Battle of Surigao Strait
(October 24-25, 1944)

The Southern pincer force under Admiral Shoji Nishimura, which was centered on the two least-modernized battleships in the Japanese inventory (Fuso and Yamashiro) had thus far proceeded without nearly the same difficulties being suffered by Kurita. They, too, were subjected to air attacks on the afternoon of the 24th, but had received no crippling blows. That night they began to traverse Surigao Strait towards the Leyte beaches.
Waiting for them was a battlegroup under Admiral Jesse Oldendorf. The heavyweight component of this task force was six old American battleships, five of whom had been at Pearl Harbor. Not only did they outnumber the Japanese battleships six to two, but five of the six American BBs sported either 10cm or 3cm fire control radar systems. Furthermore, the American force had assumed a position across the Strait which capped the enemy 'T'. The result was a crushing advantage in firepower effectiveness. In front of this battle line, on either side of the Strait, were arrayed several lines of destroyers and PT boats

Nishimura's ships first underwent several torpedo attacks, initially from PT boats and then from American destroyers. Already badly beaten up, they were then subjected to radar-directed fire from the American cruisers and battleships, which they were largely unable to return. The fight was over within an hour and a half. Fuso had broken in half and sunk by 0300, with Yamashiro soon following her. Admiral Nishimura did not survive. Further attacks by aircraft in the morning would hunt down some of the damaged cripples from the night action, including Mogami. The southern pincer had been crushed.

Battle of Surigao StraitJapanAllied
Starting Forces x2
x3
x1
x11
 x6
x3
x5
x29
+ 39 PT Boats
Losses x2 sunk (Fuso, Yamashiro)
x1 sunk (Mogami)
x1 damaged (Nachi)
x1 damaged (Abukuma)
x3 sunk (Michishio, Yamagumo, Asagumo)
x1 damaged (Shigure) 		x1 damaged (friendly fire)
1 PT boat sunk, 3-4 damaged

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