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The Battle of Leyte Gulf occurred between October 23, 1944 until October 26, 1944 in Leyte Gulf in the Philippines. The combatants were the Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN) versus the U.S. Navy (USN) plus aircraft from both sides. Known to the Japanese as Reite oki Kaisen (Leyte Open Sea Naval Battle).
Wartime History
The Battle of Leyte Gulf was a series of engagements including the Battle of the Palawan Passage, Battle of the Sibyuan Sea, Battle of Surigao Strait, Battle Off Samar (Battle of Samar) and Battle off Cape Engaño.
The Japanese Navy Operation Sho-1-Go (Victory) was divided into three elements that would to converge on Leyte Gulf from three directions with the aim of distrupting the American landing on eastern Leyte.
The Northern Force under the command of Vice Admiral Jisaburō Ozawa with several aircraft carriers would serve as bait to lure away U.S. covering forces. Meanwhile, the Southern Force under the command of Admiral Shōji Nishimura and Kiyohide Shima would attack the landing area via the Surigao Strait. Force A (Central Force) under the command of Vice Admiral Takeo Kurita would attack the landing area via the San Bernardino Strait.
The defending U.S. Navy (USN) forces included surface and
air elements of the Seventh Fleet under the command of Vice Admiral T. C. Kinkaid and the Fast
Carrier Force of the Third Fleet under the command of Vice Admiral W. F. Halsey.
On October 24, 1944 USN carrier planes locate and attack the "Southern Force" in the Sulu Sea and the "Central Force" in the Sibuyan
Sea. During the Battle of the Sibuyan Sea, carrier aircraft sink Musashi and destroyer Michishio. Meanwhile, Japanese aircraft located and sink USS Princeton (CVL-23).
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Last Updated
October 26, 2024
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