bookrandom Chapter 225 Focus on the Philippines
Chapter 225 Focus on the Philippines
The US military originally planned to launch its offensive against the Ogasawara Islands in July, with the core objective being to capture Iwo Jima and seize a strategic location for the attack on the Japanese mainland. However, battlefield accidents can occur at any time. In June 7, the 1944th Division of the 6st Group Army of the First Front Army of the Chinese Expeditionary Force and the 1nd Division of the 113rd Group Army were the first to be stationed on Saipan and began participating in the mopping-up of remaining Japanese troops in the Northern Mariana Islands, a preparation and rehearsal for the next phase of the battle for the key islands. However, MacArthur, who was in charge of commanding the offensive against the Philippines, encountered difficulties.
After the US occupied the Marianas and New Guinea, the Chinese army joined the US forces and decided to split its forces into two groups. One group, under the unified command of Admiral Spruance, commander of the 5th Fleet, would seize the Ogasawara Islands and open up a direct attack on the Japanese mainland. The other group, under the personal command of Admiral MacArthur, commander-in-chief of the Western Pacific, would capture the entire Philippines, thereby severing sea routes between the Japanese mainland and the Dutch East Indies (present-day Indonesia) and Burma, and establishing naval and air bases for the invasion of the Japanese mainland.
MacArthur's plan was to first capture Leyte Island and then the Philippines, completing this strategic deployment. After losing the Mariana Islands and New Guinea, the Japanese immediately strengthened their defenses in the Philippines, formulating Operation "Operation Victory 1," determined to confront the US forces there. To this end, the Japanese established the 14th Area Army in the Philippines, commanded by General Yamashita Tomoyuki. This area comprised the 35th Army and other units, including eight infantry divisions, one tank division, and four independent mixed brigades, totaling over 8 men. Support was provided by the 1rd, 4nd, and 35th Fleets of the Combined Fleet, the 3th Air Force of the Army, and the Naval Air Force. This area comprised four aircraft carriers, nine battleships, 2 cruisers, 5 destroyers, 4 submarines, and nearly 4 aircraft.
美军原计划投入陆军第6集团军、第8集团军一部及特种兵部队共28万余人，海军第3、第7舰队，共有大型航空母舰7艘、支援航母18艘，战列舰12艘、巡洋舰26艘、驱逐舰144艘、潜艇29艘、登陆舰和运输舰650艘，驻在新几内亚和马里亚纳群岛的陆军第5、第13航空队等提供支援，共有飞机约2400架。
Initially, the US Air Force launched a series of airstrikes against the Philippines, Taiwan, and Okinawa, destroying numerous Japanese aircraft and securing air superiority. Subsequently, US advance forces seized three small islands at the mouth of Leyte Gulf, securing a frontier position for the offensive. Subsequently, the US and Israeli 3th and 10th Armies, each comprising two divisions, formed the Northern and Southern Assault Groups, respectively landing at Tacloban and Dulag on the east coast of Leyte Island, launching an offensive against the Japanese 24th Division and other units on Leyte.
Due to the different time and space, the Japanese army launched the suicidal "Sakura" operation ahead of schedule. In addition, due to the strength of Germany at the same time, the Japanese army summarized their experience and learned from the German war examples, launching submarine ambushes and naval assaults. The naval battle in Leyte Gulf was very tragic. Although the US military ultimately won the naval battle and destroyed most of the Japanese fleet, it also suffered heavy losses. Two large aircraft carriers were sunk and one was severely damaged. Five supporting escort aircraft carriers were also lost, and many other battleships and other ships were also lost. In order to ensure the victory in the Philippine Campaign, the US military had to suspend its plan to attack the Ogasawara Islands and transferred the 2th Fleet to strengthen the Philippine frontline navy.
Inspired by the "victory" of the navy's decisive battle, the Japanese army also unleashed an astonishing fighting force. The U.S. 10th and 24th Armies, which had already penetrated deep into Leyte Island, suffered a fatal counterattack from the Japanese army. Among them, a division of the 10th Army was surrounded, and about 7000 people were trapped in a narrow area. The 24th Army was driven out of the depths of the island and was able to survive by defending the 200 square kilometers of the landing area.
This sudden change in the situation not only dealt a blow to the US Pacific Theater, but also raised questions about Nimitz's ability at home and even led to calls for the removal of MacArthur, the former defeated general in the Philippines. Rumors were circulating in the US military that they were preparing to have Eisenhower return from North Africa to succeed MacArthur.
Despite the strong pressure from the LSF and Marshall, no major personnel changes occurred in the Pacific Theater. However, this did force Nimitz to personally oversee the battle. Upon his arrival, Nimitz's first act was to order the First Chinese Expeditionary Force to immediately join the Philippine Campaign. Liao and Yang, forced to end their brief leisure time, rushed to the Philippine front from Saipan and Lae, respectively.
Aboard the USS Missouri, the flagship of the US Fifth Fleet, Nimitz personally participated in a meeting of all senior officers involved in the Philippine Campaign. This meeting included commanders of all the Chinese and US Army Groups and Navy Fleet Commanders. MacArthur, looking haggard, lost his previous arrogance. For the first time, he acted like a subordinate in front of Nimitz.
Nimitz secretly rejoiced, but faced with the deteriorating situation, he had to force himself to listen to Richard Sutherland, Chief of Staff of the Western Pacific Theater, on the entire Leyte Campaign. After Richard Sutherland finished his presentation, he invited everyone present to express their own views on the war situation.
The first speaker was Lieutenant General W. Krueger, commander of the 6th Army. He urgently urged the navy and air force to rescue the trapped American soldiers immediately. He said with deep emotion, "Gentlemen, our most urgent task right now is to save these poor children. They are starving, lacking food and water, and are subjected to the Japanese devils' indiscriminate bombing every day. Many are unfortunately killed every day. We must rescue them as soon as possible."
Admiral Spruance, commander of the 5th Fleet, had just taken over as commander of the Western Pacific Fleet and had to take the reins. He responded, "The Navy dispatches 300 sorties daily to attack the Japanese, and the Army's 5th Air Force is carrying out multiple long-range airdrops daily from forward airfields in New Guinea. However, to fully rescue them, the key is to rely on the Army to quickly break through the Japanese blockade."
Everyone's eyes turned to MacArthur again. The commander-in-chief of the Western Pacific had to stand up and solemnly said, "The several islands we have occupied around Leyte Island cannot provide strong support for the operations on Leyte Island. General Spruance, the Army urgently needs you to organize a second landing operation as soon as possible."
Admiral Spruance knew full well that the Western Pacific Fleet was suffering heavy losses. The Japanese submarines and suicide planes deployed nearby were eagerly awaiting a large-scale US fleet appearance. Under these circumstances, a rash large-scale landing operation was clearly unfeasible. Unable to express his opinion, he turned his gaze to Commander-in-Chief Nimitz.