| Original caption: “Many near misses end in hits and sinking for Jap[anese cruiser.” Original caption (USS Essex report): “Japanese heavy cruiser of the Nachi class under bombing attack in Manila Bay.” The Imperial Japanese Navy heavy cruiser Nachi was laid down on November 24, 1924, and completed in April 1929. It was rushed to a sailing condition and deployed on November 28, 1928, for Emperor Hirohito’s (April 29, 1901 – January 7, 1989) coronation. Armed with 10 203 millimeter (8-inch) naval guns. At the time of her construction, she was 1 of the most powerful cruisers afloat. Nachi was assigned to Sentai 5 (Cruiser Division 5) with Haguro and Myoko on December 2, 1941. She covered landings at Legaspi on December 11, Davao on December 20, and Jolo on December 24. United States Army Air Force Boeing B-17 Flying Fortresses bombed Myoko on January 4, 1942. Nachi was hit by shrapnel, wounding 1 officer. The ship covered the landings in the Celebes in January. In February 1942, Nachi covered the landings on Java. On February 27, 1942, the ship participated in the Battle of the Java Sea and assisted in sinking the Netherlands cruiser HNLMS Java. On March 1, 1942, during the Battle of Sunda Strait, Nachi assisted in the sinking of HMAS Perth and USS Houston (CL-30). During the Battle of Midway in June 1942, Nachi covered landings in the Aleutians. Covering convoys supplying the Kiska and Attu garrisons, the ship engages the United States Navy during the Battle of the Komandorski Islands on March 26, 1943. Nachi’s Number 1 turret is put out of action, and 2 reconnaissance floatplanes are damaged during gunfire exchanges and pushed overboard. 14 ratings are killed and 27 wounded. Nachi guarded the Japanese homeland until the Battle of Leyte Gulf. Assigned to protect the battleships Fuso and Yamashiro, Nachi and her sister ship Ashigara sail on October 24, 1944. During transit to the Philippines, Nachi collides with the heavy cruiser Mogami. On October 27, 1944, she arrived in Manila for emergency repairs. Nachi and the damaged heavy cruiser Kumano are attacked on October 29; a 100-pound (45-kilogram) bomb detonates 2 torpedoes. 53 sailors and officers are killed in action. Repairs were completed on November 2, and the ship was undocked. It is scheduled to sail on November 6. Vice Admiral Kiyohide Shima departed the ship the morning of November 5 for a conference in Manila. While maneuvering at 28 knots (32 miles per hour; 51 kilometers per hour), Nachi is attacked by Composite Air Group 15 of USS Essex (CV-9). They claim 3 bomb hits and 3 torpedo hits and take several photos of their attack. Nachi can still make high speed, so Composite Air Group 19 from USS Lexington attacks. Torpedo 19 scores 5 hits on the port side, causing Nachi to break apart into 3 sections; 1 torpedo blows off her bow that sinks at once, another sets off her aft magazine that severs her stern. It upends but remains floating. Nachi sinks at 1450 Hours. 807 sailors and officers go down with the ship, including Captain Enpei Kanooka. 74 officers of Shima’s staff are killed. 220 officers and ratings survive and swim for Corregidor. Later, 50 of them are sunk with the transport Manju Maru when the ship is torpedoed by USS Atule (SS-403) on November 23, 1944. In March 1945, divers from USS Chanticleer (ASR-7) made 293 dives on Nachi’s wreck and recovered 2,000,000 yen, radar consoles, and secret documents. | |
| Image Filename | wwii1471.jpg |
| Image Size | 1.39 MB |
| Image Dimensions | 5422 x 4372 |
| Photographer | |
| Photographer Title | United States Navy |
| Caption Author | Written or Adapted by Jason McDonald |
| Date Photographed | November 5, 1944 |
| Location | |
| City | Manila Bay |
| State or Province | Luzon |
| Country | Philippines |
| Archive | National Archives and Records Administration |
| Record Number | 80-G-287019 |
| Status | Caption ©2026 MFA Productions LLC Please Do Not Duplicate or Distribute Without Permission; Image in the Public Domain |
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