissolved 20 October and the carriers were returned to Task Groups 38.1 and 38.2 respectively.
- Task Group 30.5, Fleet Air Wing 1, consisting of both tender based and land based patrol squadrons assigned the primary role of scouting for the Third Fleet.
- Task Group 30.7 consisting of two specialized Anti Submarine Warfare (ASW) escort carrier air groups.
- Task Group 30.8, the Fleet Oiler Group, which included a number of escort carrier air groups assigned to protect the auxiliary force. A number of additional CVEs were assigned the role of brining replacement aircraft to Task Force 38.
Two days after the Leyte invasion, on 22 October, Hancock was transferred to Task Group 38.1 which was dispatched to Ulithi for replenishment. In addition, Bunker Hill was also sent to Ulithi for more fighter aircraft. As a result, Third Fleet fought the Battle of Leyte Gulf on the 24 and 25 October with 11 of the 17 fast carriers assigned.
Task Force 59 was the land based Allied Air Force in the Forward Area of the Central Pacific. These units were organized both functionally and geographically as follows.
- Task Group 59.1 was the Air Defense Command for the Marianas and included AAF fighters on Saipan and Marine Air Group 23 on Guam.
- Task Group 59.2 was the AAF's VII Bomber Command, based Saipan and consisting primarily of three heavy bomb groups.
- Task Group 59.4 was based on Marine Air Wing 4 and was the garrison air force for the Gilberts and Marshalls with the task of pounding bypassed Japanese garrisons in the area.
- Task Group 59.5 was the area tactical transport command.
- Task Group 59.6 was the garrison force for the recently conquered Western Carolines.
It is interesting to note that under the Musketeer II schedule, air units on the Western Carolines would have been in position to assist in the Leyte invasion. As it was airfields in the areas were completed on the following schedule:
- Peleliu received its first aircraft on 24 September.
- Anguar was opened for heavy bombers by 19 October and the 494th Bomb Group was established sufficiently to conduct its first bombing mission on 3 November. It began support of the Philippine operations on 17 November.
- Ulithii received its first aircraft 29 October.
| Higher Headquarters | Group | Squadron | Aircraft | Commander or Location | ||||||
| Pacific Ocean Areas | Admiral C.W. Nimitz | |||||||||
| Western Naval Task Forces | Admiral W. J. Halsey | |||||||||
| Third Fleet | Admiral W. J. Halsey | |||||||||
| Task Group 30.2 | Covering damaged cruisers, "Baitdiv 1" | R Adm L.J. Wiltse | ||||||||
| CVLG-22 | CVL-25 Cowpens | |||||||||
| VF-22 | 23 F6F-5 | CVL-25 Cowpens | ||||||||
| VT-22 | 9 TBM-1C | CVL-25 Cowpens | ||||||||
| CVLG-31 | CVL-28 Cabot | |||||||||
| VF-31 | 23 F6F-3/5 | CVL-28 Cabot | ||||||||
| VT-31 | 9 TBM-1C | CVL-28 Cabot | ||||||||
| Task Group 30.5—Search, Reccon, and Photo Command | Como D. Ketcham | |||||||||
| Fleet Air Wing 1 | Ulithi | |||||||||
| Task Group 30.5.1 | Palau | |||||||||
| VPB-16 | 14 PBM-3D | Palau-Yakutat | ||||||||
| VPB-21 | 13 PBM-3D | Palau-Mackinac | ||||||||
| VPB-216 | 14 PBM-3D | Palau-Pocomoke | ||||||||
| VH-1 Det | 5 PBM-3D | Palau | ||||||||
| Tenders at Palau--Chandleur, Pocomoke, Mackinac, Yakutat | ||||||||||
| Task Group 30.5.2 | Saipan | |||||||||
| VH-1 | 5 PBM-3D | Saipan | ||||||||
| VPB-4 | 16 PB2Y-3 | Saipan | ||||||||
| VPB-18 | 12 PBM-3D | Saipan | ||||||||
| VPB-24 | 16 PBY-5A | Majuro | ||||||||
| Tenders at Saipan-- Kenneth Whiting, Coos Bay, Shelikof | ||||||||||
| Task Group 30.5.4 | Ulithi | |||||||||
| VPB-202 | No AC, PBM-3D | Ulithi | ||||||||
| VPB-17 | 13 PBM-3D | Ulithi | ||||||||
| Tenders at Ulithi--Hamlin, Casco, Onslow | ||||||||||
| Task Group 30.5.3 | Tinian | |||||||||
| VPB-102 | 15 PB4Y-1 | Tinian | ||||||||
| VPB-116 | 15 PB4Y-1 | Tinian | ||||||||
| VPB-117 | 15 PB4Y-1 | Tinian | ||||||||
| VPB-150 | 16 PV-1 | Tinian | ||||||||
| VPB-151 | 15 PV-1 | Tinian | ||||||||
| Fleet Air Photo Group 2 | Eniwetok | |||||||||
| VD-4 | 5 PB4Y-1P, 4 PB2Y-3 | Eniwetok | ||||||||
| VD-4 Det | 3 PB4Y-1P | Guam | ||||||||
| Task Group 30.7 | 3 Fleet ASW Units | |||||||||
| VC-14 | 16 FM-2, 12 TBM-1C | CVE-75 Hoggatt Bay | ||||||||
| VC-82 | 16 FM-2, 12 TBM-1C | CVE-57 Anzio | ||||||||
| Task Group 30.8—Fleet Oiler Group | 3 Fleet Replenishment CAP | |||||||||
| VC-11 | 16 FM-2, 12 TBM-1C | CVE-74 Nehenta Bay | ||||||||
| VC-77 | 16 FM-2, 12 TBM-1C | CVE-81 Rudyerd Bay | ||||||||
| VC-79 | 16 FM-2, 12 TBM-1C | CVE-83 Sergeant Bay | ||||||||
| Task Force 38—Fast Carrier Task Force | VAdm M. A. Mitscher | |||||||||
| Task Group 38.1 | VAdm J.S. McCain | |||||||||
| CVG-11 | CV-12 Hornet | |||||||||
| VB-11 | 24 SB2C-3 | CV-12 Hornet | ||||||||
| VF-11 | 47 F6F-3/5, 4 N, 3 P | CV-12 Hornet | ||||||||
| VT-11 | 18 TBM-1C | CV-12 Hornet | ||||||||
| CVG-14 | CV-18 Wasp | |||||||||
| VB-14 | 25 SB2C-3, 10 F6F-3/5 | CV-18 Wasp | ||||||||
| VF-14 | 37 F6F-3/5, 4N, 2P | CV-18 Wasp | ||||||||
| VT-14 | 16 TBM-1C, 2 1D | CV-18 Wasp | ||||||||
| CVLG-28 | CVL-26 Monterrey | |||||||||
| VF-28 | 22 F6F-5, 2P | CVL-26 Monterrey | ||||||||
| VT-28 | 9 TBM-1C | CVL-26 Monterrey | ||||||||
| Task Group 38.2 | RAdm G.F. Bogan | |||||||||
| CVG-18 | CV-11 Intrepid | |||||||||
| VB-18 | 24 SB2C-3 | CV-11 Intrepid | ||||||||
| VF-18 | 48 F6F-5, 5 N, 3P | CV-11 Intrepid | ||||||||
| VT-18 | 18 TBM-1C | CV-11 Intrepid | ||||||||
| CVG-7 | CV-19 Hancock | |||||||||
| VB-7 | 12 SB2C-3, 12 3E | CV-19 Hancock | ||||||||
| VF-7 | 48 F6F-5, 4N, 2P | CV-19 Hancock | ||||||||
| VT-7 | 18 TBM-1C | CV-19 Hancock | ||||||||
| CVG-8 | CV-17 Bunker Hill | |||||||||
| VB-8 | 24 SB2C-1C | CV-17 Bunker Hill | ||||||||
| VF-8 | 46 F6F-3/5, 8N | CV-17 Bunker Hill | ||||||||
| VT-8 | 16 TBM-1C, 2 1D | CV-17 Bunker Hill | ||||||||
| CVLG(N)-41 | CVL-22 Independence | |||||||||
| VF(N)-41 | 15 F6F-5N/3/5 | CVL-22 Independence | ||||||||
| VT(N)-41 | 7 TBM-1D | CVL-22 Independence | ||||||||
| Task Group 38.3 | RAdm F.C. Sherman | |||||||||
| CVG-15 | CV-9 Essex | |||||||||
| VB-15 | 24 SB2C-3 | CV-9 Essex | ||||||||
| VF-15 | 47 F6F-3/5, 4N, 2P | CV-9 Essex | ||||||||
| VT-15 | 16 TBM-1C | CV-9 Essex | ||||||||
| CVG-19 | CV-16 Lexington | |||||||||
| VB-19 | 30 SB2C-3 | CV-16 Lexington | ||||||||
| VF-19 | 32 F6F-3/5, 4N, 2P | CV-16 Lexington | ||||||||
| VT-19 | 18 TBM-1C | CV-16 Lexington | ||||||||
| CVLG-27 | CVL-23 Princeton | |||||||||
| VF-27 | 23 F6F-3/5 | CVL-23 Princeton | ||||||||
| VT-27 | 9 TBM-1C | CVL-23 Princeton | ||||||||
| CVLG-44 | CVL-27 Langley | |||||||||
| VF-44 | 24 F6F-3/5 | CVL-27 Langley | ||||||||
| VT-44 | 9 TBM-1C | CVL-27 Langley | ||||||||
| Task Group 38.4 | RAdm R.E. Davidson | |||||||||
| CVG-13 | CV-13 Franklin | |||||||||
| VB-13 | 28 SB2C-3 | CV-13 Franklin | ||||||||
| VF-13 | 29 F6F-5, 4N, 4P | CV-13 Franklin | ||||||||
| VT-13 | 18 TBM-1C | CV-13 Franklin | ||||||||
| CVG-20 | CV-6 Enterprise | |||||||||
| VB-20 | 22 SB2C-3 | CV-6 Enterprise | ||||||||
| VF-20 | 49 F6F-5, 4N | CV-6 Enterprise | ||||||||
| VT-20 | 18 TBM-1C | CV-6 Enterprise | ||||||||
| CVLG-21 | CVL-24 Bellau Wood | |||||||||
| VF-21 | 24 F6F-5 | CVL-24 Bellau Wood | ||||||||
| VT-21 | 9 TBM-1C, 1 1D | CVL-24 Bellau Wood | ||||||||
| CVLG-51 | CVL-30 San Jacinto | |||||||||
| VF-51 | 23 F6F-3/5 | CVL-30 San Jacinto | ||||||||
| VT-51 | 9 TBM-1C | CVL-30 San Jacinto | ||||||||
| Forward Area Central Pacific | V Adm J. H. Hoover | |||||||||
| Task Force 59—Shore Based Aircraft | M Gen W. H. Hale, USAAF | |||||||||
| Task Group 59.1—Marianas Air Defense Command | B Gen T.J. Cushman, USMC | |||||||||
| 318 Fighter Group | Saipan | |||||||||
| 19th Fighter | 27 P-47 D | Saipan | ||||||||
| 333rd Fighter | 27 P-47 D | Saipan | ||||||||
| 73rd Fighter | 28 P-47 D | Saipan | ||||||||
| 6th Night Fighter Det | 6 P-61 | Saipan | ||||||||
| 28th Photo | 4 F-5 | Saipan | ||||||||
| Marine Air Group 21 | Guam | |||||||||
| VMF(N)-534 | 14 F6F-N | Guam | ||||||||
| VMF-216 | 20 F4U-1 | Guam | ||||||||
| VMF-217 | 20 F4U-1 | Guam | ||||||||
| VMF-225 | 21 F4U-1 | Guam | ||||||||
| VMF-321 | 21 F4U-1 | Guam | ||||||||
| VMTB-131 | 20 TBM-1C | Guam | ||||||||
| VMTB-242 | 20 TBF-1C | Tinian | ||||||||
| Task Group 59.2—VII Bomber Command | B Gen T.H. Landon | |||||||||
| 86th Combat Mapping | 13 F-7 | Saipan | ||||||||
| 11 Bomb Group | Kwajalein | |||||||||
| 26th Bomb | 12 B-24 | Kwajalein | ||||||||
| 42nd Bomb | 12 B-24 | Guam | ||||||||
| 431st Bomb | 12 B-24 | Kwajalein | ||||||||
| 98th Bomb | 12 B-24 | Kwajalein | ||||||||
| 494 Bomb Group | Waiting to go to Anguar | Saipan | ||||||||
| 864th Bomb | 12 B-24 | Saipan | ||||||||
| 865th Bomb | 12 B-24 | Saipan | ||||||||
| 866th Bomb | 12 B-24 | Saipan | ||||||||
| 867th Bomb | 12 B-24 | Saipan | ||||||||
| 30 Bomb Group | Saipan | |||||||||
| 27th Bomb | 12 B-24 | Saipan | ||||||||
| 38th Bomb | 12 B-24 | Saipan | ||||||||
| 392nd Bomb | 12 B-24 | Saipan | ||||||||
| 819th Bomb | 12 B-24 | Saipan | ||||||||
| Task Group 59.4—Garrison Force Marshalls | M Gen L.E. Woods | |||||||||
| 4th Marine Air Base Defense Wing | Kwajalein | |||||||||
| VS-66 | 12 SBD-5 | Tarawa | ||||||||
| VMF-111 | 32 F4U-1/1D | Makin | ||||||||
| Marine Air Group 13 | Majuro | |||||||||
| VMBF-231 | 24 F4U-1D | Majuro | ||||||||
| VMBF-331 | 24 F4U-1D | Majuro | ||||||||
| VMSB-245 | 24 SBD-6 | Majuro | ||||||||
| VMF-441 | 21 F4U-1 | Majuro | ||||||||
| VMO-155 | 22 F4U-1D | Majuro | ||||||||
| Marine Air Group 22 | Eniwetok | |||||||||
| VMF(N)-533 | 15 F6F-N | Eniwetok | ||||||||
| VMF-113 | 24 F4U-1D | Eniwetok | ||||||||
| VMF-422 | 23 F4U-1 | Eniwetok | ||||||||
| VMSB-151 | 23 SBD-5 | Eniwetok | ||||||||
| VPB-22 | 15 PBM-3D | Eniwetok | ||||||||
| VPB-23 | 15 PBY-5A | Eniwetok | ||||||||
| Marine Air Group 31 | Roi | |||||||||
| VMF-224 | 22 F4U-1 | Roi | ||||||||
| VMF-311 | 22 F4U-1 | Roi | ||||||||
| VPB-133 | 15 PV-1 | Roi | ||||||||
| VS-52 | 12 SBD-5 | Roi | ||||||||
| Task Group 59.5—Transport Air Group | Guam | |||||||||
| VMR-253 | 16 R4D-5 | Guam | ||||||||
| Task Group 59.6—Garrison Force Western Carolines | B Gen H.D. Campbell | |||||||||
| Marine Air Wing 2 Forward | Peleliu | |||||||||
| Marine Air Group 11 | Peleliu | |||||||||
| VMF(N)-541 | 13 F6F-N | Peleliu | ||||||||
| VMF-114 | 21 FG-1A | Peleliu | ||||||||
| VMF-122 | 21 FG-1 | Peleliu | ||||||||
| VMTB-134 | 24 TBM-1C | Peleliu | ||||||||
| 28th Photo Det | 3 F-5 | Peleliu | ||||||||
| Marine Air Group 11 Air | Moving to Peleliu | Emirau | ||||||||
| VMF-121 | 24 FG-1 | Emirau | ||||||||
| VMR-952 | 15 R5C-1 | Emirau | ||||||||
| Marine Air Group 45 Air | Moving to Ulithi | Pityilu | ||||||||
| VMF(N)-542 Air | 15 F6F-N | Pityilu | ||||||||
| VMF-312 Air | 27 FG-1 | Pityilu | ||||||||
| VMTB-232 Air | 22 TBM-1C | Pityilu | ||||||||
Admiral Nimitz's other Commands
Admiral Nimitz also commanded both the North and South Pacific areas as well as the rear area in the Central Pacific.
Vice Admiral Murray, was Commander of the Air Forces of the Pacific Fleet and for the lack of more precise information all of the air units in the rear area of the Central have been assigned to him. These units include:
- Air groups on aircraft carriers in the pipeline moving toward combat in the Western Pacific. On 17 October this included Cardiv 29, 4 escort carriers and their squadrons which departed San Diego 16 October and arrived at Ulithi 5 November. It also included Air Group 80 on Ticonderoga and Air Group 3 on Yorktown that were training in the Hawaiian Island and would join the Third Fleet on 29 October and 3 November respectively.
- Air squadrons and groups preparing to replace units on carriers already in the Western Pacific. These included Air Group 4, Air Group 81, and Air Group 29 which would soon be assigned to Bunker Hill, Wasp and Cabot.
- Specialized night air units including VF(N)-106 which was about to decommission and Night Air Group 90 which was preparing for service on Enterprise.
- Marine Air Wing 3, controlling marine air units in Hawaii and Midway.
