history of the u.s. marine corps in wwii vol ii - isolation on rabaul

8/7/2019 History of the U.S. Marine Corps in WWII Vol II - Isolation on Rabaul

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ISOLAT

History o


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I s


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Th is book, t he seco


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IVdit ler en t ser vices a n dof t he a w esome combgoal .


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The Allied ca mpa


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VIAlexa nder A. Va ndeDa niel E . B arbey, mpersona l interview s.correspondence w it hattribution.

S pecia l tha nkstheir crit ica l rea dingt he m any officia l histMiller , J r ., Deput y


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P ART I STRATEG IC CHAPTER


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VIIIP ART V MARINECH.4PTER

l. Ta rget : Ra ba2. Approa ch M3. Knockout by

P ART VI CONCLU


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CONTENTSILLUSTRATIONSContinMud Clings t o AmmunitAdmira l H a lsey a nd G enField Telephone Lines ANuma Numa Tra il P ositMa rine Wounded Are CP iva Airfields . . . .F ield Art illery Fires by


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x

MAPS-Continued10. Vella La vella B11. B ouga inville .12. Tr ea sury I sla n

1943 . . .13. C hoiseul D iver

ber 1943 .


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Setting the Stag

World llra r I I ha d t he d


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4A Ma rine occupied

a mong America n serWorld Wa r I I . Wrhile ha coa lit ion of enemies,coun tr ym en in a rm s w er ea cross t he globe fromt ra ined t o meet only onAs t he w ar moved inexormen w ho flocked t o join


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S E TTING TH E S TAG Esenior J a pa nese officer descrimet er a s just a bout the limum limit of our ca pa bilit y.

The na tura l cla irvoya ncesimila rly a ided a num ber oft o recognize t he fa ct t ha t J aext ended herself by ea rly sAt t ha t t ime, how ever, t hefa ct ion t ha t ha d a ut hored t h


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6Am er ica n pla n es . Nimita ll his a va ila ble ca rriers,range bombers st a gingfields, a nd ha d given t hsons Ma rine Aircra ft G22) new pla nes to meetThe result of t hese prept rifying; a ll four of t hew ere sent to t he bot t om


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S E TTING TH E S TAG Et erra in fa vored ra pid ament , a nd the ,J a pa nese, sw aY, bega n t o clea r grounda fighter st r ip a long it s nplain.G ua da lca na ls a ir field a nbor beca me prime object iveingt on oka yed t he open in gJ une. In cont ra st t o t he m


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8t ha t ca pit al ships w ere nI ron B ot tom S ound.

When t he a nniversa ryrolled a round, t hd J a pa nG ua da lca na l w as desperara de of men, ships, a ndcommit ted to drive out t hevery effort ha d fa iled.bra nds in I m p er i a l G en er


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S E TTING TH E S TAG EAust ra lia ns w ho t r ied t ova nce. The problem of sudefen din g t roops w a s a logima re, but it w a s a night,J a p an es e in her it ed a s t he difront line t o their ba se a t B

The enemy t roops a tt a cKokoda Tra il w ere opera tnla l a ir cover , in fa ct t he A


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10Ma rin e D ivision w a s offiG ua da lca na l, it smissiont ide of ba tt le ha d sw eptAllied filyor, a nd st rongforces of t he XIV Corpsof a nnihila ting the remWhen eva cua tion orderfrom Tokyo, how ever, t hin a ser ies of high-speed


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S E TTING TH E S TAG Et he sea . Aft er penet ra tin gS tra it , t hey w ill a t t a ck Raera t ions w it h forces onAft er t his, pla nn in g t o a tt aI s., t hey w ill con t inue openort hern coa st of New G ui

On 3 J a nua ry , the t extNa vy C ent ra l Agreement onArea Opera tions w as ra dio


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12w as simply a n Army -Nwopera tion, this syst em cJ a pa nese a dmira l expres

. . . a s fa r a s q uest iot ions a re concerned, i f tG enera l S t a ff sa ys w et he end of it ; a nd so fat ions a re concerned, if t hG enera l S t a ff sa ys w e wit . . . .6


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S E TTING TH E S TAG Ebest be ca lled t he West ernt he Combined Chiefs of S tm em ber sh ip, t he ch iefs of t ha ir services of G rea t B rU nit ed S t at es.Wa shingt on w as select edt he new hea dqua rt ers a ndS ir J ohn Dill, a s t he senrepresent a tive of t he B rit i


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14a ga in t o include the PS WP A. The line hugIndochinese, Tha i, a ndlines t o S inga pore a nd tt w een S uma t ra a nd J aAmerica n a rea of responI ndia -B urm a spher e ofca me under t he B rit ish C

The J CS issued a dir


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S E TTING TH E S TAG Eoffensive a ga inst G erm any,ing of the grea test volumepossible to Russia w ere a mpriorit y pr ogra ms. Offensiin t he P acific w ere to be kepttha t w ould not jeopa rdize ta decisive blow a ga inst C~their repor t to t he P residenMinist er , t he CCS indica ted


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16They then flew ont oP eain a round of conferenst a ff they lea rned t he vma nder on E LKTON.con ferees a rr ived in Watw o w eeks of discussionw here t he request s frombe best a ssessed a ga inscommit ments of t he U n


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S E TTING TH E S TAG Emons w it hin t he scope ofg en er a l d ir ect ives. Any PArea . forces not specifica llyt he ,J CS for inclusion in tagt ~ ged in E LKTON opera tiom ain un der Ad mir al Nim it z.

On 28 Ma rch 1943, t he ,Jsued a new direct ive t ha t ca n2 J uly 1942 a nd out lined t h


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The Opening

AREA OF QOAI FL I CT


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TH E OP EAING MOVESt ha t slice the slopes. Whereforces a tempora ry clea ring,bush bnrrier of second grow tt o a dd t o t he diflicult ie.s of t rthe shores most of the low -lis choked w ith ra nk secondva st st ret ches of fet id ma ngma rk t he months of st rea mE asily a ccessible a nd w ell-dr


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20I n genera l, a view

villa ge is sought a ndla bor er s w ho w or k t hea nd t he rela t ively fewin t he government or pespecia lly t he policeof grea t persona l loyaca n underst a nd a nd le


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TH E O P E NI NG M OVE SB rita in,a n el on g a t ed a n d crisland, 370 miles long a ndw ide, is he~ vily forest ed zndprominent jumble of mount aridging it s in ter ior . Midw acoast s,Tala seain thenorthin th esout hofferwa y-pointfor a dr iveon Rabaul ,whioddsthebestnat ura lha rbo


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TH E OP E N IN G M OVE SOCCUPATI ONOF TH E Z

TheR ussellgroupconsistis lan dsfringedby a scat teislets. P a .vuvu,hela rgeriirregularin shapean dno mmilesa crossa t its w idestpoland a longthe shorel ineofcov es and b ay s i s clea r of


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24susta ina ma jorcounteconsiderat ionn detert he force w as t he b elit roops would be favota kepa rtin fut ureoperGeorgia.On 7 Februa ry,H aCL 13ANS LATE ,l~ eRwa sissued. h~ am edo


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TH E O P E NI NG M OVE S


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26force. Thepreca utionscoutpla neor vesselspa ndth ela nd ingw a smation.

