Seventy-one years ago, Gen. Douglas MacArthur fulfilled his
solemn pledge to the Filipino people of “I shall return” after he led Allied
forces in the historic landing at Red Beach in Leyte on Oct. 20, 1944 to liberate the Philippines
The landing was preceded by a fierce sea battle between the
navies of the United States and Japan dubbed as the “Battle at Leyte Gulf,” the
world’s greatest battle in naval history that has remained unequal to date in
terms of the number of warships, aircraft and submarines involved that
eventually crushed the powerful Japanese Navy.
It may be recalled that shortly before Bataan fell on April
9, 1942, MacArthur made a daring sea escape to Australia
at the height of the heavy fighting on the island
of Corregidor in Manila Bay
Aboard a convoy of lightly armed PT boats, MacArthur
successfully broke the Japanese lines and arrived in Australia
But before he boarded the PT boat, Gen. MacArthur made a
promise to the Filipino people when he said in the now famous three-letter
words: “I shall return” to liberate the Philippines
That promise was fulfilled when he led the liberation of the
Philippines
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
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
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=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=816974
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