PT Boats at the Battle of Leyte Gulf
By Monte Erfourth - August 14, 2024
Introduction
The Battle of Leyte Gulf, fought from October 23 to 26, 1944, stands as the largest naval battle of World War II and, by some measures, the largest naval engagement in history. This battle was pivotal in the liberation of the Philippines. It marked a decisive moment in the Pacific War, as it effectively crippled the Japanese Navy’s ability to conduct large-scale operations. Within this grand confrontation, the actions of the Patrol Torpedo (PT) boats, small, fast, and heavily armed craft, played a crucial, though often overlooked, role in the American victory. These nimble boats, including the famed PT-134 under the command of Lt. Leonard W. Hoppe, performed daring nighttime attacks and provided vital reconnaissance, contributing to the larger strategic outcomes of the battle.
The Context of Leyte Gulf
The Battle of Leyte Gulf was a complex engagement involving multiple, interconnected battles spread across four days. The Japanese, in a desperate attempt to halt the American advance in the Pacific, launched Operation Sho-Go, a last-ditch effort to destroy the American invasion fleet and prevent the recapture of the Philippines. The Japanese plan was intricate, involving a decoy force to lure Admiral William Halsey’s Third Fleet away from Leyte Gulf to the north, the Central and Southern Forces would converge on Leyte Gulf and annihilate the U.S. invasion of Leyte.
The battle was divided into several phases: the Battle of the Sibuyan Sea, the Battle of Surigao Strait, the Battle of Cape Engaño, and the Battle off Samar. Each of these engagements involved various elements of the American and Japanese fleets, including battleships, carriers, cruisers, and destroyers. However, it was in the confined waters of the Surigao Strait that the PT boats played their most dramatic and effective role.
The Role of PT Boats
PT boats were relatively small vessels, measuring about 80 feet in length and powered by three powerful Packard engines, allowing them to reach speeds of up to 40 knots. They were armed with torpedoes, depth charges, machine guns, and a 20mm cannon, making them formidable against larger, slower-moving ships. However, their light wooden hulls made them vulnerable to enemy fire, and their effectiveness relied heavily on speed, stealth, and surprise.
During the Battle of Leyte Gulf, PT boats were assigned the crucial task of patrolling the
narrow waterways and straits surrounding Leyte Island, including the Surigao Strait. Their mission was to intercept and harass the Japanese forces attempting to reach the invasion fleet. Operating under the cover of darkness, these boats would use their speed and maneuverability to evade enemy fire, launch torpedo attacks, and gather intelligence on enemy movements.
PT-134 and the Battle of Surigao Strait
The night of October 24-25, 1944, saw the PT boats at the forefront of the action in the Surigao Strait. This narrow body of water, bordered by the islands of Leyte and Mindanao, was the chosen path for the Japanese Southern Force, led by Vice Admiral Shoji Nishimura. His task force, consisting of battleships Yamashiro and Fuso, the heavy cruiser Mogami, and several destroyers, was to pass through the strait and attack the American landing forces at Leyte.
The American defense of Surigao Strait was a textbook example of naval tactics, culminating in the last "crossing the T" maneuver in naval history. Under the command of Rear Admiral Jesse Oldendorf, the American forces prepared a lethal ambush. PT boats were positioned at the entrance of the strait, followed by a line of destroyers, cruisers, and finally, battleships at the northern end of the strait, ready to deliver devastating broadsides.
Among the PT boats positioned at the entrance was PT-134, commanded by Lt. Leonard W. Hoppe. PT-134, along with several other boats, was tasked with intercepting the Japanese force as it attempted to enter the strait. In the early hours of October 25, as the Japanese fleet moved through the darkness, PT-134 and its companions sprang into action.
Using the cover of night, PT-134 maneuvered close to the Japanese ships, its crew maintaining radio silence to avoid detection. The Japanese fleet, moving in a column formation, presented a challenging target, but Hoppe and his crew were undeterred. As they closed in, PT-134 launched a torpedo at one of the leading ships, aiming for the massive battleship Yamashiro. The torpedo struck home, causing significant damage and contributing to the confusion that would plague the Japanese force throughout the night.
