[Maj. T J King Kong]

Halsey's Third Fleet was by no means "far superior" to Kurita's Center Force, I do believe that had Halsey remained at the San Bernardino strait the American Third Fleet could've been seriously damaged even as much as to make it a pyrrhic victory or even a tactical Japanese victory

I also doubt the American's would make a move to trap the Japanese fleet, they were never looking for a "decisive battle" and taking the Philippines would render the IJN useless anyway (As seen later in the war)

Oh, and if American Battleships woud've been sent anywhere near Japan in 1942 they would be slaughtered by land-based air power

Anyway, IIRC there's a fix somewhere that makes surface ships attack at much longer ranges, have to look

At Leyte General MacArthur was completely dependent on forces not under his control to protect his landing operation. Should the naval covering forces allow either of the powerful advancing Japanese thrusts to penetrate into Leyte Gulf , the whole Philippine invasion would be placed in the gravest jeopardy. It was imperative, therefore, that every approach to the Gulf be adequately guarded at all times and that an enemy debouchment via Surigao and. San Bernardino Straits be blocked with adequate Allied naval strength. Now what I'm saying is that a hyothetical task force to "clean-up" a retreating and beaten up Japanese Northern Force, which in actuality was able to escape, with severe losses, until they run into my force just beyond the horizon.

What is IIRC,where is it located? please give me a break, i dont even know how to make a quote.