- Fleet Air Wing 2, controlling patrol aviation units in Hawaii preparing to move to combat areas.
- 7th Air Force, responsible for air defense of Hawaii.
Admiral Nimitz commanded both the North and South Pacific areas as well as the rear area in the Central Pacific. In the North Pacific Vice Admiral Fletcher was in command with the Eleventh Air Force and Fleet Air Wing 4 engaged in harassing the Japanese in the Kurilies. In the South Pacific Real Admiral Newton commanded USN and RNZAF squadrons, stationed south of Munda, in what had become a rear area. The Navy was conducting an operational test of television controlled drones conducting one way attack missions on bypassed Japanese units. The RNZAF maintained a strong presence, including an aircraft assembly depot on Espiritu Santo. At this time this depot contained approximately 62 F4U-1D and 66 F4U-1.
In New Zealand the RNZAF was responsible for rehabilitation, training, and equipping combat units. In New Zealand the RNZAF maintained approximately 20 Catalina, 33 Hudson, 24 Ventura, 22 F4U-1, 17 F4U-1D, 31 SBD-3, 9 SBD-4, 16 TBF-1C, 6 TBF-1, 9 Vincent, 20 P-40 E, 9 P-40 K, 14 P-40 M, and 101 P-40 N.
| Air Force Pacific Fleet | V Adm G.D. Murray | |||||||||
| VC-84 | 16 FM-2, 11 TBM-3, 1 3P | CVE-93 Makin Is | ||||||||
| VC-85 | 16 FM-2, 11 TBM-3, 1 3P | CVE-94 Lunga Pt. | ||||||||
| VC-86 | 16 FM-2, 11 TBM-3, 1 3P | CVE-95 Bismark Sea | ||||||||
| VC-87 | 16 FM-2, 11 TBM-3, 1 3P | CVE-96 Salamua | ||||||||
| VC-83 | 14 FM-2, 12 TBM-1C | NAS Kaneohe | ||||||||
| VC-90 | 16 FM-2, 11 TBM-3 | NAS Kaneohe | ||||||||
| VC-92 | 7 FM-2, 3 TBM-3 | NAS Kaneohe | ||||||||
| VC-88 | No AC, FM, TBM | Hawaii | ||||||||
| VC-91 | No AC, FM, TBM | Hawaii | ||||||||
| VF(N)-106[2] | 16 F6F-3/5 N | NAS Barbers Point | ||||||||
| CVG(N)-90 | NAS Barbers Point | |||||||||
| VF(N)-90 | 14F6F-5N, 1 5P | NAS Barbers Point | ||||||||
| VT(N)-90 | 4 TBM-1D | NAS Barbers Point | ||||||||
| CVG-100—Operational Training Unit | NAS Barbers Point | |||||||||
| VB-100 | 45 Various SB2C, 9 SBD-5 | NAS Barbers Point | ||||||||
| VF-100 | 44 Various F6F, 36 FM-2 | NAS Barbers Point | ||||||||
| VT-100 | 27 Various TBM/F | NAS Barbers Point | ||||||||
| CVG-4 | Ulithi | |||||||||
| VB-4 | No AC, SB2C | Ulithi | ||||||||
| VF-4 | No AC, F6F | Ulithi | ||||||||
| VT-4 | No AC, TBM | Ulithi | ||||||||
| CVG-81 | Enrt Guam | |||||||||
| VB-81 | No AC, SB2C | Enrt Guam | ||||||||
| VF-81 | No AC, F6F | Enrt Guam | ||||||||
| VT-81 | No AC, TBM | Enrt Guam | ||||||||
| CVG-9 | Hawaii | |||||||||
| VB-9 | No AC, SB2C | Hawaii | ||||||||
| VF-9 | No AC, F6F | Hawaii | ||||||||
| VT-9 | No AC, TBM | Hawaii | ||||||||
| CVG-99—Operational Training Unit | Eniwetok | |||||||||
| VB-99 | 26 SB2C-1C, 2 F6F-3 | Eniwetok | ||||||||
| VF-99 | 9 F6F-3, 12 FM-1, 1 F4U-1D | Eniwetok | ||||||||
| VT-99 | 7 TBM-1C | Eniwetok | ||||||||
| CVLG-29 | Puunene, TH | |||||||||
| VF-29 | 21 F6F-3/5 | Puunene, TH | ||||||||
| VT-29 | 9 TBM/F-1C | Puunene, TH | ||||||||
| CVLG-45 | Kahukui, TH | |||||||||
| VF-45 | 23 F6F-3 | Kahukui, TH | ||||||||
| VT-45 | 11 TBM-1C | Kahukui, TH | ||||||||
| CVLG-46 | NAS Kaneohe | |||||||||
| VF-46 | No AC F6F | NAS Kaneohe | ||||||||
| VT-46 | 10 TBM-1C | NAS Kaneohe | ||||||||
| CVG-3 | CV-10 Yorktown | |||||||||
| VF-3 | 35 F6F-5, 2 3P | CV-10 Yorktown | ||||||||
| VB-3 | 36 SBW-3 | CV-10 Yorktown | ||||||||
| VT-3 | 18 TBM-1C | CV-10 Yorktown | ||||||||
| CVG-80 | CV-14 Ticonderoga | |||||||||
| VF-80 | 49 F6F-5, 4 5N, 2 5P | CV 14 Ticonderoga | ||||||||
| VB-80 | 24 SB2C-3 | CV-14 Ticonderoga | ||||||||
| VT-80 | 18 TBM-3 | CV-14 Ticonderoga | ||||||||
| Central Pacific Combat Transport Command | Hawaii | |||||||||
| 19th Troop Carrier | 24 C-47 | John Rodgers, TH | ||||||||
| 9th Troop Carrier | 24 C-47 | Saipan | ||||||||
| VMR-953 | 16 R5C-1 | Ewa | ||||||||
| Marine Air Group 15 | Kwajalein | |||||||||
| VMR-252 | 16 R5C-1 | Kwajalein | ||||||||
| VMR-353 | 16 R4D-5 | Kwajalein | ||||||||
| Utility Wing PacFlt | NAS Pearl Harbork | |||||||||
| VJ-3 | 33 SBD, R5O, JRB, JRF, TDC | Puunene, TH | ||||||||
| VJ-7 | 24 PV, TBM, JM, JRB, JRF, | NAS Pearl Harbor | ||||||||
| Air Fleet Marine Force Pacific | M Gen F.P. Mulcahy | |||||||||
| Marine Air Wing 3 | Ewa | |||||||||
| Marine Air Group 23 | Midway | |||||||||
| VPB-128 Det | 6 PV-1 | Midway | ||||||||
| VMSB-333 | 23 SBD-5 | Midway | ||||||||
| VMF-314 | 21 F4U-1 | Midway | ||||||||
| VMF-324 | 22 F4U-1 | Midway | ||||||||
| Marine Air Group 32 | Ewa | |||||||||
| VMF-124 | 21F4U-1/1A/1D | Ewa | ||||||||
| VMF-213 | 22 F4U-1/1A | Ewa | ||||||||
| VMSB-332 | 37 SB2C-1C | Ewa | ||||||||
| VMSB-343 | 24 SB2C-3 | Ewa | ||||||||
| Fleet Air Wing 2 | NAS Kaneohe | |||||||||
| VD-5 | 9 PB4Y-1 P | NAS Barbers Point | ||||||||
| FAW 2 Group 2 | NAS Kaneohe | |||||||||
| VPB-100 | 8 PBY-5, 8 PBY-5A | NAS Kaneohe | ||||||||
| VPB-19 | 15 PBM-3D | NAS Kaneohe | ||||||||
| VPB-20 | 15 PBM-3D | NAS Kaneohe | ||||||||
| VPB-25 | 15 PBM-3D | NAS Kaneohe | ||||||||
| VPB-104 | 15 PB4Y-1 | NAS Kaneohe | ||||||||
| VPB-111 | 15 PB4Y-1 | NAS Kaneohe | ||||||||
| VPB-128 | 15 PV-1 | NAS Kaneohe | ||||||||
| VPB-137 | 15 PV-1 | NAS Kaneohe | ||||||||
| VPB-200 | 45 PB4Y-1, 15 PV-1 | NAS Kaneohe | ||||||||
| VPB-71 | 15 PBY-5A | NAS Kaneohe | ||||||||
| VS-46 | 12 SBD-5 | NAS Pearl Harbor | ||||||||
| VS-47 | 17 SBD-4 | Johnston & Palmyra | ||||||||
| VS-53 | 18 SBD-5 | NAS Pearl Harbor | ||||||||
| VS-69 | 18 SBD-5 | NAS Pearl Harbor | ||||||||
| 7 Air Force | M Gen R.W. Douglass | |||||||||
| 41 Bomb Group | Wheeler Field, TH | |||||||||
