| Kinugawa Maru (Japanese cargo ship) Beached and sunk on the shore. She had been sunk by American aircraft on November 15, 1942, while attempting to deliver men and supplies to Japanese forces holding the northern part of the island. Savo Island is in the distance. Motor Vessel Kinugawa Maru, built in 1938 by Mitsubishi Dockyard and Engineering Works, Nagasaki, was a transport ship in service with the Imperial Japanese Navy as a transport, and had been heavily active in the supply runs known as the “Tokyo Express” during the opening stages of the Guadalcanal Campaign. The Kinugawa Maru join up with a convoy of 11 other cargo ships and their escorts at New Georgia Island, from where they proceeded towards Guadalcanal on November 13, 1942. As they crossed the open ocean towards the Southern Solomon Islands, the Kinugawa Maru and her convoy were sighted by an American recon plane on the morning of November 14, which radioed their course and heading to the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CV-6). The convoy came under air attack in the early afternoon on the 14, and while the Kinugawa Maru avoided any damage in the open ocean action, 7 of the cargo ships in the convoy were sunk, and another 2 so heavily damaged they were forced to withdraw from the mission. Now steaming with the remaining 4 cargo ships and a small escort of Destroyers, the crew onboard the Kinugawa Maru prepared to unload their cargo of over a 1,000 troops and supplies onto Guadalcanal during the coming night. Dawn on November 15 found the Kinugawa Maru and her 3 counterparts just offshore of Guadalcanal, still offloading troops and supplies in the mouth of the Bonegi River near Tassafaronga. United States Marine Corps shore batteries opened fire on the stationary transports, and quickly had 2 of the 4 ablaze and under heavy, accurate fire. Air strikes were called in from Henderson Field and the Destroyer USS Meade (DD-602), on patrol at the time, swept in from Ironbottom Sound and raked the Japanese Marus with 5-inch (127 millimeter) shellfire. By 1200 Hours, the attacks were joined by aircraft from the USS Enterprise (Cv-6) which had all 4 transports heavily damaged, on fire and sinking. The Captain of the Kinugawa Maru elected to beach his ship with the remaining engine power she had before her boiler room flooded, and the ship was run ashore here at approximately 13:00hrs on November 15, 1942. Her crew and the remaining soldiers onboard abandoned ship into the shallow waters and escaped ashore, leaving the Kinugawa Maru to her fate, burning and slowly settling by the Stern. An American fighter from Guadalcanal put a bomb into her Stern cargo hold in the evening of November 15th, and the Kinugawa Maru finally sank shortly thereafter. The wreck remained in her partially sunk state until the 1960’s when a partial salvage of the ship was conducted, but by that time she had slipped into deeper waters on the shoreline. Today the Kinugawa Maru is a popular wreck dive site in Guadalcanal. At 0830 Hours on November 14, 1942, South West Pacific Area (COMSOWESPAC) reported that 12 transports had been sighted about 20 miles north of the central portion of New Georgia. Analysis of captured Japanese documents later enabled COMSOPAC’s Combat Intelligence center to estimate that most of these ships were carrying supplies. 2 battalions of the Japanese 229th Infantry Regiment and 2 battalions of the 230th Infantry Regiment (4,600 men all told) were aboard, as well as the 229th Regiment Artillery, the 230th Regiment Artillery, and the 38th Division Engineer Battalion. United States Marine Corps Major General Alexander A. Vandegrift (March 13, 1887 – May 8, 1973), however, stated that captured documents proved that the enemy had 30,000 to 35,000 men aboard, including a division, some corps troops, a full headquarters staff, and some extra regiments. The transports were convoyed by a force which was identified by search planes at various times as (a) 2 heavy cruisers, 3 light cruisers, and 6 destroyers; or, (b) 1 heavy cruiser, 1 light cruiser, and 6 destroyers; or (c) 6 to 8 light cruisers and destroyers; or (d) 2 carriers and other ships; or (e) 6 seaplane tenders and other ships. The convoy was preceded by a separate group of combatant vessels, which were reported as (a) 2 battleships, 1 light cruiser, and 11 destroyers, and or (b) 1 battleship, 1 carrier, 2 heavy cruisers, and 4 destroyers. At 0949 Hours, Lieutenant Junior Grade Martin D. Carmody (October 27, 1917 – March 7, 2008) and Lieutenant Junior Grade William E. Johnson (March 17, 1916 – November 14, 1942) of the Enterprise search group Scouting Squadron 10 (VS-10) located “many transports, six DD (destroyers), three CL (light cruisers), and two CA (heavy cruisers)” between