Despite the heavy return fire from the Japanese ships, PT-134 and other PT boats continued their harassing attacks, launching torpedoes and firing their guns at the much larger enemy vessels. The PT boats’ actions played a critical role in disrupting the Japanese formation, slowing their advance, and preventing them from effectively coordinating their attack.
The Aftermath of the PT Boat Actions
The attacks by PT-134 and its sister boats were just the beginning of the onslaught the Japanese Southern Force would face that night. Following the PT boat attacks, the Japanese fleet was subjected to torpedo attacks from American destroyers and then devastating broadsides from Oldendorf’s battleships and cruisers. The combined firepower overwhelmed the Japanese, leading to the sinking of both Yamashiro and Fuso, as well as several other ships.
The Surigao Strait action was a decisive American victory, effectively annihilating the Japanese Southern Force. The success of this operation was due in no small part to the early actions of the PT boats, which set the stage for the larger engagement. By attacking first and sowing confusion, the PT boats created an environment in which the larger American ships could deliver their lethal blows with minimal risk.
The Strategic Impact
The Battle of Leyte Gulf, with its multiple engagements, was a turning point in the Pacific War. The destruction of much of the Japanese fleet at Leyte Gulf meant that Japan could no longer mount significant naval operations. The loss of ships and experienced sailors crippled the Japanese Navy, forcing it into a defensive posture for the remainder of the war.
For the PT boats and their crews, the battle was a testament to their courage, skill, and the vital role they played in naval warfare. Often operating on the fringes of the main action, PT boats were nonetheless essential in shaping the outcomes of larger battles. Their ability to strike quickly, deliver powerful blows, and then disappear into the night made them a constant thorn in the side of the Japanese Navy.
The Legacy of PT-134 and its Crew
The crew of PT-134, like many others who served on these small boats, were ordinary men thrust into extraordinary circumstances. Their actions during the Battle of Leyte Gulf exemplified the bravery and determination that characterized the PT boat crews throughout the war. Lt. Leonard W. Hoppe and his crew earned commendations for their performance, and PT-134’s legacy was cemented as one of the many PT boats that played a critical role in the Pacific Theater.
The story of PT-134 is not just a tale of naval warfare but a reflection of the broader experience of American servicemen in World War II. These men operated in challenging conditions, facing overwhelming odds, yet they carried out their missions with determination and ingenuity. The success of the PT boats in Leyte Gulf and other battles across the Pacific underscored the importance of flexibility, speed, and surprise in naval warfare, principles that continue to inform naval tactics to this day.
Conclusion
The Battle of Leyte Gulf was a monumental clash that reshaped the course of World War II in the Pacific. Within this vast battle, the actions of the PT boats, particularly PT-134, highlighted the significant impact that small, agile craft could have against a larger, more powerful enemy. The bravery of Lt. Leonard W. Hoppe and his crew, who attacked under the cover of darkness and faced intense enemy fire, was emblematic of the spirit of the PT boat crews. Their actions not only contributed to the American victory at Leyte Gulf but also left a lasting legacy in naval history. The story of PT-134 serves as a reminder of the vital role these boats played in the Pacific War and the extraordinary men who served on them.
Bibliography
- Cressman, Robert J. The Official Chronology of the U.S. Navy in World War II. Annapolis: Naval Institute Press, 2000.
- Doyle, David. PT Boats. New York: Squadron/Signal Publications, 2007.
- Fahey, James J. PT Boat 134: A Gunner’s War in the South Pacific. Edited by John B. Fahey. New York: Naval Institute Press, 2003.
- Morison, Samuel Eliot. Leyte, June 1944 – January 1945. Vol. 12 of History of United States Naval Operations in World War II. Boston: Little, Brown and Company, 1958.
- Wukovits, John F. Devil Boats: The PT War Against Japan. New York: Naval Institute Press, 1995.
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