While his fleet was en route from Brunei to attack the American Invasion fleet, Kurita's ships were attacked in Palawan Passage by U.S. submarines. damaged heavy cruiser and sank Kurita's flagship heavy cruiser , forcing him to swim for his life while sank heavy cruiser . Kurita was plucked from the water by a destroyer and transferred his flag to the "Yamato", but Kurita's dunking did him little good, especially since he had only recently recovered from a severe case of dengue fever, and no doubt contributed to the fatigue which may have influenced his subsequent actions.