Reconnaiss:~ncea rtsellssevera lda ysbeforselectedsuita blebea ca ndcampa ncldum pa ring of the21st ,t ileArm


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TH E O P E NI NG M OVE SB AT TL E OF THEB ISM A

WhileC omS oP a cw a sconhold on the new Russel lsevent occurredin the SouArea tha t empha sizeddraimpor tancef l and-basedpaigna gainstRaba ul . OnJ a paneseroopconvoyheathe baseof the Huon P eni


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28a nti-shippingstrikes,medium - nd high-leveescortof figh ters .Theredisast rousor theJ a panport w a sburninga nclint ion in les s t ha n h a l f as t royersweresunka ndda ma ged. The a tt a cksfourt l~dest royer,n ga gtions,w a sl~ itth a ta fter


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THEOPENINGOVEStook off from sta gingair fa n d B ou ga i nv illeao m a kTheir depart urewa s dulyport edto Hend ersonFieldberson B ou~ ~ invil le ; t 140Russellspickedup th e ona nd 76int erceptors, ua dajoint -ser vicemixt ur e,sc ragled wit h the ZekeescortoThe J a pan esebombers,hi


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30staggering:1cruiser,2assortedransportsndcwi thheavydamageoa ndsevera lm a llervessout of the air (includLMa tchedga instth esetua l lossof 1 destroyechan t m en , nd les s t hawouldseemhattheThir


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THEOPENINGOVESword f rom Gua da lcana lhshipsha d left B ollgain vilea r lier in t h e d a y . G u apla nescout sspott edh eshiperst ha tha djust deliveredVila ba s e s tea m in gn or thcourse. Fire controlr adapoin ted the loca t ionof thsh ipsba t t eri es,n dt heene


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OrderofBatF L E ET M A R I N E F O


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OR D E ROFB ATTLEhadtworifleregiments,neunderordersto join th e3dfour defensebat ta lions.Inba t tr a iningcentersw eretwbatt a l ionsearningthe funju ng le w a r f a r e. P r i ce a l stionalcontrolof thesqua dAircraftGroup13(MAG1adminis t ra t ivelyar t of thB a se D efen se Aircra ft


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34formedth enucleusof tga nizedin J une. In l iMarineDivision,whicliott a ndP endletonhebat tra ininga reas,furfor mostof theuni tsowhichwa sactivat eda tt ember1942.The4t hMnot scheduledor formAugust 1943,but its m


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ORD E ROFB ATTLEParr i s I s l andandSanDiesprinklingof men (ma inlyIf-year-olds)whodidnotcoth eSelectiveServiceSy stempossible,how ever,or ma nya nt icipat edheirca ll-upt o eice of th eir ch oice. TheLieutenantGeneralThomasignedliaisonofficersto st


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36st r on g in t r ibu te t ocapabilities,w ere impointswellawayfromtter of conflict :e .g. ,SaAddingto thisdra inofw a sth eslowrecoveryoffrom th e debilita tin gejunglewarfare. Theta n offensive,hereforein v iew of t he consid


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OR D E ROF B ATTLE22Ma rchdirective,ma muweretoldtocooperateloseof bothservicesw ereorderoperat eas oneunit . 15 InseniorArmy or Na vygrouin a n a r ea w ou ld t a kech aera tionsof tr oopsof bothseth e fi rs t Al li ed a ssa u lt fot hoseopera tionsonsist edcons t ru ctin gefens iveposi


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Objective:NewBACKGROUNDOF M U

Occupa tionof th e Rus


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42Lagoon, a cora l-lacestr etchof wa terva ryinm iles in w id t h. O nlysa felytra cea cha nnelbopeningsn ther eefa nlow ba r s of t he la goosoutheastof R ov ia n a ,easy-a ccessointson thA land -lockeda nchora


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44NEW GEORGIARECONNAISSANC

Ha lseyha dintendedg ia b y m id -Apr il, Hscra ppedby th eJ CS a nto construct ionof airfandWoodla.rk,headmgo-a hea dsigna l. Whil


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OBJ EC TIVE:E WG E ORGit a sa possiblea rgetinth eapatr olsra ngedfrom RoviaArundel and Kolombangnor t herns hore of NewE n og a i I nlet t o Ma r ovaa roun d ,hecoas tof Van guntr ol cont a ctedhe RendovHa rry Wickham.OThevirtua llythe sam e:to brin


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46guidethe landingpartwithlightsflashedromAWAIT IN G ASSAU

Mundaa ssumeda nstra tegyduringthe spstea dof th eproposedscaptureof Gua dalcan


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OBJ EC TIVENE WG EOR Gincluded:a headquar t erscompanies ;a heavy weapwithhowitzer,a nt ita nk, ndunits;a n an t ia ircra f tcompgunor seacoa stdefenseunitsigna l,supply,a nd engineeThe Yo7cosukaT th l andba nga raon 23F ebrua rywa ndwa sfollowedon 9Ma rc


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48With both Army ancupyi ngiden t ica lCentions,a moreunifiedcmen tw a ssough t .Admcomm a nd ern t hea rea

blefor bothArm ya ndNin theVila-Mundaar eever,Imperial Headqua comma n dpos t be eGeorgia ,and on 31M


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OBJ ECTIVE: NE WG E ORGArm y tr oopsint heN Tew eban ga raa rea. Althoughthwa s not combat tes ted,them en t a nd the f3th l i eg~notherma tt er.The22,9tha din thecaptureof HongKoning partin theoccupat ionofmit tedto comba ta ga in,th eone bat ta lionnearlya nnihGuinea and ano therba t ta


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50andshipsthanSouthPmust era t t his st a geoM ay , how ev er , t he eabrupt ly ,i f only temR ea r Ad mir a l Wa l dheadinga ThirdF leetcruisers,five destroyver t eddest roy er-minthe gap betweenGizo


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OBJ ECTIVENE WG E ORGa tt a ckswit h no prospectoftu nit yto da ma geheenemyAir a ctivit yincrea sedurif ie ldsin the Russellsgaveshorterra ngeto ta rgetsina nd Cent ra lSolomons,aswing anotherlaunchingareplan esintothe air to repetra ctedby the concentrat i


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52wouldbe issuedby Cosuccessful ompletionoTOENAILS.Task unitsof theThsig nedcoverin gmis siosuresuccessof th eopea nyenem yforcea t t emlandingswith a countoneforceof dest royer


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OBJ ECTIVE:EWG EOR G IThe landingforce would bColonelDa nielH. Hu ndley,cth e103dRC T. Selecteda s rfor th eopera tionw a sth eIstMer Regiment(lessth e2d,3d,t a lions),comm a nd edy ColoLiversed~e.The Armys 37I)ivision(lessthe12$)LhCTth e 148thRC T) w ouldbe inservea t Gua da lcana l ,eady


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54strategy ,a shufllingofthetransportpla ns-anclocksupplydut yby tDepot,n t he Russellsta inedpossessionofuntilt he a ctualNewG enera lHester,whoperations ashore,thornyproblems.To


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OBJ ECTIVE:EWG EORG IMARINECORPSSUPPOR

Mar ineunitswhichweretin th eseizureof Mundawernumberof tasksa nd tra inpriort o th eoperat ion. Thepushin gth eenemyfromNewlonged mainlyt o GeneralHDivision; contributionso thby th eMar ineCorpswouldb


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56The9th D efenseBby Lieut ena nt oloneha d part icularreasoa ssignmentn th eTOWith a quick conve

bat t erieso field ar twouldbe in a n offenJ a pa n esea t Mu ndpleasedthe ent ireba


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OBJ ECTIVE:E WG E ORG Ifire300ounds,the 9th inorderst o mea nMa rineCorpandcarr ied theextraammspite somemisdirectedrucconfusiona s to unm a rkeddoea ger 9th w a s a boa r dsh iphoursbeforethe scheduleddIn t ime,elementsof thellth DefenseB a tt a lionsw o


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58sista nce.B y th etimetsta rt eda t Rendova ,heessarymaterialreadyment,a ndin thefollowneleda stea dystr eamammunition,rat ionsf rui t and meats), cloparts , gasoline, lubrtent s,engineerequipm


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ELKTONUndeWOODL ARK-KIRIWIN A


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60neededsomehelpin hture; Ha lseyot feredihoumeaheadq ua rte~ C13(Acorn 5) to 13onecombat-readyRCdefensebat ta lionforSWP A. i lss ignmen\ va seasy ;the l~ th Dearr ivedin P earlHa rban d wm aw ait ingfur


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ELKTONNDERWAY


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62equipmentouldbe sperat ionfor pract icepoperationaldeadlineB a rbeyscouredth eS omoreships. S om e nsigned him; others hCornS oPa c.TheUS Swith noneof the desiities,w a spressedntos


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ELI{TONNDERWAYtr a ining. Theba tt a lionjinTHE R13ACKorcein Austhe opera t ion . Two 90mbat ter ieswent ashoref romJ u n e a n d th e r ema i nin ggroupsfollow edth ema shnext12da ys. Thefirstt w o9werereadyto f ireby 1300oth eotherunitswerein firiequa llyshortorderoncea s


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64enforcement so th eViwithorders t op aci fMap3.)P rior to Sa sakisdVi ru , S eg i P l an t a t icoa stof NewG eorginonlyto th eAllies. Segwayintotheis land. Aha d lan dedhere,a nd


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ELKTONNDERWAYchaelS. Cur rins4thMa rita lion,w hichinclud edpersbeentoNewGeorgiaonprena issan cemissions,wa s acombat-ready.Wit h t hesesTurn ercouldmountouta fKennedya nda lsothr usta ttralSolomonsdoortha tthetryingtoslamshut.


