The Second Battle of Rotuma (March 3rd 1932)

The Great Pacific War: A History of the American-Japanese Campaign of 1931-1933 

The Second Battle of Rotuma (March 3rd 1932)

Location of the battle

Location: Near Rotuma Island.

Date of the battle
March 3rd 1932.

Introduction

With the sinking of Albany-class light cruiser USS Columbia a day earlier in the First Battle of Rotuma the United States Navy warned by the USS Columbia before it was sunk are determined to intercept and destroy the Imperial Japanese Navy: Samoa Expeditionary Force.

Order of battle

Imperial Japanese Navy: Samoa Expeditionary Force

Izumo-class armored cruisers: Iwate (flag) and Izumo.

Yakumo-class armored cruiser: Yakumo.

Azuma-class armored cruiser: Azuma.

10 destroyers.

10 transports.

United States Navy: Asiatic Fleet

Albany-class light cruiser: USS Albany.

Wright-class seaplane carrier: USS Wright.

18 destroyers.

Outcome of the battle

First major United States strategic and tactical victory.

Losses suffered during the battle

The Imperial Japanese Navy: Samoa Expeditionary Force losses all four armored cruisers, ten destroyers along with three transports. The remaining seven transports surrendered and were escorted to Tutuila. The United States Navy lost only five destroyers sunk. This was the first significant United States victory of the Great Pacific War.

Casualties

United States Navy: Asiatic Fleet: 400 sailors and officers killed.

Imperial Japanese Navy: Samoa Expeditionary Force: 3,000 sailors and officers killed.