The Battle of Leyte Gulf

The Battle of Leyte Gulf Name: Course: Professor: Date: Table of Contents TOC \o "1-3" \h \z \u Introduction PAGEREF _Toc163357103 \h 1Background: Pacific Strategy PAGEREF _Toc163357104 \h 1Naval Engagements PAGEREF _Toc163357105 \h 4Battle of the Sibuyan Sea PAGEREF _Toc163357106 \h 4Battle off Samar PAGEREF _Toc163357107 \h 4Battle of Cape Engaño PAGEREF _Toc163357108 \h 4Impact and Significance PAGEREF _Toc163357109 \h 5Tactical and Strategic Outcomes PAGEREF _Toc163357110 \h 5Psychological Effects PAGEREF _Toc163357111 \h 5Conclusion PAGEREF _Toc163357112 \h 5Bibliography PAGEREF _Toc163357113 \h 6 Introduction The Battle of Leyte Gulf ranks as one of the most decisive wars in history. Fought between 23 – 26 October 1944, this war crippled the Japanese combined fleet and opened the way for the Allied not only to invade the Philippines but to take charge in pacific. For a significant part of the 20th century, Japan modernized its economy and tried all ways possible to build and expand its empire across Asia-pacific. Historical archives show that japan in its quest to expand its territories had already taken over Guam, Hong Kong, wake island by December 1941 followed by Dutch indies, Philippines, Burma, Singapore and Malaya in 1942. To further solidify its base, japan attacked US’s pearl harbor in 1941 and subsequently expanded its control over the Pacific region (Kimberly, 1942). By mid-1944, Japan had established a formidable defensive perimeter stretching from the Aleutian Islands in the north to New Guinea in the south, encompassing crucial territories such as the Philippines, Indonesia, and the Mariana Islands. To reclaim and take charge in the pacific, the Allied combat launched an array of counter-offensives measures whose objective was the liberation of many strategic territories that had been occupied by the Japanese forces. General MacArthur, of the Allied forces in the Southwest Pacific Theater, acted as the top commander in the Lyte Gulf war and helped come up with strategies needed to free Philippines and other strategies regions that were already under Japanese occupation. Unlike many regions in the pacific, Leyte Gulf was a gateway to the Philippines and to this very day provides deep waters that were perfect for naval anchorage and good connections to the ports and airfields in the area (Bates, 1953).  On the one hand, the seizure of Leyte Gulf would pave a way for Allied supply lines and air cover for future operations in the region. On the other one, Japanese triumph in this war would have further established and stamped its position and authority in the pacific. However, the Battle of Leyte Gulf became a turning point for the Allied forces and resulted in the crippling of the Japanese Navy in 1944 until the end of wwII. The loss of Leyte Gulf severely diminished Japan's ability to project naval power and defend its territories, leading to subsequent Allied offensives in the Pacific and the eventual surrender of Japan in 1945. The subsequent battles between Japan and the allied between 23-23 October 2026 resulted in one of the greatest naval battles of WWII which marked a critical moment in the Pacific War, demonstrating the shifting balance of power between the Allied and Japanese forces and paving the way for the eventual defeat of Japan in 1945. Background: Pacific Strategy right5028712Figure SEQ Figure \* ARABIC 1: Image from The National WWII Museum.00Figure SEQ Figure \* ARABIC 1: Image from The National WWII Museum.right150495000According to the National Geographic (2024) there were two geographic places where military event took place in WWII namely the Pacific Theatre and the European Theatre. The Pacific theatre was largely defined by the Japan empire and during its peak, it stretched throughout southeast Asia, eastern China, the islands of Oceania and the Aleutian Islands in Northern America (see Figure 1). From as early as 1930s, japan pursued an expansionism policy across the Asian-pacific region with key activities being the invasion of Manchuria in 1931, the invasion of mainland china in 1937, Nanjing in 1937, and the attack on US territories such as the Philippines, and Guam and the US pacific fleets at the pearl harbor in 1941. All these strategic expansions including the formation of the Axis Powers (Italy, Germany and japan) in September 27 1940 were meant to help Japan secure resources and establish a lasting territorial dominance in the pacific. Accordingly, the Axis power recognized japan as the dominant power in Asia-pacific and those allied to japan were going to protect japans if attacked by any other power not at war at that time. However, the Japanese attack on the pearl harbor officially brought US into WWII (Fuller, 1944). While US and Japan had being edging towards war for many years earlier, the pearl harbor of 1941, which led to massive military destruction and deaths, and the attack on US airbase in Clark Field, and the Philippines were the breaking points and through which the US declared war on Japan. For japan, destruction of the Pearl Harbor was supposedly meant to deal a major blow on the US making them not to fight back. More so, its invasion of Philippines was a strategic part of its warfare expansionism and the elimination of US General Douglas A. MacArthur partially worked according to their plan. While General MacArthur was beaten and forced to surrender, he still insisted that their exit from Philippines alongside American troops was not only ordered by President Roosevelt but was also strategic. As quoted: “… the president has ordered me to break through the Japanese lines and proceed from Corregidor [island, in Manila Bay] to Australia for the purpose, as I understand it, of organizing an American offensive against Japan” (Willing, Kimberly, 1942). For the US capturing Philippines was important and it is the reason why General MacArthur promised to return. Returning Philippines back to the allied was a difficult process, but Japan was going to defend the Philippines not only because it was a primary target for the allies and the fact that its capture by enemies would translate to major disruptions on Japan's supply line as well as opening room for the liberation of several other Southeast Asian nations by the allies. Any country that was going to gain control over the Philippines particularly Leyte Gulf which was located in central Philippines, would have naval access to surrounding islands thus facilitating the movement of equipment, supplies, and troops. Key Events Leading to the Battle Events including the attack on the pearl ...