Naval battle of the Pacific campaign of World War II, in the Blackett Strait between Kolombangara islands and Arundel Island in the Solomon Islands
A chance night encounter in Blackett Strait resulted in the sinking of two Japanese destroyers during a resupply mission to Vila in March 1943.
Key Facts
- Date
- 6 March 1943
- Location
- Blackett Strait, Solomon Islands
- Japanese destroyers sunk
- 2 ships
- U.S. light cruisers engaged
- 3 ships
- U.S. destroyers engaged
- 3 ships
- Japanese mission type
- Resupply run to Vila
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
Japanese destroyers were conducting a resupply run to Vila when a U.S. Navy force of three light cruisers and three destroyers was dispatched to bombard Japanese shore facilities around Vila in the Kula Gulf area of the Solomon Islands.
The two opposing forces met by chance as the Japanese destroyers were withdrawing through Kula Gulf. In the short engagement that followed in Blackett Strait, between Kolombangara and Arundel Island, the U.S. force sank both Japanese destroyers.
Following the destruction of the two Japanese destroyers, the U.S. ships proceeded to complete their assigned bombardment of the Japanese shore facilities around Vila before returning to their base, achieving both tactical objectives of the operation.
Belligerents & Mobilization Analysis
Side A
1 belligerent
Side B
1 belligerent