| 396th Bomb | 24 B-25 | Wheeler, TH | ||||||||
| 47th Bomb | 24 B-25 | Wheeler, TH | ||||||||
| 48th Bomb | 24 B-25 | Wheeler, TH | ||||||||
| 820th Bomb | 24 B-25 | Wheeler, TH | ||||||||
| 7 Fighter Wing | Ft. Shafter, TH | |||||||||
| VII Fighter Command | Brig Gen Ernest Moore | |||||||||
| 28th Photo | 8 F-5 | Kualoa, TH | ||||||||
| 6th Night Fighter | 12 P-61 | John Rodgers, TH | ||||||||
| 548th Night Fighter | 15 P-61 | Kipapa, TH | ||||||||
| 15 Fighter Group | Bellows Field, TH | |||||||||
| 45th Fighter | 36 P-47 | Mokulaei, TH | ||||||||
| 47th Fighter | 36 P-47 | Bellows, TH | ||||||||
| 78th Fighter | 36 P-47 | Bellows, TH | ||||||||
| 21 Fighter Group | Mokuleia Field, TH | |||||||||
| 46th Fighter | 30 P-38 | Mokuleia, TH | ||||||||
| 531st Fighter | 30 P-38 | Mokuleia, TH | ||||||||
| 72nd Fighter | 30 P-38 | Mokuleia, TH | ||||||||
| North Pacific Force | V Adm F.J Fletcher | |||||||||
| 11 Air Force | M Gen Davenport Johnson | |||||||||
| 54th Troop Carrier | 20 C-47 | Elmendorf, AK | ||||||||
| 28 Composite Group | Shemya, AK | |||||||||
| 404th Bomb | 12 B-24 | Shemya, AK | ||||||||
| 77th Bomb | 24 B-25 | NAF Attu | ||||||||
| 343 Fighter Group | Alexai Point, AK | |||||||||
| 11th Fighter | 30 P-40 N | Adak, AK | ||||||||
| 18th Fighter | 30 P-40 N | NAF Attu | ||||||||
| 344th Fighter | 30 P-40 N | Shemya, AK | ||||||||
| 54th Fighter | 29 P-38 | NAF Attu | ||||||||
| Fleet Air Wing 4 | NAF Attu | |||||||||
| VPB-131 | 12 PV-1 | NAF Attu | ||||||||
| VPB-135 | No AC, PV-1 | NAF Attu | ||||||||
| VPB-136 | 11 PV-1 | NAF Attu | ||||||||
| VPB-43 | 12 PBY-5A | NAF Attu | ||||||||
| VPB-61 | 12 PBY-5A | Adak, Dutch Harbor, Kodiak, Amchitka | ||||||||
| VS-48 | 6 SBD-5 | Kodiak, Attu, Amchitka | ||||||||
| VS-49 | 13 OS2U-3 | Dutch Harbor, Otter Pt. | ||||||||
| VS-56 | 15 OS2U-3 | Adak, Attu, Kiska | ||||||||
| VS-70 | 13 OS2U-3 | Kodiak, Cold Bay | ||||||||
| South Pacific Force | R Adm J.H. Newton | |||||||||
| COMAIR SOPAC | Guadalcanal | |||||||||
| Fleet Air Wing 2-Group 1 | Espiritu Santo | |||||||||
| VJ-8 | 16 Various Utility | Efate | ||||||||
| VJ-11 | 19 Various Utililty | Efate | ||||||||
| VJ-12 | Various Utility | Guadalcanal | ||||||||
| VS-57 | 15 SBD-5 | Noumea | ||||||||
| VS-65 | 17 SBD-5 | Funafuti | ||||||||
| VPB-54 | 8 PBY-5A | Espiritu Santo | ||||||||
| 4 Reccon Group | Guadalcanal | |||||||||
| Marine Air Wing 2 | M Gen J.T. Moore | |||||||||
| VMB-611 | 16 PBJ-1D | Espiritu Santo | ||||||||
| VMB-612 | 16 PBJ-1 D | Espiritu Santo | ||||||||
| Marine Air Group 33 | Espiritu Santo | |||||||||
| VMF-322 | 24 F4U-1D | Emirau, | ||||||||
| VMF-323 | 24 F4U-1D | Emirau, | ||||||||
| No. 1 RNZAF Group | A Cdre R. Clark-Hall | |||||||||
| RNZAF Espiritu Santo | Espiritu Santo | |||||||||
| No. 15 NZAF Sq | 6 F4U-1D, 12 F4U-1 | Espiritu Santo | ||||||||
| No. 23 NZAF Sq | 18 F4U-1D | Espiritu Santo | ||||||||
| No. 5 NZAF Sq | 12 Catalina | Espiritu Santo | ||||||||
| RNZAF Fiji | Nandi Field, Fiji Is | |||||||||
| No. 4 NZAF Sq | 18 Ventura | Nandi Field, Fiji Is | ||||||||
| Utility Flights | 18 Hudson | Nandi Field, Fiji Is[15] | ||||||||
| No. 3 RNZAF Op Tr Unit | 8 Catalina | Lauthala Bay, Fiji Is. | ||||||||
| RNZAF Guadalcanal | Guadalcanal | |||||||||
| No. 1 NZAF Sq | 18 Ventura | Guadalcanal | ||||||||
| No. 6 NZAF Sq | 12 Catalina | Halavo Bay | ||||||||
| No. 18 NZAF Sq | 18 F4U-1 | Guadalcanal | ||||||||
| No. 20 NZAF Sq | 18 F4U-1 | Guadalcanal | ||||||||
| HQ Royal New Zealand Air Force | Auckland, NZ | |||||||||
| No. 14 NZAF Sq | 12 F4U-1 | Ardmore, New Zealand | ||||||||
| No. 16 NZAF Sq | 6 F4U-1 | Ardmore, New Zealand | ||||||||
| No. 19 NZAF Sq | 12 F4U-1D | Ardmore, New Zealand4 | ||||||||
| No. 2 NZAF Sq | 12 Ventura | Whenuapai, New Zealand | ||||||||
| No. 21 NZAF Sq | 6 F4U-1 | Ardmore, New Zealand | ||||||||
| No. 24 NZAF Sq | 12 F4U-1D | Ardmore, New Zealand | ||||||||
| No. 25 NZAF Sq | 6 F4U-1 | Ardmore, New Zealand | ||||||||
| No. 40 NZAF Sq | 18 Dakota | Whenuapai, NZ | ||||||||
| No. 41 NZAF Sq | 15 Lodestar | Whenuapai, NZ | ||||||||
| No. 8 NZAF Sq | 12 Ventura | Whenuapai, New Zealand | ||||||||
| No. 9 NZAF Sq | 12 Ventura | Whenuapai, New Zealand | ||||||||
| No. 1 NZAF Op Tr Unit | Ventura, Hudson | Ohakea, NZ | ||||||||
| No 2 NZAF Op Tr Unit | P-40, F4U | Ohakea, NZ | ||||||||
| No. 4 NZAF Op Tr Unit | P-40, F4U | Ohakea, NZ | ||||||||
General MacArthur's Air Commands
Vice Admiral Kinkaid was the commander of the 7th Fleet under Southwest Pacific Area commander General MacArthur. Administratively, the 7th Fleet was responsible for all Navy and Marine air units in the theatre, but operationally the Fleet controlled only the ships of the fleet and escort carrier force. Tender and Land based Naval and Marine aviation units were under the operational control of General Kenny’s Allied Air Force Headquarters.
General Kenny commanded the Allied Air Force as well as the U.S. Far East Air Force. This distinction was more administrative than operational. Because of the rapid Allied advance during 1944, these combat air units were stretched east and southeast from Morotai to Munda for more than 2000 miles. Some of these were assigned to neutralize and conquer bypassed Japanese garrisons, but most were waiting for forward airfields to be developed. By the end of the year most of these units would be concentrated and engaged. The FEAF headquarters controlled both an operational training unit (FEAF Combat Crew Replacement Training Center), which had the combat assignment of raiding bypassed Japanese, and the regular route in theatre air line(5298 Troop Carrier Wing (Provisional)).
