IJN Convoy TA4 under attack, November 11, 1944 | HIJMS destroyer Wakatsuki, Imperial Japanese Army transport Takatsu Maru (upper left) and Kasii Maru (upper right) at Ormoc Bay. On October 20, 1944, US troops invaded the island of Leyte. The Japanese commander in the Philippines, General Tomoyuki Yamashita, on November 8-9 began to reinforce and re-supply the garrisons on Leyte. In this Convoy Nos. TA-3 and TA-4 from Malina to Ormoc, four destroyers — Shimakaze (Island Wind) , Wakatsuki, Hamanami (Beach Waves) and Naganami (Long Waves) — and three transports were sunk. Rear Admiral Mikio Hayakawa went down with Shimakaze. (Source: Gakken, Rekishi Gunzo Vol.51. Photo: USA Air Corp)
