"DIVINE WIND"

November 5-6, 1944

In November, after a quick replenishment of supplies and ammo at Ulithi, the Mobile was sent back to the Philippines for air strikes and strafing of Manila Bay. On November 5th, the Mobile's group was first targeted by Kamikazes, a newly-formed elite corps of Japanese suicide planes. "Kamikaze" means "Divine Wind" which was the name give to the typhoon of 1281, that destroyed two fleets sent by Kublai Khan to conquer Japan.

The Moe's crew managed to shoot down one Zeke and one Judy that were diving over the carriers, and also assisted in the takedown of another plane, but a fourth crashed into the carrier Lexington, killing 50 men, wounding 132. Photo shows the crash.

Zeke = Mitsubishi Zero-3 fighter.
Judy = Aichi dive bomber.

Information on this first Kamikaze attack and the Lexington incident were taken from Morison's History of United States Naval Operations in World War II, Volume 8.
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From the Data Section of Joe's Journal:

Philippine Is. ___________ Nov 5 & 6 1944
Luzon ____ } __ air strike & strafe
Manila Bay_ } __ on Manila Bay
Jap ships sunk _______ damaged
1 heavy cruiser ____ 1 light cruiser
1 tanker _________ 7 DDs
2 sub. Chasers. ____ 2- D.E.s
_______________ 14- transports

Jap planes shot down _______ 120
" __ " __ destroyed on ground. 327
" __ " __ straffed __" __" ___ 312
Total Jap planes destroyed __ ( 759

DE = Destroyer Escort Ship