In addition to aircraft in combat units the FEAF controlled approximately 188 B-24, 143 B-25, 127 A-20, 116 P-38, 40 P-40, 94 P-47, 41 P-51, 3 P-61, 27 F-5, 7 F-7, 21 C-46, 257 C-47, 1 Other Heavy Transport, 54 Light Transports, 32 Other recon, 7 Basic Trainers, 176 2nd Line Heavy Bombers, 192 2nd Line Medium Bombers, 53 2nd Line Attack Bombers, 312 2nd Line Fighters, and 71 2nd Line Recon aircraft. These aircraft were in maintenance depots, training units, reserve pools, or being used administratively.
Kenny’s naval tender based naval patrol units under Rear Admiral Wegner’s Task Force 73, which included two Fleet Air Wings. The first Leyte based air units would be two navy PBY squadrons that were standing by at Mios Wodeni near Biak. They would join the tenders Half Moon and San Carlos in Leyte Gulf on 23 October. This force also included PBY squadrons at Morotai. These units were assigned to sea control activities; including scouting, anti submarine warfare, and night attack missions.
Lt. General Whitehead’s Fifth Air Force was the
assault Air Force for the Leyte invasion. Its mission
was to develop airfields on Leyte and relieve the Navy of the
responsibility for covering the invasion and supporting the 6th
Army.
Brig. General Hutchinson and his 308th
Bomb Wing Headquarters
would command all FEAF forces assigned to Leyte for the first month
of the invasion.The 49th
Fighter Group (P-38) and the 421st Night Fighter Squadron
(P-61) were
the first units assigned to Leyte.
Maj. General Streett’s Thirteenth Air Force was consolidated between Morotai and Noemfor having recently completed support for both the conquest of western New Guinea and the FEAF heavy bomber campaign against Balikpapan. The RAAF’s No. 10 Group under Air Commodore Cobby was assigned to the Thirteenth Air Force.
Air Vice Marshall Bostock commanded RAAF Command. This Air Force was responsible for Australia and Eastern New Guinea. It conducted the air war from Darwin against Japanese Forces in the NEI. It also was responsible for control of bypassed Japanese on New Guinea.
The RAAF maintained approximately 5 Do 24 K, 30 Dakota, 2 DH-86 A, 5 DH-89, 57 DH-84,27 B-24 L, 13 B-24 J, 53 Hudson,13 A-20 A, 3 A-20 C, 6 A-20 G, 16 B-25 D, 52 Ventura, 8 Mosquito FB.40, 335 Beaufort, 7 Beaufort Transport, 10 Helldiver,227 Vengeance, 62 P-40 M, 75 P-40 N,28 P-40 K, 26 P-40 E, 112 Boomerang, 22 Catalina, 2 Kingfisher, 23 Beaufighter X, 43 Beaufighter 21, 6 Beaufighter XIC,22 Beaufighter VC, 21 Beaufighter IC , 21 Spitfire HF.VIII, 97 Spitfire LF.VIII, 10 Spitfire F VIII, and 87 Spitfire F.VC in depots and non operational units.
Marine Major General Mitchell commanded AIRNORSOLS an Air Force made up of his Marine Air Wing 1 and New Zealand units. Its missions included control of the large Japanese outpost at Rabaul, ground support for the army on Bougainville, and air defense of the naval base at Manus. Under Musketeer II, General Mitchell and Marine Air Wing 1 would have moved forward to manage the invasion of Mindano on 15 November. As it was this operation was cancelled and General Mitchell and his Wing got stuck on Bougainville for the rest of the war. The Army Air Forces used Brigadier Generals for air units larger than Major General Mitchell’s wing, so his squadrons went forward to fight but he and his headquarters did not. New Zealand Group Captain (later Air Commodore) Roberts had established the New Zealand Air Task Force to take over on the departure of the Marine Air Wing 1, but this change was delayed until the end of the war as well.
| SOWTHWEST PACIFIC AREA | General D.A. MacArthur | |||||||||
| 7th Fleet | V Adm T.C. Kinkaid | |||||||||
| Task Group 77.4 | R Adm T.L. Sprague | |||||||||
| Task Group 77.4.1 | “Taffy 1” | R Adm T.L. Sprague | ||||||||
| CVLG-26 | CVE-29 Santee | |||||||||
| VF-26 | 26 FM-2 | CVE-29 Santee | ||||||||
| VT-26 | 8 TBF/M-1C | CVE-29 Santee | ||||||||
| CVLG-35 | CVE-28 Chenango | |||||||||
| VF-35 | 18 F6F-3 | CVE-28 Chenango | ||||||||
| VT-35 | 8 TBM-1C | CVE-28 Chenango | ||||||||
| CVLG-37 | CVE-26 Sangamon | |||||||||
| VF-37 | 22 F6F-3/5 | CVE-26 Sangamon | ||||||||
| VT-37 | 9 TBM-1C | CVE-26 Sangamon | ||||||||
| CVLG-60 | CVE-27 Suwannee | |||||||||
| VF-60 | 21 F6F-3 | CVE-27 Suwannee | ||||||||
| VT-60 | 9 TBM-1C | CVE-27 Suwannee | ||||||||
| Task Group 77.4.2 | “Taffy 2” | R Adm F.B. Stump | ||||||||
| VC-76 | 18 FM-2, 12 TBM-1C | CVE-80 Petrof Bay[1] | ||||||||
| VC-78 | 15 FM-2, 12 TBM-1C | CVE-82 Saginaw Bay[2] | ||||||||
| VC-20 | 15 FM-2, 12 TBM-1C | CVE-76 Kadashan Bay | ||||||||
| VC-21 | 18 FM-2, 12 TBM-1C | CVE-77 Marcus Is | ||||||||
| VC-27 | 15 FM-2, 12 TBM-1C | CVE-78 Savo Is | ||||||||
| VC-75 | 17 FM-2, 12 TBM-1C | CVE-79 Ommany Bay | ||||||||
| VC-80 | 18 FM-2, 12 TBM-1C | CVE-61 Manila Bay | ||||||||
| VC-81 | 18 FM-2, 12 TBM-1C | CVE-62 Natoma Bay | ||||||||
| Task Group 77.4.3 | “Taffy 3” | R Adm A.F. Sprague | ||||||||
| VC-10 | 18 FM-2, 10 TBM-1C | CVE-73 Gambier Bay | ||||||||
| VC-3 | 16 FM-2, 12 TBF/M-1C | CVE-68 Kalinin Bay | ||||||||
| VC-4 | 12 FM-2, 12 TBM-1C | CVE-66 White Plains | ||||||||
| VC-5 | 18 FM-2, 11 TBM-1C | CVE-71 Kitkun Bay | ||||||||
| VC-65 | 15 FM-2, 11 TBM-1C | CVE-63 Midway | ||||||||
| VC-68 | 17 FM-2, 11 TBM-1C | CVE-70 Fanshaw Bay | ||||||||
| Allied AF SWPA | Lt Gen G.C. Kenny | |||||||||
| U.S. Far East Air Force | Lt Gen G.C. Kenny | |||||||||
| FEAF Combat Replacement Crew Training Center | Nadzab, NG | |||||||||
| Provisional B-24 Squadron | B-24 | Nadzab, NG | ||||||||
| Provisional B-25 Squadron | B-25 | Nadzab, NG | ||||||||
| Provisional A-20 Squadron | A-20 | Nadzab, NG | ||||||||
| Provisional P-38 Squadron | P-38 | Nadzab, NG | ||||||||
| Provisional P-47 Squadron | P-47 | Nadzab, NG | ||||||||
| Provisional P-51 Squadron | P-51 | Nadzab, NG | ||||||||
| Provisional P-61 Squadron | P-61 | Nadzab, NG | ||||||||
