370 LEYTE GULF 1944 (1): The Battles of the Sibuyan Sea and Samar

1-996370

This is the First in a two-part study of the October 23-26, 1944 Battle of Leyte Gulf, which resulted in a decisive defeat for the Japanese. Covers the Battle of the Sibuyan Sea and later action off Samar. Examines why the Imperial Japanese Navy commander of the First Diversion Strike Force (Takeo Kurita) chose to ignore orders and break off the attack into Leyte Gulf-one of the two most controversial decisions of the entire battle. It also covers the Japanese planning for Leyte Gulf, and the strengths and weaknesses of the Imperial Japanese Navy in this phase of the war alongside the US Navy's planning and command arrangements.