Editing Battle of Leyte (section)

==Battle==

[[File:Battle of Leyte map 1.jpg|thumb|left|Invasion of Leyte Map, 20 October 1944]]

===Landings===
Preliminary operations for the Leyte invasion began at dawn on 17 October 1944, with minesweeping tasks and the movement of the [[6th Ranger Battalion (United States)|6th Rangers]] toward three small islands in Leyte Gulf.{{sfn|Prefer|2012|pp=26, 37}} Although delayed by a storm, the Rangers were on [[Suluan]] and [[Dinagat Islands|Dinagat islands]] by 0805.{{sfn|Prefer|2012|pp=34–35, 39}} On Suluan, they dispersed a small group of Japanese defenders and destroyed a radio station, while they found Dinagat unoccupied.{{sfn|Prefer|2012|p=35}} The third island, [[Homonhon]], was taken without any opposition the next day.{{sfn|Prefer|2012|p=35}} On Dinagat and Homonhon, the Rangers proceeded to erect navigation lights for the [[Amphibious warfare ship|amphibious transports]] to follow.{{sfn|Prefer|2012|pp=26, 35}}  Meanwhile, reconnaissance by [[underwater demolition teams]] revealed clear landing beaches for assault troops on Leyte.{{sfn|Prefer|2012|p=38}}  Independently, the [[21st Infantry Regiment (United States)|21st Infantry Regiment]] on 20 October landed on Panaon Strait to control the entrance to [[Sogod Bay]].{{sfn|Prefer|2012|p=27}}

Following four hours of heavy naval gunfire on A-day, 20 October, Sixth Army forces landed on assigned beaches at 10:00.{{sfn|Prefer|2012|p=39}} X&nbsp;Corps pushed across a {{convert|4|mi|km|abbr=on}} stretch of beach between [[Tacloban Airfield|Tacloban airfield]] and the Palo River. {{convert|15|mi|km|abbr=on}} to the south, XXIV&nbsp;Corps units came ashore across a {{convert|3|mi|km|abbr=on}} strand between San&nbsp;José and the Daguitan River. Troops found as much resistance from swampy terrain as from Japanese fire.{{sfn|Prefer|2012|p=41}} Within an hour of landing, units in most sectors had secured beachheads deep enough to receive heavy vehicles and large amounts of supplies.{{sfn|Prefer|2012|p=40}} Only in the 24th&nbsp;Division sector did enemy fire force a diversion of follow-up landing craft. But even that sector was secure enough by 13:30 to allow Gen.&nbsp;MacArthur to make a dramatic entrance<ref>{{cite video
 | year =1944
 | title =Video: Third Army blasts Nazi Strongholds, 1944/11/02 (1944)
 | url =https://archive.org/details/1944-11-02_3rd_Army_blasts_Nazi_Strongholds
 | publisher =[[Universal Newsreel]]
 | access-date =21 February 2012
}}</ref> through the surf onto Red Beach{{sfn|Prefer|2012|pp=47–48}} and announce to the populace the beginning of their liberation: ''"''People of the Philippines, I have returned! By the grace of Almighty God, our forces stand again on Philippine soil.''"''
[[File:SC 196082-S - Troops of the 12th Cavalry move from the beach, past splintered trees and fires caused by the heavy bombardment preceding their landing on Leyte Island in the Philippines.jpg|thumb|Troops of the 12th Cavalry moving inland from the beach on Leyte. 20 October 1944.]]
By the end of A-day, the Sixth Army had moved {{convert|1|mi|km|abbr=on}} inland and five miles wide.{{sfn|Prefer|2012|p=47}} In the X&nbsp;Corps sector, the [[1st Cavalry Division (United States)|1st&nbsp;Cavalry Division]] held Tacloban airfield,{{sfn|Prefer|2012|p=40}} and the [[24th Infantry Division (United States)|24th&nbsp;Infantry Division]] had taken the high ground on Hill&nbsp;522 commanding its beachheads.{{sfn|Prefer|2012|p=47}} In the XXIV&nbsp;Corps sector, the [[96th Infantry Division (United States)|96th&nbsp;Infantry Division]] held the approaches to Catmon&nbsp;Hill,{{sfn|Prefer|2012|p=50}} and the [[7th Infantry Division (United States)|7th Infantry Division]] held Dulag and its airfield.{{sfn|Prefer|2012|p=54}}

