STRIKE FORCE
(6 hours after the Last Great Sea Battle WWII)

Formed up at 1015 on 25th October 1944 at the direction of Vice-Admiral Thomas Kinkaid under the command of Rear-Admiral Jesse Oldendorf. To attack Vice-Admiral Kurita's huge battle fleet north 2 hours away at 15 knots.

The Strike force consisted of USS Pennsylvania (BB), USS California (BB), USS Portland (CA), USS Nashville (CL), HMAS Shropshire (CA) - Captain Godfrey Nichols, USS Louisville (CA) flagship, Rear-Admiral Oldendorf and 13 destroyers (not named). (Researched, designed, built and photographed by S. Nicholls, 1996.) Geof Pettit was my source for the following: It was rumoured HMAS Shropshire was to increase to full speed 32 knots flanked by 2 US destroyers: attack the Japanese giant battleships, reverse course to lure the Japanese ships within the USN battleships range for another great sea battle. This did not eventuate. Vice-Admiral Kurita after attacking Rear-Admiral Sprague's light carrier fleet, sinking 2 carriers, 4 destroyers, retired north due to very heavy rain squalls.