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AD/A.003 038

DIAGRAMS FOR THE BATTLE OF SAVO ISLAND, AUGUST 9, 1942. STRATEGICAL AND TACTICAL ANALYSIS. PART II

Richard W. Bates

Naval War College

Prepared for:

Bureau of Naval Personnel

1950

DISTRIBUTED BY:

urn National Technical Information Service U. S. DEPAR1MENT OF COMMERCE

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DOCUMINT CONTROL DATA - R* D //J)/£ fP&JlCri^ Security cjaasificalion ot title, body of abstract and indextng innotation ftijM ?>* antmred iKhi-n r/ie overall report is classified)

> ORiGiNAirNG ACTIVITY fCorporale author)

N«v«l War College Newport, Rhode Xaland

im. REron r SECUR^V CLASSrFlfTATION

ÜMCLASSIPIED 2b. GROUP

3 REPOUT TITLE

Olegrame for the Bettle of Save lalend Auguat 9, 1942. Strategical and Tactical Analysla. Part II

4 DE5C RiP TIVE NOTES (Type of report and inclustve dates)

Battle Evaluation 9 *u THOmsi (First name, middle initial, last name-j

Richard V. Bate»

6 «EPORT O* TE

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Distribution of this document Is unlimited. II SUPPLEMENTARY NOTES 12' SP ON SO RING MILITARY ACTIVITY

Naval War College Newport, Rhode Island

13 AB5T RAG T

These diagrams portra«* the strategic eree of tha Savo Island battle, air searches and movement of forces, the Japanese approach, various phases of the action, the withdrawal of the Japanese cruiser force, and the composite tracks of the opposing naval forces. Each diagram la accompanied by a record of the events depicted therein.

Reproduced by

NATIONAL TECHNICAL INFORMATION SERVICE

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(PAGE 1)

Security Classific»tion

/

3/N3

i2 3 clWi^otttlpnehtiigi4 tD

taval far College

DIAGRAMS for

THE BATTLE OF

SAVO ISLAND AUGUST 9, 1942 r

^ i

UNCLASSIFI ED

! IM

D D C

r^v 13 1974

STRATEGICAL y^;_:j!-¥yj AND C^ D

TACTICAL ANALYSE CLASSIFICATION CHANGED PROM CONFIDENTIAL TO UNCLASSIFIED

WHERE APPEARING

U.S. NAVAL WAR COLLEGE 1950

NAVPERS 91193 V

UNCLASSIFIEC

i/iJ DtSTRfflUTTON S^ATSMLNT T

Approved for pdslie relecae; DistributioB UnEmlted

THE BATTLE OF SAVO ISLAND UNCLASSIFIED

DIAGRAMS:

A STRATEGIC AREA CHART

B AIR SEARCHES AND MOVEMENT OF FORCES, 6 AUGUST

C AIR SEARCHES AND MOVEMENT OF FORCES, 7 AUGUST

D AIR SEARCHES AND MOVEMENT OF FORCES, 8 AUGUST

E JAPANESE APPROACH PAST RADAR PICKETS, OOOO TO 0132

F ACTION WITH CHICAGO GROUP, 0132 TO 0150

G OPENING PLAN OF ACTION WITH VINCENNES GROUP 0150 TO 0200

H FINAL PHASE OF ACTION WITH VINCENNES GROUP 0200 TO 0220

I WITHDRAWAL OF JAPANESE CRUISER FORCE, 0220 TO 0240

J COMPOSITE TRACK CHART

K AIR SEARCHES AND MOVEMENT OF FORCES, 9 AUGUST

Classification ohanged to

Auth:I "" On i. By:.

Naval War College

UNCLASSIFIED

ii

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DIAGRAM V

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EVEKTS DEPICTED ON DIAGRAM "6*

(1) 1715 July Slat

(2) 1700 August lot

(5) 1200

(4) 1811

(6) 1200

August Srd

August 4th

August 5th

(6) 1400 August 6th

(7) 1600 August 6th

(8) 18S0 August 3th

(9) 2260 August 6th

(10) 2300 August 6th

Aaphlbious foro« sortled from Koro Island, Fijis. Proceeded to Tulagi-Guadaloanai ob- JeotlT».

Amphibious Foroe (TO 61.2) and Air Support Fore« (TO 61*1) rendesroused then proceeded on lourse 280o(T).

The oiler CIMARRON rendeevoused with TF 61.1 to fuel as many ships as possible*

CIMARROH completed fueling operations with TF 62.

Amphibious Foroe (TO 61.2) o/s to 000o(T) on meridian of 159° Bast Longitude to approaoh SaTO Island.

SKLFRIDOB (COMDESRON FOUR) under orders from CTF 62, fixed naTigational position on Bellona Island and proceeded to rejoin the Task Foroe by 1800, August 6th.

CTF 62 plaoed in ( ffeet his OpPlan A3-42, and directed his oommand to form the Attack Foroe Approach Disposition AR-S.

CTO 61.1 o/e to 3050(T) and increased speed to twsnty-two knots in order to pass through Point ABLE at 2300, August 6th, and Point BAKER at 0050, August 7th.

CTF 62 reached position Latitude 090.50*(S), Longitude 159o-00«(E), e/e to 040o(T)t speed twelve knots to elose Savo Island.

CTO 61.1 e/e to C00o(T) to head for Point BAKER.

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(1) 0000 Air Support Pore« (TO 61.1) waa «eTanty-flT« miles to w«stimrd of Aaphlbious Foroo on oourso 000o(T) at fiftom knots. At 0050, TO 61*1 roaohod Point BAKER, and changed course to OftO^T) to reaoh Point VICTOR, the dann launching point, by 06SO.

(2) 0000 Amphibious Foroe (TF 62), on course 040o(T) at twelve knots speed, «as approaching the target area«

(5) 0000 Seaplane Tender MACKTRAC en route from Hounea to Marsaiasike Betuary.

(4) 0000 Subnarlne S-44 en route around New Hanover Island to patrol station off southern entrance of Steffen and Byron Straits. (Did not arrive in time to intercept Japanese cruiser sortie at 0660.)

(6) 0000 Submarine S-S8 patrolling In St. George's Channel five miles off Row Ireland. Shifted later in day to Japanese traffic lane eight miles off Hew Ireland.

(6) 02SO Search planes in Sector II and IV took off from Bspiritu Santo to reaoh positions abreast of Tulagi by sunrise (as requested by CTF 62 on July 29th). PBTo's in Sector IV returned to base en MACIIHAC at liaramasike Betuary upon completion of search. One B-17, searching left-half of Sector II failed to return, and mas probably lost because of bad weather.

(7) 0500 Amphibious Groups YOIE and XRAY change course and separated - Group XRAY to course 076o(T), Group TORE to 0680(T).

(8) 0406 Amphibious Group XRAY changed course to 1200(T) to proceed south of Save Island to Lunga Roads.

(9) 0600 Amphibious Group TOR, in position four miles north of Save Island, changed course to 1200(T) to approach Tulagi.

(10) 0550 Air Support Force (TO 61.1) reached Point VICTOR - dam launching position - and eosussneed air supporting operations for the day.

(11) 0650 Three 3-17«s took off from Port Moresby to searoh Reoonnaisssnce (about) Areas "C", "D", and "B" along the tracks show on the Diagram.

»is»« o - so - 2 - 579

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(12) 0637 Anphibloue Group YOKE arrivo'd off Tulagl.

(13) 0650 Amphibious Group XRAY arrived at Lu&ga Roads.

(14) 0660 CH0E4I and CRÜDIV SIX cleared Steffen Strait. CHOKAI, ADBA and EAKO were en route to Seeadler Harbor« Manus; KINÜGASA and FÜRDTAKA were an route to Rabaul. Open receipt of an urgent report of the Allied attack at Tulagl, all ships head- ed for Rabaul at twenty-four knots.

(16) 0700 Two Type-97 large Japanese flying boats left Rabaul to search sector 100o(T) to 1S00(T) to a distance of 700 miles. They proceeded out on tracks 107o(T) and 1170(T) each turned left at 1110 to oorer a sixty miles cross-leg« and turned back toward Rabaul at 1131.

(16) 0700 Eight VTB from the ENTERPRISE conducted search from point of origin Latitude 09o-44«(S), Longitude 1590-16'(E) to oorer sector 2700(T) to 0300(T) to a radius of 200 miles. Gito Island and Tunnibuli Bay (southern and of Santa Isabel) were reoonnoitered and photographed during this search. The outer limit of this searoh «as covered at about 0900.