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ELKTON UNDE RWAYTheAlliesha d pla nsfortoo. Thissm a ll,lan dlockf rom Mundawast o be demin orna va lba sefor sm a llca nchora geon the New G e

ha d a n entra nce300ya rdsya rd slong,outli nedon bothcliffs. Theinnerha rborw ifed by th reesm a llrivers , h


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ELKTON UNDE RWAYmiles. B esides,he distancnot a realisticindica tionofth e M a r in esf a ced in th eCurrinknew the job wouldtoughfor a singlecompansit ua tionha dcha nged inceApl a n sw er ema d e,a n d th ela r ger J a p a n esefor ce in twith patrolsact iveat Nono


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70Currinsent t wo na t ivSegiwitha messageorthera iderswouldbeaing Viru. Kennedyhaing t he Ru ss el lI s lanmessagegot thr oughw a s a lr ea d y un der wHarbor.On th esecondda y, C


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ELKTON UNDER WAYt ha tenem ypa t rolsw orkintw eenVirua ndSegiP ointthisvillagemorequicklytTetema ra ,promptedCurthesizeof theforeea tt a ckof theha rbor . Two plat opa n y P (L ieu t en a n t sBroJ . P opelka)w ithCa pta inWmandwereassignedhism


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72guardpositionswereoMa rinesw ereforcedtofirefromtheenemysmaAdvancewa s slow anlong periodsof silencby a seriesof short ,shaingonlya few minuteeth eMa rinesha d ga ineDecidingtha t a buildu


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74theirway overthesidetbl in d l a n din g . Th e btaskforce wa sa n old mF ot is fla g sh ip, th esweeperT~ eve~,ut i t wt hepositionof th eforcetiontothebeach.Admira lFort calledotil theweatherleared,o


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ELKTON UNDE RWAY


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76Ka eruka.Compa niesa longwith Mar ineunitguides,w ouldsw inginlwa tchertra il ,whichitnot beendiscoveredbya ssem blen hig hg rounfrom the beachhead.Twouldgivethea tt a ckedepa rtur eust eastof th


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ELKTON UNDE RWAYonesqu a dof Compa nyN mbeforethea t ta ckwa sca lbetw eenhesoldiersa ndMbroken,an d whilethe twpaniesa tt emptedo tie tw eresentout to re-esta btheArmycompanies.Ont heleft,soldiersof Cto envelopthe right of s


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78ma ted120J a panesewMa rin esa nd onesoldieThe choiceof beachh a l f d a r kn ess,w it h ouwa spar ticula rlyortunMajorClark,thebeachsiblelan dingpointin than unsuspectingnemnight to resupplyandrison. TheJ apa neseh


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ELKTON UNDE RWAYB E A CH H E A D A T R E N

Allied occupationof Seprovidedtheclincherto a Jinjudgment:TheNewGeowereset to repelan invasday Allied radiotra f ficantroopandtransportbui lducanalareahadconvinced


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80men tforcescoveredt hetr oopsa board hetra nspglimpsesof the ra in-pea kv-l~ icl~den t ifiedReII, MapSection.)The inva sionsitew a sof Rendova ,a ha unch-ly 20mileslong a nd8 mt a inousa ndd ens elyw oo


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ELKTON UNDER WAYa nd a utoma ticwea ponsromcr a ft . E v en t ua l ly ,combaorga nized,a nd soldiersofl 72d begant o push in lanlines ,flus hin gsn ipersa ndh igun nests .

Thela nd inga reaha dnotbin a ny grea t,orce.z4Sporatory fireha dbeenth eenem


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82officerslocker boxes,otherpersonalcomforAs the unloadings t a gin g a r ea s t u rn edthroughwhichtrucksd ed . Th e r oa d t h roua reasoonbecam ea qu aa nd held a ll wh eeledvw ererequir edoextr ic


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ELKTONNDERWAYviving a noth era t ta ckby 15dt heMcCawJeycont inuedo sa ban doned.Tha t night, thpedosslamm ednto the trasa n k. B e li evedth ev i ct i msubmarine,he McCawZeysun kby a n Amer ica nM TBmist a kenher for a nen emysThe daysa ir act ioncosthea vily. Det erminedost op


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84for immedia teant iawi th anothertwo bat ta n d em pla cedon R eLieutenantColonelArcomma ndof the 155nwastolandhisbiggunof J u ly to del iverneuMundaa irfieldposit itheeventuala ssaulton


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ELKTON UNDE RWAYa blefor gun posit ionsor bivcame swa mps,a nd disperw a sa lmostimpossible.S olrineswho a tt emptedo digroselyw a tchedh eireffortsbba ths .

Despitethe difficult iescra in,by theendof t l~ esecot w o gu ns of B a t t er yA of155mnlungroupwereinp


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ELKTON UNDE RWAYmanywerecaughtin theodividendto the a tt ra ctiveaequipment , nclsuppliesjarestr ic tedrea . Man yof thhit ra t iona nclfueld um ps;ota mm un itiondum ps. Highoccurreda mongt he S ea beon a promontoryof f thebemitedumptherewashit, i tto thecasua ltiesf thebom

88


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w hichdidlitt leor no dst royersa nd t orpedobemy ships to wi thdraccomplishing he hblowtotheinvasionrAs followingechelLa ndingForceunloapera teJ a p~ l]eseomnoncemoreto knockt hRendova . S incethearepresen tedheonlyr n


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MundaVictory.4SHO RE AT ZA i VANAB


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90to la nd ,dest royth emaOn 2 J uly,th ecommachanged.Sasaki ,astheresponseo the condia ssum edolecomm a ndgarr isons. Admira lOlandingforces, wa s aArmy a ndNa vybar geinthearea .2


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92ma dein la ndin gcraft ,t iona lru bberboa t sca rrpedo boa ts furl~ isheB la ncheCh a nnel,a nctr a nce,na tiv eguid esiandclirecteclhelan din]a goollto tile be:lcllllclay ,3 J uly l l~ ri~~ actablishedheA8CIivis


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94N GOF I N A TT ACK :TO .LA I A iVA7

B oomingsalvosfroa t 0512on the9th ofs t ar tof the~G OF at tna va lbomba rd men t,five-inchshellson posithe enemylines,wa s f


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MUNDA VICTORYdisappointingsta rt , the rter edonlyleth a rgica tt a ckopposition. Wound edsoldba tfa tiguecaseswa nderedt ra i l toZanana ,drainingheneededstrengthan d creaevacua tionproblem. .lddithe regimentso strungouneededo ca rryfood,w at e


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M U N ~A VIU1UJSX


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objective. Ma rinet a nksa ndfantryBattalion,cheduled12th ,w ereheldba ck. TheI .a ianaon tl~ e13th,and,oning day , l ancl ingcra f t andcmrriedhereinforcementslery smokeshellscoveredt -htivities. Al thoughthe infashorelinewithoutincidentgl lns hidfienin the jungle


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98holes,a ndem ptytr encdefendershadfinal lywThe victoryliftedt htireregiment,but morglimpseof the NG OFtiveMundairf ield.runw a ysa nd ta xiwa ya wa ycouldbe seenwrenemypla nes. With ne


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MUNDA VICTORYfications,spikedwit h seacpurposeguns, ringeclt l]eMlmdaPoint for some6,5t hensw unginla l]{lfrom Rofor a lmost3,000ya r(ls, Aswereto f ind6ut1t wa sa fotocrack.Sa sa kisa cticsin th edefr a i n betw eenth e B a r ikeR


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100to Tomonariwereforin g force t o move to a])la ]~ t a tion a bout five mda. The l-?thw:~ sto~ a sa kideemedth a t thtunefor theat ta ck.

To ensureth a tt heosmoothly,Sa sa kiesta ba t t h e pla n t a t iona r e


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102mira l Turner by Rea r AS . Wilkinson a s C om ma nious Force. Turner reH a rbor to ta ke comma nfor ces in t he C en tr al P a

The a ddit ion of t a nkta lion of infa nt ry t o t hbea ch buoyed t he hopest he im pet us of t he a t ta ck


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MU ND A VI CTOR Yoccu pied t he pos it ion s a n d seThe only ca sua lt y suffered byin t he enga gement WM one dw hen a hidden log ja mmt hr ough a floor h at ch .

On t he follow ing da y, thresix infa nt rymen follow ingmoved a round the ba se of tby the 3d B at t a lion a nd pu


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104of a rmor on the ext remeNG OF front h ad h elpedin to S a sa ki>s d efen ses . Ast ret ch ing from La ia nafor more tha n 400 ybrea ched. Typica l of t hclust er of seven pillboxesfront age of only 150 ya rd ef en din g a n d s uppor t in g

MU ND A VI CTOR Y


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In a series of sha rp skirmisinfilt ra tors st ruck a t t he. ming st at ion, t he engineer biv43d T)ivision C P, a nd t he bFor a short t ime, the fa t e opost w as held in one t hinAlt llon gh m ost lin es w er e cut he a rt illery un it s on t he aw as st ill open over one line


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106count era tt a cked. The 1on Kokora na w hen t hetha t unit a t 0100 on thetalion, dispatched ima shore xt Za na na fullyt he bea ch a rea in enem43d D ivision CP w ipedhow ever , t he ser ious t hrew hen t he r egimen t w a s a

MU ND A VI CTOR Y


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mine t he disposit ion a nd st rt J a pa n es e u nit s t o t he fr on t.sca tt ered ba nds of 13t h Rediers w ere encount ered, a ndcon fused, sh or t skir mish es rua lt ies t o bot h sides w ere lig

The hTG OF ha d one a dvaground fight ing ha d been rof a ir int erference, a nd most


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MU ND A VI CTOR Y


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110


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Wit h t he w orseningG eorgia ca me new r ea lness t ha t J a pa nese posvillea w ould be a s quicklpla ne ca rr ier pr ot ect edt rying t o rea ch tha t islaa tt a cked by a force oft or ped o bom bem (a lla nd 16 hea vy bombersreinforcement effort co

M UN DA VI OTOR Y


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hills nea r t he la goon a nd thfended st rong point in t he,J a p zn es e d efen sive 1in e, w h ict roops ca lled H or sesh oe Mou nof it s U -sha ped a ppea ra nce.gua rding Munda , w a s a lso(S ee Ma p 6.)

As t he a tt a ck bega n, J a pa na tt empt ed to reta lia te. Atof fr om 60 t o 70 enemy fight e

112


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t lm t enenly soldier s coupill lmxcs.

On t he fa r r i~ ht , C oloI nfa nt ry cont inued t o donly sli~ llt resist ance,800 y a rd s t l~ e secon d d aever, put , t he 37t h Dilt ile 43(I D i~ isiol~ . To St he next a tt a ck effort

MU ND A VI CTOR Y


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t oo a ggressi~ e ca n oft en gem uch h ot w a ter a s d oin g n ot h

Baster s regiment, pus: Ig(l il ls t , ~ ve: ]k : ll ld sc: lt t ered oprea ched t he Mul~ d:~ -B a irokoso doing ha (l opened a holeI%tll n~ ~ d161st . Wit h tw ot he a tt a ck, t he 148th ha cl b1)111.gile gap, illl(l, a s a t t ile

114


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low row of hills overlofield , a ncl t he 37t h D ivist ightening t he lines a rpa rt of t he a irfield. TH edges t roops cn pt ur edof 13ibolo Hill w hilem oved ca ut iollsly but sla ted pillbox nrezs norTh e 148t h, r ea chin g t

MU ND A VI CTOR Y


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116


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nor th ent ra nce of Vel]ma ke Kolornba nga ra , a nA1l ied force of sixma nder Frederick Moosuddenly, In a ma t terof t he J a pa nese dest roya n d s in kin g. The a mbr esult ed in t he loss of 82700 crew members in a

MU ND A VI CTOR Y


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regjst ere(l on snips in t he lltbels or t or pe(lo bom ber s, a ndizont al bombing a tt nck N-Mon Renclova dllr ing t he. cla~ v heli t l~ e t ig l~ t er lm lb rella w

P la ying a ma jor role in tt he l~ a rbor j t ile 9(hl]m ba tteS l )e ci : 11We a pon s G r ou p of t hJ 3a ttnlion snot do]ml a tota lpla nes cil~ ring the mont h o

118


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la neous lot s of pow cleresulted in ~ a ry in~ inirines conld olll-j guessa not her v-liet ller t lmt he t a r,@ or fa ll sl~ ortsit ua t ion w a s rell lediw l37th D ivisions be::ln~ ~ llndzj t he J la rine ~enced field a rt il lerymen ,i~ ~ a ccura te missions.


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1 20


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F act or s in volved in ra tt lrk nort h of t he a irfifully considered beforea t Rice Anchora ge a tP (lnt la kona (Wha rton)G ldf lmd been rea cllw l.Ihlnda kona a nd t he P iraa na Ln~ oollw ere scoum er w a s select ed. Admrea soned t l~ a t a 1a nding

TH E D RAG ONS P EAU NS U LA


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With t he chte of the lmrd.J I I ly , a on e-d a y pos tpon em en tt o a llow a not ]ler 37t h D ivis3d B at t llioll of t he 145th InfL iv er ser lges for ce. I Tn expecRa i(ler B a tt alion w a s st ill eTTiru H arbor a tt ack a ncl coul(lra w J l in t ime t o join the NLI t w a s a li~ l~ tly a rmed forw ea pon s c:nrr ied, ot her t l~

122


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w

+ 8T

TH E D RAG ONS P EAI NS LT..L


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fa rt her up t he coa st , Liversdecided t ha t t he J a pa nese anot a wa re of t he exa ct loca tioing a ncl ~ .isked t he I lse ofI ights. Therea ft er , t he unloorga nizzt ion l~ r oceeded mNea r da w n, w it h a lmosta sh or e, C olon el L iv er sed gelence w it h one uncodecl w

124


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green moss, cora l out cropu nd er br us h. Th e r a in co

The Army ba tt a lions,w ea pons a nd n)ore a mnt ha n t he light ly equippforced eit her t o t r:~ ve] :t o st op t o est zbl ish a notTile soldiers, choosingpushecl on but dropped

TH E D RAG ONS P ENINS U LA


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list ening w a tch h ad been setbut the NLG comma nder llra dio in t he liope t ha t his]n a rch w a s st ill a secr et . .-lscdge ca rried mw limmpow( T13X), con ta ct w it h H es tea wa y w as nmde w it h diffkultmuniclt ion problems w erha ndica p NLG opera tions.ered r~ clio, (leek-loa ded m

126


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P rema ture fir ing, how esurprise effect a nd t hew it hout difficult y. Wit ha full-sca le count era t t arect ed a t t he Ma rine a mbG riffit h rushed B oydsw a rd t o help hold t he t rt ime, Colonel I ,iversedgcomma nd post a nd the


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128


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being execu ted. S hor tly1a nd La goon w as sight eba t t zlion t urned ea st tdefenses a t E noga i P oinhours of ca ut ions a pprw ere ha lted by t he st ut t ech ine , guns. The Ma rinet l e or d er s . As t hey w aienemy fire picked up,

TH E I ) RAG OXS P E AI NS TTL A


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t ions ca rr ied a shore a t Richa d been st ret ched over fifresh w a t er w :(S n] so sca rcew er e fed w orlny r ice w llifollncl xt Triri. The sit unt iont ense-so serions, in fa ct , t haw er e fzr m or e concer ned w itof cent i n ll ec [ d i n li n is hec { ra tw ere w it h the threa t of h

130


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w ent unsca thed a nd thepa r t ed for G ua da lca na l.t e rn ocm , h ea d q ua r t e. rs psedges C T a rr ived a t F ,seven kmcling cra ft froin it ia l s Llpply r un in to t hTRAI L L L QPI { A ( T Z

Aft er split t ing w it h


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TH E D RAG ONS P ENINS LILA


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per so])a l r econna issa nce. Tma nder left , E noga i w it h a sthe, 15t l~ of .J uly a nd, a ft erTrir i t r a il, joine(l McC afferyea rly cm t l~ en]orning of t hea t t lus defensivo posit ionconvilme Livcrsedge t ha t, tS llOllld be a ba ndolleci. ~ cllllI lna l)le t o cont a ct t he 169t h

134


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t a tive a ppr ova l for t he rgiven. Aft er conferr inS t evenson returned t o Eplies a nd m ail?

