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Battle of Leyte Gulf: 23-26 October 1944
The Battle of Leyte Gulf, the last great naval battle of World War II, is remembered as the biggest naval battle ever fought anywhere. Every facet of naval warfare was involved in the struggle that engaged some two hundred thousand men and 282 American, Japanese, and Australian ships over more than a hundred thousand square miles of sea. Yet, despite its mammoth scope, the author blends history with human drama to give the reader a real sense of what happened. Thomas J. Cutler captures the milieu, analyses the strategy and tactics employed, and re-creates the experiences of the participants - from seaman to admiral, both Japanese and American - and a cast of characters including Halsey, Nimitz, Ozawa, MacArthur, and Roosevelt. That Cutler succeeds at such a difficult task is no surprise. The award-winning author saw service aboard many types of ships in combat during his naval career, and as a historian and professor of strategy and policy at the Naval War College, he has studied the battle for many years.
343 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1994
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
June 13, 2020
The Battle of Leyte Gulf is said to be the greatest naval engagement ever fought. It transpired on October 23 to 26, 1944. At that time the defeat of Japan was more or less already a given but the Japanese navy commanders wanted a chance to perish in a blaze of glory, so to speak, so instead of just sailing here and there awaiting Japan’s defeat, they decided to meet the far superior (mostly) American naval forces in a last hurrah.
It had the most number of ships involved in the entire history of naval warfare: 282 American, Japanese and Australian ships fought there. Every aspect of naval warfare—air, surface, submarine and amphibious—was involved in this great struggle where, surprisingly, the outgunned Japanese forces almost even emerged victorious.
When and where this battle was fought was a result of the decisions of warlords: both American and Japanese. The decisions they made affected the lives of so many, perhaps even making possible my very existence today. But how can this be, when I was born long after world war two ended? Let me explain.
For the defeat of Japan, there were two main plans. One suggests the occupation of Formosa (now Taiwan) and use it as the staging point for the invasion of mainland Japan, bypassing the Philippines. Had this been done, there would not have been such savage fighting in Philippine soil which resulted to the destruction of Manila. Upon Japan’s surrender/defeat, its forces in the Philippines would have just laid down their arms sans fighting.
But it was the other plan, championed by General Douglas McArthur, which prevailed. Liberate the Philippines first, then proceed to Japan. This was NOT the better military plan but it prevailed because of its POLITICAL value. Before McArthur left the Philippines when the Filipino-American forces were already holed up in Bataan and Corregidor he had made this dramatic “I Shall Return” promise. Not returning would have made him look like a false promissory note. It would also look like the USA had abandoned it faithful ally the Philippines and President Roosevelt will soon be due for re-election. So even if the Formosa plan was the best militarily, the interim invasion of the Philippines was adopted for its political advantages. This political decision led to the loss of a lot of Filipino lives, mostly civilians, and to the utter destruction of its capital, Manila.
Now, earlier, when the Japanese invaded the Philippines after bombing Pearl Harbor one of the places they picked for the land invasion was the Lamon Bay area in Quezon province. Not much fighting happened here, however, because McArthur had ordered the strategic retreat of all Filipino-American forces to the Bataan peninsula and the nearby island of Corregidor.
So when it was time for the Americans to invade the Japanese-occupied country one of the landing area considered, aside from the Leyte Gulf, was the same Lamon Bay area. At that time (1944) my father was just a boy of seven, while my mother was eight. They lived in an island (Alabat) situated right smack at the middle of Lamon Bay. So had this area been chosen instead of the Leyte Gulf my would-be parents’ island would have been subjected to massive bombings and shelling. And if any or both of my future parents had been killed, I would not have been here now, writing this review.
Fortunately, the Americans chose Leyte Gulf. And this is the story of the battle. I am actually ignorant of so many things about ships and naval warfare. I do not know those parts of a ship, the different kinds of guns mentioned; I do not know how a battleship is different from a cruise ship; I have never ever seen (much less been into) such ships, or submarines or PT Boats or aircraft carriers. But the narrative is engrossing enough that I finished reading the book in less than two days.
The Japanese navy’s plan, after deducing that the Americans had chosen Leyte Gulf, involved four naval groups led by four Japanese commanders/admirals: Shima, Nishimura, Kurita and Ozawa. Shima’s fleet and that of Nishimura were supposed to simultaneously approach Leyte Gulf from the south, via the Surigao Strait; Kurt’s fleet (the most potent one) will attack from the north of Leyte Gulf via the San Bernardino Strait; while Ozawa’s forces (the one with aircraft carriers) will leave Japan, approach further north via the Philippine sea, and try to make the Americans believe that it is the main Japanese force and lure the Americans’ main forces to give chase.
