사상 최대 레이테 해전의 전투경과 분석과 전투 교훈 고찰

Abstract

As the greatest naval battle in the history, the battle of Leyte Gulf in Oct 1944 has very significant meanings in the Pacific War. Compared with the battle of Jutland which has a place as the second largest battle of all, the battle of Leyte Gulf has shown not only its bigger size but also all sort of the available warships and warfare machines in surface, under sea and sky. From the point of views in the tides of Pacific War, this battle has marked as the decisive battle which the back bones of IJN(Imperial Japanese Navy) was completely broken down and confirmed US naval power far higher level to IJN. IJN`s fleet nearly achieved its long-desired victory because of poor US command decisions. Instead, on the brink of success, the Japanese commander turned away and US Navy won another major victory. After naval victory at the battle of Leyte Gulf, US Force managed to press on Luzon, Okinawa, Iwojima and then finally made Japan unconditionally surrender in Aug 1945. This study focused in detail on the each phase of the five main battles in the battle of Leyte Gulf, namely at Palawan Passage, Sibuyan Sea, Surigao Strait, Samar Island and Cape Engano. Through this study, we can make some analysis what sort of factors influence on the results of the decisive battles, and also we can learn the valuable combat lessons which can be useful for the implementation of future combat operation which might take place in Korean peninsula.