OT: 80 Years Ago This Week -- Leyte Gulf: U.S. v. Japan in the largest sea battle in history
- Inside the 40 Acres
- 42 Replies
In the fall of 1944, MacArthur’s return to The Philippines after his daring escape from Corregidor there (on the orders of Pres. Roosevelt) in 1942, was all but assured. Two massive U.S. battle fleets, the Third Fleet under the command of Adm. William “Bull” Halsey, reporting to Nimitz in Hawaii, and the Seventh Fleet led by Adm. Thomas Kincaid, reporting to MacArthur in Australia, would spearhead the invasion. Opposing them was the last gasp of the once mighty Japanese Imperial Navy, determined against all odds to stop MacArthur’s return in the naval equivalent of a kamikaze attack.
The Japanese battle plan for the Battle of Leyte Gulf, fought from October 23 to 26, 1944, involved the typical Japanese Navy’s multi-pronged approach to counter the Allied invasion. The plan included:
The divided command and reporting structure of the two American fleets, and Halsey’s impetuousness, very nearly allowed this Japanese “Hail Mary” plan to succeed. Ultimately, after the Japanese forces were spotted by our submarines as they headed toward The Philippines, the “Battle of Leyte Gulf” actually devolved into four separate naval battles fought throughout the archipelago over four days:
1. Battle of the Sibuyan Sea -- in the middle of the Philippine archipelago, American carrier-based aircraft from Halsey’s Third Fleet inflicted heavy damage on Kurita’s Central Force, sinking the formidable Musashi and forcing Kurita to turn his force around – but unfortunately for the Americans, only temporarily.
2. Battle of Surigao Strait -- This was the last battleship-to-battleship action in history, where in a dramatic night battle, Kincaid’s warships, including PT boats and destroyers in addition to the battlewagons, essentially destroyed Nishimura’s Southern Force.
3. Battle off Cape Engaño -- Halsey fell hook, line, and sinker for the Japanese Northern Force’s diversionary attack. Although his carrier planes attacked and sank several Japanese ships including carriers, in doing so Halsey drew his protecting forces away from the San Bernandino Strait guarding the exit from the Sibuyan Sea. Kurita then reversed course, sailed right through the strait, turned right, and descended on the small fleet of destroyers and light escort carriers defending the American landing forces at Leyte.
4. Battle off Samar -- Despite a desperate and heroic defense by the “Last Stand of the Tin Can Sailors,” vividly documented in the late Austin author James Hornfischer’s great book by the same name, Kurita was positioned to destroy the forces at Leyte, but that small but valiant group of sailors in the destroyers and small carriers with severe losses nevertheless fended off the attack long enough to convince Kurita he had to withdraw to save what remained of the Japanese fleet.
The cost: over 3,000 American sailors killed and 11 ships sunk including a light carrier, two escort carriers, two destroyers, and one destroyer escort – mostly in the Battle off Samar, as well as over 250 planes. These also included the first substantial American casualties inflicted by Japanese kamikaze pilots intentionally crashing their planes into American ships.
The Japanese suffered far more catastrophic losses: over 12,000 sailors killed and 26 ships destroyed, including one fleet carrier, three light carriers, three battleships, six heavy cruisers, four light cruisers, and nine destroyers sunk and over 300 planes lost. The American victory assured MacArthur’s long-promised return to The Philippines, and effectively ended the offensive fighting capability of the Japanese fleet.
The Japanese battle plan for the Battle of Leyte Gulf, fought from October 23 to 26, 1944, involved the typical Japanese Navy’s multi-pronged approach to counter the Allied invasion. The plan included:
- A “Central Force” led by Adm. Takeo Kurita and the mighty battleships Yamato and Musashi – the largest such ships ever built -- intended to sail through the Sibuyan Sea in the middle Philippines, pass through the San Bernadino Strait, and directly engage and destroy the American landing forces in Leyte Gulf. Kurita’s force would confront Kincaid’s Seventh Fleet head-on.
- A “Southern Force” under Vice Admiral Shoji Nishimura, seeking to attack Kinkaid’s Seventh Fleet from the south, and aiming to disrupt the American supply lines and distract Kincaid.
- A “Northern Force,” intended as a diversionary tactic involving a small carrier force under Vice Admiral Jisaburo Ozawa, which was intended capitalize on Halsey’s well-known aggressiveness to draw him and his fleet away from the main Japanese Central Force attack.
The divided command and reporting structure of the two American fleets, and Halsey’s impetuousness, very nearly allowed this Japanese “Hail Mary” plan to succeed. Ultimately, after the Japanese forces were spotted by our submarines as they headed toward The Philippines, the “Battle of Leyte Gulf” actually devolved into four separate naval battles fought throughout the archipelago over four days:
1. Battle of the Sibuyan Sea -- in the middle of the Philippine archipelago, American carrier-based aircraft from Halsey’s Third Fleet inflicted heavy damage on Kurita’s Central Force, sinking the formidable Musashi and forcing Kurita to turn his force around – but unfortunately for the Americans, only temporarily.