Nishimura’s fleet (which arrived ahead of Shima’s) was beaten badly because as it approached the Leyte Gulf via the Surigao Strait the American ships were already there, waiting, positioned horizontally against the coming Japanese ships their guns in full use. Shima’s forces late arrived but they suffered a similar fate. Kurita’s fleet, however, had a different fate. Admiral Bull Halsey’s forces were supposed to guard the San Bernardino Strait but Ozawa managed to make him believe that what Ozawa commands constitute the main Japanese forces so Admiral Halsey, with everything he had, gave Ozawa a chase leaving San Bernardino Strait completely unguarded. This was not known (until it was too late) to the rest of the American forces at Leyte Gulf. They were aware that Halsey gave chase, but they thought some of his forces were left to guard San Bernardino Strait.
Kurita’s forces therefore passed through it unmolested surprising the American ships lolling about Leyte Gulf. And since Kurita had the better, bigger and faster ships compared to the Americans’ left at Leyte Gulf (one of which was the biggest battleship ever built) he began to sink the hapless American ships one-by-one. He almost completely decimated the American ships but it was Kurita’s turn to err. For some unknown reasons, Kurita decided to disengage. Some say he was just tired; others say he probably thought American reinforcements were on their way and he had an attack of cowardice. The Americans, of course, had radioed Halsey for help but unknown to the Japanese Halsey was already too far north chasing Ozawa that he would not have been able to return on time to save the rest of the American ships.
It was probably just bad karma for the Japanese brought forth by the atrocities they committed in the countries they’ve invaded.
It had the most number of ships involved in the entire history of naval warfare: 282 American, Japanese and Australian ships fought there. Every aspect of naval warfare—air, surface, submarine and amphibious—was involved in this great struggle where, surprisingly, the outgunned Japanese forces almost even emerged victorious.
When and where this battle was fought was a result of the decisions of warlords: both American and Japanese. The decisions they made affected the lives of so many, perhaps even making possible my very existence today. But how can this be, when I was born long after world war two ended? Let me explain.
For the defeat of Japan, there were two main plans. One suggests the occupation of Formosa (now Taiwan) and use it as the staging point for the invasion of mainland Japan, bypassing the Philippines. Had this been done, there would not have been such savage fighting in Philippine soil which resulted to the destruction of Manila. Upon Japan’s surrender/defeat, its forces in the Philippines would have just laid down their arms sans fighting.
But it was the other plan, championed by General Douglas McArthur, which prevailed. Liberate the Philippines first, then proceed to Japan. This was NOT the better military plan but it prevailed because of its POLITICAL value. Before McArthur left the Philippines when the Filipino-American forces were already holed up in Bataan and Corregidor he had made this dramatic “I Shall Return” promise. Not returning would have made him look like a false promissory note. It would also look like the USA had abandoned it faithful ally the Philippines and President Roosevelt will soon be due for re-election. So even if the Formosa plan was the best militarily, the interim invasion of the Philippines was adopted for its political advantages. This political decision led to the loss of a lot of Filipino lives, mostly civilians, and to the utter destruction of its capital, Manila.
Now, earlier, when the Japanese invaded the Philippines after bombing Pearl Harbor one of the places they picked for the land invasion was the Lamon Bay area in Quezon province. Not much fighting happened here, however, because McArthur had ordered the strategic retreat of all Filipino-American forces to the Bataan peninsula and the nearby island of Corregidor.
So when it was time for the Americans to invade the Japanese-occupied country one of the landing area considered, aside from the Leyte Gulf, was the same Lamon Bay area. At that time (1944) my father was just a boy of seven, while my mother was eight. They lived in an island (Alabat) situated right smack at the middle of Lamon Bay. So had this area been chosen instead of the Leyte Gulf my would-be parents’ island would have been subjected to massive bombings and shelling. And if any or both of my future parents had been killed, I would not have been here now, writing this review.
Fortunately, the Americans chose Leyte Gulf. And this is the story of the battle. I am actually ignorant of so many things about ships and naval warfare. I do not know those parts of a ship, the different kinds of guns mentioned; I do not know how a battleship is different from a cruise ship; I have never ever seen (much less been into) such ships, or submarines or PT Boats or aircraft carriers. But the narrative is engrossing enough that I finished reading the book in less than two days.
