25 October 1944
As 1943 and 1944 progressed, Australian ships were involved in several campaigns. They aimed to reverse what previously seemed an inexorable Japanese advance through the south Pacific. The following armed merchant cruisers were converted to Landing Ships Infantry (LSI):
- HMAS Manoora
- HMAS Kanimbla
- HMAS Westralia.
They took part in many of the amphibious operations that took the Allies closer to the Philippines.
Allied forces captured Morotai Island, in the northern Netherlands East Indies (Indonesia), in September 1944. From there, they mounted landings on Leyte Island in the Philippines. The LSIs transported American troops, while the covering forces included:
- HMAS Australia
- HMAS Shropshire
- HMAS Arunta
- HMAS Warramunga.
The frigate HMAS Gascoyne and motor launch HDML 1074 carried out survey and mine-hunting operations. The Royal Australian Navy was also represented in the service force by:
- the oiler RAFA Bishopdale
- the provision ship MV Merkur
- the ammunition ships HMA Ships Poyang and Yunnan.
On 20 October 1944, a Japanese aircraft crashed into Australia. This caused heavy damage and casualties and it forced her withdrawal with Warramunga as escort.
On 25 October, Shropshire and Arunta formed part of a large Allied force. The force overwhelmed a Japanese battle squadron in the Battle of Surigao Strait. Shropshire engaged the battleship Yamashiro with gunfire. Arunta carried out a torpedo attack.
The Battle of Leyte Gulf, of which the Battle of Surigao Strait was part, remains the largest naval battle in history. It effectively saw the end of the Imperial Japanese Navy as a fighting force.
In January 1945, the Allies commenced the invasion of the Philippines’ largest island, Luzon, at Lingayen Gulf. Australia, repaired and operational after Leyte Gulf, Shropshire, Arunta and Warramunga formed part of the bombardment group, while Manoora, Kanimbla and Westralia once again transported and landed troops. The sloops HMAS Warrego (II) and HMAS Gascoyne, carried out escort and survey tasks.
The Allied ships came under frequent air attack, especially from kamikaze aircraft. Gascoyne and Westralia had near misses, and Arunta was damaged. Australia, however, was hit 5 times and severely damaged; 44 officers and sailors were killed. It continued to carry out bombardment duties until ordered to retire with Arunta on 9 January.
The US 6th Army landed on 9 January. By March, they controlled all the strategically important locations on Luzon Island. However, small groups of Japanese troops continued to hold out in the mountains until the surrender of Japan in August.