Great story! Exactly seventy-five years to the day later, I found myself on a cruise ship traveling through Surigao Strait. I talked to as many crew officers including the Captain as possible to tell this story. But nobody seemed to care. It was a shame! But I was there, remembered the story, and enjoyed the site. Again, well done!
@Craig Mommer HOW about telling the story of Hellships by MICHNO to the lazy well-fed, UMC passengers on those palace-like love boats. Would figure everybody would jump ship from the lecture room ; the presentation insulting their shipshape safe space. MEMENTO MORI. Semper finn
Very informative. My grandfather was the XO and in command of the combat information center on the Bennion during this action. Very cool to see a deep discussion about the action, the role of the (fairly) newly formed CIC, and the micro and macro strategy of the time.
USS LOUISVILLE CA- 28 Heavy Cruiser Greatest Sea Battle - Surigao Strait - NIGHT BATTLE: Give Credit To The Cruisers Not the Battleships From my diary and the Louisville Man of War Book this story should set the records straight that the cruisers proved their weight in gold not the battleships like so many stories told. It was October 24, 1944 aboard the flagship heavy cruiser U.S.S. Louisville CA-28 with the 7 th Fleet - Battleship/Cruiser Force Task Group 77.2 with Rear Admiral Jesse Oldendorf aboard. I was a 20 year old seaman 1st class assigned to portside 20 mm anti-aircraft gun crew by turret B - 8 inch gun. I had a ring side seat to the greatest naval battle ever. The U.S. Fleet consisted of: 6 Battleships 4 Heavy cruisers (Louisville CA-28 Flagship) 4 Light cruisers 24 Destroyers At about 3:15 a.m. we stared to close in and were given the range of the Japanese ships. The Louisville opened first at 3:50 a.m. with her 9 - 8 inch/55 cal. main battery guns. The second time she fired the 8 inch guns she scored a direct hit and other cruisers and battleships opened up - lighting up the night. The “Lady Lou” as she was known, main battery fired over and over shaking the 600 foot ship from bow to stern. The Japanese ships were caught by surprise and were all a blaze. (Crossing the “T” with no way out for Japan). At 4:00 a.m. a Japanese destroyer tried to make a run on us and our 5 inch/25 cal. and main battery 8 inch guns opened up on it - sending death and destruction to sink it. When the battle was over in 15 minutes the Japanese ship losses were: 2 Battleships 5 Cruisers 7 Destroyers The U.S. ship losses were: Destroyer Albert Grant hit but not sunk. (Friendly Fire) During the battle the Louisville fired more main battery 8 inch shells than the total of all calibers fired by the (6) battleships - from (Man of War). The Louisville fired (37) salvos - 9 - 8 inch guns fired for a total of (333) - 8 inch shells. The “Lady Lou” was honored for this by Rear Admiral Jesse Oldendorf. I felt I had to write this article from information from my diary and Man of War - U.S.S. Louisville CA-28 book because documentaries and stories like Sea Classics always seem to give most credit to the battleships. I and others who read my story will know what really happened. Give credit to the cruisers for the greatest sea battle. The total shells fired per battleship: Appendix US Battleship Ammunition at Surigao Strait Ship Capacity Total On-Board AP HC Rounds Expended (all AP) West Virginia 800 375 200 175 93 Maryland 800 685 240 445 48 California 1200 318 240 78 63 Tennessee 1200 664 396 268 69 Mississippi 1200 744 201 543 12 Pennsylvania 1200 453 360 93 Did not fire Data from "Two Ocean War" by S.E. Morrison.
The Cruisers fired well over 2000 rounds of 6 inch and 8 inch shells. U.S.S. Louisville fired 333 rounds of 8 inch shells. God Bless our servicemen and women - past and present! REF: No #2 main battery 8 inch 55 caliber gun turret currently sits in the Nevada Desert. By: Enrico Trotta - (passed in 2017 at age 92) Served aboard the USS Louisville CA- 28 From 1943-46 as a S1c 20 mm AA gun crew USS LOUISVILLE CA- 28 Heavy Cruiser
The cruisers, I'll bet exceeded their maximum main battery rate of fire. I have seen accounts of their gun flashes as being continuous. The Japanese steamed into hell. Admiral Oldendorf executed his plan perfectly.
