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Battle of
Leyte: October 20 - December 25, 1944
After debating the merits of different directions in the summer, the US
chose to liberate the Philippines as its next strategic objective. The
island of Leyte was the initial target. Japan viewed holding Leyte as a
priority and General Yamashita was tasked with ensuring its defense.
General MacArthur came ashore on the first day of the assault and issued his
famous address to the Filipinos: "I have returned..." After
two months of intensive battle, US armed forces had effectively completed the
capture of the island. |
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Battle for Leyte Gulf:
October 23-26, 1944
One of the great naval battles of WWII ensued from the American landings
on Leyte as the opponents sought to reinforce units already on Leyte.
The US victory at sea ensured that American armed forces would overwhelm the
Japanese army on Leyte. Japan assembled most of its remaining naval assets
for the battle and aimed to destroy the US transports bringing
military reinforcements to Leyte. |
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Battle of
Surigao Strait: October 24-25, 1944
Two Japanese naval forces, under the command of Admirals Nishimura and Shima,
respectively, attempted to pass through the Surigao Strait. An American
force, including several battleships damaged at Pearl Harbor, blocked
their route at the northern end. US PT Boats and destroyers attacked the
Japanese forces, causing considerable damage, while the capital ships
maintained their position and struck those that managed to pass through
the screen. Both Japanese forces ultimately turned back after sustaining
losses. |
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Battle Off
Samar: October 25, 1944
Admiral Kurita's Center Force discovered Admiral Sprague's Task Force 3 consisting of
escort carriers and destroyers. The American force was unprepared for
naval combat and attempted to disengage. Kurita's force continued to
close and inflict damage to the American ships but it disengaged before
decisive results were achieved because Kurita feared the presence of
more powerful American forces (which were in fact not there). Had Kurita
pursued, he might have reached the US transports off Leyte. Among the
first Kamikaze attacks took place during this battle. |
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Battle of Cape
Engaņo: October 25, 1944
Admiral Halsey led the main US fleet in the area to engage Ozawa's force
approaching from the north. The Japanese intended for Ozawa to be a
decoy and his approach did succeed in distracting the Americans.
Substantial damage was inflicted on the Japanese force before Halsey
turned back with most of the fleet to strike at Kurita. Some of Halsey's
carriers continued to pursue Ozawa. Only two Japanese capital ships
escaped destruction. |
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Reconquest of
the Philippines: January 1 - August 15, 1945
After establishing a base of operations on Leyte, American armed forces built-up
and proceeded to invade Mindoro against relatively light
opposition and ultimately landed on Luzon on January 9th, 1945.
Secondary landings were carried out to prevent the main Japanese forces
from retreating to more defensible positions such as Bataan. By July 5th
General MacArthur declared the Philippines liberated. However, some remote areas
remained under Japanese control until the end of the war. |
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Battle of Iwo
Jima: February 19 - March 11, 1945
Iwo Jima was the only Japanese base capable of interfering with American
bombing operations against Japan. The entire island was heavily
fortified and defended by about 21,700 troops determined to hold it. US
Marines faced fanatical resistance once ashore and sustained heavy
casualties. Total American losses numbered 17,200 wounded and 6000 dead.
Only 200 Japanese troops were captured. Once cleared, the island was used as a
fighter base for escorting bombers over Japan and as an emergency
landing site for B-29 bombers operating from the Mariannas. |
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Okinawa
Campaign: April 1 - June 14, 1945
Operation Iceberg, the US invasion of Okinawa, involved over 450,000
troops and 1200 transports in what was the largest naval operation mounted
in the Pacific. About 130,000 Japanese troops defended the island from
entrenched positions and they proved a formidable obstacle. Kamikaze
attacks against the American naval forces also took a heavy toll. Almost
all the Japanese defenders were killed, as well as about 42,000 of the
450,000 civilians on the island. Only 10,755 were taken prisoner. US
casualties amounted to 12,500 killed and 35,500 wounded.
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Allied Plans
for 1945
US Army and Navy leaders differed on the strategic direction of the war
against Japan. Admiral Nimitz preferred to forgo occupation of the
Philippines in favor of an invasion of Formosa to be followed-up with
landings on mainland China. General MacArthur, supported by General
Marshal, wanted to occupy the Philippines, then land on Okinawa and
follow up with a landing on Kyushu (the southernmost of the main
Japanese home islands). After this, they intended to strike Honshu. |
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