Naval Battle of Guadalcanal
Part of the Pacific Theater of World War II
Smoke rises from two Japanese aircraft shot down off Guadalcanal on November 12, 1942. Photographed from USS President Adams; ship at right is USS Betelgeuse.
Date November 12, 1942 – November 15, 1942 Location Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands Result Decisive Allied strategic victory
Combatants
Allied forces including:  United States  Australia	Empire of Japan
Commanders
William Halsey, Jr Daniel J. Callaghan† Willis A. Lee	Isoroku Yamamoto Nobutake Kondo Hiroaki Abe
Strength
1 carrier, 2 battleships, 5 cruisers, 12 destroyers	2 battleships, 8 cruisers, 16 destroyers
Casualties
2 cruisers, 7 destroyers sunk, 36 aircraft destroyed, 1,732 killed[1]	2 battleships, 1 cruiser, 3 destroyers, 11 transports sunk, 64 aircraft destroyed, 1,900 killed[2]

The Naval Battle of Guadalcanal, sometimes referred to as the Third Battle of Savo Island or, in Japanese sources, as the Third Battle of the Solomon Sea, took place November 12 – November 15, 1942, and was the decisive battle in a series of naval battles that took place between Allied (primarily U.S.) and Japanese forces during the months-long Guadalcanal campaign in the Solomon Islands. The battle consisted of a sequence of combined air and sea engagements spread over four days, most of them in the vicinity of Guadalcanal. All of the engagements were directly related to a single effort by the Japanese to reinforce their land forces on Guadalcanal, and are all therefore considered to be different parts of the same battle. For other uses, see Pacific War (disambiguation). ... Combatants Allied powers: China France Great Britain Soviet Union United States and others Axis powers: Germany Italy Japan and others Commanders Chiang Kai-shek Charles de Gaulle Winston Churchill Joseph Stalin Franklin Roosevelt Adolf Hitler Benito Mussolini Hideki Tōjō Casualties Military dead: 17,000,000 Civilian dead: 33,000... Smoke rises from two Japanese planes shot down during the Naval Battle of Guadalcanal, 12 November 1942. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Flying machine redirects here. ... is the 316th day of the year (317th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1942 (MCMXLII) was a common year starting on Thursday (the link will display the full 1942 calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... USS President Adams (AP-38/APA-19) was a President Jackson-class transport of the United States Navy, named for John Adams and John Quincy Adams, the second and sixth Presidents of the United States. ... A right-handed Cartesian coordinate system, illustrating the x (right-left), y (forward-backward) and z (up-down) axes relative to a human being. ... USS Betelgeuse (AK-28/AKA-11) was an Arcturus-class cargo ship, the first United States Navy ship named for the star Betelgeuse (α Orionis). ... is the 316th day of the year (317th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1942 (MCMXLII) was a common year starting on Thursday (the link will display the full 1942 calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 319th day of the year (320th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1942 (MCMXLII) was a common year starting on Thursday (the link will display the full 1942 calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Guadalcanal, position (inset) and main towns Guadalcanal is a 2,510 square mile (6 500 km²) island in the Pacific Ocean and a province of the Solomon Islands. ... This article is about the independent states that comprised the Allies. ... Look up Victory in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... This article is about the independent states that comprised the Allies. ... Image File history File links US_flag_48_stars. ... Image File history File links This is a lossless scalable vector image. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Japan_-_variant. ... Anthem Kimi ga Yo Imperial Reign Capital Tokyo Government Constitutional monarchy Emperor  - 1868–1912 Emperor Meiji  - 1912–1926 Emperor Taishō  - 1926–1989 Emperor Shōwa Prime Minister (many other Prime Ministers preceded the below list)  - 1916–1918 Count Masatake Terauchi  - 1937-1939, 1940-1941 Prince Fumimaro Konoe  - 1941–1944 Hideki... Image File history File links US_flag_48_stars. ... William Bull Halsey William Frederick Bull Halsey, Jr. ... Image File history File links US_flag_48_stars. ... Daniel Judson Callaghan (26 July 1890 – 13 November 1942) was an admiral in the United States Navy during World War II. Born in San Francisco, Calif. ... Image File history File links US_flag_48_stars. ... Rear Admiral Willis A. Lee, Jr. ... Image File history File links Naval_Ensign_of_Japan. ... Fleet Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto ) (4 April 1884 – 18 April 1943) was Commander-in-Chief of the Combined Fleet during World War II, graduate of Imperial Japanese Naval Academy and an alumnus of U.S. Naval War College and Harvard University (1919–1921). ... Image File history File links Naval_Ensign_of_Japan. ... Nobutake Kondo Nobutake Kondo (September 25, 1886 - February 19, 1953) was a Vice Admiral in the Imperial Japanese Navy during World War II. Kondo graduated from the Japanese Naval Academy in 1907. ... Image File history File links Naval_Ensign_of_Japan. ... Hiroaki Abe (阿部弘毅 Abe Hiroaki; 1899-1949). ... Four aircraft carriers, (bottom-to-top) Principe de Asturias, amphibious assault carrier USS Wasp, USS Forrestal and light V/STOL carrier HMS Invincible, showing size differences of late 20th century carriers An aircraft carrier is a warship designed to deploy and in most cases recover aircraft, acting as a sea... For other uses, see Battleship (disambiguation). ... USS Port Royal (CG-73), a Ticonderoga-class guided missile cruiser (really an uprated guided missile destroyer), launched in 1992. ... USS McFaul underway in the Atlantic Ocean. ... Combatants Allied forces including: United States Australia New Zealand British Solomon Is. ... Combatants United States Australia Empire of Japan Commanders Alexander Vandegrift, William H. Rupertus Isoroku Yamamoto, Shigeyoshi Inoue Strength 3,000[1] 886[2] Casualties 122 killed[3] 863 killed, 23 captured[4] The Battle of Tulagi and Gavutu-Tanambogo was a land battle of the Pacific campaign of World War... Combatants Allied forces including: United States Australia United Kingdom Empire of Japan Commanders Richmond K. Turner, Victor Crutchley Isoroku Yamamoto, Gunichi Mikawa Strength 8 cruisers, 15 destroyers[2] 7 cruisers, 1 destroyer[3] Casualties 4 cruisers sunk, 1 cruiser, 2 destroyers damaged, 1,077 killed[4] 3 cruisers moderately damaged... Combatants United States, Australia, Solomon Islands Empire of Japan Commanders Alexander Vandegrift, Clifton B. Cates Harukichi Hyakutake, Kiyonao Ichiki â€  Strength 1,500[1] 917[2] Casualties 44 killed[3] 777 killed, 15 captured[4] The Battle of the Tenaru, also known as the Battle of the Ilu River, took place... Battle of the Eastern Solomons Conflict World War II, Pacific War Date August 24, 1942 – August 25, 1942 Place North of Santa Isabel, United States Japan Commanders William Halsey, Jr. ... Combatants United States Australia Solomon Islands Empire of Japan Commanders Alexander Vandegrift Merritt A. Edson Harukichi Hyakutake Kiyotaki Kawaguchi Strength 12,500[1] 6,217[2] Casualties 96 killed[3] 800+ killed[4] The Battle of Edsons Ridge, also known as the Battle of the Bloody Ridge and Battle... Combatants United States Empire of Japan Commanders Alexander Vandegrift, Merritt A. Edson, Chesty Puller, Samuel B. Griffith Harukichi Hyakutake, Kiyotaki Kawaguchi, Akinosuka Oka, Masao Maruyama, Yumio Nasu Strength 3,000[1] 1,900[2] Casualties 156 killed[3] 750 killed[4] The Actions along the Matanikau in September and October... Combatants United States New Zealand Australia Empire of Japan Commanders Norman Scott Aritomo Goto† Strength 4 cruisers 5 destroyers 3 cruisers 2 destroyers Casualties 1 destroyer sunk, 1 cruiser, 1 destroyer heavily damaged, 163 killed[1] 1 cruiser, 1 destroyer sunk, 1 cruiser heavily damaged, 454 killed, 111 captured[2... Combatants United States Empire of Japan Commanders Alexander Vandegrift, Chesty Puller Harukichi Hyakutake, Masao Maruyama Strength 23,088[1] 20,000[2] Casualties 61 – 86 killed, 1 tugboat, 1 patrol boat sunk, 3 aircraft destroyed[3] 2,200 – 3,000 killed, 1 cruiser sunk, 14 aircraft destroyed[4] The Battle... Combatants United States Empire of Japan Commanders William Halsey, Jr. ... Combatants United States Empire of Japan Commanders Alexander Vandegrift, Merritt A. Edson Harukichi Hyakutake, Tadashi Sumiyoshi, Nomasu Nakaguma â€  Akinosuka Oka Strength 2,000 600 Casualties Unrecorded 300+ killed The Final Matanikau action, from November 1 – November 4, 1942, sometimes referred to as the Fourth Battle of the Matanikau or the... Combatants United States Empire of Japan Commanders Alexander Vandegrift, William H. Rupertus Harukichi Hyakutake, Toshinari Shoji Strength 3,000 3,500 Casualties 40 killed 450+ killed The Koli Point action, from November 4 – November 12, 1942, was an engagement between United States Marine Corps and United States Army forces and... Combatants United States British Solomon Islands Protectorate Empire of Japan Commanders Alexander Vandegrift, Evans Carlson Harukichi Hyakutake Strength 700 3,000 Casualties 16 killed 488 killed Carlsons patrol, also known as The Long Patrol or Carlsons long patrol, was an operation by the 2nd Marine Raider Battalion under... The Battle of Tassafaronga was a naval battle fought between United States and Japanese forces on 30 November 1942. ... Combatants Allied forces including: United States, Australia, New Zealand Empire of Japan Commanders William Halsey, Jr Isoroku Yamamoto Shintaro Hashimoto Operation Ke (Japanese: ケ号作戦) was the three-phase withdrawal of all Japanese forces from the Battle of Guadalcanal following the defeat of the Imperial Army in ground combat centered at Henderson... Combatants Allied forces including: United States Australia Empire of Japan Commanders William Halsey, Jr. ... Combatants  United States  Australia New Guinea[1]  New Zealand  United Kingdom Colony of Fiji[2] Solomon Is. ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ... Combatants Allied forces including: United States Australia New Zealand British Solomon Is. ... Battle of Blackett Strait Conflict World War II, Pacific War Date 6 March 1943 Place Blackett Strait, Solomon Islands Result American victory The Battle of Blackett Strait was a naval battle of the Pacific campaign of World War II, fought on 6 March 1943 in the Blackett Strait, between Kolombangara... The eastern part of the Territory of New Guinea, and the northern Solomon Islands; the area in which Operation Cartwheel took place, from June 1943. ... Combatants United States Empire of Japan Commanders William F. Halsey, Jr. ... The battle of New Georgia was a battle of the Pacific campaign of World War II. It was part of Operation Cartwheel, and was fought in the New Georgia group of islands in the central Solomon Islands from 10 June 1943 to August 25, 1943 between forces of Japan and... The Battle of Kula Gulf was a naval battle of the Pacific campaign of World War II, fought in the early hours of 6 July 1943, between United States and Japanese ships off the coast of Kolombangara in the Solomon Islands. ... Combatants United States New Zealand Japan Commanders Walden L. Ainsworth Shunji Izaki † Strength 3 light cruisers, 10 destroyers 1 light cruiser, 5 destroyers Casualties 1 destroyer sunk, 3 light cruisers heavily damaged, 89 killed[1] 1 light cruiser sunk, 482 killed[2] The Battle of Kolombangara (Japanese: コロンバンガラ島沖海戦) was a naval... Combatants United States Japan Commanders Frederick Moosbrugger Kaju Sugiura Strength 6 destroyers 4 destroyers Casualties None 3 destroyers sunk, 1,210 killed[1] The Battle of Vella Gulf (Japanese: ベラ湾夜戦) was a naval battle of the Pacific campaign of World War II fought on the night of August 6, 1943 – August... Battle off Horaniu Conflict World War II, Pacific War Date August 17, 1943 – August 18, 1943 Place Near Vella Lavella in the Solomon Islands Result Japanese strategic victory The Battle off Horaniu was a naval battle of the Pacific campaign of World War II fought on the night of... New Zealand soldiers land at Baka Baka, Vella Lavella to relieve the U.S. 35th Infantry Regiment, 25th Division, on September 17, 1943. ... Battle of Vella Lavella Conflict World War II, Pacific War Date October 7, 1943 Place Vella Lavella in the Solomon Islands Result Japanese victory The Battle of Vella Lavella was a naval battle of the Pacific campaign of World War II fought on the night of October 6, 1943 near... The Battle of the Treasury Islands was fought from October 25 to October 27 of 1943 between New Zealand and Japan in the Solomon Islands. ... Combatants United States Australia Empire of Japan Commanders Victor H. Krulak Harukichi Hyakutake Strength 750[1] 3,000-7,000[2] Casualties 13 killed[3] 143 killed, two barges sunk[4] The Raid on Choiseul was a small unit engagement that occurred from October 28 to November 3, 1943, during... Combatants United States Australia New Zealand Fiji Empire of Japan Commanders Roy Geiger Theodore S. Wilkinson Oscar Griswold Stanley Savige Harukichi Hyakutake Masatane Kanda Strength 126,000 troops,[1] 728 aircraft[2] 65,000 troops,[3] 154 aircraft[4] Casualties 1,243 dead[5] 44,000 dead[6] The Bougainville... Combatants United States, Australia, New Zealand Empire of Japan Commanders George Kenney (land air forces), William Halsey, Jr. ... Battle of Cape St. ... Troops from New Zealand disembark from U.S. Landing Craft Infantry ship LCI-444 to occupy Green Island on February 16, 1944. ... is the 316th day of the year (317th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 319th day of the year (320th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1942 (MCMXLII) was a common year starting on Thursday (the link will display the full 1942 calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... The French battleship Orient burns, 1 August 1798, during the Battle of the Nile A naval battle is a battle fought using ships or other waterborne vessels. ... This article is about the independent states that comprised the Allies. ... Motto: (traditional) In God We Trust (official, 1956–present) Anthem: The Star-Spangled Banner Capital Washington, D.C. Largest city New York City Official language(s) None at the federal level; English de facto Government Federal Republic  - President George W. Bush (R)  - Vice President Dick Cheney (R) Independence - Declared - Recognized... A military unit is an organisation within an armed force. ... Combatants Allied forces including: United States Australia New Zealand British Solomon Is. ... Guadalcanal, position (inset) and main towns Guadalcanal is a 2,510 square mile (6 500 km²) island in the Pacific Ocean and a province of the Solomon Islands. ...

