Battle of Kula Gulf

On the 5 July 1943 as the Allies where working on launching the next offensive in the Solomon Islands campaign RADM Walden Ainsworth commanding TG 36.1 received word that a Japanese destroyer group had departed Buin bound for Vila to reinforce troops threatened by the June 30 landing on Renova, the island opposite. Ainsworth’s force consisting of the CL’s Honolulu, Helena, and St. Louis, DD’s O’Bannon and Nicholas where moving south but reversed course to intercept. The DD’s Radford and Jenkins, refueling at Tulagi also moved to join the force. The Japanese made Vila and the First Transport Group consisting of the destroyers Mochizuki, Mikazuki, and Hamakaze successfully landed some 800 troops while the rest of the force probed north. The rest of the Japanese Force consisted of Niizuki (now having radar), Suzukaze and Tanikaze along with the Second Transport Group with Amagiri, Hatsuyuki, Nagatsuki, and Satsuki led by RADM Akiyama.

Niizuki’s radar picked up the Americans at 0106 on 6 July while TG 36.1 didn’t pick up the Japanese on radar until a half hour later. Akiyama ordered the second transport group to head south and land the troops on Vila but soon cancelled the order when it was realized his remaining destroyers could not take the American ships alone. Ainsworth, not knowing the Japanese had picked up his force on radar had thought he had achieved surprise and waited until 0157 before opening fire. In true American fashion, almost every gun was directed at the lead destroyer and in minutes Niizuki was sinking. Suzukaze and Tanikaze launched full torpedo spreads at the flashes of the Americans within one minute before heading away from the battle. Once again the Americans where tardy in launching torpedoes and none scored any hits. At 0204, 0205, and 0206 three Long Lances broke the back of Helena and she sank quickly in the form of a V.

The second transport group was now returning from the south and Ainsworth’s task group successfully crossed the T and opened fire. Amagiri took four hits, fired torpedoes and retired south. Hatsuyuki followed Amagiri’s lead being struck three times, all of which where duds. Nagatsuki and Sutsuki both turned away before firing any torpedoes. Nagatsuki however soon grounded herself 5 miles short of Vila.

At 0235 Ainsworth ordered the force back to Tulagi, while the Radford and Nicholas searched for survivors of the Helena. Shortly after 0500 Nicholas spotted Amagiri who was searching for the survivors of Niizuki. The two ships both launched torpedoes, all of which missed, before Amagiri was forced to retire under American gun fire. The next day allied aircraft sunk the stranded Japanese destroyer Nagatsuki.

US gunnery was not all that effective in the battle. After crossing the Japanese T Ainsworth’s force was only able to land about 10-12 hits on the four destroyers and sank none of them. Also the Americans where unable to land a single hit with any torpedoes, a trend throughout the war in the Pacific. The Japanese lost two of its destroyers while the US lost one light cruiser during the battle. Of the 2600 troops the Japanese where supposed to land, only 850 where landed on Vila.

 

I just came across this thread and got chills while reading it. My dad was on the Helena. He made it home (or I wouldn't be here), but would never speak of it. I would love to hear from someone who was there. Thanks.

 

. . . and less than a month later, Amagiri sliced through PT 109.