#battle of leyte gulf

[captain-price-unofficially]

USS Kitkun Bay prepares her FM-2 Wildcats while in the distance, the USS White Plains is bracketed by surface gunfire during the Battle off Samar, part of the Battle of Leyte Gulf. 25 Oct 1944

[lonestarbattleship]

Loading drop tanks on Curtiss SB2C Helldivers aboard USS LEXINGTON (CV-16) before a search mission.

Date: October 25, 1944

U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command: 80-G-284381

[carbone14]

Porte-avions japonais Zuiho attaqué par des avions de l'USS Enterprise pendant la bataille du Cap Engano – Bataille du golfe de Leyte – Campagne des Philippines (1944-1945) – Guerre du Pacifique – Luçon – Philippines – 25 octobre 1944

[historydailyfrancischappellblack]

During the Battle of Leyte Gulf, the Japanese Utilize Kamikaze (“divine wind”) Airplanes Against American Warships for the First Time. It will Prove Disastrous – to Both Sides. October 25, 1944.

Image: St. Lo exploding after a kamikaze strike. (Public Domain) On this day in history, October 25, 1944, during the Battle of Leyte Gulf, the Japanese utilize Kamikaze (“divine wind”) airplanes against American warships for the first time. It will prove disastrous – to both sides. This decision to engage suicide bombers against the American ships at Leyte, an island of the Philippines, was…

[secondworldwarremembrancedays]

Remembering the Battle of Leyte Gulf: October 1944.

The largest naval battle in history, the Battle of Leyte Gulf off the coast of the Philippines, was another step in the U.S. advance toward the Japanese home islands. All available Japanese forces were thrown into the area, but the separate units failed to unite, resulting in several actions scattered over a wide area.

All four Japanese light carriers were sunk, as were three battleships. Leyte Gulf also marked the first use of a desperate new tactic: the escort carrier USS St. Louis was sunk after a Japanese kamikaze carrying a bomb deliberately crashed on its deck.

[More Here: Are Light Carriers Poised to Make a Comeback?]

[knowledgekings]

Battle of Leyte Gulf

The Battle of Leyte Gulf was a crucial naval engagement that occurred during World War II in October 1944. It was the largest naval battle of the war, involving the combined forces of the United States and Australia against Japan. The battle took place in the waters surrounding the Philippine island of Leyte, and it played a critical role in the Allied victory in the Pacific theater.

Reasons for the Battle

One of the primary reasons for the battle was the strategic importance of the Philippines to both the Allied and Japanese forces. The Philippines had been under Japanese occupation since 1942, and the Allies were eager to retake the islands in order to establish a base from which to launch further attacks on Japan. The Japanese, meanwhile, recognized the strategic value of the Philippines and were determined to defend their position.

Another reason for the battle was the Japanese naval strategy of launching kamikaze attacks against Allied forces. Kamikaze attacks involved Japanese pilots deliberately crashing their planes into Allied ships, causing significant damage and loss of life. The Japanese hoped that these attacks would deter the Allies from continuing their offensive, and they planned to use kamikaze attacks extensively during the battle.

A third reason for the battle was the Japanese plan to divide the Allied forces by launching a decoy attack in the north while their main force attacked from the south. This strategy was intended to confuse the Allies and allow the Japanese to gain a tactical advantage.

The battle of Leyte Gulf was also fought due to the importance of the sea lanes surrounding the Philippines. The waters around the islands were key shipping routes for both the Allies and the Japanese, and control of these lanes was vital for the success of both sides.

Some say, The battle was fought because of the personal ambitions of the commanders involved. Admiral Kurita, the Japanese commander, was determined to win a major naval battle and achieve a decisive victory for Japan. Admiral Halsey, the American commander, was similarly ambitious and was eager to prove his worth as a naval commander.