In two extremely destructive nighttime surface warship engagements, both adversaries lost numerous ships. Also, U.S. daytime air attacks over several days sank or damaged several Japanese warships and transport ships. The sum of these engagements was that the U.S. was successful in turning back Japan's last major attempt to dislodge Allied forces from their positions on Guadalcanal and nearby Tulagi. Thus, the battle resulted in a significant strategic victory for the U.S. and its allies. Tulagi, less commonly Tulaghi, is a small island (5. ... This article is about real and historical warfare. ... Look up Victory in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ...

Background

On August 7, 1942, Allied forces (primarily U.S.) landed on Guadalcanal, Tulagi, and Florida Islands in the Solomon Islands. The landings on the islands were meant to deny their use by the Japanese as bases for threatening the supply routes between the U.S. and Australia, and to secure the islands as starting points for a campaign with the eventual goal of isolating the major Japanese base at Rabaul while also supporting the Allied New Guinea campaign. The landings initiated the six-month-long Guadalcanal campaign.^[3] is the 219th day of the year (220th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1942 (MCMXLII) was a common year starting on Thursday (the link will display the full 1942 calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Map of the Florida Islands The Florida Islands (or Nggela Islands) are a small island group in the Central Province of the Solomon Islands, a nation in the western Pacific Ocean. ... A military base is a facility directly owned and operated by and/or for the military or one of its branches that shelters military equipment and personnel, and facilitates training and operations. ... Materiel (from the French for material) is the equipment and supplies in Military and commercial supply chain management. ... In the military sciences, a military campaign encompasses related military operations, usually conducted by a defense or fighting force, directed at gaining a particular desired state of affairs, usually within geographical and temporal limitations. ... For the volcanic caldera within which Rabaul lies, see Rabaul caldera. ... The New Guinea campaign was one of the major military campaigns of World War II. Fighting in the Australian mandated Territory of New Guinea (the north-eastern part of the island of New Guinea and surrounding islands) and Dutch New Guinea, between Allied and Japanese forces, commenced with the Japanese... Combatants Allied forces including: United States Australia New Zealand British Solomon Is. ...

Because of the constant threat by Japanese aircraft and warships around the Solomon Islands, Allied forces were unable to frequently resupply their forces on Guadalcanal, who were often under attack from Japanese land and sea forces in the area.^[4] In early November, 1942, Allied intelligence reports indicated that the Japanese were preparing another offensive to try to retake the islands from the Allies.^[5] Therefore, the U.S. sent Task Force 67, a large reinforcement and resupply convoy commanded by Rear Admiral Richmond K. Turner, to support its forces at Guadalcanal on November 11. The supply ships were protected by task groups commanded by Rear Admirals Daniel J. Callaghan and Norman Scott as well as aircraft from Henderson Field on Guadalcanal.^[6] The Japanese conducted several air attacks on these supply ships at Guadalcanal on November 11 and November 12, using aircraft based at Buin, Bougainville in the Solomon Islands. However, most of the U.S. supply ships were unloaded without serious damage, and 12 of the Japanese aircraft were shot down^[7] by anti-aircraft fire from the U.S. ships or by fighter aircraft launched from Henderson Field.^[8] Military intelligence (abbreviated MI, int. ... For other uses, see Admiral (disambiguation). ... Admiral Richmond Kelly Turner (27 May 1885 – 12 February 1961) served in the United States Navy during World War II. Vice Admiral Turner, on board Eldorado Turner was born in Portland, Oregon. ... is the 315th day of the year (316th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... In sociology and anthropology, an action group or task group is a group of people joined temporarily to accomplish some task or take part in some organised collective action. ... Daniel Judson Callaghan (26 July 1890 – 13 November 1942) was an admiral in the United States Navy during World War II. Born in San Francisco, Calif. ... Norman Scott (10 August 1889 – 13 November 1942) was an admiral in the United States Navy and a recipient of the Medal of Honor. ... See also: Henderson Field Honiara International Airport (IATA: HIR, ICAO: AGGH), formerly known as Henderson Field, is an airport located on Guadalcanal Island in the Solomon Islands. ... is the 315th day of the year (316th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 316th day of the year (317th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Bougainville and neighbouring islands For other uses of Bougainville, see Bougainville. ... Look up damage in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... “Flak” redirects here. ... An A-10 Thunderbolt II, F-86 Sabre, P-38 Lightning and P-51 Mustang fly in formation during an air show at Langley Air Force Base, Virginia. ...

Aerial view of Henderson Field on Guadalcanal, late August 1942. The view looks northwest with the Lunga River and Lunga Point at the top of the image.

The previous major attempt to retake Guadalcanal and Henderson Field by the Japanese Army had occurred from October 20 to October 26 in the Battle for Henderson Field and had been defeated with heavy losses for the Japanese.^[9] At the same time, Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto (the commander of the Japanese Combined Fleet) had attempted to decisively defeat U.S. naval forces in the Battle of the Santa Cruz Islands. In that battle, U.S. naval forces were defeated and driven from the area with the loss of one aircraft carrier and severe damage to another. However, the Japanese carriers were also forced to retreat because of crippling losses to their carrier aircraft and aircrews.^[10] Thereafter, Yamamoto's ships returned to their main bases at Truk in Micronesia, where he had his headquarters, and Rabaul on New Britain while three of the four Japanese carriers returned to Japan for repairs and refitting.^[11] Image File history File links HendersonField. ... Image File history File links HendersonField. ... The Imperial Japanese Army (大日本帝国陸軍 Dai-Nippon Teikoku Rikugun) was in existence from the Meiji Reformation to the end of World War II. It was created to replace the traditional Japanese samurai with a modern Western-style conscript army. ... is the 293rd day of the year (294th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 299th day of the year (300th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Combatants United States Empire of Japan Commanders Alexander Vandegrift, Chesty Puller Harukichi Hyakutake, Masao Maruyama Strength 23,088[1] 20,000[2] Casualties 61 – 86 killed, 1 tugboat, 1 patrol boat sunk, 3 aircraft destroyed[3] 2,200 – 3,000 killed, 1 cruiser sunk, 14 aircraft destroyed[4] The Battle... Fleet Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto ) (4 April 1884 – 18 April 1943) was Commander-in-Chief of the Combined Fleet during World War II, graduate of Imperial Japanese Naval Academy and an alumnus of U.S. Naval War College and Harvard University (1919–1921). ... Combined Fleet was the ocean-going branch of the Imperial Japanese Navy, which was ruled under General Staff of the Imperial Japanese Navy (e. ... Combatants United States Empire of Japan Commanders William Halsey, Jr. ... This article or section does not cite any references or sources. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... (This article is about the island of New Britain in Papua New Guinea. ...