(17) 0740 ENTERPRISE search plane located and attacked (unsuccessfully) a Japanese small craft, identified as probably a small oiler, in position seventy-five miles from point of origin of sraroh«

(16) 0900 Three land attaok planes from Japanese SECOND Air Group departed Rabaul to conduct reoonnaissanee to a radiua of 700 miles on the following coursesi

Plane Course Lateral Distances «OTT TRFtT) K miles g the left No. 2 1170(1) 60 miles to the left Ho. 3 1270(T) 60 miles to the right

These planes reached the outer limit at 1307, completed their orosfc-legs at 1326, and returned to Rabaul at 1736. The No. 2 plane duplicated the aector which one of the two flying boats aearched about two hours earlier.

(19) 0900 The B-17 from Port Moresby aaaipied to conduct photographic reconnaissance in Reoonnaissanee Area "B* (Rabaul and Eavieng), turned back to base in position Latitude 70-60I(S), Longitude 1510-21*(B).

(20) 1000 Five R.A.A.F. Hudsons took off from Fall River (Milne Bay), one to searoh adjacent area, and four to searoh Reconnaisssnce Area *B* In the northern Solomons.

- 580 m

/ /

(21) 0600 Four PBY5'e at Ndanl and thrae PBY5«s at Bspiritu Santo took (About) off to search Sectors III and 7, respeotirely.

(22) 1202 One Type-1 land attack plan« departed Rabaul to reoonnoiter Tulagl, expressly to determine the results of the Japanese bcnbing attacks on the Allied shipping» It completed this reconnaissance at 1521 and returned to Rabaul at 1840.

(23) 1210 CHOIAI sighted YÜNAGI approaching. TDNAGI had been seat out from Rabaul by Comnander EIGHTH Fleet to escort CHOKAI into harbor at naxiaun speed, arriring there at 1330« CRÜDIV SIX remained outside Rabaul underway.

(24) 1239 CHOKAI and CRODIV SIX observed thirteen Allied B-17's attack- ing airfields at Rabaul.

(25) 1330 SARATOGA plane« reconnoitered Haramasike Estuary and notified MACKIIIAC it was safe to enter*

(26) 1628 Cosuoander EIGHTH Fleet departed Rabaul in the CHOKAI accompanied by the TBIRTÜ snd YDBARI of CRODIV EIGHTBHl, and by the only destroyer aTailable, the YÜNAGI.

(27) 1805 CRODIV SIX Joined in oolum astern of the CHOKAI. The TWRYD with YUNAGI In ooluna took anti-submarine patrol station on the port bow, and ths YÜBARI took a similar station on the starboard bow of the CHOKAI.

(28) 1837 Allied earrlers secured from flight operations in a mean position about twsnty-fiTe miles south of Cape Hen slow, (Xtadalcansl. They coomanoed retlrsmont for the night qa oou<se 2830(T) at fifteen knots to paas through Point EASY at 2330.

(29) 1945 Submarine S-S8 sighted TSIRYD snd YÜBARI, submerged and was passed by the CHOKAI snd CHUDIV SIX at too dose a range to fire torpedoes* S-38 tracked this foroe and later surfaced to report it on course 140o(T) at high «paed*

(30) 2030 Japsnese Cruiser Foroe reached position twenty miles south of Cape St. Georgs, and changed course to 080"(T)*

(31) 2222 S-38 sighted a large Japanese submarine heading southeast out of St. George's Channel at high speed too far away to attack. Tais submarine was the 1-121 sn route from fiabaul to Tulagi.

(32) 2330 Air Support Foroe (TO 61.1) reached Point EASY, and changed course to 1800(T).

(33) 2400 Japanese Cruiser Force positiont twenty miles on bearing 2850(T) from Cape Henpan, Buka I aland*

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AUGUST 8th, 1942

OOOO to 2400

(1) 0000 Japanese Cruleer Force en rout« to attack transports at Tulagi and Guadalcanal anohor&gso, midnight position twenty miles northwest of Cape Henpan, Buka Island, course 080o(T), speed twenty-four knots«

(2) 0000 Japanese submarine 1-121 en route to Tulagi on course 1500(T). Midnight position twenty-fiTS miles south of Cape St. George«

(3) 0(00 Air Support Force, (Task Group 61.1) midnight position sixty miles south of Cape Henslow, Quadaloanal Island} this position was 126 miles from Tulagi« Course of TO 61,1 080O(T), speed fifteen knots, naneuTsrlng during the night in a retired position to reach dam launching point twenty-fire miles south of Cape Henslow«

(4) 0000 Allied submarine S-44 patrolling off southern entrances of Steffen and Byron Straits continued until 2100«

(5) 0540 One Type-i large flying boat from F0URTBHJTH Air Group left Rabaul to search along track 150o(T), distance 700 miles« Negatire sightings« Landed at Rabaul at 1615«

(6) 0600 Commander Cruiser Force reached operating area in vioinlty of Latitude OSO-SO^S), Longitude 156O-20'(E) where he planned to operate until 1200«

(7) 0606 Task Group 61.1 In dawn launching position at Point ROGER, eighty-seven miles on bearing 1670(T) from Tulagi and thirty four miles from Cape Henslow« WASP launched twelve soout bomber« to search sector 280o-040o(T), radius 200 miles« Pilots eztsnded search to 220o(T). Coverage sixty-five per cent because of bad weather northeast of Solomons chain«

(6) 0625 Japanese cruisers catapulted three scouting planes to search from point of origin Latitude 060-34» (S), Longitude 1560-20* (B) to a distance of 250 miles as followsi CriOWJ plane out on 070O(T), IIBÜäASA plane out on 100o(T), EAIO plane out on I1S0(T)« The IDEA plane to proceed on track 150O(T) for 300 miles to Tulagi to reoonnoiter Allied positions In Tron Bottom Sound»

(9) 0680 CTP 63 land and tender^based search planes took off from Ksplritu Santo, Idsnl, and Maramaslk» Estuary to search Sectors III, IV, Y, and VII« (Sector II planes had taken off about 0330 to arrive abreast Tulagi at sunrise)«

«ISBOS O - 50 - 3 - 382 -

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(10) 06SO Three R.A.A.P. Hudson« took off from Fall Riwr Field, Milne Bey, New Quinee, to reoonnoiter northern Solomons in Reoon- neissenoe Area "B".

(11) 06S6 One Type-97 large flying boat from YOKOHAMA Air Oroup left Rabaul to search along 100o(T)t distance 600 oiles. Hu sightings* Returned to Rabaul at 1700.

(12) 0700 Three Type-1 land attaok planes left Rabaul to searoh out along tracks 110o(T), 120O(T), and 140o(T), distance 700 ■lies, then laterally to left sixty miles and return» Allies not sighted. All planes landed at 1616«

(15) 0700 One Type-1 laud reconnaissance plane from TAINAN Air Group left Rabaul to reoonnoiter Tulagi-Ouadaloanal Area*

^ (14) 0800 WASP scout shot donn Japanese twin-float seaplane north of Rekata Bay«

(16) 0900 ADBA scouting plane arrived Tulagi, utilised cloud cover and made excellent reconnaissance of Allied naval units*

(18) 0915 Japanese reconnaissance plane intercepted thirty miles north- vest of Tulagi by three Allied fighters and driven off. This reconnaissance plane landed at Rabaul at 1400.

J^lf) 1026 R.A.A.F. Hudson (rligtit A16/216 from Fall River) conUcted and reported Japanese Cruiser Force asi three heavy cruisers, three destroyers and two seaplane tenders or gunboats in Latitude 060-49'(S), Longitude 166O-07«(E) on course 120o(T), speed fifteen knots. This Hudson plane «as sighted by Japan- ese at 1020 and eas lost to vie« at 1056.

(;:« pe} HOI R.A.A.F. Hudson (Flight A16/185 from Fall River) contacted and reported Japanese Cruiser Force asi two heavy or light cruisers and one small unidentified ship in Latitude OS0^' (S), Longitude ISG^Ob^B). This plane reconnoitered the Japanese forces until 1200, and «as believed by them to be the same plan* they had first picked up at 1020.

(19) 1127 R.A.A.F. Hudson (Flight A16/216) sighted the 1-121 in position Latitude 070-36«(S), Longitude 1640-07«(E) on course 150O(T).

^ pKJ) 1200 Cosunander Cruiser Force, steaming on course 300o(T) to deceive y'" the R.A.A.F. Hudson reconnaissance plane as to his destinations,

changed course to the southward when this plans disappeared*

i2*)

\ f i.

n. \*xi 1200 Task Oroup 61.1 commenced retiring to the southeastward.

