Is. line, and could pose serious threat to my HQ based in Noumea. It is hastily rerouted to Espiritu Santo. Also my land-based air units in Noumea and Espiritu Santo are taken off the training status and assigned to naval interdiction. The three battleships South Dakota, Washington, and North Carolina, form the backbone of my surface combat task force, and is ordered to Espiritu Santo and to remain on station there. The fourth carrier is formed into another air combat task force, to be held in reserve in Noumea.
Bad things start happening almost immediately.
The usual desultory strikes against Guadalcanal by the Bettys from Rabaul and the neighboring bases. At about the same time I find at least four separate Japanese task forces heading for Espiritu Santo. One has four carriers, and the other three carriers. The execution phase begins with the Japanese carrier strike against Espiritu Santo. The bombers duly bomb the base, with damages to the supply depot and disruptions.