Comments on: Battle of Rennell Island: Setback in the Solomons http://www.historynet.com/battle-of-rennell-island-setback-in-the-solomons.htm?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=battle-of-rennell-island-setback-in-the-solomons From the World's Largest History Magazine Publisher Wed, 15 Feb 2012 02:15:35 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3 By: John Sattgast http://www.historynet.com/battle-of-rennell-island-setback-in-the-solomons.htm#comment-670109 John Sattgast Mon, 01 Aug 2011 07:26:18 +0000 #comment-670109 Forgot to mention he was on the U.S.S. Chicago. Forgot to mention he was on the U.S.S. Chicago.

]]> By: John Sattgast http://www.historynet.com/battle-of-rennell-island-setback-in-the-solomons.htm#comment-670108 John Sattgast Mon, 01 Aug 2011 07:25:28 +0000 #comment-670108 Thank you for telling the story of the Battle of Rennell Island. My uncle, George H. Fisher, was one of the 62 men who died when the ship was torpedoed. George was in the forward engine room when the torpedo hit. I have the 48-star U.S. flag that was presented to my grandfather at my uncle's memorial. I am glad to know the details of the battle are well documented and accessible for all to read. Thank you for telling the story of the Battle of Rennell Island. My uncle, George H. Fisher, was one of the 62 men who died when the ship was torpedoed. George was in the forward engine room when the torpedo hit. I have the 48-star U.S. flag that was presented to my grandfather at my uncle's memorial. I am glad to know the details of the battle are well documented and accessible for all to read.

]]> By: ROBERT A. BURNS http://www.historynet.com/battle-of-rennell-island-setback-in-the-solomons.htm#comment-103177 ROBERT A. BURNS Thu, 20 Aug 2009 12:54:47 +0000 #comment-103177 On January 30, 1943 the balance of the 214th CA (AA) arrived on Guadalcanal aboard the President Jackson and the President Adams transports two of the four transports screended by the four destroyers already posted under TASK FORCE 62.8 and part of the fleet involved in the Battle of Rennell. The mission of the 214th CA (AA) was to relieve the 3rd Marines defending Henderson Field on Guadalcanal since initial landing on August 7, 1942. Captain Harry B. Jennings was sent to Guadalcanal on November 26, 1942 to check Marine equipment and to expedite and effect an exchange of information in preparation of sending the rest of the 214th CA (AA). The first 214th CA (AA) unit consisting of Battery "F", Captain Wessberg, a small detachment of Medical Corps under the command of Captain Stevenson arrived on January 5, 1943 and took over positions on Flighter Strip #1 on January 9, 1943. Father J.F. O'Connell was attached to this advance unit as Chaplain. On January 18th the following units and additional officers and enlisted men arrived at Guadalcanal: Battery "E" under the command of Captain Rasbury, Provisional Gun Gaattery #1 under the command of Captain Collins and Major R.A. Alford as Gun Group commander, 1st Lt. William E. Norris as Communications officer, Captain Schmidt with Automatic Weapons, Captains Camp and Ferrell with cadres from Batteries "C", "D", "K" and Headquarters. Colonel John E. Stoddard and Jajor Jack G. Johnson arrived January 19, 1943 to have th plans changed for the entire regiment to come to Guadalcanal. Colonel stoddard returned to New Calendonia to bring remainder of the regiment, arriving January 30, 1943 already mentioned. The 214th CA (AA) regiment as of January 30, 1943 consisted of 92 Officers, 9 Warrant Officers and 1982 enlisted men; making up three Battallions: Hq. Hq. Battery, 1st BN, 214th CA(AA) Regiment with Batteries A, B,C,D and First and Second Provisional Batteries, making a total of six Gun Batteries; Hq. Hq. Battery, 2nd BN, 214th CA (AA) Regiment with Batteries E, F, G and H; Hq. Hq. Battery, , 3rd BN, 214th CA (AA) Regiment with Batteries I and K. My father was part of the 2nd BN and may have arrived on January 5, 1943 or January 18, 1943 as an advance unit of NCO's before assuming the duties of the 3rd marines defending Henderson airfield. If you have any further information or would like to know more about this period please drop me an e-mail: farne230@yahoo.com. On January 30, 1943 the balance of the 214th CA (AA) arrived on Guadalcanal aboard the President Jackson and the President Adams transports two of the four transports screended by the four destroyers already posted under TASK FORCE 62.8 and part of the fleet involved in the Battle of Rennell.

The mission of the 214th CA (AA) was to relieve the 3rd Marines defending Henderson Field on Guadalcanal since initial landing on August 7, 1942. Captain Harry B. Jennings was sent to Guadalcanal on November 26, 1942 to check Marine equipment and to expedite and effect an exchange of information in preparation of sending the rest of the 214th CA (AA).

The first 214th CA (AA) unit consisting of Battery "F", Captain Wessberg, a small detachment of Medical Corps under the command of Captain Stevenson arrived on January 5, 1943 and took over positions on Flighter Strip #1 on January 9, 1943. Father J.F. O'Connell was attached to this advance unit as Chaplain.

On January 18th the following units and additional officers and enlisted men arrived at Guadalcanal: Battery "E" under the command of Captain Rasbury, Provisional Gun Gaattery #1 under the command of Captain Collins and Major R.A. Alford as Gun Group commander, 1st Lt. William E. Norris as Communications officer, Captain Schmidt with Automatic Weapons, Captains Camp and Ferrell with cadres from Batteries "C", "D", "K" and Headquarters.

