Alligator Tech: ArtificiaI Intelligence Destroys the Battle off Samar

This is a departure from what I usually write, but I find it intriguing, and it would not surprise you to know that I think you should too.

I do not use Artificial Intelligence to write my blogs, although sometimes I use ChatGPT as an assist. It’s a tool, like Grammarly for grammar and style, or Wikipedia for basic story outlines.

The Grammarly premium version is so accurate that it drives all the personality out of my writing — I wasted weeks with it in the writing of Alligator Wrestling in the Cancer Ward and had to re-do almost everything it helped me with.

Once Grammarly was done, the draft was perfect, and there was no Curtis left in the story. I had to re-insert him.

I used ChatGPT to assist with the Andrew Carnegie American Titans story last week (Alligator Considerations, October 4 issue). I read a lengthy Wikipedia article first, then ordered Chat to write a 2,000 word essay giving attention to four specific interests: railroads, telegraphy, Bessemer steel process and philanthropy.

The result was fairly factual, which I verified by cross-referencing about a dozen articles against it. Ultimately I discarded most of Chat’s contribution but retained some of the format and flow.

USS Kitkun Bay, escort carrier at Leyte Gulf, 25 October 1944. F4F Wildcats preparing to launch. Note the skinny landing gear, distinctive to the Wildcat. Also observe enemy shell splashes in water beyond.

This week I toyed with an episode on the Battle of Leyte Gulf, WW2, October 1944. I have read many accounts of that well-known conflict, where a handful of small U.S. destroyers successfully held off a gigantic Japanese surface fleet. One Japanese battleship alone displaced more tonnage than the entire U.S. fleet in the Gulf; and there were 22 other Japanese warships besides.

The setting was the Philippine Islands.

A third of the U.S. ships were sunk, and then the Japanese admiral suddenly gave up; turned his fleet away and retreated. It was one of the most lop-sided David-and-Goliath contests ever and was seen as an enormous U.S. sea victory in the waning days of the march toward Japan’s home islands.

USS Johnston, DD557, lost at Leyte Gulf. Today it rests 20,000 feet deep in the Philippine Trench.

I have been reading (by audio) a comprehensive and highly entertaining rendition of this history, the 2004 New York Times bestseller “The Last Stand of the Tin Can Sailors,” by James D. Hornfischer (Bantam).

“Tin Can” is a slang term for a U.S. Navy destroyer.

One dimension of this battle I was unfamiliar with was the role of the U.S. Army Air Corps base at Tacloban. Navy aircraft, driven from their small escort carriers by the attacking fleet, were forced to land at Tacloban, which was not yet in operation, to refuel and rearm as the battle at sea progressed.

The Tin Can book explained how a young Navy aviator had pulled a gun on a reluctant Major to commandeer Army fuel and ammunition for his Avenger torpedo bomber.

To see how AI would handle it, I submitted an order to chat.openai.com. This site is ChatGPT, and it’s free.

Here was my command: Write a 1,000 word essay on the role of navy wildcat fighter planes and avenger torpedo planes in the Battle of Samar in October 1944. Include information on the US Army airfield at Tacloban.

The “Battle of Samar” is a reference to the sea fight that is the core of this story. It occurred near the island of Samar in Leyte Gulf. The contest is correctly known as the “Battle off Samar,” (emphasis added) which I unintentionally misspelled in the command.

Or perhaps Chat corrected my spelling and I didn’t catch it. Some interfaces do that, which I find both helpful and annoying.

The Battle off Samar is part of the larger Battle of Leyte Gulf scenario.

Chat’s detailed description of the battle, written so fluently and convincingly, was approximately 50% wrong.

First, I will give you Chat’s essay, set off as a block quote, and I will follow that with my critique. Some of you history buffs will spot a few errors right off.

