The Battles of Leyte Gulf (1944) and Lingayen Gulf (1945)
Published on 05 November 2024
Image right: Japanese suicide bomber about to hit HMAS Australia during the Battle of Lingayen Gulf, Philippines by Frank Norton.
Courtesy Australian War Memorial.
October 2024 marks the 80th anniversary of The Battle of Leyte Gulf, commemorated by the Department of Veterans’ Affairs this Remembrance Day, along with the Battle of Lingayen Gulf of January 1945.
General MacArthur (2nd from left) surveys the scene after the first wave of Allied troops landed north of Palo on Leyte Island, the Philippines, 20 October 1944.
Courtesy Australian War Memorial
The largest naval battle of World War II took place during October 1944 when General MacArthur ‘returned’ to invade Leyte Island, occupied by Japanese troops since early 1942, and recapture the Philippines. This would divide the Japanese empire in two and strengthen the Allies’ campaigns in the Pacific. The USA’s naval contingent consisted of more than 660 ships, along with 11 Royal Australian Navy vessels, including HMAS Australia. Australian sailors assisted with laying channel markers and buoys in San Pedro Bay on 18 October. On 20 October three Australian ships landed troops on Panaon Island while another four RAN ships bombarded the beaches of Leyte Gulf’s western shore. Japanese resistance was evident but sporadic.
The following day, in what is thought to have been the first kamikaze attack, HMAS Australia was hit by a Japanese suicide aircraft at 6:05am. Thirty officers and ratings, including the Commanding Officer, Captain Dechaineux, were killed or died of wounds in the attack, while another 64 were injured.
Image (left) Captain Dechaineux onboard HMAS Australia, 14 September 1944.
Image (right) Able Seaman Allan Richard Maunsell of Bankstown, killed in action at Leyte Gulf, 21 October 1944.
Courtesy Australian War Memorial.
Among those who died onboard Australia were Vincent Leo Hansen (died of wounds, aged 22), whose parents lived in Telopea Avenue, Homebush West and Allan Richard Maunsell of Bankstown, aged just 21.
This remains the largest single Royal Australian Navy operation ever undertaken.
Image (left): The first wave of Allied troops surging across the beach north of Palo, during the invasion of Leyte Island, 20 October 1944.
Image (right): The first Australian flag to reach the Philippines is draped at 'Australia House,' the residence of war correspondents, 8 January 1945.
Courtesy Australian War Memorial
HMAS Australia suffered significant damage at Leyte Gulf but was back in action in the Lingayan Gulf by January 1945. She was targeted again by kamikaze pilots on 5, 6, 8 and 9 January with the loss of 44 officers and ratings and another 69 wounded. This was the ship’s last action during World War II and she sailed home for repairs. The Japanese fleet was badly damaged but it would be another six months before the liberation of the Philippines was achieved.
HMAS Australia is in the middle distance under attack, Lingayen Gulf, January 1945. By Frank Norton. Courtesy Australian War Memorial.
HMAS Australia back in Sydney after her return from the Allied invasion of the Philippines (left) and her damaged funnel (right).
Courtesy Australian War Memorial.
You can read more about HMAS Australia and the Battle of Leyte Gulf in Robert Nichols’ article ‘The first Kamikaze attack?’ at https://www.awm.gov.au/wartime/28/kamikaze-attack.
Lest We Forget.
By J.J. MacRitchie
Local Studies Advisor