Cavalla & Albacore attacks against Force A 19 June 1944

[Jordi Comas]

Hi all,

I'm trying to see what was the disposition of the Japanese Force A from Mobile Fleet when it was attacked by US submarines Albacore and Cavalla during the battle of Philippine Sea on 19 June 1944.

According to what I've found about this:

1st row: In the center: CL Yahagi
2nd row: Port side: ? DD, CA Myoko - In the center: No ship - Starboard side: CA Haguro, ? DD
3rd row: Port side: ? DD - Center: CV Zuikaku - Starboard side: ? DD
4th row: Port side: CV Taiho - In the center: No ship - Starboard side: CV Shokaku
5th row: Port side: ? DD - Starboard side: DD Urakaze
6th row: In the center: ? DD

Does anyone know the right disposition of the Japanese vessels?
Thank you very much

[Berend]

This book may be useful:

Fleet Organization in the Imperial Japanese Navy and Naval Battle Guidance

https://www.1999.co.jp/eng/image/10569792/20/2

Berend

[Jordi Comas]

Thank you very much Berend!

So I guess that CV Taiho was in the spearhead and CV Zuikaku was in the port side aft from CV Taiho.

Regards

[fontessa]

So I guess that CV Taiho was in the spearhead

Normally flagships took the "top" position.
See the below positions in the chart Berend quartered;
Taiho: The flagship of the 1st Mobile Fleet / the 1st Air Squadron (甲部隊 Force A).
Junyo: The flagship of the 2nd Air Squadron (乙部隊 Force B).
Yamato; The flagship of the 3rd Fleet (前衛部隊 Advanced Force).
Advanced Force was 100 nautical miles ahead of the Main force (Force A and Force B) in order to absorb U.S. attacks and avoid the attacks to the Main force. IJN airplanes had longer cruising ranges than U.S. airplanes, so this kind of fleet formation became to be possible.

fontessa

[fontessa]

So I guess that CV Taiho was in the spearhead

Normally flagships took the "top" position.
See the below positions in the chart Berend quartered;
Taiho: The flagship of the 1st Mobile Fleet / the 1st Air Squadron (甲部隊 Force A).
Junyo: The flagship of the 2nd Air Squadron (乙部隊 Force B).
Yamato; The flagship of the 3rd Fleet (前衛部隊 Advanced Force).
Advanced Force was 100 nautical miles ahead of the Main force (Force A and Force B) in order to absorb U.S. attacks and avoid the attacks to the Main force. IJN airplanes had longer cruising ranges than U.S. airplanes, so this kind of fleet formation became to be possible.

fontessa

The chart Berend quartered says as below.
In English;
◆ There are various theories about the fleet formation of the Battle of the Philippine Sea, especially the anti-aircraft formation on June 19. Please use this figure as a reference for the positional relationship between the Advanced Force and the Main Force.
(Looks extremely unconfident.)

マリアナ沖海戦 注意書き.jpg (11 KiB) Viewed 1116 times

fontessa

[Jordi Comas]

Thank you very much!!

Regards