Table of Data Points

The Imperial Japanese Navy lose 3 carriers and over 600 aircraft in the largest carrier battle in history. The IJN were unable to replace their losses and at Leyte Gulf, a few months later, their carriers were used solely as a decoy.

James Blanchard in command of the submarine USS Albacore manually (the targetting computer had failed) fires a spread of 6 torpedoes at the large carrier Taiho. A single torpedo struct and, as a result of failure to correctly vent fumes, exploded and sunk.

At 3:30 in the morning the 9th tank regiment, supported by the 113th infantry regiment attacks the left of the US line, held by the 1st battalion, 6th marines. The attack was defeated with all but 12 tanks lost and 700 infantry killed.

The United States 2nd Marine Division, 4th Marine Division, and 27th Infantry Division defeated defending Japanese forces from the 43rd Division. The battle ended a suicidal, Banzai charge, that was the largest in the Pacific war.

759 Japanese troops are killed during the capture of Wakde island by US troops from the 163rd Regimental Combat Team of the 41st Infantry Division (supported by naval task force 77). 40 American troops are killed during the operation.