Louisville (CA 28) - Naval Cruise Book

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polish off the cripples, sinking a game destroyer Whose single remaining after-gun was still firing as she settled, bow first, into the sea. Countless survivors amid miles of debris struggled in the Waters turned pink by the reflections of the rising sun. Our attempts at rescuing them were abruptly ended by a pleading, frantic radio message from a group of escort carriers who were uncer attack by a powerful Japanese force off the east coast of Samar, just above the eastern entrance to Leyte Gulf. The ,lap plan materialized suddeniy, tragically. That Jap force in San Berna- dino Straits had faked a retirement and then had reversed course, this time head- ing for the vulnerable, unprotected troop transports and cargo vessels lying off Dulag and Tacloban. Had they not run into the carrier force, they would have been able to inflict heavy damage on the transports, and the consequent loss of life and equip- ment might have postponed the Philip- pine operation for months. Fortune had smiled upon us, but not upon the CVE's and their escorts, who were taking a murderous beating from the laps. With most of our ammunition spent, We sped north through the Gulf to their assistance. By the time We reached the transport area, the ,laps had turned and fled, but were intercepted by the planes of Admiral Halseyss fleet, which had previously trounced the northernmost pincers of the Japs. By the grace of God, and some phe- nomenal marksmanship, the enemy's plan Went asunder. The Second Battle of the Philippine Sea, of which the Surigao Strait Battle was one phase, made possible the conquest of the Philippines, which clinched the outcome of the War. The .laps Were fighting a lost cause Upper: A PT boat man rescuing a Jap Slll'ViV0I' Of the night's battle. Lower: A Japanese battleship goes down at Surigao still burning furiously under water. 155

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