2. Battle of Surigao Strait -- This was the last battleship-to-battleship action in history, where in a dramatic night battle, Kincaid’s warships, including PT boats and destroyers in addition to the battlewagons, essentially destroyed Nishimura’s Southern Force.
3. Battle off Cape Engaño -- Halsey fell hook, line, and sinker for the Japanese Northern Force’s diversionary attack. Although his carrier planes attacked and sank several Japanese ships including carriers, in doing so Halsey drew his protecting forces away from the San Bernandino Strait guarding the exit from the Sibuyan Sea. Kurita then reversed course, sailed right through the strait, turned right, and descended on the small fleet of destroyers and light escort carriers defending the American landing forces at Leyte.
4. Battle off Samar -- Despite a desperate and heroic defense by the “Last Stand of the Tin Can Sailors,” vividly documented in the late Austin author James Hornfischer’s great book by the same name, Kurita was positioned to destroy the forces at Leyte, but that small but valiant group of sailors in the destroyers and small carriers with severe losses nevertheless fended off the attack long enough to convince Kurita he had to withdraw to save what remained of the Japanese fleet.
The cost: over 3,000 American sailors killed and 11 ships sunk including a light carrier, two escort carriers, two destroyers, and one destroyer escort – mostly in the Battle off Samar, as well as over 250 planes. These also included the first substantial American casualties inflicted by Japanese kamikaze pilots intentionally crashing their planes into American ships.
The Japanese suffered far more catastrophic losses: over 12,000 sailors killed and 26 ships destroyed, including one fleet carrier, three light carriers, three battleships, six heavy cruisers, four light cruisers, and nine destroyers sunk and over 300 planes lost. The American victory assured MacArthur’s long-promised return to The Philippines, and effectively ended the offensive fighting capability of the Japanese fleet.
Immediate Reactions to Sark's Florida Presser
- By Alex Dunlap
- Inside the 40 Acres
- 33 Replies
Here are a few immediate thoughts about, and reactions to, Steve Sarkisian's Florida-week press conference coming off a bye week -- and a weekend in the SEC that saw Texas' path to the SEC championship become more clear thanks to a rotten egg laid by Mike Elko and the Aggies at South Carolina:
- Sark starts out by saying that the month of November is going to be challenging, but "the games in November are the games you remember." Sark says the last three games for UF, overtime versus Tennessee and really hung in versus UGA. ALEX'S THOUGHTS: Sark with another snappy saying kinda like "don't count your reps, make your reps count." A November to remember! It sounds like one of those commercials where a dude gives his wife a car with a bow during the November to Remember sales event.
- Ed Clements asked about the UF QB situation: "You prepare for the scheme," Sark said. Talk about formations and shifts, etc. ALEX'S THOUGHTS: Not having Lagway is going to affect their scheme greatly. The backup Warner is not good at all, but they need to prepare for a dogfight as the defense can keep UF in games. Kirby Smart said, coming into this game last week, that UF is playing at as high a level as any team in the conference right now. The UGA/UF game might have had a different outcome if Lagway doesn't hurt his hammy.
- Chip Brown asked about curbing penalties: "18 penalties last two games, we really try to minimize the pre-snap stuff. Working on technique on things that happen in play. Hands inside on the OL, getting your head around in the secondary to make a play on the ball." ALEX'S THOUGHTS: If he's referencing Manny Muhammad's DPI, Manny is going to be fine, that was a completely uncharacteristic play from him.
- Anwar asked about Bond and Mukuba and what the team can improve on for the last four games: Both those guys practiced today and looked good. It was a good start. Sark says he wants to get his mojo back on offense is a way to improve. ALEX'S THOUGHTS: Sounds like Texas will have those guys back. As for the offense, Quinn needs to get his mojo back in order for the offense to.
- Thomas Jones asked about some of the younger guys that might get more playing time: Kobe Black continues to make strides. Gibson showed us alot last week. JJR and Filsaime are both on the come. I'll say this, Sydir Mitchell has had his best two weeks of work. ALEX'S THOUGHTS: well, well, well. ..... a Sydir Mitchell name drop.
- Kirk Bohls asked if they've lost confidence in losing mojo: "It's like anything, if you're a home run hitter or 3pt shooter, when you see them go in or go out of the park, you don't lose confidence, you just have to see one go out of the park." ALEX'S THOUGHTS: I actually think that's a really astute illustration.
