Submitted by @Jellicoe1916

In another pitched battle in the Kula Gulf, another edition of "Tokio Express" - 4 transport destroyers escorted by 5 destroyers and a light cruiser - was intercepted by Allied light cruisers. Same as in the previous battle, however, the Japanese ships were shown to be a dangerous opponent. While outnumbered, outgunned and losing the light cruiser Jintsu, their torpedoes found the nmark, heavily damaging all three cruisers and sinking destroyer USS Gwin - while at the same time providing enough distraction for the transport group to land the 1,200 men at Vila.

USS St. Louis and HMNZS Leander firing.

Japan:

• Covering Force (RAdm Shunji Izaki)
  • Jintsu  (flagship) - sunk
  • Kiyonami
  • Yugure
  • Yukikaze
  • Hamakaze
  • Mikazuki
• Transport Force (1,200 soldiers for Vila)
  • Satsuki
  • Minazuki
  • Matsukaze
  • Yunagi

Allies:

• Task Force 36.1 (RAdm Ainsworth)
  • Cruiser Division 9
    • USS Honolulu (CL-48, flagship) - damaged
    • USS St. Louis (CL-49) - damaged
    • HMNZS Leander - damaged
  • Destroyer Squadron 21
    • USS Nicholas (DD-449)
    • USS O'Bannon (DD-450)
    • USS Taylor (DD-468)
    • USS Jenkins (DD-447)
    • USS Radford (DD-446)
  • Destroyer Squadron 12
    • USS Ralph Talbot (DD-390)
    • USS Buchanan (DD-484)
    • USS Maury (DD-401)
    • USS Woodworth (DD-460)
    • USS Gwin (DD-433) - sunk

Event details