The Japanese army planned another attack on Guadalcanal, but further reinforcements were needed before the operation could proceed. The army requested assistance from Yamamoto to deliver the needed reinforcements to the island and to support their planned offensive on the Allied forces guarding Henderson Field. To support the reinforcement effort, Yamamoto provided 11 large transport ships to carry 7,000 army troops, their ammunition, food, and heavy equipment to Guadalcanal. He also provided a warship support force that included two battleships. The two battleships, Hiei and Kirishima, equipped with special fragmentation shells, were to bombard Henderson Field and destroy it and the aircraft stationed there in order to allow the slow, heavy transports to reach Guadalcanal safely.^[12] The warship force was commanded from Hiei by recently-promoted Vice Admiral Hiroaki Abe.^[13] Ammunition, often referred to as ammo, is a generic term meaning (the assembly of) a projectile and its propellant. ... Hiei (比叡), named for Mount Hiei north-east of Kyoto, was a Kongō-class battleship of the Imperial Japanese Navy. ... Kirishima (霧島) was the Imperial Japanese Navys fourth Kongō class battlecruiser. ... Fragmentation is the process by which the casing of an artillery shell, bomb, grenade, etc is shattered by the detonating high explosive filling. ... A shell is a payload-carrying projectile, which, as opposed to a bullet, contains an explosive or other filling, though modern usage includes large solid projectiles previously termed shot (AP, APCR, APCNR, APDS, APFSDS and Proof shot). ... Hiroaki Abe (阿部弘毅 Abe Hiroaki; 1899-1949). ...

First Naval Battle of Guadalcanal, November 13

The Solomon Islands. "The Slot" runs down the center of the islands, from Bougainville and the Shortlands (center) to Guadalcanal (lower right).

Image File history File links Solomons1942. ... Image File history File links Solomons1942. ...

Prelude

Abe's warship force and the transports assembled near the Shortland Islands^[14] and proceeded down "The Slot" towards Guadalcanal on November 12 with an estimated arrival time for the warships of early morning, November 13, with the slower transport ships travelling some distance behind.^[15] In addition to the two battleships, the Japanese force included the light cruiser Nagara and 11 destroyers: Samidare, Murasame, Asagumo, Teruzuki, Amatsukaze, Yukikaze, Ikazuchi, Inazuma, Akatsuki, Harusame, and Yudachi.^[16] Three more destroyers (Shigure, Shiratsuyu, and Yugure) would provide a rear guard in the Russell Islands during Abe's foray into "Ironbottom Sound" off the north coast of Guadalcanal.^[17] U.S. reconnaissance aircraft spotted the approach of the Japanese ships and passed a warning to the Allied command.^[18] The Shortland Islands are group of islands belonging to the Solomon Islands. ... Categories: Oceania geography stubs | Solomon Islands ... is the 316th day of the year (317th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 317th day of the year (318th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... A light cruiser is a warship that is not so large and powerful as a regular (or heavy) cruiser, but still larger than ships like destroyers. ... Nagara was the lead ship of her class of light cruiser in the Imperial Japanese Navy, named after the Nagara River. ... USS McFaul underway in the Atlantic Ocean. ... Samidare was a Shiratsuyu-class destroyer of the Imperial Japanese Navy. ... The Murasame (村雨) was a Shiratsuyu Class destroyer sunk overnight March 6, 1943 in the Battle of Blackett Strait. ... Asagumo (朝雲) was a Asashio-class destroyer of the Imperial Japanese Navy. ... The Teruzuki was a Akizuki-class destroyer of the Imperial Japanese Navy. ... Amatsukaze Heavenly Wind) was a Kagero-class destroyer of the Imperial Japanese Navy. ... Yukikaze was a Kagero-class destroyer in service with the Imperial Japanese Navy during World War II. She was the only member of her class to survive the war. ... Ikazuchi (Japanese: 雷 meaning thunder) was an Akatsuki-class destroyer of the Imperial Japanese Navy. ... The Inazuma was a Akatsuki-class destroyer of the Imperial Japanese Navy. ... Akatsuki was the lead ship of her class of special type destroyers in the Imperial Japanese Navy. ... The Harusame was a Shiratsuyu-class destroyer of the Imperial Japanese Navy. ... The Yudachi was a Shiratsuyu-class destroyer of the Imperial Japanese Navy. ... Shigure was a Shiratsuyu-class destroyer of the Imperial Japanese Navy. ... Shiratsuyu was the lead ship of her class of destroyer in the Imperial Japanese Navy. ... Yugure was a Hatsuharu-class destroyer of the Imperial Japanese Navy. ... The Russell Islands are two important small islands, as well as several islets, of volcanic origin, in the central Solomon Islands. ... Ironbottom Sound is the name given by sailors of the United States Navy to the stretch of water between Guadalcanal, Savo Island, and Florida Island of the Solomon Islands. ... Mixed reconnaissance patrol of the Polish Home Army and the Soviet Red Army during Operation Tempest, 1944 Reconnaissance is the military term for the active gathering of information about an enemy, or other conditions, by physical observation. ...

Thus warned, Turner detached all usable combat ships to protect the troops ashore from the expected Japanese naval attack and troop landing and ordered the supply ships at Guadalcanal to depart by early evening November 12. Callaghan was a few days senior to the more experienced Scott, and therefore was placed in overall command.^[19] Callaghan prepared his force to meet the Japanese that night in the sound. His force comprised two heavy cruisers (USS San Francisco and USS Portland), three light cruisers (USS Helena, USS Juneau, and USS Atlanta), and eight destroyers: USS Cushing, USS Laffey, USS Sterett, USS O'Bannon, USS Aaron Ward, USS Barton, USS Monssen, and USS Fletcher. Admiral Callaghan commanded from San Francisco.^[20] is the 316th day of the year (317th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Seniority is the concept of a person or group being in charge or in command of another person or group. ... HMS Raleigh a Hawkins class cruiser around which the treaty limits for Heavy cruisers were written. ... See USS San Francisco for other ships of the same name. ... The first USS Portland (CA–33), a heavy cruiser, was authorized 13 February 1929; laid down by Bethlehem Steel Co. ... A light cruiser is a warship that is not so large and powerful as a regular (or heavy) cruiser, but still larger than ships like destroyers. ... USS Helena (CL-50) was a -class light cruiser of the United States Navy, damaged in the attack on Pearl Harbor, and subsequently active in the Pacific War until she was sunk at the battle of Kula Gulf in 1943. ... The second USS Juneau (CL-52) was a United States Navy Atlanta-class light cruiser sunk at the Naval Battle of Guadalcanal in November 1942. ... The third USS Atlanta (CL-51) of the United States Navy was the lead ship of her class of light cruisers. ... USS McFaul underway in the Atlantic Ocean. ... The third Cushing was a Mahan-class destroyer in the United States Navy during World War II. She was named for William Barker Cushing. ... The first USS Laffey (DD-459) was a Benson-class destroyer in the United States Navy during World War II. She was named for Bartlett Laffey. ... The second USS Sterett (DD-407) was a Benham-class destroyer in the United States Navy. ... USS OBannon (DD/DDE-450), a Fletcher-class destroyer, was the second ship of the United States Navy to be named for Presley OBannon, (1784–1850), the Marine Corps hero of Derna. The history of the Pacific war can never be written without telling the story of the... The second ship named USS Aaron Ward (DD-483) in honor of Rear Admiral Aaron Ward was a Gleaves-class destroyer in the service of the United States Navy. ... The first USS Barton (DD-599) was a Benson-class destroyer in the United States Navy during World War II. She was named for John Kennedy Barton. ... Monssen (DD-436: dp. ... USS Fletcher (DD/DDE-445), named for Admiral Frank F. Fletcher, was the lead ship of the Fletcher class destroyers, and served during World War II. Fletcher was laid down by the Federal Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company at Kearny in New Jersey on 2 October 1941. ...

Approximate routes of Japanese force under Abe (red line) and U.S. force under Callaghan (black line) as they head towards each other early on November 13 in Ironbottom Sound between Savo Island, Cape Esperance, and Lunga Point on Guadalcanal. The green area near Lunga Point on Guadalcanal marks the location of Henderson Field.

During their approach to Guadalcanal, the Japanese force passed through a large and intense rain squall which, along with a complex formation plus some confusing orders from Abe, split the formation into several groups.^[21] The U.S. force steamed in a single column around Ironbottom Sound, with destroyers in the lead and rear of the column, and the cruisers in the center. Five ships had the new, far-superior SG radar, but Callaghan's deployment put none of them in the forward part of the column, nor did he choose one for his flagship.^[22] Image File history File links Download high resolution version (1000x763, 103 KB) Summary http://www. ... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (1000x763, 103 KB) Summary http://www. ... is the 317th day of the year (318th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Ironbottom Sound is the name given by sailors of the United States Navy to the stretch of water between Guadalcanal, Savo Island, and Florida Island of the Solomon Islands. ... Lunga Point is a promontory on the northern coast of Guadalcanal, the site of a naval battle during World War II. It was also the name of a nearby airfield, later named Henderson Field. ... A squall is a sudden, sharp increase in wind speed which usually is associated with active weather, such as rain showers, thunderstorms, or heavy snow. ... A formation is a high-level military organization, such as a Brigade, Division, Corps, Army or Army group. ... This article is about the lead ship, store, or product of a group. ...

Action

At about 01:25 on November 13, in almost complete pitch darkness because of the bad weather and dark moon, the ships of the Japanese force entered the sound between Savo Island and Guadalcanal and prepared to bombard Henderson Field.^[23] Several of the U.S. ships detected the Japanese ships on radar, beginning about 01:24,^[24] but had trouble communicating the information to Callaghan because of problems with their ship's radio equipment and lack of discipline with their communications procedures.^[25] Several minutes later, both forces visually sighted each other about the same time, but both Abe and Callaghan hesitated ordering their ships into action. Abe apparently was surprised by the proximity of the U.S. ships^[24] and could not decide if he should momentarily withdraw to give his ships time to change from bombardment ammunition to anti-ship ammunition or to continue onward. He decided to continue onward.^[26] Callaghan apparently intended to attempt to cross the T of the Japanese, as Scott had done at Cape Esperance, but—confused by the incomplete information he was receiving, plus the fact that the Japanese formation consisted of several scattered groups—he gave several confusing orders on ship movements. The U.S. ship formation began to fall apart, apparently further delaying Callaghan's order to commence firing as he first tried to straighten out his ship's locations.^[27] Meanwhile, both forces' formations continued onward and began to intermingle with each other.^[24] is the 317th day of the year (318th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Lunar phase refers to the appearance of the illuminated portion of the Moon as seen by an observer, usually on Earth. ... Savo Island is a minor island in the Solomon Islands group in the South Pacific ocean. ... Communication is a process that allows organisms to exchange information by several methods. ... Crossing the T. In naval warfare, crossing the T is a tactic in which a line of battleships manoeuvres across the front of a line of enemy ships, allowing the former to bring all their guns to bear while receiving fire from only the forward guns of the latter. ... Combatants United States New Zealand Australia Empire of Japan Commanders Norman Scott Aritomo Goto† Strength 4 cruisers 5 destroyers 3 cruisers 2 destroyers Casualties 1 destroyer sunk, 1 cruiser, 1 destroyer heavily damaged, 163 killed[1] 1 cruiser, 1 destroyer sunk, 1 cruiser heavily damaged, 454 killed, 111 captured[2...

