| Date | 23–26 October 1944 |
|---|---|
| Location | Leyte Gulf, Philippines 10°22′16″N 125°21′22″E |
| Result | Allied victory |
How many people died in the Battle of Leyte Gulf?
The campaign for Leyte proved the first and most decisive operation in the American reconquest of the Philippines. In the aftermath, 3,504 Americans were killed, 11,991 wounded, and 89 missing. Japanese losses were also heavy, losing four divisions and several combat units, while the navy lost 26 major warships and 46 large transports and hundreds of merchantmen.
What are facts about the Battle of Leyte Gulf?
The Japanese lost 26 warships during the Battle of Leyte Gulf:
- One fleet aircraft carrier: Zuikaku (flagship of the decoy Northern Forces).
- Three light aircraft carriers: Zuihō, Chiyoda, and Chitose.
- Three battleships: Musashi (former flagship of the Japanese Combined Fleet ), Yamashiro (flagship of the Southern Force) and Fusō.
When did the Battle of Leyte Gulf start?
The Battle of Leyte Gulf was fought October 23-26, 1944, during World War II (1939-1945) and is considered the conflict's largest naval engagement. Returning to the Philippines, Allied forces began landing on Leyte on October 20. Responding, the Imperial Japanese Navy launched plan Sho-Go 1.
What was the result of the Battle of Leyte Gulf?
The Outcomes of the Battle of Leyte Gulf
- Japanese was no longer naval power
- Introduction of Kamikaze bombers which served as a big power for the Japanese in the future
- Last great naval battle of history
- Loss of many American and Japanese battleships, like the USS Princeton
- Japanese kamikazes sunk 30 U.S. ...
- The United States won the battle of Leyte Gulf, and the Japanese lost.
- U.S. ...
When did the Battle of Leyte Gulf start and end?
October 23, 1944 – October 26, 1944Battle of Leyte Gulf / Period
How did the Battle of Leyte Gulf end?
The Battle of Leyte Gulf ended on October 26, 1944, with U.S. Navy carrier and United States Army Air Force aircraft continuing the attack on the retreating Japanese.
What happened at the Battle of Leyte Gulf in 1944?
Battle of Leyte Gulf, (October 23–26, 1944), decisive air and sea battle of World War II that crippled the Japanese Combined Fleet, permitted U.S. invasion of the Philippines, and reinforced the Allies' control of the Pacific.
When was the Battle of Leyte Gulf fought?
October 23, 1944Battle of Leyte Gulf / Erupt dateThe Battle of Leyte Gulf was the largest naval engagement of World War II. It raged in the Philippines from Oct. 23 to 26, 1944, pitting Japan against the U.S., some Australian naval assets and some Mexican air force units.
What was the largest Battle in history?
The Battle of Verdun, 21 February-15 December 1916, became the longest battle in modern history. It was originally planned by the German Chief of General Staff, Erich von Falkenhayn to secure victory for Germany on the Western Front.
What was the largest sea battle in history?
The Battle of Leyte GulfThe Battle of Leyte Gulf is remembered as the biggest naval battle ever fought. It spanned more than 100,000 square miles of sea.
How many people died in the Leyte Gulf?
2007 Schools Wikipedia Selection. Related subjects: World War IIBattle of Leyte GulfCasualties3,500 dead; 1 aircraft carrier, 2 escort carriers, 2 destroyers, 1 destroyer escort sunk10,000 dead; 4 aircraft carriers, 3 battleships, 8 cruisers, 12 destroyers sunk9 more rows
What was the last battleship Battle?
the Battle of Surigao StraitThe last battleship confrontation in history was the Battle of Surigao Strait, on October 25, 1944, in which a numerically and technically superior American battleship group destroyed a lesser Japanese battleship group by gunfire after it had already been devastated by destroyer torpedo attacks.
What was the most significant consequence of the Battle of Leyte Gulf?
What was the most significant consequence of the Battle of Leyte Gulf? The Japanese lost most of their remaining sea power and ability to defend the Philippines.
Who won the Battle of Leyte Gulf ww2?
