By the afternoon of 19 October, when it had become apparent to the Japanese that the Americans had returned to the Philippine Islands, General Suzuki put his defense plan into effect. He ordered the 16th Division to annihilate the American force, and, failing that, to interfere as much as possible with the use of Leyte airfields by the American Army. The mobile units, including two battalions from the 30th Division, were to speed to Leyte as fast as possible. Finally, the headquarters of the 35th Army was to move to Ormoc on the west coast of Leyte on the 23d or 24th of October.[84]
Through the night of 19–20 October, destroyers near the shore continued to shell the Japanese forces on land. The American forces were safely within Leyte Gulf—A Day had arrived.
[1] Opns Rpt CTF 78 to COMINCH, Ser 00911, 10 Nov 44. [↑]
[2] Rpt, Capt Ray Tarbuck, USN, 3 Nov 44, GHQ SWPA G-3 Jnl, 30 Oct 44. (Hereafter cited as Tarbuck Rpt.) [↑]
[3] Opns Rpt CTF 78 to COMINCH, Ser 00911, 10 Nov 44. [↑]
[4] 96th Inf Div Opns Rpt Leyte, p. 20. [↑]
[5] 7th Inf Div Opns Rpt Leyte, p. 2. [↑]