The convoy of slower transport ships and 12 escorting destroyers, under the command of Raizō Tanaka, began its run down "The Slot" (New Georgia Sound) from the Shortlands with an estimated arrival time at Guadalcanal during the night of 13 November.
Konvojen af langsommere transportskibe med 12 eskorterende destroyere under kommando af Raizo Tanaka, begyndte sin færd ned ad "revnen" (New Georgia Sound) fra Shortlandøerne med forventet ankomst til Guadalcanal i løbet af natten til den 13. november.