Leyte Gulf 1944: The Battles of the Sibuyan Sea and Samar/The Battles of Surigao and Cape Engano

By Mark Stille

Mark E. Stille, a former US Navy officer and prolific naval history writer with a particular focus on the Pacific in the Second World War, seeks to analyse the Battle of Leyte Gulf and dispel the myths surrounding it in these two books that are very typical of Osprey’s Campaign series publications. In order to do this, Stille examines the Battle of Leyte Gulf from the strategic through to the tactical levels, the leadership on both sides, as well as the four key engagements that make up the wider battle in a format meant to be accessible to a wider audience.

These books examine the background to the campaign, Japanese plans to fight a decisive battle, a comparison of the Imperial Japanese and United States navies, the key engagements, and the implications of the battle. The respective American and Japanese orders of battle, the characteristics of the principal Seventh Fleet ships and Japanese ships involved, and the fates of the ships of the Imperial Japanese Navy First Diversionary Attack Force. Black-and-white photographic plates, tables, and maps are also included.

At the core of Stille’s works is the critical point that Japanese expectations and capabilities were wildly divergent. The Japanese plan—Sho-I—for defending the Philippines and attempting to draw the United States Navy into a decisive battle never viable in light of the disparity of their respective resources. The Battle of Leyte Gulf did prove decisive though, but for the United States Navy after Imperial Japan lost more ship in combat that any other fleet in modern naval history. After October 1944, the Imperial Navy incapable of large-scale operations and the United States Navy gained control of the Pacific and prepared to launch the final offensives of the war against Japan.

Through the text, Stille ably examines the causes of the disaster that befell the Japanese, but also discusses the mistakes on the part of the United States Navy, not least divided command structure on both sides and Admiral Halsey’s decision-making. These books provide well-thought-out, well-argued and well-written naval history. They will appeal particularly to those with an interest in the Pacific in the Second World War, American or Japanese naval history, and the impact of airpower on navies. Moreover, they comprise a valuable study across the levels of war: the interplay between strategic planning, operational decisions, and tactical action, plus factors such as the influence of the fog of war, and the impact of fatigue. All in all, both form a worthy addition to any bookshelf and are recommended.

• Oxford: Osprey Publishing, 2021 & 2022
• 7-1/4” x 9-3/4”, softcover, 96 pages each
• Illustrations, maps, bibliography, index. $24.00 each
• ISBN: 9781472842817 and 9781472842855 respectively

Reviewed by: Mark Casey, St. Louis, Missouri