23 oct. 1944 - Start of the Battle of Leyte Gulf

Description:

The Battle of Leyte Gulf is recorded as the largest Naval battle recorded in history. It also marked the first time the Japanese used Kamikaze pilots. TheBattle of Leyte Gulf occurred, because the Japanese wanted to stop the American invasion of the Philippines. The Japanese sent four aircraft carriers toward the Philippines from the north and secretly dispatched another fleet from the west. The Americans carriers were tricked into believing the Japanese carriers were leading the main attack. So, most of the American carriers protecting the invasion left Leyte Gulf and headed north to stop them. Seeing that the Gulf was wide open, the Japanese warships to the west rushed through the Philippine Islands into Leyte Gulf and ambushed the remaining American ships.