383 -

- Lit) 1216 B-17'« in •p«ol»l saotor requested by CTP 62, missed contact on Japanese Cruiser Foroe by sixty miles«

^5 j(23) 1800 Commander Cruiser Force set course 1760(T), speed twenty- four knots to transit Bougainrllle Strait,

■ji (24) 1347 BNTERPRISB oommenoed launching afternoon search planes* SeTon torpedo planes «ere to search from point of origin Utitude 090-32'(S) Longitude 1590-30'(B) to radius 200 miles between bearings S450(T) and 0900(T), The eeotor was actually extended to 220 mile radius by the pilots mho encountered heavy rain squalls 100 miles to the eastward and 140 miles to the northeastward«

-r l (^6) 1360 HJTERPR1SB launched seven additional torpedo planes to conduct afternoon search from point of origin Latitude O90-50' (8)» Longitude 1600-56'(E) to radius 200 miles between bearings 270O.016O(T). All pilots extended the searoh to 220 miles except the last two to the westward who extended the radius to 260 miles«

(26) 1660 ■TBtPltlSK soouts searching to northwestward reaohed the 220 miles extreadty« The third plane (clookwise from bearing 2700(T)) was at this tine thirty miles short of the Japanese Cruiser Force which was just emerging from Bougainville Strait into "The Slot"« Allowing fifteen mile radius of ▼IsiMllty, this scout missed oontaet by but fifteen miles. Had it extended the searoh also to 260 mile radius, CTF 61 and CTF 62 would haws been immediately alerted to the movsnent of the Japanese foroe down "The Slot".

, ^ (??) 1612 Japanese Cruiser Foroe launched one plane from the iDBi to prooeed along 1400(T) to reoonnolter Tulagi« Japanese foroe ohanged course at this tins to the southeast to conform to New Georgia Sound ("Tue Slot") and at 1664 steadied on course 120O(T).

/•j/j {?*) 1^40 Commander Cruiser Foroe issued his Sigaal Order No. 26 con- taining his battle plan for the night notion near Save Island«

il s

(29) 1715 Japanese cruisers sighted AUTSUSHIMA hull dorn to the southward heading for the Japanese seaplane base at Olio Island« Course 100°(T) set at this time«

("33- (30) 1746 Commander Cruiser Foroe set course 120o(T), which he held ^ until midnight.

, -. (31) 1816, iDBA plane shot down over Iron Bottom Sound« / (about)

- 384

/

y- (JE) 18S7 Task Group 61.1 oompleted flight operations for the day, retired on course 140o(T) at fifteen knots.

2^ CO 1916 Conmander Cruiser Force shot off aigaal flares to "home" the AOBA plane. This plane failed to return, ha-rirg been shot dowi over Tulagi.

2's (M) 2100 The submarine S-44, patrolling off southern entrances to Steffen and Byron Straits, received orders to proceed to Area ZED (off Cape St. George), started around western end of iie« Hanover Island.

2 iZG) 2265 The subnarlne S-S8, patrolling a fifteen mile run in St, George's Channel along line 320o-140o(T}, sighted large Japanese submarine standing out on course 1400(T) at high speed, too far aaay to attack. This «as the 1-122 en route frosi Rabaul to Tulagi.

Z'")^ V& 23S0 TmBk Group 61.1 reached farthest retired position abreast the southern tip of San Cristobal Island (Cape Surrille), changed course to 2S00(T) to adjust position in order to reach morning launching position at dam.

jO (^7) 2S1S Conmander Cruiser Force catapulted two cruiser planes one each from the iDBA and KAKO with orders to reconnoiter and report Allied naval positions in Iron Bottom Sound and to illuminate the transports whan the Japanese Cruiser Force was twenty miles away.

Vo j^ie) 2400 Japanese Cruiser Force shifted from cruising disposition to battle formation, changed course from 120o(T) to 1400(T), changed speed from twenty-four to twenty-six knots and ooaomenced approaching Savo Island.

J. f) 2*00 slx J•?•»••• transports, escorted by one destroyer, en route from Rabaul to Tulagl-Ouadalcanal loaded with reinforcements.

(40) 2400 Japanese submarine 1-122, en route Rabaul to Tulagi, midnight position, about thirty miles south of Cape St. George.

(41) 2400 Japanese submarine 1-121, en route Rabaul to Tulagi, midnight position 260 miles west of Save Island.

! i

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'«

|^ OF SAVO ISLAND J^IR SEARCHES AND MOVEMENT OF FORCES

8 AUGUST, 1942

16

0;

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I I I I i

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ESPIRITU SANTO ll

DIAGRAM "D"

a-1

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&¥ <£ CURTISS

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jr/y-f 915903 0 50 (f.K.p J85)No 1 /

1—r

CMOKAI \ 0045 \

Ba'He \ rio>ions \ aitntd \

-i—|—i—i—I—I—I—I—I—I 1—I—i—T—r

37' 38'

-i—i—i—i—|—i—|—i—r

39'

I—i—I—i—i—i—r

41'

JAPANESE CRUISER

FORCE

\

\

\

\

\

*\ J-

^

0053 CHOKAI sights BLUt

bearing ICI'(J) rang» lO.BOOfds.

\

\

CHOKAI chongett courst to 100 (Tl Cotnmandtt Cruistr Fore» tignolid ■ "Cnlrr by north rntronci I"

0056

•^"^T'oo' frj

J^ -i—i—i—r -i—r-

ISStAO' 41' 42 43' 44 159°-45'

'Ox Al chanqnt course to 100 IT) mmondtr Cruittr Force signaled tier by north entrance ! "

0103 \ CHOKAI sights smo//\ ship tearing I59'(T) \

range 6900fds '

S /

0/05 CHOKAI turned to course ISO' IT' Commander Cruiser Force orderte "Enter by south passage ' "

\

\

\

0107 AOBA sights small ship

bearing ieO'(T) range 6000 yds

T I | I I i

4-V

-| 1 1 1 i 1 1 1 1 1 ] 1 1 1 | ' I 1 [ I 1 I !

1J9»-45' 46' 47'

59'—!

9000

01'-

02—!

'urst ISO' 'T) Forct ontrtd ■

tat* '

03

04-

\

\

\

9 »OS

t'

t nuKai sigms OLue bearing IC?'(Tl

range l0,9OOyds \

ChOKAl changed course to lOOfTJ Commander Cruistr Fore* signaled ■ 'Enter by north entrance /"

0058

BLUE 00-» 5

/

>** OBLUE / 0132

C HO KAI changed course lo IOC (T) Commander Cruisfr Force signaled •

J'Enler by nor in entrance I "

0105 \CHOKAi turned to course ISO' IT)

Commander Cruiser Force ordered "Enter by souih passage ' "

0103 CHOKAI sights small ship bearing I59°(TI

range 6900yds

\ *

\

\,

^

BLUE 004 5 y

0/07 AOBA sights small ship

bearing 100'(T) / rangt 6000yds

/

/ OnS FcfWTAKA sights

small ship bearing Si7'(T) range <6O0 yds

0/03

O/O/

'OltS

/ S BLUE 0IS2

r

o Schooner (Joponese)

0IJ2

oiee FURVTAKA I'QhlsBLUC

bearing IS5'(T) range ll.SOO yds

I to COurs* 150' IT) ruistr Fore* ord*r*d ■ ih possog* '

V.

03

04-

T)

\

9'OS'

\

\ IKJl sigh's \ t ship \ ; tlT'lT) \ CMOVAI 46O0r<li \ 0112

\

H point ol Sane I dvt »osi

\

\

\

\

■m i

OiZl FURUTAtliqMs BLUE

nift i^JOOyds til""} 2WITI

\

\ 1

\ aus C*0*AI

one FUnUTAKA >'!'■'s BLUE

tiirlfifJfS'tT) rongt ft.iOO yds. ÖI20

\

06'-

-u 0115

r i

i Schooner (Japanese]

0132

4--

BATTLE OF SAVO ISLAND JAPANESE APPROACH PAST RADAR PfCKETS

0045,9 AUGUST TO 0I32,9AUGUST

'0115

UE 32

r

OSchooner (Japanese)

0132

0121 FURUTAi»sights BLUE

/•».* H,700 yds bnlpg 260'IT)

0126 FUPUTAKA tights BLUC

b,ariKg2e5'(T) rang» ll.SCO yds.

