Palawan Passage (Leyte)

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Start: Monday October 23, 1944

The Japanese Central Force, ordered by Kurita, is attacked by 2 American submarines on the Palawan Passage. The losses are the heaviest inflicted to the Japanese on their way to the battlefield of Leyte. The other groups came under air attacks but were only midly affected.
It is the prelude to the battle in the Sea of Sibuyan that started in earnest the Battle of Leyte. It is also the main contribution of the submarine during this battle.

Place: Philippines

Type: Submarine warfare

Related battles: Leyte, Battle of the Sea of Sibuyan (Leyte), Battle of Surigao Strait, First attack by kamikaze, in Leyte Gulf, Battle of Cape Engano (Leyte), The end of Cape Engano's cripples (Leyte), The other "Taffies" at Samar (Leyte), Battle of Samar (Leyte), "Bull's Run" to the San Bernardino Strait (Leyte)

	USA	Japan
Forces	Christie (TG 71.1): 2 submarines.	1st section of the Japanese Central Force ordered by Kurita: 3 battleships, 6 heavy cruisers, 1 light cruiser, 9 destroyers. 2nd section of the Japanese Central Force ordered by Kurita: 2 battleships, 4 heavy cruisers, 1 light cruiser, 6 destroyers. Total: 5 battleships, 10 heavy cruisers, 2 light cruisers, 15 destroyers
Losses	nil but one of the submarine would hit a riff and had to be abandonned.	2 heavy cruisers lost. 1 heavy cruiser damaged.

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