Leyte Gulf: A New History of the World's Largest Sea Battle

Leyte Gulf: A New History of the World's Largest Sea Battle re-examines the battle of Leyte Gulf, the largest naval encounter in history and a decisive naval battle of the Pacific War. The battle resulted in the Imperial Japanese Navy being eliminated as an effective fighting force and forced to resort to suicide tactics. Leyte was a large and complex action consisting of four major battles. This book breaks down each battle in detail using original sources, examining the plans of both sides and how they shaped the events that followed. Much of the accepted understanding of the battle has developed from myths that have become increasingly established over time. Mark Stille analyzes the key aspects of this complex battle with new insights and challenges the myths surrounding the actions and performances of the two most important commanders, as well as the claimed Japanese advance into Leyte Gulf that did not occur.