Olympic Phase II

On the evening of 10 August the Japanese indicated that they agreed with surrender terms in principle. This led to a divergence from the original Olympic schedule. Under the original schedule, Task Force 37 was to withdraw to Manus and Task Force 38 was to withdraw to Eniwetok in early August. The carrier task forces would replenish, reorganize, and in the case of the USN change commanders.

Task Force 38 would sortie again in late August to strike Japan throughout September before again withdrawing to replenish before the invasion of Kyushu. Task Force 37 was scheduled to strike Hong Kong and Canton in late September. This would likely be the first major action for British Carrier Squadron 11 with four CVLs; Venerable, Vengeance, Glory, and Colossus.

For the Second Naval Phase of Operation Olympic Task Force 38 carriers would be organized as follows:

Task Force 38, 2nd Carrier Task Force (Vice Adm J. H. Towers)

Task Group 38.1, 1st Carrier Task Force, (Rear Adm T. L. Sprague)

CV 20 Bennington

CV 16 Lexington

CV 19 Hancock

CVL 24 Belleau Wood

Task Group 38.2, 2nd Carrier Task Force, (Rear Adm J. J. Ballentine)

CV 15 Randolph

CV 11 Intrepid

CV 36 Antietam

CVL 28 Cabot

Task Force 38.3, 3rd Carrier Task Force, (Rear Adm C. A. F. Sprague)

CV 14 Ticonderoga

CV 18 Wasp

CVL 29 Bataan

CVL 26 Monterey

Task Force 38.4, 4th Carrier Task Force, (Rear Adm A. W. Radford)

CV 10 Yorktown

CV 38 Shangri La

CVN 31 Bon Home Richard

CVL 22 Independence

CVL 25 Cowpens

Note: the majority of this information is from “The Fast Carriers, The Forging of an Air Navy” by Clark C. Reynolds