Invader26 wrote:
Great stuff. It's a pity however that the Royal Australian Navy contribution to the battle os completely ignored. It was Australian Coastwatchers that gave the initial reports of the impending Japanese attack and the Australian heavy cruiser HMAS Canberra [sunk after suffering severe damage in the first encounter - hit 24 times in less than two minutes with 193 casualties. Captain Getting was severely wounded but remained at his post and died of wounds.] President Roosevelt ordered that a new build USN cruiser be named USS Canberra in honour of this ship. It was the first time a US ship had been named after a non-US city as Canberra is the capital of Australia. Heavy cruiser HMAS Australia also fought in this battle as well as cruiser HMAS Hobart. Also Australian Navy provided pilotage for USN units in the area as well as beach landing guides for the first USMC assault..
All correct if this thread were discussing the August battles, but this thread specifically covers the November battles of which no Australian Navy ships participated. Therefore there's nothing to ignore.