April 28, 1943
Battle of Fanning Bay
Phase One: 0421-0506
Six Japanese DDs enter the environs of Fanning Isle. The harbor is pretty primitive as the Japanese have not improved it very much. All sorts of shipping is here and nearby. Recon from the afternoon placed over 30 ships present. Who knows what else might be here after the air attacks in the afternoon...
Captain Sadatoma keeps Onami and her five sisters (five Yugumo and one Minekaze-Class) at battle speed (24 Knots) and in column with 500 Yards spacing. It is stormy with lots of lightning filling the sky.
The Americans have no clue as to the danger...
0421-0425
A target looms to starboard as the Japanese spot an AP moving into the anchorage. A hail of gunfire dispatch the vessel within five minutes. Scratch AP Wanaka.
0429-0435
Once again the lookouts on the starboard side detect contacts. A fusillade of fire quickly sinks a pair of diminutive Subchasers.
0437-0506
As the column begins to make a slight course correction, a HUGE explosion rocks DD Onami. The DDs have entered a newly laid American minefield. The Yugumo-Class DD rapidly takes on a serious list and starts to go down by the stern. Captain Sadatomo follows the advice of his small staff and rapidly transfers to DD Makinami. Elderly Okikaze is left to gather survivors and return to Christmas.
The weakened quartet of DDs build their speed back up as the first hints of dawn break over the horizon.
Amazingly--all this action has not attracted the Allies attention. Many are still sleeping or just getting up from a restless night. Inquiries will later find a certain laxness in command present this night and morning...
Phase Two: 0513-0533
Shadows fill the area as the Japanese shoot into deepest portion of the anchorage. Just slightly silhouetted by the rising sun can been seen a QUARTET of damaged American Carriers. Captain Sadatomo cannot believe his luck yet curse his fate! He has four fighting DDs WITHOUT Long Lance TTs!
Ye GAWDS!
He orders his signalman to order all four DDs to attack the carriers. The message is transmitted in the clear by radio: "Am engaging 4 damaged American Carriers."
His ships increase speed to nearly 30 knots as the range steadily decreases. 15,000, 13,000, 11,000 (the anchored but seriously damaged USS South Dakota appears), 9,000 (a damaged British CA appears), and---FINALLY---at 7,000 Yards an American 5" gun opens from the USS Wasp.
"OPEN FIRE"
The Japanese column will sweep through the enemy heavy ships firing everything they have as the range continues to close. Numerous hits are registered on the Wasp, Enterprise, and Hornet. Fires are restarted and pandemonium breaks out throughout the anchorage as the Japanese column pivots, does a Column turn and rakes the ships one more time as they pour on the oil to breakout of the anchorage.
They leave behind----CHAOS----and find themselves unmolested throughout the rest of the day as they return to Christmas.