The Japanese navy’s plan, after deducing that the Americans had chosen Leyte Gulf, involved four naval groups led by four Japanese commanders/admirals: Shima, Nishimura, Kurita and Ozawa. Shima’s fleet and that of Nishimura were supposed to simultaneously approach Leyte Gulf from the south, via the Surigao Strait; Kurt’s fleet (the most potent one) will attack from the north of Leyte Gulf via the San Bernardino Strait; while Ozawa’s forces (the one with aircraft carriers) will leave Japan, approach further north via the Philippine sea, and try to make the Americans believe that it is the main Japanese force and lure the Americans’ main forces to give chase.
Nishimura’s fleet (which arrived ahead of Shima’s) was beaten badly because as it approached the Leyte Gulf via the Surigao Strait the American ships were already there, waiting, positioned horizontally against the coming Japanese ships their guns in full use. Shima’s forces late arrived but they suffered a similar fate. Kurita’s fleet, however, had a different fate. Admiral Bull Halsey’s forces were supposed to guard the San Bernardino Strait but Ozawa managed to make him believe that what Ozawa commands constitute the main Japanese forces so Admiral Halsey, with everything he had, gave Ozawa a chase leaving San Bernardino Strait completely unguarded. This was not known (until it was too late) to the rest of the American forces at Leyte Gulf. They were aware that Halsey gave chase, but they thought some of his forces were left to guard San Bernardino Strait.
Kurita’s forces therefore passed through it unmolested surprising the American ships lolling about Leyte Gulf. And since Kurita had the better, bigger and faster ships compared to the Americans’ left at Leyte Gulf (one of which was the biggest battleship ever built) he began to sink the hapless American ships one-by-one. He almost completely decimated the American ships but it was Kurita’s turn to err. For some unknown reasons, Kurita decided to disengage. Some say he was just tired; others say he probably thought American reinforcements were on their way and he had an attack of cowardice. The Americans, of course, had radioed Halsey for help but unknown to the Japanese Halsey was already too far north chasing Ozawa that he would not have been able to return on time to save the rest of the American ships.
It was probably just bad karma for the Japanese brought forth by the atrocities they committed in the countries they’ve invaded.
December 19, 2018
Leyte Gulf explained
I really enjoyed this book. I liked how the author was able describe the battle accurately yet with interest and emotions. It wasn’t so dry compared to many other books describing technological battles.
I would have enjoyed a lot more maps showing where the forces were, perhaps hour by hour.
I recommend this book highly.
I really enjoyed this book. I liked how the author was able describe the battle accurately yet with interest and emotions. It wasn’t so dry compared to many other books describing technological battles.
I would have enjoyed a lot more maps showing where the forces were, perhaps hour by hour.
I recommend this book highly.
May 23, 2021
Finally, I understand the Leyte Gulf battle and subsequent dispute over tactics and strategy of Nimitz, Halsey, MacArthur and Roosevelt. This was naval warfare on a grand scale with more ships, planes and men than ever before. Well researched and written, Cutler has completed the definitive work on this epic sea battle. The integration of Tennyson's Charge of the Light Brigade metaphor with Taffy 3's attack of the Japanese fleet is inspired!
June 28, 2025
I enjoyed reading this book. The author explained details in a clear way and left me feeling as if I were there.
December 26, 2014
At Junior College I came across Samuel Eliot Morison's History of United States Naval Operations in World War II that I found my second favorite naval battle of WWII - the Battle of Leyte Gulf.
Wow! What an epic battle - the largest the world had seen to date and never again to be repeated.
Mr. Cutler does an outstanding job of getting you sucked in to situations where you actually begin to worry for the lives of all these sailors and soldiers.
It includes General MacArthur's famous return to the Philippines, the world's two largest battleships (a heavy cruiser larger than the US Navy's four largest battleships), an attacking submarine that runs aground and is more than 2/3's out of the water, a famous US Admiral that chases after a decoy leaving the beachhead to take care of themselves, brave PT-boat crews, pilots attacking without any ordinance, a handful of destroyers and destroyer escorts taking on a fleet of battleships, heavy cruisers and destroyers.
This book also includes my all time favorite aerial dogfight with my favorite pilot and favorite plane - Commander David McCampbell flying Minsi III - a Grumman F6F-5 Hellcat where he shoots down 9 enemy planes in one flight!!!
Wow! What an epic battle - the largest the world had seen to date and never again to be repeated.
Mr. Cutler does an outstanding job of getting you sucked in to situations where you actually begin to worry for the lives of all these sailors and soldiers.
