BIGGEST NAVAL BATTLE OF WWII (Part 2): The Battle of Leyte Gulf | Battle 360 | History

Summary

The Battle of Leyte Gulf was a pivotal conflict during World War II, marking the largest naval confrontation in history. Amidst heavy bombardment from American forces, Japanese Admiral Takeo Kurita's fleet attacked American landing forces at Leyte Gulf, but was met with determined resistance from smaller American vessels, particularly the USS Johnston, led by Lieutenant Commander Ernest E. Evans. Despite being vastly outgunned, Evans and his crew launched a daring counterattack, leading to confusion and damage within the Japanese forces. The battle ended in a decisive defeat for Japan, marking the near total collapse of their naval power and the rise of the US Navy as the dominant force in carrier warfare.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Battle of Leyte Gulf was a significant confrontation during World War II, where American forces, despite being outgunned, put up a fierce defense.
• 😀 Vice Admiral Takeo Kurita's Center Force, initially believed to be retreating, turned around and attacked the American landing forces at Leyte Gulf.
• 😀 The American forces, including destroyers and carriers, were outgunned, with no weapon larger than a 5-inch gun available to them.
• 😀 The Japanese forces had battleships like the Yamato, armed with the largest naval guns ever, alongside numerous heavy cruisers.
• 😀 Lieutenant Commander Ernest E. Evans of the USS Johnston chose to attack the Japanese armada, despite the overwhelming odds, by charging into the enemy's fire.
• 😀 Evans inspired other destroyers to join the attack, launching torpedoes and creating smokescreens to assist American carriers.
• 😀 Evans’s destroyer successfully hit and sank the Japanese cruiser Kumano with a torpedo, helping to disrupt the Japanese offensive.
• 😀 The confusion among the Japanese, caused by relentless attacks from American forces, led them to believe they were facing a larger, more powerful enemy.
• 😀 Despite significant damage to Japanese forces, they struggled to respond effectively, as they were constantly under fire from American air attacks.
• 😀 The Battle of Leyte Gulf ended in a decisive victory for the US Navy, with the Japanese suffering immense losses, including 4 aircraft carriers, 3 battleships, and over 14,000 personnel.
• 😀 The battle marked the end of the Japanese Navy's ability to mount a serious defense, signaling the dominance of the US Navy in carrier warfare, a key shift in naval power during World War II.

Q & A

What was the key event that caused the Japanese fleet to falter during the Battle of Leyte Gulf?

The key event was the unexpected resistance and attack from the American destroyers, led by Lieutenant Commander Ernest E. Evans, which caused confusion among the Japanese commanders and disrupted their strategy.

What was the main reason why the American forces were outgunned during the battle?

The American forces were outgunned because they had no weapon larger than a 5-inch gun on any of their ships, while the Japanese fleet had heavily armed battleships like the Yamato, which was equipped with 18.1-inch guns.

What inspired the other American commanders to join in the attack against the Japanese fleet?

Lieutenant Commander Ernest E. Evans' bold decision to charge the vastly superior Japanese force inspired other American commanders, especially after he unleashed a torpedo and scored a direct hit on the Japanese cruiser Kumano.

How did Evans' torpedo attack impact the Japanese fleet?

Evans' torpedo attack successfully hit and damaged the Japanese cruiser Kumano, causing it to stop and later requiring assistance from the Suzuya, which was then also struck by another torpedo and sunk.

How did the Japanese fleet react to the unexpected American attacks?

The Japanese fleet was thrown into confusion, believing they were facing a much larger and more powerful force. This disrupted their strategy and made it difficult for them to coordinate effective counterattacks.

Why did Admiral Kurita decide to retreat during the battle?

Admiral Kurita decided to retreat because of the constant harassment by American air power, the confusion within his fleet, and the realization that the battle was no longer in their favor.

What were the overall losses for both sides in the Battle of Leyte Gulf?

The Japanese lost 4 aircraft carriers, 3 battleships, 10 cruisers, 11 destroyers, and nearly 14,000 personnel. The Americans lost one light aircraft carrier, two escort carriers, two destroyers, two destroyer escorts, and 1,500 personnel.

How did the Battle of Leyte Gulf mark the end for the Japanese Navy?

The battle marked the final demise of the Japanese Navy's ability to conduct significant naval operations, as they could no longer mount effective defenses or repel further attacks from the US Navy.

What strategic shift did the Battle of Leyte Gulf represent for naval warfare?

The Battle of Leyte Gulf cemented the dominance of carrier warfare, with the US Navy emerging as the world leader in this new form of naval combat, marking the end of an era for traditional naval tactics.

What distinguished the Battle of Leyte Gulf in terms of naval history?

The Battle of Leyte Gulf is distinguished as the largest naval confrontation in history, involving vast fleets and setting the stage for the US Navy's dominance in the Pacific during World War II.