Two of the largest naval battles in history were fought in the Philippine seas

The Battle of the Philippine Sea (June 19–20, 1944) and the Battle of Leyte Gulf (October 23–26, 1944) both hold a mind-blowing record for being the largest naval battle in history for some criteria.

The Battle of Philippine Sea is considered as the largest aircraft carrier battle in history. The standoff between the US Navy and the Japanese Empire Navy involved 15 US fleet and light carriers, 9 Japanese carriers, 170 other warships and about 1,700 aircraft. The US fifth Fleet’s Task Force 58 that took action during the battle is also considered by historians as the largest single naval formation ever to give a battle.

And how could we forget the Battle of Leyte Gulf? This naval battle, which consisted of the Battle of Cape Engano, the Battle off Samar, the Battle of Sibuyan Sea and the Battle of Surigao Strait, is considered the largest in terms of tonnage of ships engaged and in terms of terms of tonnage of ships sunk. Some historians also considered it as the largest naval battle ever fought.

The Battle of Leyte Gulf was a clash of naval prowess between the US 3rd and 7th Fleets (assisted by the Australian Royal Navy) and the Japanese Imperial Navy during the World War II. The combined forces of the United States 3rd and 7th Fleets and some Australian warships included 8 large aircraft carriers, 8 light carriers, 12 battleships,18 escort carriers, 24 cruisers, 141 destroyers and destroyer escorts, several other ships, and some 1,500 aircraft. The Allied Forces came out victorious against the Japanese forces, which comprised of 4 aircraft carriers, 9 battleships, 19 cruisers, 34 destroyers and hundreds of aircraft.