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 USN July 6, 1943  69th BS July 6, 1943 |
Location On July 6, 1943 in the early morning hours, the Battle of Kula Gulf occurred in Kula Gulf off Kolombangara Island and New Georgia Island in the central Solomon Islands. Prewar and during the Pacific War part of the British Solomon Islands Protectorate (BSIP). Today located in Western Province of the Solomon Islands. Wartime History On July 6, 1943 after midnight U.S. Navy (USN) Task Group 36.1 (TG 36.1) under the command of Rear Admiral Walden L. Ainsworth with three light cruisers USS Honolulu (CL-48), USS St. Louis (CL-49), and USS Helena (CL-50) with four destroyers USS Nicholas, USS O'Bannon, USS Radford and USS Jenkins pass Visu Visu Point on New Georgia to intercept an Japanese "Tokyo Express" run bound for Vila on Kolombangara. Around 1:00am the U.S. cruisers and destroyers were off the east coast of Kolombangara in Kula Gulf when they spotted the Japanese on radar. Meanwhile, the Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN) 3rd Destroyer Squadron of ten destroyers under the command of Rear Admiral Teruo Akiyama divided into three groups: two transport units with 2,600 personnel and cargo embarked escorted by a support group. The first transport unit (30th Transport Division) with three destroyers: Mochizuki, Mikazuki and Hamakaze. The second transport unit (11th Transport Division) with four destroyers: Amagiri, Hatsuyuki, Nagatsuki and Satsuki. The third group was the support group with three destroyers: Niizuki with Admiral Akiyama, Suzukaze and Tanikaze. After midnight, the first transport unit was unloading at Vila on Kolombangara. At 1:57am the U.S. force opened fire on the support group and quickly hit Niizuki and killed Admiral Akiyama. In 21 minutes and 6 seconds, the U.S. force fired 612 shells. Using smokeless power, USS Helena (CL-50) was illuminated by bright flashes every time she fired, having expended all flashless gunpowder the previous action during on July 5, 1943. Spotted, two Japanese destroyers launched their Type 93 "Long Lance" torpedoes with three hitting and sinking her. After first contact, the Japanese laid a smokescreen and broke away. While withdrawing, Nagatsuki was hit by a single 6" shell and ran aground near Bambari Harbor (Jack Harbor) on southeast Kolombangara. Hatsuyuki was damaged slightly by two shells that hit but failed to explode. Mikazuki and Hamakaze managed to unload then depart via the Blackett Strait. Around 3:30am, the U.S. force began to withdraw while the Japanese withdrew toward Buin on Bougainville. After the battle, Amagiri, Radford and O'Bannon remained in the vicinity to rescue survivors. Around 5:00am, Amagiri and USS Nicholas (DD-449) exchanged torpedoes and gunfire with the Japanese destroyer hit four times and withdrew. Mochizuki lingered for another hour before departing via Kula Gulf following the eastern coast of Kolombangara. Around 6:15am clashed with USS Nicholas (DD-449) then lays a smokescreen and withdraws. In the early morning, Nagatsuki was abandoned by her crew and during the day bombed twice by U.S. planes. Outcome The outcome of the battle was inconclusive but was deemed a Japanese tactical victory as they were able to land 1,600 personnel plus 90 tons of supplies for the loss of two destroyers sunk and two damaged with 324 killed. The Americans lost USS Helena (CL-50) with 168 killed. Afterwards, the Japanese continued "Tokyo Express" reinforcement runs to Kolombangara returning July 9, 1943 unopposed and July 12-13, 1943 that results in the Battle of Kolombangara (Second Battle of Kula Gulf). Niizuki Sunk July 6, 1943 into Kula Gulf with Admiral Akiyama Nagatsuki Damaged and grounded July 6, 1943 abandoned Bambari Harbor (Jack Harbor) on southeast Kolombangara USS Helena (CL-50) Sunk July 6, 1943 by three torpedoes into Kula Gulf Contribute
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