The various forces for the Japanese included the Main Body (Northern), First Striking Force (consisting of Force "A" and Force "C"), and the Southwest Area Force. The combined battles of Leyte Gulf destroyed the Imperial Japanese Navy as an offensive force and decisively led to the defeat of Japan in 1945.
Who lost the Battle of Leyte Gulf?
US naval units moved out to intercept, and the air and naval Battle of Leyte Gulf—the largest naval battle in the Pacific and also one of the largest naval battles in history—was fought from 23 to 26 October—the Japanese suffered a decisive defeat.
What was the biggest naval battle in ww1?
The Battle of JutlandThe Battle of Jutland (31 May - 1 June 1916) was the largest naval battle of the First World War. It was the only time that the British and German fleets of 'dreadnought' battleships actually came to blows.
What was the most significant consequence of the Battle of Leyte Gulf?
What was the most significant consequence of the Battle of Leyte Gulf? The Japanese lost most of their remaining sea power and ability to defend the Philippines.
How many died in Leyte Gulf?
2007 Schools Wikipedia Selection. Related subjects: World War IIBattle of Leyte GulfCasualties3,500 dead; 1 aircraft carrier, 2 escort carriers, 2 destroyers, 1 destroyer escort sunk10,000 dead; 4 aircraft carriers, 3 battleships, 8 cruisers, 12 destroyers sunk9 more rows
Where did the Battle of Leyte Gulf happen?
PhilippinesLeytePacific OceanPhilippine SeaLeyte GulfBattle of Leyte Gulf/Locations
What was the last battleship Battle?
the Battle of Surigao StraitThe last battleship confrontation in history was the Battle of Surigao Strait, on October 25, 1944, in which a numerically and technically superior American battleship group destroyed a lesser Japanese battleship group by gunfire after it had already been devastated by destroyer torpedo attacks.
Where was the Battle of Leyte Gulf?
It was fought in waters near the Philippine islands of Leyte , Samar, and Luzon, ...
How many warships did the Japanese lose?
The Japanese lost 26 warships during the Battle of Leyte Gulf:
Why did Kurita give the order "all ships my course north, speed 20"?
Kurita abruptly broke off the fight and gave the order 'all ships, my course north, speed 20', apparently to regroup his disorganized fleet. Kurita's battle report stated he had received a message indicating a group of American carriers was steaming north of him. Preferring to expend his fleet against capital ships rather than transports, Kurita set out in pursuit and thereby lost his opportunity to destroy the shipping fleet in Leyte Gulf, and disrupt the vital landings at Leyte. After failing to intercept the non-existent carriers, which were much farther north, Kurita finally retreated towards San Bernardino Strait. Three of his heavy cruisers had been sunk, and the determined resistance had convinced him that persisting with his attack would only cause further Japanese losses.
How many ships did Kurita have?
As it sortied from its base in Brunei, Kurita's powerful "Center Force" consisted of five battleships ( Yamato, Musashi, Nagato, Kongō, and Haruna ), ten heavy cruisers ( Atago, Maya, Takao, Chōkai, Myōkō, Haguro, Kumano, Suzuya, Tone and Chikuma ), two light cruisers ( Noshiro and Yahagi) and 15 destroyers.
What was the 7th Fleet?
U.S. Seventh Fleet at this time contained units of the U.S. Navy and the Royal Australian Navy. Before the major naval actions in Leyte Gulf had begun, HMAS Australia and USS Honolulu were severely damaged by air attacks; during the battle proper these two cruisers were retiring, escorted by HMAS Warramunga, for repairs at the major Allied base at Manus Island, 1,700 miles (2,700 km) away.
What were the four victory plans of the IJN?
The American options were apparent to the IJN. Combined Fleet Chief Soemu Toyoda prepared four "victory" plans: Shō-Gō 1 ( 捷１号作戦, Shō ichigō sakusen) was a major naval operation in the Philippines, while Shō-Gō 2, Shō-Gō 3 and Shō-Gō 4 were responses to attacks on Formosa, the Ryukyu Islands, and the Kurile Islands , respectively. The plans were for complex offensive operations committing nearly all available forces to a decisive battle, despite substantially depleting Japan's slender reserves of fuel oil.
How many projectiles did the Maryland battleships shoot?