Colonel John E. Stoddard and Jajor Jack G. Johnson arrived January 19, 1943 to have th plans changed for the entire regiment to come to Guadalcanal. Colonel stoddard returned to New Calendonia to bring remainder of the regiment, arriving January 30, 1943 already mentioned.

The 214th CA (AA) regiment as of January 30, 1943 consisted of 92 Officers, 9 Warrant Officers and 1982 enlisted men; making up three Battallions:

Hq. Hq. Battery, 1st BN, 214th CA(AA) Regiment with Batteries A, B,C,D and First and Second Provisional Batteries, making a total of six Gun Batteries;

Hq. Hq. Battery, 2nd BN, 214th CA (AA) Regiment with Batteries E, F, G and H;

Hq. Hq. Battery, , 3rd BN, 214th CA (AA) Regiment with Batteries I and K.

My father was part of the 2nd BN and may have arrived on January 5, 1943 or January 18, 1943 as an advance unit of NCO's before assuming the duties of the 3rd marines defending Henderson airfield.

If you have any further information or would like to know more about this period please drop me an e-mail: farne230@yahoo.com.

]]> By: Robert A. Burns http://www.historynet.com/battle-of-rennell-island-setback-in-the-solomons.htm#comment-91512 Robert A. Burns Wed, 22 Jul 2009 12:44:51 +0000 #comment-91512 I would like to correct an error I made in my earliar comments; I see now that the TF67 under rear admiral Griffen did in fact retreat from the seen after the chicago was dive bombed and sunk, leaving the four destroyers and four transports on their own. What I would like to know, is what were the names of these four destroyers under TF62.8? Also looking for conformation which units were on these transports and destroyers that landed on Guadalcanal January 30, 1943? Great Coverage of the Battle of Rennell Island. Bob Burns I would like to correct an error I made in my earliar comments; I see now that the TF67 under rear admiral Griffen did in fact retreat from the seen after the chicago was dive bombed and sunk, leaving the four destroyers and four transports on their own.

What I would like to know, is what were the names of these four destroyers under TF62.8?

Also looking for conformation which units were on these transports and destroyers that landed on Guadalcanal January 30, 1943?

Great Coverage of the Battle of Rennell Island.

Bob Burns

]]> By: Robert Burns http://www.historynet.com/battle-of-rennell-island-setback-in-the-solomons.htm#comment-91134 Robert Burns Mon, 20 Jul 2009 18:30:54 +0000 #comment-91134 I appreciate your telling of the Battle of Rennell Island and impact on Guadalcanal. From my point of view, if Admiral Griffen had not rendezvous with the supply task force TG (62.8), four fully loaded transports "President Hays, President Adams, President Jackson and Cresent City" and four destroyers of the Catus Striking Force, my fathers Rober Burns, Jr. S/Sgt with the 214th CA(AA) regiment may not have completed their task relieving the 2nd marines and protecting Henderson Field and off course meeting my mother a "WAC" driving an ambulance when my father had a bought of maleria in the states. My father finished OCS went to the ETO and left service as a 1st LT. December 3 1945 and lived to a ripe old age of 89, leaving my mother and myself. My job now is to relate to my family with the help of your writtings their grandfathers part in WWII. Bob Burns I appreciate your telling of the Battle of Rennell Island and impact on Guadalcanal. From my point of view, if Admiral Griffen had not rendezvous with the supply task force TG (62.8), four fully loaded transports "President Hays, President Adams, President Jackson and Cresent City" and four destroyers of the Catus Striking Force, my fathers Rober Burns, Jr. S/Sgt with the 214th CA(AA) regiment may not have completed their task relieving the 2nd marines and protecting Henderson Field and off course meeting my mother a "WAC" driving an ambulance when my father had a bought of maleria in the states. My father finished OCS went to the ETO and left service as a 1st LT. December 3 1945 and lived to a ripe old age of 89, leaving my mother and myself.

My job now is to relate to my family with the help of your writtings their grandfathers part in WWII.
Bob Burns

]]> By: Frank Suffridge http://www.historynet.com/battle-of-rennell-island-setback-in-the-solomons.htm#comment-7698 Frank Suffridge Mon, 25 Aug 2008 17:28:58 +0000 #comment-7698 Gentlemen, I enjoyed your articles on History.Net very much and in particular the article on Rennell Island 1943 Battle inasmuch that I was a sailor on the USS La Vallette DD448. I have often wondered where did Admiral Giffen run off to after the Chicago was torpeoded and sunk and we ourselves were badly damaged. Did he rendezvous with Captain Briscoe's Catus Striking Force?` Frank Suffridge USS La Vallette DD448 12 Aug 1942 - 1 Feb 1946 Gentlemen,
I enjoyed your articles on History.Net very much and in particular the article on Rennell Island 1943 Battle inasmuch that I was a sailor on the USS La Vallette DD448. I have often wondered where did Admiral Giffen run off to after the Chicago was torpeoded and sunk and we ourselves were badly damaged.
Did he rendezvous with Captain Briscoe's Catus Striking Force?`

Frank Suffridge
USS La Vallette DD448
12 Aug 1942 – 1 Feb 1946

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