Description:

BATTLE OF LEYTE GULF: INVASION PLANS FROM THE ARCHIVE OF ADMIRAL RICHMOND K. TURNER
A fascinating archive of invasion and battle plans and maps from the estate of U.S. Admiral Richmond K. Turner (1885-1961), commander of the Amphibious Force in the Pacific Theater. Comprising over 180pp. of top secret information and including five maps, the archive features the contents of an official naval folder marked ‘Top Secret / Commander Task Force Seventy-Seven MUSKETEER KING II / CANF SWPA OPERATION PLAB 13-44' with five maps of bombing areas, minefields, and more. The Battle of Leyte Gulf (October 23-26, 1944) was part of the Allied campaign liberate the Philippines from Japanese occupation. The islands were themselves important as sources of strategic raw materials such as rubber, but also for the fact that they controlled the sea routes between the Japanese home islands and the islands of South-East Asia, which were Japan's only sources of oil. The largest naval engagement of World War II, it secured control of the seas surrounding the Philippine Islands, allowing the United States to advance on the Japanese home islands. It served as a decisive victory at a pivotal moment in the war, significantly diminishing the Japanese naval power and therefore its ability to participate in any future large-scale engagements. ‘Musketeer' was the original U.S. cover designation for the plan to re-conquer the Philippine Islands, conceived by Douglas MacArthur as part of the larger ‘Reno V' land-sea operation, and consisting of four phases in sequence: 'King', ‘Love', 'Mike' and 'Victor'. The plan was initially ambitious, and after consideration was scaled back to include landings only on Leyte, Luzon and Mindanao. Our archive pertains to the ‘King II' push to occupy the island of Leyte. The ‘King II' plan was originally planned for a December, 1944 invasion, but intel in September 1944 revealed a significant weakness in Japanese defenses of the island earlier in the fall. MacArthur and his staff quickly regrouped, and attacks for the ‘King II' phase began on October 17 on Leyte, Cebu, and Mindanao. Preliminary operations for 'King II' included minesweeping and the movement of the 6th Ranger Battalion toward three small islands in Leyte Gulf. This plan called for surprise seizures of key terrain, followed quickly by heavy preparatory bombardment and overwhelming combat power in the form of a massive invasion force of 700 ships transporting 174,000 troops. Aerial and naval bombardment commenced on October 20, 1944. Just after one o'clock in the afternoon, MacArthur waded ashore from a landing craft and announced over the airwaves, "I have returned!', thus fulfilling his 1942 promise to the Filipino people. The dossier opens with a description of the ‘General Situation' surrounding the Japanese forces around Philippines, in small part: ‘…Allied Forces occupy the line: MARIANAS-ULITHI-PALAU-MOROTAI and control the eastern approaches to the PHILIPPINES. Carrier and shore-based aircraft strikes have seriously reduced enemy air force…Japanese air forces…have been so depleted…Air and submarine attacks have inflicted heavy losses on enemy shipping…While the exact locations of Japanese major vessels is uncertain, it is estimated that there are 10 carriers and 5 battleships…The waters of LEYTE GULF…are mined or in the process of being mined…Ground Forces…are estimated to be about 12,000 combat troops with about 4000 service troops…equipped with tanks and mobile artillery…'. The description continues with a bullet list of Allied forces within the area and capabilities of the Flagship Group, with significantly more detail. Following this is a ‘CONCEPT OF COMBINED OPERATIONS' which states, in small part: ‘…The KING TWO operation visualizes a major amphibious assault from NEW GUINEA and ADMIRALTY IS. Bases to seize a group of hostile airdromes and potential base sites on the eastern coastal plain of LEYTE ISLAND, PHILIPPINE ISLANDS. Initial lodgment is followed by introduction of light Naval Forces into VISAYAN waters via SAN JUANICO and PANAAN STRAITS, seizure and control of SURIAGO STRAIT, consolidation of Western SAMAR and LEYTE, and establishment of necessary base facilities in the LEYTE GULF Area of support of subsequent Southwest Pacific Area Operations in the PHILIPPINES…the operation of Phase 1 will be conducted beginning on October 18 when an Advance Group of the Northern Attack Force will land the 98th Ranger Battalion on SULUAN, HOMONHOM, DINAGET and HIBUSON ISLANDS in order to secure the eastern entrance to LEYTE GULF…The target date for the main assault is 20 October. During the preceding two days the bombardment and fire support group will have bombarded Japanese defensive positions…The Third Fleet, including our Carrier Groups, will cover and support the KING TWO Operations…[with] carrier strikes on either OKINAWA and/or FORMUSA or on Northern LUZON and FORMOSA…it is anticipated the Shore-Based Air Force, Central Pacific, will operate un the general BICOLS area as soon as effective from PALAU…The Commander ALLIED AIR FORCES will…support the operation by: providing aerial reconnaissance…neutralizing, in coordination with carrier and land-based aircraft of the THIRD FLEET, hostile Naval and Air Force…Providing protection of convoys and Naval Forces and direct support of the landing and subsequent operations…continuing the destruction of hostile Naval and Air Forces in the ARAFURA and CELEBES Areas by initiating strikes on northeastern BORNEO and the SULU ARCHIPELAGO…establishing air forces in the LEYTE area in the priority as listed…'. It also includes a ‘SUMMARY OF GENERAL CONDITIONS (26 SEPTEMBER 1944), in small part: ‘…The occupation by Blue forces of PALAU and MOROTAI together with the neutralization of airfields in the MOLUCCAS and the Northern CELEBES have made many enemy bases and installations…vulnerable to air attack…The Japanese have evidenced feverish activity in strengthening the defenses of LUZON and FORMOSA. They have indicated the intention to withdraw their remaining air strength…'. It then gives an estimate of enemy forces and operations: ‘…Tacloban is the only port on the east coast of Letye known to be in use by Japanese shipping…The normal shipping route to Tacloban…will be cut off by our Leyte beachhead. The only other approach is a very hazardous one through the San Juanico Strait…it is considered doubtful whether anything expect small craft will attempt to navigate it…'. This is followed by notes about the enemy's probable course of action, protocol regarding prisoners of war and captured enemy documents and material, and general rules about protecting captured intelligence. The dossier provides an organizational chart of leadership for the joint operations, which naturally includes Macarthur as Supreme Allied Commander, with Vice Admiral Thomas C. Kincaid commanding the 7th Fleet, and Admiral William Halsey commanding the 3rd Fleet. Other key commanders include Lt. Genl. General Walter Krueger, commander of the 6th U.S. Army, USAAF Lt. Gen. George Kenney, commander of Allied Land Forces Gen. Thomas Blamey, and so forth. A ‘task organization' follows which spells out the units, attack forces and groups and operations for which the individual commanders are responsible. Additionally, instructions to the leaders of each branch of the Allied Forces' movements are detailed. The archive also includes a large number of detailed appendices which detail, in part: movement plans, SOPA instructions, attack plans, a ‘Night Retirement' plan, anti-submarine patrol plan, Fighter Director plan, instructions to the 7th Fleet, a navigational annex, ‘aerological' information, voice call section, a navigational annex (with two maps), and so forth. Maps include a bombing map of the Philippines and other classified maps. Finally, it includes two appendices regarding ‘Operation Plan 1-44', titled ‘VOICE AND CALL SECTION' for calls for the Third Fleet ships operating within the 7th Fleet that were not included in the overall plan listed above. Together an excellent archival source. Pages are toned and chipped at edges, and front and back cover of folder detached. Overall, good condition and worthy of much more research!

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November 13, 2025 10:00 AM EST
Elkton, MD, US

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