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]
8 Oct 1943

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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US Navy OS2U Kingfisher aircraft immediately after landing in snow after a scouting mission in the North Atlantic, 2 Feb 1943; note squadron canine mascot 'Slipstream' at right


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