enemy thrust. The shore bombardment and fire support group included six battleships of the older and slower classes—among them several leviathans damaged in the attack on Pearl Harbor—and an ample number of cruisers and destroyers. This force was designated Task Group 77.2, and commanded by Rear Admiral Jesse Oldendorf, a veteran of several previous amphibious operations. Kinkaid’s fleet also included sixteen small escort carriers, whose planes would be deployed mainly in the role of bombing and strafing ground targets on the invasion beaches, and flying protective cover over the amphibious
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