Vichy tires of British attacks in the East Med. Strasbourg is sent in to help. Ultra tips off the British. The Admiralty sends Valiant to discourage any French response.
The French have made a separate peace with Germany and the British fear the French Navy will fall to German control. Admiral Somerville is sent in with the Hood to force the French to British ports, disarm, or scuttle, but arrives too late. Churchill gives the go-ahead to engage. GM Richard Jacobs.
The Tokyo Express has been attempting to flood Guadalcanal with fresh troops, with varying degrees of success. With the lack of air cover from Naval assets on both sides, the big guns move in. Imperial Japanese Naval battleships move in for a fight the Americans believe they have planned for. GM Richard Jacobs.