Talk:Hatsuzuki/@comment-26846553-20160217154957

Additional information from Japanese wiki

There are several theories why she turned back to US fleet and fought alone.

Theory 1 :  She was close to US fleet than any other ships.Therefore, she could't escape.

Theory 2 : Isuzu's crew was deficient in practices and her fuel was insufficient.61th Destroyer Squadron commander Colonel Shigetaka Amano and Hatsuzuki's captain Commander Kanamatsu Hashimoto knew them. So they decided to fight to protect her.

etc...

However, the answer won't be clear forever.

Two things are for sure,she could protect her colleagues and she gave the impression to many people.

After she sank, communication record of US fleet reported .

( From:USS Porterfield  　To:13th Cruiser Squadron )

<< Enemy destroyer(Hatsuzuki) sank. We were completely confused by her. >>

( From : 13th Cruiser Squadron 　To : USS Porterfield )

<< My chest was tight with emotion... >>

After the war, Japanese and foreign authers written about her.

Shohei Ooka (Japanese novelist) : " Hatsuzuki was the bravest Japanese warship in the Battle of Leyte Gulf. "

Donald Macintyre (Naval historian, Royal Navy officer) : " (Hatsuzuki was) brave and very robust. "