Note 22 — Chapter III · Plans Are Made and Forces Are Readied
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The Joint Chiefs of Staff had directed Admiral Nimitz to support General MacArthur’s operation against Leyte. Admiral Nimitz ordered Admiral Halsey’s Third Fleet to “destroy enemy naval and air forces in or threatening the Philippine Area.” The Third Fleet was also to protect the air and sea communications along the Central Philippines axis. If an opportunity to destroy major portions of the Japanese Fleet should arise or could be created, such destruction was to be the primary task of all naval forces from the Central Pacific. Admiral Halsey and General MacArthur were to arrange the necessary measures for the co-ordination of their operations.22