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Battle of Leyte Gulf
October 23–26, 1944· Battle· Asia & Pacific
Well documentedSolid records, physical evidence or scientific consensus.
A sprawling October 1944 naval battle in the Philippines, often called the largest in history, that broke Japan's navy as a fighting force.
See it on the Battles & Wars map →What happened
When US troops landed on Leyte, Japan committed nearly its whole fleet. A decoy carrier force lured Admiral William Halsey's fast battleships and carriers north while two battleship forces struck at the landing area. At Surigao Strait US destroyers, cruisers and battleships destroyed one. Off Samar, a few US escort carriers and destroyers fought off the far stronger force of the giant battleship Yamato, which then turned back. Japan lost four carriers, three battleships and many cruisers and destroyers. Organized kamikaze attacks began here.
Why it matters
Japan's navy never again fought as a fleet, its oil route from Southeast Asia was effectively cut, and the Philippines campaign opened the road toward Japan.
How we know
US and Japanese action reports, postwar interrogations of Japanese officers, wreck finds such as the battleship Musashi (2015) and USS Samuel B. Roberts (found 2022, the deepest wreck yet located), and Samuel Eliot Morison's naval history.
Still debated
Halsey's choice to chase the decoy carriers, leaving the landings exposed, and Admiral Takeo Kurita's decision to turn back off Samar, are still argued over.
Connections (4)
▸Battle of Leyte Gulf crippled Japan's navy in World War IIWell documented
The connection
Leyte Gulf destroyed most of Japan's remaining fleet and secured the US return to the Philippines. With the islands lost, Japan's sea route to the oil of Southeast Asia was effectively cut, and Japan turned increasingly to kamikaze attacks for the rest of the war.
When and how
Waters around Leyte, Philippines, October 23–26, 1944: Halsey's Third Fleet and Kinkaid's Seventh Fleet against Admirals Kurita, Nishimura, Shima and Ozawa.
How we know
Japanese losses are documented on both sides; the fleet never again sortied in strength except Yamato's one-way mission toward Okinawa in April 1945.
Debates and open questions
Whether it was the largest naval battle ever depends on how ships, men and area are counted; some give that title to other battles.
▸Douglas MacArthur led the Leyte landings that triggered the Battle of Leyte GulfWell documented
The connection
MacArthur had insisted on liberating the Philippines rather than bypassing them for Formosa (Taiwan). His invasion of Leyte, where he waded ashore on October 20, 1944, declaring 'I have returned', triggered Japan's all-out naval attempt to destroy the invasion fleet in Leyte Gulf.
When and how
Leyte, Philippines, October 20, 1944: MacArthur's Southwest Pacific forces, supported by Admiral Thomas Kinkaid's Seventh Fleet.
How we know
Japanese plans for Operation Shō-Gō show the naval attack was aimed directly at the Leyte landings.
Debates and open questions
Whether liberating the Philippines was strategically necessary, or mainly a political and personal priority for MacArthur, is debated.
▸Grumman and the F6F Hellcat designed the Hellcats and Avengers that fought at Battle of Leyte GulfWell documented
The connection
At Leyte Gulf, the largest naval battle in history, Hellcat fighters protected US fleets while Avenger torpedo bombers helped sink the giant battleship Musashi. Off Samar, Avengers and Wildcats, many built by General Motors under license, flew from small escort carriers against a far stronger Japanese battleship force.
When and how
Philippines, October 23–26, 1944; aircraft from US Third and Seventh Fleet carriers, including Taffy 3's escort carriers off Samar.
How we know
US Navy action reports and Japanese records, including the sinking of Musashi in the Sibuyan Sea on October 24, 1944.
Debates and open questions
Why Admiral Takeo Kurita turned back off Samar when victory seemed within reach is still debated; relentless air attacks were one factor.
▸Mitsubishi: the Zero fighter and battleship Musashi built the battleship Musashi, sunk at Battle of Leyte GulfWell documented
The connection
Musashi and her sister Yamato were the largest battleships ever built, with 46 cm guns. Musashi was built at Mitsubishi's Nagasaki yard. At Leyte Gulf, on October 24, 1944, US carrier planes hit her with an estimated 17–19 torpedoes and some 17 bombs in the Sibuyan Sea, and she sank; over 1,000 of her crew died.
When and how
Sibuyan Sea, the Philippines, October 24, 1944; aircraft from US Task Force 38 under Admiral William Halsey.
How we know
US and Japanese action reports; the wreck, found in 2015 at about 1,000 m depth, shows the damage.
Debates and open questions
Hit counts vary between US claims and survivors' accounts; how long she stayed afloat under such punishment surprised both sides.