By 1944, though, she was forced into front-line duty, serving as the flagship of Vice-Admiral Shōji Nishimura's Southern Force at the Battle of Surigao Strait, the southernmost action of the Battle of Leyte Gulf. During fierce night fighting in the early hours of 25 October against a superior American and Australian force, "Yamashiro" was sunk by torpedoes and naval gunfire. Nishimura went down with his ship, and only 10 crewmembers survived.