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Battle of Surigao Strait, 1944

During the much larger Battle of Leyte Gulf, a smaller engagement occured that was histroically significant in 2 ways.

Firstly, it was the last Battleship-on-Battleship engagement the world has seen (so far...).
and secondly, it was one of the most perfect traps ever concived of and enacted by the United States Navy of WWII.

Historical Background:
Admiral Nishumura's "Southern Force" consisting of 2 old Battleships, 1 heavy cruiser, and 4 destroyers; accompanied by the "Second Striking Force" commanded by Admiral Shima were attempting to flank the American fleet after the Battle of the Sibuyan Sea by going south through the Surigao Strait, where a large American surface force consisting of a number of destroyers, cruisers, and almost every Battleship that was "sunk" at Pearl Harbor in 1941 was waiting to ambush them.

AUTHOR'S NOTES:I have allowed this scenario to be playable from both American and Japanese sides, but it will be nigh-impossible to win as the Japanese.This scenario starts after the PT boat raid on the japanese fleet; just prior to the Japanese running into the main American ambush.I have tried to make it as close to the real battle as possible given the platforms in the Cold War database and capabilities of CMANO.