From July to November, "Chikuma" was engaged in making troop transport runs to Rabaul, and to patrols of the Marshall Islands in unsuccessful pursuit of the American fleet. While refueling at Rabaul on 5 November 1943, "Chikuma" and its task force were attacked by 97 planes from the carriers "Saratoga", and . Cruisers "Atago", "Takao", "Maya", , and were damaged. "Chikuma", attacked by a single SBD, suffered only near-misses with minor damage.