Position of Japanese (red arrows) and U.S. (black) ships at 01:45 on November 13. Both sides opened fire at 01:48 as the formations of the two adversaries intermingled and then quickly disintegrated into a confused free-for-all.^[28]

At 01:48, the Japanese ships Akatsuki and Hiei turned on large searchlights and lit up Atlanta only 3,000 yards (2.7 km) away—almost point-blank range for large naval artillery. Several of the ships on both sides spontaneously opened fire. Realizing that his force was almost surrounded by Japanese ships, Callaghan ordered, "Odd ships fire to starboard, even ships fire to port."^[28] Most of the remaining U.S. ships then opened fire, although several had to quickly change their targets in order to comply with Callaghan's order.^[29] As the ships from the two sides intermingled, they battled each other in an utterly confused and chaotic melée at close distances. Afterwards, an officer on Monssen likened it to "a barroom brawl after the lights had been shot out".^[30] Image File history File links NavalGuadalcanalNov13. ... Image File history File links NavalGuadalcanalNov13. ... is the 317th day of the year (318th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Edisons classical searchlight cart. ... In external ballistics, point-blank range is the distance between a firearm and a target of a given size such that the bullet in flight is expected to strike the target at the point of aim without adjusting the elevation of the firearm (see also gun). ... USS Iowa (BB-61) fires a full broadside of nine 16/50 and six 5/38 guns during a target exercise near Vieques Island, Puerto Rico, 1 July 1984. ... A view of the Starboard side of the Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer USS Ross Starboard is the nautical term that refers to the right side of a vessel as perceived by a person on board the ship and facing the bow (front). ... Port is the nautical term (used on boats and ships) that refers to the left side of a ship, as perceived by a person facing towards the bow (the front of the vessel). ... This article or section does not cite any references or sources. ... Brawling (probably connected with Ger. ...

At least six of the U.S. ships, including Laffey, O'Bannon, Atlanta, San Francisco, Portland, and Helena, fired at Akatsuki, which drew attention to herself with her illuminated searchlight. Akatsuki blew up and sank within a few minutes, but not before hitting Atlanta with shells and a type 93 torpedo.^[31] Akatsuki was the lead ship of her class of special type destroyers in the Imperial Japanese Navy. ... The Type 93 was a 610 mm (24 inch) diameter torpedo of the Imperial Japanese Navy. ...

Perhaps because it was the lead cruiser in the U.S. formation, Atlanta was the target of fire from several Japanese ships, probably including Nagara, Inazuma, and Ikazuchi, in addition to Akatsuki. The gunfire caused Atlanta heavy damage, and the torpedo hit cut all of her engineering power.^[32] Atlanta drifted into the line of fire of San Francisco, which accidentally fired on Atlanta, causing even greater damage, and killing Admiral Scott and much of the bridge crew.^[33] Atlanta, without power or able to fire her guns, now drifted out of control and out of the battle as the Japanese ships passed her by. The lead U.S. destroyer, Cushing, was also caught in a crossfire between several Japanese destroyers and perhaps Nagara. She too was hit heavily and stopped dead in the water.^[34] The third USS Atlanta (CL-51) of the United States Navy was the lead ship of her class of light cruisers. ... For other uses, see Engine (disambiguation). ... Norman Scott (10 August 1889 – 13 November 1942) was an admiral in the United States Navy and a recipient of the Medal of Honor. ... A crossfire (also known as interlocking fire) is a military term for the siting of weapons (often automatic weapons such as machine guns) so that their arcs of fire overlap, yay. ...

Hiei, with her nine lit searchlights, huge size, and course taking her directly through the U.S. formation, became the focus of gunfire from many of the U.S. ships. Laffey passed so close to Hiei that they missed colliding by 20 feet (6 m).^[35] Hiei was unable to depress her main or secondary batteries low enough to hit Laffey, but Laffey was able to rake Hiei’s superstructure with 5-inch shells and machine gun fire, causing heavy damage to Hiei’s superstructure and bridge, wounding Admiral Abe, and killing his chief of staff.^[36] Admiral Abe was thereafter limited in his ability to direct his ships for the rest of the battle.^[37] Sterett and O'Bannon likewise pumped several salvos into Hiei’s superstructure from close range, and perhaps one or two torpedoes into her hull, causing Hiei further damage, before both destroyers escaped into the darkness.^[38] Hiei (比叡), named for Mount Hiei north-east of Kyoto, was a Kongō-class battleship of the Imperial Japanese Navy. ... For other uses, see Collision (disambiguation). ... A machine gun is a fully-automatic firearm that is capable of firing bullets in rapid succession. ... // Sociological concept In social sciences, superstructure is the set of socio-psychological feedback loops that maintain a coherent and meaningful structure in a given society, or part thereof. ... Bridge of the brigantine LEtoile The bridge of a ship is an area or room where the ships navigational controls and other essential equipment related to ship operations are housed and operated. ... The chief of staff is the chief aide to the commander of larger military formations and units. ... A salvo is the simultaneous discharge of artillery or firearms including the firing of guns either to hit a target or to perform a salute. ... A hull is the body or frame of a ship or boat. ...

Japanese battleship Hiei in 1942

Unable to fire her main or secondary batteries at the three destroyers causing her so much trouble, Hiei instead concentrated on San Francisco which was passing by only 2,500 yards (2.3 km) away.^[39] Along with Kirishima, Inazuma, and Ikazuchi, the four ships made repeated hits on San Francisco, disabling her steering control and killing Admiral Callaghan, Captain Cassin Young, and most of the bridge staff. The first few salvos from Hiei and Kirishima consisted of the special fragmentation bombardment shells, which reduced damage to the interior of San Francisco and may have saved her from being sunk outright. Not expecting a ship-to-ship confrontation, it took the crews of the two Japanese battleships several minutes to switch to armor-piercing ammunition. Nevertheless, San Francisco, almost helpless to defend herself, managed to momentarily sail clear of the melee.^[40] However, she landed at least one shell in Hiei’s steering gear room during the exchange, flooding it with water, shorting out her power steering generators, and severely inhibiting Hiei’s steering capability.^[41] Helena followed San Francisco to try and protect her from further harm.^[42] Image File history File links Hiei1942A.jpg‎ Summary Japanese battleship Hiei in 1942. ... Image File history File links Hiei1942A.jpg‎ Summary Japanese battleship Hiei in 1942. ... Hiei (比叡), named for Mount Hiei north-east of Kyoto, was a Kongō-class battleship of the Imperial Japanese Navy. ... Daniel Judson Callaghan (26 July 1890 – 13 November 1942) was an admiral in the United States Navy during World War II. Born in San Francisco, Calif. ... Commander Cassin Young, USN Cassin Young (6 March 1894 – 13 November 1942) was an officer of the United States Navy, who was awarded the Medal of Honor for his heroism during the attack on Pearl Harbor. ... Armour piercing shell of the APBC 1 Light weight ballistic cap 2 Steel alloy piercing shell 3 Desensitized bursting charge (TNT, Trinitrophenol, RDX...) 4 Fuse (set with delay to explode inside the target) 5 Bourrelet (front) and driving band (rear) An armour piercing shell is a type of ammunition designed...

Two of the U.S. destroyers met a sudden demise. Either Nagara or the destroyers Teruzuki^[43] and Yukikaze^[30] came upon the drifting Cushing and pounded her with gunfire, knocking out all of her systems. Unable to fight back, Cushing’s crew abandoned ship. Cushing sank several hours later.^[44] Laffey, having escaped from her engagement with Hiei, suddenly encountered Asagumo, Murasame, Samidare,^[45] and, perhaps, Teruzuki.^[46] The Japanese destroyers pounded the Laffey with gunfire and then hit her with a torpedo which broke her keel. A few minutes later fires reached her ammunition magazines and she blew up and sank.^[47] For other uses, see Keel (disambiguation). ... Magazine is the name for a item or place within which ammunition is stored. ...

Portland, after helping sink Akatsuki, was hit by a torpedo from Inazuma or Ikazuchi, causing heavy damage to her stern and forcing her to steer in a circle. After completing her first loop, she was able to fire four salvos at Hiei but otherwise took little further part in the battle.^[48] Aft of the Soleil Royal, by Jean Bérain the Elder. ...

Yudachi and Amatsukaze independently charged the rear five ships of the U.S. formation. Two torpedoes from Amatsukaze hit Barton, immediately sinking her with heavy loss of life.^[49] Yudachi planted a torpedo in Juneau, stopping Juneau dead in the water, breaking her keel, and knocking out most of her systems. Juneau then turned east and slowly crept out of the battle area.^[50]

Monssen avoided the wreck of Barton and motored onward looking for targets. She was accosted by Asagumo, Murasame, and Samidare who had just finished blasting Laffey. They proceeded to smother Monssen with gunfire, damaging her severely and forcing the crew to abandon ship. The ship sank sometime later.^[51]

Ironbottom Sound. The majority of the warship surface battle of November 13 took place in the area between Savo Island (center) and Guadalcanal (left).

Amatsukaze approached the San Francisco with the intention of finishing her off. However, while concentrating on San Francisco, Amatsukaze did not notice the approach of Helena which fired several full broadsides at Amatsukaze from close range and knocked her out of the action. The heavily damaged Amatsukaze escaped under cover of a smoke screen^[52] and while Helena was distracted by an attack by Asagumo, Murasame, and Samidare.^[53] Image File history File links IronbottomSound. ... Image File history File links IronbottomSound. ... is the 317th day of the year (318th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... USS Iowa Broadside (1984) A broadside is the side of a ship; the battery of cannon on one side of a warship; or their simultaneous (or near simultaneous) fire in naval warfare. ... A U.S. Army Humvee laying a smoke screen A smoke-screen is a release of smoke in order to mask the movement or location of military units such as infantry, tanks or ships. ...

