 This operation was also cancelled after the loss of "Okinoshima" on 12 May 1942, and "Tsugaru" was stationed at Rabaul.On 14 July, "Tsugaru" was reassigned to Admiral Gunichi Mikawa’s IJN 8th Fleet, and supported “Operation RI” (the invasion of Buna in New Guinea).Subsequently, in August and September, "Tsugaru" was used on missions to supply reinforcements and equipment to Guadalcanal, and was hit by bombs from USAAF B-17 Flying Fortress bombers on 3 September, with 14 crewmen killed and 30 wounded.