Marsh Is.#497 Battle of Leyte Gulf - 1994 Imperforate Mint Issue

October 24, 1944 The combat that ensued at Leyte, involving the two largest naval armadas ever to face one another, is generally regarded as the greatest naval battle in history. The four-day confrontation left the Japanese reeling from a massive defeat which all but destroyed its navy. Death estimates were as high as 10,000. Four carriers, 3 battleships, 6 heavy cruisers, 4 light cruisers and 9 destroyers perished. U.S. losses were relatively small: 3,000 men and 7 light ships. With its navy so badly devastated, Japan could no longer hold what remained of its positions in the Philippines. In addition, Japan no longer had the sea support to keep its shipping lanes open, a necessity for importing raw war materials to the home islands.

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