Decision to Invade Philippines by Allies

A meeting between MacArthur, Nimitz, and President Roosevelt helped confirm the Philippines as a strategic target but did not reach a decision, and the debate continued for two months. Eventually Nimitz changed his mind and agreed to MacArthur's plan, and it was eventually decided that MacArthur's forces would invade the island of Leyte in the central Philippines. Amphibious forces and close naval support would be provided by Seventh Fleet, commanded by Vice Admiral Thomas C. Kinkaid.

War Structur

The battle was fought between the Japanese Imperial Navy and the Allied naval forces, which included the United States Navy's Third and Seventh Fleets, as well as the Royal Australian Navy. The Japanese fleet, under the command of Admiral Takeo Kurita, was tasked with destroying the Allied landing force at Leyte and disrupting their operations in the Philippines. The Allied forces, under the command of Admiral William Halsey and Admiral Thomas Kinkaid, were determined to protect their troops on the ground and secure the island.

Allies Strength

~300 ships in total

8 fleet carriers

9 light carriers

18 escort carriers

12 battleships

24 cruisers

116 destroyers and destroyer escorts

Many PT boats, submarines, and fleet auxiliaries

About 1,500 planes

Imperial Japan's Strength

67+ ships in total

1 fleet carrier

3 light carriers

2 hybrid-carriers/battleships

7 battleships

13 heavy cruisers

6 light cruisers

35+ destroyers

300+ planes (including land-based aircraft)

Beginning

The battle began on October 23, 1944, with a series of naval engagements between the opposing forces. The Japanese launched a surprise attack on the Allied fleet with their powerful battleships and cruisers, but the Americans were able to quickly regroup and launch a counterattack. Over the next few days, the two sides engaged in intense fighting that involved multiple naval battles and air strikes.

Significant Events

Musashi

Musashi under aerial bombardment

One of the key moments in the battle came on October 25, when the Japanese attempted to penetrate the Leyte Gulf with their battleships. However, the Allied forces were prepared for this maneuver and were able to sink several of the Japanese ships, including the battleship Musashi, one of the largest and most powerful warships ever built. The loss of the Musashi dealt a significant blow to the Japanese fleet and boosted the morale of the Allied forces.

Sinking of Fusō

The traditional account of the sinking of Fusō was that she exploded into two halves that remained floating for some time. However, Fusō survivor Hideo Ogawa, interrogated in 1945, in an article on the battleship's last voyage, stated: "Shortly after 0400 the ship capsized slowly to starboard and Ogawa and others were washed away," without specifically mentioning the bisection. Fusō was hit on the starboard side by two or possibly three torpedoes. One of these started an oil fire, and as the fuel used by IJN ships was poorly refined and easily ignited, burning patches of fuel could have led to the description from Allied observers of Fusō "blowing up". However, battleships were known sometimes to be cut into two or even three sections which could remain afloat independently, and Samuel Morison states that the bow half of Fusō was sunk by gunfire from Louisville, and the stern half sank off Kanihaan Island.

First kamikaze attacks of the Pacific War

The first kamikaze attacks of the Pacific War occurred on October 25, 1944, during the Battle of Leyte Gulf. The attacks were carried out by Japanese pilots who deliberately crashed their planes into Allied ships, causing significant damage and loss of life. The kamikaze attacks represented a new tactic in the war, and they would go on to have a significant impact on the course of the conflict.

The idea of kamikaze attacks originated in Japan in the months leading up to the Battle of Leyte Gulf. The Japanese military was facing a dire situation, with their forces in the Pacific stretched thin and the Allies gaining momentum. The Japanese were looking for new tactics to use in the fight against the Allies, and they began to consider the use of suicide attacks.

The first kamikaze attacks were carried out by a group of Japanese pilots who had been specially trained for the task. The pilots flew their planes directly into Allied ships, causing massive explosions and fires. The first attack was on a escort carrier named Santee. The attack killed 16 crewmen. Even though emergency repairs saved Santee from sinking. The second attack was on escort carrier named Suwannee which killed 71 crewmen. Suwannee was hit by another kamikaze around noon on 26 October that caused even more damage and killed 36 more crewmen. This second kamikaze strike caused a large fire that was not extinguished until nine hours later. A total of 107 sailors were killed and over 150 were wounded on Suwannee in the kamikaze attacks on 25–26 October. 5 Avenger torpedo bombers and 9 Hellcat fighters on Suwannee were destroyed.