General Makino spent the day moving his command post from Tacloban, {{convert|10|mi|km|abbr=on}} inland to the town of [[Dagami]].{{sfn|Prefer|2012|p=46}} The initial fighting was won at a cost of 49&nbsp;killed, 192&nbsp;wounded, and six missing.{{sfn|Prefer|2012|p=343}}  The Japanese counterattacked the 24th Infantry Division on Red Beach through the night, unsuccessfully.{{sfn|Prefer|2012|pp=60–63}}

===Campaign in the Leyte Valley===
The Sixth Army made steady progress inland against sporadic and uncoordinated enemy resistance on Leyte in the next few days. The 1st&nbsp;Cavalry Division of Maj.&nbsp;Gen. Verne D. Mudge secured the provincial capital, Tacloban, on 21&nbsp;October, and Hill 215 the next.{{sfn|Prefer|2012|p=75}} On 23&nbsp;October, Gen.&nbsp;MacArthur presided over a ceremony to restore civil government to Leyte. 1st and 2nd&nbsp;Cavalry Brigades initiated a holding action to prevent a Japanese counterattack from the mountainous interior, after which the 1st&nbsp;Cavalry was allowed to move on.  The 8th Cavalry established itself on Samar by 24 Oct, securing the [[San Juanico Strait]].{{sfn|Prefer|2012|p=75}}
[[File:U.S. infantrymen in action.jpg|thumb|left|US infantrymen move cautiously toward a machinegun nest]]

On the X Corps left, the 24th Infantry Division under Maj. Gen. [[Frederick A. Irving]], drove inland into heavy enemy resistance. After days and nights of hard fighting and killing some 800&nbsp;Japanese, the [[19th Infantry Regiment (United States)|19th]] and [[34th Infantry Regiment (United States)|34th Infantry Regiments]] expanded their beachhead and took control of the high ground commanding the entrance to the northern Leyte Valley. By 1&nbsp;November, after a seven-day tank-infantry advance supported by artillery fire, both regiments had pushed through Leyte Valley and were within sight of the north coast and the port of [[Carigara, Leyte|Carigara]], which the 2nd Cavalry Brigade occupied the next day after Suzuki ordered a withdrawal.{{sfn|Prefer|2012|pp=99–106}} In its drive through Leyte Valley, the 24th&nbsp;Division inflicted nearly 3,000&nbsp;enemy [[casualty (person)|casualties]].{{sfn|Prefer|2012|p=106}} These advances left only one major port on Leyte—Ormoc City on the west coast—under Japanese control.
[[File:U.S. howitzer fires at Catmon Hill.jpg|thumb|A US {{convert|105|mm|in|1|abbr=on}} howitzer cannon of M7 Priest fires at Catmon Hill]]

From the XXIV Corps beachhead Gen. Hodge had sent his two divisions into the southern Leyte Valley, which already contained four airfields and a large supply center. Maj.&nbsp;Gen. [[James L. Bradley]]'s [[96th Infantry Division (United States)|96th Infantry Division]] was to clear Catmon&nbsp;Hill, a {{convert|1400|ft|m|abbr=on}} promontory, the highest point in both corps beachheads, and used by the Japanese as an observation and firing post to fire on [[landing craft]] approaching the beach on A-day. Under cover of incessant artillery and naval gunfire, Bradley's troops made their way through the swamps south and west of the high ground at Labiranan&nbsp;Head. After a three-day fight, the 382nd Infantry Regiment took a key Japanese supply base at [[Tabontabon, Leyte|Tabontabon]], {{convert|5|mi|km|abbr=on}} inland, and killed some 350&nbsp;Japanese on 28&nbsp;October. Simultaneously two battalions each from the 381st Infantry Regiment and 383rd Infantry Regiments slowly advanced up opposite sides of Catmon Hill and battled the fierce Japanese resistance. When the mop-up of Catmon Hill was completed on 31&nbsp;October, the Americans had cleared 53 [[Bunker#Pillbox|pillboxes]], 17 caves, and several heavy artillery positions.{{sfn|Prefer|2012|pp=65–69}}
[[File:U.S. APC at Libaran Head.jpg|thumb|left|US armored car at Labiranan Head]]

