The Last Great Fleet: The Epic Naval Battle of Leyte Gulf, October 1944 -- Maps, Diagrams, and a Gripping Account of the Largest Fleet Action in Histo (Paperback) (ISBN-13: 9798188188184)

The largest naval battle in history-the fate of the Philippines, and the Pacific war, hung in the balance.

In October 1944, the Imperial Japanese Navy launched a desperate, complex plan to annihilate the American invasion fleet off Leyte. What followed was a series of four epic engagements: the decoy carriers luring Halsey north, the devastating night action in Surigao Strait, the desperate stand of Taffy 3 off Samar, and the first kamikaze attacks. James R. Caldwell brings this colossal clash to life with vivid narrative, 15 clear maps and diagrams, and a focus on the men and decisions that decided the outcome.

• How the Japanese 'Sho-1' plan nearly succeeded
• The desperate courage of Taffy 3's destroyers and escort carriers
• Why Halsey chased the decoy carriers-and the controversy that followed
• The last great battleship engagement in history (Surigao Strait)
• How the first organized kamikaze attacks changed naval warfare
• Clear maps and diagrams of each phase of the battle

Whether you're a history buff or new to naval warfare, The Last Great Fleet is the definitive, gripping account of the battle that sealed Japan's defeat.