The 26th Division was largely annihilated during the Battle of Leyte by 23 December 1944 and all contact with the central command was lost until early March, 1945.
During the intense fighting at the Battle of Leyte, the 26th Division suffered heavy casualties and was effectively cut off from its main command center by December 23, 1944. It wasn't until early March, 1945, that contact was reestablished with the central headquarters.