E a rly on the morninxAP Ds a nchored off Euog4t h Ma rine R nider s deba rdit iona l supplies a ndt hem. I .iversedge, w ho

TH E D RAG ONS P ENINS U LA


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nese believed t ha t t w o regimt a cking D ra gons P eninsulaha lf of t he %2 E/ntfa?;on. Ifrom Vi]a t o Okumura s a sreinforcement s included acompa ny . The new t roopsbeen rushed to E noga i t o dedefense guns but the. movela t e. B y t he t ime the i?d B

136


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dut y a t t he hea dqua rt eWithout a ir support ,

ces s in ca pt ur in g 13a ir oksid er ably . D isa ppoin tedt he t w o Ma rine ba tt a lforward .

The first sh ot s cron e sA ,J a pa nese o{~ tpost op

TH E D RAG ONS 1E NIAWI;I ,A


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138


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w orks. . . . Movem en t fS am. 2

B y noon, t ile first lina n ce cr um bled , br oken upressure of t he ra ideruse t he 60nml mor t ars bg le ca n opy , la ck in g t h ew ea pons, t nd w it hout ap or t ., t ]l e M a r i IIW b r en ch

TH E D RAG ONS I E NINS U LA


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t alion a nd t he la goons shoredge, in a ll a t tempt t o plugt ry once I llore t o cont act (?F ir st L ieut en :~ n t L eon ar d Wa reinforced pla toon flom Ct his fla nk. Al for ds pla toonitecl a tt a ck, but the volumeprevented Illoven)ent beyWh eeler % con ~ pa ny . Th e m

140


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q uest ing reinforcem ent sw as t old t ha t no help w

The out come of Livet empt to ta ke his object ivdoubt . D espit e t he vigora t ta ck, t he over whelm in gw on. B a dly deplet ed inment s, Compa ny Q w asRepulsed, the compa ny

TH E D RAG ONS P ENINS U LApre-a tt a .ck bomba rdment w


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1600. E nemy st rength, S cw as a bout one compa ny. S hmor ta r ba rra ge bega n, Lia ble to cont a ct S chult z dirphone a nd a dvise him of thefa ced t he Ma rines on t heS chult z must est a blish conma in posit ions a t B airoko-Liversedge told him, or t he

142chos a nd t ree bra nche


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w ounded follow ed, a t hing, bloody men w ho hafight despit e injur ies.N a nd P held t he m ain pQ pulled ba ck. Compaenga ged next . D espit eof enemy mort ar a nd mr et ir em en t w a s or der ly ,

TH E D RAG ONS P ENINS U LAa t 13a ir ok o. Alt hough Liv


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quest for a ir support the nihzd been received a t 2244,required dea dline for suchCornAir New G eorgia hea dpa rent ly rea d t he a ppea l in tsa ge a nd t he request w a s paAir Sols. E very a va ila ble plasom e ou tm od ed scout pla nes,to a tt a ck t he enemy posit ions

44


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ElVI) OF A CAiJf PAThe virt lml stnlema t

ninsulz ended on 2 .%Corps, poised for x lat hr ollgh t o Mund fl fiel clto rush a not her blockiMun& a nd 13a iroko t oenemy. Aft er a hurr ied

TH E D RAG (3XS P EA13WU LA


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mnrrh fr onl t he smlt hern enda nd tha t llQ w a s ~ oiug int o Efollow il~ ,c n~ ol .n in~ come heit er . 3( Ryneska s messa geby a not her nlessa ~ e from t hel$5t h (ll o~ l c olll lll;lllclecl l l y~ ~D . ~ r ir ar dea tl) w hich l]m d aE noga i over t ile ra iders rouii comp:lny from t ha t bnt ta

146


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per ha ps, w a s t he pr in cipfrom the NI ,G s opera tiBairoko.

The fa ilure of t heca n be a scribed t o t he buunder w hich t he hTLG lt ellig en ce, poor com mu nneed for suppor t ing a irin su fficien t s uppor t fr om

TH E D RAG ONS P ENINS U I ,Ah Ta va l g lm fir e su ppor t , m


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the w ar , w as a t t his point inin t ile explor a tor y st :l>s : Is llorfully w orked ollt yet . .\ s }do not indica t e t he IPasoIl s


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End of a Cam

E ND OF A CAMP AIG Nsit ion a t Munda a nd on th


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I a nds, a nd syst ema t ica }lyevery know n enemy gun empsist ~ nce d win dled. I l~ cr ea scdon the night of 19 A~ qy~ st it he ,J a pa uese w ere w it hdrzw inlow ing da y, t he sout hern pa rtw a s q uickly occi~ pied, a nd tt hen moved nor th a long oplines. Only sca tt ered st ra gg

150r ifle com pa n ies w ere


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st rengt h a nd it s menma la ria .? 3 The 172dnea rly t wo m ont hs of aT1-ilS):I(llJ Illlderst reugt

While t roops fromB ust ling P oint a rea , t h12 S ept ember openeclt he lengt h of 130mbo

E ND OF A CAMP AIG N


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E ND OF .4 CAMP AIG NThe decision t o sw it ch t ar g


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a m on th ea r lier . On 12 J u ly,a ft er a sking for Admira l Tufor Kolomba nga ra , H a lseymind a nd direct ed tha t this ist epped a nd J -ells La ve]la tB y t his t ime it , w as obvious tComS oP a{ t ha t Munda w asbe t a ken a s quickly a s est ima

154F urt her, soggy Vil a a ir


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deemed w ort hy of captuTh e Xor tl~ er ~ ~ L an din

orga nized t o a tt a ck a nd~ -ells , con ~ pr iw d t he .ment a l Comba t Tea m64t h Fiel(l Art illery BNaT7al C on st ruct ion B a trine Ah I lefense B a t t al

I I ND OF A C AMP AIG NThe successful jump from


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Vella L avella a sser ted Alliedin t he Cemt ra l S olomons. Fpulse t he la nding, officers o~l~ef a nd t he ~e11e7/ tcentca lled a conference t o considcounter l anding on t he isla nd.ien w a s :L1l t ha t , could be sdecided. This proposa l w

156t h e S L ?: l.A J a p a nes e pr is


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t l~ e t ired illld hungryw illing t o surrender, bof ficer s w ou ld n ot per mit

On the night of 6-7t roops hea rd voices aba rges scr apin g cor al, bfires w ere ordered t oomorning, only lit tered


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158direct hit a nd a second


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of a ct ion . Volunt eer s q useconcl gun w ~ d cont inue

.As t he bombing a tt afighter cover a ppea redin a series of runningt he la nding a rea a t Rurbles. E xploding a mmut o w rea k ha voc. Ca sw d


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160r assed by t he vigila nt MThulled Ca ta lina flying


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Ca ts) w hich prow led t ha nd Kula G ulfs. Nea rlybmrge supply a tt empt s,na lly resort ed t o supplyfloa t pla n es a n d su bm a rin

These ina deq ua te meaful second look a t the sfor ced t he en em y t o m ake

E ND OF .4 C AMP AIG ND uring t he night of 1-2


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zvailwble Allied dest royt hrough The S lot seeking txnese ev~ cua tion a tt empt .w ere ma de in t he pitch da r20 of t he 35 ba rges encountpor ted sunk. The follow in.Lllied ships a ga in a t t empt edthe J a pa nese but could not

P acific. Inst ea d, it w as


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a con sid er a ble a m ou nt , ofclusive comba t; a nd themm-red by the f~ ct tha tma nd cha nges w ere requvict ory. There w ere fewt eg ic s ucces ses a n d t he pof a rigorolls jllngle ca munderscored by t ile p

E ND OF A CAMP AIG Ndirect ion of a division in c


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New G eorgia , a top-level stim posed over t he comba t, eca n d d ir ect oper a t ion s.

