Their goal was to destroy as much of Japan's air and naval strength before US troops landed on the Philippine island of Leyte.
A diversionA Japanese heavy cruiser after being bombed by US Navy aircraft during the Battle of Midway in June 1942.
But Japan's air and naval power were still major threats, and to ensure the Philippines could be liberated, they had to be degraded, if not eliminated.
By 1944, Japanese military leaders recognized their situation and devised a plan to prepare for US invasions of Japanese-held territory.
Japanese attempts to attack the carriers were fruitless, with 42 more Japanese planes shot down trying to conduct attack runs.