The Battle of Leyte Gulf, 23-26 October, 1944

Cutler, professor of strategy at the U.S. Naval War College, relates the epic WW II engagement in the Philippines in which the Japanese Navy nearly prevented Gen. Douglas MacArthur from fulfilling his ``I shall return'' vow. We're shown the Battle of Leyte Gulf as a series of hard tactical choices by admirals on both sides and their terrifying sea combat. Woven into the suspenseful narrative are survival stories and accounts of extraordinary individual exploits. Cutler describes how a decoy fleet under Adm. Jisaburo Ozawa lured Adm. William Halsey's task force away from the focus of battle, leaving unprotected the troops covering MacArthur's beachhead. The Japanese couldn't capitalize on this opportunity, however, partly because the beachhead ships put up a terrific fight. Cutler also takes a close look at Halsey's questionable tactical moves during the battle and his postwar attempts to deny his poor judgment. Photos. (Aug.)