| Provisional P-40 Squadron | P-40 | Nadzab, NG | ||||||||
| 5299 Troop Carrier Wing (Provisional) | Bisbane, Qld | |||||||||
| 22nd Troop Carrier | 19 C-47 | Finschaven, NG | ||||||||
| 33rd Troop Carrier | 19 C-47 | Hollandia, NG | ||||||||
| 68th Troop Carrier | 14 C-47 | Nadzab, NG | ||||||||
| 66th Troop Carrier | 14 C-47 | Nadzab, NG | ||||||||
| 69th Troop Carrier | 14 C-47 | Nadzab, NG | ||||||||
| Australian National Airwys | 5 C-49, 2 DC-3 | Hollandia, NG | ||||||||
| Ansett Airways | 2 L-10 | Hollandia, NG | ||||||||
| Quantas Airways | 3 C-53 | Hollandia, NG | ||||||||
| Guinea Airways | 2 C-50 | Hollandia, NG | ||||||||
| Task Force 73-Naval Air Seventh Fleet | R Adm F.D. Wagner | |||||||||
| VJ-2 | J2F, PBY, BG, BT, SNJ | Brisbane, Qld | ||||||||
| Fleet Air Wing 10 | Tacloban, Leyte | |||||||||
| VPB-33—Half Moon | 15 PBY-5A | Mios Woedeni | ||||||||
| VPB-34—San Carloss | 12 PBY-5 | Mios Woedeni | ||||||||
| Fleet Air Wing 17 | Mios Woedeni, Schouten Is | |||||||||
| VPB-11 | 8 PBY-5 | Morotai—AVP Orca | ||||||||
| VPB-29 | 8 PBY-5 | Morotai—AV Tangier | ||||||||
| VPB-52 | 4 PBY-5 | Hollandia | ||||||||
| VPB-52 Detachment | 4 PBY-5 | Morotai | ||||||||
| 13 Air Force | M Gen S.C. Streett | |||||||||
| 17th Photo | 4 F-5 | Noemfoor | ||||||||
| 868th Bomb | 11 LAB-24 | Noemfoor | ||||||||
| 394th Bomb | 9 B-24 | Noemfoor | ||||||||
| 72nd Bomb | 9 B-24 | Noemfoor | ||||||||
| 307 Bomb Group | Noemfoor | |||||||||
| 370th Bomb | 10 B-24 | Noemfoor | ||||||||
| 371st Bomb | 10 B-24 | Noemfoor | ||||||||
| 372nd Bomb | 10 B-24 | Noemfoor | ||||||||
| 424th Bomb | 10 B-24 | Noemfoor | ||||||||
| XIII Bomber Command | B Gen W.A. Matheny | |||||||||
| 5 Bomb Group | Morotai | |||||||||
| 23rd Bomb | 10 B-24 | Morotai | ||||||||
| 31st Bomb | 10 B-24 | Morotai | ||||||||
| No. 10 RAAF Group | ACDRE A.H. Cobby | |||||||||
| No. 77 RAAF Wing | Noemfoor | |||||||||
| No. 22 RAAF Sq | 18 Boston (A-20 G) | Noemfoor | ||||||||
| No. 30 RAAF Sq | 18 Beaufighter X | Noemfoor | ||||||||
| No. 78 RAAF Wing | Noemfoor | |||||||||
| No. 75 RAAF Sq | 25 Kittyhawk | Noemfoor | ||||||||
| No. 78 RAAF Sq | 25 Kittyhawk | Noemfoor | ||||||||
| No. 80 RAAF Sq | 25 Kittyhawk | Noemfoor | ||||||||
| No. 81 RAAF Wing | Noemfoor | |||||||||
| No. 76 RAAF Sq | 25 Kittyhawk | Noemfoor | ||||||||
| No. 77 RAAF Sq | 25 Kittyhawk | Noemfoor | ||||||||
| No. 82 RAAF Sq | 25 Kittyhawk | Noemfoor | ||||||||
| 13th Air Task Force | B Gen E.W. Barnes | |||||||||
| XIII Fighter Command | Sansapor, New Guinea | |||||||||
| 17th Photo Det | 4 F-5 | Sansapor, NG | ||||||||
| 42 Bomb Group | Sansapor, New Guinea | |||||||||
| 100th Bomb | 17 B-25 | Sansapor, New Guinea | ||||||||
| 390th Bomb | 17 B-25 | Sansapor, New Guinea | ||||||||
| 69th Bomb | 17 B-25 | Sansapor, New Guinea | ||||||||
| 70th Bomb | 16 B-25 | Sansapor, New Guinea | ||||||||
| 75th Bomb | 16 B-25 | Sansapor, New Guinea | ||||||||
| 86 Fighter Wing | Sansapor, NG | |||||||||
| 419th Night Fighter | 6 P-61 | Middleberg, NG | ||||||||
| 18 Fighter Group | Sansapor, New Guinea | |||||||||
| 12th Fighter | 21 P-38 | Sansapor, New Guinea | ||||||||
| 44th Fighter | 20 P-38 | Cape Opmarai, NG | ||||||||
| 70th Fighter | 20 P-38 | Sansapor, New Guinea | ||||||||
| 347 Fighter Group | Middleburg, New Guinea | |||||||||
| 339th Fighter | 20 P-38 | Middleberg, NG | ||||||||
| 67th Fighter | 20 P-38 | Middleberg, NG | ||||||||
| 68th Fighter | 20 P-38 | Middleberg, NG | ||||||||
| 5TH Air Force | M Gen E.C. Whitehead | |||||||||
| 54 Troop Carrier Wing | B Gen W.R. Carter | |||||||||
| 403 Troop Carrier Group | Biak | |||||||||
| 13th Troop Carrier | 16 C-47 | Wakde | ||||||||
| 63rd Troop Carrier | 16 C-47 | Wakde | ||||||||
| 64th Troop Carrier | 16 C-47 | Wakde | ||||||||
| 375 Troop Carrier Group | Biak, NG | |||||||||
| 55th Troop Carrier | 17 C-47 | Biak, NG | ||||||||
| 56th Troop Carrier | 17 C-47 | Biak, NG | ||||||||
| 57th Troop Carrier | 18 C-47 | Biak, NG | ||||||||
| 58th Troop Carrier | 18 C-47 | Biak, NG | ||||||||
| 374 Troop Carrier Group | Biak, NG | |||||||||
| 21st Troop Carrier | 14 C-47 | Biak, NG | ||||||||
| 6th Troop Carrier | 14 C-47 | Nadzab, NG | ||||||||
| 433 Troop Carrier | Biak, NG | |||||||||
| 65th Troop Carrier | 14 C-47 | Nadzab, NG | ||||||||
| 70th Troop Carrier | 16 C-47 | Hollandia, NG | ||||||||
| 317 Troop Carrier Group | Hollandia, NG | |||||||||
| 67th Troop Carrier | 16 C-47 | Hollandia, NG | ||||||||
| 39th Troop Carrier | 16 C-47 | Hollandia, NG | ||||||||
| 40th Troop Carrier | 15 C-47 | Hollandia, NG | ||||||||
| 41st Troop Carrier | 15 C-47 | Hollandia, NG | ||||||||
| 46th Troop Carrier | 15 C-47 | Hollandia, NG | ||||||||
| 91 Reccon Wing | Biak | |||||||||
| 6 Photo Group | Biak | |||||||||
| 20th Photo | 13 F-7 | Biak, NG | ||||||||
| 25th Photo | 12 F-5 | Biak, NG | ||||||||
| 26th Photo | 12 F-5 | Biak, NG | ||||||||
| 8th Photo | 12 F-5 | Biak, NG | ||||||||
| 71 Reccon Group | Biak | |||||||||
| 110th Reccon | 23 P-40 N | Biak, NG | ||||||||
| 17th Reccon | 16 B-25 | Biak, NG | ||||||||
| 25th Liaison | 12 L-5 | Biak, NG | ||||||||
| 308 Bomb Wing | B Gen D. W. Hutchison | |||||||||
| 3 Bomb Group | Hollandia, NG | |||||||||
| 13th Bomb | 16 A-20 | Hollandia, NG | ||||||||
| 89th Bomb | 16 A-20 | Hollandia, NG | ||||||||
| 8th Bomb | 16 A-20 | Hollandia, NG | ||||||||
| 90th Bomb | 16 A-20 | Hollandia, NG | ||||||||
| 312 Bomb Group | Hollandia, NG | |||||||||
| 386th Bomb | 16 A-20 | Hollandia, NG | ||||||||
| 387th Bomb | 16 A-20 | Hollandia, NG | ||||||||
| 388th Bomb | 16 A-20 | Hollandia, NG | ||||||||
| 389th Bomb | 15 A-20 | Hollandia, NG | ||||||||
| 309 Bomb Wing | Col J.W. Saunders | |||||||||
| 348 Fighter Group | Noemfoor | |||||||||
| 340th Fighter | 26 P-47 | Noemfoor | ||||||||
| 341st Fighter | 26 P-47 | Noemfoor | ||||||||
| 342nd Fighter | 26 P-47 | Noemfoor | ||||||||
