Philippine Sea, Battle of

In World War II, decisive US naval victory June 1944 in the Philippine Sea, east of the islands; the last of the great carrier battles, it broke the back of the Japanese navy.

The Japanese launched 244 aircraft on the morning of 19 June, but meanwhile a US submarine torpedoed the Japanese carrier Taiho, crippling it; it sank later in the day. The air action which followed became known as the Great Marianas Turkey Shoot; Japan was short of skilled pilots by this time and the US patrolling carrier aircraft shot them down in droves. A second Japanese attempt at launching an air strike was again foiled when a US submarine torpedoed a carrier, which exploded and sank. The last Japanese aircraft of the day were launched with orders to attack the US fleet and fly on to Guam. Half were shot down before they found the fleet, the remainder missed the fleet, flew to Guam, and found the airfield there in ruins and surrounded by US fighters which promptly shot them all down.

The two fleets separated overnight, but the next day the Japanese turned back to resume the battle. A US scout found the Japanese late in the afternoon and Admiral Spruance decided to gamble on a final blow and launched 77 dive bombers, 54 torpedo-bombers, and 85 fighters. Half an hour later three Japanese carriers were dead in the water, one sinking; one battleship and one cruiser were severely damaged; and the Japanese had only 35 aircraft left. The Japanese fleet refueling ships had also been found and set on fire and the Japanese commander had no choice but to run for home.