The landing at Leyte
(October 20, 1944 )
When, after two months of preparations, the US landed on Leyte Island, the Japan had no other choice than to react. On both side, it was clear that Leyte was only the first staging post towards the total retaking of the Philippines. The loss of the archipelago would mean for the Japanese that their empire is cut in two. The industrial heartland in mainland Japan would grind to a halt without the raw material and above all the oil, that only the south of the empire can deliver.The reaction had been planned since the defeat in the Marianas at the start of the summer. The plan Sho Ichi Go (Victory first) began to unfold as soon as the news of the landing fell. The four components of this very complex plan left either from Brunei or from Japan and set sails to the Philippines. Intended arrival there on October 24 th.
Made by LemaireSoft © March 22, 2002