What can I say. I'm a big believer that all luck evens out. :D

http://pyxis.homestead.com/Wind.jpg

Failed was probably too strong a term, Japan was trying to take out the transport/supply ships, they needed to hold the Philippines (without it their supply lines for raw materials were cut). Halsey made a tactical blunder when he took all 60+ ships north without leaving a blocking force at the San Bernardino straights. it was luck that Kurita was turned back by Kinkaid's escort carriers.

Another book recommendation: Kaigun: Strategy, Tactics, and Technology in the Imperial Japanese Navy, 1887-1941 by David C Evans and Mark R Peattie. Essentially a prequel to Shattered Sword, although it was written in 1997 by different authors. Very readable and lucid, even if it's almost 700 pages long.

Gracias on the suggestion, amigo :salute: