Most of the sorties flown against the Central Force off Samar were armed with ground support weapons, not antiship weapons. This cut down majorly on the ability to inflict fatal damage to the Japanese force. The Escort carrier task groups primary mission was close air support of ground troops and the carrier magazines were stocked accordingly. Many runs were made with only .50 cals, or nothing at all, just to make the Japanese ship skippers think torpedo runs were being conducted. While they took some heat off of the Jeep carriers, the capability to inflict severe damage from the air was not in their capability that morning.
The most serious damage was inflicted by the escorting DDs and DEs during their charge at and torpedo attack upon the Central force. This torpedo attack also had the affect of forcing Yamato to take evasive action in avoiding the topedoes aimed at her which removed her from the battle. The escorts paid dearly for their brazen actions, but their actions helped carry the day.
BTW, total Japanese planes launched to strike Pearl Harbor was over 350. There were roughly 180 in each wave.
I think I need to re-read my Battle of Leyte Gulf book... Good stuff here.
For a series of protracted intense surface battles in WWII, the Solomons campaign has no equal. A grinding war of attrition between two navies that were closely matched-one better trained and expereinced, one better able to replace losses. But for an all out decisive surface fight between two navies, Leyte Gulf is certainly the example of that war. The Japanese carrier fleet, which was no longer a viable threat was removed. Their surface forces, which were still quite significant, and as shown, could inflict major battle upon an unwary force, were savaged and removed as a major threat for the last year of the war.
F is for FIRE, That burns down the whole town!
U is for URANIUM... BOMBS!
N is for NO SURVIVORS...
- Plankton
LSM