Maryland eventually succeeded in visually ranging on the splashes of the other battleships' shells, and then fired a total of forty-eight 16 in (406 mm) projectiles. Pennsylvania was unable to find a target and her guns remained silent.
When did the Philippines invade Leyte Island?from britannica.com
The invasion timetable was revised, and preparations were made for an amphibious assault on Leyte Island in the central Philippines on October 20. Leyte had a free undefended approach from the east and adequate anchorages, as well as good access to the other islands in the archipelago.
Who was the commander of the Leyte attack?from britannica.com
The assault on Leyte marked the joining of the two major advances on Japan—the central Pacific offensive commanded by Nimitz and the southern Pacific approach under MacArthur. MacArthur was given overall command of the Leyte operation, and Nimitz provided strong naval support from the U.S. Pacific Fleet. Adm.
How many cruisers did Kurita have?from britannica.com
Kurita’s armada had been whittled down somewhat over the course of the previous days’ engagements, but it still remained one of the most powerful collections of surface ships to see action in the Pacific War. By the time of the engagement off Samar, it included four battleships—among them Kurita’s new flagship, the super battleship Yamato —eight cruisers, and nearly a dozen destroyers. Displaying an aggression that sharply belied their underdog status, the three U.S. destroyers, led by the USS Johnston, launched an audacious torpedo attack that damaged the heavy cruiser Kumano and caused the Yamato to take evasive maneuvers that carried Kurita away from the battle. Although Taffy 3’s carrier planes has been outfitted for close air support of the landing forces, they dominated the airspace above the Japanese ships and were eventually joined by aircraft from Taffy 2, another task force that was a short distance away. While Kurita’s ships continued their cat-and-mouse pursuit of Taffy 3, they were subjected to nearly two hours of incessant aerial bombardment.
How did the Japanese respond to the American landings?from britannica.com
The Japanese responded to the American landings with Sho-Go (Victory Operation), a plan to decoy the U.S. Third Fleet north, away from the San Bernardino Strait, while converging three forces on Leyte Gulf to attack the landing; the First Attack Force, under Vice Adm. Kurita Takeo, was to move from the north across the Sibuyan Sea through the San Bernardino Strait, with the Second Attack Force, under Vice Adm. Shima Kiyohide, and C Force, under Vice Adm. Nishimura Shōji, moving from the south across the Mindanao Sea through the Surigao Strait. As the Battle of the Philippine Sea had resulted not only in the sinking of three Japanese carriers but also in the virtual destruction of the air groups of three carrier divisions, the fleet had been reorganized for surface action. The only Japanese carriers involved in the battle were in the northern decoy force.
What was the Battle of Surigao Strait?from britannica.com
The Japanese C Force entered the Surigao Strait in the early hours of October 25 and was annihilated in a night engagement with destroyers and battleships of the U.S. Seventh Fleet and the cruisers and destroyers of the Royal Australian Navy’s Task Force 74.
What was the message that Kinkaid sent to Halsey?from britannica.com
At 10:00 am Nimitz himself sent what would become one of the most famous radio messages of the entire war: “WHERE IS RPT WHERE IS TASK FORCE THIRTY FOUR RR THE WORLD WONDERS.” The last three words were meant to serve as meaningless padding to deter Japanese code breakers and should have been stripped from the final message, but they were included in the printout that was given to Halsey. Interpreting “the world wonders ” as a stinging rebuke from the commander of the Pacific Fleet, an insulted Halsey at last dispatched an air strike to harass the already retiring Japanese central force. He also took the fast battleships USS New Jersey (Halsey’s flagship) and USS Iowa, along with three light cruisers and eight destroyers, on a futile pursuit of Kurita’s long gone fleet. This final stage of the Battle of Leyte Gulf has been derisively termed “Bull’s Run.”
What cruisers were sunk in Taffy 3?from britannica.com
destroyers as heavy cruisers and escort carriers were taken to be fleet carriers. Three Japanese cruisers, Chikuma, Chōkai, and Suzuya, were sunk; a fourth, Kumano, was heavily damaged.
What was the Japanese fleet's last attempt to turn the tide of the Pacific War?
