Japanese Kongo-class battleship claimed to be damaged or sunk according to the U.S. Joint Intelligence Committee. Daily summary dated 12 December 1941

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An item referred to general MacArthur reporting at 10:38 A.M. 12 December Japanese forces landed at Legaspi, east coast of Luzon, Philippines. Off Zambeles west of Manila were 5 heavy ships and 11 destroyers sighted. Admiral Hart reported that Navy and Army bombers damaged badly or even sunk a Haruna-class battleship. This could be the same ship earlier reported of a second such ship.(1)

Note

1. Kongo-class battlecruisers consisting of the Kongo, Haruna, Kirishima and Hiei preceded by Ibuki-class succeeded by planned Amagi-class were rebuilt in the late 1930s as fast battleships. None was sunk in December 1941.

Source

Map Room Papers (Roosevelt Administration) mr0422a. U.S. Joint Intelligence Committee. Daily summary No. 2 Dated 12 December 1941.