Day-by-Day Timeline of Events
Saturday, August 8th, 1942
A large contingent of Imperial Japanese Navy warships heads out of Rabaul towards Savo Island to strike at US Navy transports there.
Sunday, August 9th, 1942
Three US and one Australian cruiser are sunk by the Japanese Navy during the morning hours.
Sunday, August 23rd, 1942
The Imperial Japanese Navy enacts a plan to resupply their forces at Guadalcanal under the cover of three aircraft carriers made up of the IJN Ryujo, the IJN Shokaku and the IJN Zuikaku.
Sunday, August 23rd, 1942
US naval patrol aircraft spot the incoming Japanese convoy, radioing positions back to the main task force.
Monday, August 24th, 1942
US naval patrol aircraft once again spot the incoming Japanese convoy. Positions are sent to Task Force 61.
Monday, August 24th, 1942
Task Force 61, comprised of the USS Enterprise, USS Saratoga and the USS Wasp head to intercept the Japanese convoy.
Monday, August 24th, 1942
Task Force 61 sets up at locations east of Malaita Island in preparation for the battle. Aircraft are launched form the American carriers beginning what is known as the Battle of the Eastern Solomons.
Monday, August 24th, 1942
At 3:15PM, American carrier aircaft from the USS Enterprise manage hits on the IJN Shokaku.
Monday, August 24th, 1942
Dive bombers and torpedo bombers from the USS Enterprise manage critical hits against the IJN Ryujo and sink here where she stood at 3:50PM.
Monday, August 24th, 1942
At about 4:41PM, the USS Enterprise is the victim of Japanese dive bombers and takes several direct hits but manages to keep fighting.
Monday, August 24th, 1942
The Japanese Navy lose their seaplane carrier - the IJN Chitose - to American dive bombers at 5:40PM.
Tuesday, August 25th, 1942
The Japanese Navy loses a pair of transport ships enroute to the Solomon Island chain.
Sunday, August 23rd, 1942
The Battle of the Eastern Solomons begins.
Tuesday, August 25th, 1942
The Battle of the Eastern Solomons ends with the Japanese Navy claiming at least 90 aircraft lost while the American Navy enjoys victory with 20 aircraft lost in the fray.
Sunday, October 11th, 1942
A Japanese Navy convoy headed through the Eastern and Western Solomons is intercepted by a US Navy force, beginning what is known as the Battle of Cape Esperance.
Sunday, October 11th, 1942
At 11:32PM, US Navy warships fire upon IJN vessels in the convoy, sinking the IJN Fubuki and damaging the IJN Furutaka and IJN Aoba, which themselves begin sinking.
Sunday, October 11th, 1942
At midnight, the Japanese convoy is in retreat and gone from the region in roughly 30 minutes.
Sunday, October 11th, 1942
The IJN Furutaka officially sinks at 12:40AM.
Sunday, October 25th, 1942
Japanese Navy supply ships make their way offshore of Guadalcanal where land forces there are attempting to take Henderson Field.
Monday, October 26th, 1942
A USN Consolidated PBY Catalina flying boat scout plane spots the Japanese waterforce and relays their position.
Monday, October 26th, 1942
The US Navy sends Task Force 16 and 17 to intercept the Japanese resupply action.
Monday, October 26th, 1942
US Navy aircraft are launched from USS Enterprise and USS Hornet but fail to locate the Japanese ships.
Monday, October 26th, 1942
A PBY Catalina, capable of limited bombing, misses its mark as it attempts to hit several Japanese aircraft carriers at 2:50AM.
Monday, October 26th, 1942
USS Enterprise launches a wave of Dauntless dive bombers in search of the Japanese group. Some 22 total aircraft are launched.
Monday, October 26th, 1942
72 aircraft are launched as a combined force from USS Enterprise and USS Hornet.
Monday, October 26th, 1942
The IJN carrier launch around 110 aircraft in response.
Monday, October 26th, 1942
At 7:40AM, USN dive bombers damage the IJN carrier Zuiho.
Monday, October 26th, 1942
US Navy and IJN aircraft formally meet in air to air combat by 8:15AM.
Monday, October 26th, 1942
The USS Hornet takes a critical hit at 9:15AM from attacking Japanese Navy dive bombers and torpedo bombers. The IJN forces claim two torpedo hits and a further six bomb hits against her.
Monday, October 26th, 1942
The crew of the USS Hornet begin evacuation procedures aboard their doomed ship.
Monday, October 26th, 1942
The crippled IJN carrier Zuiho is hit by another four bombs, bringing her tenure at sea to an official close at 9:18AM.
Monday, October 26th, 1942
USN bombers score several key direct hits against the carrier IJN Shokaku at 9:30AM.
Monday, October 26th, 1942
USS Enterprise receives several direct hits from IJN dive bombers against her flight deck and forward elevator.
Monday, October 26th, 1942
The Americans signal a withdrawal of all forces form the battle.
Monday, October 26th, 1942
The USS Hornet is cleared of all crew by 11:40AM.
Tuesday, October 27th, 1942
Destroyers of the IJN come across the remains of the USS Hornet and launch torpedoes against her, sending her to the bottom of the Pacific.