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Keyword: kolombangara

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  • 'Perfect in Every Respect' (Battle of Vella Gulf - 6 Aug 43)

    08/06/2025 2:58:50 AM PDT · by Jacquerie · 15 replies
    US Naval Institute ^ | August 2008 | Captain Stephen F. Davis Jr., USN
    "Gentlemen," Captain Kaju Sugiura, commander of Japanese Destroyer Division 12, began, "I am very happy to report that our last transport mission to Kolombangara was a complete success. Both the Navy and the Army high command are gratified. . . . They have also ordered that the mission be repeated the day after tomorrow. . . . We shall go through Vella Gulf and Blackett Strait again . . . exactly as we did last time." Captain Tameichi Hara, commander of the destroyer Shigure, listened to the 4 August 1943 briefing in stunned silence. Before Sugiura had finished, Hara came...