Leyte Gulf by Mark Stille

Author:Mark Stille
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781472851772
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
Published: 2023-03-13T00:00:00+00:00

Oldendorf’s lackluster pursuit

Surigao Strait was obviously an American victory, but the lack of an aggressive pursuit allowed Shima’s force to escape. As Nachi was running into Mogami, Oldendorf ordered his forces south to finish off the fleeing Japanese. Since the battleships were too valuable to risk in the dark, confined waters of Surigao Strait, Oldendorf only committed cruisers and destroyers. Denver, one of the left flank cruisers, reported three large contacts (the three Japanese heavy cruisers) 14nm to the south. Oldendorf tasked his last six destroyers with a full torpedo load to lead the pursuit. These were from an improvised unit called Destroyer Division X-Ray under an inexperienced commander. Oldendorf’s order for them to head south was issued at 0432, but the six destroyers did not leave their screening position near the battleships until 0500. In addition to Destroyer Division X-Ray, both the left and right flank cruisers belatedly headed south at a leisurely 15 knots accompanied by seven destroyers from Destroyer Division 56.

With as many as eight cruisers and 13 destroyers, Oldendorf possessed a much superior force compared to Shima and the remnants of Nishimura’s force. In spite of this, Oldendorf never pressed his advantage. He chose to fight a very cautious battle, primarily because he was uncertain as to the size of the force he was facing and because pre-battle intelligence suggested there could be additional Japanese forces operating in the area. This abundance of caution resulted in Shima making good his escape. At 0441 Shima instructed the surviving ships from Nishimura’s force to follow him south. The escape of Nishimura’s survivors looked uncertain even given the uncertain American pursuit. Mogami could only make 15 knots, so she fell behind Shima’s force by 3,000 yards. Without her bow, Asagumo could not keep up and fell some 6,000 yards behind Shima’s cruisers. With a top speed of about nine knots, her escape looked most doubtful. Only Shigure, still able to steam at top speed, looked likely to make an escape.

Given her position and large radar signature, Mogami was the first ship encountered by Oldendorf’s pursuing cruisers. At 0529 Portland opened fire with her 8-inch guns from 19,500 yards (though her target may have been nothing more than a pool of burning oil).35 Within minutes, Louisville and light cruisers Denver and Columbia also opened fire, targeting Mogami’s real radar return. This resulted in at least ten more hits on the battered cruiser that created fires amidships and on the aft flight deck. Minneapolis gained contact on Asagumo at 0533 and hit the destroyer’s stern with an 8-inch shell, resulting in a fire and a reduction in speed to seven knots. Shima saw Mogami come under fire but continued to head south. He had abandoned Mogami and Asagumo to their fates.

The retreating Japanese were given a respite when Oldendorf ordered his cruisers to head north at 0537 to avoid possible torpedoes from Mogami. This was followed by a cease fire order at 0539. During the few minutes the cruisers had engaged Mogami, 197 8-inch and 356 6-inch shells were expended.

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