ChuckBerger -> RE: IJN Cruiser history chart (5/18/2015 1:20:05 AM)
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Yes indeed, in addition to the six CAs lost during the battle itself, a further five were either picked off in the aftermath, or so severely damaged they were turned into AA platforms or hulks. Total of 11 Heavy cruisers lost from active service at Leyte. Doing this reminded me of just how awesome (and lucky) the Americans were at Samar. Chokai was basically sunk by a 5-inch shell from a CVE or DE, which ignited her torpedoes and left the ship dead in the water. Suzuya was sunk by 2 bomb near-misses, one of which set off her torpedoes on deck. Chikuma gets rendered unnavigable by a lucky torpedo hit that disable one of her propellers and her rudder, leaving her a sitting duck for more. They were tough ships, the IJN CAs - but ironically at Samar their Long Lance torpedoes did them more harm than good!
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