Those familiar with the history of naval warfare know that by far the world's largest single naval battle was the Battle of Leyte Gulf in 1944, which ended in a complete victory for the U.S. Navy. But in fact, the Battle of Leyte Gulf also consisted of at least four sub-battles during the period, and in each of these four sub-battles, not all of them were one-sided by the US military. In the Battle of Samar Island in the Battle of Oita 4, the U.S. military suffered a great loss. The Awata fleet, led by 5 battleships, sank 2 escort aircraft carriers, 3 destroyers, and 1 frigate. However, the opponent only sank three old cruisers, and the five battleships, which were the absolute main force, were able to retreat in their entirety! The reason why there was an episode that almost partially turned the tables in a naval battle in which there was no suspense and the most obvious contrast in strength was largely due to the reckless command of Admiral Halsey. Because Halsey's subordinates have an absolutely superior main fleet aircraft carrier battle group, but the Ozawa fleet that appeared completely as a decoy,
The formation of 4 aircraft carriers, which did not have any carrier-based aircraft configuration at all, was attracted away in an instant. As a result, the large amphibious fleet that was preparing to land near Samar Island actually faced the five battleships that broke through the defense in the complete absence of the main aircraft carrier and heavy battleships. If it weren't for the several weak escort aircraft carriers that stayed behind desperately taking off carrier-based aircraft to attack Kurita's formation, coupled with the fact that a number of 1,000-ton destroyers launched suicide charges to attract firepower, Kurita mistakenly thought that Halsey's main aircraft carrier battle group had successfully returned, and quickly smeared oil on the soles of his shoes and took the initiative to leave the battlefield. The special situation of the Battle of Samar in the context of overall superiority had a significant and far-reaching impact on the strategy and tactics of the US Navy in the following decades, as well as on the principles of new ship construction. Previously, it has been emphasized that professional things at sea are best done by professional ships.
For example, the fleet's aircraft carriers are mainly to compete for sea and air supremacy, while the main task of large landing ships is to switch from sea to land delivery. The two were originally completely incompatible. However, the desperate struggle of the fragile escort aircraft carriers in the Battle of Samar Island won the final disastrous victory in the overall weakness. Let the U.S. military begin to pay attention to the aviation combat capability of large amphibious ships. As a result, after World War II, a special type of 40,000-ton amphibious assault ship appeared, and no effort has been spared to equip the two attacks with fixed-wing carrier-based aircraft and combat capabilities. In essence, it was deeply affected by the naval battle of Samar Island. However, the air combat capability of all amphibious assault ships of the US Navy is not perfect, and even the F35B, which is equipped with vertical take-off and landing, is difficult to fully confront regular aircraft carrier-based aircraft or land-based fighters. On the contrary, it is the first time that another big country is about to launch a new type of large ship with a full displacement of more than 50,000 tons and is expected to have a regular electromagnetic catapult interception system.
It is fully equipped with over-the-horizon landing attack and complete aviation combat capability. Unless there is a world war, the general global sea and land disputes can be successfully resolved by dispatching two of these 50,000-ton new platforms. It can significantly reduce the daily burden on the regular aircraft carrier fleet. Avoid repeating the embarrassment of today's US Navy's 11 nuclear-powered ships being exhausted and the actual sortie rate is extremely low. In addition, once there are 8 to 10 powerful platforms, the offensive and defensive situation of the global ocean will inevitably be completely reversed. At that time, more amphibious ships will be needed for coastal "rescue" from sea to land. The batch appearance of a new 50,000-ton platform can be regarded as a precaution!