On the night of August 8th and August 9th 1942 southeast of the island of Savo The Japanese VIII Fleet, comprised of 5 heavy cruisers, 2 light cruisers and 1 destroyer under vice admiral Gunichi Mikawa managed to sneak undetected by Skylark Strait and in 32 minutes sank the heavy cruisers HMAS Canberra, USS Astoria, USS Vincennes and USS Quincy and a destroyer. Another destroyer and the heavy cruiser USS Chicago were severely damaged. 1.270 men were killed and 708 wounded. The Japanese forces went out almost unscratched. Vice admiral Gunichi Mikawa. USS Chicago HMAS Canberra USS Quincy USS Astoria USS Vincennes Fortunately for the Allies, vice admiral Mikawa soon withdrew from the scene. But he could have went on southwards against the beachheads in northern Guadalcanal, where unprotected transports and supply ships were. Once these ships would have been sunk. The 1st Marine division would have been isolated and would have been annihilated by the Japanese.
Originally posted by spider@Jul 16 2004, 10:46 PM If I walk ouside I can see Iron Bottom sound from here. Lots of history here Spider [post=26914]Quoted post[/post] Was it the battle of Savo that gave 'Iron Bottom Sound' it's name? chris
Originally posted by harribobs+Feb 9 2005, 11:57 AM-->(harribobs @ Feb 9 2005, 11:57 AM)</div><div class='quotemain'><!--QuoteBegin-spider@Jul 16 2004, 10:46 PM If I walk ouside I can see Iron Bottom sound from here. Lots of history here Spider [post=26914]Quoted post[/post] Was it the battle of Savo that gave 'Iron Bottom Sound' it's name? chris [post=31353]Quoted post[/post] [/b]Yes, although it took a little time and a lot more sinkings for the name to take hold. The Marines on Guadalcanal called it "Sleepless Lagoon." Today, when US Navy ships sail through the sound, they all do a letter "S" in formation to honor the cruisers sunk below. I do not know if the Royal Australian Navy does the same thing. A fascinating battle...astounding American unpreparedness....eight months AFTER Pearl Harbor.