4-

5AV0 ISLAND PAST RADAR PICKETS

FD 0132.9 AUGUST

\

'rt/ltl/TAlkH«'1** BLUE ru t iC,700 yds

bllW 260'ITt

0116 FURUTAKA "V"* BLUE

btorlrtiSS-IT) rang* l*.S00 **

\ 1

\

\ 1

\ OII8 CHOKAI

0120

% k Olli

YUNAGI 0132

'"7 ,YUBARI

0132 0114

'^C»0KA(

TENRTt^^ 0132

Ht ivt clojd ban* ahead

o \_ FURUTAKA 0132

II —

V KINUGASA 0)32

12-

OIlB^ CMOKAI

KAKO 0132

AOBA 0132

N. CHOKAI

0132

DIAGRAM "E*

gi ocilO v iF«> >■ '■'" N

jys- &

:ratTS SPTC7BD OW DI.^^UM "F"

(I) 0132 Cosuanddr v.raiser Force o< -m need hit "ruih In" on oourse 95°'f). i le lilnute later (rt 0135) he sigaalledi "All

h 1^« etteok.*

\2) 01.' JAR7I3 «Ma o^ghted by the ' tKJu oa bearing 0190(T) range »"'.XX) yards., a ring «lowly ,<. ) knot«) to the weatward. At C :.6, both »hi ADB1 «nd KAKO » ... ted the JAR7IS. The Japan- en trained their guns on the OAÄ/IS but withheld fire*

(3) 0136 CANBERRA and CHTCiOO sights bv CHOKAI bearing 120o(T), range 12,500 yards, CHOKAI o/c to 120o(T) to oloae the range.

(4) 0137 VIKCBJNES sighted by CBOKAI on bearing 0600(T) rang« 18,000 yard«.

(6) 0139 BAOLEY sighted by AOBA at ige 9500 yard«, bearing 11S0(T). C0IIC8CDIV SIX ohaaged y-. «« f.-om 0960(T) to 1100(T).

(6) 0140 CHOKAI ohangad oourae to O90o(T) after haring fired four torpedoes at 0138.

(7) 0140 .'ARVIS «a« sighted on the port bo» of the YDNAOI. TONAGI ooBioenoed reversal of course by a long vide turn to pur- sue the JARVIS and attaok her«

(8) 0140 VINCnNKS Group o/e from 2260(T) to 31S0(T).

(9) 0140J PATTERSON «as sighted by the CBOKAI bearing 130o(T) range 5500 yard«.

(10) 0143 CANBERRA deteoted CHOKAI*« torpedoes passing, two to starboard, two to port. None hit. CANBERRA then obserred CHOKAI «nd AOBA and went to battle stations.

(II) 0143 FURUTAKA experienced steering casualty when she opened fire on the CHICAGO Group* She fell out of eoluan «teering to the right of CRUDIV SIX.

(12) 0144 BAGLBY sighted CHOKAI dead ahead at range 2600 yard«« oosunenoed a left turn with full rudder to fire starboard torpedoes, but «wung past firing bearing before. prLaers oould be inserted. She continued the turn to unnask her port torpedo tubes.

(IS) 0144 COMCBDDIV EIGHTESN o/o to 0400(T) to avoid aotion with heavy cruisers of CHICAGO Group.

91SM» O - SO - 4 • 386 -

/

(14) 0145 YDNAOI sighted by CHOKAI on bearing 2D0o(T}, lea-ring the Japanese fonaation.

(15) 0145 QUTNCY fixed her position by tangents on «hat she thought «as Savo Island* Her left tangent of 240o(T) defined the southern tip of the heavy cloud bank south of Savo Island. Her right tangent of 27S0(T) defined its K limit, Savo Island «as obscured by mist and hat«.

(16) 0145 CANBERRA in left turn hit heavily by shells of AOBA. AOBA's torpedoes missed one minute later.

(17) 0146 TENRYU sighted five ships of VINCENNES Group bearing 060o(T), range 14,300 yards. C0MCRUDIV E1GHTEQI o/o to C70O(T) to olose range.

(18) 0148 FURUTAKA sighted by PATTERSC» «hioh broadcastedt "flaming, Wamingl Strange ship entering harborl"

(19) 0147 PATTERSON increased speed to maximum, changed course to left to unmask starboard torpedoes. Commanding Officers order to "fire torpedoes" «as not heard«

(20) 0147^ FURUTAKA «as observed (both by the TQJRYU and the PATTERSON) to change course to north. FURUTAKA'* Commanding Officer did not trust his steering controls and feared collisioo «1th CANBERRA.

(21) 0148 CCMCRUDIV EIGHTEI», having c/c to 110o(T) at 0147^ engaged the PATTERSON.

(22) 0148 CHOKAI fired four right torpedoes at the VINCEKNES.

(23) 0149 CHOKAI changed course to 0690(T).

387 -

irr

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III!

44

1 I I i i i r I! 59^45'

I I I I "T i i r i i i i "i—i—i—r

46 47'

JAPANESE ^

"T—r

CRUISER

mmmm.

Aiipii ) I

\ ^fc

YU .AGI^, 0150 •— -^^

0132 ^"^ -

-\ JARVIS \ ^ 0150

\

\ *~ -^ v

AKINUCASA \ 0132

\

S YUNA6I tighHd JARVIS btanng 055'(Tl.rang* JlOO/<>' lurnta Ott to ftrtu» hit ,

/

FORCE

tiJKO sigtile, / JARVIS 0135

^^^ *«*£*/ä^wT

^^-•^V^^ÄV / ./::^:::::o::::::;;:::::::!:::::::::;::::::;:::::;::::

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i;;^^;;i:;:;:ii::iiihii::;;:i;i::;:;i!:^

YUNAOI sightMd J6RI/IS btonng 055*IT), rang» 3IOOydt ,' lurnta off to persut htr QO'^S

HAXO sighfa / JARVIS OI35

CHOKAI sigfi/ea j JAP VIS 0134

JARVrt:? ^0132 :*.

0147 V TEHRYU tightM PATTCKMN

B ISO* 6,5COf<ls

0147^

;:\, 10 ffe

\ fURUTAKA firtt lorptdot) at Hi§

CHICAGO 0134

(T) * ^""^-~-» go«/-j« Qjj.

YUBARl

c°. TENRYU I 0I5O

*} AOBA tiglit*a BA6Ur rangt 9,W/</s, toarmg 115 '(T)

MBA 0I40

£*o. '°n. 0149 FURUTAKA i firtdJTorpsI

Of36 CHOKAI sighttd iCA baaring IZO'IT)

iZ,500fd$ |

^O-,

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FURUTAKA & 0150

AOBA - ~^s ■~4irtd4hrpl ^-

-r-T—r i i i i i 1 i ' i !

54' 159^55'

I I i i -i—|—i | I I—n—I I I I

56'

i I I i I ' ' r ! i i i I i i—r

HELM O OISO

57'

WILSON Q 0150

58

Y0I40

(*) tttcultd Coife of covrtito 3I5'!T)

9'- 10'

'0146 TCHRfU sigtiltd VINCEfNCS GROUP y faring 060 ' IT),niiga

,0/50 HOKAI vg***! MCCNNES yrmgOGO'irj SOOOf*

?s ^

^'0*°-^^ 0150

0150

4UGASA M

0145 <HOKAI **»!»<'. YÜIIMI Btarmg ISO't Tl

\

rt-A

'3-

14'

LTENRYU T 0132

\

JAPANESE r YUNA6I

0150 '

!\ JARVIS ~ 0150

CRUISER

• KINUGASA ^ 0132

\

o -o- (7)

^ YUNAGt iighlKl JARVIS btarmq 055'IT),rang» 5100fts lurma off to pertu» htr

FORCE

BATTLE OF SAVO ISLAND ACTION WITH THE CHICAGO GROUF

0132, 9 AUGUST TO 0150, 9 AUGUST

•..

;i|:: #£.4 V Y iliii

0146 TENHYL tea/

g /© ftp,'«

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|/l^«rf JtRVIS i'/T/.'ang* 3IOO/<fs I 10 ftrtut hir (,0145

/KAKOsighltd / JARVIS 0135

,HOKAI JIM

CHOKAI sighled JAP VIS 0134

m 0147

TEMRfU sigltltäPATTtRSOf, a iso; 6,50O/as

,*o ^ Z*'..«' .««• 1»

'4/ Ö/J/ CHOKAI iig.lftd VINCENH btanng 060'(T)

I8000y<h

0146 .

fURUTAKA fifd /tTA torp$dois at Hit <(V J?

0/<J

/ YUBARI

NAOISO

Ôü J'^^

TENRYU I 0150

CHICAGO

g^wvr, 0J^ 0139 , AOBA SifhUa BAGLEY

0139y rant» 9,500rd$,bMriiigll5'(T) AOBA

0I4O

FURUTAKA k OlSO

013? ^^ v Sfo.