New Georgia and the northwest tip of Santa Isabel, on course 130 degrees, speed 14 knots. A contact report was sent, and the planes then climbed for an attack. The pilots had been directed to consider the transports as the primary target and so dived on a large 1. Lieutenant Carmody’s bomb was a near-hit, and Lieutenant Johnson’s was a probable hit on the stern. After the pull-out Lieutenant Carmody strafed a destroyer which was in his path. At this time, the planes were attacked by about 7 Mitsubishi A6M 0 fighters. While maneuvering to reach a cloud layer they became separated, and it is probable that Lieutenant Johnson was shot down. Aviation Radioman 2nd Class John Liska (August 29, 1922- August 12, 2011), Lieutenant Carmody’s rear seat gunner, saw a plane plunge into the sea, and Lieutenant Carmody himself saw Zeros strafing the water in this vicinity. Meanwhile, at 0950, a Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress search plane had reported 2 carriers and 23 other ships in this area, and at 1018 Hours 16 B-17s were ordered off from Espiritu Santo in 2 flights to attack the carriers. The transports apparently were not molested again until 1220 Hours, when 7 torpedo planes of Torpedo Squadron 10 (VT-10), now operating from Guadalcanal, 18 Marine scout bombers, and 12 Marine fighters took off on a contact report of 26 ships, including 6 seaplane tenders, 126 miles away on a bearing of 310 degrees. At 1250 Hours, a large convoy was sighted, but it did not include any seaplane tenders. Marine Douglas SBD Dauntless dive bombers made 2 direct hits on 1 transport and 3 on another. The torpedo planes followed the bombers in and picked 2 transports which were not under attack. 2 hits were made on the port side of 1 of them; and 1 hit on the starboard side of the other. 6 Zeros attempted interception. 1 of them was damaged by a torpedo plane and possibly finished off by a fighter. 2 were damaged by SBDs. Antiaircraft was moderate. At 1255 Hours, 17 scout bombers, including 2 VB-10 and 15 Marine planes, 8 Marine torpedo bombers, and 8 fighters, left Guadalcanal to attack the transports. The bombers reached the convoy at 1345 Hours, and reported it as 12 transports and 6 to 8 light cruisers in the channel between New Georgia and Santa Isabel Islands, distant about a 100 miles from Guadalcanal. The 1st section of the Marine bombers dived on 1 transport, securing 2 direct hits, and the 2nd section of 6 planes on another, scoring 2 more direct hits. Lieutenant Junior Grade Robert D. Gibson (October 23, 1919 – April 24, 2002) and Ensign Leonard “Robbie” Robinson (July 11, 1920 – January 2, 2012), both of VB-10, and United States Marine Corps Sergeant Albert C. Beneke (August 17, 1915 – July 15, 1947), formed the 3rd section and dived from 12,000 feet (3,650 meters) on another transport. Lieutenant Gibson made a 70 degree dive. Because Zeros were present, Ensign Robinson dived on the same ship with flaps up until he overtook Lieutenant Gibson. Both pilots released their 1,000-pound (453 kilogram) bombs at 2,000 feet (600 meters) and pulled out at 1,200 feet (365 meters), going away low over the water as their rear gunners strafed the decks. Both bombs hit amidships. Lieutenant Gibson’s was instantaneous, while Ensign Robinson’s was delayed action. Sergeant Beneke, who made a near-hit, saw the ship break in 2. Antiaircraft fire was very heavy below 6,000 feet (1,800 meters and during the withdrawals. A 0 got on Ensign Robinson’s tail and shot away his antenna, but Lieutenant Gibson’s rear seat gunner drove off the attacker with a short burst. Marine SBDs shot down 2 Zeros. At 1348 Hours, the Enterprise retired to the south to avoid possible air attacks. At 1400 Hours she entered a weather front about 300 miles from Guadalcanal. It is probable that just prior to this an enemy plane reported the location of the Task Force. As the afternoon wore on, Task Force Love, in its position southwest of Guadalcanal, established radar contact with 20 to 30 Japanese planes heading south. These aircraft returned north at a later time after missing Task Force King. They did not observe Task Force Love either, due to the squally weather. At 1500 Hours, the 1st flight of B-17s which had been dispatched from Espiritu Santo in the morning, and which had failed to find the carriers they were looking for, attacked the enemy transports, followed in 15 minutes by the 2nd flight. 