Battle off Horaniu

Part of the Pacific Theater of World War II

U.S. destroyers (from right to left): O'Bannon, Chevalier, and Taylor head towards Tulagi harbor in the Solomon Islands on 15 August 1943, two days before engaging in the Battle off Horaniu.

Date	17–18 August 1943
Location	Near Vella Lavella in the Solomon Islands
Result	Strategic Japanese Victory

Belligerents

United States

Empire of Japan

Commanders and leaders

Thomas J. Ryan

Matsuji Ijuin

Strength

4 destroyers

4 destroyers,
20 barges and auxiliary ships

Casualties and losses

None

4 auxiliary ships sunk,
2 destroyers slightly damaged

The Battle off Horaniu (Japanese: 第一次ベララベラ海戦) was a minor naval battle of the Pacific campaign of World War II fought on the night of 17 August 1943 near the island of Vella Lavella in the Solomon Islands

After the fall of Munda and their defeat in the Battle of Vella Gulf, the Japanese had decided to evacuate their garrisons in the central Solomons. An evacuation convoy escorted by four destroyers (Sazanami, Hamakaze, Isokaze, and Shigure) commanded by Rear Admiral Matsuji Ijuin set out from its staging base at Horaniu on the northern tip of Vella Lavella on 17 August to evacuate the island of Kolombangara to the east.

At about 23:30 they were attacked by planes and were still in some disorganization when they were spotted at 00:29 by an American force of four destroyers (USS Nicholas, O'Bannon, Taylor, and Chevalier) commanded by Captain Thomas J. Ryan. After an ineffective exchange of torpedoes and gunfire at long range, the Japanese retreated at about 01:00.

The Japanese saved their barges and were subsequently able to evacuate 9,000 troops from Kolombangara.

Coordinates: 7°42′0″S 156°43′0″E / 7.70000°S 156.71667°E / -7.70000; 156.71667

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