USS „Leutze“ – the American destroyer

USS "Leutz"e was part of the first series of "Fletcher" destroyers, of which 175 were built. Built at the "Puget Sound Navy Yard", she entered service on March 4, 1944. Attached to 3 Squadron 56 Destroyer Division, he received his baptism of fire in the Battle of Surigao Strait, performing a risky torpedo attack on the Japanese battleship "Yamashiro" and the destroyer "Shigure". But the torpedoes did not reach the target. Participated in the battles during the storming of Iwo Jima, during which a 100 mm caliber shell hit its side, a fire broke out, and the captain and several crew members were seriously wounded. Lieutenant Leon Grabovski of Polish origin took command of the ship. In April 1945, the ship takes part in the attack on Okinawa, where, while rescuing the crew of another ship, it falls under a kamikaze attack. The ship was severely damaged, a fire broke out. In order to avoid the detonation of the ammunition, they were thrown overboard, the ship managed to be towed to the base, located in the Keram Islands, but it was recognized, that its repair was not appropriate and after the war it was given for cutting up.

A complex, well designed and detailed model of a beautiful ship for intermediate and advanced modelers. The three shades of gray camouflage painting should look especially nice. Antique publication.