Battle of Leyte Gulf
Fought from 23 to 26 October 1944 in the waters around the Philippine island of Leyte, this was the largest naval battle in history by the number of ships involved — 67 Allied ships and 64 Japanese, with hundreds of supporting vessels. Japan's 'Sho-Go' (Victory) plan committed its remaining surface fleet to repel the American landings in the Philippines, deploying a complex four-pronged attack. Despite tactical successes — Admiral Kurita's Centre Force nearly destroyed the American escort carriers of 'Taffy 3' in a desperate action — Japan's fleet was shattered: it lost 26 ships including three battleships and four carriers. After Leyte Gulf, Japan had no viable surface fleet. The battle also saw the first organised kamikaze attacks: suicide pilots crashing bomb-laden aircraft into American ships, a tactic that sank 47 Allied vessels and damaged 300 more before Japan's surrender, signalling the extremity of Japanese commitment and prefiguring the planned invasion of the home islands.
- Year: 1944 CE
- Category: Military
