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If the Japanese naval commander Kurita had not retreated at the Battle of Leyte Gulf could the Japanese Imperial Navy have won the battle?
Admiral Kurita's Retreat Not likely. The Japanese fleet was already decimated with not enough fuel to return to Japan, which had the only available friendly port. In short, the Japanese naval command saw this as a suicide mission. When the mission was authorized, Admiral Nakasawa, the Japanese Naval Operations Section Chief referred to that area of the Philippines "a fitting place to die", and looked forward to the battle as a "chance to bloom as flowers of death". They had a simple objective: To attack U.S. troop transports off the coast of the island of Leyte before they themselves were sunk. The Japanese fleet was divided into three forces: Northern, Center and Southern, with Adm. Kurita commanding the Center force of 32 ships and lost three heavy cruisers to torpedo strikes, long before he reached Leyte. He lost eight more, mainly to superior air power before he reached the San Bernardino Strait. Many of those ships that were not sunk were heavily damaged. Kurita retreated because he could not continue without air support. The retreat was short-lived, however because U.S. planes broke-off the attack, thinking Kurita's force was no longer a factor. The second and final retreat occurred after Kurita encountered three U.S. flotillas of Escort Carriers which were comparatively small ships used mainly to provide air cover for the Army landing on the Leyte beaches. They had nowhere near the firepower of the Japanese Battleships and Destroyers that remained of Kurita's force and were 2-3 knots slower. Thinking that Kurita had permanently retreated and with the Japanese Southern Force already destroyed, Adm. Halsey concentrated on the Northern Force, leaving the escort carriers unprotected. Unable to outrun the Japanese force, they were ordered to stand and fight. Air reinforcements were called-in and with a total of 450+ attack aircraft, the small carriers inflicted heavy casualties on the Center Force. Thinking that the heart of Halsey's fleet was nearby, and that further engagement was suicide, Kurita permanently retreated. Kurita's force would have eventually decimated the small carrier group, but it would have been a Pyrrhic victory, because with no air defenses U.S. air bombardment, which included torpedoes, was incessant. As soon as the Northern Force was destroyed - which it was- Adm. Halsey was prepared to focus his entire fleet on the crippled Central Force of Adm. Kurita - that is, if it had survived the air attacks.
What else can I help you with?
Why did the Japanese surrender in the battle of midway?
They didn't surrender, They had lost the battle and retreated from the victorious American Naval Forces.
What was the main Japanese commander in the Battle of Midway?
The main Japanese commander during the Battle of Midway was Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto, who was the commander-in-chief of the Imperial Japanese Navy. He devised the overall strategy for the attack on Midway, aiming to eliminate the United States as a strategic power in the Pacific. However, the battle ultimately resulted in a significant defeat for Japan, largely due to intelligence breakthroughs by the U.S. Navy. Yamamoto's plans were undermined by the successful American interception of Japanese communications, leading to a decisive American victory.
What countries where in the Battle of Midway?
The United States, And Imperial Japanese Forces fought in the battle of midway.
What mistakes did the Japanese commander make before and during the Battle of Midway?
he messed with the U.S.A
Why was the Battle of Midway such an important battle?
It was important because the US fleet destroyed or damaged the majority of the Japanese Imperial Navies carriers.
Why did the Japanese surrender in the battle of midway?
They didn't surrender, They had lost the battle and retreated from the victorious American Naval Forces.
What was the main Japanese commander in the Battle of Midway?
The main Japanese commander during the Battle of Midway was Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto, who was the commander-in-chief of the Imperial Japanese Navy. He devised the overall strategy for the attack on Midway, aiming to eliminate the United States as a strategic power in the Pacific. However, the battle ultimately resulted in a significant defeat for Japan, largely due to intelligence breakthroughs by the U.S. Navy. Yamamoto's plans were undermined by the successful American interception of Japanese communications, leading to a decisive American victory.
What countries where in the Battle of Midway?
The United States, And Imperial Japanese Forces fought in the battle of midway.
What was the turning point of the Battle of Midway?
When the Imperial Japanese navy lost their carriers
What effects were in the battle of leyte gulf?
Eliminated the IJN (Imperial Japanese Navy).
What mistakes did the Japanese commander make before and during the Battle of Midway?
he messed with the U.S.A
Why was the Battle of Midway such an important battle?
It was important because the US fleet destroyed or damaged the majority of the Japanese Imperial Navies carriers.
Who was the Japanese commander during the battle of Gyadalcanal?
Isoroku YamamotoNishizo TsukaharaJinichi KusakaHitoshi ImamuraHarukichi Hyakutake
Who instructed the japaneese navy to fight in the Battle of Midway?
For Japan, the leaders were Admirals Yamato (commander-in-chief, Imperial Jap Navy) and Nagumo (commander, Jap Strike Froce)
Who where the key characters in the Battle of Midway?
The United States Navy and the Imperial Japanese Navy. Yamamoto and Halsey
Japanese in Alaska during world war 2?
Japan occupied the two westernmost of the Aleutians, Kiska and Attu, as a feint to draw the US north at the Battle of Midway. It did not work because the US had already broken the Japanese code. The Imperial Japanese Army held the islands for two years, and then in an uncharacteristic move retreated rather then defending them. The US still took the threat to Alaska seriously, and put much into protecting it.
Who were the commanders in the Battle of Midway in World War 2?
The senior Japanese commander was Admiral Chaichi Nagumo. The senior American commander was Admiral Jack Fletcher.