@@lawrencenolan1380 No USS Montpelier was getting overhaul at that time. She was prior: Montpelier returned to the Marianas, and continued her shelling of Saipan, Tinian, and Guam. She left the Marianas on 2 August 1944 for overhauling in the United States. November 1944 return to sea. Thank you to your father for his service!
Looking at this replay has been fascinating. I learned something new about this battle that I had never learned in other histories or documentaries. One fact was the critical role of the U.S. Destroyers in the fight and the USS Bannion in particular. The second was the ability of our U.S. Naval Officers to adapt and perfect their skills at night fighting after such an inauspicious beginning in 1942. Thanks to all the speakers for their insights. Well done!
Fantastic analysis and really appreciated. Shame it doesn't seem to be getting out to more viewers. 😞 Perhaps it might be an idea to do some work alongside some of the more popular and well established naval history channels, such as Drachinifel, as this kind of teaming up is often key to growing a decent viewer and subscriber base. Looking forward to other installments! 🙂
You mean USS Washington & South Dakota vs Kirishima? And South Dakota was experiencing major electrical problems after it's first salvo and instead of being able to follow Washington had to take an opposite turn to avoid a sinking destroyer. Which also gave the Japanese a silhouette of South Dakota with a destroyer burning behind it as well as the fires from same destroyer killing the night vision of the spotters aboard South Dakota. The fact that Admiral Lee was aboard the Washington & had trained the crew of that ship extensively in acquiring fire control solutions from the radar returns of USS Washington. But Lee didn't want to fire based on radar returns only because he wasn't sure where South Dakota was. However, the Japanese salvo's aimed at South Dakota made it very clear who was who & the USS Washington opened up on Kirishima at point blank range with her 16" main armament as well as her 5" secondary armament. I believe that Lee & his spotters counted around 24 main battery hits to Kirishima. However, reports from survivor's accounts from crew that had been aboard Kirishima would say there were many more hits. But the Washington crew only counted hits that were spectacular enough to be 16" hits. But after maybe 5 full salvo's Washington had torn Kirishima apart. And although the Japanese would scuttle her by the morning light after removing her remaining crew.
If Nishimura viewed his mission as either a suicide run or one from which he could not expect to return, his force could also have been a potent decoy to draw off the shore bombardment force, further aiding Kurita.
Don't forget USS Massachusetts BB-59 vs. French Jean Bart. My uncle who was a Naval Aviator on the USS Makin Island CVE-93 was in that part of the Pacific in the 2nd half of 1944 and 1945.
The Melvin DD 680 got full credit for to torpedo run that sunk the Fuso. For some reason it's not mentioned in other videos about Leyte Gulf and Surigao straight do you have any idea why that might be? There was a great loss of life on the Fuso as they had a n approximately 3,000 men crew and approximately 5,000 troops going to cut MacArthur off at Leyte. Only 2 Sailors survived the war that were on the Fuso that night.
You know what is never talked about is the role Senator McCain’s father played in the US Navy’s terrible defeat at Guadalcanal. He was ordered to have his planes cover the area especially the slot and report any enemy ship movements entering this area he disobeyed this order altogether thus leading to the destruction of many of our ships and huge loss of life he was directly responsible for all of this because of the complete surprise the Japanese Navy was allowed to spring on our ships and men. So what became of McCain after this? He was promoted to rear admiral truly disgusting and and a slap in the face to all the families of those Navy personnel killed in this action that could have and should have been avoided but that’s an example of the US Navy’s good o’l boy system. Now let’s not leave out good o’l boy Hasley who was directly responsible for letting the Japanese Navy’s plan for him to go after their empty carriers be completely successful just like a dumb toadfish going after the bait but that’s not all this idiot admiral managed to lead his fleet not only once but twice into massive hurricane’s off the coast of Japan losing more ships of all sizes than any and all battles the US Navy had fought so what happened to him?? He was promoted how disrespectful is that it’s hard to respect this arm of our armed forces!!
