Battle of Guadalcanal (Nov 13-14, 1942)

Context and Background

• Early Morning of November 13, 1942: Japanese bombardment force under Rear Admiral Abe aimed to attack Henderson Field on Guadalcanal.
• American Task Force: Led by Rear Admiral Callahan, aimed to intercept Japanese forces.
• Significance: Part of the Guadalcanal Campaign, a pivotal conflict in the Pacific Theater of WWII.
• American Offensive: Began with the assault on Tulagi, Gavutu, Tanambogo, and Guadalcanal.
  • Guadalcanal was strategically important due to the airfield being built by Japan.

The Initial Clash

• Japanese Forces: Included two battlecruisers, one light cruiser, nine destroyers.
• American Forces: Included two heavy cruisers, three light cruisers, eight destroyers.
• Japanese Strategy: Planned to bombard Henderson Field to support a convoy of 11 transport ships.
• American Response: Despite losses, US scraped together a task force to counter the Japanese.
• Weather Conditions: Massive thunderstorms scattered the Japanese fleet.

Battle Chronology

November 13, 1942

• 1:24 AM: USS Helena detects Japanese destroyers on radar.
• Confusion: Callahan receives unclear reports; orders to maneuver the task force.
• 1:37 AM: Task force turns north, unintentionally sails toward Japanese fleet.
• 1:48 AM: Searchlights from Japanese ships illuminate USS Atlanta.
• Engagement:
  • USS Atlanta hit by friendly fire and Japanese fire; Admiral Norman Scott killed.
  • USS Cushing and Laffey launch ineffective torpedoes; engage Japanese ships with gunfire.
  • USS San Francisco and Portland engage Japanese flagship, Hiei.
  • Hiei heavily damaged and forced to retreat; Admiral Callahan killed.
• American Losses: USS Cushing, Laffey, Atlanta, and others engaged and damaged.
• 2:00 AM: Japanese cancel bombardment.

November 14, 1942

• Continued Engagement: Japanese bombardment largely ineffective.
• Vice Admiral William Halsey: Deploys battleships USS Washington and South Dakota.
• Night Battle:
  • Washington and South Dakota engage Japanese forces.
  • Japanese misidentify American ships, underestimating threat.
  • USS Washington targets and heavily damages Japanese battlecruiser Kirishima.
• 12:32 AM: Japanese cancel planned bombardment.

Aftermath and Significance

• Losses: Heavy on both sides, with significant casualties and sunk ships.
• Strategic Impact: Protecting Henderson Field allowed US aircraft to destroy Japanese transport convoy.
• Overall Outcome: Marked a turning point in the Pacific, beginning the decline of Japanese expansion.

Key Takeaways

• Battle Complexity: Marked by confusion and close quarters combat.
• Technological Challenges: Radar miscommunication and weather played crucial roles.
• Strategic Victory: Despite losses, the battle secured a strategic airfield critical for further US operations in the Pacific.

Acknowledgments

• Drakenfl: Provided rare images and research material on this chaotic battle.