Aaron Ward and Sterett, independently searching for targets, both sighted Yudachi, who appeared unaware of the approach of the two U.S. destroyers.^[54] Both U.S. ships hit Yudachi simultaneously with gunfire and torpedoes, literally blasting her out of the water and forcing her crew to abandon ship.^[55] However, the ship did not sink right away. Continuing on her way, Sterett was suddenly ambushed by Teruzuki, heavily damaged, and forced to withdraw from the battle area to the east.^[56] Aaron Ward wound up in a one-on-one duel with Kirishima, which the destroyer lost with heavy damage. She also tried to retire from the battle area to the east but soon stopped dead in the water because the engines were damaged.^[57]

Robert Leckie, a Marine private on Guadalcanal, described the battle: There is more than one person named Robert Leckie. ... The United States Marine Corps (USMC) is a branch of the United States military responsible for providing power projection from the sea,[1] utilizing the mobility of the U.S. Navy to rapidly deliver combined-arms task forces. ...

After nearly 40 minutes of brutal, close-quarters fighting, the two sides broke contact and ceased fire at 02:26 after Abe and Captain Gilbert Hoover (the captain of Helena and senior surviving U.S. officer at this point) ordered their respective forces to disengage.^[59] Admiral Abe had a decisive victory in his grasp. He had one battleship (Kirishima), one light cruiser (Nagara), and four destroyers (Asagumo, Teruzuki, Yukikaze, and Harusame) with only light damage that could continue fighting (Inazuma, Ikazuchi, Murasame, and Samidare were damaged enough that their fighting ability was somewhat impaired).^[60] The U.S. had only one light cruiser (Helena) and one destroyer (Fletcher) that were still capable of effective resistance. The way was clear for Abe to bombard Henderson Field, and, perhaps, finish off the U.S. naval forces in the area, clearing the way for the troops and supplies to be landed safely on Guadalcanal. Tracers from M16 rifles on U.S. Army firing range Tracer ammunition (tracers) use special bullets that are modified to accept a small pyrotechnic charge in their base. ... This article is about a type of volcanic glass. ... Concentric objects share the same center, axis or origin with one inside the other. ...

However, at this crucial juncture, Abe chose to abandon the mission and depart the area. Several reasons are conjectured as to why he made this decision. Japanese commanders, from the beginning of the war, were constantly and strongly reminded of the crucial need to conserve fuel, ammunition, and to not risk ships unnecessarily.^[61] Thus, the damage to his flagship, Hiei and his other ships plus his expenditures of fuel and ammunition during the battle may have heavily concerned Abe. His own injuries and the deaths of some of his staff from battle action may have affected his thought processes. Perhaps he was also unsure as to how many of his or the U.S. ships were still combat-capable because of communication problems with the damaged Hiei. Furthermore, his own ships were scattered and would have taken some time to reassemble for a coordinated resumption of the mission to attack Henderson Field and the remnants of the U.S. warship force. For whatever reason, Abe called for a disengagement and general retreat of his warships, although Yukikaze and Teruzuki remained behind to assist Hiei.^[62] Samidare picked-up survivors from Yudachi at 03:00 before joining the other Japanese ships in the retreat northwards.^[63]

Aftermath

U.S. B-17s bomb the damaged Japanese battleship Hiei (upper right) from high altitude north of Savo Island on November 13, 1942. Hiei appears to be trailing oil.

Portland undergoing repairs in dry dock in Sydney, Australia a month after the battle

At 03:00 on November 13, Admiral Yamamoto postponed the planned landings of the transports, which returned to the Shortlands to await further orders.^[63] Dawn revealed three crippled Japanese (Hiei, Yudachi, and Amatsukaze), and three crippled U.S. ships (Portland, Atlanta, and Aaron Ward) in the general vicinity of Savo Island.^[64] Amatsukaze was attacked by dive-bombers but managed to escape to Truk and eventually returned to action several months later. The abandoned hulk of Yudachi was sunk by Portland, whose guns still worked despite the other damage to the ship.^[65] The tugboat USS Bobolink motored around Ironbottom Sound throughout the day of November 13, assisting the crippled U.S. ships, rescuing U.S. survivors from the water, and, reportedly, shooting Japanese survivors floating in the water.^[66] Hiei was attacked repeatedly by Marine TBF Avenger torpedo planes from Henderson Field, TBFs and SBD Dauntless dive-bombers from the carrier USS Enterprise, and B-17 Flying Fortress bombers of the United States Army Air Forces 11th Heavy Bombardment Group from Espiritu Santo. Abe and his staff transferred to Yukikaze at 08:15. Kirishima was ordered by Abe to take Hiei under tow, escorted by Nagara and its destroyers, but the attempt was cancelled because of the threat of submarine attack and Hiei's increasing unseaworthiness.^[67] After sustaining more damage from air attacks, Hiei sank northwest of Savo Island, perhaps after being scuttled by her remaining crew, in the late evening of November 13.^[68] Image File history File links HieiB17Nov13. ... Image File history File links HieiB17Nov13. ... is the 317th day of the year (318th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1942 (MCMXLII) was a common year starting on Thursday (the link will display the full 1942 calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... police abuse in portland File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... police abuse in portland File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... is the 317th day of the year (318th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... A tugboat shown turning a large RORO cargo ship. ... The first USS Bobolink (AM-20/AT-131/ATO-131) was a minesweeper and later a tug in the United States Navy. ... is the 317th day of the year (318th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Grumman TBF Avengers in 1942 The Grumman TBF Avenger (designated TBM for aircraft manufactured by General Motors) was an American torpedo bomber, developed initially for the United States Navy and Marine Corps and used by a large number of air forces around the world. ... The Douglas SBD Dauntless was the U.S. Navys main scout bomber and dive bomber from mid-1940 until 1943, when it was replaced by the SB2C Helldiver. ... Four aircraft carriers, (bottom-to-top) Principe de Asturias, amphibious assault carrier USS Wasp, USS Forrestal and light V/STOL carrier HMS Invincible, showing size differences of late 20th century carriers An aircraft carrier is a warship designed to deploy and in most cases recover aircraft, acting as a sea... USS Enterprise (CV-6) was the sixth aircraft carrier of the United States Navy and the seventh US Navy ship of that name. ... The Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress is an American four-engine heavy bomber aircraft developed for the US Army Air Corps (USAAC). ... The United States Army Air Forces (USAAF) was the aviation component of the United States Army primarily during World War II. The title of Army Air Forces succeeded the prior name of Army Air Corps in June 1941 during preparation for expected combat in what came to be known as... Espiritu Santo (Spanish: Holy Ghost) is is the largest island in the nation of Vanuatu. ... is the 317th day of the year (318th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...

Portland, San Francisco, Aaron Ward, Sterett, and O'Bannon were eventually able to make it back to rear-area ports for repairs. Atlanta, however, sank near Guadalcanal at 20:00 on November 13.^[69] Departing from the Solomon Islands area with San Francisco, Helena, Sterret, and O'Bannon^[70] later that day, Juneau was sunk by Japanese submarine I-26. Juneau's 100+ survivors (out of a total complement of 650) were left to fend on their own in the open ocean for eight days before rescue aircraft belatedly arrived. While awaiting rescue, all but 10 of Juneau’s crew died from their injuries, the elements, or shark attacks. The dead included the five Sullivan brothers.^[71] is the 317th day of the year (318th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... I-26 was a Japanese B1 type submarine which saw service during World War 2. ... For other uses, see Shark (disambiguation). ... The brothers on board Juneau; from l to r, Joseph, Francis, Albert, Madison and George Sullivan The Sullivan brothers were five siblings who all died during the same incident in World War II, the sinking of the light cruiser USS Juneau (CL-52), the vessel on which they all served. ...

Because of the confused nature of the battle, the U.S. believed that they had sunk as many as seven Japanese ships.^[72] This, plus the Japanese retreat, caused the U.S. to believe at the time that they had won a significant victory. It was only after the war that the U.S. learned that they had suffered what most see as a crushing tactical defeat.^[73]

Nevertheless, most historians appear to agree that Abe's decision to retreat turned his tactical victory into a strategic defeat. Henderson Field remained operational with attack aircraft ready to deter the slow Japanese transports from approaching Guadalcanal with their precious cargoes.^[74] Plus, the Japanese had lost an opportunity to eliminate the U.S. naval forces in the area, a result which would have taken even the comparatively resource-rich U.S. some time to recover from.^[75] Reportedly furious, Admiral Yamamoto relieved Abe of command and later directed his forced retirement from the military. However, it appears that Yamamoto may have been more angry over the loss of one of his battleships (Hiei) than he was over the abandonment of the supply mission and failure to completely destroy the U.S. force.^[76] Shortly before noon, Yamamoto ordered Vice Admiral Nobutake Kondo, commanding the Second Fleet, to form a new bombardment unit around Kirishima with fresh ships and attack Henderson Field on the night of November 14–November 15. Nobutake Kondo Nobutake Kondo (September 25, 1886 - February 19, 1953) was a Vice Admiral in the Imperial Japanese Navy during World War II. Kondo graduated from the Japanese Naval Academy in 1907. ... is the 318th day of the year (319th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 319th day of the year (320th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...

Including the sinking of Juneau, total U.S. losses in the battle were 1,439 dead. The Japanese suffered between 550 to 800 dead.^[77] Analyzing the impact of this engagement, historian Richard B. Frank states, Richard B. Frank (born 1947 in Kansas) is an American lawyer and military historian. ...

Other actions, November 13–14

U.S. Navy recognition drawing for Japanese Aoba-class heavy cruisers which included Kinugasa.

Although the reinforcement effort to Guadalcanal was delayed, the Japanese did not give up trying to complete the original mission, albeit a day later than originally planned. In the afternoon of November 13, the 11 transports resumed their journey towards Guadalcanal.^[79] A Japanese force of cruisers and destroyers, originally assigned to cover the unloading of the transports on the evening of November 13, was given the mission that Abe's force had failed to carry out—the bombardment of Henderson Field.^[80] The battleship Kirishima, after abandoning its rescue effort of Hiei on the morning of November 13, steamed north between Santa Isabel and Malaita Islands to form the new bombardment unit.^[81] Image File history File links AobaClassCruiser. ... Image File history File links AobaClassCruiser. ... is the 317th day of the year (318th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 317th day of the year (318th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 317th day of the year (318th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Solomon Islands map, highlighting Santa Isabel Santa Isabel, neighbouring islands, and towns and villages Santa Isabel Island is the longest in the Solomon Islands, South Pacific, and the largest in Isabel Province. ... Malaita Island is the largest island of the Malaita Province in the Solomon Islands. ...