ÎNUGASA 0190

'S'ft XPoj-

0149 FURUTAKA , firta3Torpsl

0136 CfOKAl sighled ZCA «#»'/»# I20'(TI

l!,500fdl

%

0143 -CHOKAI sichltc ihor Bearing,

} ISLAND HICA60 GROUP

), 9 AUGUST

^N « ^^ ^\ ^-^f» //- t0i49

FURUTAKA ÔldJ^^^-^T-cT^d'Tr} 0143 "\ ^tr— f**0'>'*'

0I3B CHOKAI tired 0'?/ purl torpedoes oi CANBERRA

firtd I Torp (T) 'v at PATTERSON w '

* PATTERSON ^3$,. - ■J%^^* ► %-'» »/ 55O0^f \ .* V ^<A. 'S, \»NS

0146 x^ > ^\ '•• ^ \N

irrERSOHsigliM. V ■ •.. \^ \ PATTERSOHsighti FURUTAKA

CHICAGO 0150

PATTERSON 0150

PATTtRSOHsighltd CrudivlB TBOOyds

Line of lire CHICAGO port bolter/

146 PATTERSOH sighted

FURUTAKA deed ahead

OI4 0i/2

0

01*6 TENRYU sigh>td ViNCENNES OROUP btoring 0€0' /T), rangt

14,BOO yd».

\

-.HOK&I sighttd VINCENNES wing 060'(Tj BOOOfdt

O 0150

I1* „ CHOKAI

0150

IU6ASA O

OI4fi CHOKAI Sichltd YjNAei B»ari»tl90'(TI

,■ CANBERRA / 0.50

\ 01*4 BAGLEY tight*!

S CHOKAI, R ISOOyds

BAGLEY 0150

. 70)49 (12) /\ BAGLEY lind 4 Ton»

lltV)

SCHICAGO hit toKAtt&'s Torps \OI4Tl

0139,

s

m ///,

OCCASIONAL D 0132 RAIN SQUALLS

II. ^ii!

0152

\

it

•3-

14-

-9^t8!

16'—

r," TPAM'F'

915903 0 50 (Fnc. p 387)

3f?'/?

EVaJTS DEPICTED CM DIAGRAM *G*

(1) 0160 TBIRYU o/o from 110o(T) to 0S20(T), lacldsnt to FJRUTAltA't position nnd northerly course.

(2) 0150 FURDTAKA experiencing steering dlffloulties, «as withdrawing from CRUDIV SIX on northerly course, and thereafter joined in oolunn behind TSJRYU.

(5) 0150 YDBARI o/c to 032o(T), simultaneously with the TÖIRYD and proceeded thereafter in line of bearing on TENRYU.

(4) 0150 CHOKAI illuminated ASTORIA, followed in a matter of seconds by the AOBa illuminating the QUINCY, and the KAKO illuminating the V1NCSNNES. The gunfire engagement with the VIKCBTOES Group was then oomnenoed using searchlights briefly and in- termittently.

(5) 0150 KIKUOASA continued to engage the burning CANBERRA at 3000 yards range.

(6) 0151 BAGLBY sighted by the CHICAGO on bearing 067O(T), range 2800 yards.

(7) 016l| CHOKAI sighted by ASTORIA, silhouetted against star shells fired by VINCEKHES,

(8) 0152 BAGLEY sighted by TEHRYU on herring 1200(T) at range 5500 yards.

(9) 0152 CCMCHÜDIV BI6HTEHI o/o to 0600(T) so TBKRYU could fire (re- werse action) on the BAGLEY bearing 1200(T), range 5500 yards.

(10) 0152 WILSON c/e to 270O(T) to vuimask guns to port.

(11) 0152 HEIÜ received Commander VINCEKNES Group order for destroyers to attack. Continued on course 3150(T), Increased speed to fifteen knots.

(12) KINUGASA fired torpedoes at CANBERRA. No hits.

(13) 4)153^ COMCRUOIV EIGHTEEN, having been paralleling the Japanese heavy orulsers on course 050o(T), changed course to 0000(T) to clear the action between Japanese Eastern Group and Allied heavy cruisers of VINCENNES Group. At this juncture, the Western Group became a tactically separated unit.

(14) 0153^ Comnander VINCENNES Group o/o to 2750(T) to unmask his main battery guns to port.

S88

y

(IS) 0154 WILSON mil sighted by CHOKAI «nd mi taken under fire with her 6-lnoh guns. No hits« WILSON ooatinued to fir« at the EAKO aa the latter'« «earohllght bean gaf» her a point of

(16) 0166 Comnandlng Officer ASTORIA obaerrad that the orulsers of the VTHCBNNES Group «are In a line of bearing of about S060(T) and heading about 2760(T). Ha changed course to the left to unaaak uls Bain battery gun« and increased speed to twenty knot«,

(17) 0166 COMCRÜDIV BICRTEBI changed course to 0200(T) to close th« rang» on the VINCBfNES Oroup.

(18) 0166 HELM oostplatad course change to 1800(T) and prooaodad at flftasn knots to attempt to locate «neny and attack with torpedoes. Visibility was low in the rlolnlty of th« HSLV.

(19) 0168 CH01AI c/'" «« 028<>(I).

(20) 0168 COMCRÜDIV EIGHTEEN sighted QUINCT through th« hate bearing P500(T), rang« 6600 yards. H« noted also th« VTHCEKNES tun- ing to 540o(T), and th« ASTORIA following th« QülNCY. H« decided to fir« torpedoes at th« QUINCY.

(21) 0169 CKOKAI o/c to 016o(T).

(22) 0169 TBJRYÖ op«ned gunfire on the QUINCY bearing 040°(T), rang« 4000 yards. Than comnancad naneurerlng to reach torpedo firing pointa.

369

T—r -r

YUNAGI »ngogtt JARVIS from 0155 *> 0200

'YUNAGI 0150

JARVIS 0200

0195 JARVIS 0150

YUNACI OISO

I I" T I I ~r~r

54'

-T'T~ I ! * I I—i—1—i 1 i—f—r—T" l59»-55' '

56'

r~r-|--T r~r i"[ i i rryTT-TT

57' I i i I r i i i

WILSON _ OZOO O

WILSON 0190 Optutä Hrt on KAKO

a I rang» ftOOO/di

.YUBARI ' 0200

0159; CHOKAl sightta CA ofirt toariHf 313 (T)

cnangtd corns* to OSS'IT)

CHOKAl MOO

S'lO

4

4

13'—

IGASA

c^6 e.p«

(0 fiC»

v.C^t :*£.

YUNAGI A otoo

YUNAGI wgogis JARVIS / from 0155 to 0100

'VUN«GI 0150

s -*•-

JARVIS 0200

0155 -O

JARVIS 0150

<",•^J■'■c;c'^<'<ri,

BATTLE OF SAVO ISLAND OPENING PHASE OF

ACTION WITH THE VINCENNES GROUP

0150.9 AUGUST TO 0200.9 AUGUST

- -*si^ ;:t^"*- ■^•^s

•V*

/ill / ;.y.v;!v.'..

.•.i.v.v.*.-.'.'. ■ .*, .v.v.v.v.

/■r&E-Avy::-. .

WMMSmm

I »Sw i>vfe

V \:

^X M

0156 4 FUtUTAKA illuminated

QUIHCr bearing OWITI rang» 9000 ydt Jlttn

op»md fir»

\ \

0155 TCNRYU Sigfitri

CAUBCRHA iaerinf nO'fT)

A 01SZ \ TENfirU liflittd BAGL£Y \ btorint 120-(TI \ 5500/ds

OI54 KINU6ASA/

$te»r »itf. hit.

JAPANESE WESTERN

GROUP 4FURUTK«

® 0I50

0100 CHICAGO slgbldd fun-oefion

betwetiK YUNACl and JARVIS

CHICAGO otoo

^<Olil O)50

^ CHICASO sigtitdd ^ BACLEY btdfldf 067m(T)

CHICAGO "»*•• 2'°°** ■) 0150

i/'/»# ot fir» CHICAGO p»rl ItatHry^^ 0152 CHICAGO »ighfs PA 7 TtRSON

(obaam to port on rtvirt» court*.

P4TTCRS0M 0150

0152 Corns» 090' IT), Sp»od 30 Kts.

(

1

\

/I - . .. _ * *

IS § , *

«3/5« /" / FU/fUTMKA illuminated i rangt aoOOyat j /*•/»

/" /?

op»H*o firi .vC CHOKAI tignitd Wilton

faring 349m ( TI

0155 TENRYUaighfi

CANBCRRA ■ bicrint I40'(T)

0150 CHOKAl sighlfd HCLM'i gar fir»

bearing 0I4*(T> KINUGASA 0200

ltd BACier J'fTl

0134 , KltlUMi

Httrtngkill*^ CHOKAl ■* 00180

CANBERRA 0200

~. PATTERSON V 0200

BAGLEX' OISO

CHICAGO sigHttd BACLEf »»»ring i„r*(T)

JQ rangt eSOO yds )

Mi PATTERSON I of rtrtrtt

090'IT), Speed 30 Kts.