After the defeats in the battles of Midway and Guadalcanal, the Japanese Imperial Fleet composed of three naval forces engaged in a last attempt to turn the tide of the Pacific War. After the U.S. Marines landed on the island of Leyte, the Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN) decides to interfere with his last forces to repel the invasion. To impede the Japanese naval offensive, U.S. Navy decided to send US Navy’s 3rd Fleet under the command of Admiral William Frederick Halsey Jr. and the 7th Fleet commanded by Admiral Thomas C. Kinkaid.
What was the largest naval battle of the Second World War?
If we sum the total displacement of warships that participated in the four naval confrontations in the Battle of Leyte Gulf (the Battle of the Sibuyan Sea, the Battle of Surigao Strait, the Battle of Cape Engaño and the Battle of Samar), we can conclude that it was largest naval battle of the Second World War and even in the history of naval warfare. Battle of Leyte Gulf, also known by the name of the Second Battle of the Philippine Sea, was held from October 23 to 27, 1944, near the islands of Leyte and Samar in the Philippine archipelago. The defeat at the Battle of Leyte Gulf severely affected Japanese ability to transfer resources from Southeast Asia to Japanese Archipelago.
Who would command the Japanese forces at Leyte?
Three other Japanese task forces would approach Leyte on different headings. Admiral Shoji Nishimura would command a force of two battleships, one cruiser and four destroyers headed for the Surigao Strait, the eastern gateway to the landings at Leyte. Admiral Kiyohide Shima would support Nishimura with three cruisers and four destroyers. The cream of the Imperial Japanese Navy would approach Leyte from the west. A massive battlefleet under Admiral Takeo Kurita included five battleships, twelve cruisers and fifteen destroyers. HIJMS Yamato and HIJMS Musashi, the world’s largest battleships, formed the core of Kurita’s force.
How many carriers did Japan lose in the Battle of Pearl Harbor?
In that battle Japan had lost three fleet carriers (including its newest, Taiho, and one of the survivors of Pearl Harbor, Shokaku ), and a tremendous number of pilots and aircraft. U.S. advantages after Philippine Sea only grew, as more American ships and planes came into service.
What was the primary target of the American invasion of the Philippines?
Once the decision to invade the Philippines was made, the American settled on Leyte as the primary invasion target. The island of 900,000 was thought to have a particularly sympathetic population, good invasion beaches and terrain well-suited to U.S. military strengths.
What was the Japanese Navy's plan for defeating the Philippines?
The Japanese prepared a variety of contingency plans for defeating invasions of probable U.S. targets, including Formosa and the Philippines. When the raids began on October 12, the Japanese initially thought the blow would fall on Formosa. Once it became clear that the Philippines would be the target, the Imperial Japanese Navy put its Victory plan into effect.
Which country decided to concentrate its attention on the Philippines?
The Americans. The United States had the luxury of determining where the next battle would be fought. After debating whether to invade Formosa or the Philippines, the United States decided to concentrate its attention on the latter.
How many ships did Halsey have?
It included eight fleet carriers, eight light carriers, six fast battleships, and a multitude of cruisers and destroyers. Halsey wanted to ensure the security of the landings, but also hoped to destroy what was left of the Imperial Japanese Navy.
What was the battle of Leyte Gulf?
The battle commences The Battle of Leyte Gulf consisted of two preliminary strikes against the Japanese forces on the way to battle and three massive engagements once the fleets tangled.
What was the name of the Japanese convoy that resupplied Leyte Island?
Starting on October 25, 1944, and for more than a month, Japanese re-supply groups called TA convoys headed for Ormoc Bay (west of Leyte), and brought to the defenders of Leyte Island the reinforcements needed to prolong the resistance well beyond what the Allies had expected. By December, however, the Sixth Army had captured the island.
Where did Admiral Kurita go down?
Although Admiral Kurita went down with his flagship, he was quickly rescued from the sea off Palawan by sailors aboard the Maya, putting him back into command of his fleet aboard the Yamato by day's end. Battle of the Sibuyan Sea.
When did the Ise and Hyuga return to Japan?