The cruiser force, consisting of Eighth Fleet units under its commander, Vice Admiral Gunichi Mikawa, included the heavy cruisers Chōkai, Kinugasa, Maya, and Suzuya, light cruisers Isuzu and Tenryū, and six destroyers.^[82] Mikawa's force was able to slip into the Guadalcanal area uncontested because the battered U.S. naval forces had withdrawn. Suzuya and Maya bombarded Henderson Field while the rest of Mikawa's force cruised around Savo Island guarding against any U.S. surface attack (which did not occur).^[83] The 35-minute bombardment caused some damage to various aircraft and facilities at the airfield but did not put it out of operation.^[84] The cruiser force ended the bombardment around 02:30 on November 14 and cleared the area to head towards Rabaul via the Shortlands.^[85] Gunichi Mikawa Gunichi Mikawa (三河 軍一 Mikawa Gunichi, August 29, 1888 - February 25, 1981) was an admiral in the Imperial Japanese Navy during World War II. External links Naval Historical Center biography of Gunichi Mikawa FUTURA DTP biography of Gunichi Mikawa Categories: Japanese people stubs | 1888 births... Chōkai (Japanese: ちょうかい Kanji: 鳥海) was a Takao-class heavy cruiser, armed with ten 8 guns, four 4. ... Kinugasa was an Aoba-class heavy cruiser in the Imperial Japanese Navy, named after a mountain in Kanagawa prefecture. ... Maya (Japanese: まや Kanji: 摩耶) was one of four Takao-class heavy cruisers, designed to be an improvement over the previous Myōkō-class design. ... Suzuya was a Mogami-class heavy cruiser in the Imperial Japanese Navy. ... Isuzu was a Nagara-class light cruiser in the Imperial Japanese Navy, named after the Isuzu River. ... IJN TenryÅ« ) was the lead ship in the two-ship TenryÅ« class of light cruisers of the Imperial Japanese Navy. ... is the 318th day of the year (319th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... For the volcanic caldera within which Rabaul lies, see Rabaul caldera. ...

At daybreak, aircraft from Henderson Field, Espiritu Santo, and USS Enterprise (stationed 300 kilometers (160 nmi) south of Guadalcanal), began their attacks, first on Mikawa's force that was heading away from Guadalcanal, and then on the transport force heading towards Guadalcanal. The attacks on Mikawa's force sank the heavy cruiser Kinugasa,^[86] killing 511 of her crew,^[87] and damaged Maya, forcing her to go to Japan for repairs.^[88] Repeated air attacks on the transport force sank six of the transports and forced one more to turn back with heavy damage. Survivors from the transports were rescued by the convoy's escorting destroyers. A total of 450 army troops were reported to have perished.^[89] The remaining four transports and undamaged destroyers continued towards Guadalcanal after nightfall of November 14 but stopped west of Guadalcanal to await the finish of the warship surface action (below) before continuing.^[90] USS Enterprise (CV-6) was the sixth aircraft carrier of the United States Navy and the seventh US Navy ship of that name. ... A nautical mile or sea mile is a unit of length. ... is the 318th day of the year (319th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...

Kondo's ad hoc force rendezvoused at Ontong Java on the evening of November 13,^[91] then reversed course and refueled out of range of Henderson Field's bombers on the morning of November 14. The submarine USS Trout stalked but was unable to attack the Kirishima during refueling. The bombardment force continued south and came under air attack late in the afternoon of November 14, during which they were intercepted by the submarine USS Flying Fish which launched five torpedoes but scored no hits, then reported its contact by radio.^[92] Ontong Java Atoll is the northernmost tract of land in the Solomon Islands and an outlying part of the province of Malaita. ... is the 317th day of the year (318th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 318th day of the year (319th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... USS Trout (SS-202) was a United States Navy Tambor-class submarine, serving in the Pacific from 1941 to 1944. ... is the 318th day of the year (319th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... USS Flying Fish (SS/AGSS-229), a Gato-class submarine, was the first submarine and second ship of the United States Navy to be named for the flying fish, a family of fishes of tropic and warm temperate seas whose long winglike fins make it possible for them to move...

Second Naval Battle of Guadalcanal, November 14–15

Prelude

To cover the unloading of the transports at Guadalcanal, the Japanese fleet made its third attempt to neutralize Henderson Field, sending the force of warships under Admiral Kondo through Indispensable Strait to bombard Guadalcanal on the night of November 14–November 15.^[93] The force included Kirishima, heavy cruisers Atago and Takao, light cruisers Nagara and Sendai, and nine destroyers, some of the destroyers being survivors (along with Kirishima and Nagara) of the first night engagement two days prior. Kondo flew his flag in the cruiser Atago.^[94] The force approached Guadalcanal around midnight,^[95] and a quarter moon provided moderate visibility.^[96] Indispensable Strait is a waterway in the Solomon Islands, running about 200 km northwest-southeast from Santa Isabel to Makira (San Cristóbal), between the Florida Islands and Guadalcanal to the southwest, and Malaita to the northeast. ... is the 318th day of the year (319th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 319th day of the year (320th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Kirishima (霧島) was the Imperial Japanese Navys fourth Kongō class battlecruiser. ... This article or section contains information that has not been verified and thus might not be reliable. ... World War II United States Navy recognition drawings of Takao and Atago Takao was a heavy cruiser of the Imperial Japanese Navy, named after Mount Takao(高雄山), a mountain in kyoto, Japan. ... Nagara was the lead ship of her class of light cruiser in the Imperial Japanese Navy, named after the Nagara River. ... Japanese Cruiser Sendai was the lead ship of her class of light cruiser in the Imperial Japanese Navy. ...

First phase of the engagement, 23:17–23:30, November 14. Red lines are Japanese warship forces and black line is U.S. warship force.^[97]

Low on ships, Admiral William Halsey, Jr., detached the new battleships USS Washington and USS South Dakota, of Enterprise's support group, together with four destroyers, as Task Force 64 under Admiral Willis A. Lee to defend Guadalcanal and Henderson Field.^[98] It was a scratch force; the battleships had only operated together for a few days, and their four escorts were from four different divisions—chosen simply because, of the available destroyers, they had the most fuel.^[99] The U.S. force arrived in Ironbottom Sound in the early evening of November 14 and began patrolling around Savo Island. The U.S. warships were in column formation with the four destroyers in the lead, followed by Washington, with South Dakota bringing up the rear.^[100] At 22:55 on November 14, radar on the South Dakota and Washington began to detect the ships of the Japanese force near Savo Island around 18,000 m range.^[101] Image File history File links GuadalcanalMapNov14. ... Image File history File links GuadalcanalMapNov14. ... is the 318th day of the year (319th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... William Frederick Bull Halsey, Jr. ... USS Washington (BB-56), the second of two North Carolina-class battleships, was the third ship of the United States Navy named in honor of the 42nd state. ... USS South Dakota (BB-57), the lead ship of her class, was the second ship of the United States Navy to be named in honor of the 40th state. ... Rear Admiral Willis A. Lee, Jr. ... is the 318th day of the year (319th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 318th day of the year (319th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...

Action

Kondo split his force into several groups, with one group, consisting of Sendai and destroyers Shikinami and Uranami ("C" on the maps), sweeping along the east side of Savo Island, and destroyer Ayanami ("B" on the maps) sweeping counterclockwise around the southwest side of Savo Island to check for the presence of Allied ships.^[102] The Japanese ships spotted Lee's force around 23:00, though Kondo misidentified the battleships as cruisers. Kondo ordered the Sendai group of ships, plus Nagara and four destroyers ("D" on the maps) to engage and destroy the U.S. force before he brought the bombardment force of Kirishima and heavy cruisers ("E" on the maps) into Ironbottom Sound.^[97] The U.S. ships ("A" on the maps) detected the Sendai force on radar but did not detect the other groups of Japanese ships.^[103] Using radar targeting, the two U.S. battleships opened fire on the Sendai group at 23:17.^[104] Admiral Lee ordered a cease fire about five minutes later after the radar returns on the northern group appeared to disappear from his ship's radar scopes. However, Sendai, Uranami, and Shikinami were undamaged and circled out of the danger area.^[105] Shikinami (敷波) was a Fubuki class destroyer of the Imperial Japanese Navy. ... The Uranami (浦波) was a Fubuki class destroyer in the Imperial Japanese Navy that saw service during World War II. She was initially launched on November 29, 1928, and commissioned on June 30, 1929 under the name Destroyer N°44. ... The Ayanami (綾波) was a Type II Fubuki class destroyer in the Imperial Japanese Navy that saw service during World War II. She was laid down at Fujinagata shipyard on January 20, 1928 under the temporary designation Destroyer N°45. ...

Second phase of the engagement, 23:30–02:00. Red lines are Japanese warship forces and black lines are U.S. warships. Numbered yellow dots represent sinking warships.^[106]

Meanwhile, the four U.S. destroyers in the vanguard of the U.S. formation began engaging both Ayanami and the Nagara group of ships at 23:22.^[107] Nagara and her escorting destroyers responded effectively with accurate gunfire and torpedoes,^[108] and destroyers USS Walke and USS Preston were hit and sunk within 10 minutes with heavy loss of life. The destroyer USS Benham had part of her bow blown off by a torpedo and had to retreat (she sank the next day), and destroyer USS Gwin was hit in her engine room and put out of the fight.^[109] However, the U.S. destroyers had completed their mission as screens for the battleships, absorbing the initial impact of contact with the enemy, although at great cost.^[110] Lee ordered the retirement of Benham and Gwin at 23:48.^[110] Image File history File links GuadalcanalMap2. ... Image File history File links GuadalcanalMap2. ... USS Walke (DD-416), named for Rear Admiral Henry A. Walke USN (1809-1896), was a Sims-class destroyer in the United States Navy. ... The fifth USS Preston (DD–379) was a Mahan-class destroyer in the United States Navy during World War II. She was named for Samuel W. Preston. ... The second USS Benham (DD-397) was the lead ship of her class of destroyers in the United States Navy. ... USS Gwin (DD-433), a Gleaves-class destroyer, was the 3rd ship of the United States Navy to be named for Lieutenant Commander William Gwin, an American Civil War officer who commanded river boats against Confederate forces in Alabama. ...

