[yarddog]

The Japanese sure thought the Philippines were a valuable target. They sent nearly their whole remaining fleet including their last four aircraft carriers and both super battleships along with the largest fleet they ever assembled just to try and hold the Philippines.

[gusty]

This does not prove the point that retaking the Philippines was vital in winning the war against Japan. Many historians have come to the conclusion that Japan suffered from incompetent military leadership throughout the war. The Battle of Leyte Gulf was another futile effort launched by Japan that led further to the destruction of their military capability. Another example was the Battle of Midway. Yamamoto had the campaign war gamed during the planning. In the game, his forces were defeated decisively in an eerily like manner as they were. He fudged the result and went ahead with it anyway. Another example was their invasion of India, their incompetence led to their army starving to death.