Kills 133
Wounds 190
| Kamikaze Attacks Nashville. Early December 1944, preparations began for amphibious assault landings at the lightly held island of Mindoro and the other landings in the Lingayen gulf. The allies planned to develop airfields on Mindoro. The Nashville was chosen to carry the "Big Brass". · Rear Admiral Arthur Struble & staff. · Brigadier General William Dunkel & staff. The CL-43 as the flagship for these invasions. On 13 December, loaded with this bevy of big brass, the CL-43 was riding gun gaurd on the Midoro invasion. She was on the extreme rigth flank. Four miles starboard, the island of Negros. The Nashvilles lookouts spotted a single engine Jap fighter @ 5000 ft. With speed of over 400 knots, the Jap was apparently making for a ship astern. (see the picture taken near this moment). Seconds latter the Jap changed his mind and banked sharply towards the Nashville. The Jap aimed straight for the CL-43 Bridge. The Japs right wing pointed directly at the water. This view gave the crew of the Nashville a direct glimpse of two bombs straped to the Japs wings. What happened next is horrific, especially by todays standards. ( also read the "Cuppa Joe" website, this site can be found on my links page). Luckily the suicider was snagged before reaching the bridge. The Jap snagged his right wing on the barrell of one of the Nashvilles 40mm guns. The Jap spun and crashed into the port side amidship. The japs left wing torn off, went flying to the starboard. The Japs bombs exploded above the deck on the starboard side. High octane gasoline gasoline ignited and flames blazed higher than the stacks of the Nashville. Ready ammunition on the deck of the CL-43, exploded in every direction. Tracers raced around the deck. Bodies and body parts were thrown to all corners of the ships deck. Men vaulted overboard to escape the flames and flying debris. Almost immediately the surviving sailors sprang into action to combat the fire and salvage the survivors. Firehoses working from all directions, the men walked directly into the fire, to combat the flames. Some of these men suffering severe burns. Within 20 minutes the Nashville was Fire free. The Nashville continued sailing with her fleet, transfering her bevy of Big Brass to other cruisers. She continued with the fleet for several hours. The Nashville was provided an escort and she turned back to Leyte. For over 24 hours the ships Doctors, Corpsmen and anyone available, worked on the wounded. When supplies ran out, the men ingeniously improvised. · 133 Dead · 190 wounded At Tacloban the wounded were hospitalized. The dead were buried at a military cemetary. Temporary repairs were made at Seeadler harbor. The crippled Nashville left on Chritmas day for the 12,000 mile journey to Pugent sound Navy yard in washington. Look forward to my updating this page with a list of the dead and the wounded. Also, please take a few moments and go read the Cuppa Joe web page. This is fantastic reading. Hopefully, after interviews in October 99 I will have some personal accounts that I can text. |
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