Washington passed through the area still occupied by the damaged and sinking U.S. destroyers and fired on Ayanami with her secondary batteries, setting her afire.^[111] Following close behind, South Dakota suddenly suffered a series of electrical failures, reportedly during repairs when her chief engineer locked down a circuit breaker in violation of safety procedures, causing her circuits repeatedly to go into series,^[112] making her radar, radios, and most of her gun batteries inoperable.^[113] However, she continued to follow Washington towards the western side of Savo Island until 23:35, when Washington changed course left to pass to the southward behind the burning destroyers. South Dakota tried to follow but had to turn to right to avoid Benham which resulted in the ship being silhouetted by the fires of the burning destroyers and made her an easy target for the Japanese.^[114] A 2 pole miniature circuit breaker A circuit breaker is an automatically-operated electrical switch designed to protect an electrical circuit from damage caused by overload or short circuit. ... This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ...

Receiving reports of the destruction of the U.S. destroyers from Ayanami and his other ships, Kondo pointed his bombardment force towards Guadalcanal, believing that the U.S. warship force had been defeated. His force and the two U.S. battleships were now heading towards each other.^[115]

Almost blind and unable to effectively fire her main and secondary armament, South Dakota was targeted by gunfire and torpedoes by most of the ships of the Japanese force, including Kirishima, beginning about 00:00 on November 15. Although able to score a few hits on Kirishima, South Dakota took 25 medium and one large-caliber hit,^[116] some of which did not explode, that completely knocked out her communications and remaining gunfire control operations, set portions of her upper decks on fire, and forced her to try to steer away from the engagement.^[117] All of the Japanese torpedoes missed.^[118] Admiral Lee later described the cumulative effect of the gunfire damage to South Dakota as to, "render one of our new battleships deaf, dumb, blind, and impotent."^[119] South Dakota's crew casualties were 39 killed and 59 wounded, and she turned away from the battle at 00:17 without informing Admiral Lee, though observed by Kondo's lookouts.^[120][121] is the 319th day of the year (320th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...

Washington fires upon Japanese battleship Kirishima during the battle on November 15. The low elevation of the gun barrels is because of the relatively close range of the two adversaries.^[122]

The Japanese ships had continued to concentrate their fire on South Dakota and none had detected Washington approaching to within 9,000 yards (8 km).^[123] Washington had been tracking a large target for some time but had refrained from firing since there was a chance it could be South Dakota. The ship had not been able to track South Dakota’s movements because she was in a blind spot in the Washington’s radar and could not raise her on the radio to confirm her position. When the Japanese illuminated and fired on South Dakota, all doubts were removed as to which ships were friend or foe.^[124] From this close range, the Washington suddenly hit Kirishima with at least nine main battery shells, causing heavy damage and setting her aflame.^[125] Kirishima was hit below the waterline and suffered a jammed rudder, causing her to circle uncontrollably to port.^[126] Image File history File links NavalGuadalcanalWashington. ... Image File history File links NavalGuadalcanalWashington. ... is the 319th day of the year (320th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Port is the nautical term (used on boats and ships) that refers to the left side of a ship, as perceived by a person facing towards the bow (the front of the vessel). ...

At 00:25 Kondo ordered all of his ships that were able to converge and destroy any remaining U.S. ships. However, the Japanese ships still did not know where Washington was located, and the other surviving U.S. ships had already departed the battle area. Washington steered a northwesterly course towards the Russell Islands to draw the Japanese force away from Guadalcanal and the presumably damaged South Dakota. The Japanese ships finally sighted Washington and launched several torpedo attacks, but by adroit maneuvering by her captain, Washington avoided all of them and also grounded his ship in shallow waters.^[127] At length, believing that the way was clear for the transport convoy to proceed to Guadalcanal (but apparently disregarding the threat of air attack in the morning), Kondo ordered his remaining ships to break contact and retreat from the area about 01:04, which the Japanese ships complied with by 01:30.^[128] The Russell Islands are two important small islands, as well as several islets, of volcanic origin, in the central Solomon Islands. ...

Aftermath

Both Kirishima and Ayanami were scuttled and sank by 03:25, November 15.^[129] Uranami rescued survivors from Ayanami and destroyers Asagumo, Teruzuki, and Samidare rescued the remaining crew from Kirishima.^[130] In the engagement, 242 U.S. and 249 Japanese sailors died.^[131] The engagement was one of only two battleship-against-battleship surface battles in the entire Pacific campaign of World War II, the other being at the Surigao Strait during the Battle of Leyte Gulf. German battlecruiser Derfflinger scuttled at Scapa Flow. ... is the 319th day of the year (320th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Combatants  United States  Australia Empire of Japan Commanders William Halsey, Jr (3rd Fleet) Thomas C. Kinkaid (7th Fleet) Takeo Kurita (Centre Force) Shoji Nishimura â€  (Southern Force) Kiyohide Shima (Southern Force) Jisaburo Ozawa (Northern Force) Strength 17 aircraft carriers 18 escort carriers 12 battleships 24 cruisers 141 destroyers and destroyer escorts...

Two Japanese transports beached on Guadalcanal and burning on November 15

The four Japanese transports beached themselves at Tassafaronga on Guadalcanal by 04:00, November 15. The transports were attacked, beginning at 05:55 by U.S. aircraft from Henderson Field and elsewhere, and field artillery from U.S. ground forces on Guadalcanal. Later, destroyer USS Meade^[132] approached and opened fire on the beached transports and surrounding area. These attacks set the transports afire and destroyed any equipment on them that the Japanese had not managed to quickly unload.^[133] Only 2,000–3,000 of the troops originally embarked actually made it to Guadalcanal, and most of their ammunition and food supplies were lost. These troops and meager supplies were not enough to have a significant effect on the Japanese defense of Guadalcanal.^[134] Image File history File links BeachedTransports. ... Image File history File links BeachedTransports. ... is the 319th day of the year (320th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 319th day of the year (320th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... The second USS Meade (DD-602) was a Benson-class destroyer in the United States Navy during World War II. She was named for Richard Worsam Meade and Robert Leamy Meade. ...

Yamamoto's reaction to Kondo's failure to accomplish his mission of neutralizing Henderson Field and ensuring the safe landing of troops and supplies was milder than his earlier reaction to Abe's withdrawal, perhaps because of Imperial Navy culture and politics. Kondo, who also held the position of second in command of the Combined Fleet, was a member of the upper staff and battleship "clique" of the Imperial Navy while Abe was a career destroyer specialist.^[135] Admiral Kondo was not reprimanded or reassigned but instead was left in command of one of the large ship fleets based at Truk.^[136]

Significance

The Naval Battle of Guadalcanal was the last major attempt by the Japanese to seize control of the seas around Guadalcanal or to retake the island. From then on, Japanese air and naval operations around Guadalcanal were defensive in nature, either to provide subsistence supplies to the Japanese forces on Guadalcanal, or beginning in January 1943, attempts to evacuate and redeploy them elsewhere. In contrast, the U.S. Navy was thereafter able to resupply the U.S. forces at Guadalcanal at will, including the delivery of two fresh divisions by late December 1942. The inability to neutralize Henderson Field doomed the Japanese effort to successfully combat the Allied conquest of Guadalcanal.^[74] The last Japanese resistance in the Guadalcanal campaign ended on February 9, 1943, with the successful evacuation of the surviving Japanese troops on the island by the Japanese navy in Operation Ke. is the 40th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1943 (MCMXLIII) was a common year starting on Friday (the link will display full 1943 calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Combatants Allied forces including: United States, Australia, New Zealand Empire of Japan Commanders William Halsey, Jr Isoroku Yamamoto Shintaro Hashimoto Operation Ke (Japanese: ケ号作戦) was the three-phase withdrawal of all Japanese forces from the Battle of Guadalcanal following the defeat of the Imperial Army in ground combat centered at Henderson...

The wreck of one of the four Japanese transports beached and destroyed at Guadalcanal on November 15, 1942, photographed one year later.

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Naval Battle of Guadalcanal

The securing of Guadalcanal and surrounding islands by Allied forces was the first step in their eventual conquest of the entire Solomon Islands chain and the isolation and neutralization of the major Japanese base at Rabaul, New Britain. Although the Allies and Japan engaged in several more intense and bloody naval battles during the Solomon Islands campaign, including some in which the Japanese emerged victorious, the Allied advance was never halted or even slowed to any appreciable extent. The capture of the Solomon Islands, along with New Guinea and New Britain, eventually led to the liberation of the Philippines in 1944 and early 1945, and then to invasion of Japan, at Okinawa and Iwo Jima, and the final defeat of Japan in August 1945. Many historians believe the Battle of Guadalcanal to be just as key a turning point in the Pacific War as the Battle of Midway was six months earlier.^[137] In fact, the Japanese considered the battle for Guadalcanal to be more significant than Midway.^[138] Historian Eric Hammel sums up the significance of the Naval Battle of Guadalcanal this way: Image File history File links KinugawaMaru1. ... Image File history File links KinugawaMaru1. ... is the 319th day of the year (320th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1942 (MCMXLII) was a common year starting on Thursday (the link will display the full 1942 calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Image File history File links Commons-logo. ... For the volcanic caldera within which Rabaul lies, see Rabaul caldera. ... (This article is about the island of New Britain in Papua New Guinea. ... aaaaaaaaaaa ... Combatants  United States  United Kingdom  Canada  Australia  New Zealand Empire of Japan Commanders Simon B. Buckner â€  Joseph W. Stilwell Ray Spruance Mitsuru Ushijima â€  Isamu Cho â€  Strength 548,000 soldiers, 1,300 ships,  ? aircraft 100,000 regulars and militia,  ? ships,  ? aircraft Casualties 12,513 dead or missing, 38,916 wounded, 33... Combatants  United States  Empire of Japan Commanders Holland Smith Tadamichi Kuribayashi â€  Strength 110,000 21,000 Casualties 8,226 dead 19,189 wounded,[1] 494 missing[1] Total: 27,909 20,703 dead,[1] 216 captured[1] Total: 20,919 The Battle of Iwo Jima was fought between the United... For other uses, see Pacific War (disambiguation). ... Combatants United States Empire of Japan Commanders Chester W. Nimitz Frank J. Fletcher Raymond A. Spruance Isoroku Yamamoto Chuichi Nagumo Tamon Yamaguchi â€  Strength 3 carriers, ~50 support ships, 233 carrier aircraft, 127 land-based aircraft 4 carriers, 7 battleships, ~150 support ships, 248 carrier aircraft, 16 floatplanes Casualties 1 carrier... This article is about the occupation of studying history. ... Eric M. Hammel is a popular military historian, with a focus on the military campaigns of the United States Marine Corps, and military action in World War II. Bibliography Carrier Clash: The Invasion of Guadalcanal & The Battle of the Eastern Solomons August 1942, 2004 ISBN 0760320527 Chosin : Heroic Ordeal of...