On the left of XXIV Corps, the 7th Infantry Division under Maj. Gen. [[Archibald V. Arnold]] moved inland against the Japanese airfields of San Pablo 1 and 2, Bayug, and Buri, using "flying wedges" of American tanks, the 767th Tank Battalion, which cleared the way for the infantrymen.{{sfn|Prefer|2012|pp=80–81}} Between [[Burauen, Leyte|Burauen]] and Julita, the [[17th Infantry Regiment (United States)|17th Infantry]] overcame fanatical but futile resistance from Japanese soldiers concealed in [[spider hole]]s, who placed [[satchel charge]]s on the hulls of the American tanks.{{sfn|Prefer|2012|p=80}} A mile north, 32nd&nbsp;Infantry soldiers killed more than 400&nbsp;Japanese at Buri airfield. While two battalions of the 184th&nbsp;Infantry patrolled the corps' left flank, the 17th&nbsp;Infantry, with the 184th's 2nd&nbsp;Battalion attached, turned north toward [[Dagami, Leyte|Dagami]], {{convert|6|mi|km|abbr=on}} above Burauen. Using [[flamethrower]]s to root the enemy out of pillboxes and a cemetery, US troops captured Dagami on 30&nbsp;October, which forced Gen.&nbsp;Makino to evacuate his command post further westward.{{sfn|Prefer|2012|pp=95–96}} Meanwhile, on 29&nbsp;October, the 32nd&nbsp;Infantry's 2nd&nbsp;Battalion, preceded by the 7th&nbsp;Cavalry Reconnaissance Troop, moved {{convert|15|mi|km|abbr=on}} south along the east coast to [[Abuyog, Leyte|Abuyog]] for a probe of the area, and then over the next four days patrolled west through the mountains to [[Baybay]], all without opposition.{{sfn|Prefer|2012|p=96}}

===Japanese counterattacks===
With 432,000 Japanese soldiers in the Philippines, General Yamashita decided to make Leyte the main effort of the Japanese defense, and on 21 October, ordered the [[Thirty-Fifth Army (Japan)|35th Army]] to coordinate a decisive battle with the Imperial Japanese Navy.{{sfn|Prefer|2012|pp=64, 73}}  The [[16th Division (Imperial Japanese Army)|16th Division]] was to be reinforced by the 30th Infantry Division from Mindanao, landing on Ormoc Bay.{{sfn|Prefer|2012|p=64}}  The 102nd Infantry Division would occupy Jaro, where the 1st and [[26th Division (Imperial Japanese Army)|26th Infantry Division]]s were concentrating.{{sfn|Prefer|2012|p=64}}  Battalions from the 55th and 57th Independent Mixed Brigades were on Leyte by 25 Oct.{{sfn|Prefer|2012|p=73}}

As the Sixth Army pushed deeper into Leyte, the Japanese struck back in the air and at sea. On 24&nbsp;October, some 200 enemy aircraft approached American beachheads and shipping from the north.{{sfn|Prefer|2012|p=70}} Fifty American land-based aircraft rose to intercept them, and claimed to have shot down between 66{{sfn|Prefer|2012|p=70}} and 84 of the attackers. Day and night air raids continued over the next four days,{{sfn|Prefer|2012|p=71}} damaging supply dumps ashore and threatening American shipping. But by 28&nbsp;October, counterattacks by US aircraft on Japanese airfields and shipping on other islands so reduced enemy air strength that conventional air raids ceased to be a major threat. As their air strength diminished, the Japanese resorted to the deadly ''[[kamikaze]]s'',{{sfn|Prefer|2012|p=71}} a corps of suicide pilots who crashed their bomb-laden planes directly into US&nbsp;ships. They chose the large American transport and escort fleet that had gathered in Leyte&nbsp;Gulf on A-day as their first target and sank one [[escort carrier]], the [[USS St. Lo|USS ''St. Lo'']], on 25 October 1944 and badly damaged many other vessels. This was the first instance of a major warship to be sunk by kamikaze attack.

