Itoh SNLF, Ormoc Gulf in Leyte, December 1944

[Franklin]

Hi all,

The Itoh Armored Detachment SNLF (LtCdr Tokuo Itoh) was subordinate to the 101st SNLF at Ormoc Gulf in Leyte, in late 1944 (this unit is quoted in Andrzej Tomczyk, Japanese Armor Vol. 3. AJ Press)? Or to Takahashi Detachment (5th Infantry Regiment)?

The 101st SNLF belonged to which naval base? Sasebo? Kure?

And in the operation at Ormoc the 101st SNLF was subordinate to which unit or fleet?

Best regards,
Franklin

[Akira Takizawa]

> The Itoh Armored Detachment SNLF (LtCdr Tokuo Itoh) was subordinate to the 101st SNLF at Ormoc Gulf in Leyte, in late 1944 (this unit is quoted in Andrzej Tomczyk, Japanese Armor Vol. 3. AJ Press)? Or to Takahashi Detachment (5th Infantry Regiment)?

Both are no. Itoh SNLF was subordinate to 3rd Southern Expeditionary Fleet.

> The 101st SNLF belonged to which naval base? Sasebo? Kure?

There were two 101st SNLFs. One is Kure and another is Sasebo.

> And in the operation at Ormoc the 101st SNLF was subordinate to which unit or fleet?

Any 101st SNLF did not participate in the operation at Ormoc. Both 101st SNLFs did not see action.

Taki

[Franklin]

Thank you very much for your quick response, Taki.

So the information in Tomczyk's book is wrong.

In the Ormoc operation (Operation "TA No. 9") the Itoh Armored Detachment SNLF would be subordinate to the 3rd Southern Expeditionary Fleet, even supporting the Takahashi Detachment?

How to transliterate Itoh Armored Detachment SNLF?

Thanks for your help!

Franklin

[Akira Takizawa]

> In the Ormoc operation (Operation "TA No. 9") the Itoh Armored Detachment SNLF would be subordinate to the 3rd Southern Expeditionary Fleet, even supporting the Takahashi Detachment?

Not Takahashi Detachment, but Takashina Detachment.

Itoh SNLF has nothing to with Takashina Detachment. Only they were sent by the same convoy TA No. 9. Note that TA is transport operation. Not combat operation.

> How to transliterate Itoh Armored Detachment SNLF?

Itoh SNLF

Taki

[Franklin]

Thank you very much for your help and correction, Taki.

Itoh SNLF = Itoh Kaigun Tokubetsu Rikusentai, correct?

LtCdr Tokuo Itoh was killed at the landing?

[Akira Takizawa]

> Itoh SNLF = Itoh Kaigun Tokubetsu Rikusentai, correct?

Yes. 伊東海軍特別陸戦隊 in Kanji.

> LtCdr Tokuo Itoh was killed at the landing?

Yes

Taki

[ijnfleetadmiral]

What Eta Jima Class was Itoh Tokuo? I don't have him in my listings at all.

[fontessa]

What Eta Jima Class was Itoh Tokuo? I don't have him in my listings at all.

The Kanji for him was 伊東徳夫.
Eta Jima Class 64 (133/160)

fontessa

[ijnfleetadmiral]

The Kanji for him was 伊東徳夫. Eta Jima Class 64 (133/160)

Ah...I have him as ITO Norio. Here's what I have for him:

ITO Norio
Naval Academy Class 64 (133/160)
MID - 03/23/1937
ENS - 03/10/1938
LTJG - 06/01/1939
OKIKAZE Crewmember - 11/01/1940 - 11/15/1940
OKIKAZE Gunnery Officer - 11/15/1940 - 09/15/1941
LT - 05/15/1941
ASAKAZE Gunnery Officer - 09/15/1941 - 11/15/1942
LCDR - 10/15/1944
CDR - ??? (KIA on Leyte)

[Akira Takizawa]

Itoh was posthumously promoted to CDR on April 10th, 1945.

Taki

[Franklin]

Taki, thank you!

有難う 御座います

[Classic_Bill]

So the Itoh SNLF tank unit that went to Ormoc .. was that two tank companies or just one?

What comprised the Takashina Detachment that sailed with the Itoh unit? Was a it a mix of infantry, heavy weapon and machine gun companies or something different?

[Akira Takizawa]

Itoh SNLF tank unit was composed of four Ka-Mi tank units. But, one tank unit sank in transit to Manila. When it went to Ormoc, it had three tank units and one rocket artillery unit which was atteched at Manila.

Takashina Detachment was formed at 8th Division. Its core was 5th Infantry Regiment and composed of three infantry battalions, one artillery battalion and one engineer company.

Taki

[Classic_Bill]

Oh very good, Taki. I have the 5th Infantry Regt. accounted for already. I need to add in that engineer company. Thanks.

[Classic_Bill]

What size rockets were those that were part of the rocket artillery unit? 20cm? So that continued on with the tank companies to Leyte?