The outbreak of World War II changed the course of history forever. With many great battles due to the great importance of the United States military, the Battle of Leyte Gulf was arguably the largest naval battle not only in World War II, but in history. Taking place between October 23 and 26, 1944, the Battle of Leyte Gulf was a naval engagement between the Imperial Japanese Navy and the United States Navy near the Philippine islands of Leyte, Samar, and Luzon. This battle is known as the largest naval battle in history. The Battle of Sibuyan Sea, Battle of Surigao Strait, Battle of Cape Engaño, and Battle of Samar are the naval battles included in the Battle of Leyte Gulf. Under the command of Admiral William Halsey, Allied forces fought with 8 fleet carriers, 12 battleships, 18 escort carriers, 8 light carriers, 24 cruisers, and 141 destroyers and destroyers. escort. Led by Admiral Soemu Toyoda, the Japanese Navy sent almost all of the remaining surface fleet, including 1 aircraft carrier, 9 battleships, 14 heavy cruisers, 3 light carriers, 6 light cruisers, and approximately 35 destroyers. This was the first battle in which the Japanese used kamikaze attacks. Japan was already unlucky to engage in these battles, as Japan had fewer aircraft than the Allied forces had ships. Planning to retake the Philippine Islands from the Japanese Empire, the United States prepared for battle as it viewed the islands as a vital naval base for the Japanese Empire. operations to start his island hopping campaign. By taking the islands, U.S. forces could launch a direct naval assault on islands neighboring Japanese territory. However, the Japanese forces rush... middle of paper ......south at full speed. Off Samar, just north of Leyte, Kurita's force encountered the escorting carriers and destroyers of the 7th Fleet. Launching their planes, the escort carriers began to flee, while the destroyers valiantly attacked Kurita's far superior force. As the melee turned in favor of the Japanese, Kurita broke off after realizing that he was not attacking Halsey's carriers and that the longer he lingered, the more likely he was to be attacked by American aircraft. Kurita's retreat effectively ended the battle. The loss of the Philippines was inevitable once the Imperial Japanese Navy suffered the greatest loss of ships and crews in history. The territories were a major factor in Japan's resources, as they had essential oil for ships and planes. With the loss of the island, it paved the way for the subsequent invasion of the Ryukyu Islands in 1945.