Special: Battle of Rennell Island

Pilots,

Out of the many naval engagements during WWII, none have produced so many memorable battles as the conflict between the U.S. and the Empire of Japan in the South Pacific. One particularly interesting battlefield was Guadalcanal and its surrounding islands. Now a tourist destination, the remote location was of strategic importance to both belligerents, turning the fight for its control into a prolonged struggle. Today’s special looks back on the Battle of Rennell Island, a great example of naval and aerial warfare of its time, that constituted the end of this hard-fought campaign. Enjoy substantial boosts to your XP progression as well as massive discounts as you learn about this historic encounter.

In-Game Offers

Triple XP for the first victory of the day on every plane

Grab an extra handful of XP on your way to your next high-tier target!

50% discount on ammunition

Save some credits (and gold) along the way as you pick up ammunition at 50% off!

50% discount on the following planes:

				Grumman F3F
				Mitsubishi A5M
				Brewster F2A Buffalo
				Curtiss P-36 Hawk
				Mitsubishi A6M1 Zero
				Grumman F4F Wildcat
				Curtiss P-40 Warhawk
				Mitsubishi A6M2 Zero

Enjoy hefty discounts on a grand selection of Japanese and U.S. aircraft.

30% discount on the following planes:

				Chance-Vought F4U-1 Corsair
				Mitsubishi A6M5 Zero
				Chance-Vought F4U-4 Corsair
				Mitsubishi A7M Reppu

 Save almost 400,000 credits when buying any of these warbirds this weekend!

Special Missions

Feel like recreating the battle in-game? Our helpful special missions will get you started!

History Flashback

U.S. defenders didn’t manage to hold off the attackers.

The Guadalcanal campaign in November 1942 ended with a decisive victory for the US forces over the Japanese in the Pacific. However, despite being very much on the retreat, the Japanese would prove that they still have a lot of bite during the Rennell Island attack on 29-20 January 1943.

Operation KE was originally a Japanese offensive plan for the region, but it became an evacuation instead. One of its first stages involved a diversionary attack on the Americans in order to protect the evacuation.

Revelling in their victory and believing the enemy to be routed, the Americans had become complacent. They had started to move out of the area to other operational theatres in several task forces. One of these, Task Force 18, consisted of three heavy cruisers and 13 smaller vessels – their mission was to escort a convoy of four troop transport ships.

Expecting any attacks to come from submarines, Admiral Giffen, the commander of Task Force 18, was unused to Pacific conflict and had dismissed the possibility of an airstrike on his ships, particularly during the night. This proved to be a huge tactical mistake, and one the Japanese took full advantage of.

Thirty-one bombers carrying torpedoes came from the east to attack in two waves. The first wave struck and Giffen made another critical mistake. Believing the first wave to be the entire attack, and ignoring the targeting beacons that had been dropped, he ordered his ships to keep steaming ahead. Twenty minutes later, the second wave struck the very easy targets, and one of the three heavy cruisers – the Chicago, was crippled with torpedo fire. 

        

Various pictures showing the Japanese Navy bombers on their way to their target.

It wasn’t over yet. The next day, on 30 January, the Americans began to tow the Chicago away, but the Japanese kept coming. Although defensive fire shot down many Japanese planes, enough managed to break through to fire more torpedoes at the Chicago, sinking it completely.

Although it was just a minor victory for the Japanese, it was a confidence blow to the Americans, who tried to cover it up completely for a while. In the meantime, Operation KE was a full success – when the Americans attacked Guadalcanal again in February, the Japanese were long gone.

How about an honorary round on Pacific to commemorate the battle, pilots?