7 Aug 1942

British Western Pacific Territories
8 Aug 1942

British Western Pacific Territories Photo(s) dated 8 Aug 1942
Floating Japanese G4M1 bomber off Tulagi, Solomon Islands, 8 Aug 1942 as seen from the destroyer USS Ellet. The bomber was shot down during an aerial torpedo attack on the Allied shipping off Tulagi. Photo 1 of 2Floating Japanese G4M1 bomber off Tulagi, Solomon Islands, 8 Aug 1942 as seen from the destroyer USS Ellet. The bomber was shot down during an aerial torpedo attack on the Allied shipping off Tulagi. Photo 2 of 2
9 Aug 1942

British Western Pacific Territories
  • Northwest of Savo Island in the Solomons, destroyer USS Ralph Talbot was fired upon by a friendly ship shortly after midnight. Two men were killed. Minutes later, Ralph Talbot exchanged gunfire with Japanese cruiser Furutaka that killed ten men aboard Ralph Talbot, wounded 23, and left two men missing. ww2dbase [Guadalcanal Campaign | Furutaka | Ralph Talbot | Solomon Islands | DS]
Photo(s) dated 9 Aug 1942
Track of the cruiser night action of 9 Aug 1942 off Savo Island, Solomon Islands where three United States cruisers and one Australian cruiser were lost. Track is taken from the USS Astoria damage report.
22 Aug 1942

British Western Pacific Territories
  • US and Japanese supplying destroyers made contact in the Savo Sound off Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands; Japanese destroyer Kawakaze disabled destroyer USS Blue with Type 93 torpedoes at 0359 hours (killing 9; she would be scuttled on the following day). ww2dbase [Guadalcanal Campaign | Type 93 | Iron Bottom Sound, Solomon Islands | CPC]
2 Oct 1942

British Western Pacific Territories
22 Oct 1942

British Western Pacific Territories
  • USS Nicholas arrived at Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands where US Marine ground forces directed a shore bombardment by Nicholas before the ship had to scramble to evade a dive-bombing attack. Nicholas returned to shell a shore-based gun position, firing over 1,200 shells from her main battery throughout the day. Nicholas took aboard 12 wounded Marines for transportation to a Naval Hospital before departing for Espiritu Santo, New Hebrides. ww2dbase [Guadalcanal Campaign | Nicholas | Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands | DS]
2 Nov 1942

British Western Pacific Territories
  • Destroyer USS Shaw arrived off Lunga Point, Guadalcanal and commenced shore bombardment west of the Mantanikau River in support of United States Marines ashore. Shaw then retired toward Espiritu Santo, New Hebrides. ww2dbase [Guadalcanal Campaign | Shaw | Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands | DS]
12 Nov 1942

British Western Pacific Territories
  • Cruiser USS Helena (St. Louis-class) and destroyers USS Shaw and Barton arrived off Guadalcanal and began a shore bombardment near the mouth of the Kokumbona River. The US ships then were subjected to an aerial attack from about 21 Japanese airplanes. Shaw claimed to have shot down two of them. ww2dbase [Guadalcanal Campaign | Helena (St. Louis-class) | Shaw | Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands | DS]
13 Nov 1942

British Western Pacific Territories
  • USS Jueanu, while sailing for Espiritu Santo, New Hebrides for repairs sustained during the previous night, was intercepted by I-26, which fired two Type 95 torpedoes. One struck on the port side, sinking the light cruiser very quickly. 687 lives would eventually be lost; only 10 survived. ww2dbase [Juneau | Type 95 | Solomon Islands | CPC]
  • Portland was struck with a torpedo in her starboard quarter during the Naval Battle of Guadalcanal (Third Battle of Savo Island). The torpedo explosion took off Portland's two inboard propellers, jammed the rudder at five degrees to starboard, and froze the No 3 main turret. Portland could only steam in circles but still managed to fire her forward main batteries effectively, starting fires on the Japanese battleship Hiei and sinking the abandoned destroyer Yudachi. ww2dbase [Guadalcanal Campaign | Portland | Ironbottom Sound, Solomon Islands | DS]
14 Nov 1942

British Western Pacific Territories
  • After dark, the Second Naval Battle of Guadalcanal began with Japanese ships severely crippling the American destroyer screen. Japanese destroyers launched Type 93 torpedoes that took the bows off destroyers USS Walke and Benham; Walke sank almost immediately and Benham was scuttled sixteen hours later by USS Gwinn, herself badly damaged in the action. ww2dbase [Guadalcanal Campaign | Type 93 | Savo Sound, Solomon Islands | CPC]
Photo(s) dated 14 Nov 1942
Torpedo damage to the stern of USS Portland as she was undergoing temporary repairs at Tulagi, Solomon Islands. The blast took off Portland’s two inboard propellers, jammed the rudder, and froze the No. 3 turret
29 Nov 1942

British Western Pacific Territories
30 Nov 1942

British Western Pacific Territories
  • Near Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands, a formation of US cruisers sailing from Espiritu Santo ambushed a nighttime fast destroyer convoy led personally by Rear Admiral Raizo Tanaka south of Savo Island in the Solomons. Tanaka's quick thinking led to a Japanese victory in the Battle of Tassafaronga. Cruisers USS Northampton, USS Pensacola, USS Minneapolis, and USS New Orleans (New Orleans-class) were badly damaged by torpedoes. Cruiser USS Northampton was sunk by Type 93 torpedoes launched by Japanese destroyer Oyashio. Light cruiser USS Honolulu reported gunfire hits (along with other ships) on Japanese destroyer Takanami which broke apart and sank. ww2dbase [Guadalcanal Campaign | Raizo Tanaka | Honolulu | Pensacola | Minneapolis | New Orleans | Northampton | Type 93 | Savo Sound, Solomon Islands | CPC]
Photo(s) dated 30 Nov 1942
United States Navy Track Chart Battle of Tassafaronga, 30 Nov 1942. Chart created in 1946.
1 Dec 1942

British Western Pacific Territories
  • at 0303 hours (local time): Badly damaged by two torpedo hits in the Battle of Tassafaronga, cruiser USS Northampton sank in Iron Bottom Sound north of Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands. Destroyers Drayton and Fletcher took on 870 of her survivors in less than an hour. ww2dbase [Guadalcanal Campaign | Northampton | Savo Sound, Solomon Islands | CPC]
  • USS Honolulu departed the Guadalcanal area bound for Espiritu Santo, New Hebrides. ww2dbase [Honolulu | Solomon Islands | DS]
Photo(s) dated 1 Dec 1942
Elco 80-foot torpedo boat PT-109 commanded by Ensign Bryant L Larson delivering 96 survivors from the sunken cruiser USS Northampton to Tulagi Harbor, Solomon Islands, 1 Dec 1942. Note the cruiser USS New Orleans at left.Down by the bow, USS New Orleans arriving in Tulagi Harbor, Solomon Islands, 1 Dec 1942. The night before, New Orleans was struck by a torpedo in the Battle of Tassafaronga that blew off 150 feet of her bow.
8 Dec 1942

British Western Pacific Territories
10 Dec 1942

British Western Pacific Territories
12 Dec 1942

British Western Pacific Territories
  • Destroyers USS Lansdowne and Shaw departed Tulagi, Solomon Islands in escort of the badly damaged cruiser USS New Orleans bound for Sydney, Australia. ww2dbase [Lansdowne | New Orleans | Shaw | Tulagi, Solomon Islands | DS]
  • In the early morning darkness, destroyers USS Saufley and USS DeHaven at Tulagi received emergency sortie orders on a report of a damaged Japanese destroyer burning off Savo Island. As Saufley pulled away from alongside cargo ship USS Mercury, Mercury's cargo boom fouled all of Saufley's radio antennas leaving her with only one operable radio channel, the Talk Between Ships channel. Once underway, communication difficulties contributed to Saufley firing on an American PT Boat on a rescue mission. This friendly fire incident resulted in no damage and no injuries. ww2dbase [Saufley | Solomon Islands | DS]
13 Dec 1942

British Western Pacific Territories
  • The damaged cruiser USS Minneapolis in company with ocean going tug USS Navajo and screened by destroyers USS Saufley and USS Meade departed Tulagi bound for Espiritu Santo. ww2dbase [Saufley | Minneapolis | Tulagi, Solomon Islands | DS]
30 Dec 1942

British Western Pacific Territories
  • The convoy with destroyer USS Saufley in the screen arrived off Guadalcanal and began offloading. Saufley screened the unloading. ww2dbase [Saufley | Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands | DS]
2 Jan 1943

British Western Pacific Territories
  • Destroyer USS Saufley shelled positions at the Tassafaronga and Kokumbona areas of Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands under direction of the U.S. Army liaison officer. ww2dbase [Saufley | Tassafaronga, Solomon Islands | DS]
3 Jan 1943

British Western Pacific Territories
  • For the second day in a row, destroyer USS Saufley shelled positions at the Tassafaronga and Kokumbona areas of Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands under direction of the U.S. Army liaison officer. Saufley then departed the Guadalcanal area bound for Espiritu Santo, New Hebrides. ww2dbase [Saufley | Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands | DS]
5 Jan 1943

British Western Pacific Territories
17 Jan 1943

British Western Pacific Territories
24 Jan 1943

British Western Pacific Territories
  • Cruisers USS Honolulu and USS St. Louis with destroyers USS Drayton, USS Lamson, and USS Hughes arrived at Purvis Bay, Tulagi, Solomon Islands, refueled, and departed for Espiritu Santo, New Hebrides. ww2dbase [Honolulu | St. Louis | Tulagi, Solomon Islands | DS]
1 Feb 1943

British Western Pacific Territories
  • USS Nicholas and USS DeHaven screened the landing of Army troops at Verahue on western Guadalcanal. While escorting the transport ships back to base, Nicholas and DeHaven came under a vigorous Japanese dive-bomber attack. DeHaven took three bomb hits including one hit on the forward magazine. DeHaven split in two and sank. Nicholas received minor damage from near miss bomb hits. Nicholas and the transports picked up DeHaven survivors. 146 were killed aboard DeHaven and two aboard Nicholas. ww2dbase [Guadalcanal Campaign | Nicholas | Savo Sound, Solomon Islands | DS]
21 Feb 1943

British Western Pacific Territories
6 Mar 1943

British Western Pacific Territories
  • Shortly after midnight, destroyers USS Fletcher, USS Nicholas, USS O’Bannon, and USS Radford formed a bombardment line offshore of the Japanese airstrip at Munda, New Georgia, Solomon Islands and shelled the airstrip. By daybreak, the destroyer group had entered Purvis Bay, Tulagi, Solomon Islands. ww2dbase [Solomon Islands Campaign | Nicholas | New Georgia, Solomon Islands | DS]
Photo(s) dated 6 Mar 1943
Track chart featuring the movements of USS Montpelier during the action in Kula Gulf, Solomon Islands on 6 Mar 1943 where Japanese destroyers Murasame and Minegumo were sunk.US Navy chart showing the positions of Vila airstrip and Stanmore Plantation on Kolombangara Island next to Blackett Strait, Solomon Islands, 6 Mar 1943. The US Navy subjected this area to many naval bombardments.
15 Mar 1943

British Western Pacific Territories
  • After three weeks of patrols around Guadalcanal and Pavuvu, destroyer USS Saufley departed the Solomon Islands escorting the stores ship SS Peter Sylvester bound for Nouméa, New Caledonia. ww2dbase [Saufley | Solomon Islands | DS]
16 Mar 1943

Photo(s) dated 16 Mar 1943
Track chart featuring the movements of USS Nicholas during the action of 16 Mar 1943 in Kula Gulf, Solomon Islands.
7 May 1943

British Western Pacific Territories
13 May 1943

British Western Pacific Territories
  • Shortly after midnight, cruisers USS Honolulu, USS Nashville, and USS Helena, with destroyers USS Nicholas, USS O’Bannon, USS Taylor, USS Strong, and USS Chevalier entered Kula Gulf, Solomon Islands where they conducted a shore bombardment of Japanese positions along both sides of the gulf. Cruiser USS Nashville suffered an explosion inside her No. 3 turret that killed 18 men and injured 17. USS Nicholas and USS Chevalier both suffered gun casualties in their 5-inch gun mounts where, in each case, a hang-fire caused an explosion and fire causing no casualties. ww2dbase [Solomon Islands Campaign | Walden Ainsworth | Helena (St. Louis-class) | Honolulu | Nashville | Nicholas | Kula Gulf, Solomon Islands | DS]
  • Shortly after midnight, cruiser USS St. Louis with destroyers USS Fletcher and USS Jenkins formed a bombardment line offshore of the Japanese airstrip at Munda, New Georgia, Solomon Islands and shelled the airstrip. ww2dbase [Solomon Islands Campaign | St. Louis | New Georgia, Solomon Islands | DS]
Photo(s) dated 13 May 1943
Sailors cleaning a 5-inch gun barrel aboard USS Nicholas following action on 13 May 1943.Destroyer USS Nicholas leading five destroyers and four cruisers in the Solomon Islands, 13 May 1943.Track chart from the shelling of Munda Point, New Georgia, Solomon Islands by destroyer USS Fletcher, 13 May 1943.Track chart showing USS Honolulu’s movements during a bombardment of the Vila Plantation in the Kula Gulf, Solomon Islands, 13 May 1943; taken from Honolulu’s action report.
30 Jun 1943

British Western Pacific Territories
  • While covering the landings on Rendova, Solomon Islands, destroyer USS Ralph Talbot engaged attacking Japanese Mitsubishi G3M 'Nell' bombers armed with torpedoes. Firing 5-inch shells fitted with VT proximity fuzes from her 5-inch/38 caliber guns, Ralph Talbot accounted for three bombers shot down on her own and one more shared with other ships. During the attack, one torpedo struck attack transport USS McCawley causing her to go dead in the water. Ralph Talbot came alongside and took aboard 300 McCawley officers and men. Three hours later, McCawley was sunk by torpedoes from US PT Boats. ww2dbase [SB | Solomon Islands Campaign | Ralph Talbot | Mark 12 5-inch/38 caliber | VT Radio Proximity | Rendova, Solomon Islands | DS]
  • Cruisers USS Montpelier, USS Denver, USS Cleveland, and USS Columbia in column with destroyers USS Renshaw, USS Philip, USS Saufley, USS Waller, and USS Pringle bombarded Japanese shore installations in the Buin-Shortlands area of southern Bougainville, Solomon Islands. ww2dbase [Solomon Islands Campaign | Denver | Pringle | Waller | Saufley | Philip | Renshaw | Montpelier | Columbia | Bougainville, Solomon Islands | DS]
3 Jul 1943

British Western Pacific Territories
6 Jul 1943

British Western Pacific Territories
  • During Battle of Kula Gulf in the Solomon Islands, US cruisers USS Honolulu, USS Helena, USS St. Louis with destroyers USS Nicholas, USS Radford, USS Jenkins, and USS O'Bannon engaged a Japanese force of destroyers Niizuki, Yunagi, Suzukaze, Tanikaze, Amagiri, Hatsuyuki, Nagatsuki, Satsuki, Mochizuki, Mikazuki and Hamakaze in the early morning darkness. Helena fired on the incoming Japanese convoy at 0157 hours, but the many gun flashes in turn made Helena an attractive target for Japanese gunners. Suzukaze and Tanikaze each launched Type 93 torpedoes. One struck Helena at 0203 hours, followed by two more at 0205 hours. Helena would sink at 0225 hours. Niizuki is sunk by gunfire. Nagatsuki was badly damaged and beached near Bambari Harbor, Kolombangara. ww2dbase [Solomon Islands Campaign | Walden Ainsworth | Helena (St. Louis-class) | Honolulu | Suzukaze | Tanikaze | Nicholas | New Georgia Sound, Solomon Islands | CPC]
  • Destroyers USS Renshaw, USS Philip, USS Saufley, USS Waller, and USS Pringle arrived in the southern Solomon Islands and began operating out of Tulagi. ww2dbase [Pringle | Waller | Saufley | Philip | Renshaw | Solomon Islands | DS]
Photo(s) dated 6 Jul 1943
Sailors cleaning 21-inch torpedo tubes aboard USS Nicholas following action on 6 Jul 1943.Rescued survivors of USS Helena aboard destroyer USS Nicholas, Solomon Islands, 6 Jul 1943. Photo 2 of 2.
7 Jul 1943

British Western Pacific Territories
8 Jul 1943

British Western Pacific Territories
  • In the early morning darkness off Kula Gulf in the New Georgia Sound (the “Slot”), Solomon Islands, destroyer USS Saufley detected a submarine on the surface. Saufley attacked with her 5-inch guns, torpedoes, and 40mm guns. The submarine submerged and Saufley pressed the attack with depth charges. Results were unobserved. ww2dbase [Saufley | New Georgia Sound, Solomon Islands | DS]
10 Jul 1943

British Western Pacific Territories
12 Jul 1943

British Western Pacific Territories
  • Cruisers USS Honolulu, USS St. Louis, and HMNZS Leander escorted by destroyers USS Nicholas, USS O’Bannon, USS Radford, USS Jenkins, and USS Chevalier joined with destroyers USS Gwin, USS Woodworth, USS Buchanan, and USS Maury. Together, these ships sailed up the New Georgia Sound (The “Slot”) toward Kolombangara. Yugure, Yukikaze, Hamakaze, and Kiyonami departed Shortland Islands, Solomon Islands, escorting a troop transport mission involving light cruiser Jintsu to Kolombangara, New Georgia Group, Solomon Islands. The two forces engaged in the Battle of Kolombangara that lasted into the next morning. ww2dbase [Solomon Islands Campaign | Walden Ainsworth | Jintsu | Honolulu | Maury | Hamakaze | Yukikaze | St. Louis | Yugure | Nicholas | Type 93 | New Georgia Sound, Solomon Islands | CPC]
  • In the early morning darkness, cruisers USS Montpelier, USS Denver, USS Cleveland, and USS Columbia and destroyers USS Renshaw, USS Philip, USS Saufley, USS Waller, and USS Pringle conducted a bombardment of Japanese installations in the Munda area on New Georgia in the Solomon Islands. ww2dbase [Solomon Islands Campaign | Denver | Pringle | Waller | Saufley | Philip | Renshaw | Montpelier | Columbia | Munda, Solomon Islands | DS]
Photo(s) dated 12 Jul 1943
Cruiser USS St Louis departing Tulagi Harbor, Solomon Islands, 12 Jul 1943 as seen from the USS Nicholas. The bow of fleet oiler USS Lackawanna is visible on the right.
13 Jul 1943

British Western Pacific Territories
  • Shortly after midnight, cruisers USS Honolulu, USS St. Louis, and HMNZS Leander escorted by destroyers USS Nicholas, USS O'Bannon, USS Radford, USS Jenkins, USS Chevalier, USS Gwin, USS Woodworth, USS Buchanan, and USS Maury engaged Japanese cruiser Jintsu and destroyers Yukikaze, Hamakaze, Yugure, Mikazuki, and Kiyonami in New Georgia Sound north of Kolombangara. Japanese Type 93 torpedoes damaged Honolulu, St. Louis, and Leander. Destroyers Woodworth and Buchanan were damaged in a collision. Jintsu was sunk by cruiser gunfire and a torpedo. Destroyer Yukikaze was damaged. Destroyer USS Ralph Talbot went to the aid of USS Gwin, badly damaged by a torpedo, and took aboard 155 officers and men. USS Maury took another 53 officers and men. Ralph Talbot then scuttled Gwin with torpedoes. The Japanese were able to land 1,200 men nevertheless. ww2dbase [Solomon Islands Campaign | Walden Ainsworth | Jintsu | Honolulu | Maury | Hamakaze | Yukikaze | St. Louis | Ralph Talbot | Yugure | Nicholas | New Georgia Sound, Solomon Islands | DS]
  • During the Battle of Kolombangara, cruiser USS St. Louis was struck by a Japanese torpedo in the port bow, causing moderate damage. Down by the head, St. Louis withdrew to Tulagi Harbor, Solomon Islands. ww2dbase [Solomon Islands Campaign | St. Louis | New Georgia Sound, Solomon Islands | DS]
  • During the Battle of Kolombangara, cruiser USS Honolulu was struck by a Japanese torpedo in the starboard bow, causing 60 feet of the bow to fold and collapse downward so the deck was nearly vertical. Another torpedo crashed through Honolulu’s stern but did not explode. Down by the head, Honolulu withdrew to Tulagi Harbor, Solomon Islands. ww2dbase [Solomon Islands Campaign | Walden Ainsworth | Honolulu | New Georgia Sound, Solomon Islands | DS]
Photo(s) dated 13 Jul 1943
Following a torpedo hit to USS Honolulu’s bow on 13 Jul 1943 in the Battle of Kolombangara, the leading 36-feet of the bow structure collapsed to hang straight down. Photo taken at Tulagi. Photo 2 of 2.Following a torpedo hit to USS Honolulu’s bow on 13 Jul 1943 in the Battle of Kolombangara, the leading 36-feet of the bow structure collapsed to hang straight down. Photo taken at Tulagi. Photo 1 of 2.Shipfitter 3rd-class D.R. Cole looks through a hole in USS Honolulu’s stern made by a Japanese torpedo that did not explode, 13 Jul 1943 during the Battle of Kolombangara. Photo taken at Tulagi.
14 Jul 1943

British Western Pacific Territories Photo(s) dated 14 Jul 1943
Mark XV torpedoes being transferred to the USS Nicholas from the USS Patterson at Tulagi, Solomon Islands, 14 Jul 1943 following the Battle of Kolombangara. Photo 1 of 2.Mark XV torpedoes being transferred to the USS Nicholas from the USS Patterson at Tulagi, Solomon Islands, 14 Jul 1943 following the Battle of Kolombangara. Photo 2 of 2.
15 Jul 1943

British Western Pacific Territories
18 Jul 1943

British Western Pacific Territories
  • Destroyers USS Lang, USS Stack, USS Saufley, USS Waller, and USS Pringle made a nighttime patrol up the New Georgia Sound in the Solomon Islands (the "Slot") to the area of Kolombangara. The "Black Cat" patrol plane covering the destroyers reported three Japanese patrol boats in the Vella Gulf off the west coast of Kolombangara. The destroyers engaged the patrol boats with intense gunfire with unobserved results. ww2dbase [Pringle | Waller | Saufley | Vella Gulf, Solomon Islands | DS]
19 Jul 1943

British Western Pacific Territories
  • Destroyer USS Saufley departed Tulagi, Solomon Islands bound for Espiritu Santo, New Hebrides escorting the evacuation transport USS Tryon. ww2dbase [Saufley | Tulagi, Solomon Islands | DS]
2 Aug 1943

British Western Pacific Territories
6 Aug 1943

British Western Pacific Territories
  • In the Battle of Vella Gulf in the Solomon Islands, United States destroyers USS Dunlap, Craven, Maury, Lang, Sterett, and Stack, acting on intelligence gathered from Magic codebreaking intercepts, laid in wait for four Japanese destroyers on a night mission to bring troops to Munda on New Georgia. USS Dunlap, Craven, and Maury opened the attack by launching twenty-four Mark XV torpedoes in one minute. Japanese destroyers Hagikaze, Arashi, and Kawakaze were destroyed, killing 600 sailors and 900 Japanese Army passengers. Destroyer Shigure had a torpedo pass through her rudder but the ship was able to escape in the darkness. ww2dbase [Solomon Islands Campaign | Shigure | Maury | Craven | Mark XV | Vella Gulf, Solomon Islands | TH]
8 Aug 1943

British Western Pacific Territories
12 Aug 1943

British Western Pacific Territories
14 Aug 1943

British Western Pacific Territories
  • Destroyers USS Nicholas, USS Saufley, and others departed Tulagi as an escort for troop transports bound for Vella Lavella, Solomon Islands. ww2dbase [Saufley | Nicholas | Tulagi, Solomon Islands | DS]
Photo(s) dated 14 Aug 1943
Portside midships of USS Nicholas during a patrol in the Solomon Island “Slot,” 14 Aug 1943. Note the depth charge launchers along the rail.
15 Aug 1943

British Western Pacific Territories
16 Aug 1943

British Western Pacific Territories
  • Destroyer USS Saufley arrived at Purvis Bay, Florida Island, Solomon Islands. Later that day, Saufley departed to escort landing ships to Barakoma, Valla Lavella, Solomon Islands. ww2dbase [Saufley | Purvis Bay, Solomon Islands | DS]
17 Aug 1943

British Western Pacific Territories
18 Aug 1943

British Western Pacific Territories
  • Battle off Horaniu: Japanese destroyers Sazanami, Hamakaze, Isokaze and Shigure with subchasers Cha-5 and Cha-12 and 3 motor torpedo boats were escorting 13 Diahatsu barges bound for Horaniu on Vella Lavella Islands, Solomon Islands to establish a barge depot to assist with evacuating bypassed Japanese troops on Kolombangara. An American destroyer force of USS Nicholas, USS Chevalier, USS O’Bannon, and USS Taylor intercepted the Japanese convoy. The barges found refuge in the many coves along Vella Lavella’s north shore but two Japanese subchasers, two motor torpedo boats, and at least one barge were sunk. The Japanese were able to establish a barge depot at Horaniu and barges operating from this depot would eventually evacuate 9,000 Japanese troops from Kolombangara. ww2dbase [Solomon Islands Campaign | Nicholas | Vella Lavella, Solomon Islands | DS]
  • While escorting landing ships to Vella Lavella, LST-396 caught fire and sank southeast of Gizo Island in the Solomon Islands. Destroyer USS Saufley picked up 103 survivors, including the LST's commanding officer, Lieutenant Eric White. Saufley went on to cover the landings, including providing anti-aircraft fire against the Japanese airplanes attacking the landing ships. ww2dbase [Saufley | Solomon Islands | DS]
19 Aug 1943

British Western Pacific Territories
25 Aug 1943

British Western Pacific Territories
  • Destroyers USS Saufley, USS Renshaw, USS Cony, and three LSTs departed Tulagi, Solomon Islands bound for the landing beaches at Barakoma, Vella Lavella. ww2dbase [Saufley | Tulagi, Solomon Islands | DS]
26 Aug 1943

British Western Pacific Territories
  • Destroyers USS Saufley, USS Renshaw, and USS Cony covered LSTs off the landing beaches at Barakoma, Vella Lavella and fended off Japanese air attacks. ww2dbase [Saufley | Vella Lavella, Solomon Islands | DS]
30 Aug 1943

British Western Pacific Territories
14 Sep 1943

British Western Pacific Territories
  • Destroyers USS Saufley, USS Cony, and USS Montgomery escorting supply ships SS Meredith and SS McClintock departed Tulagi, Solomon Islands bound for Espiritu Santo, New Hebrides. ww2dbase [Saufley | Tulagi, Solomon Islands | DS]
28 Sep 1943

British Western Pacific Territories
30 Sep 1943

British Western Pacific Territories
  • Destroyers USS Radford, USS Saufley, and USS Grayson departed Tulagi, Solomon Islands on a patrol up the New Georgia Sound (the "Slot") to interdict Japanese barge traffic. About 24 barges were taken under fire by the three destroyers north of Kolombangara with about 20 barges believed to have been sunk. ww2dbase [Saufley | Tulagi, Solomon Islands | DS]
1 Oct 1943

British Western Pacific Territories
  • Just before midnight 10 miles northwest of Kolombangara, destroyer USS Saufley fired on a group of 10 Japanese barges, sinking 9. Minutes later, Saufley began steaming farther up the "Slot" at high speed on a report of Japanese destroyers. While underway, a Japanese airplane came up on Saufley from dead astern and dropped three bombs that exploded within 25 feet of the destroyer's port side. Saufley's hull above the waterline and superstructure were penetrated by bomb fragments in about 30 places and 13 men were injured. Saufley's gunners fired on the aircraft as it passed overhead and reported that the plane spiraled into the water, but this was never confirmed. Two of the injured men, one of them the ship's doctor, later died of their wounds. ww2dbase [Saufley | New Georgia Sound, Solomon Islands | DS]
2 Oct 1943

British Western Pacific Territories
  • Destroyers USS Radford, USS Saufley, USS Lavallette, and USS Grayson completed their patrol up the New Georgia Sound (the "Slot) north of Vella Lavella and arrived at Tulagi, Solomon Islands. ww2dbase [Saufley | Tulagi, Solomon Islands | DS]
3 Oct 1943

British Western Pacific Territories
  • USS Nicholas arrived at Tulagi, Solomon Islands. While at Tulagi, Commander Alvin Chandler assumed command of Destroyer Squadron 21 (DesRon21), hoisting his pennant in Nicholas. Cdr Chandler had recently completed service as commander of DesRon41 during the Battle of Rennell Island. Destroyers Nicholas, USS O’Bannon, and USS Chevalier then departed Tulagi on a patrol up the New Georgia Sound (The “Slot”) to Vella Gulf. North of Kolombangara, the group fired on two Japanese troop barges that burned and sank. ww2dbase [Solomon Islands Campaign | Nicholas | Kolombangara, Solomon Islands | DS]
4 Oct 1943

British Western Pacific Territories
  • Shortly after midnight, destroyers Nicholas, USS O’Bannon, and USS Chevalier fired on a small Japanese gunboat in the New Georgia Sound (The “Slot”) between Kolombangara and Choiseul Islands, Solomon Islands. The gunboat broke in two and sank. The destroyers then returned to Tulagi. ww2dbase [Solomon Islands Campaign | Nicholas | Kolombangara, Solomon Islands | DS]
  • Destroyer USS Saufley departed Tulagi, Solomon Islands to return up the New Georgia Sound (the "Slot"), Solomon Islands for another night patrol. Once north of Kolombangara, Saufley joined with destroyers USS Grayson, USS Ralph Talbot, USS Taylor, and USS Lavallette. ww2dbase [Saufley | New Georgia Sound, Solomon Islands | DS]
5 Oct 1943

British Western Pacific Territories
  • After an uneventful night patrol up the New Georgia Sound (the "Slot"), Solomon Islands, destroyer USS Saufley returned to Tulagi, Solomon Islands. ww2dbase [Saufley | Tulagi, Solomon Islands | DS]
8 Oct 1943

British Western Pacific Territories Photo(s) dated 8 Oct 1943
Bow-on view of torpedo damage to destroyer USS Selfridge. This damage occurred the night of 6/7 Oct 1943 off Vella Lavella. Note collapsed No. 2 turret and exposed twin 5-inch/38 caliber guns. 8 Oct 1943 photo.
9 Oct 1943

British Western Pacific Territories
  • Destroyers USS Nicholas, USS Saufley, and USS Fletcher arrived at Tulagi, Solomon Islands. Later in the day, Saufley departed to escort a convoy to Nouméa, New Caledonia. ww2dbase [Saufley | Nicholas | Tulagi, Solomon Islands | DS]
10 Oct 1943

British Western Pacific Territories
  • Gato-class submarine USS Silversides made a refueling stop at Tulagi Harbor, Solomon Islands before continuing on toward her patrol area. ww2dbase [Silversides | Tulagi, Solomon Islands | DS]
23 Oct 1943

British Western Pacific Territories
26 Oct 1943

British Western Pacific Territories
  • Off Guadalcanal, a task group was formed consisting of destroyers USS Waller, USS Saufley, and USS Cony, minesweepers USS Conflict, USS Daring, and USS Adroit, and 10 troop landing ships (LCIs). The task group departed bound for the Treasury Islands south of Bougainville. ww2dbase [Waller | Saufley | Solomon Islands | DS]
29 Oct 1943

British Western Pacific Territories
31 Oct 1943

British Western Pacific Territories
  • Destroyer USS Saufley escorted another supply convoy from Guadalcanal to the Treasury Islands in the Solomon Islands. ww2dbase [Saufley | Solomon Islands | DS]
4 Nov 1943

British Western Pacific Territories
  • Destroyer USS Saufley departed Tulagi as escort to a convoy of LSTs bound for Empress Augusta Bay, Bougainville, Solomon Islands. ww2dbase [Saufley | Solomon Islands | DS]
5 Nov 1943

Photo(s) dated 5 Nov 1943
Elco 80-foot torpedo boat PT-167 with a through-and-through hole in the bow section made by a Japanese torpedo that did not explode, Solomon Islands, 5 Nov 1943. Note 37mm cannon and “Zebra” pattern paint scheme.
6 Nov 1943

British Western Pacific Territories
  • While escorting LSTs to the landing beaches at Torokina, Bougainville, destroyer USS Saufley observed a life raft floating in Empress Augusta Bay. Upon investigating, Saufley took aboard 10 US Marines returning from a patrol along the beach. All were in good health. ww2dbase [Solomon Islands Campaign | Saufley | Bougainville, Solomon Islands | DS]
8 Nov 1943

British Western Pacific Territories
11 Nov 1943

British Western Pacific Territories
  • While covering LSTs at the landing beaches at Torokina, Bougainville, destroyer USS Saufley was directed to a reported Navy F6F-3 Hellcat fighter (BuNo 26158) making a water landing off Empress Augusta Bay. Saufley recovered Ensign Frank J. Stalfa of Fighting Squadron VF-33 flying from Segi Point, New Georgia. ww2dbase [Saufley | Bougainville, Solomon Islands | DS]
13 Nov 1943

British Western Pacific Territories
16 Nov 1943

British Western Pacific Territories
17 Nov 1943

British Western Pacific Territories
18 Nov 1943

British Western Pacific Territories
19 Nov 1943

British Western Pacific Territories
20 Nov 1943

British Western Pacific Territories
21 Nov 1943

British Western Pacific Territories
23 Nov 1943

British Western Pacific Territories
25 Nov 1943

British Western Pacific Territories
26 Nov 1943

British Western Pacific Territories Photo(s) dated 26 Nov 1943
United States Navy ship LST-207, staffed by Coast Guard personnel, on Kukum Beach, Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands, 26 Nov 1943.
4 Dec 1943

British Western Pacific Territories
6 Dec 1943

British Western Pacific Territories
  • Destroyer USS Saufley arrived at Tulagi, Solomon Islands. In a routine change of command, Lieutenant Commander Dale Cochran relieved Commander Bert Brown. ww2dbase [Saufley | Tulagi, Solomon Islands | DS]
7 Dec 1943

British Western Pacific Territories
13 Dec 1943

British Western Pacific Territories
23 Dec 1943

British Western Pacific Territories
  • Destroyer USS Saufley arrived at Tulagi, Solomon Islands, refueled, and joined a convoy of supply ships bound for Empress Augusta Bay, Bougainville. ww2dbase [Saufley | Tulagi, Solomon Islands | DS]
25 Dec 1943

British Western Pacific Territories
26 Dec 1943

British Western Pacific Territories
27 Dec 1943

British Western Pacific Territories
29 Dec 1943

British Western Pacific Territories
30 Dec 1943

British Western Pacific Territories
  • Destroyer USS Saufley escorted two LSTs from Guadalcanal to Vila, Kolombangara where the LSTs loaded more cargo. Saufley then escorted the LSTs to the rendezvous point to meet a larger supply convoy bound for Bougainville. ww2dbase [Saufley | Kolombangara, Solomon Islands | DS]
1 Jan 1944

British Western Pacific Territories
  • Destroyer USS Saufley arrived at Empress Augusta Bay, Bougainville and covered the supply ships as they landed their cargo. After unloading, the convoy departed bound for Guadalcanal. ww2dbase [Saufley | Bougainville, Solomon Islands | DS]
3 Jan 1944

British Western Pacific Territories
  • Destroyer USS Saufley arrived at Tulagi, Solomon Islands, refueled, and joined a convoy of two LSTs bound for the Treasury Islands in the Solomon Islands. ww2dbase [Saufley | Tulagi, Solomon Islands | DS]
5 Jan 1944

British Western Pacific Territories
  • Destroyer USS Saufley arrived at the Treasury Islands where the LSTs landed their cargo. Saufley and the convoy then departed bound for Guadalcanal. ww2dbase [Saufley | Treasury Islands, Solomon Islands | DS]
6 Jan 1944

British Western Pacific Territories
10 Jan 1944

British Western Pacific Territories
11 Jan 1944

British Western Pacific Territories
  • Destroyer USS Saufley departed Tulagi, Solomon Islands as an escort for a convoy of supply ships bound for Bougainville. ww2dbase [Saufley | Tulagi, Solomon Islands | DS]
12 Jan 1944

British Western Pacific Territories
  • Destroyer USS Saufley covered the landing of supply ships at Torokina, Bougainville, Solomon Islands before escorting the convoy back toward Guadalcanal. ww2dbase [Saufley | Bougainville, Solomon Islands | DS]
13 Jan 1944

British Western Pacific Territories
14 Jan 1944

British Western Pacific Territories
17 Jan 1944

British Western Pacific Territories
  • Destroyer USS Saufley departed Tulagi, Solomon Islands as an escort for a convoy of supply ships bound for Bougainville. ww2dbase [Saufley | Tulagi, Solomon Islands | DS]
20 Jan 1944

British Western Pacific Territories
  • Destroyer USS Saufley arrived off Empress Augusta Bay, Bougainville where she joined another convoy departing Bougainville bound for Guadalcanal. ww2dbase [Saufley | Bougainville, Solomon Islands | DS]
22 Jan 1944

British Western Pacific Territories
25 Jan 1944

Photo(s) dated 25 Jan 1944
On behalf of the United States Navy, Vice Admiral Aubrey Fitch receives a plaque from appreciative Solomon Islanders on Guadalcanal, 25 Jan 1944.
27 Jan 1944

British Western Pacific Territories
28 Jan 1944

British Western Pacific Territories
  • Destroyer USS Saufley departed Tulagi, Solomon Islands as an escort for a convoy of supply ships bound for Bougainville. ww2dbase [Saufley | Tulagi, Solomon Islands | DS]
30 Jan 1944

British Western Pacific Territories
  • Destroyer USS Saufley covered the landing of supply ships at Torokina, Bougainville, Solomon Islands before escorting the convoy back toward Guadalcanal. ww2dbase [Saufley | Bougainville, Solomon Islands | DS]
Photo(s) dated 30 Jan 1944
Captain Arleigh Burke receiving the Navy Cross from Rear Admiral Arthur Merrill aboard the destroyer Charles Ausburne in Purvis Bay, Florida Island, Solomons, 30 Jan 1944.
1 Feb 1944

British Western Pacific Territories
  • Destroyer USS Saufley arrived at Tulagi, Solomon Islands and went alongside destroyer tender USS Whitney in Purvis Bay for the rebricking of three of Saufley's boilers. ww2dbase [Saufley | Tulagi, Solomon Islands | DS]
11 Feb 1944

British Western Pacific Territories
12 Feb 1944

British Western Pacific Territories
  • Her boilers repaired, destroyer USS Saufley joined a convoy with 12 troop landing ships (LCIs) sailing from Guadalcanal to Vella Lavella, Solomon Islands. ww2dbase [Saufley | Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands | DS]
13 Feb 1944

British Western Pacific Territories
14 Feb 1944

British Western Pacific Territories
  • Just after midnight, destroyer USS Saufley and her convoy of 12 troop landing ships departed Barakoma, Vella Lavella bound for Green Island north of Bougainville. In the early afternoon, Saufley took aboard a New Zealand corporal with acute appendicitis. Saufley made a speed run to Blanche Harbor, Treasury Islands where the patient was transferred to the base hospital. Saufley then steamed at high speed to rejoin the convoy in the early evening. ww2dbase [Saufley | Vella Lavella, Solomon Islands | DS]
16 Feb 1944

British Western Pacific Territories
17 Feb 1944

British Western Pacific Territories
21 Feb 1944

British Western Pacific Territories
  • Destroyer USS Saufley departed Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands as an escort for a convoy of 8 LSTs bound for Renard Sound, Russell Islands, Solomon Islands where they moored overnight. ww2dbase [Saufley | Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands | DS]
22 Feb 1944

British Western Pacific Territories
27 Feb 1944

British Western Pacific Territories
28 Feb 1944

British Western Pacific Territories
2 Mar 1944

British Western Pacific Territories
10 Mar 1944

British Western Pacific Territories
11 Mar 1944

British Western Pacific Territories
  • Destroyers USS Saufley, USS Philip, and USS Renshaw arrived at Empress Augusta Bay, Bougainville and began five days of close, in-shore patrols in conjunction with PT boats. ww2dbase [Saufley | Bougainville, Solomon Islands | DS]
15 Mar 1944

British Western Pacific Territories
16 Mar 1944

British Western Pacific Territories
17 Mar 1944

British Western Pacific Territories
21 Mar 1944

British Western Pacific Territories
23 Mar 1944

British Western Pacific Territories
25 Mar 1944

British Western Pacific Territories
  • At Tulagi, Captain Harry Thurber assumed command of cruiser USS Honolulu in relief of Captain Robert Hayler who was, on the same day, promoted to Rear Admiral. ww2dbase [Honolulu | Tulagi, Solomon Islands | DS]
1 Apr 1944

British Western Pacific Territories
5 Apr 1944

British Western Pacific Territories
18 Apr 1944

British Western Pacific Territories
4 May 1944

British Western Pacific Territories
10 May 1944

British Western Pacific Territories
12 May 1944

British Western Pacific Territories
  • USS Nicholas, escorting a convoy of transport ships, arrived at Pavuvu Island, Solomon Islands. Nicholas immediately joined destroyers USS Radford, USS Hopewell, USS O'Bannon, USS Fletcher, and USS LaVallette and departed for Nouméa, New Caledonia. ww2dbase [Nicholas | Pavuvu, Solomon Islands | DS]
  • USS Honolulu, USS Birmingham, and USS St. Louis departed Tulagi, Solomon Islands bound for exercises in the northern Solomon Islands. ww2dbase [Walden Ainsworth | Honolulu | St. Louis | Tulagi, Solomon Islands | DS]
13 May 1944

British Western Pacific Territories
16 May 1944

British Western Pacific Territories
17 May 1944

British Western Pacific Territories
4 Jun 1944

British Western Pacific Territories
18 Jul 1944

British Western Pacific Territories
  • While at Blanche Harbor, Treasury Islands, Solomon Islands, Destroyer Squadron 21 (DesRon21), USS Nicholas flagship, experienced a routine change of command with Captain John K.B. Ginder relieving Captain Alvin Chandler. ww2dbase [Nicholas | Blanche Harbor, Solomon Islands | DS]
11 Aug 1944

British Western Pacific Territories
  • USS Bailey arrived at Purvis Bay, Florida Island, Solomon Islands. Bailey began a repair period alongside the tender USS Dixie the included repainting Bailey in Dazzle paint scheme Measure 31, Design 6D. ww2dbase [Bailey | Florida Island, Solomon Islands | DS]
22 Aug 1944

British Western Pacific Territories
24 Aug 1944

Photo(s) dated 24 Aug 1944
Petrof Bay anchored in Tulagi Harbor, Solomon Islands, 24 Aug 1944
2 Sep 1944

Photo(s) dated 2 Sep 1944
USS Louisville at anchor in the Purvis Inlet, Solomon Islands, 2 Nov 1944.
6 Sep 1944

British Western Pacific Territories

Timeline Section Founder: Thomas Houlihan
Contributors: Alan Chanter, C. Peter Chen, Thomas Houlihan, Hugh Martyr, David Stubblebine
Special Thanks: Rory Curtis




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