He had no idea that the US carriers (under Admiral Fletcher) covering the invasion had been withdrawn from the general vicinity. Attacking the transport anchorage would require his slowing, reassembling his scattered squadron, coming about, finding the anchorage, and then attacking it. It was now close to 2:00 AM. An attack on the anchorage, according to Mikawa’s staff officers, would have added nearly two hours to the operation, placing Mikawa’s force in a dangerous position when dawn broke at around 0400. Further, Mikawa had no idea as to what Allied vessels still remained untouched in the sound. Consequently, shortly after 0200, he ordered a general retirement up The Slot. Ironically, having survived the fray around Savo, Kako fell victim to three torpedoes from the American submarine S-44 as a portion of the Japanese force approached the safety of Kavieng the next day. Thus ending the first installment in a series of grim night battles around Guadalcanal. It was a spectacular tactical victory for the Japanese, but it was also shorn of the strategic advantage it might have achieved.Dor Brown 9After learning of the Marines taking the airfield, the Japanese high command quickly decides on a new plan of action. They pick Colonel Ichiki, the man who was originally scheduled to take Midway had a naval engagement there permitted a troop landing, to retake Guadalcanal. On August 12th, the airstrip at Guadalcanal is named Henderson Field in Honor of a fallen hero from the battle of Midway, Major Lofton Henderson. The field is declared ready for service but unfortunately no American aircraft are available for assignment here. Japanese aircraft, however, are making almost daily use of the field as a bombing target.On August the 19th, Japanese destroyers deposit Ichiki and his advance-echelon troops at Guadalcanal at 0100 in the morning. Landing is made at this early hour to avoid harassment by the fliers of Henderson ...
