The Battle of Savo Island was part of Guadalcanal Campaign and was fought on 9 August 1942 in the waters around Savo Island by forces of the Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN) and Allies' Guadalcanal—Tulagi invasion force composed of ships from the United States Navy (USN) and Royal Australian Navy (RAN). The battle resulted in a major Allied defeat, losing four heavy cruisers. The Japanese lost no ships but failed to capitalize on the temporary strategic advantage gained from the battle, leaving the unprotected Allied transports unharmed.

Because the Japanese had the tactical initiative, their forces are listed first.

Japanese order of battle

Striking Force Vice Admiral Gunichi Mikawa in heavy cruiser Chokai 8th Fleet 1 heavy cruiser 1 : () Top speed: 34.25 knots Main battery: 10 × 8-inch Secondary btty.: 8 × 5-inch Anti-aircraft btty.: 8 × 25mm, 4 × 13mm Torpedo tubes: 16 × 24-inch 1 destroyer 1 : Top speed: 37.25 knots Main battery: 4 × 4.7-inch Anti-aircraft btty.: 2 × 7.7mm Torpedo tubes: 6 × 21-inch

Cruiser Division 6 Rear Admiral Aritomo Gotō in heavy cruiser Aoba 4 heavy cruisers 2 : , () 2 : , () Top speed: 33 knots Main battery: 6 × 8-inch Secondary btty.: 4 × 4.7-inch Anti-aircraft btty.: 8 × 25mm, 4 × 13mm Torpedo tubes: 8 × 24-inch

Cruiser Division 18 Rear Admiral Mitsuharu Matsuyama in light cruiser Tenryū 2 light cruisers 1 : () Top speed: 33 knots Main battery: 4 × 5.5-inch Anti-aircraft btty.: 1 × 3-inch, 2 × 13mm Torpedo tubes: 6 × 21-inch 1 Yūbari-class light cruiser: Top speed: 35.5 knots Main battery: 6 × 5.5-inch Anti-aircraft btty.: 1 × 3-inch, 2 × 13mm Torpedo tubes: 4 × 24-inch

Allied order of battle

Task Group 62.6 Rear Admiral Victor Crutchley (RN) in heavy cruiser Australia

Southern Force Captain Howard D. Bode (USN) in heavy cruiser Chicago 3 heavy cruisers 2 / Kent-subclass: , () Top speed: 31.5 knots Main battery: 8 × 8-inch guns Secondary btty.: 8 × 4-inch Anti-aircraft btty.: 8 × 2-pounder, 8 × 50-cal. Torpedo tubes: 8 × 21-inch

1 : () Top speed: 32.7 knots Main battery: 9 × 8-inch guns Secondary btty.: 8 × 5-inch/25-cal. dual-purpose 2 destroyers 2 destroyers: , () Top speed: 36.5 knots Main battery: 4 × 5-inch/38-cal. Anti-aircraft btty.: 4 × 1.1-inch Torpedo tubes: 16 × 21-inch

Northern Force Captain Frederick L. Riefkohl (USN) in heavy cruiser Vincennes 3 heavy cruisers All : (), (), () Top speed: 32.7 knots Main battery: 9 × 8-inch guns Secondary btty.: 8 × 5-inch/25-cal. dual-purpose 2 destroyers 1 : 1 : Top speed: 36.5 knots Main battery: 4 × 5-inch/38-cal. Anti-aircraft btty.: 4 × 1.1-inch Torpedo tubes: 16 × 21-inch

Notes

References

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