On 7 August 1942, Allied forces (primarily U.S.) landed on Guadalcanal, Tulagi, and Florida Islands in the Solomon Islands. Battle of Guadalcanal In Battle of Guadalcanal: The Battles of the Eastern Solomons, Cape Esperance, and Santa Cruz In the ensuing Battle of Cape Esperance, the Japanese lost the heavy cruiser Furutaka and the destroyer Fubuki, while the Americans lost the destroyer USS Duncan. Reversing course at 11:30, some confusion led to the three lead destroyers (Farenholt, Duncan, and Laffey) being out of position. In assessing the battle, many of the American officers felt that chance had played a key role in allowing them to surprise the Japanese. At 11:45, Goto's ships were visible to the American lookouts and Helena radioed asking permission to open fire using the general procedure request, "Interrogatory Roger" (meaning "are we clear to act"). Over the next few minutes, Aoba was hit more than 40 times by Helena, Salt Lake City, San Francisco, Farenholt, and Laffey. By using ThoughtCo, you accept our. The Battle of Cape Esperance, also known as the Second Battle of Savo Island and, in Japanese sources, as the Sea Battle of Savo Island (サボ島沖海戦), took place on 11–12 October 1942, in the Pacific campaign of World War II between the Imperial Japanese Navy and United States Navy. (Battle of Cape Esperance, 11 October 1942) found: Concise encyclopedia of World War II, vol. USS Cape Esperance (CVE-88) was a Casablanca-class escort carrier of the United States Navy.She was named after the Battle of Cape Esperance, an inconclusive naval engagement in support of the Guadalcanal campaign.Built for service during World War II, the ship was launched in March 1944, and commissioned in April, and served as a replenishment carrier. The Battle of Cape Esperance was the first Allied triumph over the Japanese in a night battle. The battles of Cape Esperance, 11 October 1942 and Santa Cruz Islands, 26 October 1942. The battle of Cape Esperance (11-12 October 1942) was a clash between American and Japanese forces both covering supply convoys heading towards Guadalcanal. Consisting of the cruisers USS San Francisco, USS Boise, USS Helena, and USS Salt Lake City, TF64 also included the destroyers USS Farenholt, USS Duncan, USS Buchanan, USS McCalla, and USS Laffey. As Farenholt and Laffey accelerated to reassume their proper positions, Duncan moved to attack the approaching Japanese ships. Hickman, Kennedy. While the Japanese were planning their operations, the Allies made plans to reinforce the island as well. by … began to patrol north-northeast from a point north of Cape Esperance to Savo Island an hour before midnight (2300).11 Scott’s ships assumed “formation DOG,” the line-of-battle reminiscent of the Age of Sail. On July 19, at the Battle of Cape Spada, the Australian cruiser HMAS Sydney, along with five destroyers, attacked two Italian light cruisers, sinking one and damaging the other. This luck would not hold, and Allied naval forces were badly defeated on November 20, 1942, at the nearby Battle of Tassafaronga. Be on the lookout for your Britannica newsletter to get trusted stories delivered right to your inbox. Also, Aoba was badly damaged and out of action until February 1943. About this time, Goto's ships began appearing on the American radars. Jun 18, 2016 - The Battle of Cape Esperance took place on 11–12 October 1942 in the Pacific campaign of World War II between the Imperial Japanese Navy and United States Navy. Neptune's Inferno: The U.S. Navy at Guadalcanal. "World War II: Battle of Cape Esperance." https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Cape_Esperance Initially believing these contacts to be the out of position destroyers, Hall took no action. Turning on their searchlights to illuminate the Japanese cruiser, Boise and Salt Lake City immediately took fire, with the former taking a hit to its magazine. Burning from a hit to its torpedo tubes, Furutaka lost power after taking a torpedo from Buchanan. Ordering his ships to form a column with destroyers at the head and rear, he instructed them to illuminate any targets with their searchlights so that the cruisers could fire accurately. Battle of Cape Esperance. A naval fight off Guadalcanal. Sentai 6. During night action on October 12, Italian destroyers and torpedo boats challenged a British cruiser south of Malta. 2335 Cruisers countermarch to 230° T. 2342 References to specific designs, models, manufacturers, and/or modifications of ships and aircraft are used only for the purpose of historical consistency and do not assume any funding or other involvement in the project on the part of the holders of trademarks. Approaching Cape Hunter on the northwest corner of Guadalcanal, Hall, flying his flag from San Francisco, ordered his cruisers to launch their floatplanes at 10:00 PM. Through the entire month of September, Japanese transportation runs, made by destroyers, went unopposed by anything but sporadic air attacks from Henderson Field. Learning of the bombardment force's crisis, Jojima detached four destroyers to its aid after disembarking his troops. The objective was to deny the islands to the Japanese as bases for threatening the supply routes between the U.S. and Australia, and secure starting points for a campaign to isolate the major Japanese base at Rabaul while also supporting the Allied New Guinea campaign. ThoughtCo. Dubbed the "Tokyo Express" by the Allies, Japanese warships would depart bases in the Shortland Islands and make the run to Guadalcanal and back in a single night. The sea battles of Cape Esperance and of the Santa Cruz Islands—in which two Japanese cruisers and two destroyers were sunk and three carriers and two destroyers damaged in return for the loss of one U.S. carrier and two destroyers, besides damage to six other Allied ships—thwarted an attempt…. The naval battle was the second major surface engagements during the Guadalcanal campaign and took place at the entrance to the strait between Savo Island and Guadalcanal. In the ensuing Battle of Cape Esperance, the Japanese lost the heavy cruiser Furutaka and the destroyer Fubuki, while the Americans lost the destroyer USS Duncan. ThoughtCo, Aug. 26, 2020, thoughtco.com/world-war-ii-battle-cape-esperance-2361197. Ernest G. Small of New Haven, CT. Hall also informed his captains that they were open fire when the enemy was sited rather than waiting for orders. Location The Battle of Cape Esperance occurred in the Solomon Islands during the night of October 11-12, 1942 in the western end of Iron Bottom Sound in the strait between Cape Esperence on the northwest coast of Guadalcanal and Savo Island.Also known as the "Second Battle of Savo Island". Hall responded in the affirmative, and his surprise the entire American line opened fire. World War II: Battle of Cape Esperance. The Battles of Cape Esperance, 11 October 1942 and Santa Cruz Islands, 26 October 1942 (Combat Narratives: Solomon Islands Campaign) Henry Varnum Poor. Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/world-war-ii-battle-cape-esperance-2361197. He has appeared on The History Channel as a featured expert. In addition, Mikawa ordered Rear Admiral Aritomo Goto to lead a force of three cruisers and two destroyers with orders to shell Henderson Field while Jojima's ships delivered their troops. At 10:50 pm, on October 11, 1942, contact was finally made, and the Battle of Cape Esperance was about to begin. Battle of Cape Esperance Captain Tells of Jap Disater off Savo Contributed by Swift C. Barnes, Lt. Pearl Harbor - Nov. 2nd, 1942 A 40-minute battle the night of Oct. 11-12, off Savo Island, in which possibly nine Japanese warships were sunk, was described vividly today by Capt. Hickman, Kennedy. The Americans had the best of the clash, although on the following night Japanese warships were able to bombard the American beachhead. Enter your mobile number or email address below and we'll send you a link to download the free Kindle App. As he moved north, Hall, aware that the Americans had faired badly in previous night battles with the Japanese, crafted a simple battle plan. 7 offers from $5.99. This done, the American ships resumed firing at 11:51 and pummeled the cruiser Furutaka. His mission was to screen the Sound from possible intrusion by any Japanese bombardment forces. In early October, Vice Admiral Gunichi Mikawa planned a major reinforcement convoy for Guadalcanal. The Battle of Cape Esperance took place the night of October 11/12, 1942. CA Aoba. By night, the Tokyo Express was not challenged until an American cruiser-destroyer force intercepted it at the Battle of Cape Esperance, 11–12 October. U.S. cruisers and destroyers defeated a Japanese naval contingent off Cape Esperance during the Guadalcanal campaign. The next day, two of these, Murakumo and Shirayuki, were sunk by aircraft from Henderson Field. Not until mid-1943, with tactics attributed to Captain (later Admiral) Arleigh Burke that exploited the radar advantage in full, did the U.S. Navy redress the balance. The Battle of Cape Esperance cost Hall the destroyer Duncan and 163 killed. ThoughtCo uses cookies to provide you with a great user experience. A tactical victory for Hall, the engagement had little strategic significance as Jojima was able to deliver his troops. An hour later, San Francisco's floatplane sighted Jojima's force off of Guadalcanal. Pursuing the fleeing Japanese ships, Boise was nearly hit by torpedoes from Kinugasa at 12:06 AM. His cruiser division included the heavy cruisers San Francisco and Expecting more Japanese ships to be sighted, Hall maintained his course northeast, passing to the west of Savo Island. In assessing the battle, many of the American officers felt that chance had played a key role in allowing them to surprise the Japanese. A tactical victory for Hall, the engagement had little strategic significance as Jojima was able to deliver his troops. …cruiser–destroyer battles of Savo Island, Cape Esperance, Tassafaronga, Kula Gulf, and Kolombangara, Japanese night tactics prevailed. The Battle of Cape Esperance: A Sorely Needed Naval Victory U.S. cruisers and destroyers defeated a Japanese naval contingent off Cape Esperance during the Guadalcanal campaign. The battle, along with the losses suffered during the Battle of Savo Island, Cape Esperance and the Naval Battles of Guadalcanal temporarily left the US Navy with only four operational heavy cruisers and nine light cruisers in the entire Pacific Ocean. For the Japanese, losses included a cruiser and three destroyers, as well as 341–454 killed. Hardcover – December 1, 1992. Stumbling Into Victory: The Battle of Cape Esperance 11 / 12 October 1942. The Battle of Cape Esperance: Encounter at Guadalcanal. Then you can start reading Kindle books on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required. 11-12 October 1942 Contributed by Daniel Muir and Jonathan Leung. CA Furutaka … This is the next in our series on the Pacific battles of World War II.Please consider donating to the museum:www.battleshipnewjersey.org/GIVE Rear-Admiral Aritomo Goto. The Guadalcanal campaignwould last six … In early August 1942, Allied forces landed on Guadalcanal and succeeded in capturing an airfield that the Japanese were building. Media in category "Battle of Cape Esperance" The following 2 files are in this category, out of 2 total. As a result, the Japanese were forced to deliver reinforcements to the island at night using destroyers rather than larger, slower troop transports. The Battle of Cape Esperance, also known as the Second Battle of Savo Island and, in Japanese sources, as the Sea Battle of Savo Island (サボ島沖海戦? By day, they threatened to gain control of the air. To screen this convoy, Vice Admiral Robert Ghormley assigned Task Force 64, commanded by Rear Admiral Norman Hall, to operate near the island. Battle of Cape Esperance. Battle disposition assumed on course 075° T. 2300 Course changed to 050° T. 2325 Helena's SG radar contacts enemy vessel bearing 315° T., distance 27,700 yards. Departing the Shortlands early on October 11, both forces proceeded down "The Slot" towards Guadalcanal. (2020, August 26). The Gun Club gives a brief, clear summary of the battle, based, according to the author, largely on Capt. Dubbed Henderson Field, Allied aircraft operating from the Guadalcanal soon dominated the sea lanes around the island during daylight hours. Initially taking station off Rennell Island, Hall moved north on the 11th after receiving reports that Japanese ships had been sited in The Slot. The Battle of Cape Esperance was the first Allied triumph over the Japanese in a night battle. As the battle raged, the cruiser Kinugasa and destroyer Hatsuyuki turned away and missed the brunt of the American attack. Battle of Cape Esperance, 11 October 1942 and Battle of Santa Cruz Islands, 26 October 1942: ECIP t.p. 2326 Salt Lake City's SC radar contacts three enemy vessels bearing 273° T., distance 16,000 yards. James D. Hornfischer. Hickman, Kennedy. Paperback. Commanding officer: Captain Yonejiro Hisamune. Burning, with many of its guns out of action and Goto dead, Aoba turned to disengage. Led by Rear Admiral Takatsugu Jojima, the force consisted of six destroyers and two seaplane tenders. The Battle of Cape Esperance, also known as the Second Battle of Savo Island and, in Japanese sources, as the, took place on 11–12 October, 1942, in the Pacific campaign of World War II between the Imperial Japanese Navy and United States Navy. Battle of Cape Esperance (October 11, 1942) The night of October 11, 9142, found a U.S. task force commanded by Rear Admiral Norman Scott standing off the entrance to Ironbottom Sound. Kennedy Hickman is a historian, museum director, and curator who specializes in military and naval history. World War II: Naval Battle of Guadalcanal, World War II Pacific: The Japanese Advance Stopped, World War II: Battle of the Eastern Solomons, World War II: Battle of Empress Augusta Bay, World War II and the Battle of the Java Sea, Russo-Japanese War and the Battle of Tsushima, World War II: Admiral Frank Jack Fletcher, US Naval Historical Center: Battle of Cape Esperance, Order of Battle: Battle of Cape Esperance, M.S., Information and Library Science, Drexel University, B.A., History and Political Science, Pennsylvania State University. Departing New Caledonia on October 8, ships carrying the US 164th Infantry moved north towards Guadalcanal. By signing up for this email, you are agreeing to news, offers, and information from Encyclopaedia Britannica. Maneuvers in the Dark What San … Aboard his flagship, Aoba, Goto was taken by complete surprise. Known to the Japanese as the "Sea Battle of Savo Island". It was part of the Guadalcanal Campaign of World War II. After defeat at the Battle of Bloody Ridge, 12–14 September, they intensified their efforts. At 11:47, concerned that he was firing on his own ships, Hall ordered a cease-fire and asked his destroyers to confirm their positions. This describes both sides at Cape Esperance, with the USN winning because it was only less confused, made less mistakes, and was barely able to keep the initiative. The Battle of Cape Esperance Was It. At 12:20, with the Japanese retreating and his ships disorganized, Hall broke off the action. In addition, Boise and Farenholt were badly damaged. Charles Cook’s excellent The Battle of Cape Esperance (1968). Later that night, Furutaka sank as a result of battle damage, and Duncan was lost to raging fires. The Battle for Henderson Field, also known as the Battle of Guadalcanal or Battle of Lunga Point by the Japanese, took place from 23 to 26 October 1942 on and around Guadalcanal in the Solomon Islands.The battle was a land, sea, and air battle of the Pacific campaign of World War II and was fought between the Imperial Japanese Army and Navy and Allied forces, mainly U.S. Marines and Army. Japanese Forces. While the cruiser was burning, the Americans shifted their fire to the destroyer Fubuki sinking it. World War II. "World War II: Battle of Cape Esperance." https://www.thoughtco.com/world-war-ii-battle-cape-esperance-2361197 (accessed April 18, 2021). 1, 2010: p. 211 (Cape Esperance, Battle of, October 11-12, 1942. With the fleets in motion, Japanese aircraft attacked Henderson Field during the day, with the goal of preventing Allied aircraft from locating and attacking Jojima's ships. 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