Pacific War (1941-1945)

August 8, 1942, Solomon Islands - USS Quincy is lighted by the Imperial Japanese Navy in August 8, 1942, Solomon Islands. The First Battle of Savo Island (also called The First Battle of the Solomon Sea) was a naval battle of the Pacific Campaign of World War II, between the (Photo by Kingendai Photo Library/AFLO) The First Battle of the Solomon Islands. U.S. and Australian naval vessels are illuminated by Japanese towed bombs and searchlights, August 8, 1942. The Japanese, learning of the landing of U.S. forces on Guadalcanal Island, launched a night attack on the island, sending the Eighth Fleet and an air force led by Lieutenant General Gunichi Mikawa to attack the landing force. The battle with the U.S. and Australian fleets was won, but the bombardment of the landing force was not accomplished.