Figure 1.--Here two Coast Guard-manned Landing Ship Tanks (LSTs) open their giants jaws to digorge supplies and equipment. Soldiers line up to build sandbag piers out to the ramps. The crews call these vessels, 'Large, Slow Targers' This photograph was taken a few weeks after the initial landings. he photograph shows how much the American amphibious capability had increased since the first landings on Guadacanal 2 years earlier. (A

U.S. Army rangers began the invasion of Leyte (October 17). The US 6th Army under General Walter Krueger after three hours of naval bombardment began landings on beaches of the northern coast of Leyte Gulf--situated along the central coast of Leyte (October 20). The Japanese did not resist at the shoreline. Landing units quickly secured beachheads and began receive heavy vehicles massive supply deliveries. There would be no repeat of The Gudaacanal mistakes. X Corps in the north advanced on a 4-mile wide front between Tacloban airfield and the Palo River (October 20-23). XXIV Corps units further south landed across a 3-mile wide strand between San José and the Daguitan River. Advancing units there were hindered by swampy terrain. The 1st Cavalry Division took Tacloban, the provincial capital (October 21). General MacArthur with President Sergio Osmeña landed and announced thathe had returned and the beginning of their liberation to the Filipino people. Until air fields were secured, the advancing infantry had to depend on olanes from esort carrier grouos (Taffy 1, 2, and 3. ). At this point Japanese naval forces reached the Philippines and the climatic naval engagement of the Pacific War--the Battle of Leyte Gulf commenced.

MacArthur spoke to Filipino people in a stirring radio address, "I have returned. By the grace of Almighty God, our forces stand again on Philippine soil -- soil consecrated in the blood of our two peoples. We have come, dedicated and committed, to the task of destroying every vestige of enemy control over your daily lives, and of restoring, upon a foundation of indestructible strength, the liberties of your people. At my side is your President, Sergio Osmeña, worthy successor of that great patriot, Manuel Quezon, with members of his cabinet. The seat of your government is now therefore firmly re- established on Philippine soil. The hour of your redemption is here. Your patriots have demonstrated an unswerving and resolute devotion to the principles of freedom that challenges the best that is written on the pages of human history. I now call upon your supreme effort that the enemy may know from the temper of an aroused and outraged people within that he has a force there to contend with no less violent than is the force committed from without. Rally to me. Let the indomitable spirit of Bataan and Corregidor lead on. As the lines of battle roll forward to bring you within the zone of operations, rise and strike. Strike at every favorable opportunity. For your homes and hearths, strike! For future generations of your sons and daughters, strike! In the name of your sacred dead, strike! Let no heart be faint. Let every arm be steeled. The guidance of divine God points the way. Follow in His Name to the Holy Grail of righteous victory!"

Created: 7:36 AM 8/9/2010
Last updated: 4:17 AM 1/15/2016