The American landing on Guadalcanal, Tulagi and Guvatu took the Japanese by surprise. They did not expect an American counter-attack so quickly. The garrisons on land will be quickly eliminated (despite a fierce resistance). The aerial counter attack the same day makes some damages, but the worst for the Americans will come from the sea. The second night after the landing, a Japanese task force inflicts a terrible defeat to the covering force near Savo Island. The next day, the US fleet left the scene and the landed marines behind.