Crenshaw, Captain Russell. The Battle of Tassafaronga. Baltimore: Nautical & Aviation Publishing, 1995.

214 pages
ISBN 1-877853-37-2

Foreword; acknowledgments; photos; ship tracks; index.

Following the American amphibious landing on Guadalcanal in the Solomon Islands in August 1942, the fate of the contending US and Japanese ground forces, and the future course of of the war, depended almost entirely on the ability of one side or the other to control the sea routes by which those ground forces were supplied and reinforced. The USN and IJN fought a series of costly engagements in the waters of Guadalcanal in an effort to impose naval superiority, one of which became known as "the Battle of Tassafaronga".

As IJN destroyers towing drums of supplies for Japanese troops approached the island, they were met by a much stronger force of five American cruisers and six destroyers off Tassafaronga Point. Yet, in a violent night action, the Japanese warships sank one American cruiser and damaged three others at the cost of a single destroyer.

Russell Crenshaw, gunnery officer on the DD Maury during the battle and later a Captain in the USN, has written a careful dissection of the battle in which he examines all the relevant data, analyzes every aspect of the action, and finally offers an incisive critique. Special attention is paid to the problems of US torpedo attacks and the questions of nighttime gunnery. All in all, this is an excellent technical analysis by a highly qualified professional.

In print. List price $29.95. Available from many booksellers or directly from Nautical & Aviation Publishing Company.

Thanks to Nautical & Aviation for providing this copy.