Title: The Heroic Role of Navy Wildcat Fighter Planes and Avenger Torpedo Planes in the Battle of Samar (October 1944) and the Significance of the US Army Airfield at Tacloban

Introduction

The Battle of Samar, a pivotal engagement during the Battle of Leyte Gulf in October 1944, is remembered as a David-and-Goliath encounter in the annals of naval history. This battle pitted a small, lightly armed American task force, known as Taffy 3, against the formidable Japanese Center Force, a battle group with battleships, cruisers, and destroyers. The role of Navy Wildcat fighter planes and Avenger torpedo planes in this battle was nothing short of heroic, as they defended the vulnerable escort carriers of Taffy 3 against overwhelming odds. This essay will examine the critical contributions of these aircraft and also explore the significance of the US Army airfield at Tacloban in supporting the Battle of Samar.

The Battle of Samar: A Desperate Stand

The Battle of Samar unfolded on October 25, 1944, during the larger Battle of Leyte Gulf. The American forces, commanded by Admiral William "Bull" Halsey, had recently dealt a significant blow to the Japanese Navy by destroying a large portion of their carrier fleet in the Battle off Cape Engaño. Halsey, believing that the Japanese threat had been neutralized, had steamed northward in pursuit of the retreating enemy carriers. Unfortunately, this left the vulnerable American escort carriers of Taffy 3 exposed to the impending threat of Vice Admiral Takeo Kurita's Center Force.

Taffy 3, led by Rear Admiral Clifton A. F. Sprague, comprised six escort carriers (CVEs), three destroyers (DDs), and four destroyer escorts (DEs). Their primary mission was to provide air cover and support for the landing forces at Leyte Gulf. Unbeknownst to them, they were about to face a dire and nearly insurmountable challenge.

The Vital Role of Navy Wildcat Fighter Planes

Navy Wildcat fighter planes, officially designated as the Grumman F4F, played a crucial role in the Battle of Samar. These aircraft were not the fastest or most heavily armed, but they were renowned for their ruggedness and versatility. In the face of the Japanese onslaught, the Wildcat pilots demonstrated extraordinary bravery and determination.

Grumman F4F Wildcat fighter

The Wildcat fighter planes were primarily tasked with providing air cover for the escort carriers. As the Japanese Center Force approached, the Wildcat pilots scrambled into action. They were faced with overwhelming numbers and firepower from the Japanese aircraft, including bombers and torpedo planes. Still, the American pilots engaged the enemy in fierce dogfights, effectively diverting their attention away from the vulnerable carriers below.

Wildcat

This selfless and determined effort allowed the escort carriers to launch and recover their Avenger torpedo planes, which were instrumental in the battle.

The Courageous Actions of Avenger Torpedo Planes

The Avenger torpedo planes, designated TBF by the U.S. Navy and TBM by the U.S. Marine Corps, played a pivotal role in the Battle of Samar. While originally designed for anti-submarine warfare and torpedo attacks, Avengers had been adapted for various roles during World War II, including dive bombing and reconnaissance.

The Avenger crews faced daunting odds as they approached the heavily armored and armed Japanese battleships. These planes were slower and less maneuverable than their adversaries, making them easy targets for anti-aircraft fire. Despite these challenges, the Avenger crews displayed exceptional courage and tenacity.

Grumman TBM/TBF Avenger

The Avengers conducted low-level torpedo attacks against the Japanese fleet, aiming to disrupt and disperse the enemy forces. Their attacks not only inflicted damage on several Japanese ships but also diverted their attention away from the vulnerable escort carriers. This delay allowed Taffy 3 to maneuver and evade the enemy.

Avenger with torpedo

One of the most poignant moments of the battle involved Ensign Jesse L. Brown, the first African American naval aviator, and his wingman, Lieutenant (junior grade) Thomas J. Hudner Jr. When Brown's Avenger was hit and crashed behind enemy lines, Hudner crash-landed his own plane nearby and made a desperate attempt to rescue Brown. Tragically, they were unable to save Brown, but their bravery and solidarity became emblematic of the spirit of camaraderie and self-sacrifice that defined the Battle of Samar.

