WW2/Battles of WW2/Date-by-Date/Pacific • Curated by Admin Timeline.sg
The largest naval battle of the war — four linked engagements across the Philippine Sea that destroyed the Imperial Japanese Navy's remaining offensive power. (23–26 October 1944)
Chronological Storyline (18 Milestones)
Oct 23, 1944 CE
US submarines sink two Japanese heavy cruisers
American submarines USS Darter and USS Dace ambushed Admiral Kurita's Center Force in the Palawan Passage, sinking the heavy cruisers Atago and Maya and heavily damaging Takao, killing Kurita's chief of staff and forcing him to transfer flag. · Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Palawan_Passage
The U.S. Navy light aircraft carrier USS Princeton (CVL-23) burning soon after she was hit by a Japanese bomb while operating off the Philippines on 24 October 1944. This view, taken from the battleship USS South Dakota (BB-57) at about 1001 hrs., shows the large smoke column aft following a heavy explosion in the carrier's hangar bay. By Unknown author - U.S. Navy photo 80-G-287970, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=62369The Biggest Naval Battle in History: Leyte Gulf 1944 (WW2 Documentary)
Oct 24, 1944 CE
Kurita reverses course then turns back east
After sustaining heavy air attacks and losing Musashi, Admiral Kurita reversed course at 15:30, appearing to retreat, but at 17:14 he reversed again and headed east through San Bernardino Strait under cover of darkness, undetected by Halsey. · Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Takeo_Kurita
Japanese Vice Admiral Takeo Kurita By Unknown author - Photo #: NH 63694; Post-Work: User:W.wolny, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=551275
Oct 24, 1944 CE
Princeton sunk by land-based Japanese bomber
A Japanese land-based bomber scored a direct hit on the light carrier USS Princeton during Sibuyan Sea strikes; resulting explosions and fires sank the ship and damaged the cruiser USS Birmingham, killing over 300 American sailors. · Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Princeton_(CVL-23)
The U.S. Navy light aircraft carrier USS Princeton (CVL-23) steaming at 20 knots off Seattle, Washington (USA), on 3 January 1944. By Unknown author - U.S. Navy photo NH 95651, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=2046046
Oct 24, 1944 CE
Jojima's decoy carriers lure Halsey northward
Admiral Ozawa's Northern Force, with four largely empty carriers, was detected by American reconnaissance; Admiral Halsey decided to take Task Force 38 north to destroy the Japanese carriers, leaving San Bernardino Strait unguarded by the Third Fleet. · Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Cape_Enga%C3%B1o
The U.S. Navy light aircraft carrier USS Princeton (CVL-23) burning soon after she was hit by a Japanese bomb while operating off the Philippines on 24 October 1944. This view, taken from the battleship USS South Dakota (BB-57) at about 1001 hrs., shows the large smoke column aft following a heavy explosion in the carrier's hangar bay. By Unknown author - U.S. Navy photo 80-G-287970, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=62369
Oct 24, 1944 CE
Nishimura's Southern Force enters Surigao Strait
Admiral Nishimura's Southern Force, comprising battleships Yamashiro and Fuso and four destroyers, transited toward Surigao Strait in two columns, unaware that Rear Admiral Oldendorf's Seventh Fleet had assembled a devastating ambush of battleships, cruisers, and PT boats. · Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Surigao_Strait
The U.S. Navy light aircraft carrier USS Princeton (CVL-23) burning soon after she was hit by a Japanese bomb while operating off the Philippines on 24 October 1944. This view, taken from the battleship USS South Dakota (BB-57) at about 1001 hrs., shows the large smoke column aft following a heavy explosion in the carrier's hangar bay. By Unknown author - U.S. Navy photo 80-G-287970, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=62369
Oct 24, 1944 CE
US aircraft strike Center Force in Sibuyan Sea
American carrier aircraft from Task Force 38 repeatedly bombed and torpedoed Kurita's Center Force in the Sibuyan Sea, sinking the superbattleship Musashi and forcing Kurita to temporarily reverse course westward, causing Admiral Halsey to believe the force was neutralized. · Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_the_Sibuyan_Sea
