by Mark Askeda

Created on: November 23, 2011   Last Updated: November 28, 2011

In the early months of US involvement in World War 2, the Pacific war was going badly.  American losses at Pearl Harbor limited the ability of the American Pacific fleet to actively counter Japanese aggression.  Japan was free to invade the Philippines, a key strategic base in the South Pacific.  Within months, a combined American/Filipino defense force was defeated and Japan gained control of the valuable area.  American forces spent the next two years planning on taking the Philippines back from Japanese occupation.

In 1944, a large American fleet approached the Philippine island of Leyte in order to pave the way for an invasion of the islands.  In what became known as the Battle of Leyte Gulf, an American fleet of no less than 36 aircraft carriers along with battleships and many smaller warships defeated the remains of the Japanese fleet.  In a series of naval battles, Japan lost its last four aircraft carriers as well as three battleships and many smaller warships.  For all practical purposes, the Japanese Imperial Navy ceased to exist as a major military force.  The American now free to operate at will.

On October 20, 1944, American forces, supported by Australian and Filipino soldiers landed on the Philippines.  Japanese land based warplanes were decimated by American carrier fighter planes and consequently, operated without air cover.  The Japanese army was at a huge disadvantage.  With no naval or air support, the Japanese army was alone.

Initial landings on the island of Leyte went relatively smoothly.  The Allies advanced and overran the occupying Japanese forces.  The Americans quickly advanced into other key islands and Japanese reinforcements were defeated.  Additionally, Filipino guerillas began to actively aid the advancing Americans.  Not only were liberated Filipino forces attached to American units, they also harassed the Japanese army behind the front lines. 

The advancing allies liberated many key strategic areas, including Bataan and Corregidor.  With the liberation of those key areas, a strategically important naval base was in American hands.  Japanese forces were limited to reacting defensively to American advances.  During the Philippine campaign, the Japanese utilized the tactic of the Kamikaze attack.  While these attacks inflicted significant damage to the American fleet, they were not successful in stopping, or even slowing the American advances.

The largest and bloodiest battle of the campaign was for the Philippine capital city of Manila.  The city was defended by large numbers of Japanese troops.  It was also the first time that the American army battled in street to street fighting.  The advance was slow, but eventually Japanese forces were defeated.  By April 1945, the Philippines islands were in essence liberated.  Small pockets of Japanese soldiers fought on, but the pockets were isolated and of no military consequence.  With the Philippines safely in American hands, the Allies were free to concentrate on the Japanese home islands.  Japan was now cut off from its important sources of key military supplies in the South Pacific.  Additionally, the Japanese army lost over 300,000 soldiers, 1,000 warplanes and the remains of its navy in a futile attempt to hold the Philippines.   This was one of the largest campaigns of World War 2.

Learn more about this author, Mark Askeda.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.