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Leyte Gulf looking north with Leyte (left), Surigao Strait (bottom). Click to view this image in more detail.
U.S.S. NICHOLAS (DD449)
WAR DIARY
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Click on the images at left to view the original war diary.U.S.S. NICHOLAS (DD449)
24 October 1944 (Zone minus 9)
Destroyer Squadron 21 - Task Force 78 - Seventh Fleet.
Steaming as before. At 0332 eleven LST’s proceeded to the southern landing beaches in accordance with CTG 78 dispatch.
On October 25, Nicholas and DesRon 21 were initially ordered to relieve the escort of the Northern Carrier Group, but delayed to top off with fuel. Only this circumstance prevented them from participating in the Battle off Samar that morning, during which two destroyers and a destroyer escort were lost defending escort carriers against the main body of the Japanese fleet, one of the most famous destroyer actions of World War II. Link to see the stories of these ships: |
Positions:
0800 Lat. 11-0l-00 N., Long. 125-14-35 S.
1200 Lat. 11-03-00 N., Long. 125-14-00 S.
25 October 1944
Anchored as before. Heavy gunfire was observed from U.S. and Japanese surface forces engaged in battle in the vicinity of Surigao Straits entrance to Leyte Gulf. Got underway at 0420 in accordance with CTF 78 TBS transmission and commenced patrolling the entrance to San Pedro Bay off Marquitdaquit Light in company with the TAYLOR, HOPEWELL, O’BANNON, LANG, and RUSSELL. About 0800 in accordance with CTF 78 TBS transmission, NICHOLAS (CDS 21), TAYLOR, O’BANNON, LANG, and RUSSELL proceeded at 25 knots to report to CTG 77.2 for duty at the entrance to Leyte Gulf. HOPEWELL returned to northern transport area. Reported to CTG 77.2 (Rear Admiral J.B. Oldendorf, ComCruDiv 4, U.S.S. LOUISVILLE, Flagship), for duty about 0930. Task Group is composed of LOUISVILLE (Guide), MINNEAPOLIS, PORTLAND, H.M.A.S. SHROPSHIRE, TENNESSEE, CALIFORNIA, PENNSYLVANIA, screened in the van by 5 units of DesRon 56, and in the rear by 6 units of DesDiv Xray. NICHOLAS, O’BANNON, TAYLOR, LANG, and RUSSELL in column astern as Attack Division One, and HARADEN, HALLIGAN, TWIGGS, and WICKES in column on starboard beam as Attack Division Two. In the afternoon HARADEN, HALLIGAN, and TWIGGS were detached. JOHN RODGERS, and ANDERSON joined the formation, and LANG, JOHN RODGERS, and ANDERSON joined the WICKES in forming Attack Division Two. At sunset NICHOLAS, O’BANNON, TAYLOR, and LANG left the formation to join PHOENIX, BOISE, and H.M.A.S. SHROPSHIRE, as van destroyers in the right flank of the battle line. In accordance with CTG 77.2 TBS transmission, NICHOLAS (CDS 21), O’BANNON, TAYLOR, and MACDONOUGH left the formation at 2148 and proceeded in company to Kanamong Point, Dinagat Island to establish a patrol under the cover of the land masses and make preparations to launch a division torpedo attack on any ships entering Leyte Gulf.
Positions:
0800 Lat. 10-58-15 N., Long. 125-10-15 S.
1200 Lat. 10-29-15 N., Long. 125-27-15 S.
2000 Lat. 10-39-00 N., Long. 125-33-00 S.
26 October 1944
Patrolling 2000 yards off Kanamong Point, Dinagat Island. MACDONOUGH was detached at 0747 in accordance with TBS transmission from CTG 77.2. At 0920 TAYLOR was detached and ordered to report to CTG 78.2. NICHOLAS and O’BANNON proceeded to relieve the radar picket ships off entrance to Leyte Gulf in accordance with CTS 77.2 TBS transmission. NICHOLAS relieved JOHN RODGERS. During the morning a Japanese “Frances” passed by the formation at a range of 7000 yards flying close to the water and disappeared between Dinagat and Hibuson Islands. Expended 22 rounds of 5”/38 AA common and 100 rounds of 40 MM ammunition. In the afternoon in accordance with CTG 77.2 TBS transmission NICHOLAS proceeded toward the northern transport area in San Pedro Bay to report to CTG 78.2 for duty. TAYLOR and LANG joined the formation while enroute. 1530 NICHOLAS, TAYLOR, and LANG reversed course and proceeded to report to CTG 77.4 for duty in accordance with OTO 78.2 dispatch. MACDONOUGH joined the formation outside Leyte Gulf.
Positions:
0800 Lat. 10-32-25 N., Long. 125-34-30 S.
1200 Lat. 10-32-00 N., Long. 125-57-00 S.
2000 Lat. 09-55-00 N., Long. 126-19-45 S.
27 October 1944
Steaming as before. At 0210 joined Task Group 77.4 and took assigned station in screen. Task Group 77.4 consists of SANGAMON (CTG 77.4, Rear Admiral T.L. Sprague), SANTEE, PETROF BAY, McCORD (CDS 47), TRATHEN, TAYLOR, HAZELWOOD, NICHOLAS, ROWELL, and MACDONOUGH. ROWELL and SANTEE left formation and proceeded on duty assigned at 0718, and the McCORD, HAZELWOOD, and TRATHEN left the formation at 0820. During the morning Task Group 77.3 joined the formation consisting of PHOENIX (CTG 77.3 - Rear Admiral Berkey), H.M.A.S. SHROPSHIRE, NEWCOMB (CDS 56 and ComScreen), H.L. EDWARDS, H.M.A.S. ARUNTA, LEUTZ, and BENNION.
Positions:
0800 Lat. 09-23-00 N., Long. 126-52-00 S.
1200 Lat. 09-16-45 N., Long. 127-08-15 S.
2000 Lat. 09-30-30 N., Long. 127-22-00 S.
28 October 1944
Steaming as before. MULLANY joined the screen during the night. OBERRENDER and EDMONDS joined the formation, and in accordance with CTG 77.4 instructions, NICHOLAS, TAYLOR, OBERRENDER, EDMONDS, BENNION, and H.L. EDWARDS were detached and proceeded to Leyte Gulf to fuel. Anchored in Berth F-2, San Pedro Bay at 1813.
Positions:
0800 Lat. 09-40-30 N., Long. 126-40-00 S.
1200 Lat. 10-30-45 N., Long. 125-46-30 S.
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