| 460th Fighter | 26 P-47 | Noemfoor | ||||||||
| 417 Bomb Group | Noemfoor | |||||||||
| 672nd Bomb | 20 A-20 | Noemfoor | ||||||||
| 673rd Bomb | 19 A-20 | Noemfoor | ||||||||
| 674th Bomb | 19 A-20 | Noemfoor | ||||||||
| 675th Bomb | 19 A-20 | Noemfoor | ||||||||
| 58 Fighter Group | Noemfoor | |||||||||
| 310th Fighter | 24 P-47 | Noemfoor | ||||||||
| 311th Fighter | 24 P-47 | Noemfoor | ||||||||
| 69th Fighter | 25 P-47 | Noemfoor | ||||||||
| 310 Bomb Wing | B Gen D.R. Hutchinson | |||||||||
| 82nd Reccon | 20 P-40 N | Biak, NG | ||||||||
| 418th Night Fighter | 6 P-61 | Morotai | ||||||||
| VPB-101 | 12 PB4Y-1 | Morotai | ||||||||
| VPB-115 | 12 PB4Y-1 | Morotai | ||||||||
| VPB-146 | 12 PV-1 | Moving to Morotai 19 Oct 44 | ||||||||
| 35 Fighter Group | Morotai | |||||||||
| 39th Fighter | 26 P-47 | Owi, Schouten, Is | ||||||||
| 40th Fighter | 19 P-47 | Morotai | ||||||||
| 41st Fighter | 20 P-47 | Morotai | ||||||||
| 38 Bomb Group | Morotai | |||||||||
| 405th Bomb | 14 B-25 | Morotai | ||||||||
| 71st Bomb | 13 B-25 | Morotai | ||||||||
| 823rd Bomb | 14 B-25 | Morotai | ||||||||
| 8 Fighter Group | Morotai | |||||||||
| 35th Fighter | 17 P-38 | Morotai | ||||||||
| 36th Fighter | 17 P-38 | Morotai | ||||||||
| 80th Fighter | 18 P-38 | Morotai | ||||||||
| V Bomber Command | B Gen J.V. Crabb | |||||||||
| 822nd Bomb | 16 B-25 | Biak, NG | ||||||||
| 22 Bomb Group | Owi, Schouten Islands | |||||||||
| 19th Bomb | 9 B-24 | Owi, Schouten, Is | ||||||||
| 2nd Bomb | 9 B-24 | Owi, Schouten, Is | ||||||||
| 33rd Bomb | 9 B-24 | Owi, Schouten, Is | ||||||||
| 408th Bomb | 9 B-24 | Owi, Schouten, Is | ||||||||
| 345 Bomb Group | Biak | |||||||||
| 498th Bomb | 14 B-25 | Biak, NG | ||||||||
| 499th Bomb | 14 B-25 | Biak, NG | ||||||||
| 500th Bomb | 14 B-25 | Biak, NG | ||||||||
| 501st Bomb | 14 B-25 | Biak, NG | ||||||||
| 43 Bomb Group | Owi, Schouten Islands | |||||||||
| 403rd Bomb | 9 B-24 | Owi, Schouten, Is | ||||||||
| 63rd Bomb | 10 LAB-24 | Owi, Schouten, Is | ||||||||
| 64th Bomb | 9 B-24 | Owi, Schouten, Is | ||||||||
| 65th Bomb | 9 B-24 | Owi, Schouten, Is | ||||||||
| 90 Bomb Group | Biak | |||||||||
| 319th Bomb | 10 B-24 | Biak, NG | ||||||||
| 320th Bomb | 10 B-24 | Biak, NG | ||||||||
| 321st Bomb | 10 B-24 | Biak, NG | ||||||||
| 400th Bomb | 10 B-24 | Biak, NG | ||||||||
| V Fighter Command | B Gen P.B. Wurtsmith | |||||||||
| 418 Night Fighter Det | 5 P-61 | Wakde | ||||||||
| 421st Night Fighter | 12 P-61, 5 P-38 | Owi, Schouten, Is | ||||||||
| 547th Night Fighter | 12 P-61, 5 P-38 | Owi, Schouten, Is | ||||||||
| 475 Fighter Group | Biak | |||||||||
| 431st Fighter | 23 P-38 | Biak, NG | ||||||||
| 432nd Fighter | 23 P-38 | Biak, NG | ||||||||
| 433rd Fighter | 22 P-38 | Biak, NG | ||||||||
| 49 Fighter Group | Biak | |||||||||
| 7th Fighter | 23 P-38 | Biak, NG | ||||||||
| 8th Fighter | 23 P-38 | Biak, NG | ||||||||
| 9th Fighter | 23 P-38 | Biak, NG | ||||||||
| 85 Fighter Wing | Hollandia, NG | |||||||||
| RAAF Command | AVM W.D. Bostock, RAAF | |||||||||
| Australian Eastern Area | ACDRE A.M. Charlesworth | |||||||||
| No. 107 RAAF Sq | 12 Kingfisher | St. Georges Basin, NSW | ||||||||
| No. 11 RAAF Sq | 12 Catalina | Rathmines, NSW | ||||||||
| No. 15 RAAF Sq | 18 Beaufort | Camden, NSW | ||||||||
| No. 23 RAAF Sq Cadre | 12 Vengeance | Menangel, NSW | ||||||||
| No. 83 RAAF Sq | 18 Boomerang | Camden, NSW | ||||||||
| Australian NE Area | Townsville, Qld | |||||||||
| No. 12 RAAF Sq | 18 Vengeance | Straphpine, Qld | ||||||||
| No. 21 RAAF Sq | 12 Liberator (B-24 J) | Leyburn, Qld | ||||||||
| No. 32 RAAF Sq. | 18 Beaufort | Lowood, Qld | ||||||||
| No. 7 RAAF Sq. | 12 Beaufort | Townsville, Qld | ||||||||
| No. 84 RAAF Sq Cadre | 13 Kittyhawk (P-40 E) | Townsville, Qld | ||||||||
| No. 86 RAAF Sq Cadre | 13 Kittyhawk (P-40 E) | Townsville, Qld | ||||||||
| No. 9 RAAF Sq | 18 Walrus | Bowen, Qld | ||||||||
| Australian Northern Command | ACDRE F.W.F. Lukis | |||||||||
| No. 4 RAAF Sq | 18 Boomerang | Port Moresby, NG | ||||||||
| No. 71 RAAF Wing | Tadji, NG | |||||||||
| No. 100 RAAF Sq | 18 Beaufort | Tadji, NG | ||||||||
| No. 8 RAAF Sq. | 18 Beaufort | Tadji, NG | ||||||||
| No. 75 RAAF Wing | Horn Is. | |||||||||
| No. 6 RAAF Sq | 18 Beaufort | Goodenough | ||||||||
| No. 7 RAAF Sq. Det | 6 Beaufort | Horn Is., Qld | ||||||||
| Australian NW Area | Darwin, NT | |||||||||
| No. 1 RAAF Sq | 18 Beaufort | Gould, NT | ||||||||
| No. 31 RAAF Sq | 18 Beaufighter 21 | Coomalie Creek Strip, NT | ||||||||
| No. 87 RAAF Sq | 2 Mosquito PR.40 | Coomalie Creek Strip, NT | ||||||||
| No. 80 RAAF Wing | Darwin, NT | |||||||||
| No. 452 RAAF Sq | 25 Spitfire LF.VIII | Strauss Field, NT | ||||||||
| No. 457 RAAF Sq | 25 Spitfire LF.VIII | Livingstone, NT | ||||||||
| No. 1 RAAF Wing | Darwin, NT | |||||||||
| No. 54 RAF Sq | 25 Spitfire LF.VIII | Darwin, NT | ||||||||
| No. 548 RAF Sq | 25 Spitfire LF.VIII | Darwin, NT | ||||||||
| No. 549 RAF Sq | 25 Spitfire LF.VIII | Darwin, NT | ||||||||
| No. 76 RAAF Wing | Darwin, NT | |||||||||
| No. 20 RAAF Sq | 12 Catalina | Darwin, NT | ||||||||
| No. 42 RAAF Sq | 12 Catalina | Melville Island | ||||||||
| No. 43 RAAF Sq | 12 Catalina | Darwin, NT | ||||||||
| No. 79 RAAF Wing | Darwin, NT | |||||||||
| No. 13 RAAF Sq | 18 Ventura | Grove, NT | ||||||||
| No. 18 NEIAF Sq | 14 B-25 J, 4 B-25 D | Batchelor, NT | ||||||||
| No. 2 RAAF Sq | 14 B-25 J, 4 B-25 D | Darwin, NT | ||||||||
| 380 Bomb Group | Darwin, NT | |||||||||
| 528th Bomb | 12 B-24 | Darwin, NT | ||||||||
| 529th Bomb | 13 B-24 | Darwin, NT | ||||||||
| 530th Bomb | 13 B-24 | Darwin, NT | ||||||||
| 531st Bomb | 13 B-24 | Darwin, NT | ||||||||
| No. 24 RAAF Sq | 12 Liberator (B-24 J) | Fenton, NT | ||||||||
| No. 72 RAAF Wing | Merauke | |||||||||
| No. 120 NEIAF Sq | 25 P-40 N | Marauke | ||||||||
| No. 1 NEIAF Sq | 8 C-47, 8 C-60 | Marauke | ||||||||