0i59j CHOKAl ligfiled CA of ire bearing 3I3ITI

cbongtd course fa 059'IT) 9 •• I o'

CHOKAl 0200

AOBA 0200

KAKO 0200

'OISS.:*:.

pttm&mmii* KIHVCiASA ■■^-:

i OCCASIONAL

RAIN SQUALLS

i M —

12

H

1

13-

g'-is

16

DIAGRAM "G"

V1',9D3 O W (to-, p J89)

Sff-f-

EVHITS DEPICTgD OW DIAGRiW "H*

FINAL PHASE OF ACTIOW

0200 to 0220

(1) 0200 CHOKAI «aparated from CRUDIV SIX. Har actual movements at thli time are not knotm. The traok shorn on this Diagram consist« merely of her minimum turning circle to the left to the 0204 bearing lino she obtained on the ASTORIA.

(2) 0200 ADBA changad course from 069O(T) to 0000(T), leading CRUDIV SIX to continue action against VINCENNBS Group. All three •hips of CRODIV SIX conoentrated their fire on the ASTORIA at 0200.

(3) 0200 flHÜOASA fired torpedoes toward Transport Area XRAY, distant 26,000 yards« All torpsdoes missed.

(4) 0200 ASTORIA turned right to clear QOINCY's line of fire to the southeastnard»

(6) 0200 HIUI. on oourse 1800(T), sighted unidentified ship (BAGLEY) on bearing 2250(T), distance 8000 yards. Changed course to SW to inrestigate and attack It, if enemy.

(6) 0200 TWRYD «as maneuvering for position to fir« torpedoes.

(7) 0200 TfDBARI, placed ahead of the TBfRYU by the letter's maneuver- Ing, ooBj^.«iced her approach and also maneuvered to fire torpedoes.

(8) 0200 WILSON changed oourse to the right to maintain her relative position on port bo« of the VINCENKES.

(9) 0200 RALPH TALROT «as proceeding along her assigned patrol line toward bhe 31 at twelve knots, observing the action on her port beajto between the Japanese Eastern Group and the three Allied cruisers of the VINCSTOBS Group* The Japanese best- em Group was not visible to her»

(10) 0201 KAKO fired four torpedoes at the ASTORIA. All torpedoes missed.

(11) 02U1 ASTORIA fired her ninth salvo at AOBA bearing 1360(T), range 7900 yards. ASTORIA hit by shells of AOBA.

(12) 0201 HEUI identified 3AOLBT as a "friendly destroyer", reversed course« and increased speed to twenty-five knots*

V »ISMS O-SO-5 - 590 -

i

/

(13) 0201 FURUTAKA engaged VINCBWBS with gunfire on course North.

(14) 0202 AOBA shifted fire from ASTORIA to QDINCY on bearing 310O(T), range 8600 yards. CRUDIV SIX again employed searchlights.

(16) 0202 ASTORIA'S bridge hit by salvo from KAKO, causing great damage and killing the steersman.

(16) 0202 TOvRW and YUBARI fired four torpedoes each abeam to starboard at the QU1NCY and VINCENNBS, respectively, then steadied on course 340o(T).

(17) 0202 QÜINCY fired three salvos of star shells to starboard, which burst short of the Japanese Eastern Group above the clouds and were ineffective.

(18) 0203 QÜINCY fired her second main battery salvo, QUINCY's starboard 5-lnch battery was knocked out by shells from the AOBA.

(19) 0203 ASTORIA fired her tenth main battery salvo. She was hit by an 8-inoh salve from the KINUGUSA on bearing 1500(T) (approx.) range 9100 yards» suffering extensive damage topside and below decks In the vicinity of the well deck.

(20) 0203 FURUTAKA c/c to 340° to parallel movement of TENRYÜ and YÜBARI» Japanese Western Oroup than overhauled the VINCBWBS and QUINCY, and fired a heavy volume of shells into them from rarges of 2700 yards to 2000 yards.

(21) 0204 KINUOASA experienced more difficulty with her port steering engine (hit by VINCBMNES at 0154).

(22) 0204 CHOKAI's position as plotted on the Diagram was derived from her bearing of 3180(T) taken on the ASTORIA, and the state- ments of QUINCY officers who noted a cruiser farther east of three ships of CH5IDIV SIX. CHOKAI re-entered the engagement and turned her searchlights on the ASTORIA and opened fire.

(23) 0204 ASTORIA under concentrated fire of three ships was hit aft by salvo from KINUOASA. Her engineering departmait was damaged, her speed «as reduced, and her gunnery stations (except for turrets I and II) were practically out of action. She commenced a slow left turn.

(24) 0204 QDINCY was hit on port side by torpedoes from TENRTO, and a half-minute earlier VINCBINES was hit on port side by YUBARI1s torpedoes.

391 -

/ /

(25) 0204 WILSON retuaad fire on Japanese Eastern Group. Her plotted position on the Diagram «as derived from TBNRYD'e bearing of 020o(T), at this time taken together with the WILSON'S own track chart, WILSON came under a few rounds of fire frcn the TBIYRU in the next minute, but was not hit.

(26) 0206 TENRTO o/o from S^C^d) to S200(T), oeased firing at the WILSON.

(27) 0206 YDBARI, noting TBNRYÜ's change In course, o/o to the westward also. The track of 307o(T) of the TÖBARI shown on this Diagram is a maneuvering board solution (War College evaluation) which would enable the YIIBARI to have passed BOO yards ahead of the TEMRYU at 0208 to assume the offset position in which she was later reported to be (by the TQfRYD and by the RALPH TALBOT).

(28) 0205 HBLM changed course to 360o(T) to pass between the QDINCY and the VTNCENNES, the latter she observed xas turning westward.

(29) 0205 UEO fired two additional torpedoes at ASTORIA (torpedoes missed).

(30) 0205 CHOKAI hit in bridge structure, thirty men were killed and Flag Plot burned out. CHOKAI scored hits on ASTORIA at this tlM.

(31) 0206 FÜRÜTAKA changed course to left to parallel course of 320o(T) steered by TENTRD. At this point FUROTAKA and YUBARI continued to engage the VTNCENNES from the letters starboard quarter. They were believed to be two "friendly destroyeis" by Coananding Officer, VINCBINBS.

(32) 0207 The ASTORIA fired her eleventh salvo from turret III at the KINOQASA on bearing approximately 1400(T), range 7000 yards.

(S3) 0207 WINOOASA commenced returning to the column of CRDDIV SIX.

(34) 0208 ADBA changed course from 0000(T) to S280(T) to close range on QÜIMCY, In particular, and VINCBINES Group as a whole.

(35) 0208 ASTORIA sighted QUINCT, burning and in right turn, on a oolllsion oourse. ASTORIA eonmanoed sharp left turn.

(36) 0208 WILSON end HELU near oolllsion. WILSON reversed oourse at thirty knots to avoid the HELM-.

(37) 02Qe| FDRUTAEA. having ceased firing at VINCBNNES, closed THJRYTJ to taks position approximately in oolwu

- 392 -

/

38

39

50

51

52

53

54

0209 YUBARI, having oeaaad firing at the VINCB7NES at 0206, crossed ahead of the TENRYÜ and subsequently- assumed a position 1000 yards on her port beam.

021C KINTJGASA changed course to S280(T) to folio« ships of CRDOIV SIX in oolumn.

CHOKAI o/o to 3280(T) to parallel CHJDIV SIX.

PURÜT1KA o/c to 320o(T) to follow TEKRYU at 1300 yards distanoe.

TE3JRYÜ sighted R/LPH TALBOT, bearing 3500(T), range 9500 yards.

RALPH TALBOT was momentarily illuminated by YDNAGI's searchlight at range 15,000 yards on her port bow.

HELM changed course to 3150(T) to proceed to point of ren- dotTouB five miles KW of Savo Island.

FURUTAKA observed QUINCY ablaze on bearing 100o(T), range 6000 yards.

FURUTAKA sighted HELM bearing 0650(T), range 4200 yards.

CHOKAI re-entered engagement, turned on her searchlight, swept past the WILSON to locate the VINCENNES, and opened fire.

AOBA reopened fire on QUINCY. Also fired one torpedo at QÜIKCY.

