Philippines campaign of 1944–1945

The Philippines campaign of 1944 and 1945 was the American and Filipino effort to liberate the Philippines from Japanese occupation during the Second World War. Allied forces under General Douglas MacArthur landed on the island of Leyte, fulfilling his earlier promise to return, and the Battle of Leyte Gulf, the largest naval battle of the war, destroyed much of what was left of Japan's fleet. In early 1945 American troops landed on Luzon and advanced on Manila, where fierce fighting from February to March destroyed much of the city and killed many civilians. Fighting continued in the mountains until Japan's surrender. Filipino guerrillas supported the campaign, and the Philippines became independent in 1946.

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