USS GAMBIER BAY (CVE 73) under fire from IJN Centre Force warships

U.S. Navy Photograph

Heavy shells send water skyward off the port side of escort carrier USS GAMBIER BAY (CVE 73) which is under half-power and unable to escape.  She has now become the focal point of all Japanese gunfire.  This photograph was taken between 0830 and 0845 when she was under heavy gunfire by several IJN warships.  Her assailants are believed to be the heavy cruisers CHIKUMA, HAGURO, and CHOKAI, the light cruiser NOSHIRO and one unidentified destroyer.  It was during this period that gallant fleet destroyers HEERMANN and JOHNSTON attempted to draw the heavy enemy gunfire away from GAMBIER BAY....without success.  Also nearby was destroyer escort SAMUEL B. ROBERTS which was slugging it out with the heavy cruiser CHOKAI.   ROBERTS was credited with knocking out the #3 8-inch turret of this heavy cruiser.

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