Sho amounted to more than just an operational plan for strategic victory. It also alluded to a prevailing command-culture expectation for commanders to employ aggressive measures against the Americans, regardless of the prospects for ultimate success. General Yamashita came to the Philippines fully expecting to fight the decisive battle on Luzon, the only part of the archipelago he saw as strategically worthwhile. By contrast, Field Marshal Terauchi and his staff wanted to fight with all possible strength wherever the Americans landed, for fear of allowing them to solidify air and naval bases
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