Saturday, 14 November 1942

US NAVY

PACIFIC—Naval Battle of Guadalcanal continues as bombardment of Henderson Field by heavy cruisers Suzuya and Maya fails to achieve the desired effect, prompting the postponement of the landing of troops from the 11 transports poised to proceed down the "Slot" toward Guadalcanal.

            Japanese heavy cruisers Chokai and Kinugasa, light cruiser Isuzu and two destroyers (Vice Admiral Mikawa Gunichi) and heavy cruisers Maya and Suzuya, light cruiser Tenryu and four destroyers (Rear Admiral Nishimura Shoji), come under attack by planes from carrier Enterprise (CV‑6) and from Henderson Field: Kinugasa is sunk by USMC SBDs(VMSB 132), 15 nautical miles northwest of Rendova Island, 08°45'S, 157°00'E. Maya (crashed by a crippled VB 10SBD) and Isuzu are damaged south of New Georgia Island; Chokai, Tenryu, and destroyer Ayanami are also damaged.

            That afternoon, USMC and Navy land-based SBDs and TBFs bomb Japanese convoy off Guadalcanal, sinking transports/cargo ships Arizona Maru and Canberra Maru and merchant transport/cargo ships Brisbane Maru (VS 10, VMSB 141); Kumagawa Maru (VMSB 130), Nagara Maru (VT 10), Nako Maru; and Shinano Maru (CVG 41). Cargo ship Sado Maru is damaged.

            Beginning shortly before midnight, TF 64 (Rear Admiral Willis A. Lee Jr.), comprising battleships Washington (BB‑56) and South Dakota (BB‑57) and four destroyers, engages a Japanese naval force comprising a battleship, a light cruiser, and six destroyers (Vice Admiral Kondo Nobutake) in the Battle of Guadalcanal. Japanese gunfire sinks destroyers Preston (DD‑379) (by light cruiser Nagara) and Walke (DD‑416) (see 15 November).

INDIAN OCEAN—First boatload of survivors from U.S. freighter Excello, sunk by German submarine U‑181 the previous day, make landfall at Port St. John, South Africa.

US ARMY AIR FORCE

EIGHTH AF—24 Heavy Bombers strike U-boat works at Saint-Nazaire.

TWELFTH AF—US Spitfires fly routine patrols in Oran-Tafaraoui area and escort C‑53’s carrying paratroops from Gibraltar to Algiers.

NINTH AF—79th Fighter Group and HQ 19th Bomb Wing, now arriving from US, are assigned to Ninth AF. 6 B‑17’s are dispatched to attack harbor at Bengasi, but only 1 locates target and drops its bombs.

FIFTH AF—1 B‑25 bombs and strafes track N of Soputa. Fifth AF airplanes drop bridging equipment at Wairopi on Kokoda trail where the Australian 25th Brigade is crossing on improvised bridge. US and Australian forces are consolidating at Natunga and in Oro Bay-Embogu-Embi areas. 2 B‑17’s attack transport in the Solomons.

SOUTH PACIFIC—Airplanes from the US carrier Enterprise are joined by land-based Marine and AAF aircraft in driving off the force that bombarded Henderson Field the previous night. In view of the pressing need for aircraft in SOPAC, Adm Nimitz (CINCPOA) is given more freedom to deploy his air weapons. He receives authority to distribute as he sees fit all available air units assigned to S and C Pacific provided he move units rather than individual airplanes and crews.

ELEVENTH AF—1 B‑24 flies armed reconnaissance over Kiska and Attu and bombs Holtz Bay and Chichagof with negative results. Bombers at Adak and Umnak are alerted for shipping targets.

US ARMY

GUADALCANAL—Japanese continue attempts to neutralize Henderson Field with naval gunfire in preparation for landing of reinforcements. Enemy cruiser-DD force opens fire early in the morning, but bombardment is cut short by PT boats. The enemy group, as well as large convoy loaded with some 10,000 troops, is later attacked by aircraft with excellent results. Planes of carrier TF under Admiral Kinkaid, based on USS Enterprise, the last carrier in S Pacific, join land-based planes in attacking enemy vessels. Island enemy CA is sunk and 3 other warships are damaged. Of 11 transports in the transport convoy, 7 are sunk, but the others continue to Tassafaronga after nightfall to unload about 4,000 troops and a few tons of supplies. In another effort to neutralize Henderson Field, Japanese move powerful warship force forward. Elements of Admiral Kinkaid’s naval force intercept enemy warships, night 14–15, and in long-range gun battle sink a DD and badly damage BB Kirishima, which is scuttled by her crew. U.S. losses in this engagement are 3 DD’s sunk and 2 other warships damaged.

NEW GUINEA—New Guinea Force issues attack plan for reduction of Buna-Gona beachhead. Advance elements of 126th Infantry, U.S. 32d Division, are consolidating positions at Natunga. TF Warren (128th Infantry of 32d Division and Australian 2/6th Independent Company) is consolidating and patrolling in Oro Bay- Embogu-Embi area. On Kokoda Trail, Australian 25th Brigade starts crossing improvised bridge at Wairopi, and Fifth Air Force drops bridging equipment.

US MARINE CORPS

Japanese cruisers and destroyers bombard Henderson Field.