Which battle is the largest naval battle in history and cleared the way to Manila?

• A. Battle of Midway
• B. Battle of Leyte Gulf
• C. Battle of the Philippine Sea
• D. Battle of Coral Sea

Answer: (B)

Securing sea control for an amphibious invasion is the idea here. The Battle of Leyte Gulf is widely regarded as the largest naval engagement in history, and it was fought as Allied forces moved to retake the Philippines, clearing the way to Manila. The fight unfolded in multiple linked actions around Leyte Gulf in October 1944 as Japan attempted to lure away American carriers with a decoy force and then strike at the invasion fleet with its remaining battleships. Although the Japanese did mount a bold surface attack off Samar and disrupted some air operations briefly, the decisive blows came when American battleships closed with the Japanese Southern Force at Surigao Strait and helped sink its capital ships, while American and Allied air and surface forces ultimately prevailed in the surrounding actions. The result eliminated Japan’s ability to contest the sea lanes to the Philippines, enabling the Leyte landings and paving the way for the drive toward Manila. Other battles were crucial in their own right, but none matched Leyte Gulf in scale or in achieving that sea-control objective for the liberation of Manila.