What is the Battle of Leyte Gulf?
The Battle of Leyte Gulf is considered to be the largest naval battle in World War II and in history. It was fought in the waters near the island of Leyte, Philippines from 23rd to 26th of October 1944 and it was between United States and Japan. The Battle of Leyte gulf consisted of four separate major engagements between the opposing forces: The battle of Sibuyan Sea, the Battle of Surigao Strait, The battle of Cape Engano, and The Battle of Samar. As American forces pushed toward Japan in the summer of 1944, military planners decided to bypass the Philippine Islands. General Macarthur strongly opposed this strategy, claiming that the United States had an obligation to free the Filipinos. General Macarthur's arguments persuaded President Roosevelt, who reversed the decision. On 20th of October, United States troops invaded the island of Leyte as part of a strategy aimed at isolating Japan from its empire in the Southeast Asia, and in particular depriving its forces and industry of vital oil supplies. While the U.S. were fighting to improve their beachheads on Leyte, the Japanese were preparing to stake their whole remaining striking power on a gigantic gamble to maintain their position in the Philippines. The Japanese's strategy was to command nearly every warship still afloat to attack the United States Navy. This battle was the first battle where Japan used the kamikaze attacks strategy. Kamikaze attacks were suicide planes where the pilot in an aircraft will commit suicide in order to bring more calamitous damage on the enemy. The Allied forces had more advantage because during this battle, Japan had fewer aircraft and warships than the American forces.
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Outcome of the Battle of Leyte Gulf:
After three days of fighting, United States won against Japan. Warships and planes were lost during this battle. U.S. lost 6 warships and over 200 planes and Japan lost 26 warships and over 500 planes. Not only warships were lost during this battle but also people's lives, about 3,000 Americans and about 10,500 Japanese died in this battle. The Japanese defeat on Leyte Gulf brought American forces almost to the South China Sea placing them in a position to sever the sea routes connecting Japan with its empire in the South. Japan's naval and air power became weak because U.S. destroyed most of them. U.S. also had the advantage to invade the Philippines completely and cut off Japan's supply lines and communication routes. And after the battle in Leyte Gulf, Allied warships could sail with impunity anywhere in the Pacific. |
Significance of the Battle of Leyte Gulf:
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