The Collective Effort and the Role of Tacloban

The success of Navy Wildcat fighter planes and Avenger torpedo planes in the Battle of Samar was not solely due to the heroism of the aircrews. It was a collective effort that involved the entire task force. The destroyers and destroyer escorts provided critical anti-aircraft support, unleashing a barrage of fire to defend against Japanese aircraft. Simultaneously, the escort carriers themselves engaged in evasive maneuvers and deployed smoke screens to obscure their positions, making them more elusive targets.

Furthermore, the role of the US Army airfield at Tacloban was crucial in supporting Taffy 3 during the Battle of Samar. Tacloban, located on the eastern coast of Leyte, was under the control of General Douglas MacArthur's forces after the liberation of the Philippines from Japanese occupation. The airfield at Tacloban provided a valuable base for both American Army Air Forces and Navy aircraft.

During the Battle of Samar, aircraft from Tacloban were dispatched to reinforce the beleaguered Taffy 3. P-38 Lightning fighters and B-25 Mitchell bombers launched from Tacloban contributed to the defense of the task force. Their presence created additional confusion among the Japanese attackers, adding to the already chaotic situation and helping to divert attention from the vulnerable escort carriers.

USS Gambier Bay prior to sinking, 25 October 1944 off Samar Island. Note the two US destroyers either burning or making smoke in the distance.

The Aftermath and Significance

The Battle of Samar concluded with a remarkable and unexpected victory for the Americans. The small and ill-equipped task force had faced overwhelming odds but had managed to hold its ground and inflict significant damage on the Japanese fleet. The escort carriers, with their precious cargo of troops, supplies, and aircraft, were saved from destruction.

The Battle of Samar had profound implications for the larger Battle of Leyte Gulf and the overall Pacific War. Vice Admiral Kurita's temporary withdrawal after his encounter with Taffy 3 meant that his mission to attack the American landing forces at Leyte was abandoned. This withdrawal ensured the success of the Leyte Gulf invasion, a pivotal step in the Allied campaign to liberate the Philippines and establish a strategic foothold in the Pacific.

Conclusion

The heroic role played by Navy Wildcat fighter planes and Avenger torpedo planes in the Battle of Samar cannot be overstated. These aircraft, along with their courageous crews, defended the vulnerable escort carriers of Taffy 3 against overwhelming odds. Their bravery, resilience, and sacrifice embody the valor of the men who fought in the Pacific Theater during World War II.

Additionally, the collective effort of the entire task force, supported by the US Army airfield at Tacloban, was instrumental in securing victory during this critical battle. The Battle of Samar stands as a testament to the courage and determination of American forces in the face of seemingly insurmountable challenges, ultimately contributing to the Allied victory in the Pacific and the eventual defeat of Imperial Japan.

Now, the discrepancies, and they are legion:

It is not correct to say that Halsey commanded U.S. forces in the Gulf. He had the U.S. Third Fleet, composed of the largest and fastest U.S. battleships and fleet carriers, including Enterprise and others. Admiral Kincaid had the U.S. Seventh Fleet, known as “MacArthur’s Navy,” which included the assets directly engaged in this battle. There were two Admiral Spragues in this story, confusing, both reporting to Kincaid. One of them (Clifton Sprague), is correctly identified as commanding Taffy 3.

Halsey had indeed dealt a significant blow to the Japanese, but not to their carriers. He had attacked the Japanese Center Force in San Bernadino Strait the day before and had observed them to retreat. He did not pursue retreating carriers, for there were none with Center Force.

That is key to understanding this battle: Halsey was not pursuing retreating carriers; he was intercepting attacking carriers far to the north. Unknown to Halsey (and apparently to ChatGPT) the carrier force he approached was a decoy, specifically put 200 miles north to draw Halsey away from the Gulf.

Halsey fell for the trap, which is why Taffy 3 faced Center Force alone.

While the Wildcat F4F fighters did scramble from the 6 small escort carriers (“Jeep” carriers) of Taffy 3, there were no Japanese fighters in the sky that day, other than perhaps a handful from land bases still held by the enemy on nearby islands. There were no dogfights. The role of the Wildcats was a desperation play to harass the Center Force with strafing runs in hopes of slowing down their attack on Taffy 3.

