US Navy ambushes the 'Tokyo Express'

11 October 1942: The US Navy begin to reclaim the seas around Guadalcanal in the Battle of Cape Esperance

An artist’s impression of the Battle of Cape Esperance.

The battles on and around Guadalcanal continued. The Marines had fought several intense engagements to defend their base at Henderson Field since the battle at Hell's Point and the air battles over the island were equally furious. The presence of the US Marine ‘Cactus Air Force’ on Guadalcanal posed a serious threat to the Japanese Navy during daylight, so they switched to bringing troops and munitions in overnight, mainly using destroyers rather than slow transport ships.

These quick night runs became known as the ‘Tokyo Express’ by the Americans - and ‘rat transportation’ by the Japanese. In response US Navy moved Task Force 64 into the area on the 9th October, having previously practised night action.

The U.S. Navy heavy cruiser USS San Francisco (CA-38).

Rear Admiral Norman Scott (1889-1942) c.1942 awarded the Medal of Honor for this and a second action off Guadalcanal a month later, when he was killed by ‘friendly fire’. Known as a skilled combat minded commander he thoroughly drilled his ships with the prospect of night action in mind. As a young Ensign he had survived the sinking of the USS Jacob Jones in 1917.