Kinkaid allocated far more strength to the southern entrance at Surigao Strait than its Japanese attackers ultimately required. Task Group 77.3 included HMAS Shropshire, two Brooklyn-class light cruisers, five Fletcher-class destroyers, and a Tribal-class destroyer, while other Seventh Fleet divisions offered additional Fletchers. Reproducing the six-battleship ambush in the north was unnecessary. Even a modest picket could have reported Center Force's transit early enough for escort carriers to organize aircraft, supporting ships to form up, and commanders to understand the threat before gunfire began. The missed opportunity came from failed coordination rather than a lack of available ships.
Notable Point · 40:54-44:42
Kinkaid had practical picket forces available
Had Kinkaid not believed Third Fleet covered the strait, cruisers and destroyers from Task Force 77 could have provided warning without recreating the entire Surigao ambush.