[Lou L]

The battle of Leyte Gulf is famous for the "crossing of the T" in which US forces caught Japanese forces in single file, transiting the Surigao Straits. We were able to pluck many of those ships off, one by one. Our ships could fire abeam; the Japanese ships could only fire ahead, and their fire was limmited. But this tactic is ancient. Ships of sail did the same thing.

With modern guided missiles and air capabilities, crossing the T, as well as having big, heavy battleships to put shells on-target is not cost-effective.

[gura]

A lot of that was due to US development of radar, and Japanese ignorance of it.

[Tallguy]

“Crossing the T” only makes sense if the opposing Navy is utilizing “Line Ahead” tactical formation. Nobody does that anymore. Battle Groups are dispersed over a wide area. Even in the Age of Sail a smart commander (Nelson at the Nile & Nelson again at Trafalgar) could violate the expected tactical arrangement and win a stunning victory.

Anyhow, Surigao was a satisfying victory for the old Battleships that were raised from the mud of Pearl Harbor. They got to perform their principal design task — knocking the stuffing out of a line of opposing Battleships & Heavy Cruisers.

[HANG THE EXPENSE]

Nelson did the same thing at Trafalgar.Devestating effects in both battles.