[[File:Leyeteislandjapanese.jpg|thumb|upright|Four Japanese snipers shot and killed in the muddy water of a bomb crater]]
A more serious danger to the US forces developed at sea. The Imperial Japanese Navy's high command decided to destroy US Navy forces supporting the Sixth Army by committing its entire remaining surface fleet to a decisive battle with the Americans. The Imperial Navy's plan was to attack in three major task groups. One, which included four [[aircraft carrier]]s with few aircraft aboard, was to act as a decoy, luring the US 3rd&nbsp;Fleet north away from Leyte Gulf. 
[[File:U.S. AA at Tacloban in action.jpg|thumb|left|A US anti-aircraft gun at Tacloban airfield in action]]

On 23 October, the approach of the enemy surface vessels was detected. US naval units moved out to intercept, and the air and naval [[Battle of Leyte Gulf]]—the largest naval battle in the Pacific{{sfn|Prefer|2012|p=70}} and also one of the [[largest naval battle in history|largest naval battles in history]]<ref name="Woodward1947">{{cite book |title=The Battle for Leyte Gulf |last=Woodward |first=C. Vann |year=1947 |publisher=Macmillan |location=New York }}</ref>—was fought from 23 to 26&nbsp;October—the Japanese suffered a decisive defeat. Nonetheless, by 11&nbsp;December, the Japanese had succeeded in moving more than 34,000&nbsp;troops to Leyte and over {{convert|10000|ST|t|lk=on|abbr=on}} of material, most through the port of Ormoc on the west coast, despite heavy losses to reinforcement convoys, including engagements at [[Battle of Ormoc Bay|Ormoc Bay]], because of relentless air interdiction missions by US aircraft.

===Advance towards the Ormoc Valley===
The Japanese reinforcement presented severe problems for both Krueger and MacArthur.{{sfn|Prefer|2012|p=107}} Instead of projected mopping up operations after clearing the east side of Leyte, the Sixth Army had to prepare for extended combat in the mountains on its western side.{{sfn|Prefer|2012|p=110}} 

Gen. Krueger planned a giant [[pincer movement|pincer operation]] to clear Ormoc Vally, with X&nbsp;Corps forces moving south, and XXIV&nbsp;Corps units pushing north from Baybay.{{sfn|Prefer|2012|p=111}} To overcome the expected increased resistance, especially in the mountain barrier to the north, Krueger mobilized his reserve forces, the [[32nd Infantry Division (United States)|32nd]] and [[77th Infantry Division (United States)|77th]] Infantry Divisions, while MacArthur activated the [[U.S. 11th Airborne Division|11th Airborne Division]]. The 21st&nbsp;RCT pulled out from the Panaon area to rejoin the 24th&nbsp;Division and were replaced by a battalion of the 32nd&nbsp;Infantry. On 3&nbsp;November, the 34th&nbsp;Infantry Regiment moved out from west of Carigara to sweep the rest of the northern coast before turning south into the mountains. The 1st&nbsp;Battalion soon came under attack from a ridge along the highway. Supported by the 63rd Field Artillery Battalion, the unit cleared the ridge, and the 34th&nbsp;Infantry continued unopposed that night through the town of Pinamopoan, recovering numerous heavy weapons abandoned by the enemy, then halted at the point where Highway&nbsp;2 turns south into the mountains.{{sfn|Prefer|2012|pp=111–113}}

===Battles of Breakneck and Kilay Ridges===
On the 7th of November the 21 Infantry went into its first sustained combat on Leyte when it moved into the mountains along Highway&nbsp;2, near [[Carigara, Leyte|Carigara]] Bay.{{sfn|Prefer|2012|p=115}} The fresh regiment, with the 19th&nbsp;Infantry's 3rd&nbsp;Battalion attached, immediately ran into strong defenses of the newly arrived Japanese [[1st Division (Imperial Japanese Army)|1st Division]], aligned from east to west across the road and anchored on a network of fighting positions built of heavy logs and interconnecting trench lines and countless spider holes, which became known as "Breakneck Ridge" to the Americans, or the "Yamashita Line" to the Japanese.{{sfn|Prefer|2012|p=116}}  General Krueger ordered the 1st Cavalry to join the 24th Infantry Division in the attack south, and the X and XXIV Corps (96th Infantry Division) to block routes through the central mountain range, anticipating General Suzuki's renewed attack with the arrival of his 26th Infantry Division.{{sfn|Prefer|2012|pp=120–121}}  Additionally the XXIV Corps had the 7th Infantry Division in Baybay.{{sfn|Prefer|2012|p=121}}  Plus, Krueger had access to the [[32nd Infantry Division (United States)|32nd]] and [[77th Infantry Division (United States)|77th Infantry Divisions]], and the [[11th Airborne Division (United States)|11th Airborne Division]], which MacArthur was staging in Leyte in preparation of the Luzon invasion.{{sfn|Prefer|2012|p=133}}

A [[typhoon]] began on 8 November, and the heavy rain that followed for several days further impeded American progress.{{sfn|Prefer|2012|p=116}} Despite the storm and high winds, which added falling trees and mud slides to enemy defenses and delayed supply trains, the 21st&nbsp;Infantry continued its slow and halting attack, with companies often having to withdraw and recapture hills that had been taken earlier. The Americans seized the approaches to Hill&nbsp;1525 {{convert|2|mi|km|abbr=on}} to the east, enabling Irving to stretch out the enemy defenses further across a {{convert|4|mi|km|abbr=on}} front along Highway&nbsp;2.  

