Battle of the Eastern Solomons

The naval Battle of the Eastern Solomons (also known as the Battle of the Stewart Islands and in Japanese sources as the Second Battle of the Solomon Sea) took place on 24–25 August 1942 and was the third carrier battle of the Pacific campaign of World War II and the second major engagement fought between the United States Navy and the Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN) during the Guadalcanal campaign. As at the Battle of the Coral Sea and the Battle of Midway, the ships of the two adversaries were never within sight of each other. Instead, all attacks were carried out by carrier-based or land-based aircraft.

Battle of the Eastern Solomons
Part of the Guadalcanal Campaign of World War II

USS Enterprise maneuvering radically under aerial attack and afire on 24 August 1942. Anti-aircraft shell bursts are visible above the carrier.
Date24–25 August 1942
Location
North of Santa Isabel, Solomon Islands
Result American victory
Belligerents
 United States  Japan
Commanders and leaders
Strength
  • 2 fleet carriers
  • 1 light carrier
  • 3 battleships
  • 13 heavy cruisers
  • 3 light cruisers
  • 30 destroyers
  • 1 seaplane tender
  • 4 patrol boats
  • 3 transports
  • 171–177 aircraft
Casualties and losses
  • 1 fleet carrier heavily damaged
  • 20 aircraft destroyed
  • 90 killed
  • 1 light carrier sunk
  • 1 destroyer sunk
  • 1 transport sunk
  • 1 seaplane tender heavily damaged
  • 1 light cruiser damaged
  • 75 aircraft destroyed
  • 290+ killed

After several damaging air attacks, the naval surface combatants from both America and Japan withdrew from the battle area. Although neither side secured a clear victory, the U.S. and its allies gained a tactical and strategic advantage. Japan's losses were greater and included dozens of aircraft and their experienced aircrews. Also, Japanese reinforcements intended for Guadalcanal were delayed and eventually delivered by warships rather than transport ships, giving the Allies more time to prepare for the Japanese counteroffensive and preventing the Japanese from landing heavy artillery, ammunition, and other supplies.

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