The U.S. Navy light aircraft carrier USS Princeton (CVL-23) burning soon after she was hit by a Japanese bomb while operating off the Philippines on 24 October 1944. This view, taken from the battleship USS South Dakota (BB-57) at about 1001 hrs., shows the large smoke column aft following a heavy explosion in the carrier's hangar bay. By Unknown author - U.S. Navy photo 80-G-287970, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=62369
Oct 25, 1944 CE
Japanese sink Gambier Bay and three escorts
Japanese surface gunfire and torpedoes sank the escort carrier USS Gambier Bay, the destroyer USS Hoel, the destroyer escort USS Samuel B. Roberts, and fatally damaged USS Johnston, which sank later, with heavy loss of American life. · Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Gambier_Bay_(CVE-73)
Gambier Bay (CVE-73), US Navy photo img url: https://www.navsource.net/archives/03/0307301.jpg By Unknown author, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=1634520
Oct 25, 1944 CE
Kurita's Center Force attacks Taffy 3 off Samar
Admiral Kurita's Center Force emerged from San Bernardino Strait and surprised Rear Admiral Sprague's Taffy 3, six escort carriers with minimal escort, prompting the American destroyers and escort carriers to mount a desperate fight against four Japanese battleships including Yamato. · Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_off_Samar
Kurita's Center Force attacks Taffy 3 off Samar By Unknown author, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=1550733
Oct 25, 1944 CE
Halsey detaches TF 34 to aid Seventh Fleet
After learning of Kurita's attack on Taffy 3, Admiral Nimitz sent Halsey the famous dispatch 'Where is, repeat, where is Task Force 34?' prompting Halsey to detach a carrier group south, but it arrived too late to engage Kurita's retiring force. · Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_off_Samar
Halsey detaches TF 34 to aid Seventh Fleet By Unknown author, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=1550733
Oct 25, 1944 CE
Taffy 3 destroyers make torpedo attacks
Destroyers USS Johnston, Hoel, and Heermann and escort destroyer USS Samuel B. Roberts launched aggressive torpedo and gun attacks against Kurita's heavy ships, drawing fire away from the escort carriers but suffering fatal damage in the process. · Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_off_Samar
Taffy 3 destroyers make torpedo attacks By Unknown author, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=1550733
Oct 25, 1944 CE
Halsey's carriers strike Ozawa at Cape Engaño
Admiral Halsey's Task Force 38 launched massive air strikes against Ozawa's Northern Force, sinking all four Japanese carriers Zuikaku, Zuiho, Chitose, and Chiyoda, effectively destroying Japan's remaining carrier aviation capability. · Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Cape_Enga%C3%B1o
The U.S. Navy light aircraft carrier USS Princeton (CVL-23) burning soon after she was hit by a Japanese bomb while operating off the Philippines on 24 October 1944. This view, taken from the battleship USS South Dakota (BB-57) at about 1001 hrs., shows the large smoke column aft following a heavy explosion in the carrier's hangar bay. By Unknown author - U.S. Navy photo 80-G-287970, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=62369
Oct 25, 1944 CE
Kurita withdraws from Samar, sparing escort carriers
Confused by the ferocity of Taffy 3's defense and believing he faced Halsey's main fleet, Admiral Kurita ordered his Center Force to withdraw north at 09:20, saving the remaining escort carriers and the Leyte invasion shipping from destruction. · Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_off_Samar
Kurita withdraws from Samar, sparing escort carriers By Unknown author, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=1550733
Oct 25, 1944 CE
Lee's battleships pursue but miss Japanese remnants
Admiral Halsey detached Battleship Division 6 under Vice Admiral Willis Lee to pursue Ozawa's remaining ships, but the Japanese light cruiser Tama and destroyer Akizuki were sunk by carrier aircraft before Lee's battleships could engage. · Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Cape_Enga%C3%B1o