General Alexander Vandegrift, the commander of the troops on Guadalcanal, paid tribute to the sailors who fought the battle: Alexander Archer Vandegrift (March 13, 1887 – May 8, 1973) was a general in the United States Marine Corps. ...

We believe the enemy has undoubtedly suffered a crushing defeat. We thank Admiral Kinkaid for his intervention yesterday. We thank Lee for his sturdy effort last night. Our own aircraft has been grand in its relentless hammering of the foe. All those efforts are appreciated but our greatest homage goes to Callaghan, Scott and their men who with magnificent courage against seemingly hopeless odds drove back the first hostile attack and paved the way for the success to follow. To them the men of Cactus lift their battered helmets in deepest admiration. ^[140]

Notes

Geneva Convention definition A prisoner of war (POW) is a soldier, sailor, airman, or marine who is imprisoned by an enemy power during or immediately after an armed conflict. ... The Douglas SBD Dauntless was the U.S. Navys main scout bomber and dive bomber from mid-1940 until 1943, when it was replaced by the SB2C Helldiver. ... is the 16th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1943 (MCMXLIII) was a common year starting on Friday (the link will display full 1943 calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... November 27 is the 331st day (332nd on leap years) of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Kirishima (霧島) was the Imperial Japanese Navys fourth Kongō class battlecruiser. ... This article or section contains information that has not been verified and thus might not be reliable. ... World War II United States Navy recognition drawings of Takao and Atago Takao was a heavy cruiser of the Imperial Japanese Navy, named after Mount Takao(高雄山), a mountain in kyoto, Japan. ... Nagara was the lead ship of her class of light cruiser in the Imperial Japanese Navy, named after the Nagara River. ... Japanese Cruiser Sendai was the lead ship of her class of light cruiser in the Imperial Japanese Navy. ... Hatsuyuki was a Fubuki-class destroyer of the Imperial Japanese Navy. ... Asagumo (朝雲) was a Asashio-class destroyer of the Imperial Japanese Navy. ... The Teruzuki was a Akizuki-class destroyer of the Imperial Japanese Navy. ... Shirayuki was a Fubuki-class destroyer of the Imperial Japanese Navy. ... The Inazuma was a Akatsuki-class destroyer of the Imperial Japanese Navy. ... Samidare was a Shiratsuyu-class destroyer of the Imperial Japanese Navy. ... Shikinami (敷波) was a Fubuki class destroyer of the Imperial Japanese Navy. ... The Uranami (浦波) was a Fubuki class destroyer in the Imperial Japanese Navy that saw service during World War II. She was initially launched on November 29, 1928, and commissioned on June 30, 1929 under the name Destroyer N°44. ... The Ayanami (綾波) was a Type II Fubuki class destroyer in the Imperial Japanese Navy that saw service during World War II. She was laid down at Fujinagata shipyard on January 20, 1928 under the temporary designation Destroyer N°45. ... The United States Navys Bureau of Ships (BuShips) was established by Congress on June 20, 1940, by a law which consolidated the functions of the Bureau of Construction and Repair and the Bureau of Engineering. ... is the 336th day of the year (337th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1942 (MCMXLII) was a common year starting on Thursday (the link will display the full 1942 calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ...

References

• Calhoun, C. Raymond (2000). Tin Can Sailor: Life Aboard the USS Sterett, 1939–1945. Naval Institute Press. ISBN 1-55750-228-5.  Online views of selections of the book:[5]
• D'Albas, Andrieu (1965). Death of a Navy: Japanese Naval Action in World War II. Devin-Adair Pub. ISBN 0-8159-5302-X. 
• Dull, Paul S. (1978). A Battle History of the Imperial Japanese Navy, 1941–1945. Naval Institute Press. ISBN 0-87021-097-1. 
• Frank, Richard B. (1990). Guadalcanal: The Definitive Account of the Landmark Battle. New York: Penguin Group. ISBN 0-14-016561-4.  Online views of selections of the book:[6]
• Generous, William Thomas, Jr., (2003). Sweet Pea at War: A History of USS Portland (CA-33). University Press of Kentucky. ISBN 0-8131-2286-4.  Online views of selections of the book:[7]
• Grace, James W. (1999). Naval Battle of Guadalcanal: Night Action, 13 November 1942. Annapolis, Maryland: Naval Institute Press. ISBN 1-55750-327-3.  Online views of selections of the book:[8]
• Hammel, Eric (1988). Guadalcanal: Decision at Sea: The Naval Battle of Guadalcanal, November 13–15, 1942. (CA): Pacifica Press. ISBN 0-517-56952-3. 
• Hara, Tameichi (1961). "Part Three, The "Tokyo Express"", Japanese Destroyer Captain. New York & Toronto: Ballantine Books. ISBN 0-345-27894-1. - Firsthand account of the first engagement of the battle by the captain of the Japanese destroyer Amatsukaze.
• Kilpatrick, C. W. (1987). Naval Night Battles of the Solomons. Exposition Press. ISBN 0-682-40333-4. 
• Lacroix, Eric; Linton Wells (1997). Japanese Cruisers of the Pacific War. Naval Institute Press. ISBN 0-87021-311-3. 
• Lundstrom, John B. (2005 (New edition)). First Team And the Guadalcanal Campaign: Naval Fighter Combat from August to November 1942. Naval Institute Press. ISBN 1-59114-472-8. 
• Kurzman, Dan (1994). Left to Die: The Tragedy of the USS Juneau. New York: Pocket Books. ISBN 0-671-74874-2.  Online views of selections of the book:[9]
• McGee, William L. (2002). The Solomons Campaigns, 1942–1943: From Guadalcanal to Bougainville—Pacific War Turning Point, Volume 2 (Amphibious Operations in the South Pacific in WWII). BMC Publications. ISBN 0-9701678-7-3. 
• Morison, Samuel Eliot (1958). "The Naval Battle of Guadalcanal, 12–15 November 1942", The Struggle for Guadalcanal, August 1942 – February 1943, vol. 5 of History of United States Naval Operations in World War II. Boston: Little, Brown and Company. ISBN 0-316-58305-7.  Online views of selections of the book:[10]
• Parkin, Robert Sinclair (1995). Blood on the Sea: American Destroyers Lost in World War II. Da Capo Press. ISBN 0-306-81069-7. 
• Stafford, Edward P.; Paul Stillwell (Introduction) (2002 (reissue)). The Big E: The Story of the USS Enterprise. Naval Institute Press. ISBN 1-55750-998-0. 

Richard B. Frank (born 1947 in Kansas) is an American lawyer and military historian. ... Penguin Group is the second largest trade book publisher in the world. ... is the 317th day of the year (318th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1942 (MCMXLII) was a common year starting on Thursday (the link will display the full 1942 calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... City nickname: Americas Sailing Capital Location in the state of Maryland Founded 1649 Mayor Ellen O. Moyer (Dem) Area  - Total  - Water 19. ... Official language(s) None (English, de facto) Capital Annapolis Largest city Baltimore Largest metro area Baltimore-Washington Metropolitan Area Area  Ranked 42nd  - Total 12,407 sq mi (32,133 km²)  - Width 101 miles (145 km)  - Length 249 miles (400 km)  - % water 21  - Latitude 37° 53′ N to 39° 43′ N... The United States Naval Institute is a non-profit, professional organization in the United States related to the Navy. ... Eric M. Hammel is a popular military historian, with a focus on the military campaigns of the United States Marine Corps, and military action in World War II. Bibliography Carrier Clash: The Invasion of Guadalcanal & The Battle of the Eastern Solomons August 1942, 2004 ISBN 0760320527 Chosin : Heroic Ordeal of... Tameichi Hara Tameichi Hara (原 為一 Hara Tameichi 1900—?) was an Imperial Japanese naval commander during the Pacific War and the author of the IJN manual on torpedo attack techniques, famous for his high skill (particularly in torpedo warfare and night fighting). ... Ballantine Books, founded in 1952 by Ian Ballantine, is a major book publisher and is currently owned by Random House. ... Amatsukaze Heavenly Wind) was a Kagero-class destroyer of the Imperial Japanese Navy. ... Pocket Books is the name of a subdivision of Simon & Schuster publishers. ... RAdm Samuel Eliot Morison (1887-1976), USN historian Samuel Eliot Morison, RAdm, USNR (July 9, 1887 – May 15, 1976) was an American historian, notable for producing scholarly works that were both authoritative and highly readable, an ability recognized with two Pulitzer Prizes. ... The History of United States Naval Operations in World War II is a 15-volume account of the United States Navy in World War II, written by eminent historian Samuel Eliot Morison and published by Little, Brown and Company between 1947 and 1962. ... Little, Brown and Company is a publishing house established by Charles Coffin Little and his partner, James Brown. ...

External links

• Chen, C. Peter (2004–2006). Guadalcanal Campaign. World War II Database. Retrieved on 2006-05-17.
• Hough, Frank O.; Ludwig, Verle E., and Shaw, Henry I., Jr.. Pearl Harbor to Guadalcanal. History of U.S. Marine Corps Operations in World War II. Retrieved on 2006-05-16.
• Jameson, Colin G. (1944). The Battle of Guadalcanal, 11–15 November 1942. Publications Branch, Office of Naval Intelligence, United States Navy (somewhat inaccurate on details, since it was written during the war). Retrieved on 2006-04-08.
• Lippman, David H. (2006). Battle of Guadalcanal: First Naval Battle in the Ironbottom Sound. The HistoryNet.com. World War II magazine. Retrieved on 2006-11-26.
• Lippman, David H. (2006). Second Naval Battle of Guadalcanal: Turning Point in the Pacific War. The HistoryNet.com. World War II magazine. Retrieved on 2006-11-26.
• Miller, Jr., John (1948). "Decision at Sea", chap. 7, Guadalcanal: The First Offensive. UNITED STATES ARMY IN WORLD WAR II, The War in the Pacific. Retrieved on 2006-05-02.
• Mohl, Micahel (1996–2006). BB-57 USS SOUTH DAKOTA 1942 – Guadalcanal. NavSource Online. NavSource Naval History. Retrieved on 2006-04-08.
• Tully, Anthony P. (1997). Death of Battleship HIEI: Sunk by Gunfire or Air Attack?. Retrieved on 2006-05-03.Article on the battle of Friday the 13th that gives additional details to demise of Hiei
• Wright, Howard F. (1998–2006). Battleship USS Washington BB56. USSWashington.com. USS Washington BB56 Associate Unit, Inc.. Retrieved on 2006-05-19.