General MacArthur wades ashore in the 24th Infantry Division sector, 20 October, 1944.
Credit: National Archives.
Preface
Allied invasion of the Philippines forced the hand of the Japanese High Command. It was evidently decided to make an all-out effort to drive U.S. forces from the Philippines, even at the risk of a major action.
When Allied troops went ashore at Leyte ("A" Day, 20 October, 1944), reports now indicate that most Japanese heavy surface units were in the Southwest area, and that the carrier fleet was in the Empire. The enemy apparently had decided to join these forces in the Central Philippines at the earliest practicable moment. Maximum use was to be made of shore-based air.
A series of naval engagements and, in terms of victory, ones which may turn out to be among the decisive battles of modern times, were won by American forces against a three-pronged attack by the Japanese in an attempt to land reinforcements on Leyte Island and wipe out the American covering force.
The naval battle lasted around two days; the land-based battle for the Island of Leyte took two months.
Credit: text and pictures (unless noted), US Navy, US Army.
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