Operation Victory:

Operation Victory, also known as Sho-go ("Victory Operation") was the Japanese plan to turn the Pacific in their favor at Leyte Gulf. The plan was to divide the U.S. with a wave of three Japanese naval forces and then destroy the sections one by one. However, the operation's commander, Admiral Toyoda, was very cautious and did not commit his fleet soon enough. The Japanese arrived days after the U.S. and could not even surprise the Allied forces, as two submarines attacked the first Japanese force before the operation was even underway. Japanese air power was also extremely lacking, and the operation was a total failure. Even though the United States fell for the original diversionary force, they stationed another force, expecting a second wave. When this wave came, all but one destroyer was sunk. The next day the third force arrived but was met by a force of sixteen carriers and their destroyers. The Japanese fleet was forced to retreat, and lost three cruisers, while it destroyed only one carrier and three destroyers. The Japanese forces never reached the beachhead, which allowed the Marines to secure it for invasion. This operation is also significant in that it was the first appearance of kamikaze tactics in World War II.

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