The attacks were highly effective, and the Allies were caught off guard by the new tactic. The kamikaze attacks caused significant damage to the Allied fleet, sinking or damaging several ships. The kamikaze attacks were highly controversial, even within Japan. Many Japanese military leaders opposed the tactic, believing that it was wasteful and dishonorable. However, others saw it as a necessary measure to turn the tide of the war. Despite the controversy, the kamikaze attacks would go on to become a staple of Japanese military strategy in the Pacific War. The attacks were highly effective, and they caused significant damage to Allied forces. The kamikaze pilots were revered in Japan as heroes, and their sacrifice was seen as a necessary measure to defend the homeland. The kamikaze attacks also had a significant psychological impact on the Allied forces. The pilots were willing to give up their lives for their cause, and this willingness to die for their country was something that the Allies found difficult to understand. The attacks created a sense of fear and dread among Allied troops, as they knew that they could be targeted by kamikaze pilots at any time.

End

Despite this setback, the Japanese continued to fight fiercely, and the battle raged on for several more days. In the end, the Allied forces emerged victorious, having successfully repelled the Japanese attack and secured their position on the island of Leyte. The battle was a decisive moment in the war in the Pacific, as it effectively ended Japan's naval supremacy and paved the way for the eventual Allied victory.

The Battle of Leyte Gulf was a complex and highly strategic engagement that involved multiple naval tactics and maneuvers. It demonstrated the importance of air power in naval warfare, as both sides heavily relied on their aircraft carriers and fighter planes to gain an advantage. The battle also showcased the bravery and skill of the sailors and pilots involved, many of whom made significant sacrifices to ensure victory for their respective sides. Today, the Battle of Leyte Gulf is remembered as one of the most significant naval battles in history. It played a crucial role in the Allied victory in the Pacific and helped to shape the course of World War II. Its legacy continues to be felt to this day, as the lessons learned from the battle continue to inform modern naval strategy and tactics.

[usafphantom2]

2nd September 1937. First flight of the Grumman XF4F fighter, which would become known as the Wildcat. Its performance was initially inferior to the rival Brewster Buffalo, and the aircraft required an extensive redesign before being put into production. Despite this unpromising beginning, the Wildcat would prove crucial in the early stages of the Pacific war. Though less manoeuvrable than the Japanese Zero, it was well armed, rugged and a capable adversary in the hands of a skilled pilot.

The Wildcat’s first combat sorties were actually flown by the Royal Navy’s Fleet Air Arm. Named Martlet in British use until 1944, the type’s first victory was a Junkers 88 over Scapa Flow on Christmas Day 1940. Martlets went on to serve successfully on the first Royal Navy escort carrier, HMS Audacity, in 1941. They continued in this role until the end of the war, scoring their final victories in Fleet Air Arm service by shooting down four Bf 109s in March 1945.

Wildcats first flew in combat against the Japanese during the attempt to take Wake Island in early December 1941. Four Marine F4Fs mounted a heroic defence, breaking up several air attacks as well as sinking a destroyer and submarine with 100lb bombs before the island finally fell on 23rd December. Wildcats served in all the key early engagements of the Pacific war, including Coral Sea, Midway and the defence of Guadalcanal.

Wildcats quickly established a reputation for toughness, able to absorb far more punishment than their Japanese opponents, and had an impressive kill/loss ratio. Wildcats were credited with destroying over 1,000 Japanese aircraft for 178 aerial losses, 24 to anti-aircraft fire, and 49 to operational causes. One Navy and seven Marine Corps pilots would earn the Medal of Honor in Wildcats.