On the east, the 19th&nbsp;Infantry's 2nd&nbsp;Battalion, under Lt. Col. Robert B. Spragins, swung east around Hill&nbsp;1525 behind the enemy right flank, cutting back to Highway&nbsp;2, {{convert|3|mi|km|abbr=on}} south of 'Breakneck Ridge', blocking the Japanese supply line.{{sfn|Prefer|2012|pp=133–140}} On the west, Irving sent the 34th&nbsp;Infantry's 1st&nbsp;Battalion under Lt.&nbsp;Col. Thomas E. Clifford, over water from the Carigara area to a point {{convert|2|mi|km|abbr=on}} west of the southward turn of Highway&nbsp;2, and moved it inland. This amphibious maneuver was made in eighteen [[Landing Vehicle Tracked|LVTs]] of the 727th Amphibian Tractor Battalion.<ref>Journal, 727th Amphibian Tractor Battalion, 6 November 1944 to 10 November 1944</ref>  After crossing a ridge line and the Leyte River, they approached the enemy left flank at {{convert|900|ft|m|abbr=on}} on Kilay Ridge, the highest terrain behind the main battle area.{{sfn|Prefer|2012|p=147}} Both battalions reached positions only about {{convert|1000|yd|m|abbr=on}} apart on opposite sides of the highway by 13&nbsp;November despite strong opposition and heavy rains. The Americans were aided by the 1st Battalion, 96th Philippine Infantry, a local guide who "owned" Kilay Ridge, and Filipinos carrying supplies.{{sfn|Prefer|2012|pp=148–149}}
[[File:Battle of Leyte Filipino volunteers.jpg|thumb|left|Filipino volunteers carry supplies to the 12th Cavalry Brigade]]

It took Clifford's men two weeks of struggle through mud and rain—often dangerously close to friendly mortar and artillery fire—to root the Japanese out of fighting positions on the way up Kilay Ridge. On 2&nbsp;December Clifford's battalion finally cleared the heights overlooking the road, and 32nd&nbsp;Division units quickly took over. Clifford's outfit suffered 26&nbsp;killed, 101&nbsp;wounded and two missing, in contrast to 900&nbsp;Japanese dead.{{sfn|Prefer|2012|p=162}} For their arduous efforts against Kilay Ridge and adjacent areas, both flanking battalions received [[Presidential Unit Citation (United States)|Presidential Unit Citation]]s.{{sfn|Prefer|2012|pp=147, 162}} Clifford and Spragins both received the [[Distinguished Service Cross (United States)|Distinguished Service Cross]] for their actions.{{sfn|Prefer|2012|pp=142, 152}} It was not until 14&nbsp;December that the 32nd&nbsp;Division finally cleared the Breakneck–Kilay Ridge area, and linked up with the 1st&nbsp;Cavalry Division on 19 Dec, placing the most heavily defended portions of Highway&nbsp;2 between Carigara&nbsp;Bay and the Ormoc Valley under X&nbsp;Corps control.{{sfn|Prefer|2012|pp=266, 269}}

Throughout this phase, American efforts had become increasingly hampered by logistical problems. Mountainous terrain and impassable roads forced Sixth Army transportation units to improvise resupply trains of Navy landing craft, tracked landing vehicles, airdrops, artillery tractors, trucks, even [[carabao]]s and hundreds of barefoot Filipino bearers. The 727th Amphibian Tractor Battalion made daily, often multiple, trips with ammunition and rations between [[Capoocan, Leyte|Capoocan]] and [[Calubian, Leyte|Calubian]]. From Calubian, the 727th tractors would navigate the Naga River to Consuegra and then traverse overland to Agahang. On their return trip, they would evacuate the casualties. 

