Lecture on The Battle of the Philippine Sea

Introduction

• Sponsor: Enlisted, a free-to-play WWII multiplayer shooter.
• Date of Event: Morning of June 19, 1944.
• Location: Philippine Sea, involving U.S. and Japanese naval forces.

Background

• Japanese Objective: Operation Z designed to counter U.S. forces.
  • Led by Vice Admiral Jisaburo Ozawa.
  • Target: American fleet spotted 380 miles east.
• American Strategy: Operation Forager aimed at capturing the Marianas Islands.
  • U.S. led by Admiral Raymond Spruance.
  • Supported by Task Force 58 under Vice Admiral Mark Mitscher.
• Strategic Importance: Control of the Marianas critical for both sides.
  • Japanese aim to prevent the U.S. from using islands for air raids on Japan.

Japanese Strategy and Deployment

• Forces: 450 carrier aircraft and 300 land-based aircraft.
• Positioning: Launch east from Marianas for favorable wind conditions.
• Challenges: Running on volatile, unrefined fuel due to proximity to Borneo oil fields.

American Preparations

• Task Force 58: 15 carriers with 900 aircraft led by Vice Admiral Mitscher.
• Radar Advantage: Early warning of Japanese attacks.
• Objective: Protect landing operations while engaging enemy fleet.

Key Events on June 19, 1944

• Initial Japanese Strike: Launched by Ozawa's command.
  • USS Albacore submarine from the U.S. intercepts Japanese flagship Taiho with torpedoes.
  • Damage results in fuel vapors filling Taiho, creating a hazard.
• American Defense: Efficient radar systems detect incoming attacks.
  • Use of "Hey Rube" code as alert.
  • Hellcat fighters provide a strong defense.

Battle Progression

1. First Japanese Wave:

   • 69 aircraft met by Task Force 58’s Hellcats.
   • Heavy Japanese losses; only 27 return.
   • Key actions by U.S. pilots, particularly Commander Charles Brewer.

2. Second Japanese Wave:

   • Main effort of 107 aircraft.
   • Majority shot down before reaching targets.
   • American pilots like David McCampbell and Alexander Vraciu achieve ace status.

3. Third and Fourth Waves:

   • Both waves fail to cause significant damage.
   • U.S. counter-attacks on Japanese airfields.

Japanese Losses

• Aircraft Lost: 316 aircraft, major blow to Japanese Naval Aviation.
• Carrier Losses:
  • Taiho: Explodes due to fuel vapor ignition.
  • Shikaku: Sunk by USS Cavalla submarine.

Outcomes and Legacy

• American Losses: Minimal, with 31 aircraft lost.
• Impact: Known as the "Great Marianas Turkey Shoot."
• Next Steps: Plans for further American action to follow.

Conclusion

• Future Content: Part two of the battle to be covered in next lecture.
• Enlisted Game Promotion: Reminder to join the game for a historical experience.