Battle of Kolombangara Battles in the Gilbert Islands and Solomon Islands On 18 September 1943, in reaction to air raids on Tarawa launched by United States Navy aircraft carriers , and , the Combined Fleet sortied to Eniwetok with a massive force but failed to make contact and returned to Truk in the Caroline Islands. Likewise, from 17 October 1943 – 26 October 1943, the Combined Fleet failed to contact US Task Force 15 after it bombed Wake Island. On 1 November 1943, the United States launched the Bougainville Campaign to retake Bougainville in the Solomon Islands. The day after the Battle of Empress Augusta Bay (2 November), Noshiro departed Truk with Sentai 4's , and , Sentai 7's and , Sentai 8's and four destroyers, arriving at Rabaul on 5 November 1943. While refueling in Simpson Harbor from the oiler Kokuyo Maru the cruisers were attacked during the Carrier Raid on Rabaul by 97 planes from Task Force 38's carriers and Princeton. Noshiro was hit by a dud Mark 13 aerial torpedo. From 12 November 1943, Noshiro assisted its sister ship, , after the latter was torpedoed by the submarine , and attempted to tow it back to Truk. On 20 November 1943, American "Operation Galvanic" to retake the Gilbert Islands invaded Tarawa. The invasion fleet of 200 ships included 13 battleships and 11 carriers. Noshiro responded by sailing from Truk with Suzuya, , , and several destroyers. The group was attacked on 1 January 1944 by aircraft from the aircraft carriers and . One of Noshiros gun turrets was put out of action temporarily by the attack and ten crewmen killed. On 19 January 1944, Noshiro was dispatched from Truk to assist the aircraft carrier after it had been torpedoed by the submarine by towing it back to Saipan. Noshiro continued on to Yokosuka Naval Arsenal, going into dry dock for repairs and refit on 1 February 1944. Six triple-mount and eight single-mount Type 96 25 mm AA guns were fitted. This brought the Noshiros 25 mm total to 32 barrels (8x3) (8x1). Battles in the Philippines The retrofit was completed by 28 March 1944, enabling Noshiro to depart for Davao and Lingga on 5 April 1944 with Sentai 4's Atago, Takao and Chōkai, ‘‘Sentai’’ 5's and and the destroyer . The cruiser group was attacked by the submarine , which missed with all six bow torpedoes, and