Technical analysis of the Battle of Leyte Gulf (1944), the largest naval battle of World War II, with a focus on the aircraft involved and their impact.

The Battle of Leyte Gulf, fought from October 23 to 26, 1944, marked a decisive turning point in World War II. Considered the largest naval battle in history in terms of tonnage (2,014,890 tons), it pitted the American and Japanese fleets against each other in Philippine waters. This titanic clash, centered on four major engagements—the Battle of the Sibuyan Sea, the Battle of Surigao Strait, the Battle of Cape Engaño, and the Battle of Samar—saw the emergence of aircraft carriers as the centerpiece of naval operations. The aerial battles, involving aircraft such as the American Grumman F6F Hellcat and the Japanese Mitsubishi A6M Zero, redefined warfare in the Pacific. The already weakened Imperial Japanese Navy suffered irreparable losses, losing 305,710 tons of ships and more than 1,000 aircraft. This battle, fought during General Douglas MacArthur’s reconquest of the Philippines, sealed Allied supremacy and paved the way for the liberation of the archipelago. This article explores the strategic context, the naval and air forces involved, the aircraft engaged, and the tactical lessons of this conflict, offering a technical analysis for military history specialists.

The strategic context of the Battle of Leyte Gulf

A crucial reconquest in World War II

In 1944, World War II reached a critical point in the Pacific. The Allies, led by General MacArthur, aimed to recapture the Philippines, which had been occupied by Japan since 1942. The archipelago, a key logistics hub, controlled the sea lanes to Borneo and Sumatra, vital sources of oil and rubber for Tokyo. The decision to attack Leyte, taken after a strategic debate between MacArthur and Admiral Nimitz, had specific objectives: to cut off Japanese supplies, establish bases to strike Formosa, and prepare for the invasion of Japan. The landing began on October 20, 1944, supported by Admiral Kinkaid’s 7th Fleet (close support) and Admiral Halsey’s 3rd Fleet (air and naval cover).

The Japanese Sho-Go 1 plan

Faced with the invasion, the Imperial Japanese Navy, commanded by Admiral Toyoda, launched the Sho-Go 1 plan. This complex scheme divided the fleet into four forces: Ozawa’s Northern Force (decoy aircraft carriers), Kurita’s Central Force (powerful battleships), and two southern forces led by Nishimura and Shima (attack through the Surigao Strait). The objective was to lure the American aircraft carriers to the north, allowing the battleships to strike the Allied transports. However, previous Japanese losses, particularly during the Battle of the Philippine Sea (June 1944), reduced their aircraft carriers to four, compared to 34 for the Allies. This disparity, combined with a shortage of trained pilots and fuel, compromised the operation. The fighting, covering an area equivalent to one-third of Europe, spread over 650,000 km², highlighting the logistical scale of the confrontation.

The naval air challenges

The Battle of Leyte Gulf confirmed the supremacy of aircraft carriers. Battleships, such as the Japanese Yamato (72,800 tons), ceded their role as “capital ships” to carrier-based air fleets. The Allies deployed 1,620 aircraft on 34 aircraft carriers, compared to around 300 Japanese aircraft. The preparatory raids, from October 11 to 16, destroyed 800 Japanese aircraft for 100 Allied losses, further weakening Tokyo. This battle also marked the emergence of kamikaze attacks, with the first impact on October 21 on the Australian cruiser HMAS Australia. These strategic elements shaped a confrontation in which air superiority became decisive.

American aircraft: technology and performance

The Grumman F6F Hellcat

The Grumman F6F Hellcat, introduced in 1943, dominated the skies over the Pacific. Powered by a 2,000 hp Pratt & Whitney R-2800 Double Wasp engine, it reached 611 km/h and had a range of 1,520 km. Its robust armor and six 12.7 mm M2 Browning machine guns made it a formidable fighter. During the Battle of Leyte Gulf, Hellcats operating from Task Force 38 aircraft carriers shot down hundreds of Japanese aircraft, including Mitsubishi A6M Zeros. Their numerical superiority (around 800 units deployed) and maneuverability overwhelmed the already weakened Japanese air force. The Hellcats provided cover for bombing raids and protected the fleets from kamikaze attacks, claiming a kill ratio of 19:1 in the Pacific.

The Curtiss SB2C Helldiver

The Curtiss SB2C Helldiver dive bomber played a key role in attacks on Japanese ships. Equipped with a 1,900 hp Wright R-2600 Cyclone engine, it reached speeds of 475 km/h and carried up to 907 kg of bombs. Despite initial stability problems, its improved version (SB2C-4) excelled at Leyte. During the Battle of the Sibuyan Sea, the Helldivers sank the battleship Musashi, which was hit by 18 bombs and 20 torpedoes. Their accuracy, combined with coordination with the Hellcats, paralyzed Kurita’s forces. Approximately 300 Helldivers took part, operating in successive waves to maximize damage.

