FORCE WIPED OUT

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21548, 30 October 1944, Page 3

FORCE WIPED OUT

16 JAP. WARSHIPS BATTLE OF SURIGAO devastating" u.s. blows (10 a.i11.) WASHINGTON, Oc:t. 29. Amplifying despatches of the navai battle soulli of i-.eyie Guh on October 25 report that the confirmed enemy losses were greater than originally estimated, states General MacArthur, Commander-in-Chiet of the United States invasion forces. The total enemy naval force that came through Surigao Strait was two battleships, Yamashiro and Fuso, two heavy cruisers, two light cruisers, and 10 destroyers. Both battleships, one heavy and one light cruisers and six destroyers were sunk in the immediate action. The remaining two cruisers and four destroyers were badly damaged and fled. They were destroyed by subsequent air attacks. Many survivors from the sunken enemy warships were captured, including the captain of one of the destroyers. Rear-Admiral Oldenorf. reviewing the battle in Surigao Strait, said he believed that three enemy battleships, five cruisers and six to eight destroyers came within range of his guns. ' “I could not find any evidence that a single one got away,” he added. The correspondent aboard RearAdmiral Kinkaid’s flagship says that this is the first authoritative indication that the Japanese may have lost three battleships in Surigao Strait alone.

Admiral Oldenorf added: “It was the kind of naval battle you dream about. We had them under cross-fire and were able to hit them with guns and torpedoes at the same time. My theory was th $ 'ld-time gambler’s—never give a sutucr a chance. If the Jap was sucker enough to come through the straits, I war, not going to give him a chance.” Asked why the Japanese attempted such a daring move in narrow waters. Admiral Oldenorf replied: “We had been supporting the ground action for several days. The Jan; nr-; apparently' thought that thev would catch, us asleep. They intended to clean out Leyte Gulf.”