On a low er level, t he t act ia nd equipment of individuafound ba sica lly sound. Aca mpa ign crit iques> a numbw hile eq uipm ent im pr ovem e


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Continuing the P

ST RAT EGI C REQ U Z12EN


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CONTINU ING TH E P RE S S U RE


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170ury Isla nds a nd Choiseu


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ba ses a nd jumping-offopera tions a ga inst 130Art hur, how ever, ha d cor ig in a l in ten tion s of E Ia la nding clirect ly ont ha t t he int erest s of tpla n COU IC1est be exe

C ONTI NU ING TH E P RE S S U REa nd Trllkpoint s out side


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m os t Allied la n d -b a sed pla nville w as a lso under t he umbrsuppor t from Ra ba ul a nd Trt he Allies n eed ed B ou ga in villeopera tions a ga inst ~ ~ a ba u];needed I louga inville t o deView ed from eit her ca mp, t hpr ior i ty possess ion .

172sa ge in t he nor th . G Th ela nd t ra vel.


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B a rges mcoa st lin e ser ved m os t ofneeds. AS a result , fewproved a nd in t he la t erla nd, t his proved a n im

i4nst rzlia n coa st w a i cfr iend] y na i ives ma int apost s on t he sout hern

CONTINU ING TH E P RES S U REt he .J a pm wse est im at e of t het o hit ea ch a nm. 13011a invi


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w m ba sed on t he prem iw t ha nyw here on the is]a nd couldt ra nsfer of ground t roops nm an din g by a n a mph ibiou s g

R es pon sible for t he defen ser ille a nd t he a dja cent , is la ndxclver sa r y, I .ieu ten a nt G en erH ya ku t a ke, w ho ha d com

174sa nce effor ts t o obt a in eof informa tion a nd int


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va r iou s pr oject ed la n diAS a t G ua da lca na l a ndknow ledge of the B oulim it ed t o sket ch y r eporid en t s, pla n t er s, m ed icamasters , a nd m issiont hese repor t ~ w ere va l

C ONTI NU ING TH E P RE S S U REnut , g rove on Ca pe Torokinafa vora ble spot for a n a ir fiel


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decided, since t he a rea aenough a nd long enoughfight er pla ne st r ip. U na blesoil sa mple of t he a rea ~ t he pnext best t hing a ndbrough t ba simila r a rea . The scout sba ck tot he La ruma river a n

176a bilit y of the Allies t o


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t ermined sea a nd a ir offea nese during t he crit ica la nd est nh lish in ,g a bea chpla nners a dmit ted t ha trea ct ion w a s highly pt hrea t w a s a ccept ed a sThe project ed opera tiondemonst ra tion of t he fi

C ONTINU ING TH E P RE S S U REby G risw olds XIV Corps,


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fir st pla nning direct ive deNorthern S olomons a s a n Iment . As a result , t he Ma rbeca me t a ct ica l a s w ell a s a

Va ndegrift , w ho ha d w onH onor for his lea der ship of tD ivision a t G ua da lca na l, wt hree IMAC comma nders t o

178a rt illery ba tt a lions on


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t he .lrmys .Imerica l DF iji I sla llt ls . This la tever , coulcl be com mit tedapproval.

Aft er t he t a rget hala t e S ept em ber , H a lseyopera t iona l cha in of ca mphibious force com

CONTIAU ING TH E P RE SS U RE(Ta s kF or ce 33) w e re or d e. re dt he g en er a l lllission s of r econ n


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CI est rllct ion of ellem~ shipsw ith the a dded dut ies ofcover a nd sllppolt for t hefc)rcesi ll~-olve(l il lt l le Xort lla ssa ult . Rea r Admira l FS ller l~ l al\ sc:lr riem (Ta sk Fdirw tecl t o support , t he expe

180dnring t he beflchbea cl phly t hrea t en t he ent ir e ope


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nit e possibilit y of quickret a lifl t ion by t he r llemysion by Wilkin son t ha tLS TS under his conlnmriskecl cluring t he ea rloperation.

The gla ring cont rmt

CONTINU ING TH E P RES S LTRElm rkeci t roops zn cl sllpplies.ca lled for t he bea ch hea d t o


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a nd resupplied by fi>e LS Tda ys a pa rt , ea ch ec]le]on briot her 3,000 t roops a n d 5,300Va miegrift , npon resllmptIM.LC c OllHllW@ Obj&Ct e


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Torokina a rea w a s sscout ed , xn d t he exist ena ble quest ion, pla nspier ced pla nking for a lz fr esh burden t o t he liprovided insura nce t hafa shioned for a t lea st

CONTINU ING TH E P RES S U REcruisers a nd a t lea st 10 dest rin light of t he mult iple


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of t he Third Fleet , th is w asrequest . E vent ua lly , fournone of t hem pra ct ised in shmen t, w ere sch eduled for pre-post -H -H our gunfire suppot rut h f (lln ess, IM.kC lia isonunha ppy w ith t he a mountoffered by the I I IP llibFor ,

184signed t o t he divisiont he a ddit ion of a numb


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a ncl provisiona l ba tt alist ill in t he process of foa t t a chment s w ere t heB at t a lions, now joinedregiment , a nd t he 3dAs expect ed, the comt hese corps a nd divis

C ONTINU ING TH E P RES S U REbrought a shore in la t er echIMAC t roops ma king the init


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w ould ca rry a ha versa ck onlya nd bla nket rolls w ere t o be caw ith orga niza t iona l gea r .I MAC a nt i t he 3d Mm -in e D ivisa ll s ea ba g s, cot s, a n d m a tt res sesa t G ua da lca n al; a ncl t heseembarked.

The three a ssa ult t ask unit

186types. This composit eMa rin e C orps sq ua dron


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19 Na vy squa drons wArmy sq ua drons w it hNTew Zea la nd squa dronB y n~ id-Oct ober , a t lea317 bom ber s w ere beint he enemy ba ses. Th eof a ir fields on S ew G eo

C OXTI NU IATG TH E P RE SS UREAllied .kir F orces from cent int a cks w hich w oulcl h a\ -e f ur


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t l~ e .J a pa nese a t ten tion fr omvillea ]an{lings. As it turilcdWesP a c flier s I vere a ble t osolid blow a ga inst P ~ aba ld oI MAC t roops ~ ~ ere.a ]r ea dy aTorokina.

As pa rt of ComS oP a cS pr


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Diversionary

T REASU RY I SL A, Z)

D IVE RS IONAR Y AS SAU LTSa re severa l sma ll, bra ckishbut t he isla nd is ea sily t ra ver


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clea red of it s covering forestexcellent sit e. for a n a irfiet hese t wo isla nds is a mile orshelt ered w at er+ ne of t hea ges in t he S olomon Isla nclna me B la nche H arbor. Theof t hese fea t uresa irfield

190


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DIVERSIONARY ASSAULTSbees w ould go a shore a t S oanort h. The t wo ba tt alions othen drive a cross the isla n


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w ith the S oa nota lu la ndingna va l ba se const ruct ion gotStirl ing.