===Battle of Shoestring Ridge===
{{for|the naval battle| Battle of Ormoc Bay}}
In mid-November XXIV&nbsp;Corps had the [[32nd Infantry Regiment (United States)|32nd Infantry Regiment]], under the command of Lt. Col. John M. Finn in western Leyte, and 7th&nbsp;Division remnants securing Burauen, but the arrival of the 11th&nbsp;Airborne Division on 22&nbsp;November allowed Gen.&nbsp;Hodge to move the rest of the 7th&nbsp;Division to the west.{{sfn|Prefer|2012|p=182}} On the night of 23&nbsp;November the 32nd&nbsp;Infantry suddenly came under attack by the Japanese 26th Division along the Palanas River.{{sfn|Prefer|2012|pp=187–188}} The regiment's 2nd&nbsp;Battalion was pushed back off Hill 918 to a defensive position along the highway together with their artillery base, which consisted of Batteries A and B of the 49th Field Artillery Battalion and Battery B of the USMC 11th 155mm Gun Battalion.{{sfn|Prefer|2012|p=186}}  Gen.&nbsp;Arnold earlier had placed the 2nd&nbsp;Battalion, 184th&nbsp;Infantry, as a reserve for just such a counterattack.{{sfn|Prefer|2012|p=186}}  Also, a platoon of tanks from the 767th Tank Battalion was stationed at Damulaan.{{sfn|Prefer|2012|p=186}}  Battery C, 57th Field Artillery Battalion, arrived the next day.{{sfn|Prefer|2012|p=189}}  That night, the night of 24&nbsp;November, Japanese attacks put four {{convert|105|mm|in|abbr=on}} pieces of Battery B out of action.{{sfn|Prefer|2012|p=192}} The 2nd&nbsp;Battalion, 184th&nbsp;Infantry was then released by Gen. Arnold to Col. Finn.{{sfn|Prefer|2012|p=192}}  The defensive battle for 'Shoestring Ridge', so named to reflect the supply situation, continued until 29&nbsp;November, when US troops were able to take the offensive.{{sfn|Prefer|2012|p=199}}  During their failed attacks of the previous days, the Japanese under the command of Col. Saito had committed six infantry battalions.{{sfn|Prefer|2012|p=199}}

===Battle of the Ridges===
Gen. Arnold finally began his advance toward Ormoc with a novel tactic. On the night of 4&nbsp;December, vehicles of the 776th Amphibian Tank Battalion put to sea and leapfrogged south along the Leyte coast and positioned themselves west of Balogo.{{sfn|Prefer|2012|p=201}}  On 5 Dec, the tanks moved to within {{convert|200|yd|m|abbr=on}} of the shore and fired into the hills in front of the advancing 17th and 184th&nbsp;Infantry.{{sfn|Prefer|2012|p=200}} This tactic proved effective, greatly disorganizing the defenders, except where ground troops encountered enemy pockets on reverse slopes inland, shielded from the offshore tank fire. The 7th&nbsp;Division pushed north with two regiments which encountered heavy enemy fire coming from Hill&nbsp;918, from which the entire coast to Ormoc City could be observed. By 8 Dec, the American forces had taken Hills 918, 380 and 606, plus the surrounding ridges.{{sfn|Prefer|2012|pp=200–205}} By 12&nbsp;December, Gen.&nbsp;Arnold's lead battalion was less than {{convert|10|mi|km|abbr=on}} south of Ormoc City.

===Battle of the Airfields===
While Gen. Arnold moved closer to Ormoc, on 6 December, the Japanese made a surprise attack on the Buri Airfield with the [[16th Division (Imperial Japanese Army)|16th]], combined with 250 paratroopers of the [[2nd Raiding Brigade]], the ''Takachiho Paratroopers''.{{sfn|Prefer|2012|pp=226–228}}  At the time, the 11th Airborne Division, commanded by General [[Joseph May Swing]] defended the Burauen area.{{sfn|Prefer|2012|pp=221, 229}} The Japanese aimed to recapture eastern Leyte airstrips and use them for their own planes. Descending Japanese paratroopers were "cut to shreds by the antiaircraft and field artillery units," according to one American artillery officer.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Miller|first1=Donald|title=The Story of World War II|url=https://archive.org/details/storyofworldwari00mill|url-access=registration|date=2001|publisher=Simon & Schuster|location=New York|isbn=978-0743227186|page=[https://archive.org/details/storyofworldwari00mill/page/422 422]}}<!--|access-date=8 June 2015--></ref>

