Toyoda’s great gamble to attack and destroy the American landing forces in Leyte Gulf involved a classic pincers maneuver.  Three strike forces would sail from Japan and Brunei to penetrate the gulf from the north and south and meet on the morning of October 25, “X-day.”  The most powerful force, Force A to the Japanese, and “Center Force” to the Americans (I’ll use the latter for clarity) was commanded by Adm. Kurita Takeo and consisted of five battleships including the superships Yamato and Musashi, 10 heavy and two light cruisers and 15 destroyers.
The “Southern Force”, under the command of Vice Adm. Nishimura Shoji, which the Japanese called Force C, was made up of two battleships, a heavy cruiser, and four destroyers.  To beef up Southern Force’s hitting power a fleet called Second Strike Force headed by Vice Adm. Shima Kiyohide, was on the way from Japan with three cruisers and seven destroyers.  The two flotillas sailing in from opposite directions would try and slip through the two straits that led to Leyte Gulf.  Center Force would sail through the San Bernardino Strait north of Leyte, and Southern Force with Second Strike Force the Surigao Strait south of it.

SCHAEFFER: The Battle Of Leyte Gulf: Part 4 – Sho-Go1 and ‘A-Day’

CONTINUE READING

The Rise And Fall Of The German Battleship Bismarck, Part II

The Rise And Fall Of The German Battleship Bismarck, Part I

There Is No Appomattox For America’s Current Conflict

NATO’s Dirty Little Secret

Could New Jersey Be A Bellwether Of GOP Fortunes? 

Colbert’s Demise: When Politics Supersedes Comedy In Late Night

News and Commentary

A video goes viral showing a baby being refused his mother by two gay "dads". This is just the tip of the iceberg, which is why we will have an important discussion today about surrogacy. 

Hour 1

The Matt Walsh Show

Ep. 1765 - This Video Is One Of The Worst Things I've Seen In A Long Time 

The Strait of Hormuz officially opens for business (kind of), the Pope makes “shocking” comments on immigration, and President Trump promises UFO disclosure at TPUSA. 


The Michael Knowles Show

Ep. 1956 -  Pope Leo's "SHOCKING" Immigration Comments EXPLAINED

A false miscreed has corrupted our leadership class.


The Andrew Klavan Show

Ep. 1275 - Dumb, Dumber and Progressive

President Trump announces a 10-day ceasefire between Lebanon and Israel, a murder-suicide involving former Democratic Lieutenant Governor Justin Fairfax shakes Virginia, and France and Britain hold a conference to secure the Strait of Hormuz – after the Iranian conflict ends. Get the facts first with Morning Wire.

- - -

Ep. 2738

- - -

Wake up with new Morning Wire merch: https://bit.ly/4lIubt3

- - -

Today's Sponsors:

Alliance Defending Freedom - Visit https://JoinADF.com/WIRE or text 'WIRE' to 83848 to learn more.

Pocket Hose - Text MORNING to 64000 to get a FREE pocket pivot and their 10-pattern sprayer with the purchase of ANY size Copper Head hose. Message and data rates may apply.

Morning Wire

U.S. Expands Hormuz Blockade & VA Fairfax Deaths Investigated | 4.17.26

U.S. Expands Hormuz Blockade & VA Fairfax Deaths Investigated | 4.17.26 [Member Exclusive]

A ceasefire goes into effect between Israel and Lebanon, a tragic murder-suicide rocks Virginia, and Dairy Queen deploys AI in the drive-thru. Get the facts first with Evening Wire.
- - -
Ep. 2737
- - -
Wake up with new Morning Wire merch: https://bit.ly/4lIubt3 
- - -
Today’s Sponsor:

Alliance Defending Freedom - Visit https://JoinADF.com/WIRE or text “WIRE” to 83848 to learn more.


Menu

— News and Commentary —

SCHAEFFER: The Battle Of Leyte Gulf: Part 4 – Sho-Go1 and ‘A-Day’