In early 1943, Wildcat production was taken over by General Motors under the designation FM-1 and later the improved FM-2. Though replaced by the more powerful Hellcat on American fleet carriers during that year, the Wildcat’s small size and light weight made it ideal for use on escort and light carriers. With the addition of folding wings, they were well suited to the limited hangar and deck space available.

As in Royal Naval service, they remained in use until the end of the war. For example, during the battle of Leyte Gulf in October 1944, Wildcats mounted strafing runs against Japanese warships, helping to buy time for their parent escort carriers to escape.

Pictured:

1) First prototype Grumman XF4F-2 in flight. Note the cowling machine guns, forward radio antenna mast and telescopic gunsight, none of which featured on production models.

📷 thisdayinaviation.com

2) Grumman Martlet of 888 Squadron NAS warming up on board HMS Formidable prior to takeoff.

📷 IWM (A 11640)

3) Wrecked Grumman F4F-3 Wildcat fighters of Marine Fighting Squadron 211 (VMF-211), photographed by by the Wake airstrip sometime after the Japanese captured the island on 23rd December 1941. The plane in the foreground, 211-F-11, was flown by Captain Henry T. Elrod during the 11th December attacks that sank the Japanese destroyer Kisaragi. Damaged beyond repair at that time, 211-F-11 was subsequently used as a source of parts to keep other planes operational. Elrod received a posthumous Medal of Honor after leading a beach defence unit during the final Japanese assault.

📷 NHHC 80-G-179006

4) FM-2 Wildcat over the escort carrier USS Santee during the Leyte landings on 20th October. Santee would survive a kamikaze attack and a torpedo hit from a Japanese submarine 5 days later.

📷 NHHC 80-G-287594

@JamieMctrusty via X

[owlclawstudios]

ink demonth day 17th : sailor

tw : mentions of uss indianapolis, ww2 and mention of the shark attacks on the uss indiapolis survivors.

march 8th 1942 the us had entered ww2 a few months ago after the bombing of pearl harbor henry was skimming through the mail he grabbed a letter and opened it,

it was a letter from the us navy.

Henry read carefully for a moment before he realized what the letter was. He had been drafted into the Navy. His stomach dropped to the floor as he read the words. Join the US Navy today!

"I'm being sent to war..." he whispered to himself as he sat down at their kitchen table, letter still in his hands, staring at it blankly. Linda walked in to see him. "What's wrong Henry?" She asked.

henry spoke quietly, his voice betraying his

feelings. "The Navy's drafted me." He muttered, looking back down at the letter.

Henry put the letter down with a shaky breath. "They want me to report at the base tomorrow morning.." he said.

-the next morning, henry put on his navy sailor uniform that was sent to him through the mail, he

Henry packed a small bag and, after giving a final hug and kiss to Linda.

he spoke lovingly.

" i'lll be back as soon as i could....i love you very much...."

linda looked up holding back tears.

" i love you too sweetie... i'll be here waiting for you " linda said.

henry soon got on

headed to the base, leaving her at home.

He had to do his duty, even if that did mean fighting in a deadly war .

Henry reported to the base and soon began his training. He learned how to use and maintain equipment, how to respond quickly to orders and various other things that came with the job. He began to bond with the other navy men around him as he went through the training.

soon Henry was assigned to the USS Indianapolis, a heavy cruiser with a great reputation for her service. He was sent to this ship with many of the men who went through training with him.

linda would work in a factory during ww2 to not only help with the war effort but help pay the bills, henry would write to linda as much as he could

Henry would sit and write in his bunk, on his bed with other sleeping men around him. He would write letters to Linda almost every night, telling her of what had happened each day and how much he missed her and hoped to return to her soon.

he would list the many battles and missions the Indianapolis had been in, detailing all the events that went on. He explained how he and his comrades had formed a strong bond and looked after one another, and just how difficult the battles could be.

soon on july 16th 1945, the USS Indianapolis and Henry we’re on a vital mission. They were transporting an important element for the construction of an atomic bomb, which would be used later in the war

The whole ship’s crew was on high alert, the job was extremely important and there could be no mistakes. it was carrying cargo and This cargo was a classified secret, as the atomic bomb had not been announced and used at that point. The Indianapolis would travel to Leyte Gulf and begin preparing to deliver the cargo, unknown to the crew of the Indianapolis as to what exactly the cargo was.