1 direct hit and 1 near-hit were scored on 1 ship, and several near-hits on others. The B-17s were intercepted by enemy fighters of which they shot down 6, plus 1 probable, with no losses to themselves. At 1505 Hours, 10 Martin B-26 Marauders of the United States Army Air Force 70th Bombardment Squadron, which had arrived at Espiritu Santo from the Fijis, were loaded with torpedoes and 1,000 pound bombs (6 with the former and 4 with the latter). They took off with 4 Lockheed P-38 Lightnings as escort, intending to attack the convoy and then land at Guadalcanal. The P-38s turned back because of bad weather, and the B-26s landed without making an attack, for reasons which do not appear. At 1445 2 scout bombers of VS-10 and 7 Marine bombers took off from Guadalcanal to attack the transports. They dived through antiaircraft fire, and Lieutenant Commander James R. Lee (December 1, 1905 – February 29, 2000), Commanding Officer of VS-10, obtained a direct hit. Lieutenant Junior Grade John F. Richey (March 12, 1918 – April 11, 1994) also took off about 1445 Hours, leading 3 Marine planes, and scored a direct hit. Both these attacks were completed about 1545 Hours. A 3rd attack group composed of 8 VS-10 planes left Guadalcanal at the same time as the others. They scouted to the northwest for a possible enemy carrier and then attacked from 16,000 feet (4,875 meters), obtaining 4 hits and 1 near-hit. They completed their attack about 1600 Hours. All planes returned. A single plane of VS-10, piloted by Ensign Charles B. “Irv” Irvine (July 19, 1915 – July 30, 1988), took off at 1455 Hours and encountered both antiaircraft fire and enemy fighters. Nevertheless, Ensign Irvine managed to register a direct hit. The Enterprise had launched a 2nd attack group at 1412, consisting of 8 scout bombers and 12 fighters, which left 18 fighters aboard for the protection of the ship. The group had orders to hit undamaged transports with only 1,000 pound bomb each. At 1630 Hours, the disordered enemy group was sighted northwest of the Russell Islands. There were about 9 transports and 7 escort vessels – light cruisers and destroyers. 7 transports appeared undamaged. 3 or 4 others were seen to be burning in the distance. 5 Zeros attacked Lieutenant Junior Grade William C. Edwards (February 22, 1914 – May 31, 2003), the VS-10 squadron element leader, Lieutenant Junior Grade Martin D. Carmody, and Lieutenant Junior Grade Robert F. Edmondson (January 13, 1917 – January 2, 1997). Aviation Radioman 2nd Class Wayne C. Colley (December 13, 1921 – February 11, 2005), Lieutenant Edwards’ rear seat gunner, shot down 2 of them with his free guns. Aviation Radioman 2nd Class Raymond E. Reames July 23, 1921 – February 22, 1998), Lieutenant Edmondson’s rear seat gunner, accounted for another. Each of the planes then scored a direct hit on a separate transport. Ensign Nelson E. Wiggins (August 3, 1916 – July 6, 1945) scored a near-hit, 5 to 10 feet from the starboard side of a transport. Ensign Dan H. Frissell (October 9, 1920 – February 10, 1995) dived down sun across the beam of another ship and released at 1,900 feet (580 meters), pulling out gradually at a 1,000 feet (300 meters). His 1,000-pound delayed action bomb (1-hundredreth 2nd) struck the extreme port side of the well deck, probably passing through the side of the ship before it exploded. There was a geyser of water with large pieces of debris. A 0 made a run on Ensign Wiggins as he went away at 300 feet, but he turned into the attacking plane, forcing it to pass by on his starboard side, and enabling Aviation Radioman 3rd Class Claude V. Mayer (June 17, 1922 – July 16, 2000), rear seat gunner, to register some hits. Lieutenant Junior Grade Bruce A. McGraw (March 24, 1919 – May 21, 2011) dived on a vessel to the southwest, releasing at 2,500 feet (760 meters) and pulling out low over the water. His bomb hit on the port side amidships, blowing out the side of the ship, which thereafter lay dead in the water, although no fire was observed. Lieutenant Junior Grade Frank R. West (June 12, 1917 – October 17, 1991) chose a transport which had been missed by another pilot and released at 1,800 feet (550 meters). His bomb struck directly amidships, and a serious fire broke out. During the plane’s withdrawal, the rear seat gunner fired about 150 rounds at the antiaircraft battery of a light cruiser which had the range. Its fire was mostly 3-inch (75 millimeter) and smaller and was heavy but ineffectual. The last 3 transports bombed were reported to be among the largest in the force at this time — from 12,000 to 15,000 tons — and “crowded with soldiers.” The fighters went down directly after the dive bombers and strafed the 2 remaining undamaged transports, which were large and heavily loaded. They were left burning. Lieutenant Commander James H. Flatley Junior’s (June 17, 1906 – July 9, 1958) flight then strafed a destroyer, all shots seeming to enter the target. 1 of the planes in the other attacking flight, piloted by Ensign Edward B. Coalson (January 24, 1920 – April 18, 1943), became separated and was jumped by 4 Zeros, 1 of which was shot down. The high-altitude covering planes were also attacked by enemy fighters. 