Battle of Vella Gulf

6–7 August 1943, Vella Gulf, between Vella Lavella and Kolombangara

American victory

For the first time the American destroyers were let off the leash of the cruisers. Commander Frederick Moosbrugger took six of them into Vella Gulf in two divisions to meet four Japanese destroyers bringing 900 troops to Kolombangara. Using radar, his first division closed unseen in the shadow of the land and fired 24 torpedoes at 4,000 yards; the Japanese never saw them coming. Hagikaze, Arashi and Kawakaze were all hit and sunk, and only Shigure, whose torpedo passed through her rudder without exploding, got away. More than 1,200 Japanese soldiers and sailors were killed. Not a single American ship was hit.

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