KINÜGA5A illuminated the ASTORIA on bearing 270o(T) and fired her main battery at her. A minute later she directed her dual purpose guns on the QUINCY.

0214 TQJRYU illuminated the RALPH TALBOT on bearing 5S40(T}( range 6200 yards, and opened fire on her. FURUTAKA also opened fire on RALPH TALBOT, range 7600 .-ards.

02164 FURUTAKA ceased fire on the RALPH TALBOT, probably because the TENRYU was in her line of fire because of TALBOT* s change In bearing.

0216 QUINCY hit by AOBA'a torpedo.

0216 CHOKAI sustained hit in turret I from shell fired by ASTORIA.

0217 TaiRYU ceased firing at RALPH TALBOT but continued to illuminate her«

- 393 -

40 ) 0210

41 ) 0210

42: ) 0210

4s: I 0210

♦4. I 0210

46; ) 0211^

46] ) 0212

47] 1 021S

481 0214

49] 021i

/

(65) 0218 R/LPH TALBOT .-ghted YUBARI, b«»ring 120o(T), range 3300 yard«.

(66) 0218i TDBARI llluMnatad «id oanmanoed firing at RALPH TALBOT.

(67) 0219 PURDTAEA re«u«ed fire on RALPH TALBOT on' port bo« range 4700 yard«,

(68) 0219^ RALPH TALBOT had reeeived fire hit« fro» YUBARI and fired at three torpedo«» fro» her Amber Three torpedo tube aount at the YUBARI« She Imaediately thereafter changed oourae to the left to unaesk her port torpedoea.

(69) 0220 CHOIAI attain» thirty knot», oloalng the AOBA.

K15903 O - JO - « m S94

:

-1—1—I—I—

159'

n—i—I—r K

T—i—i—r -i—!—r—i—]—i—i—i—r

47'

-i—I—i—r ~i—i—i—i—i—i—r I .

49

^ YUNAG

0220

i r

45' 46 48

\

■■#■£■* v Y

■ '.:Mt ST

RALPH TALBOT 0220

RAIN SQUALL

ozia hA^hti TALBOT sighlld YUBARI.bmrlnq ItO'T rongt 3300 yds

f02IO RALPH TALBOT mowntorlly

illuminafd by YUNACI dt rongt et II,000ydt.

btoring 230'( T )

/•'

T I l l i r

48'

-i—i—i—i—I—i—r

49'

1—i—i—i—'—i—i—i—r

159'-50'

-i—i—i—!—I—r

51'

i i l—r

52' 53

O RALPH TA1.80T 0200

0115

02a

T—i—I—'—'—1—r-r . , ■ ! I I I I I I I I 1 I ' I I ' I I I I ' ' I I ' ' ' ' I ' ' ■ ' -i—i—1—i—i—i—i—r

59' I59,: 55" 56 57

AOBA 0220

CHOKAI

58;

01

02-

os'—I

04-

9'-05-" 4

06-

07'-

BAGLfcY 0220

021?

CHICAGO dlltcltd BAGLEr faring on htr stbd bow .rongi i.tOO fort%

BATTLE OF SAVO ISLAND FINAL PHASE OF

ACTION WITH THE VINCENNES GROUP

0200.9 AUGUST TO 0220.9 AUGUST

~^-

0109

oeug FUPUTAKA ooservea OUINCy on tin blaring 100'IT) rang* 6000 yit

,1

oioe HUM aiH WILSON ntar collision

ozoe \oeii

0220

0204 TtNRYU aighU

WILSON faring 020'

rang» 2i00

WILSON 0220

H- *i\I £

•,0104 C?04\

ASTORI 0220

(WILSON

'viNCCHNtis 0200 '

A*

VWCENNES

QUINCY 0200

KAKCl

mistm AS tO If 14

I 7

6t-rrrrt&'&tf$c&v ' .■■:•:•■ :-:--v--'(:-:-v:v

^Xf*-rrr?'(k-%/ ' ..<^/X":••:•:■;•:•:■:•:•:■:•:•:•:■;■:•;•:•:•:■ n-fSTrePfeficfUl o,/ ■ ....../.•■,

TENRYUW

OKIO

FURUTAKA 0200

/ @

f*A*t

HELM 0200

®

/020l HELM HaalHiai BAHLEY

at Irianaiy 00

^ ■^.

•vSC-

■:^-;^::

\

i^WV

Moo

/-

"J'/WJO 50 (Focc blonUnllo-.r,, p J94) Nc 1

-i i—I i—I i—i—i—i—I—i—I—i—i—i—I—i—i—i—i—i—i—r

40" 41' 42'

1—| 1—I 1—I r-

JAPA NtSE

WEST ERN

GROUP

01 TEN

'E is

1—i—i—r i ' i I i i i i I I i i I

43' 44' 159'

oe4o TENHYU sighttd CHOKAI

btorint 080*IT) rongt 9900 yds.

' i i r

45'

' I I I I I I I | I I i i [ I I '

46' 47'

YUBA Rl joins column

0130 coMCHuoivia

ordtrtd- "SpMdiO Kit.'

OSiO fURUTAKA V^ rut

0130^ TCNRYU incrtOi

tpttd to 29.

f-| I ' ' '

48'

CHOKAI t 0240

AOBA 0240 • Ä 0240

JAPANESE \ EASTERN

GROUP

KAKO 0240

\ KAK

f.jRjTAMJI ****** rtoHWJ"** . »i*tft*i*d „t lALPH TA

^Z

022B

ona TfN/IYU ehi

sp—d H> 2S his

*fiZZ4

TENRYU tin* el fir»

0225.

YUBARJ^^ -r*^. ^

OZcl .■■:■■.-:■:■■: .::.*±:: ""^»i ■■:■:■■■:<■:■■:■■■ ■.■■■■.■:'.:■■■ ^^

0223 v FUNUTA \. bee

RALPH TAL0OT fired I lorpedo el

YUBARl m :|.:;.:3fe?^/ '

igNRYU Mfd to.

i—r ̂

a 11'' ■ 11 ' 11' 11' 11 ' 11

48' 4«' 159' 50'

1 i i r~i i l i | i | i i r-

51' 52,

KAKO 0240

V \ \ ^s KINUGASA

0240

w>

\ <*o.

^<^

-i—i—|—i—\—r—i—^—-

SS"

"Sv

m X oees

*^u8ot\ ;^-;^--^, *&*■-. • >^ ^\^FUfiUTAKA sighfmlRALPH TALBOT

Wk 'IN ■,

\\\ A0B4 0?Z9

V 0119

C-tOKAl chongtd ceurst to 300'fT)

V«fe-

/

r /

63' 54' 159'

e'se' —

57'-

58'

59'

9*00 S

AOBA

point of SAVO ISLAND sttn obeom to perl, range 12300fords

or

02'

fe^: H

-«o*j oees

k ^ \ t^^m^?*^C ^WMTAKA Sight*RALPH TALBOT

^mi*ftlL«)tN. V Coring Z67'fT),

.■..■.■*:.:.*M.:.i .>•:..:..::.:.:.•.:.:.::•: ^S^TENRYU •\ 0220

YU8ARI 0220

Cdr i

FURUTAKA 0220

I.

BATTLE OF SAVO ISL WITHDRAWAL OF JAPANESE F

0220, 9 AUGUST TO 0240.9 AUG

,\

Court» 300 conlinutd to

OF SAVO ISLAND \L OF JAPANESE FORCE

GUST TO 0240.9 AUGUST

CHOK/k! 0220 Cdr. Cruittr Fore« ordtrod:

"All ships withdraw I "

'KINUOAS* O220

QUINCY sunk

g^os'

06'

DIAGRAM 1

91 5903 O 50 (fee. blont (o lo».-.? p !94) No I

■R

if 159*20'

CHOKAI TUNAG..^, 0BA

159» 30' I«'«« 40

K4l«>..^wV0ÖAR. CHOKAI

0000, 9 AUGUST

»WT- if n w ■ M n N

>•>. TTNRYU

*^-v \Tv.ruN

ISEl RUSSELL IS

AC

\ \s

W

\ \

N

\ \

\x

\

\ \ \

%

\ \

\ \ \

\ \ \

A ^ s

^

S

X ^\

^\

\. C).

\ \ \ \ \ \

"Pllj^.

\ \

oaill ^ L. /.H(>14/

\

\

('.•''0S

• nriK

(7,-/(5

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BATTLE OF SAVO ISLAND COMPOSITE TRACK CHART

0000,9 AUGUST TO 0340,9 AUGUST 1942

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AIPUST 9th, 1942

OOOO to 2400

(1) 0000 JARVIS departed unescorted from Area XRAY via limiting line (1250(T) from Savo Island), thence westnard, passing south of Sa-vo Island.

