Leyte, 1944: The Soldiers' Battle

Front Cover
Casemate, 2012 M12 7 - 425 pages
The decisive battle in Gen. MacArthur’s reclaiming of the Philippines in WWII is told in vivid, on-the-ground detail in this “definitive account” (WWII History Magazine).
 
When Gen. Douglas MacArthur left the Philippines in 1942 to organize a new American army, he vowed, “I shall return!” More than two years later, he did return, retaking the Philippines from the Japanese. The site of his reinvasion was the central Philippine island of Leyte.
 
The Japanese high command decided to make Leyte the “decisive battle” for the western Pacific and rushed crack Imperial Army units from Manchuria, Korea, and Japan to overwhelm the Americans. The Americans in turn rushed in reinforcements. This unique battle also saw a counteroffensive designed to push the Americans off the island and capture the elusive Gen. MacArthur.
 
Both American and Japanese battalions spent days surrounded by the enemy, often until relieved or overwhelmed. Leyte was a three-dimensional battle, fought with the best both sides had to offer, and did indeed decide the fate of the Philippines in World War II.
 

Contents

INTRODUCTION
INTO THE VALLEYS
INTO THE MOUNTAINS BREAKNECK RIDGE
INTO THE MOUNTAINS KILAY RIDGE
INTO THE MOUNTAINSSHOESTRING RIDGE
THE OLD BASTARDS LAND
THE LAST VALLEY
THE JAPANESE RETREAT
THE BITTER
ORDER OF BATTLE LEYTE 1944
ORDER OF BATTLE LEYTE 1944
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About the author (2012)

Nathan Prefer specializes in military history and non-fiction.

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