1 was sent away smoking. Thereafter, the whole force proceeded to Guadalcanal, arriving at about 1700 Hours, when they placed themselves under the orders of General Vandegrift. According to the reports, 7,000-pound bomb hits had been scored on 5 transports, and 2 other ships had been set on fire. 4 Zeros had been shot down and possibly 1 more. None of the American aircraft was lost or damaged in this action. At 1630 Hours, an attack group was launched from Henderson Field which included 7 VB-10 pilots. Fighter protection, so effective in the engagement just described, had been promised but did not put in an appearance. The group proceeded without it. About 10 miles northeast of the Russell Island, s an estimated 10 transports and 3 destroyers were sighted. 2 of these transports were burning to the northwest. 4 or 5 were still proceeding toward Guadalcanal. 1 or 2 were headed west. 3 or 4 were dead in the water. The planes approached from the southwest at 12,000 feet (3,650 meters) and were immediately attacked by Zeros. Aviation Chief Radioman Gordon C. Gardner (May 31, 1948 – August 23, 1948), rear seat gunner in Lieutenant Commander James A. Thomas’s (August 1, 1909 – March 8, 1982) plane, shot down 1 of them with his 2 swivel-mount 30 caliber machine guns. Lieutenant Commander Thomas then dived and let go his 1,000-pound bomb at 2,000 feet (600 meters), pulling out at 800 (240 meters). The bomb struck the target amidships, but no fire was observed. Gardner strafed the ship during the withdrawal. Lieutenant Gibson’s rear-seat gunner, Aviation Radioman 2nd Class Clifford E. Schindele (October 16, 1919 – January 27, 2009), saw about 10 Zeros come in on the port side of the formation. 2 of them attacked, and Schindele hit 1 of them and saw smoke coming out of its engine. Lieutenant Gibson’s plane was badly shot up, with about 27 or 28 holes in it, and he went into a spin, but he recovered and managed to get back to Henderson Field without cracking up. Several covering Zeros attacked Ensign Edwin J. Stevens (March 11, 1920 – February 28, 2022), but he pushed over into a dive following Lieutenant Commander Thomas. He released at 2,500 feet (760 meters) and pulled out low over the water. The bomb hit amidships in about the same location as Lieutenant Commander Thomas’s and at almost the same instant. During his withdrawal Ensign Stevens and his rear-seat gunner, Aviation Radioman 3rd Class James W. Nelson (April 2, 1921 – April 19. 1952), strafed the bows of 2 transports. A 0 got on the tail of Lieutenant J. Donald Wakeham’s (May 24, 1919 – November 14, 1942) and Ensign Leonard Robinson’s (August 9, 1920 – July 15, 1980) planes, and another made a head-on run. Ensign Robinson found the range of this last plane with his fixed guns, but the 0 astern began hitting the wings of both American aircraft, which were very close together. Ensign Robinson pulled slightly away to avoid a collision with Lieutenant Wakeham. At that moment a 20 millimeter shot hit his engine, and it cut out and burst into flames. Ensign Robinson sideslipped, putting out the blaze in the engine and 1 which had started in the rear cockpit. Then he pushed over into a steep, no-flap dive. The engine started up again. The 0 followed and kept on firing. Ensign Robinson made an aileron roll to the right. The 0 started hitting, so he turned to the left and then to the right, continuing his dive with his 1,000-pound bomb still in place to give him speed. When he pulled out at 2,500 feet (760 meters), he had 320 knots (368 miles per hour; 592 kilometers per hour) in level flight, but the 0 came up astern again. Ensign Robinson made a split-S from 2,500 feet to 3,000 and recovered at a speed of about 240 knots (276 miles per hour; 440 kilometers per hour). The 0 got on his tail once more, so he flew low among the coconut trees on 1 of the Russell Islands till he got to the hills and had to go up to clear them. The 0 continued to fire. Ensign Robinson dived at an angle of 30 degrees to gain speed and zoomed up toward some clouds. As he neared them, the 0 rocked its wings and sheered away toward the ships. Ensign Robinson returned to Henderson Field about 1630 Hours with 68 holes in his plane. Lieutenant Wakeham was shot down. Lieutenant Vivien W. Welch (July 27, 1913 – November 14, 1942), the VS-10 Squadron Executive Officer, hit a transport amidships from 2,000 feet (600 meters) and withdrew to the north. He was never seen again. Ensign Jefferson H. Carroum’s (July 29, 1921 – May 2, 2016) bomb, dropped at 1,500 feet, landed slightly aft of Lieutenant Welch’s. His plane was then struck by antiaircraft fire, which damaged the engine, and he was forced down