MacArthur's next move was the
Invasion of Mindoro, where there were good potential airfield sites. Willoughby estimated, correctly as it turned out, that the island had only about 1,000 Japanese defenders.<unk> Willoughby estimated, correctly as it turned out, that the island had only about 1,000 Japanese defenders. Problem was getting there. Kinkaid refused to send escort carriers into the restricted waters of the Sulu Sea, and Kenney could not guarantee land based air cover. Kinkaid refused to send escort carriers into the restricted waters of the Sulu Sea, and Kenney could not guarantee land based air cover. Kinkaid refused to send escort carriers into the restricted waters of the Sulu Sea, and Kenney could not guarantee land based air cover. The operation was clearly hazardous, and MacArthur's staff talked him out of accompanying the invasion on "Nashville".<unk> The operation was clearly dangerous, and MacArthur's staff talked him out of accompanying the invasion on "Nashville".<unk> As the invasion force entered the Sulu Sea, a "kamikaze" struck "Nashville", killing 133 people and wounding 190 more. ️<unk>️<unk>️<unk>️<unk>️<unk>️<unk>️<unk>️<unk>️<unk>️<unk>️<unk>️<unk>️ During this time, MacArthur quarreled with Sutherland, notorious for his abrasiveness, over the latter's mistress, Captain Elaine Clark.<unk> During this time, MacArthur quarreled with Sutherland, notorious for his abrasiveness, over the latter's mistress, Captain Elaine Clark. MacArthur had instructed Sutherland not to be bringing Clark to Leyte, due to a personal undertaking to Curtin that Australian women on the GHQ staff would not be taken to the Philippines, but Sutherland had brought her along anyway.