It includes General MacArthur's famous return to the Philippines, the world's two largest battleships (a heavy cruiser larger than the US Navy's four largest battleships), an attacking submarine that runs aground and is more than 2/3's out of the water, a famous US Admiral that chases after a decoy leaving the beachhead to take care of themselves, brave PT-boat crews, pilots attacking without any ordinance, a handful of destroyers and destroyer escorts taking on a fleet of battleships, heavy cruisers and destroyers.
This book also includes my all time favorite aerial dogfight with my favorite pilot and favorite plane - Commander David McCampbell flying Minsi III - a Grumman F6F-5 Hellcat where he shoots down 9 enemy planes in one flight!!!
June 3, 2018
This was an excellent description of the events that made up the Battle of Leyte Gulf. Cutler's analysis and questions were thought provoking and helped me to better appreciate the possible errors in judgment - on both the American and Japanese leaders - that affected the outcome. I'll keep this on my bookshelf with all my other World War II references for another reading in the future.
September 13, 2018
Well written story of the largest naval battle in history between US & Japan in the Philipines - last major confrontation before the end of WW2. One very notable story is that of Ernest E. Evans, Captain of Johnston, USS, who died heroically in fighting to the bitter and deadly end with his destroyer - his motto being, "never retreat from the enemy" - full blooded Cherokee - fascinating what he and his crew did.
October 16, 2020
This is a very readable account of one of the greatest naval battles ever. Cutler does a great job mixing the personal stories of participants on both sides, with a narrative of the events which occurred over the days leading up to and during the battle. I do wish that the book included more information about the actual land invasion which after all was the reason that the navies of the United States and Japan met at that time and place. A book well worth the time to read.
September 22, 2019
Solid in every regard. Sound, thoroughly researched history, logical conclusions, entertaining anecdotes. Only quibble: I wish more maps accompanied the text, so as to fully appreciate the tactical decisions and outcomes.
August 24, 2021
My favorite kind of book is full of history that maybe I didn’t know the full story before and this book fits that bill to a tee. So many interesting facts and stories that kept me on the edge of my seat. The author has a way with words and I found myself rereading several passages to absorb them.
March 22, 2022
A fantastic account of the largest naval battle the world has ever seen. Cutler does a masterful job in bringing the reader into the highest level of leadership as well as the experience of those who fought the engagement. Great book!
May 24, 2020
Cutler's historical narration, analysis and thoroughness has to be viewed as the best accounting of the largest number sea battle of all time. Spectacular! Very enjoyable read.
May 31, 2020
A book of history that reads like a novel. Spectacular! Wish there would have been more graphics and battle maps.
December 28, 2021
Good description of a late battle in the Pacific. The lives of the men and machines in a pre high tech setting. A lot of strategy and miscommunication. Maps, for lack of detail, were unhelpful.
October 10, 2022
Excellent study of the largest sea battle, ever. in depth study of the mega-personalities involved in the decisions that made it so historical.
September 8, 2010
Battles are not in and of themselves fascinating. It is the circumstances that lead to battles, the leaders who orchestrate those battles, and the individuals who fight that make them fascinating. The Battle of Leyte Gulf was a battle between opposing nations whose fortunes could not have been more different. The Americans knew the war was over; they had won. It was just a matter of details, logistics, and a few more crushing victories before they could go home. The Japanese also knew the war was over, but honor and the warrior code meant that they continued to fight. The Imperial Japanese Navy left the safety of their home waters on a suicide mission that should have been another defeat at the hands of the Americans. But, a blunder by the Americans, a failure by the Japanese to take advantage, and heroism on the part of many individuals is what makes the Battle of Leyte Gulf fascinating.
Cutler's work on The Battle of Leyte Gulf is the second book I have read on the subject. The first, Sea of Thunder, was also excellent, but focused primarily on the fleet commanders and the Battle of Samar (a sub-battle of the overall Leyte Gulf operation). This book does a much better job of giving an overview of the entire operation. The book continues to challenge several of the Admirals' actions (both Japanese and American) and left me continuing to believe that having a divided American command prevented an overwhelming victory. The Japanese didn't have their heart in this battle. If the Americans truly had a "Theater" commander, they could have destroyed both the Japanese Battleship and Carrier fleets.
I would recommend this book to anyone interested in the Pacific Theater of World War II.
Cutler's work on The Battle of Leyte Gulf is the second book I have read on the subject. The first, Sea of Thunder, was also excellent, but focused primarily on the fleet commanders and the Battle of Samar (a sub-battle of the overall Leyte Gulf operation). This book does a much better job of giving an overview of the entire operation. The book continues to challenge several of the Admirals' actions (both Japanese and American) and left me continuing to believe that having a divided American command prevented an overwhelming victory. The Japanese didn't have their heart in this battle. If the Americans truly had a "Theater" commander, they could have destroyed both the Japanese Battleship and Carrier fleets.