So the Battleship Yamashiro was sunk by the Destroyer Bennion and the Battleship Fuso was sunk by the Destroyer Melvin? Seems like the U.S. Battleships have been given credit for the actions of the U.S. Fletcher Class Destroyers at Surigao Strait.
My dad was on the USS Louisville CA 28 with Rear Admiral Jesse Oldendorf and the ships with the latest radar were still tracking a fleet of Japanese ships that were coming up the strait. Remember this was a night battle too! A Damaged ship is not sunk. Many shells were fired to sink the remaining ships.
@@tonytrotta9322 The Fletcher class destroyer Melvin is officially credited with sinking the battleship Fuso. One of the torpedoes fired by the Melvin caused the Fuso's magazine to explode blowing her in half. and sinking her before the U.S. battleships or cruisers fired a shot.
@@tonytrotta9322 My dad was on the USS Killen in that battle. His ship was new, had the latest radar and he was the radar technician in charge of fixing and maintaining the electronics RT-2.
The US. battleships were 24,000+ yards away from any of the Japanese ships. The USS Pennsylvania never fired a shot because she did not have radar. It is probable that not much damage was inflicted by the U.S. battleships on the Japanese ships with the exception of the Yamashiro which may have been hit by a U.S. battleship round however official USN records are inconclusive.
@@lillyf40 You can check the USS Louisville CA 28 Flagship Rear Admiral Jesse Oldendorf for the battle - deck log sheets and the ships were still being tracked coming up the channel. Damaged is not sunk. The Louisville fired 333 armor piercing 8 inch 55 caliber shells at a range of 17,000 yards and was the first to open fire. USS Louisville had the latest radar along with the other model battleships. Mississippi only fired one time. Thank you dad for his service - my dad passed in 2019 at age 92 and had a ring side set at his 20 mm A/A mount. Friendly fire hit the USS Albert Grant - 6 inch shells but, she did not sink. Many causalities and wounded.
So, how do you feel about a Captain, and a Gunny, allowing - and conspiring - an E3 (holding down a E7 position), to carry the blame and shame, for their dereliction of duty... ... Which killed my "excellent records" ... (From 4.9/4.9 to 3.8/3.9; and, to have a "meritorious E4" - "Change of Station recommendation" - reduced, too). Note, too, I was a Platoon Leader, in Boot (for a "Meritorious E2); and, I then finished my 2111 Specialist training, with a 100% average, for instance. Also, I have an incidental confession, thereof, from that Captain, who had retired, as a Major, with a pension and benefits; and, the Gunny retired, as an E8, with pension and benefits. Note, please don't bother referring me, to a rigged system, known as the DRB... All they want to hear is, "I fucked up, please forgive me." That Captain states, that I took the blame for something; but, my records do not reflect any corrections. Your Navy has left a Marine, in the "field of battle", against "domestic enemies" in the form of bad "superiors" / "Officers."... ... Way back, in the mid '70s. Thusly, to say I'm still enraged, puts it mildly; especially, having earlier crated and loaded trucks, with our new M16s - after finishing Unit Embarkation training - for retaking Da Nang, after 75/03/29. Note, my situation got far far worse, before it was "over." Just for the record... Thus far! Semper Fidelis...!... Standing by...
At this time, US battleship s had excellent RADAR! Enabling them to hit the Japanese ships without having to range. The battle was at night! That was a handicap for the Japanese, its doubtful that could detect the American BBs.
