1. During the night battle of Empress Augusta Bay, 1-2 November 1943, the AUSBURNE acting as a unit of Destroyer Division 45 (AUSBURNE (F), DYSON, CLAXTON, STANLY) in company with Destroyer Division 46 and Cruiser Division 12, engaged a large enemy surface force consisting of four cruisers, of which two were light, two were heavy, and eight destroyers.
   
   Destroyer Division 45 made the initial torpedo attack on the enemy left wing forces, resulting in five torpedo hits. One enemy destroyer was sunk and one damaged severely during the attack and one cruiser damaged severely, and later sunk by gunfire. The enemy belatedly fired torpedoes, which missed close aboard. All ships in Destroyer Division 45 were consistently straddled by both large and medium caliber shells. Destroyer Division 45 turned back and sank one cruiser that had been left dead in the water by the torpedo attack and then began a three hour pursuit of several enemy ships that had headed north.
   
   During this chase, one enemy ship was damaged, and at daybreak, a Fubuki class destroyer was sunk by Destroyer Division 45. After re-grouping, Task Force 39 was subjected to an intense enemy dive-bombing, high level bombing attack by 60 - 70 enemy aircraft.
   
   
2. On the night of 24-25 November 1943, the AUSBURNE in company with Destroyer Squadron 23 and acting as a unit of Destroyer Division 45 (AUSBURNE (F), DYSON, CLAXTON) met a superior enemy surface force composed of six men-of-war, which were evacuating technical aviation personnel from Bougainville. This battle was later called the night engagement off Cape St. George. Four enemy ships were sunk, one probably sunk, and one damaged. No serious casualties were sustained by ships of Destroyer Squadron 23.
   
   The enemy was deployed in two columns of three ships each. Destroyer Division 45 made a torpedo attack on the first column and scored hits on all ships, sinking two immediately and leaving the other two dead in the water. Destroyer Division 45 then took up the pursuit of the other three enemy ships, leaving Destroyer Division 46 (CONVERSE (F), SPENCE) to finish off the crippled ship. The enemy immediately turned tail and ran with Destroyer Division 45 close behind. The enemy gradually pulled ahead and full power was ordered by the Commander of Destroyer Squadron 23. The zig-zaging enemy was then brought under the guns of Destroyer Division 45.
   
   At this time the division changed course radically to starboard and all guns fired at the enemy. At the same time, the enemy fired torpedoes, three of which exploded in the wakes of Destroyer Division 45 badly jarring all ships. Enemy shell splashes were so close that there were instances of personnel being drenched. During this part of the engagement a large destroyer or light cruiser was seen visually to sink. Another badly damaged, was reported by our night fighter to have exploded violently and probably sunk. The third was damaged, but escaped.
   
   
3. The AUSBURNE in company with Destroyer Division 45 (AUSBURNE (F), DYSON, STANLY) participated in a fruitful anti-shipping sweep of the Kavieng, Rabual area on 22 February 1944 which resulted in the sinking of one destroyer minelayer, one medium cargo ship, one small transport and four large barges. Thirty-one (31) prisoners were taken aboard for intelligence purposes.
   
   
4. During the period 31 October 1943 to 25 February 1944, the AUSBURNE was under attack many time by enemy torpedo planes and bombers. She shot down nine of these aircraft and damaged others with no serious damage to the AUSBURNE.
   
   
5. On the night of 7 January 1945, the AUSBURNE (F) in company with BRAINE, RUSSEL and SHAW, operating as pickets for the Lingayen attack force, sunk one Hatsuharu class destroyer off Manila, P.I. The AUSBURNE was straddled consistently by enemy shellfire, took the brunt of the attack and fired 550 rounds of 5" /38 ammunition into the stubborn Japanese ship.

Source info - A booklet entitled:

Forward to Facts about the USS Charles Ausburne

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