I would recommend this book to anyone interested in the Pacific Theater of World War II.
January 25, 2014
The pinnacle of naval history books about the Battle of Leyte Gulf. Splendid, masterful, suspenseful account of the largest naval battle in WW2. Fit to take pride of place among other accounts of that titanic battle such as Last Stand of the Tin Can Sailor, Sea of Thunder, and C. Vann Woodward's book, The Battle for Leyte Gulf. Mr. Cutler's book is so rich and layered for he was a naval historian, serving officer,and had the opportunity to interview many who were there while they were still young. I'll always remember the gripping account of the soldier on Leyte hiding in the jungle and scouting the Japanese who was forced to lie quietly in a muddy ditch while poisonous insects slithered and crawled over him and under his clothes while Japanese soldiers stood just above him. Highly rated.
March 9, 2012
Cutler's book does a good analytical job of making sense of the largest naval battle in history--one that ended the offensive operations of the Japanese navy as a fleet. The battle was made up of five component battles, each one a major action on its own. In addition to making the action clear, Cutler places the battle(s) in historical context. Indeed, the first two hundred pages set up the battles. (The greatest quote in the book comes from a crewman on a baby flattop when being fired at by two Japanese battleships (the Yamato, in particular) and several cruisers. Japanese shells used dye packs to mark their fall and they came in several colors. "They're shooting at us in technicolor.")
February 8, 2016
Great Book. Good for people like me. I know a bit about WWII more land battles but I do know of the big battles(Midway Guadal canal) of the seas. Mr Cutler does a great job of explaining the strategy and the battle without loosing you in too much detail. Very good footnotes with descriptions and like how he brought in stories from the men who were actually there. Shows both sides but leans towards the American side (understandable) but good to see from both points. If you want to know about the last big naval battle read this book, or just another reason to be amazed by our combat soldiers in WWII. Keep them in our memory always, why it is important to keep these stories going.
September 12, 2016
The Naval Institute Press always seems to produce to good work, and this is no exception. An all encompassing book about the largest naval battle in history. Cutler's examination of Halsey's motives forms a large portion of the book and I must agree with him. Halsey fell into the perfect trap, but had good reasons for doing so. I would probably have made the same choice if placed in his shoes. The whole book builds to the crescendo of the Battle of the Surigao Straight. Then, even though you know it's coming, blindsides you with the fury and terror and courage of the Battle Off Samar. Well done.
April 16, 2013
As a Navy man, historian and author I was just thrilled with this book. A great read, skillfully crafted to supply all of the various perspectives on a complicated series of naval engagements. A page turner replete with exacting details anecdotal stories that provided a human level to a gargantuan event. It may not be a primary source but still a great resource and starting place for anyone writing about or researching the battle for the Philippines in 1944.
April 20, 2010
Very accessible account of the largest naval battle in modern times. I'm not familiar with the Pacific Theater of WWII, so I appreciated the background information provided on the major characters. My only wish was more detailed account from the Japanese perspective (however, I realize those records may not exist).
May 13, 2010
An interesting, enjoyable and gruesom description of war management and decisions. The book clearly the triad of human ego, friction caused by lack of a common picture and fog of uncertainty residing with missing intelligence that has occured in all wars since clubs were weapons of mass destruction.
January 3, 2008
This is THE definitive study of Leyte. Cutler is an insightful historian and an excellent writer. He pulls no punches, but tells the tale with all the excitement the largest naval battle in history deserves.
February 21, 2008
A recent and reasonably solid overview of the battle. However, reading this (again) in the wake of "Shattered Sword" demonstrates how much this book is lacking. It's good but simply fails to be sufficiently comprehensive of the largest naval battle in history.
July 4, 2012
Excellent account of the strategic, operational, and the tactical methods used to prosecute the destruction of the Japanese Imperial fleet. I read this book due to coursework I'm pursuing. In conclusion i'm interested to read more about the naval battles in the Pacific. A must read for WWII buffs
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December 30, 2008The only book you need to read about this important sea battle. Don't waste your time with others
February 12, 2009
I couldn't put this book down. It's one of the best dissections of a battle I've ever read (right up there with Saratoga, which is on this list). Thanks for loaning it to me, Cracker.
December 20, 2010
Probably one of the best accounts written about Letye Gulf.
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June 10, 2011Great book about the battle
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews