11-5-16
The US Navy’s contribution to freeing the Philippines from their Japanese Occupation began in earnest on September 1, 1944, when Task Force 58 became TF 38, systematically attacking enemy positions, and supporting a whole series of Landings across the Archipelago by Marines and Army troops. For all intents and purposes, Operation King II ended on November 11, 1944 when the fleet anchored in Ulithi.
Can someone give that crazed revisionist Filippino President Duterte a history book, please?
Anyway, at the end of October 1944, Japanese defensive strategy, Operation Sho Go 1 was implemented and developed into The Battle for Leyte, (also known as the Second Battle of the Philippine Sea.) The battle developed over several days and is generally though of as having four distinct actions: Sibuyan Sea, Surigao Strait, Cape Engano, and the Battle off Samar. Part of the plan called for Admiral Ozawa to cruise south with a task group of (mostly) carriers in order to lure Halsey into breaking up TF38 so that he could steam north to engage the carrier fleet. Naturally, Halsey took the bait and did exactly that. History shows that his decision, sometimes derisively called The Battle of Bull’s Run didn’t change the course of the War much, one way or the other.
Masanori Ito had this to say about the outcome: RUINOUS DEFEAT The Japanese defeat at the battle of Leyte Gulf was indeed miserable. Losses came to 3 battleships, 4 aircraft carriers, 9 cruisers, 13 destroyers and 5 submarines, for a total of 34 ships; while the enemy lost only four. The score was one-sided to an extent rarely seen in warfare. It was complete revenge for Pear Harbor.