c. Forces

(1) SIXTH US ARMY--Lt General Walter Krueger, US Army. As constituted, less elements assigned by subsequent orders to EIGHTH US ARMY. SIXTH US ARMY reserve:

77th US Infantry Division--GUAM 6th US Infantry Division--CAPE SANSAPOR, DUTCH NEW GUINEA. Forces allocated for the operation as designated in Annex No. 1. Tentative Troop List for the Operation. The exact composition of the landing force as designated by Commanding General SIXTH US ARMY.

(2) FIRST AUSTRALIAN ARMY--Lt General V. A. H. Sturdee, CBE

As constituted.

(3) EIGHTH US ARMY--Lt General Robert L. Eichelberger, US Army.

As later specified.

(4) ALLIED NAVAL Forces--Vice Admiral T. C. Kinkaid, US NAVY.

As reinforced.

(5) ALLIED AIR Forces--Lt General George C. Kenney, US Army.

As constituted.

(6) USASOS--Maj General J. L. Frink, US Army.

As constituted.

3. a. The SIXTH US ARMY, supported by the ALLIED NAVAL and AIR Forces, will:

(1) By overwater operations seize and occupy:

(a) Objectives in the TACLOBAN and DULAG areas in LEYTE and such adjacent areas as are required to initiate and insure uninterrupted naval and air operations therefrom. (b) Objectives in the HOMONHON and DINAGAT ISLANDS and such adjacent areas prior to the main assault in LEYTE as will insure the uninterrupted access for amphibious shipping into LEYTE GULF. (c) Objectives in the PANAON STRAIT area that will permit passage of naval forces through the PANAON STRAIT for operations in the CAMOTES SEA. This objective will be secured simultaneously with (1) (a) above.

(2) Establish control of SAN JUANICO STRAITS in order to permit passage of naval forces through the SAN JUANICO STRAITS for operations in the SAMAR SEA. (3) In subsequent operations, establish control over the remainder of LEYTE ISLAND; occupy and consolidate the western portion of southern SAMAR to include the TAFT-WRIGHT Highway and seize objectives that will permit opening of SURIGAO STRAITS for naval operations. (4) Prepare to conduct such operations as may be later directed by this headquarters to:

(a) Complete the consolidation of SAMAR. (b) Destroy or contain hostile garrisons in the VISAYAS.

(5) Occupy and defend sites for radar and air warning installations as arranged with the Commanders ALLIED NAVAL and AIR Forces. (6) Assume control of and direct the operations of FILIPINO Forces of the 9th Military District (LEYTE-SAMAR). (7) Establish facilities for minor naval operations at the earliest practicable date in the LEYTE-SAMAR area as arranged with the Commander ALLIED NAVAL Forces and initiate the establishment of naval, air and logistic facilities for the support of subsequent operations to reoccupy the PHILIPPINES as directed in Annex No 4, Logistics, and Annex No 6, Engineer, and as later directed by this headquarters. (8) Establish air facilities in the LEYTE area with objectives as follows:

(a) First Objective: 1 fighter gp (P-38) Immediately following the 1 fighter gp (P-40) assault and by A+5 for: 1 night fighter sq (b) Second Objective: 1 tactical reconnaissance sq Additional by A+15. 1 photo sq 1 medium bomb gp plus 1 sq P. O. A. 3 PBY sqs (tender-based) 1 VMR sq (Marine) (c) Third Objective: 2 light bomb gps (A-20) Additional by A+30. 1 air-sea rescue sq 1 tactical reconnaissance sq 1 fighter gp (P-38) (d) Fourth Objective: 1 fighter gp (P-47) Additional by A+45. 1 PB4Y sq (Air Ech) 2 heavy bomb gps 1 LAB sq (e) Fifth Objective: 1 photo sq (F-5) Additional by A+60. 1 PB4Y sq (Air-Ech) 2 troop carrier gps 1 combat mapping sq (Air Ech) (f) As later designated.

b. The Commanding General EIGHTH US ARMY, supported by the ALLIED NAVAL and AIR Forces will:

(1) Relieve the SIXTH US ARMY of missions in NEW GUINEA, the ADMIRALTIES, NEW BRITAIN, and the MOROTAI area as later directed by this headquarters. (2) Prepare to relieve the SIXTH US ARMY in the VISAYAN area as later directed by this headquarters. (3) Assist the Commanding General SIXTH US ARMY by training, staging and mounting units of the SIXTH US ARMY in the EIGHTH US ARMY area of responsibility as arranged with the Commanding General SIXTH US ARMY.