-Once arriving at Leyte Gulf, the crew spent most of the time working on and off the ship to make any last minute preparations to deliver the important cargo, with many not understanding the true importance of this specific cargo.

-By the time August was already a few days underway,

but then... Linda had not received a letter since july 27 . This worried her, but she could only hope that he was fine and that he had been unable to find any time to write.

By the time the 15th of August rolled around, she had not received any letters from Henry, and would read the news paper and learn of the Indianapolis's sinking, her eyes widening in horror.

she soon got a letter,

Linda's heart skipped a beat as she read the letter. Henry had survived, but was badly injured, with several issues that he was being treated for. She was thankful for the fact that he was alive, but at the same time worried about the severity of his injuries.

henry was hospitilized at the

Naval Base Hospital No. 20 in Peleliu,

henry had suffered deyhydration, salt water poisoning, starvation and inffected wounds, and shark bites, The letters described the struggles that Henry faced, including the many times that he'd nearly been killed by the sharks that attacked him. He had tried to fight back, punching and kicking at the sharks' gills to try and get them to release him, but he had suffered many injuries in the process, though he still managed to survive.

-Henry spent 11 days in the hospital, being fed and given fluids to help with his dehydration. His wounds from the sharks' bites and the sharp metal pieces that had injured him were cleaned and bandaged, and he was given medical care to help him recover properly.

once he was declared well enough, Henry was discharged from the hospital and the Navy. He was awarded the Purple Heart for his bravery and for his efforts in saving the other sailors from the sharks' attacks.

With his time in the Navy now over, Henry finally returned home to Linda.

but Henry found himself suffering from the effects of the ship being torpedoed, the ship sinking and the five days spent floating in the shark-infested water. the shark attacks He was plagued with PTSD, trauma, and many other issues from the incident.

Henry's experiences had left him with numerous phobias, including a fear of sharks galeophobia, a fear of deep bodies of water thalassophobia and a fear of explosions ekrixiphobia, He also developed a fear of loud noises phonophobia as well, The memories and the sounds of the other sailors screaming, thrashing in the water and being pulled under by the sharks were seared into Henry's mind. The image of the torn and bloodstained life jacket bubbling to the surface remained a vivid reminder of the horrors he had endured. -Due to his phobia of sharks, Henry found it very difficult to visit aquariums, especially those with large shark exhibits. The sight of a shark would trigger strong negative reactions and memories of the traumatic experience he had endured.

Linda would comfort Henry whenever he struggled with the memories and phobias that his experience had left him with. She would do what she could to calm him down and make him feel relaxed and at ease, helping him cope with the traumatic memories that still plagued him.

In January of 1949, Linda discovered that she was pregnant with their first child. The news brought joy and excitement to the couple, who had been looking forward to starting a family together, soon in october of that year their only daughter, jacqueline was born, which brought joy and happiness to both of them especially henry, Henry saw his wife and newborn daughter as a source of comfort and healing from the trauma he had endured. The sight of his family and the love they shared helped to soothe his memories and fears, reminding him of the good things in life and giving him a reason to keep moving forward.

[captain-price-unofficially]

Pilot house and forward 40mm gun mount of the USS Samuel B. Roberts (DE-413), 22 June 2022.

[lonestarbattleship]

USS INTREPID (CV-11) photographed by Richard Shipman from the rear seat of an SB2C, after taking off to attack the Japanese Fleet in the Battle of Sibuyan Sea.