into the water. The impact knocked Ensign Carroum unconscious for a moment, but he and Aviation Radioman 3rd Class Robert C. “Slim” Hynson (July 11, 1920 – November 14, 1942), rear seat gunner, finally succeeded in getting their rubber boat into the water. They did not inflate it for fear of being strafed, and the tail of the plane fouled the boat and took it under. Ensign Carroum’s gun belt was also caught, and he was pulled down to a depth of 10 feet before he could free himself. Before he again lost consciousness, he popped the carbon dioxide cartridges on his life preserver which carried him to the surface. After reviving, he and Hynson swam around together all night. In the morning, however, they lost contact. Hynson was never heard from again. Ensign Carroum swam and floated 73 hours till he made 1 of the Russell Islands. There natives cared for him till he was picked up by a Consolidated PBY Catalina flying boat on November 26 and brought to Tulagi. At 1645 Hours 1 VS-10 plane, piloted by Lieutenant Junior Grade George G. Estes (September 19, 1915 – January 30, 1998), took off with 3 Marine dive bombers to attack the transports. The mission was completed about 1745 Hours, 1 direct hit having been scored by his plane. By 1800 Hours, the transports were milling around about 60 miles (100 kilometers) northwest of Savo Island. At this time 1 or more were sunk, and 6 were seriously damaged. Marine artillery opened fire on the transports and scored hits with heavy fire. Another successful attack was then launched from Guadalcanal by Marine planes. All told, according to the reports, 4 transports and cargo vessels were damaged so badly that they sank, 4 were set on fire and completely burned out (their smoking hulks were discovered next day), and 4 ships – 3 cargo ships (AKs) and 1 troop transport (AP) including Kinugawa Maru – which had received more or less damage, were beached near Tassafaronga on Guadalcanal early the next morning November 15. During the day the pilots of Air Group 10 had scored 6 torpedo hits, 21,000-pound bomb hits, and 1,100 pound bomb hits. Air Group 10 shot down 17 planes and probably 7 more. It lost only 5 aircraft, 4 officers and 2 men, and 2 officers wounded. As Admiral Halsey pointed out, the operations of Air Group 10 on November 14 offered “an excellent example of the effective employment of carrier aircraft from an intermediate staging point.” With her planes landing and operating at Guadalcanal, USS Enterprise was able to retire from the area where she was the most vulnerable to air attack. Furthermore, “her aircraft were thereafter located at a fixed advance base where a maximum number of strikes could be made against targets which were comparatively accessible.” After the operations of November 15 it was possible for the planes to rejoin their carrier, 800 airline miles away, because we possessed a chain of friendly bases between Guadalcanal and Noumea. Had it not been for the night surface action of November 12-13, however, Henderson Field might not have been available to Air Group 10, and the story might have been quite different. Another controlling factor was the enemy’s lack of carrier support, probably due to the damage to carriers and the destruction of planes wrought in the Battle of Santa Cruz Islands on October 26. By playing a major part in that engagement, the Enterprise had, in effect, paved the way for the success achieved by her planes on November 14-15. At least 75 of the crew made it ashore and remained on Guadalcanal. In early January 1943, the United States Army 147th Infantry Regiment overran a Japanese field hospital and killed all the patients, including roughly 75 crew from the Kinugawa Maru. In the decades since she was sunk, the wreck of the Kinugawa Maru has undergone many changes. Much of the superstructure and hull above the water was cut up for scrap. The propellor was also removed for recycling. A storm twisted the ship to lay at an angle to the beach, and she slipped into deeper water. Very little remains above water today, although plenty remains submerged. The wreck has become a very popular dive spot for visitors to Guadalcanal. | |
| Image Filename | wwii1898.jpg |
| Image Size | 1.90 MB |
| Image Dimensions | 5730 x 4528 |
| Photographer | |
| Photographer Title | United States Navy |
| Caption Author | Written or Adapted by Jason McDonald |
| Date Photographed | November 1, 1943 |
| Location | |
| City | |
| State or Province | Guadalcanal |
| Country | Solomons |
| Archive | Naval History and Heritage Command |
| Record Number | 80-G-K-1467-A |
| Status | Caption ©2026 MFA Productions LLC Please Do Not Duplicate or Distribute Without Permission; Image in the Public Domain |
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