At Leyte Halsey made same mistake as Japanese @ Midway - not enough recon flights and negative sightings both combatants made incorrect assumptions. Kurita had fled (optimistic damage reports from US pilots). At Midway Japanese assumed US carrier force near Hawaii. Was US at Leyte guilty of poor scouting and should they be called on it. Seems Japanese have been vehemently chastised for lousy scouting. Would like to have seen a confrontation between Oldendorf fleet and combined attack of both Japanese southern force fleets.
Halsey was a difference maker at Guadalcanal because he was not afraid to fight. At Saipan, aviators criticized Spruance for not a getting a decisive victory over the Japanese fleet (carriers), aircraft destroyed not being enough. But Spruance probably drew the right conclusion. Carrier power requires exceptional aviators, which the Japanese had at Midway. At Philippine Sea, it was clear the Japanese were sending partially trained aviators who needed detailed instructions. A Trafalgar style victory was no longer needed. Just work your way to Japan. We can also attribute Halsey's decision to the item slipped into his battle orders, should the opportunity arise ... , Nimitz knew nothing about this. It is possible the aviators at Nimitz's headquarters slipped it in.
Great story! Exactly seventy-five years to the day later, I found myself on a cruise ship traveling through Surigao Strait. I talked to as many crew officers including the Captain as possible to tell this story. But nobody seemed to care. It was a shame! But I was there, remembered the story, and enjoyed the site. Again, well done!
Sir, I would've sat down and listened to every detail of the story you had to tell and asked questions during and after.
@Craig Mommer HOW about telling the story of Hellships by MICHNO to the lazy well-fed, UMC passengers on those palace-like love boats. Would figure everybody would jump ship from the lecture room ; the presentation insulting their shipshape safe space. MEMENTO MORI.
Semper finn
great work ! as always . thank you gentlemen .you are great people . God bless you .
Very informative. My grandfather was the XO and in command of the combat information center on the Bennion during this action. Very cool to see a deep discussion about the action, the role of the (fairly) newly formed CIC, and the micro and macro strategy of the time.
USS LOUISVILLE CA- 28 Heavy Cruiser
Greatest Sea Battle - Surigao Strait
- NIGHT BATTLE:
Give Credit To The Cruisers Not the Battleships
From my diary and the Louisville Man of War Book this story should set the records straight
that the cruisers proved their weight in gold not the battleships like so many stories told.
It was October 24, 1944 aboard the flagship heavy cruiser U.S.S. Louisville CA-28 with the
7 th Fleet - Battleship/Cruiser Force Task Group 77.2 with Rear Admiral Jesse Oldendorf
aboard. I was a 20 year old seaman 1st class assigned to portside 20 mm anti-aircraft gun crew by turret B - 8 inch gun. I had a ring side seat to the greatest naval battle ever.
The U.S. Fleet consisted of:
6 Battleships
4 Heavy cruisers (Louisville CA-28 Flagship)
4 Light cruisers
24 Destroyers
At about 3:15 a.m. we stared to close in and were given the range of the Japanese ships. The
Louisville opened first at 3:50 a.m. with her 9 - 8 inch/55 cal. main battery guns. The second time she fired the 8 inch guns she scored a direct hit and other cruisers and battleships opened up - lighting up the night. The “Lady Lou” as she was known, main battery fired over and over shaking the 600 foot ship from bow to stern.
The Japanese ships were caught by surprise and were all a blaze. (Crossing the “T” with no way out for Japan).
At 4:00 a.m. a Japanese destroyer tried to make a run on us and our 5 inch/25 cal. and main
battery 8 inch guns opened up on it - sending death and destruction to sink it. When the battle
was over in 15 minutes the Japanese ship losses were:
2 Battleships
5 Cruisers
7 Destroyers
The U.S. ship losses were:
Destroyer Albert Grant hit but not sunk. (Friendly Fire)
During the battle the Louisville fired more main battery 8 inch shells than the total of all calibers fired by the (6) battleships - from (Man of War).
