In the Solomon Islands… The Battle of Cape Esperance. American and Japanese efforts to supply their troops fighting on Guadalcanal result in a night encounter between the escorting naval forces. The American escorts, led by Admiral Scott consists of 4 cruisers and 4 destroyers. The Japanese have 3 cruisers and 2 destroyers led by Admiral Goto. They meet at night off Cape Esperance. Despite the advantages of radar and better radio communications, the American fare as poorly as the Japanese, both at times firing on their own vessels. The Americans lose a destroyer and two cruisers in the fighting. The Japanese lose a cruiser and a destroyer with the two other cruisers badly damaged. Despite the battle, the Japanese manage to land artillery and tanks at their positions.

On the Eastern Front… A lull in the fighting for the first time in two months.