Although poorly coordinated—only one battalion of the Japanese 26th Infantry Division reached the battlefield—the enemy attack yielded the seizure of some abandoned weapons which they managed to use against the Americans over the next four days.{{sfn|Prefer|2012|p=232}} The 11th Airborne Division, supported by the 149th Infantry, [[38th Infantry Division (United States)|38th Infantry Division]], and the 382nd Infantry, 96th Infantry Division, plus hastily mustered groups of support and service troops, eventually contained the attack, and turned the tide by 9 Dec.{{sfn|Prefer|2012|pp=230–231}} With a few American supply dumps and aircraft on the ground destroyed and construction projects delayed, the enemy attacks on the airfields failed to have any effect on the overall Leyte Campaign.{{sfn|Prefer|2012|p=233}}  Gen. Suzuki ordered a retreat so he could deal with the American landing at Ormoc, but with only 200 men returning, the [[16th Division (Imperial Japanese Army)|16th Division]] ceased to exist.{{sfn|Prefer|2012|pp=232, 251}}
[[File:Battle of Leyte map 3.jpg|thumb|Situation at Leyte, 7 November–31 December 1944]]

===Fall of Ormoc===
Meanwhile, on the western side of Leyte, the US XXIV Corps received reinforcements on 7&nbsp;December with the landing of the 77th&nbsp;Infantry Division under Maj.&nbsp;Gen. [[Andrew D. Bruce]] south of Ormoc City.{{sfn|Prefer|2012|p=233}} The 77th&nbsp;Division's 305th and 307th Infantry Regiments came ashore at 0700 unopposed, supported by a company from the 776th Amphibian Tank Battalion.{{sfn|Prefer|2012|pp=233–234}} However, Admiral [[Arthur D. Storable]]'s naval convoy was subjected to ''kamikaze'' air attacks, fifty-five aircraft making sixteen raids.{{sfn|Prefer|2012|pp=234–236}} Yet, the arrival of the 77th&nbsp;Division proved decisive. This enabled the 7th&nbsp;Division to resume its march north, and Japanese defenders were quickly squeezed between them.{{sfn|Prefer|2012|p=234}}

Moving north, the 77th Division faced strong opposition at Camp Downes, a prewar Philippine constabulary post.{{sfn|Prefer|2012|pp=239, 360}} Supported by the newly arrived 306th Infantry Regiment, plus the 902nd and 305th Field Artillery Battalions, Gen.&nbsp;Bruce's troops pushed through and beyond Camp Downes on 9 Dec, and entered [[Ormoc City]] on 10&nbsp;December.{{sfn|Prefer|2012|pp=239–240}}  The 7th and 77th Infantry Divisions linked up the next day.{{sfn|Prefer|2012|p=242}}

In its final drive, US troops killed some 1,506&nbsp;Japanese troops and took seven prisoners while sustaining 123&nbsp;killed, 329 wounded and 13&nbsp;missing.{{sfn|Prefer|2012|p=242}} With Ormoc City captured, the XXIV&nbsp;Corps and X&nbsp;Corps were only {{convert|16|mi|km|abbr=on}} apart. In between at Cogan, the last Japanese salient with its defenses anchored on a concrete blockhouse, north of Ormoc, and held by the 12th&nbsp;Independent Infantry Regiment, resisted the Americans for two days.{{sfn|Prefer|2012|p=257}} On 14&nbsp;December, the 305th&nbsp;Infantry closed on the stronghold, aided by heavy artillery barrages and employing flamethrowers and armored bulldozers. Hand-to-hand combat and the inspiring leadership of [[Medal of Honor]] awardee Captain [[Robert B. Nett]] cleared the Japanese from the blockhouse area, while the leading Company, E, of the 2nd&nbsp;Battalion, 305th&nbsp;Infantry moved forward through intense fire and killed several Japanese soldiers.{{sfn|Prefer|2012|p=258}}

