Once more, hi!
I deep into the Battle of the Eastern Solomons, and am almost finished
describing it, but out of academical interest, I wanted to ask for your input
regarding two problems I have come across.

According to most sources, and as we have established last December, Japanese
heavy carriers SHOKAKU and ZUIKAKU and the light carrier RYUJO sailed August
16th 1942 for Truk. At the same date, the 2nd Fleet under Vice-Admiral Kondo
sailed from off the Home Islands for Truk, having a slight head start.

1. A day later, Yamamoto sailed his main body. Here is problem number
one: what
did this main body consist of? Obviously, it would appear that YAMATO was with
this force, and probably the escort carrier TAIYO. NAGATO apparently was in
dock. The question is regarding the whereabouts of MUTSU. Was she with that
force?

2. The next few problems are mainly because of contradicting sources.
Apparently, Kondo’s force arrived at Truk ahead of Nagumo. Frank, in his book
Guadalcanal states that Nagumo DID arrive at Truk and sailed again on
the 23rd.
Hara, in Japanese Destroyer Captain, states that Nagumo bypassed Truk and met
Kondo at sea on the 21st, before taking fuel on the 22nd. Since Hara was with
Nagumo’s force, his report would seem accurate. Who can confirm either story?

3. Frank also carries YAMATO at Truk on the 24th, while giving MUTSU two
destroyers as escort and placing her in a “Main Body” at sea, but no
track chart
gives her position. Ugaki, in Fading Victory, states that YAMATO and
the rest of
the Main Body arrived at Truk on the 28th. Again, since he was there, I see
little reason to doubt this but want to check. Was MUTSU at sea in a seperate
force in support of the Eastern Solomons operation?

4. A US Navy question: did ENTERPRISE and SARATOGA operate together? It would
appear they were, at least, not far from each other because the track charts
give only one course for the US flattops.

5. Sorry if this sounds confused, but I *AM*!

Tim

Tim Lanzendoerfer | “I have just taken on a great
Amateur Naval Historian | responsibility. I will do my
Email: BWV_Wiesbaden@t-online.de | utmost to meet it” – Nimitz
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The United States Navy in the Pacific War 1941 – 1945
http://www.microworks.net/pacific
Last Updated: 7th February 1998
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