The U.S. Navy light aircraft carrier USS Princeton (CVL-23) burning soon after she was hit by a Japanese bomb while operating off the Philippines on 24 October 1944. This view, taken from the battleship USS South Dakota (BB-57) at about 1001 hrs., shows the large smoke column aft following a heavy explosion in the carrier's hangar bay. By Unknown author - U.S. Navy photo 80-G-287970, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=62369
Oct 25, 1944 CE
First organized kamikaze attacks hit American carriers
Vice Admiral Takijiro Onishi organized the first official kamikaze special attack unit, Shikishima Squadron, which struck American escort carriers off Leyte, sinking USS St. Lo and damaging several others, inaugurating Japan's suicide attack campaign. · Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kamikaze
US Naval fleet combat against inbound Japanese 'Kamikaze' suicide aircraft, footage captured by US Navy personnel photographer present during the battle. By Unknown author - United States Department of the Navy (edit of https://catalog.archives.gov/id/79004 at 3m56s?), Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=152872997
Oct 25, 1944 CE
Japanese cruiser force retreats from Surigao
Admiral Shima's Second Striking Force, arriving late at Surigao Strait, encountered the wreckage of Nishimura's force and withdrew without engaging, losing the destroyer Asagumo to American surface and air attacks during the retreat. · Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Surigao_Strait
The U.S. Navy light aircraft carrier USS Princeton (CVL-23) burning soon after she was hit by a Japanese bomb while operating off the Philippines on 24 October 1944. This view, taken from the battleship USS South Dakota (BB-57) at about 1001 hrs., shows the large smoke column aft following a heavy explosion in the carrier's hangar bay. By Unknown author - U.S. Navy photo 80-G-287970, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=62369
Oct 25, 1944 CE
Allied force annihilates Nishimura in Surigao Strait
Rear Admiral Oldendorf's Seventh Fleet ambushed Nishimura's Southern Force in Surigao Strait using PT boats, destroyers, and a battleship line that crossed the T, sinking both battleships Yamashiro and Fuso and all but one destroyer, killing Nishimura with minimal American losses. · Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Surigao_Strait
The U.S. Navy light aircraft carrier USS Princeton (CVL-23) burning soon after she was hit by a Japanese bomb while operating off the Philippines on 24 October 1944. This view, taken from the battleship USS South Dakota (BB-57) at about 1001 hrs., shows the large smoke column aft following a heavy explosion in the carrier's hangar bay. By Unknown author - U.S. Navy photo 80-G-287970, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=62369
Oct 26, 1944 CE
Battle concludes with Japanese naval power broken
The four-day battle ended with Japan having lost four carriers, three battleships, ten cruisers, and eleven destroyers; the Imperial Japanese Navy would never again mount a major fleet operation, cementing American naval supremacy in the Pacific. · Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Leyte_Gulf
The U.S. Navy light aircraft carrier USS Princeton (CVL-23) burning soon after she was hit by a Japanese bomb while operating off the Philippines on 24 October 1944. This view, taken from the battleship USS South Dakota (BB-57) at about 1001 hrs., shows the large smoke column aft following a heavy explosion in the carrier's hangar bay. By Unknown author - U.S. Navy photo 80-G-287970, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=62369
Oct 26, 1944 CE
Kurita's battered Center Force limps home
Admiral Kurita's Center Force, having lost three heavy cruisers and the superbattleship Musashi with several other ships damaged, retreated through San Bernardino Strait and back toward Brunei, ending the Japanese surface threat to the Leyte landings. · Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Takeo_Kurita
Japanese Vice Admiral Takeo Kurita By Unknown author - Photo #: NH 63694; Post-Work: User:W.wolny, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=551275
