Oh man, thank you for linking that article so I know what this is referring to. That's pretty damn funny (with solemn respect to history) in a situational irony kind of way. I'm guessing the Japanese text just describes the incident that's why no ones translated it?
The real trolls at Leyte were Taffy 3, since ironically by being their in place of an actual battle fleet they reduced US losses to a pittance. There is a strong case to be made that if Halsey had actually left the screening force in place the resulting battle likely would have caused far more damage to the US fleet and possibly even the loss of some large ships. Thus in a bit of twisted irony with the benefit of hindsight it becomes clear the failure to form TF.34 and the subsequent loss of Taffy 3 was, on balance, probably preferable to a pitched battle between the fast battleship screening group and center group. The Japanese fleet was still soundly crushed and would never be a threat again, while the US suffer no appreciable damage to a single heavy unit in it's fleet.
It may in fact be one of the most lopsided losses in naval history. The combined tonnage of what the Japanese managed to sink was less then the weight of the lightest battleship they lost (Fuso).
The texts itself are just about Halsey’s person, his style of commanding and how he treats his subordinates. Nothing about the quote Lunatic6 is linking :)
The real trolls at Leyte were Taffy 3, since ironically by being their in place of an actual battle fleet they reduced US losses to a pittance. There is a strong case to be made that if Halsey had actually left the screening force in place the resulting battle likely would have caused far more damage to the US fleet and possibly even the loss of some large ships. Thus in a bit of twisted irony with the benefit of hindsight it becomes clear the failure to form TF.34 and the subsequent loss of Taffy 3 was, on balance, probably preferable to a pitched battle between the fast battleship screening group and center group. The Japanese fleet was still soundly crushed and would never be a threat again, while the US suffer no appreciable damage to a single heavy unit in it's fleet.
It may in fact be one of the most lopsided losses in naval history. The combined tonnage of what the Japanese managed to sink was less then the weight of the lightest battleship they lost (Fuso).
I think you're conflating multiple engagements here. Fuso and her sister ship sank in the battle of the Surigao Strait the night before the Battle off Samar, due to a force led by Jesse Oldendorf that outnumbered the opposing Japanese force. Japanese losses at Samar were Chokai, Chikuma, and Suzuya, three heavy cruisers. TF34 probably would have inflicted heavier losses on Japan, even if it would have put larger American ships in danger. And I don't think I would call the deaths of 1500 men a "pittance".
