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''A worthy addition to any bookshelf.'', The Naval Review A fascinating re-examination of the battle of Leyte Gulf, the largest naval encounter in history and probably the most decisive naval battle of the entire Pacific War. Leyte was a huge and complex action, actually consisting of four major battles, each of which are broken down in detail in this book, using original sources. The plans of both sides, and how they dictated the events that followed, are also examined critically.So much of the accepted wisdom of the battle has developed from the many myths that surround it, myths that have become more firmly established over time. In this new study, Pacific War expert Mark Stille examines the key aspects of this complex battle with new and insightful analysis and dismantles the myths surrounding the respective actions and overall performances of the two most important commanders in the battle, and the "lost victory" of the Japanese advance into Leyte Gulf that never happened.>
List of contents
Introduction: The Myths of Leyte Gulf
Chapter 1: The Road to Leyte Gulf
Chapter 2: The Japanese Plan: Another Decisive Battle
Chapter 3: Two Navies, Two Different Directions
Chapter 4: MacArthur Returns
Chapter 5: The Adventure of the Center Force
Chapter 6: A Naval Execution: The Battle of Surigao Strait
Chapter 7: The Myth of Samar
Chapter 8: Kurita's Brave Decision
Chapter 9: Halsey's Race to the North - Folly or Justified?
Chapter 10: The Final Actions
Chapter 11: The Reckoning
Index
About the author
Mark Stille is the author of numerous Osprey titles focusing on naval history in the Pacific. He recently concluded a nearly 40-year career in the intelligence community, including tours on the faculty of the Naval War College, on the Joint Staff and on US Navy ships. He received his BA in History from the University of Maryland and also holds an MA from the Naval War College.
