In 1942 after leaving the Philippines to organize a new American army, General Douglas MacArthur vowed "I shall return!" Two years later, he did return to retake the Philippines from the Japanese on the central island of Leyte. As were most battles in the Pacific, it was a long, bloody, and brutal fight with a call for rushed reinforcements from both sides. This unique battle also saw a major Japanese counterattack-not a banzai charge, but a carefully thought-out counteroffensive designed to push the Americans off the island and capture the elusive General MacArthur. Both American and Japanese battalions spent days surrounded by the enemy, often until relieved or overwhelmed. Under General Yamashita's guidance it also saw a rare deployment of Japanese paratroopers in conjunction with the ground assault offensive. Finally there were more naval and air battles, all designed to protect or cover landing operations of friendly forces. Leyte was a three-dimensional battle, fought with the best both sides had to offer, and did indeed decide the fate of the Philippines in World War II.

Includes index.

Decision for the Philippines -- "I have returned" -- Into the valleys -- Into the mountains : Breakneck Ridge -- Into the mountains : Kilay Ridge -- Into the mountains : Shoestring Ridge -- The "Old Bastards" land -- The last valley -- The Japanese retreat -- The bitter end.