| Australian Southern Area | Melbourne, NSW | |||||||||
| No. 67 RAAF Sq | 18 Anson | Lavertown, Vic | ||||||||
| Australian Western Area | Pearce, WA | |||||||||
| No. 14 RAAF Sq | 18 Beaufort | Pearce, WA | ||||||||
| No. 25 RAAF Sq | 18 Vengeance | Pearce, WA | ||||||||
| No. 85 RAAF Sq | 18 Spitfire F.VC | Pearce, WA | ||||||||
| COMAIRNORSOLS | M Gen R. J. Mitchell | |||||||||
| 17th Photo Det | 4 F-5 | Bouganville | ||||||||
| VPB-148 | 9 PV-1 | Emirau | ||||||||
| VS-61 | 15 SBD | Mokerang | ||||||||
| VPB-130 | 14 PV-1 | Momote Airfield, Los Negros | ||||||||
| VPB-44 | 15 PBY-5A | Green Is. | ||||||||
| VPB-52 | 11 PBY-5 | Manus, Emirau, Green, Munda | ||||||||
| No. 73 RAAF Wing | Momote Airfield, Los Negros | |||||||||
| No. 79 RAAF Sq | 14 Spitfire LF.VIII | Momote Airfield, Los Negros | ||||||||
| No. 84 RAAF Wing | Torokina | |||||||||
| No. 5 RAAF Sq | 18 Boomerang | Torokina | ||||||||
| STAG 1 | Treasury Island | |||||||||
| VK-11 | 8 TBM-1C/TDC | Russell, Island | ||||||||
| VK-12 | 8 TBM-1C /TDC | Russell, Island | ||||||||
| Marine Air Wing 1 | M Gen R. J. Mitchel.l | |||||||||
| VMD-254 | 8 PB4Y-1P | Emirau | ||||||||
| Marine Air Group 12 | Emirau | |||||||||
| VMF-115 | 21 F4U-1/1D | Emirau | ||||||||
| VMF-211 | 21 F4U-1 | Emirau | ||||||||
| VMF-218 | 19 F4U-1 | Green Is. | ||||||||
| VMF-313 | 19 FG-1/1A | Emirau | ||||||||
| VMSB-142 | 20 SBD-6 | Emirau | ||||||||
| VMSB-243 | 21 SBD-5 | Emirau | ||||||||
| Marine Air Group 14 | Green Is. | |||||||||
| VMF-222 | 21 F4U | Green Is. | ||||||||
| VMF-223 | 21 F4U | Torokina | ||||||||
| VMF-212 | 21 F4U | Torokina | ||||||||
| VMO-251 | 21 F4U | Torokina | ||||||||
| VMSB-244 | 21 SBD-5 | Green Is. | ||||||||
| Marine Air Group 24 | Bouganville | |||||||||
| VMSB-133 | 22 SBD-6 | Bouganville | ||||||||
| VMSB-236 | 22 SBD-5 | Bouganville | ||||||||
| VMSB-341 | 22 SBD-6 | Green Is. | ||||||||
| VMSB-241 | 21 SBD-5 | Munda, New Georgia | ||||||||
| Marine Air Group 61 | Emirau | |||||||||
| VMB-413 | 13 PBJ-1D | Munda, New Georgia | ||||||||
| VMB-423 | 11 PBJ-1D | Green Is | ||||||||
| VMB-433 | 11 PBJ-1D | Emirau | ||||||||
| VMB-443 | 11 PBJ-1D | Emirau | ||||||||
| New Zealand Air Task Force | Gp Captian G.N. Roberts | |||||||||
| No. 17 NZAF Sq | 18 F4U-1 | Bouganville | ||||||||
| No. 22 NZAF Sq | 18 F4U-1 | Bouganville | ||||||||
| RNZAF Emirau | Emirau | |||||||||
| No. 3 NZAF Sq | 17 Ventura | Emirau | ||||||||
| South Pacific Combat Transport Command | Torokina | |||||||||
| Marine Air Group 25 | Torokina | |||||||||
| VMR-152 | 16 R4D | Bouganville | ||||||||
| VMR-153 | 16 R4D | Bouganville | ||||||||
| HQ Royal Australian Air Force | Melbourne, Aus | |||||||||
| No. 1 RAAF Op Tr Unit | 2E Bombers | East Sale, Vic | ||||||||
| No. 2 RAAF Op Tr Unit | 1E Fighter | Williamtown, NSW | ||||||||
| No. 3 RAAF Op Tr Unit | Flying Boats | Rathmines, NSW | ||||||||
| No. 5 RAAF Op Tr Unit | 2 E Bombers | Williamtown, NSW | ||||||||
| No. 7 RAAF Op Tr Unit | 11 B-24 D + | Tocumwal, NSW | ||||||||
| No. 8 RAAF Op Tr Unit | 1 E Fighter | Parkes, NSW | ||||||||
| Directorate of Air Transport | Brisbane, Aus | |||||||||
| No. 33 RAAF Sq | 18 Dakota | Milne Bay, NG | ||||||||
| No. 34 RAAF Sq | 12 Dakota | Parafield, SA | ||||||||
| No. 34 RAAF Sq DET A | 6 Dakota | Higgins Field, Qld | ||||||||
| No. 35 RAAF Sq | 10 Dakota | Guildford, WA | ||||||||
| No. 35 RAAF Sq DET A | 4 Dakota | Brisbane, Qld | ||||||||
| No. 35 RAAF Sq DET B | 4 Dakota | Higgins Field, Qld | ||||||||
| No. 36 RAAF Sq | 18 Dakota | Garbutt, Qld | ||||||||
| No. 37 RAAF Sq | 17 Lodestar | Essendon, Vic | ||||||||
| No. 38 RAAF Sq | 18 Dakota | Richmond, NSW | ||||||||
| No. 40 RAAF Sq | 3 Mariner, 6 Sunderland | Port Moresby, NG | ||||||||
| No. 41 RAAF Sq | 9 Mariner | Cairns, Qld | ||||||||
| HQ Netherlands East Indies Air Force | Melbourne, Aus | |||||||||
General Arnold's Strategic Air Command
General Arnold's 20th Air Forced remained outside the normal Pacific Command Structure. The B-29 force was commanded from Washington by the JCS. General Arnold, the head of the AAF, was its agent. The XX Bomber Command was operating from China at this time and the XXI Bomber Command was being established in the Marianas.
On Saipan the first B-29 arrived on 12 October, flown in by commanding general of the XXI Bomber Command Brigadier General Hansell. The ground echelons of Brigadier General O'Donnell's 73rd Bomb Wing were already in place. A regular flow of B-29’s was planned at 5 aircraft per day beginning 20 October. Approximately 20 B-29s were operational by 25 October. They were not used in the Battle of Leyte Gulf and flew their first mission against Truk on 28 October and against Japan on 24 November.
| U.S Joint Chiefs of Staff | Joint Chiefs | |||||||||
| 20th Air Force | General H.H. Arnold | |||||||||
| XXI Bomber Command | 1 B-29 | Brig Gen H.S. Hansell | ||||||||
| 3rd Photo | NoAC F-13 | Isley Field, Saipan | ||||||||
| 73 Bomb Wing | Isley Field, Saipan | |||||||||
| 497 Bomb Group | Isley Field, Saipan | |||||||||
| 869th Bomb | NoAC B-29 | Isley Field, Saipan | ||||||||
| 870th Bomb | NoAC B-29 | Isley Field, Saipan | ||||||||
| 871st Bomb | NoAC B-29 | Isley Field, Saipan | ||||||||
| 498 Bomb Group | Isley Field, Saipan | |||||||||
| 873rd Bomb | NoAC B-29 | Isley Field, Saipan | ||||||||
| 874th Bomb | NoAC B-29 | Isley Field, Saipan | ||||||||
| 875th Bomb | NoAC B-29 | Isley Field, Saipan | ||||||||
| 499 Bomb Group | Isley Field, Saipan | |||||||||
| 877th Bomb | NoAC B-29 | Isley Field, Saipan | ||||||||
| 878th Bomb | NoAC B-29 | Isley Field, Saipan | ||||||||
| 879th Bomb | NoAC B-29 | Isley Field, Saipan | ||||||||
| 500 Bomb Group | Isley Field, Saipan | |||||||||
| 881st Bomb | NoAC B-29 | Isley Field, Saipan | ||||||||
| 882nd Bomb | NoAC B-29 | Isley Field, Saipan | ||||||||
| 883rd Bomb | NoAC B-29 | Isley Field, Saipan | ||||||||