MacArthur's Leyte Landing 69 years ago recalled

From the Philippine News Agency (Oct 20): MacArthur's Leyte Landing 69 years ago recalled
 
Sixty-nine years ago today, Gen. Douglas MacArthur fulfilled his solemn pledge to the Filipino people to return and liberate the Philippines from Japanese occupation when he led Allied forces in the historic landing at Red Beach in Leyte on October 20, 1944.

The landing was preceded in what is dubbed as “Battle at Leyte Gulf”, the greatest naval battle in history the world has known which remained unequaled to date in terms of the number warships, aircraft and submarines involved and the huge number of war casualties that resulted in the defeat of Japan that ended World War II in the Pacific.

It may be recalled that shortly before Bataan fell on April 9, 1942 MacArthur made a daring sea escape at the height of the heavy fighting from his headquarters on Corregidor Island to Australia.

Aboard a convoy of lightly armed PT boats, MacArthur successfully broke the Japanese lines and arrived in Australia safely.

But before he boarded the PT boat, Gen. MacArthur made a promise to the Filipino people when he said in the now famous words “I shall return” to liberate the Philippines from the clutches of the Japanese invaders.

That promise was fulfilled when he led the liberation of the Philippines on Oct. 20, 1944.

In his speech shortly after US-led Allied forces landed in Leyte, MacArthur said: “TO THE PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES:"“I have returned. By the grace of Almighty God our forces stand again on Philippine soil -- soil consecrated in the blood of our two peoples. We have come, dedicated and committed, to the task of destroying every vestige of enemy control over your daily lives, and of restoring, upon a foundation of indestructible, strength, the liberties of your people.

“At my side is your President, Sergio Osmena, worthy successor of that great patriot, Manuel Quezon, with members of his cabinet. The seat of your government is now therefore firmly re- established on Philippine soil.

“The hour of your redemption is here. Your patriots have demonstrated an unswerving and resolute devotion to the principles of freedom that challenges the best that is written on the pages of human history. I now call upon your supreme effort that the enemy may know from the temper of an aroused and outraged people within that he has a force there to contend with no less violent than is the force committed from without.

“Rally to me. Let the indomitable spirit of Bataan and Corregidor lead on. As the lines of battle roll forward to bring you within the zone of operations, rise and strike. Strike at every favorable opportunity. For your homes and hearths, strike! For future generations of your sons and daughters, strike! In the name of your sacred dead, strike! Let no heart be faint. Let every arm be steeled. The guidance of divine God points the way. Follow in His Name to the Holy Grail of righteous victory!”

It was during the great battle at Leyte Gulf that the once powerful Japanese Navy was destroyed by the US 3rd and 7th fleet.

The naval warfare involved four sea battles at Sibuyan Sea, Surigao Strait,Cape Engaño and the island of Samar in the Pacific Ocean.

It was during the Battle at Leyte Gulf that the Japanese deployed its first “Kamikaze” or suicide pilots in attacking US warships.

"Kamikaze" pilots sunk 47 Allied warships and damaged 300 others. But a total of 4,000 "Kamikaze" pilots were killed during the Second World War.

The US had in its arsenal eight aircraft carriers, 24 small carriers, 1,712 warplanes, 12 battleships, 24 cruisers and 141 destroyers.

In the historic Battle at Leyte Gulf, the Japanese Navy lost nine carriers, more than 500 combat planes and a big number of smaller ships.(

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=10&sid=&nid=10&rid=578097