World War II Fast Carrier Task Group

As the Second World War progressed in the Pacific, and as ships became available, U. S. naval forces were organised into formations called "task groups". As the name implies, these were groups of ships assembled to perform specific tasks. An "assault group" of attack transports, minesweepers and destroyers would be formed to invade an island after it had been shelled by a "bombardment group" of battleships and cruisers. A "support group" of oilers, supply ships and repair vessels would provide the materials and repairs needed by the other formations.

The largest and most potent of these groups was the Fast Carrier Task Group. These would consist of four to six fast carriers escorted by a vast array of battleships, cruisers and destroyers. The function of the Fast Carrier Task Group was to take the war to the enemy, wherever he may be.

Typical of these formations was Task Group 58.1, under the command of Admiral J. J. "Jocko" Clark, on 24 March 1945. TG 58.1 consisted of two heavy carriers, two light carriers, five battleships, three heavy cruisers, five light cruisers, and twenty-four destroyers (four of these on outlying radar picket duty). Clark called this "the largest assemblage of naval power ever in a single formation".

In fact, TG 58.1 carried more firepower than is available - even today - in the entire navies of some countries. And the United States had up to five of these formations active in the Pacific Ocean at one time.

Task Group 58.1 Composition

Heavy Carriers (Essex-class):	CV-12 USS Hornet , CV-20 USS Bennington
Light Carriers (Independence-class):	CVL-24 USS Belleau Wood, CVL-30 USS San Jacinto
Battleships (South Dakota-class):	BB-58 USS Indiana, BB-59 USS Massachusetts
Battleships (Iowa-class):	BB-62 USS New Jersey, BB-63 USS Missouri, BB-64 USS Wisconsin
Heavy Cruisers (Portland-class):	CA-35 USS Indianapolis
Heavy Cruisers (Baltimore-class):	CA-68 USS Baltimore, CA-72 USS Pittsburg
Light Cruisers (Brooklyn-class):	CL-49 USS St. Louis
Light Cruisers (Atlanta-class):	CLA-54 USS San Juan (Anti-aircraft light cruiser)
Light Cruisers (Cleveland-class):	CL-64 USS Vincennes, CL-86 USS Vicksburg, CL-89 USS Miami
Destroyers (Fletcher-class):	DD-502 USS Sigsbee, DD-540 USS Twining, DD-556 USS Hailey, DD-573 USS Harrison, DD-574 USS John Rogers, DD-575 USS McKee, DD-576 USS Murray, DD-658 USS Colahan, DD-659 USS Dashiell, DD-683 USS Stockham, DD-684 USS Wedderburn, DD-796 USS Benham, DD-501 USS Schroeder (Radar Picket), DD-554 USS Franks (Radar Picket), DD-797 USS Cushing (Radar Picket)
Destroyers (Allen M. Sumner-class):	DD-727 USS Dehaven, DD-728 USS Mansfield, DD-729 USS Lyman K. Swenson, DD-730 USS Collett, DD-744 USS Blue, DD-745 USS Brush, DD-746 USS Taussig, DD-747 USS Samuel N. Moore, DD-731 USS Maddox (Radar Picket)

Note: Some ship designations have been corrected based on available documentation.
Admiral Clark's listing of ship's names is being accepted as definitive.

Task Group 58.1 Typical Steaming Formation

Image from "Carrier Admiral" by J. J. Clark & Clark G. Reynolds

Sources
Carrier Admiral by J. J. "Jocko" Clark and Clark G. Reynolds Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships - U.S. Naval Historical Center	NavSource: Photographic History Of The U.S. Navy The Fast Carriers by Clark G. Reynolds

Top of Page

Home Page

Site Index