Vella Gulf

For Ships with similar name, see USS Vella Gulf (CVE-111) and USS Vella Gulf (CG-72).

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Vella Gulf lies between the westernmost large island (Vella Lavella) and the large round island (Kolombangara).

Vella Gulf is a waterway in the Western Province of the Solomon Islands. It lies between the islands of Vella Lavella to the northwest, Kolombangara to the southeast, and Ghizo to the south. It connects New Georgia Sound ("The Slot") to the northeast with the Solomon Sea to the south.

During the Solomon Islands campaign in World War II, the Battle of Vella Gulf was fought here between destroyers of the Imperial Japanese Navy and the U.S. Navy on the night of 6–7 August 1943, with a decisive American victory.

Notes

Citations

References

• -Firsthand account of the battle by Japanese squadron commander aboard Shigure.

External links

• Description by Vincent O'Hara
• Order of battle