Ise-Class Japanese Battleships: End of the War

While waiting for their air groups, the two sister ships were used to ferry troops and material to Japanese bases.  They participated in the  Battle off Cape  Engano in late 1944 where they decoyed the American fleet supporting the invasion of  Leyte away from the landing beaches.

Afterwards, both ships were transferred to Southeast Asia and in early 1945 participated in  Operation Kita, where they transported petrol and other  strategic materials to Japan.  They were then reduced to reserve until they were sunk during American airstrikes in July.

On 19 March, they were in Kure Navy Base and both were hit by bombs.  After that, they were turned into floating anti-aircraft batteries.  On 24 July, the Ise was struck by five bombs and began to sink  The Hyuga was hit by ten bombs and began foundering, both sustaining heavy casualties.

After the war, they were  scrapped in 1946-1947.

--GreGen

USS McCall (DD-400)-- Part 4: Rescue of George R. Tweed and Further Operations

1944

In July 1944, the Gridley, along with sister shop the USS Gridley took up patrol off Guam.  On July 10, the McCall observed  signals from  the island and rescued George R. Tweed, who had been evading the Japanese on the island for two years.  In the meantime, he had acquired a wealth of information on the enemy forces on Guam.  Information that was put to good use.

During the next nine weeks, the McCall guarded the carriers as they attacked Iwo Jima and then supported offensive actions against  the Palaus, Yap and Ulithi.  By 10 October, she was off  Okinawa and also moving to and from  Formosa and Luzon.

On 23 October, the ship was supporting  forces in Leyte Gulf and on the 27th, engaged Japanese forces off Cape  Engano where the Japanese lost three more cruisers and  several destroyers.

--GreGen