===Westward march to the coast===
After breaking out of Ormoc, the 77th Division took Valencia airfield, {{convert|7|mi|km|abbr=on}} north, on 18&nbsp;December, and continued north to establish contact with X&nbsp;Corps units.{{sfn|Prefer|2012|p=274}} That same day, Gen.&nbsp;Sibert ordered the 1st&nbsp;Cavalry Division to complete the drive south. The [[12th Cavalry Regiment (United States)|12th Cavalry Regiment]] pushed out of the mountains on a southwest track to Highway&nbsp;2, then followed fire from the 271st Field Artillery Battalion to clear a {{convert|3|mi|km|abbr=on}} stretch of the road. North of Ormoc Valley, the 32nd&nbsp;Division had met determined opposition from the defending Japanese 1st&nbsp;Division along Highway&nbsp;2, after moving south past Kilay Ridge and entering a heavy rain forest, which limited visibility and concealed the enemy. Using flamethrowers, hand [[grenade]]s, rifles, and bayonets, troops scratched out daily advances measured in yards, and in five days of hard fighting, the [[126th Infantry Regiment (United States)|126th]] and [[127th Infantry Regiment (United States)|127th Infantry Regiment]]s advanced less than {{convert|1|mi|km|abbr=on}}. Contact between patrols of the 12th&nbsp;Cavalry and the 77th&nbsp;Division's 306th&nbsp;Infantry on 21&nbsp;December marked the juncture of the US X and XXIV&nbsp;Corps and the closing of the Sixth&nbsp;Army's pincer maneuver against Ormoc Valley.{{sfn|Prefer|2012|p=284}}

While the 77th and 32nd Divisions converged on the valley, Maj.&nbsp;Gen. [[Joseph M. Swing]]'s 11th&nbsp;Airborne Division had moved into the central mountain passes from the east. With blocking positions established south of Leyte Valley on 22–24&nbsp;November, the [[511th Parachute Infantry Regiment (United States)|511th Parachute Infantry Regiment]] pushed farther west into the mountains on the 25&nbsp;November. After an arduous advance, the 511th reached Mahonag, {{convert|10|mi|km|abbr=on}} west of Burauen, on 6&nbsp;December, the same day Japanese paratroops landed at the Buri and San&nbsp;Pablo airfields. On 16&nbsp;December, the 2nd&nbsp;Battalion, 32nd&nbsp;Infantry, made slow but steady progress into the mountains from the Ormoc&nbsp;Bay area to meet the airborne regiment and assist its passage westward. On 23&nbsp;December, after battling scattered Japanese defenders on ridges and in caves, the 7th&nbsp;Division infantrymen met troops from the 2nd&nbsp;Battalion, [[187th Glider Infantry Regiment (United States)|187th Glider Infantry Regiment]], which had passed through the 511th, to complete the cross-island move, and basically destroying the Japanese [[26th Division (Imperial Japanese Army)|26th Infantry Division]] in the process.{{sfn|Prefer|2012|pp=258–264}}

Gen. Bruce opened the drive on [[Palompon, Leyte|Palompon]] by sending the 2nd and 3rd&nbsp;Battalions, 305th&nbsp;Infantry, with armor support, west along the road on the morning of 22&nbsp;December.{{sfn|Prefer|2012|p=289}} The 302nd&nbsp;Engineer Battalion followed, repairing and strengthening bridges for armor, artillery and supply vehicles. Assault units progressed rapidly through sporadic enemy fire until they hit strong positions about {{convert|8|mi|km|abbr=on}} short of Palompon. To restore momentum, Gen.&nbsp;Bruce put the 1st&nbsp;Battalion, 305th&nbsp;Infantry, on Navy landing craft and dispatched it from the port of Ormoc to Palompon. Supported by fire from mortar boats of the 2nd&nbsp;Engineer Special Brigade and from the {{convert|155|mm|in|abbr=on}} guns of the 531st Field Artillery Battalion, the infantrymen landed at 07:20 on 25&nbsp;December and secured the small coastal town within four hours.{{sfn|Prefer|2012|p=290}}

Learning of the seizure of the last port open to the Japanese, Gen. MacArthur announced the end of organized resistance on Leyte.{{sfn|Prefer|2012|p=290}} As these sweeps continued, he transferred control of operations on Leyte and Samar to the Eighth Army on 26&nbsp;December. Farther north, other US forces made faster progress against more disorganized and dispirited enemy troops. 1st&nbsp;Cavalry Division troops reached the coast on 28&nbsp;December{{sfn|Prefer|2012|p=295}} as 24th&nbsp;Division units cleared the last enemy positions from the northwest corner of Leyte on the same day and two days later met patrols of the 32nd&nbsp;Division.