The naval Battle of the Eastern
Solomons took place on 24–25
August 1942, and was the third carrier battle of the Pacific campaign of World War II and the second major engagement fought between the United States Navy and the Imperial Japanese Navy during the Guadalcanal Campaign. As
at Coral Sea and Midway, the ships of the
two adversaries were never within sight of each other. Instead, all attacks
were carried out by carrier- or land-based aircraft. After several damaging air attacks, the naval
surface combatants from both America and Japan withdrew from the battle area without either
side securing a clear victory. However, the U.S. and its allies gained tactical and strategic advantage. Japan's
losses were greater and included dozens of aircraft and their experienced aircrews. Also, Japanese reinforcements
intended for Guadalcanal were delayed and
eventually delivered by warships rather than transport ships, giving the Allies
more time to prepare for the Japanese counteroffensive and preventing the
Japanese from landing heavy artillery, ammunition, and other supplies. (Full article...)
