Speaking of those who served in the dangerous front lines, the ones in the Second Fleet who were active from Bali Bali till the very end were
The Fifth Cruiser Division
(Because Nachi was assigned to other posts shortly after the war began, our focus is on these two)HaguroSurvived to the war's endWent into Japan's last naval battle as a lone shipSurvived the entremely dangerous battles around Leyte GulfIn the second battle of the Java Sea, helped sink the 3-ship enemy force led by the heavy cruiser ExeterMyoukouShot down an Allied heavy bomber with a single shot from her main guns
Can someone find a source for this?After being torpedoed by the American submarine Bergall, counterattacked her opponent, heavily damaging itWith her 2nd turret heavily damaged, and torpedoes out of commission, Haguro acted as a decoy in order to allow her allies to escape. Ordered everyone to retreat, while continuing to fire her main guns and anti-aircraft guns.