The Louisville fired (37) salvos - 9 - 8 inch guns fired for a total of (333) - 8 inch shells.
The “Lady Lou” was honored for this by Rear Admiral Jesse Oldendorf.
I felt I had to write this article from information from my diary and Man of War - U.S.S. Louisville CA-28 book because documentaries and stories like Sea Classics always seem to give most credit to the battleships. I and others who read my story will know what really happened. Give credit to the cruisers for the greatest sea battle.
The total shells fired per battleship:
Appendix
US Battleship Ammunition at Surigao Strait
Ship Capacity Total On-Board AP HC Rounds Expended
(all AP)
West Virginia 800 375 200 175 93
Maryland 800 685 240 445 48
California 1200 318 240 78 63
Tennessee 1200 664 396 268 69
Mississippi 1200 744 201 543 12
Pennsylvania 1200 453 360 93 Did not fire
Data from "Two Ocean War" by S.E. Morrison.
The Cruisers fired well over 2000 rounds of 6 inch and 8 inch shells.
U.S.S. Louisville fired 333 rounds of 8 inch shells.
God Bless our servicemen and women - past and present!
REF: No #2 main battery 8 inch 55 caliber gun turret currently sits in the Nevada Desert.
By: Enrico Trotta - (passed in 2017 at age 92)
Served aboard the USS Louisville CA- 28
From 1943-46 as a S1c
20 mm AA gun crew USS LOUISVILLE CA- 28 Heavy Cruiser
The cruisers, I'll bet exceeded their maximum main battery rate of fire. I have seen accounts of their gun flashes as being continuous. The Japanese steamed into hell. Admiral Oldendorf executed his plan perfectly.
Was light cruiser Montpelier in this engagement, this was my late father’s ship ?
@@lawrencenolan1380 No USS Montpelier was getting overhaul at that time. She was prior: Montpelier returned to the Marianas, and continued her shelling of Saipan, Tinian, and Guam. She left the Marianas on 2 August 1944 for overhauling in the United States. November 1944 return to sea. Thank you to your father for his service!
On of the cl machine gun cruisers fired over 1000 6 inch shells
Looking at this replay has been fascinating. I learned something new about this battle that I had never learned in other histories or documentaries. One fact was the critical role of the U.S. Destroyers in the fight and the USS Bannion in particular. The second was the ability of our U.S. Naval Officers to adapt and perfect their skills at night fighting after such an inauspicious beginning in 1942. Thanks to all the speakers for their insights. Well done!
Admiral Jesse B Oldendorf is one of our unsung heroes of WWII. He was an avid poker player. His philosophy, never give a sucker a chance.
Having torpedoes that worked by that time also helped.
Thank you. A great story .the last Battleship action on history.
Read a book called"tin cans several years ago detailing destroyer actions in THE PTO.. Destroyer captains aggressiveness was incredible.
Fantastic analysis and really appreciated. Shame it doesn't seem to be getting out to more viewers. 😞
Perhaps it might be an idea to do some work alongside some of the more popular and well established naval history channels, such as Drachinifel, as this kind of teaming up is often key to growing a decent viewer and subscriber base.
Looking forward to other installments! 🙂
One of only 2 battleship fights??? Hood vs Bismarck; Bismarck vs KGV and Rodney; Washington and SoDak vs Mirishima;
You mean USS Washington & South Dakota vs Kirishima? And South Dakota was experiencing major electrical problems after it's first salvo and instead of being able to follow Washington had to take an opposite turn to avoid a sinking destroyer. Which also gave the Japanese a silhouette of South Dakota with a destroyer burning behind it as well as the fires from same destroyer killing the night vision of the spotters aboard South Dakota. The fact that Admiral Lee was aboard the Washington & had trained the crew of that ship extensively in acquiring fire control solutions from the radar returns of USS Washington. But Lee didn't want to fire based on radar returns only because he wasn't sure where South Dakota was. However, the Japanese salvo's aimed at South Dakota made it very clear who was who & the USS Washington opened up on Kirishima at point blank range with her 16" main armament as well as her 5" secondary armament. I believe that Lee & his spotters counted around 24 main battery hits to Kirishima. However, reports from survivor's accounts from crew that had been aboard Kirishima would say there were many more hits. But the Washington crew only counted hits that were spectacular enough to be 16" hits. But after maybe 5 full salvo's Washington had torn Kirishima apart. And although the Japanese would scuttle her by the morning light after removing her remaining crew.
