Leyte Landing Day in Tacloban Date in the current year: October 20, 2024

During the Second World War, the Philippines was invaded by Japan mere hours after the attack on Pearl Harbor since control over the archipelago was vital for Japan’s control over sea routes to Borneo and Sumatra. Most of the Philippines had been occupied by the Japanese Empire by early May 1942.

For the United States, the recapture of the Philippines was an important strategic step since it would help to isolate the military holdings of Japan in the Pacific theater and China. Besides, it was a matter of personal pride for General Douglas MacArthur, commander of United States Army Forces in the Far East (USAFFE).

In early 1944, MacArthur received an order from the Joint Chiefs of Staff to plan an attack on the southern Philippines by the end of the year. Four months later, MacArthur, President Franklin D. Roosevelt and Admiral Chester W. Nimitz made the decision to invade Philippines during their meeting in Hawaii.

The island of Leyte was chosen as the point of invasion because of its deep-water approaches and sandy beaches which offered excellent opportunities for amphibious warfare. In addition, Leyte had a big population, most of which already supported guerrilla warfare against the Japanese occupiers, so the locals were very likely to assist an American invasion of Leyte.

The American forces began preliminary operations for the invasion on October 17, 1944. They involved mine sweeping, reconnaissance, and taking the small islands of Suluan, Dinagat and Homonhon in the Leyte Gulf. The invasion itself began in the early hours of October 20; after four hours of heavy naval gunfire, the Sixth Army landed on assigned beaches on Leyte at 10 AM.

The landings on Leyte marked the beginning of the liberation of the Philippines. The Battle of Leyte lasted until December 26, when MacArthur announced the end of organized Japanese resistance on the island. Although fighting with the remaining Japanese would continue for months, the United States Army always remained in control of Leyte.

The Leyte campaign marked the first and most decisive step in the American effort to retake the Philippines. The Japanese suffered significant losses, with the army losing four divisions and additional combat units, while the navy saw the destruction of 26 major warships, 46 large transports, and hundreds of merchant vessels. The campaign also slashed Japan’s land-based air power in the Philippines by over 50%. With the defeat at Leyte, Japan effectively abandoned hope of holding the Philippines, conceding a vital stronghold to the Allies.

The anniversary of the landing on Leyte was designated as a special non-working holiday in Tacloban, the capital and largest city of the province of Leyte. It is marked by memorial ceremonies held at the MacArthur Landing Memorial National Park in Palo and other special events and activities.