After escorting cruisers   and  to Shortland Island and making another “Tokyo Express” run to Guadalcanal on 7 November, Umikaze was in the First Naval Battle of Guadalcanal on the night of 12–13 November 1942. On a troop transport run to Buna, Umikaze suffered heavy damage in an air strike by USAAF B-17 Flying Fortress bombers, and had to be towed back to Rabaul by the destroyer   for emergency repairs. Umikaze was withdrawn to Truk by the end of December, and returned to Sasebo for repairs by 5 January 1943.
Following the escort of cruisers and to Shortland Island and a “Tokyo Express” run to Guadalcanal on November 7th, Umikaze engaged in the First Naval Battle of Guadalcanal from the night of November 12–13. On a troop transport mission to Buna, Umikaze was severely damaged by an air strike from USAAF B-17 Flying Fortress bombers and had to be towed back to Rabaul by the destroyer for emergency repairs. Umikaze was withdrawn to Truk by December’s end and returned to Sasebo for repairs by January 5th, 1943.