12. The Battle of Vella Gulf, August 6-7, 1943
The Japanese continued to use destroyers to supply their garrisons following the action which sank PT 109. On the night of August 6, the commander of American forces in the theater, Admiral William F. Halsey, sent a force of six American destroyers to intercept and destroy the Japanese reinforcement effort. The American force knew of the Japanese intention through decoded radio intercepts. This allowed the Americans to set an ambush for the Japanese between the islands of Vella LaVella and Kolombangara. The Americans were also equipped with advanced radar, which allowed detection of the Japanese ships before the latter were aware of the enemy’s presence.
Three Japanese destroyers were sunk out of the force of four. The attempt to resupply the island garrison failed. It was the first time American destroyers operated in action independently of cruisers. It was also the first time the Japanese were beaten in a complete destroyer action at night. There were no American casualties other than a gun loader crushing a bone in an accident. The action ended in a complete American victory, which demonstrated to the Japanese they were no longer able to support the garrison on Kolombangara. American troops fighting on New Georgia captured the island’s airfield the same day, further threatening the Japanese garrison.
