Santa Fe (CL 60) - Naval Cruise Book

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1 1 ' A 1 . H - X- 'V 111 lg? nl 5 'f Y if 11 ,.. . ,vig .r ,v,'1f',,.' in 24, n 5 -fra, .-gf A , 1' . 'B -I l i i l l l 4 l Bofors-made 40MMy5,f0T'wd7'd quad and main deck twin,j?re at plane of port beam. High rate of output makes them ideal AA weapons. towards the Philippines. On 25 November while striking northern Luzon, heavy air opposition was met and the ESSEX took a Kamikaze on her Hight deck. Two minutes later, the SANTA FE shot down another dive bomber as it began its dive. The strikes were maintained until 2 December when the Force retired towards Ulithi. 10 December began the Mindoro operation as the SANTA FF in company with TG 38.3 headed for Luzon to keep the Jap air force occupied until troops of SouVVesPac could establish themselves ashore. On 1-1, 15, and 16 December theairhelds of Luzon were blasted day and night by Third Fleet planes. Only a few bogies approached the SANTA FE's formation and none attacked the ships. Un 17 December, fueling had to be broken off, for a heavy typhoon suddenly formed to the eastward and headed directly for The Force. All ships finally fueled the 19th, and the next day approached Luzon but turned away because of foul weather. Another sweep for survivors from the sunken destroyers was made prior to returning to Ulithi on Christmas Eve . . . Ka 7 , rnikaze is headed for premature Shinto heaven. Batting average q' such last-ditrlz tactics is said to oe mere two pereent. 79

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Desperate plunge Q' another Saki-driver endx fnally, Q' sueeesjulb, on island superstructure M large carrier LEXINGTON. ,W , ..,, .f --1 Aww ' ' 5, E '-N I' almlfv, ii J F u ei afiyf fi Af? lg. , E l Q5 -it Q -5 'Haj B xg, viffri J Q2 Q1 . -1 J affix 23-A! c ii Ll LE if 5.1 il'-tri. rl x ,,'kugv' ,,...a. 1. ka 1, .:.. an... fall. .4...Jx. alrlwa-'f 4'i'w.,,, F ILIPINO FIGHT GAINS MOMENTUM, 7.2 N port hardly 24 hours, the SANTA FE again part Fl of TG 38.3 was underway headed for Manus. How- A ever, the same evening l November, Heet course was changed towards Leyte to counter an expected Jap naval thrust. On 3 November, traveling through heavily mined waters, the Group was attacked by a Jap sub which slipped a fish into the RENO forcing her to withdraw and retire to port. The report of enemy surface units in the vicinity proved false. Consequently air strikes against Luzon were ordered insteadg Jap air power, although well-reduced, was still capable of determined attack against the landing forces at Leyte., On 5 November, TG 38.3,s planes hit Manila, and, at the same time, the Japs sent out their suicide planes which attacked the formation just after noon chow. One crashed on the LEXINGTGN, another near the TICONDEROGA, while a third was shot down. 11 November saw an entire convoy of Jap rein- forcements for Leyte annihilated in the Camotes Sea by one strike from the Task Force. After fueling the next day, sustained strikes were launched at the Manila area the 13th and 14th. A few enemy planes approached the SANTA FE, but only one plane came briefly within range of her 5-inch. Upon completion of the strikes, all ships returned to Ulithi, arriving 17 November. V 3 Five days later, the SANTA FE, replenished and refueled, sortied-with T.G. 38.3 and again set course Carrier ESSEX eatelzes Nip .raieide plane on forward fi ht deek aft f 6 l g 0 num er one e evator yet is-able to maintain pro er station in Ta lc G . W 'thin teen mznutes fre damage ix controlled, and .felzeduled attadkjfiglzts can take of from tick. J mu? Z 1 l .

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DESTROYERS HULL MONAGHAN SPENCE ARE UNFORTUNATE VIC- TIMS OF SUDDEN TROPICAL STORM Sea streams up thru hawsepzpes and sends white salt spray flying as SANTA FE headsforfueling rendezvous of Luzon. INGERSOLL pitches over heavy swell and bow is thrown clear of water. SANTA FE rides out storm with onb minor breakage, but 3 Cl7L's, Typhoon made up without warning, caught 3rd Fleet directb' in path. Wz'th wind and sea increasing hourbf, ships yaw considerabbf and promise to part hoses, forcing cancellation of fueling operation. 6 DD's and 2 DE's must return to Ulithi and repair storm damage. After winds reach 80-90 knot mark, ship takes52O roll to starboard. Storm center passes at 1430, I8 Dec., and barometer begins to rise. Next three days are spent searching for survivors tj capsized DD's. 80