- Jeff Jones asked about Jahdae Barron's decision to come back. Sark was asked about this last week on the SEC media conference call and answered the same way by saying he wishes all players would go through the process like he did, and that he made himself a lot of money by coming back. ALEX'S THOUGHTS: On the SEC conference call by the way, he also mentioned Alfred Collins making his money as well which was an interesting thing to throw in. Collins has played fantastic the last two weeks.
- Eric Henry asked about the run game and if it can achieve his preseason goals: "We've been a work in progress .. the key is continuing to grow." ALEX'S THOUGHTS: Talk about a guy who would help to get his "mojo" back - I'd love to see the early season Jaydon Blue return.
- Ced Golden asked about the logjam atop the SEC and any coaching tools from the ATM loss? "A lot of football to be played in November, the one thing I took away is the only thing we can control is us. One thing you learn from watching tough games, you wanna get up for each week and you just have to fight that dropoff." ALEX'S THOUGHTS: The SEC is something else, man. Even with a kinda "easy" remaining schedule, Texas has its hands full this month.
- On the SEC fake injury policy from last Friday: "We haven't felt it as much as some other teams have." ALEX'S THOUGHTS: YOU HAVEN'T PLAYED YOUR BOY KIFFIN YET, COACH!
- On what about Liona Lefau allows Anthony to be himself: Liona can play multiple positions, communicates well and Anthony trusts him -- but on the flip side, when David has played on limited reps, his production has been really high. All three of those guys are benefitting. ALEX'S THOUGHTS: Yes, plus it allows Hill to be used in ways that are more impactful.
- Brian Davis asked about Ewers and the idea of a starting script of plays. Sark said Quinn has had a good week. AS for the script. 1) gives us best success, 2) gives us hints as to how they'll defend us and 3) gives us some burn and some chalk on their sideline (???). ALEX'S THOUGHTS: For once, I don't know what Sark means when he said that.
- About the UF defensive line. "One of the best looking teams in our conference, big long and athletic." ALEX'S THOUGHTS: Someone asked about Watson the NT Who I believe is the behemoth No.21. Yes, he is giant, but I watched back the UGA game today and he really can't move well. Their edge guys (34 and 94 especially) are good, though and they have other DLs who are very long. In the UGA game, between the INT DL and the edge guys they batted down 5 passes and Beck is not exactly short. Quinn is going to need to be on point and be ready for some hands getting thrown up. It's a point of emphasis on their defense.
- Josh Newman asked if the significance of the SEC championship is less if both teams can make the CFP: "Not around here, the SEC championship is our first goal." ALEX'S THOUGHTS: Well, from a chronological standpoint it kinda has to be, but the biggest goal is of course a natty.
- On the offense "overtrying": Like the 3pt shooter or the HR hitter reference -- I don't want our guys to press. We didn't have a couple of great weeks, that's OK. ALEX'S THOUGHTS: Interesting to hear Sark admit the last two weeks haven't been great. He never really expressed that post-Vandy. Seemed pleased with the win.
- Danny Davis asked about Broughton missing the first half due to targeting -- Great opportunity for Jermaine Lole. Norton, January, we're going to need more out of Savea, and Sydir has had his best two weeks here. ALEX'S THOUGHTS: There is a lot to unpack with this one: 1) Lole is clearly going to get the most run, we don't need Sark to tell us that. 2) Savea hasn't played at all in conference play and Sark only saying "we need more out of him" isn't the most inspiring; and 3) another Sydir Mitchell unsolicited reference????
Dare I say
- Sark starts out by saying that the month of November is going to be challenging, but "the games in November are the games you remember." Sark says the last three games for UF, overtime versus Tennessee and really hung in versus UGA. ALEX'S THOUGHTS: Sark with another snappy saying kinda like "don't count your reps, make your reps count." A November to remember! It sounds like one of those commercials where a dude gives his wife a car with a bow during the November to Remember sales event.
- Ed Clements asked about the UF QB situation: "You prepare for the scheme," Sark said. Talk about formations and shifts, etc. ALEX'S THOUGHTS: Not having Lagway is going to affect their scheme greatly. The backup Warner is not good at all, but they need to prepare for a dogfight as the defense can keep UF in games. Kirby Smart said, coming into this game last week, that UF is playing at as high a level as any team in the conference right now. The UGA/UF game might have had a different outcome if Lagway doesn't hurt his hammy.
- Chip Brown asked about curbing penalties: "18 penalties last two games, we really try to minimize the pre-snap stuff. Working on technique on things that happen in play. Hands inside on the OL, getting your head around in the secondary to make a play on the ball." ALEX'S THOUGHTS: If he's referencing Manny Muhammad's DPI, Manny is going to be fine, that was a completely uncharacteristic play from him.