Th e init ia l la ndin gs in B lw ere to be covered by a na vaport group of t w o dest royera nd Phi l i p . Lia ison office

fla nk of t he a ssa ult wta sk of close suppor t f


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ces. At lea st one Mmmsevera l ma chine guns,bunkers w ere knocked[ire of t I lese. tw o ships.t he a nnounced H -H out roops w ent a shore on

At Fa la ma i, t he 29t

DIVERS 1ONARY ASSAU1,TSt he enemy, a nd onc reinforcset out cr oss-com lt ry t o occupof Ma lsi on the nort hea st


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~ l : ls li t t lcc ol lt ac t . .Ti lp :Ll leseit y on t he n igh t of t l~ e28t l~ \enemy a ir :Ict ivity w as liniitdlevel st ra fing a tt a ck a nclbombing r~ ids-zl 1 withoutb rig a de g rou p.

B y 31 oct obm-, t he ent ire

194


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I f t he ,J apa nese haspecula t e on t he sign ificau ry s in va sion , t he pr ob lecomplica ted a few houri]lg of a n Allied forcecon st of C hoiseu l I sla n d,t he s ou th ea st er ly ] coa sthe la nding w a s a not


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196


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DIVERSIONARY ASS.4ULTSJ a pa nese tha t a ma jor la nprogress. In a ddit ion , r


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w ou ld be con du ct ed t o det elsit es fol a t orpedo boa t pa t

The lMAC opemt ion ordecocle n a nle 1)1. IS S FTI L t o t ilver sion > w a s is su ed o]~ 22 Ocon i n format i on and l .ec~ol ll l~ lS eton, t he Ma rines ]a llding

198rived off Vella La vellaeq uipment w ere t ra ns


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L CMS t o t he ,VcXea n, ~Wa~d in a qnick opera t iplet ed in less t ha n 45st royer division , w itha ct ing a s escort , sa iledvella a t 1921. The don?oloca te t he hmding point

DIVERSIONARY ASSAULTSD uring the da y of 2?8 O

the Ma rines est a blished th


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ot her en em y t ligl~ t a ppea redbea chhea d w ith a st ra finga t t a ck, The effect w a s w a str in es h ad dis per sed; t heir ebeen moved; a nd good ca mpline h :t d been observed.t ives ha d oblit era ted every s

a n cl t he r ocket d et a ch me(Ca pt a in Robert E . Mat a ched unit s follow ed.


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J a pa nese out post son t hfireon the Ma rinecolumnfire from t l~ e pa ra chuenemy picket s to w iSangigai .

F ollow ing t he en ~ -elop


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202lvit hdra w t I le groul) f]I ay a rea .

B igger w as una w are


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hind him. Int ent uponcided to cont inue t ow aAft er det ermining hisordered a not her sma llw a y t o t he river ba sereq uest t ha t t he boa t s

DIVERSIONARY ASSAULTSpa t rol boa t s r aked t he jungle20mm a nd .50 ca liber firet ra nsferred from t he st a lle


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rescue ships a nd a ll cra ftA t imely ra in squa ll helpedt irement . Aircra ft from Mboa t s provided cover forVoza.

The t ime for w it hdra w a lion from Choiseul w as nea

204a nd undoubt edly ha d being t he size of t he la ndsw ift a ct ivity of t he ba t


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mile f rent . Then, a ft erE mpress Augusta B ay gChoiseul ruse beca meJ a pa nese, w ho bega n prosive a ct ion t o w ipe outThe cont inued presence

DIVERSIONARY ASSAULTSB uka , a nd G enera l H ya kudirect ed t he 6t h D ivi si onfirm hold on Choiseul a s


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posit ions in t he S hort la nd It he t J a pa n es e defen der s onw a it ed for t he n ext d evelopm

Aft er the Allied la ndingsu ry s, t he J a p a nese t hin kin gMun da w a s opera tiona l; Vel

206ca used him t o sw ervemons. Then , w hen .Mt w een 27 Oct ober a nd


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died, the fleet a ga in t uG uinea t o t a ke up the


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Assault of Cape

;{

208port s by J a pa nese snooforces observed a t va rB uka t o t he S hort ha nds


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ha d the genera l effectJ apanese.z

At 0545, m ine sw eepeer Wadsworth openednor th of C ape Torokinam ine-sw eeping opera tion


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210AP As on the south fla na rea st art ed for shor e.cont inued t o shoot a .t b


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0721, w hen t he sh ellingt arget s t o t he rea r of t heline. As t he fire lift edscout bombers from Muthe bea ches, bombingshoreline just a hea d of

AS S AU L T O F C AP E TO RO KIpa red posit ions. In a fev-sca t ter ed en em y in t he a rea ha nd sniper pa trols bega n n


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Conta ct w a s est a blishedMa rines on t he left , but a w ivent ed linkup w ith t he 2ct alion on t he r igl~ t .

The ra iders, Iecl by Ma joWa shburn, w ent a shore in

212


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AS S AU L T O F C AP E TO RO KIThe enemy empla cement s,ground level a nd hiddent angled underbrush a long


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w ere sit ed t o cover t he beaw ith int erlocking ba nds ofa ssa ult bom ba rdment by glmpla nes ha d not knocked ofor tifica t ion s; in m ost ca sesh it t hem .

214Th e efficien t r ed uct ion

fen sive pos it ion a d dedt o prior t ra ining a nd


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of the 3d Ma rine DivisioJ a pa nese syst em of mbunkers on New G eorgiain such a d efensive comof one bunker w ould let ion of a not her. In effe


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AS S AU L T O F C AP E TO RO KI NThelon g-ra nge snipiug a t ~ aw it h in con clu siv e r es ult s wasfor t he lMAC request s pr iort ion t ha t , t ile clest ro-yers mov


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t he shorelin e a s possible forTh e s a {l t hin g a bou t t hethe t,or]man [l tl ivisiou guufirth : lt the n]e :~msac tua ll y TyA.iveus just wh:~ t\ve~ v;intwI )a t ed els ew h er e in w h a t w e

218t ha n t he ,J ~ pa n es e r ecot he loss of four pla nesthe first da y, a t lea st , t


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a ir ret alia tion ha d beenEST ABL I SH I N G A

Ashore, the defensivs tr et ch ed a lon g, ir reg ul

AS S AU L T OF C AP E TOR OK It he t ra nsport groups pr oceeda s ra pidly a s t he a ir a tt a cks,a nd elimina t ion of a numb


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w ould permit . lly 1600 ont he four nor t hernmost t rones m ost a ffect ed by t he boat he unsuit able bea ches-st illboard.

The quick unloa ding of

220The rema ining ba tt er iesupport mission s t he fo

Select ion of posit ions


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difficult . The ba tt eryRa ider B at t a lion w a sla nd a bout 100 ya rdsbefore a posit ion coulda mphibia n t ra ctors fermost of t he xmnlunit ion

AS S AU L T O F C AP E TO RO KINcruisers a nd six dest royershea ding t ow a rd Ra ba ul frot hese sh ips, a ft er on e r efuelin


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be expect ed nea r B ouga invilevening or ea rly t he next ma mphibious for ce, a s direct et o sea f or m or e pr ot ect ion .

At 2300 t ha t night , 1 hfour t ra nspor t s w hich w ere

222for cew a s by lon g-r a nggunfire.

The na va l ba tt le of


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B ay bega n just 45 milesbea chhea d w hose sa fetTa sk F or ce 39. Mer rillfire a t 0950 a t ra nges oya rds. The enemy fleea dist ance of eight miles

AS S AU L T O F C AP E TO RO KIJ a pa nese a lso ha d severa l sin coll isions.

Ta sk Force 39 w a s st ruckla t er by a fur ious a ir a t t a


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tha n 70 enemy pla nes, butma de a mist ake in hea din g finst ea d of t he dest royers guaabled Foote. The hex~-y aa nd t he a ggressive prot ect ion

224The prot est s of sa ga inst t he use of sur f

a rea sout h of New B rw ell w it hin the ra nge


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n a ted by t he pla n es of Cbrushed a side. Com biqwmtens. convinced t haopport unit y t o ta ke a dvt egic sit l~ a t ion in t he so

Holding the Be


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.EXPAN S1ON OF T H E PETh e la ndings on B ouga invi


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H OLD ING TH E B EACH H E AD


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2289t h M a rin es . In effectt he t wo a ssa ult regimentt ions on t he perimet er a


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one ba t t a l ion .The la st J a pa nese res

perimet er ha d been elimh Tovem ber , a ft er sever alra dic rifle fire from Toa rt illery pieces of a ba t

H OL D IN G TH E B E AC H H E ADt iona l st ora ge a rea s w it hinperimeter . Ammunit ion a nha d t o be fit t ed in tempora ri


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supply dum ps, a nd t hese in ta ted w here t erra in permit tedw as a series of dt unps w it hfuels da ngerously close t o eto t roop a rea s a nd bea ch detions.

