ALLIES CRUMBLING NAZI LINES IN HOLLAND; LEYTE DRIVE GAINS (10/24/44)

Microfilm-New York Times archives, Monterey Public Library | 10/24/44 | Clifton Daniel, Harold Denny, W.H. Lawrence, A.C. Sedgwick, Milton Bracker, Lindesay Parrott

[colorado tanker]

Someday . . .

[colorado tanker]

I've heard this is great but haven't gotten there yet.

[Homer_J_Simpson]

I first learned about Leyte Gulf around 1979 when I first read Herman Wouk's fictionalized account in "War and Remembrance." He places one of his characters semi-prominently in the battle, but otherwise he accurately describes the action. One aside gives the reader an idea of how Wouk (who served in a minesweeper at the time) regarded the battle:

"The vision of Sprague's three destroyers - the Johnston, the Hoel, and the Heermann - charging out of the smoke and the rain straight toward the main batteries of Kurita's battleships and cruisers, can endure as a picture of the way Americans fight when they don't have superiority. Our schoolchildren should know about that incident, and our enemies should ponder it."

[occamrzr06]

I've heard this is great but haven't gotten there yet.

LOL, like I don't have enough to read.......ok, this is going to the top of the last. Thanks for the heads up.

[occamrzr06]

list, not last!

[colorado tanker]

I have been aware of the overall Battle of Leyte Gulf for a long time, but I think the first detailed account of the destroyers' charge I read was on FR in the old Freeper Foxhole. I'm not sure I know of a better example of courage, daring and a willingness to sacrifice in the War.

That said, the sailors have to be credited with amazing skill in maximizing their few assets. They weren't just committing suicide. The carriers launched immediately and kept up a steady bombardment. They skillfully used the weather to conceal themselves. I don't think the Japanese were sure whether that was the main carrier fleet or auxiliaries.

The destroyers poured on accurate fire and the Japanese showed poor gunnery skills. My hat's off to those guys.

[Hebrews 11:6]

Thanks, colorado. I see now I hit your Reply button when intending Larry’s.

[alfa6]

Also by Hornfischer is Neptune’s Inferno about the naval actions off Guadualcanal.

Very good, interesting stat from the book, while the Marines got lot more of the press for being “stranded” the Navy lost more men than the Marines

Just what y’all needed another book, eh?
Regards

alfa6 ‘>}

[alfa6]

Not sure that the pics are still good but a quick look shows two threads...

Leyte Gulf
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-vetscor/1143037/posts

Taffy 3
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-vetscor/920191/posts

Regards

alfa6 ;>}

[Rebelbase]

[Hebrews 11:6]

???

[EternalVigilance]

"The vision of Sprague's three destroyers - the Johnston, the Hoel, and the Heermann - charging out of the smoke and the rain straight toward the main batteries of Kurita's battleships and cruisers, can endure as a picture of the way Americans fight when they don't have superiority. Our schoolchildren should know about that incident, and our enemies should ponder it."

Outstanding.

[colorado tanker]

Thanks, alfa6. Wow, I can’t believe that was back in 2003!