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St. Louis was attacked by kamikaze
aircraft off Leyte on November 27, 1944. Late that morning one aircraft made
a suicide dive on St. Louis from the port quarter and exploded with
its bomb on impact. Fires broke out in the cruiser's hangar area and spaces.
All crew members of 20 millimeter guns 7 through 10 were killed or wounded.
A minute later, a second burning enemy plane headed at St. Louis on
the port beam. The plane passed over number 4 turret and crashed 100 yards
out. Soon, two more enemy planes, both burning, attacked St. Louis.
The first was splashed off the port quarter; the second drove in from
starboard and crashed almost on board on the port side. A 20-foot section of
armor belt was lost and numerous holes were torn in her hull. The ship took
on a list to port. Just after noon, still another suicide aircraft came in;
it was shot down 400 yards astern. Finally, 10 minutes later, enemy torpedo
planes attacked and. St. Louis, maneuvered to avoid torpedo hits. By
1 pm, the cruiser was back on an even keel, all major fires were out, and
salvage work had been started. 15 dead; 1 was missing; 43 wounded.
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