If Nishimura viewed his mission as either a suicide run or one from which he could not expect to return, his force could also have been a potent decoy to draw off the shore bombardment force, further aiding Kurita.
Dad was on the California BB44 that night.
Don't forget USS Massachusetts BB-59 vs. French Jean Bart. My uncle who was a Naval Aviator on the USS Makin Island CVE-93 was in that part of the Pacific in the 2nd half of 1944 and 1945.
The Melvin DD 680 got full credit for to torpedo run that sunk the Fuso. For some reason it's not mentioned in other videos about Leyte Gulf and Surigao straight do you have any idea why that might be? There was a great loss of life on the Fuso as they had a n approximately 3,000 men crew and approximately 5,000 troops going to cut MacArthur off at Leyte. Only 2 Sailors survived the war that were on the Fuso that night.
My late friend Ralph Dauber was there on the Destroyer McDermut.
You know what is never talked about is the role Senator McCain’s father played in the US Navy’s terrible defeat at Guadalcanal. He was ordered to have his planes cover the area especially the slot and report any enemy ship movements entering this area he disobeyed this order altogether thus leading to the destruction of many of our ships and huge loss of life he was directly responsible for all of this because of the complete surprise the Japanese Navy was allowed to spring on our ships and men. So what became of McCain after this? He was promoted to rear admiral truly disgusting and and a slap in the face to all the families of those Navy personnel killed in this action that could have and should have been avoided but that’s an example of the US Navy’s good o’l boy system. Now let’s not leave out good o’l boy Hasley who was directly responsible for letting the Japanese Navy’s plan for him to go after their empty carriers be completely successful just like a dumb toadfish going after the bait but that’s not all this idiot admiral managed to lead his fleet not only once but twice into massive hurricane’s off the coast of Japan losing more ships of all sizes than any and all battles the US Navy had fought so what happened to him?? He was promoted how disrespectful is that it’s hard to respect this arm of our armed forces!!
So the Battleship Yamashiro was sunk by the Destroyer Bennion and the Battleship Fuso
was sunk by the Destroyer Melvin? Seems like the U.S. Battleships have been given credit for the actions of the U.S. Fletcher Class Destroyers at Surigao Strait.
My dad was on the USS Louisville CA 28 with Rear Admiral Jesse Oldendorf and the ships with the latest radar were still tracking a fleet of Japanese ships that were coming up the strait. Remember this was a night battle too! A Damaged ship is not sunk. Many shells were fired to sink the remaining ships.
@@tonytrotta9322 The Fletcher class destroyer Melvin is officially credited with sinking the battleship Fuso. One of the torpedoes fired by the Melvin caused the Fuso's magazine to explode blowing her in half. and sinking her before the U.S. battleships or cruisers fired a shot.
@@tonytrotta9322 My dad was on the USS Killen in that battle. His ship was new, had the latest radar and he was the radar technician in charge of fixing and maintaining the electronics RT-2.
The US. battleships were 24,000+ yards away from any of the Japanese ships. The USS Pennsylvania never fired a shot because she did not have radar. It is probable that not much damage was inflicted by the U.S. battleships on the Japanese ships with the exception of the Yamashiro which may have been hit by a U.S. battleship round however official USN records are inconclusive.
