Battle of Tassafaronga
Off Tassafaronga Point, Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands
What happened
Eight Japanese destroyers under Rear Admiral Raizō Tanaka fought a US force of cruisers and destroyers under Rear Admiral Carleton Wright. Japanese destroyers were making a night run to bring food to their troops on Guadalcanal, runs the Americans called the 'Tokyo Express'. US ships intercepted them and sank one destroyer. Then Tanaka's ships fired their long-range 'Long Lance' torpedoes, sinking one US cruiser and badly damaging three more.
Why it matters
Why it matters: It was one of the worst US naval defeats of the war, and it led to changes in US tactics and torpedo design. But the Japanese supplies were not delivered.
What came next
Further supply runs mostly failed, and Japan decided to evacuate Guadalcanal, leaving in early February 1943.
Did you know?
Tanaka's American opponents nicknamed him 'Tenacious Tanaka' for his determined resistance.
Timeline
- 30 November 1942The Battle of Tassafaronga.
- 12 December 1942Tanaka's flagship is sunk by US PT boats.
- 2-7 February 1943Japan evacuates Guadalcanal.