- Anwar asked about Bond and Mukuba and what the team can improve on for the last four games: Both those guys practiced today and looked good. It was a good start. Sark says he wants to get his mojo back on offense is a way to improve. ALEX'S THOUGHTS: Sounds like Texas will have those guys back. As for the offense, Quinn needs to get his mojo back in order for the offense to.
- Thomas Jones asked about some of the younger guys that might get more playing time: Kobe Black continues to make strides. Gibson showed us alot last week. JJR and Filsaime are both on the come. I'll say this, Sydir Mitchell has had his best two weeks of work. ALEX'S THOUGHTS: well, well, well. ..... a Sydir Mitchell name drop.
- Kirk Bohls asked if they've lost confidence in losing mojo: "It's like anything, if you're a home run hitter or 3pt shooter, when you see them go in or go out of the park, you don't lose confidence, you just have to see one go out of the park." ALEX'S THOUGHTS: I actually think that's a really astute illustration.
- Jeff Jones asked about Jahdae Barron's decision to come back. Sark was asked about this last week on the SEC media conference call and answered the same way by saying he wishes all players would go through the process like he did, and that he made himself a lot of money by coming back. ALEX'S THOUGHTS: On the SEC conference call by the way, he also mentioned Alfred Collins making his money as well which was an interesting thing to throw in. Collins has played fantastic the last two weeks.
- Eric Henry asked about the run game and if it can achieve his preseason goals: "We've been a work in progress .. the key is continuing to grow." ALEX'S THOUGHTS: Talk about a guy who would help to get his "mojo" back - I'd love to see the early season Jaydon Blue return.
- Ced Golden asked about the logjam atop the SEC and any coaching tools from the ATM loss? "A lot of football to be played in November, the one thing I took away is the only thing we can control is us. One thing you learn from watching tough games, you wanna get up for each week and you just have to fight that dropoff." ALEX'S THOUGHTS: The SEC is something else, man. Even with a kinda "easy" remaining schedule, Texas has its hands full this month.
- On the SEC fake injury policy from last Friday: "We haven't felt it as much as some other teams have." ALEX'S THOUGHTS: YOU HAVEN'T PLAYED YOUR BOY KIFFIN YET, COACH!
- On what about Liona Lefau allows Anthony to be himself: Liona can play multiple positions, communicates well and Anthony trusts him -- but on the flip side, when David has played on limited reps, his production has been really high. All three of those guys are benefitting. ALEX'S THOUGHTS: Yes, plus it allows Hill to be used in ways that are more impactful.
- Brian Davis asked about Ewers and the idea of a starting script of plays. Sark said Quinn has had a good week. AS for the script. 1) gives us best success, 2) gives us hints as to how they'll defend us and 3) gives us some burn and some chalk on their sideline (???). ALEX'S THOUGHTS: For once, I don't know what Sark means when he said that.
- About the UF defensive line. "One of the best looking teams in our conference, big long and athletic." ALEX'S THOUGHTS: Someone asked about Watson the NT Who I believe is the behemoth No.21. Yes, he is giant, but I watched back the UGA game today and he really can't move well. Their edge guys (34 and 94 especially) are good, though and they have other DLs who are very long. In the UGA game, between the INT DL and the edge guys they batted down 5 passes and Beck is not exactly short. Quinn is going to need to be on point and be ready for some hands getting thrown up. It's a point of emphasis on their defense.
- Josh Newman asked if the significance of the SEC championship is less if both teams can make the CFP: "Not around here, the SEC championship is our first goal." ALEX'S THOUGHTS: Well, from a chronological standpoint it kinda has to be, but the biggest goal is of course a natty.
- On the offense "overtrying": Like the 3pt shooter or the HR hitter reference -- I don't want our guys to press. We didn't have a couple of great weeks, that's OK. ALEX'S THOUGHTS: Interesting to hear Sark admit the last two weeks haven't been great. He never really expressed that post-Vandy. Seemed pleased with the win.
- Danny Davis asked about Broughton missing the first half due to targeting -- Great opportunity for Jermaine Lole. Norton, January, we're going to need more out of Savea, and Sydir has had his best two weeks here. ALEX'S THOUGHTS: There is a lot to unpack with this one: 1) Lole is clearly going to get the most run, we don't need Sark to tell us that. 2) Savea hasn't played at all in conference play and Sark only saying "we need more out of him" isn't the most inspiring; and 3) another Sydir Mitchell unsolicited reference????
Dare I say
Donald Harris
- By marka1
- The Longhorn Corral
- 52 Replies
The Marxist economist has had some influence on Kamala.
www.realclearinvestigations.com
Her Father’s Daughter: Donald Harris’ Hidden Influence on Kamala
“If there is any virtue in the writing of this book, it springs from the sacrifices knowingly or unknowingly made by my two daughters, Kamala and Maya,” Donald J. Harris wrote in 1977 when