@@lillyf40 You can check the USS Louisville CA 28 Flagship Rear Admiral Jesse Oldendorf for the battle - deck log sheets and the ships were still being tracked coming up the channel. Damaged is not sunk. The Louisville fired 333 armor piercing 8 inch 55 caliber shells at a range of 17,000 yards and was the first to open fire. USS Louisville had the latest radar along with the other model battleships. Mississippi only fired one time. Thank you dad for his service - my dad passed in 2019 at age 92 and had a ring side set at his 20 mm A/A mount. Friendly fire hit the USS Albert Grant - 6 inch shells but, she did not sink. Many causalities and wounded.
So, how do you feel about a Captain, and a Gunny, allowing - and conspiring - an E3 (holding down a E7 position), to carry the blame and shame, for their dereliction of duty...
... Which killed my "excellent records" ... (From 4.9/4.9 to 3.8/3.9; and, to have a "meritorious E4" - "Change of Station recommendation" - reduced, too).
Note, too, I was a Platoon Leader, in Boot (for a "Meritorious E2); and, I then finished my 2111 Specialist training, with a 100% average, for instance.
Also, I have an incidental confession, thereof, from that Captain, who had retired, as a Major, with a pension and benefits; and, the Gunny retired, as an E8, with pension and benefits.
Note, please don't bother referring me, to a rigged system, known as the DRB... All they want to hear is, "I fucked up, please forgive me."
That Captain states, that I took the blame for something; but, my records do not reflect any corrections.
Your Navy has left a Marine, in the "field of battle", against "domestic enemies" in the form of bad "superiors" / "Officers."...
... Way back, in the mid '70s.
Thusly, to say I'm still enraged, puts it mildly; especially, having earlier crated and loaded trucks, with our new M16s - after finishing Unit Embarkation training - for retaking Da Nang, after 75/03/29.
Note, my situation got far far worse, before it was "over."
Just for the record... Thus far!
Semper Fidelis...!...
Standing by...
I do not wish to be negative as my Father Fought in the battle at Surigao Strait, but these guys could put a tree to sleep.
A battle that went on for over a week, a naval battle ?
no internet
At this time, US battleship s had excellent RADAR! Enabling them to hit the Japanese ships without having to range. The battle was at night! That was a handicap for the Japanese, its doubtful that could detect the American BBs.
The Battleship Pennsylvania had no radar and never fired a shot.
The Fletcher class destroyer USS Melvin is credited with sinking the Japanese Battleship Fuso in the Battle of Surigao Strait.
At Leyte Halsey made same mistake as Japanese @ Midway - not enough recon flights and negative sightings both combatants made incorrect assumptions. Kurita had fled (optimistic damage reports from US pilots). At Midway Japanese assumed US carrier force near Hawaii. Was US at Leyte guilty of poor scouting and should they be called on it. Seems Japanese have been vehemently chastised for lousy scouting. Would like to have seen a confrontation between Oldendorf fleet and combined attack of both Japanese southern force fleets.
Halsey was a difference maker at Guadalcanal because he was not afraid to fight. At Saipan, aviators criticized Spruance for not a getting a decisive victory over the Japanese fleet (carriers), aircraft destroyed not being enough. But Spruance probably drew the right conclusion. Carrier power requires exceptional aviators, which the Japanese had at Midway. At Philippine Sea, it was clear the Japanese were sending partially trained aviators who needed detailed instructions.
A Trafalgar style victory was no longer needed. Just work your way to Japan.
We can also attribute Halsey's decision to the item slipped into his battle orders, should the opportunity arise ... , Nimitz knew nothing about this. It is possible the aviators at Nimitz's headquarters slipped it in.
Formosa then= Taiwan now
Only two battle ship on battle sip engagements during WW2 ?? UUHHHMMMMM ?? SINKING OF THE BISMARK WAS TWO BATTLESHIP BATTLES ??
I'm guessing they mean in the Pacific. There seems to be about 9 in the European theater though.
Yes, this is another example of America's obsession with itself.
they were attacked and fought back. yep, defending oneself when attacked is an obsession. @@MmmGallicus