Australian Maritime Issues 2005 - Royal Australian Navy

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60 YEARS ON: LEYTE GULF, 1944 77 Damage to HMAS Australia, 21st October 1944 (RAN Historical Section) Three naval engagements were fought in the battle for Leyte Gulf on 25 October 1944. At the Battle of the Surigao Strait the Japanese Southern Force night attack on the landing forces was repulsed by Admiral Kinkaid’s covering forces, including Shropshire and Arunta, to prepare for an attack. Two Japanese battleships and 3 destroyers were sunk without loss to the Allied force, and a damaged heavy cruiser succumbed to air attack the following day. Admiral Halsey ordered his ships to intercept the approaching Northern Force. In doing so he left the San Bernadino Strait unguarded, subsequently sparking a major controversy as to whether his main focus should have been to destroy the Japanese fleet or protect the landings. Thus, the US fleet carriers were successfully lured away from the entrances to Leyte Gulf, opening a path for the enemy. At the Battle of Cape Engano the Northern Force lost 4 aircraft carriers, a light cruiser and 4 destroyers, before the remaining force withdrew. At the Battle off Samar Island the Japanese Centre Force attacked the US Navy Escort Carrier Force, which was left exposed by Halsey’s departure. This enemy force of powerful fast battleships and cruisers sank an escort carrier and 2 destroyers, but lost 3 heavy cruisers in return and withdrew without attacking the landing forces in Leyte Gulf. The failure of the Centre Force to press home its attack on the landing forces meant that the Japanese Northern Force aircraft carriers had been sacrificed in vain.
78 AUSTRALIAN MARITIME ISSUES 2005: SPC-A ANNUAL Japanese shells falling amongst USN Escort Carriers during the Battle of Samar Island (US Navy Official) The Battle of Leyte Gulf, including submarine attacks on 23 October and the air attacks in the two days after the Battle of Cape Engano, cost the Imperial Japanese Navy heavily, 5 effectively destroying it as an offensive force. The potential naval threat to this and future invasions was removed, and the need to provide extensive protection to logistics forces was also greatly reduced. The Japanese had failed to achieve their objectives whilst the Allies would ultimately achieve theirs. Several important lessons can be drawn from the Leyte Gulf operation. A key principle of war is the selection and maintenance of the aim of an operation. The aim of SHO-1 was to disrupt the landings by attacking the transport shipping in Leyte Gulf. The Centre Force became distracted by its attack on the Escort Carrier Group, instead of carrying through the attack on the transport shipping. At the same time, the Allied force also failed to clearly select its aim. Halsey believed his primary role was destroying the Japanese fleet, while MacArthur believed Halsey’s primary role was protecting the landings. This should have been clarified by higher command prior to the operation. Kinkaid’s covering force was almost out of ammunition after the previous day’s bombardments and the Surigao Strait night action. Had the Centre Force pressed home its attack the landing force could have suffered serious losses and the invasion might have been placed in jeopardy.
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About the Authors Midshipman Steve
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ABOUT THE AUTHORS ix Commander Glen
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Foreword The Sea Power Centre - Aus
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