The Grumman TBF Avenger

The Grumman TBF Avenger torpedo bomber completed the American arsenal. Powered by a 1,900 hp Wright R-2600 engine, it reached speeds of 444 km/h and carried a Mark 13 torpedo or 907 kg of bombs. Its three machine guns (12.7 mm and 7.62 mm) and armor made it a versatile platform. At Leyte, the Avengers targeted Ozawa’s aircraft carriers at Cape Engaño, sinking the Zuikaku, the last survivor of Pearl Harbor. Around 200 Avengers took part, their ability to operate at night boosting Allied effectiveness. Their robustness limited losses against Japanese anti-aircraft fire, estimated at 20% of effective shots.
Japanese aircraft: a desperate effort

The Mitsubishi A6M Zero

The Mitsubishi A6M Zero, the emblem of Japanese aviation, suffered a clear disadvantage in 1944. Powered by a 1,130 hp Nakajima Sakae engine, it reached 533 km/h and excelled in maneuverability. However, its light armor and lack of self-sealing fuel tanks made it vulnerable. At Leyte, around 150 Zeros, flown by poorly trained pilots (often with only three months of training compared to 24 for the Americans), faced off against the Hellcats. Their loss ratio was 10:1. The Zeros were also used in the first kamikaze attacks, such as the one against the USS St. Lo, which was sunk on October 25. Their agility did not compensate for their numerical and technological inferiority.

The Yokosuka D4Y Suisei

The Yokosuka D4Y Suisei dive bomber was designed for precision. Equipped with a 1,400 hp Aichi Atsuta engine, it reached 579 km/h and carried 500 kg of bombs. Its speed made it a threat, but its weak armor and the scarcity of experienced pilots limited its impact. At Leyte, around 80 D4Ys took part, targeting Allied escort carriers. During the October 24 attack on TG 38.3, they set fire to the Princeton, which exploded, killing 280 sailors. However, Japanese losses, amplified by the Hellcats, reduced their overall effectiveness.

The Nakajima B6N Tenzan

The Nakajima B6N Tenzan torpedo bomber was an evolution of the B5N. Powered by a 1,870 hp Mitsubishi Kasei engine, it reached 481 km/h and carried one torpedo or 800 kg of bombs. Its range of 3,048 km was suitable for long-range operations, but its late production (1,268 units) limited its deployment. At Leyte, around 70 B6Ns targeted the Allied fleets, particularly during the Battle of Samar. Their impact was marginal against the American anti-aircraft defenses and fighters. The B6Ns also took part in kamikaze raids, with limited success, such as the attack on the USS St. Lo.

Tactical lessons from the Battle of Leyte Gulf

The end of battleships as a dominant force

The Battle of Leyte Gulf confirmed the supremacy of aircraft carriers over battleships. The sinking of the Musashi, despite its 18 460 mm guns, illustrated the ineffectiveness of heavy ships against carrier-based aircraft. The Allies lost 37,300 tons (3% of their tonnage), compared to 305,710 tons for the Japanese (45%). This disproportion reflected tactical developments: air-naval task forces, combining aircraft carriers, cruisers, and destroyers, became the norm. The Battle of Surigao Strait, the last battle between battleships, saw Oldendorf’s six ships crush Nishimura’s force thanks to radar.

The impact of kamikaze attacks

The introduction of kamikaze attacks, organized by Captain Motoharu Okamura, marked a psychological turning point. Around 24 pilots from the 201st Navy Air Group carried out the first attacks on October 25, sinking the USS St. Lo and damaging other ships. These assaults, costing 1,321 Japanese aircraft during the war, inflicted 7,000 Allied casualties. However, their strategic impact remained limited, failing to prevent the fall of the Philippines. The kamikazes revealed the desperation of the Japanese, who were unable to compete conventionally.

Japanese mistakes

The well-conceived Sho-Go 1 plan failed due to a lack of coordination. Ozawa lured Halsey north, but Kurita, after passing San Bernardino, hesitated at Samar, missing the opportunity to destroy the Allied transports. Faulty communications, notably Ozawa’s inability to relay information from the Zuikaku, compounded the errors. Japanese losses—one aircraft carrier, three light aircraft carriers, three battleships, and ten cruisers—paralyzed the fleet, which would not conduct any major operations until its surrender in 1945.

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