Only the Ise and Hyuga escaped and returned to Japan — where they were sunk at their moorings in 1945. Battle of Samar. On October 25, 1944, Admiral Kurita passed through San Bernardino Strait at 3 a.m. and progressed southward along the coast of Samar.
What was the largest battle in the history of the Japanese?
The Battle of Leyte Gulf raged from October 23 through 25, 1944. It was the largest naval battle ever fought — ending in the eclipse of the Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN) and its last sortie in force. Leyte Gulf also was the scene of the first organized use of Kamikaze (suicide) aircraft by the Japanese.
How long did the Yamato torpedo?
The Yamato found itself between two torpedoes on parallel courses, and for 10 minutes it headed away from the action, unable to turn back for fear of being hit.
Who was the Admiral who turned his fleet around to get out of the range of U.S. planes?
Admiral Kurita turned his fleet around to get out of the range of U.S. planes and passed the sinking Musashi as he retreated. Amid the bombardment of Kurita's fleet, Vice Admiral Onishi Takijiro had directed his First Fleet of 80 planes (based in Luzon) against the U.S. carriers Essex, Lexington, Princeton, and Langley.
Overview
Battle of Surigao Strait (25 October 1944)
The Battle of Surigao Strait is significant as the last battleship-to-battleship action in history. The Battle of Surigao Strait was one of only two battleship-versus-battleship naval battles in the entire Pacific campaign of World War II (the other being the naval battle during the Guadalcanal Campaign, where Washington sank the Japanese battleship Kirishima). It is also the most recent …
Background
The Allied campaigns of August 1942 to early 1944 had driven Japanese forces from many of their island bases in the south and the central Pacific Ocean, while isolating many of their other bases (most notably in the Solomon Islands, Bismarck Archipelago, Admiralty Islands, New Guinea, Marshall Islands, and Wake Island), and in June 1944, a series of American amphibious landings supported by Fifth Fleet's Fast Carrier Task Force captured most of the Mariana Islands (bypassing
Setup for the battle
The U.S. Seventh Fleet at this time contained units of the U.S. Navy and the Royal Australian Navy. Before the major naval actions in Leyte Gulf had begun, HMAS Australia and USS Honolulu were severely damaged by air attacks; during the battle proper these two cruisers were retiring, escorted by HMAS Warramunga, for repairs at the major Allied base at Manus Island, 1,700 mile…
Submarine action in Palawan Passage (23 October 1944)
(Note: This action is referred to by Morison as 'The Fight in Palawan Passage', and elsewhere, occasionally, as the 'Battle of Palawan Passage'.)
As it sortied from its base in Brunei, Kurita's powerful "Center Force" consisted of five battleships (Yamato, Musashi, Nagato, Kongō, and Haruna) , ten heavy cruisers (Atago, Maya, Takao, Chōkai, Myōkō, Haguro, Kumano, Suzuya, Tone and
Battle of the Sibuyan Sea (24 October 1944)
Despite its great strength, Third Fleet was not well-placed to deal with the threat. On 22 October, Halsey had detached two of his carrier groups to the fleet base at Ulithi to take on provisions and rearm. When Darter's contact report came in, Halsey recalled Davison's group, but allowed Vice Admiral John S. McCain, with the strongest of TF 38's carrier groups, to continue towards Ulithi. Halsey finall…
Task Force 34 / San Bernardino Strait
After the Japanese Southern and Center forces had been detected, but before it had been engaged or Ozawa's carriers had been located, Halsey and the staff of Third Fleet, aboard the battleship New Jersey, prepared a contingency plan to deal with the threat from Kurita's Center Force. Their intention was to cover San Bernardino Strait with a powerful task force of fast battleships supported by two of Third Fleet's equally swift carrier groups. The battleship force w…
Halsey's decision (24 October 1944)
Third Fleet's aircraft failed to locate Ozawa's Northern Force until 16:40 on 24 October. This was largely because Third Fleet had been preoccupied with attacking Kurita's sizable Center Force and defending itself against the Japanese air strikes from Luzon. Thus the one Japanese force that wanted to be discovered – Ozawa's tempting decoy of a large carrier group, which actually had only 108 aircraft – was the only force the Americans had not been able to find. On the evening o…