The Avenger torpedo planes were indeed launched from Taffy 3’s carriers, but none were recovered. The carriers were under constant fire from Japanese Center Force battleship guns 20 miles away and closing. Besides this, the Jeep carriers were extremely vulnerable to incoming rounds. No pilot would be ordered to land on one under these conditions.

Imperial Japanese Navy battleship Yamato

The destroyers and destroyer escorts did not unleash a barrage of anti-aircraft fire, and the Wildcats were not “faced with overwhelming numbers and firepower from the Japanese aircraft, including bombers and torpedo planes,” because the Japanese had brought no aircraft with them.

I do not think P-38 fighters and twin-engine B-25 Mitchell bombers played any role in this contest. I could be wrong about that, but I think Chat is thinking of the Battle of Midway two years earlier. Or maybe Guadalcanal.

Completely ignored in this story is the fact that Navy aviators were inadequately armed. Their mission had been to protect MacArthur’s troops during the beachhead in previous days. They had no armor-piercing ordnance suitable for attacking ships. The few torpedoes among the Avengers were used to effect, but they were woefully short supplied. The bombs available were fragmentation type, suitable for use on vehicles and concentrations of ground-based troops.

The entire U.S. aerial effort was a bluff. Avenger tail gunners shot up main battleships with .50 machine guns. F4F Wildcats used wing-mounted machine guns for the same purpose. None of that is any more than an irritant.

Avenger torpedo bomber. Crew of 3. Note the rear-mounted machine gun.

One Avenger pilot, out of ammunition, did an inverted pass, canopy open, over a Japanese battleship, and fired 6 rounds straight down at the bridge from his .38 revolver.

Both Wildcats and Avengers were so aggressive, and the Japanese were so sensitive to American air power, that the mere presence of a potential air threat itself was enough to slow down Center Force. Many, many pilots made dry strafing runs into the teeth of real anti-aircraft fire after they had run out of ammunition.

Avengers would approach an enemy cruiser for a torpedo run, open the bomb bay doors, and watch the ship suddenly veer away. There was no torpedo onboard; it was a feint.

Tacloban airfield photographed 4 days before the Battle off Samar.

According to The Last Stand of the Tin Can Sailors, the Tacloban Army airfield was not even open. It was merely a dirt strip under construction, with barrels of fuel, ammunition and bombs stacked near what would become the runway. A bulldozer hurriedly smoothed out a taxiway for incoming planes. In the event, air traffic control was established by a couple of guys in Jeeps with radios once it became clear the Navy needed help.

The escort carriers were not carrying troops or supplies. While most were saved, the Gambier Bay was lost, sunk by enemy fire.

The best part is the “poignant moment” when Ensign Jesse L. Brown, the first African American naval aviator, crash landed his Avenger and his wingman deliberately did a wheels-up landing nearby to rescue the unresponsive Brown.

That did happen, but they were flying Marine Corsair aircraft, and it occurred in Korea in 1950.

Wrong war. Whether Brown was the first African American naval aviator or not, I have no idea. And probably neither does ChatGPT.

Ensign Jesse L. Brown in cockpit of F4U Corsair. Killed in action 4 December 1950 near the Chosin Reservoir, Korea. Served aboard the carrier USS Leyte.

However, Brown was indeed flying from a carrier named the U.S.S. Leyte. So there is that.

Okay, so the Battle off Samar (not the Battle of Samar) was indeed a display of American courage in a totally lopsided contest. The Americans came off the winners, sort of, mostly because Admiral Kurita never understood the weakness of the force he faced.

Kurita never realized that the ruse to pull Halsey away had succeeded.

Of 7 ships in Taffy 3’s destroyer screen, 3 were lost: Johnston, Hoel and Samuel B. Roberts. Also, one of the 6 escort carriers: Gambier Bay.

I just thought you should know this about ChatGPT. Maybe it will get better over time. For now, it does not offer much more than a mere assist. Or maybe it’s actually a negative.

On the other hand, perhaps I am using it the wrong way. Please let me know what you think in the comments.

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