Battle of Leyte Gulf

[pghgeorge]

What is the definitive book on the Battle of Leyte Gulf?

[John G. Lambert]

The "Battle of Leyte Gulf" (if you really wish to properly dive into it) should really should be thought of as a sequence or series of linked battles centered around the Japanese response to the US Leyte invasion.
Japan pulled the trigger on "Sho 1" of their "Sho-Go" plans.
The result were a series of separate actions: Battle of the Sibuyan Sea, Battle of the Surigao Strait, Battle off Samar, and Battle off Cape Engano, when lumped together is referred to as the Battle of Leyte Gulf.
It really started off just barely prior to the above actions by the submarines Darter & Dace off the "Dangerous Grounds".

I really strongly suggest reading ALL three of the following books:
The Battle For Leyte Gulf - C. Van Woodward
Sea of Thunder - Evan Thomas
Battle of Surigao Strait - Anthony P. Tully
There is overlap with Woodward and Thomas, but read them both, and Tully's book zeros in on Surigao with a great view of the horrific conflict from the Japanese perspective.
You should be able to buy all three fairly inexpensively through Amazon.com and it is more than worth it!
Enjoy the reads!
John G. Lambert

[pghgeorge]

Exactly what I needed to know. Thanks.