(2) 0000 CTO 61.1, on course 230O(T; since 2330, August 8th at fifteen knots, abreast of Cape Surville, San Cristobal Island.

(3) 0000 Japanese submarine 1-121 en route on E course to Tulagi.

(4) 0000 Japanese submarine 1-122 ec route in Solomon Sea on SE course to Tulagi.

(5) 0000 Allied submarine S-44 en route around west end of New Hanover Island to area in vioinity of Cape St. George*

(6) 0024 Japanese transport MEIYO UARU was sunlc by Allied submarine S-38 in St. George's Channel. Five other transport» on route to Tulagi with reinforcements, reversed course and returned to Rabaul.

(7) 0100 CTO Sl.l changed to 320o(T), speed fifteen knots, eweiting COMSOPACFOR's approval to retire the carrier groups.

(8) 0226 Japanese Cruiser Foroe aseumed course 3000(?";, speed thirty knots, to withdraw fron battle aroa.

(9) 0250 BLUE detected unidentified ship (JARVIS) rounding Cape Ebiierenoe and proceeding to SW.

(10) 0325 BLÖE closed and identified JAKVIS, establishing JARVIS' course and speed as SW at ten knots«

(11) 0540 Two B-17s took off from Espiritu Santo to seeroh Sector II.

(12) 0400 CTG 61.1, having received COMSOPACFOP' e approval, changed course to 050o(T), speed fifteen knots*

(15) 0430 CTG 61.1 changed course to 140o(T), spoed fifteen knotu, to retire TG 61.1 from vhe area.

(14) 0600 SARATOGA launched a morning search of eight eoout bombers, point of origin Latitude 110-14'(S), longitude 1610-01'(E), to cover sector between 270o(T) and 3500(T) to radius of 175 miles (median line 3000(T)).

- 395 -

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{lb) 0616 One large ppcrol plane fron YOKOHAMA Air Group departed Rabaul on Track 096O(T) to radius 700 miles.

(16) 1616 One large patrol plane of POURTEENXH Air Group departed Rabaul along Track 1480(T) to a radius of 700 mile».

(17) 0630 One land attack plane of TAINAK Air Group took off fron Rabaul, prooeeding along Track 1230(T) to reoonnoiter Tulagi- Guadalcanal Area, then extend search on 12SO(T) to 700 mile radius from Rabaul.

(18) 0700 Four land attack planes of FOURTH Air Group departed Rabaul to search» (1) Track 1280(T) from Mono Island ;o radius 420 mile« (700 miles from Rabaul), (2) Track 120O(T) from Green Island to distance 580 miles (700 miles from Rabaul), (3) Track 1380(T) from Rabaul to radius 700 miles, and (4) Track 106o(T) from Rebaul to radius 700 miles.

(19) 0700 Japanese Cruiser Force at thirty knots in AA defense disposition with all ships at General Quarters expecting an Allied carrier air attack, changed course from 300O(T) to 260O(T).

(20) (sun- TF 63 searches took off from Ndeni, Espiritu Santo, and rise) Maramasike Estuary in Sectors III, IV, V, and VII.

(21) (sun- Three R.A.A.F. Hudsons took off fron Fall River Field, Milne rise) Bay, New Guinea, to search Reconnaissance Area "6" (the

northern Solomons). An additional Hudson took off to search local Area SIRBI.

(22) 0736 Japanese search plane reached Oreen Island and took departure on Track 120O(T).

(23) 0740 SARATOGA search plane sighted and identified JARVTS in Lat- itude 09o-42,(S), Longitude 1590-59'(E) on SW course at ten knots, leaving heavy oil slick and down by bow.

(24) 0740 TG 61.1 changed course from his retirement course of 140° (T) to 210o(T) to gain Point Option position for reovery SARATOGA'S searoh planes.

(25) 0823 Japanese searoh plane reached Mono Island and took departure to searoh along Track 1230(T) from Mono Island,

(26) 0825 Japanese reconnaissance plane passed Japanese Cruiser Force in "The Slot".

(27) 0830 Japanese Cruiser Force changed course from 260o(T) to 300o(T).

- 396 -

(28) 0900 Japanese search plane from Rabaul (via Mono Island) sighted JARVIS about twelve miles away on the starboard hand.

(29) 0930 Two 6-17 search planes in Seotor II turned baok to Espiritu Santo, having reaohed extremity of search 750 miles from Espiritu Santo at 0912* The B-17 in the western sub-sector was at this time forty-five miles from the Japanese Cruiser Force. Allowing fifteen or twenty mile radius of visibility, this B-17 missed sighting the Japanese cruisers by about twenty-five or thirty miles.

(SO) 0936 TG 61.1 changed fleet course to 140o(T), the SARATOGA having recovered her morning search planes at 0930. Because of the i'«peated necessity of turning NE into the wind to launch and to recover planes, TG 61.1 made good a Track of 1050(T) between 0935 and 1200. This general movement line is shown on this Diagram.

(31) 0935 Comnander Japanese Cruiser Force passed the S00 mile radius from where he presumably estimated the A''. . d carriers to be operating. Slnoe no carrier-based air »tUan»k had i saohed his force by this time, he slowed from thirty to twenty knots, and assumed a secondary condition of AA defer o,

(32) 0958 Japanese Cruiser Force separated into two groups - the Kavleng Group consisting of Cruider Division SIX, and the Rabaul Group, cent »Hng of the CICK/I, CHJDIV EIGHTBEM, and the TONAOI.

(33) 1010 Japanese search ple^.e, wM ah 'isd reconnoitered Iron Bottom Sound from 0915 to 1000, turn ä back to Rabaul from proximity of Nura Island without oomÎ tV'g tfc» search down Indispen- sable Strait to the 7uü ille radius from Rt baul. This plane crashed on landing at Raâl at 1305,

(34) 1042 Rabsul Group set oourse 340U(T) to trans'* Bcâlnvillo Strait, tigsagging.

(36) 1100 Japanese search plane sighted JARTIS Xa posirion ninety-five miles SW of Savy Island. Report»', her ss ACSLLLBS "lans cruiser, damaged and e«uapln(; to SF-. Thig plane traoket JARVIS thereafter until 1500,

(36) 1130 lavleng Group (CRUDIV SIX), oa oourse 3?^0(T), speed twenty knots slnoe 1000, oonmenaed trantit of Bougainville Strait.

(37) 1200 SARATOGA launched fighters to intercept "ogey" bearing S360(T), distance fifty-five miles. "SORC tuKiad out to be Army B-17 search plane In Seotor II an i . -urn leg to Espiritu Santo.

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EaTiang Group ohangad to retiramant ooursa 320o(T), apead twenty knot«, which it hald through the rast of tha day.

JARV1S sunk by air attack group • aixtaen torpedo plane» and fifteen taro fighter« - in position 130 mile« SV of Savo Is- land.

R.A.A.F. Hudson sighted one Eawasini boitber thirty-fire Biles north of Tauu Island. This was tha Japanese heavy patrol seaplane which had gone out on 096o(T) and was now returning to Rabaul.

R.A.A.P* Hudson sighted Japanese ship anchored in western end of Buka Passage.

Japanese Rabaul Group o/e to 3150(T) to continue ratiraaant on east side of Bougainwllle Island.

R.A.I.F. Hudson, in position twenty-three miles SW of Tauu Island, sighted a Mitsubishi heavy boaiber to tha westward. This was the Japanese search plane which had gone out on leg 106O(T) and waa now returning to Rabaul.

R.A.A.F, Hudson located Japanese CRUDIV SIX. Tha Japanese detected this plane at 1412 and lost sight of it at 1466.

KNTBRPRISB planes (twelve scout bcsibers) commenced afternoon search in forward aenicirola to 160 mile radius. The five acout planes in western quadrant returned at 1616« because of bad weather encountered seventy five miles west.

R.A.A.F. Hudson reoonnoitered Kieta, sighted one large and three small Junks in the harbor.

CTF 61 changed ooursa of TO 61.1 to 1800(T) (after tha afternoon search planea had been recovered at 1727 and tha carrier task groups had rejoined).

FTTRUTAIA sighted what she thought was a submarine periscope, and «ttacked it with torpedoes.

CHOKAI sighted by ooast watcher on N and of Buka Island, mia- took it for an aircraft carrier.

Rabaul Group ohangad course to 2600(T) in position eight miles due N of Buka Island.

CTF 61 changed fleet course of TO 61.1 to 1450(T), continued at fifteen knots»

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