USS Saratoga planes hit Rabaul

5th November 1943: The need to halt the Japanese Navy means that it is the turn of USN carrier-based planes following the 5th Air Force's 'Bloody Tuesday'

The U.S. Navy aircraft carrier USS Saratoga (CV-3) in 1943/44. The photo was taken from one of her planes of Carrier Air Group 12 (CVG-12), of which many aircraft are visible on deck, Douglas SBD Dauntless dive bombers (aft), Grumman F6F Hellcat fighters (mostly forward), and Grumman TBF Avenger torpedo bombers.

After the US attack on Rabaul harbour on the 2nd November a new threat developed for the landings on Bougainville. The Japanese had been careful to avoid exposing their ships to undue risk, but they now felt compelled to bring in a force of seven heavy cruisers, one light cruiser and three destroyers. They were spotted refuelling in Rabaul, and it was obvious they were set for an attack on the ships off Bougainville.

Known to his men as 'Bull', Admiral William Halsey, Commander South Pacific Forces and South Pacific Area, fought his way through the Solomons in late 1942 and 1943. Known as a maverick who sailed his fleet through typhoons when necessary.

The U.S. had no capital ships near enough that would be able to challenge a force of this strength. For Admiral William 'Bull' Halsey it was:

the most desperate emergency that confronted me in my entire term as ComSoPac.