Date: October 24, 1944

U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command: 80-G-K-2198

[taraross-1787]

This Day in History: Richard O'Kane, WWII Hero

On this day in 1946, a hero receives the Medal of Honor. Richard O’Kane has been called “America’s undersea ace of aces.” He was a legend of World War II and commander of USS Tang.  During that submarine’s five war patrols, O’Kane is officially credited with sinking 24 enemy ships.

He believed 33 to be a more accurate number.

Tang’s final engagement came during the Battle of Leyte Gulf, near the Philippines. Tang’s crew was then scanning nearby waters for enemy activity. Late on October 23, 1944, a convoy of about 10 enemy ships was spotted near the Taiwan Strait.

The story continues here: https://www.taraross.com/post/tdih-richard-okane-moh

[rabbitcruiser]

World War II: The first kamikaze attack on October 21, 1944. A Japanese fighter plane carrying a 200-kilogram (440 lb) bomb attacks HMAS Australia off Leyte Island, as the Battle of Leyte Gulf began.

[swedebeast]

What if: Japan won the Battle of Leyte Gulf? me and a couple of friends use this AltHis for our non-historical Pacific Theatre Bolt Action games, would be interesting to hear your thoughts.

Well!

The Battle of Leyte Gulf had an extreme disparity of forces involved, so that makes me immediately go put my thinking cap on and pose the thought experiment that we would have to consider what would be realistic and attainable "Win Conditions" for the Japanese at this time.

Severe and complete incompetence, or bad planning as they did not have a unified command from what I recall, could leave the US Task Forces exposed and vulnerable, but I cannot see a total defeat of the American forces at that battle. What could however have happened is just that, a Task Force could have been isolated and ambushed if expert outmaneuvering and intelligence was implemented, and -could- have been destroyed or crippled.

So, if we can call that a "win" for Japan - which I think it can be called - in which the Japanese Imperial Navy moves about, isolates parts of the entire American force we would see present at Leyte Gulf, it would be a set-back for the Americans in the Pacific. But the Japanese ability to wage war was already hampered, and it was growing more grim by each day.

For the Pacific Theater in the context of Bolt Action games, it may mean less complete dominance of the sea and islands which leads to less confidence to perform naval invasions and the missions and operations we know today would look different - but in the grand scale it would mean that the war would just continue for a bit longer. The logical steps of the islands we saw liberated from Japan would most likely follow as they did in our time.

Barring any more critical blunders on the American side, of course.

And I want to comment that having some "AltHistory tweaking" is a great way to create a working narrative in historical war game campaigns!

[contremineur]

American battleship USS West Virginia (BB-48) firing during the Battle of Surigao Strait, October 1944

The battle of Leyte Gulf consisted of four main engagements (the Battle of the Sibuyan Sea, the Battle of Surigao Strait, the Battle off Cape Engaño and the Battle off Samar), as well as lesser actions. It was the first battle in which Japanese aircraft carried out organised kamikaze attacks, and it was the last naval battle between battleships in history.

from here

[cumaeansibyl]

Charles was only gone for two weeks but it felt like approximately a year and a half, for both of us. however! he has returned! and it's an inexpressible relief. last night he infodumped to me about the Battle of Leyte Gulf. at present he is working on his model train layout. nature is healing. (it's funny how someone can be on the other side of the house but it still makes a difference.)

in less encouraging news, remember the department I'm covering for at work? the person who accepted that job has now declined it, for reasons I'm not yet clear on because the department head isn't quite clear either -- possibly they didn't like the benefits, but that's a union job so the compensation's pre-negotiated and can't be altered. anyway last I heard they had reached out to the second-choice candidate, who the search committee judged as qualified but not quite as experienced. but it's been a couple weeks so who knows if they're still available -- should find out this coming week. if they're not, I fear it means a new search. argh!

at least it's spring break this coming week, which means I'm not on vacation but I'm working from home and people should have less for me to do. and I booked a massage on Tuesday because I deserve it. whew.

[pierreyboi]

Yostar, can we get an event based on the Battle of Leyte Gulf? So we can have USS Bataan a Filipiniana skin.