Leyte Gulf 1944 (2)
Surigao Strait and Cape Engaño

CAMPAIGN 378

This 96 page book is the 378^th book in the Campaign series of books that are available from Osprey Publications. Please Note, that this is the second volume in a two-part illustrated study of the October 23-26 Battle of Leyte Gulf, which resulted in a decisive defeat for the Japanese Navy.

Essex Class carrier Franklin

The Battle of Leyte Gulf—the largest naval battle in history—comprised four major actions conducted over the course of two days, plus several associated minor clashes. The size and complexity of this epic battle remains unmatched, with two United States Navy (USN) fleets (Third and Seventh) facing a much-reduced Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN), severely outnumbered and fatally lacking in airpower.

Flight Deck Crews Remove Wounded Pilot From F6F Hellcat

Contents

• Introduction
• Origins of the Campaign
• Chronology
• Opposing Commanders
  • United States Navy
  • Imperial Japanese Navy
• Opposing Fleets
  • United States Navy
  • Imperial Japanese Navy
  • Orders of Battle
• Opposing Plans
  • The American Plan
  • The Japanese Plan
  • Assessment of Operation Sho-1
  • The Battle
  • Sho-1 begins
  • Operations on October 24
  • The Battle of Surigao Strait
  • Battle off Cape Engaño
  • The Japanese counter-landing operation
• Aftermath
• Bibliography
• Index

Japanese Survivor Picked Up From Surigao Strait

Complementing the first volume’s coverage of the IJN’s First Diversion Attack Force at the battles of the Sibuyan Sea and off Samar, this superbly illustrated second volume focuses on the forces supporting the main Japanese thrust. Naval expert Mark Stille reveals how the Japanese Main Body succeeded in its mission of luring the US Third Fleet to the north, but at a tremendous cost in the ensuing Battle off Cape Engaño. Also explored in full visual detail is the fate of the small detachment of seven IJN ships ordered to attack into Leyte Gulf through Surigao Strait in the south. The resulting Battle of Surigao Strait on October 25, 1944 would prove to be the last battleship duel in history.

Japanese Carrier Zuiho In Action

Conclusion

The battle of Leyte Gulf was actually a series of Naval actions that took place between American and Japanese naval and air forces during World War II. The battles that are covered in this 96-page book are the Battles of Surigao Strait and Cape Engaño. This is book #2 in the Leyte Gulf series, that provides the reader with an excellent breakdown of the battles that are part of the larger battle that encompasses Leyte Gulf.

PT-131 Prepares for Battle on Oct 24

Whether you are a modeler, wargamer, naval historian, or historian you would definitely want to add both of Osprey Publications’ Leyte Gulf books to your library. They provide the reader with a number of excellent photographs for the reader/modeler to create vignettes or dioramas. The Wargamer is presented with detailed maps and Orders of Battles for each of the Leyte Gulf individual battles.

Overall, the first and second Leyte Gulf Campaign Series books are an excellent, well organized, and well written book that gives the reader an excellent look into the battles. Combine this with the excellent photographs that perfectly complement the subject matter, and you have a couple of excellent books in the Osprey Series.

If you missed my review of the first look at Leyte Gulf (1) you can read it here at Mataka.org Leyte Gulf (1).

Campaign 378 Leyte Gulf (2) 1944, is the second of a two book series that is a 96-page paperback book that is available from Osprey Publications.

(The photographs used in this review are copied with the permission of Osprey Publications.)

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