2303,548 men a nd 6,080 t oemba rked a t G ua da lca neight LS TS a nd eight A


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escort ed t o C ape Tor okiners. The AP Ds unloa deding telm from the Zlstd ivision elem en ts q uicklyba ck t o G ua da lca na l for13ut t he un loa din g of t l~


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232dest royers screened by aescor t dest royers .

S hort ly a ft er midnigh


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group ent ered t he objectfirst la nding a ttempt w ad on ed w hen Alliecl sh ipb lockin g t ih e w a y . Th enort h a ga in , t hen ba ck-the shoreline for a secon

H OL DI NG TH E B E AC H H EA


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234hid den , w it h a h igh pr opoguns a nd a ut oma tic w ea prine a t t a ck w a s met sh


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gr ena de for grena de. IMa rines knocked out . mpla cements t ha t w ere athe thick jungle a t dist afive ya rds. Ta nks movedt he a ssa ult , a n d t he Mm ri

H OLD ING TH E B EACH H E ADa nd w ithin a nhourt h epla tup by a t a nk ligh ter a nd rn ~ a i n l in es .1~ The ot her islJ : lt rol fr oln C oir lp:\ lly 13, wt he r es t of t he ba t ta lion dur i


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a nd spen t t he night of 78h in d t he enemys lillm w it h

on t ile nmrning of 8 h-a X)-minut e pr epa ra t ion byof a rt illery a llgn lent ed by

236.4not her fa ct or in t he

J a pa nese ina bilit y t o coort era tt ack w it h a full-sca leposit e side of t he per im et


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w as t he origina l intent ionma nding. The enemyssit ua tion ma ps a nd opercomba t w as repea ted in tla nding. Within hours

H OL D IN G TH E B E AC H H E ADpa .ny H unt il a not her ra idpa ny G , w as in posit ion t o ht ra il. The enemy, una ble t oMa rine posit ion a ft er sever


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t a cks, w ithdrew a bout 1530served digging in a rounds om e 1,000 y ar ds ea st . Th ew a s es tim at ed a t a bout ba t ta

S evera l sma ll-sca le a tt ac

238m dT


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Y,6,3,0

t

H OL D IN G TH E B E AC H H E .4DAt 0620 t he follow ing movember, t he ra ider unit s re

t ra il block a rea w hich ha d benight by Compa ny M a nd


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Compa ny I . The t w o a ssa udeployed behind Compa nypa ny L ta king posit ions ont ra il a nd Compa ny F on tof the t ra il. At , 0730, t he

240An a ir st r ike set fomorning, 10 November,

short t ime by the la te rfrom Compa ny K, 3d R


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been on a n a ll-night scP iva Villa ge. The pa trot act s. Tw elve t orpedo br in e s qu a dr on s VM T13-1Ka t Munda t hen bombed

H OL D IN G TH E B E AC H H E ADT H E COCON U T GROV.E

The second ma jor ba tt le iof the Numa Numa Tra il


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t wo-da y lull follow in g t he sVillzge. D urin g t ha t in tervaskirmishes occurred, most over ten t br ush es bet w een Mapa trols a nd ,J a pa nese st rthough cont a ct w ith t he ma

242


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H OLD IhG TH E B EACH HE ADS moa ks ba t t a lion, a t t h

1,200 ya rds t o the rea r ofreceived w ord of t he enga geThe ba tt a lion, pulling in it


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ing fla nk secur ity pa trols,t r~ il tow ard t he t ight . B ya bout 200 ya rcls behind Comnllmber of dist urbing a ndport s w ere being received.conuna l~ (ler w a s t old t l~ a t C

244cent of t he bombs fella rea . B ombs w ere droppya rds from t he forw ard

U nfortuna t ely, t he gr


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d ela yed unt il 1100 by t het o the t roops, so t ha t t hst rike w a s lost . A breat ions fur t her delzyecl thpla ns w ere ma de for a n a

H OLD ING TH E B EACH HE ADt o t he pha se line previouslyInla nd Defense Line D.DEFEiV/ SE OF T I ZE CAPT(2ROK ZN A AREA 2


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In t he first t w o w eeks ofB ou ga in villea , t h e M a rin e-. ir mh ad pr ogr essed t o t he point wless t ha n a n a ll-out efiort by

246vember sent Admira lma n on a da wn ra id aw it h t he ca rr ier s SmwtD espit e foul w ea t her ,


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97 in a llfound a holpoured through t o st ra t a nchor in S impson Hre.portecl da ma ge t o foligh t cr uis er s a n d t w o d

Advance to Piva


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248dra w t roops from t heret he E mpress August a Bmoved one t hrea t t o t

The m ain da nger t o


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how ever , w -a s from thbulk of t he 6t h ~ L vk zmost of t he f leven teenCakcl. The J a pa nese,from B uin t o Ma w areka

AD VAN CE TO P I VA F OR K St he J a p a nese. P er imet er uMa rine Division a nd t hecont inued a ct ive comba t. pt here w ere few enemy cont a


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a nese ha d a ppa rent ly w it ha ct ivit y by t he lMAC forcet o fix t he loca tion of enemyobt a in informa tion on t hein prepa ra t ion for t he c


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AD VAN CE TO P I Wl F OR KSbomber field w as a lrea dyst ruct ion w as held up by t heroa ds t o the a rea . The divement a nd resources t o t he c


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roa ds a nd supply t ra ils in stha ndica pped t he w ork w hicht he fighter st r ip a t Torokinat he st a rt of t he P iva bomberproblem of supply w as t oo

252first -served ba sis t o a llr ine Amphibious C orps.munit ion w ere picked ut he f ir st a va ila ble s ou rce


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Th e fir st cor rect ive a ctdivisions G 4 a nd t hema st er w a s to direct thdumps revert t o divisionpla n w a s out lin ed un der

AD VAN CE TO P I VA F OR K Sca use of excessive w ea r ont ra cks ca used by t he constt hrough jungle mud. The laof ma chines a va ila ble a t one


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but the number of t ra ct orsdeclined ra pidly a ft er t he fiIronica lly , by t he t ime tha tbet w een t he Ma rine forcesese a ppea red likely (24 No

254then ea ten w hile the seheat ing.

D uring t he Ma rine alit t le w at er brought forwt he drinking w a t er w a


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sw amp holes a nd st rea mfied in dividua lly by iodica ls supp]ied by t he Na vea ch pla toon. D espit et ion a n d con tin ued expos

AD VAN CE TO P I VA F OR K Sst opping, or cont act w it h tpa ny comma nders a nd supons groups clipped ha nd t


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t he line a nd w ere in immw it h t he column comma nda nd speed of the a dva nceby t he officer a t the hea d ofof t roops. A comma nd usi

256of supply lin es. Th e 37rema ined rela tively ina cport s of enemy sightedst art ed a ggr essive pa tro


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r out es of a dva nce a nd t ea s fa r out a hea d a s thebe occupied by the 21stla nd D efense Line E ).skir mish es w it h en em y o

AD VANCE TO P IVA F ORKSTw o of t he l ight Ma rinea bled in the close fight ingbefor e t he Ma rin e ba t ta lionThe genera l course of a t t aea st a long the NTuma Num


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t he t wo forks of t he P iva RA number of cha nges in

d is posit ion s w er e or der ed aThe 3d Ra icler B at t a lion m

258\\\ 1\,~\?Iz


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\c\ 3\ O:\O,\-

AD VAN CE TO P I V. 4 F OR K Slines. The rema ining ba tt at hen relea sed from opera tiot he 3d Y1a rhs, a nd t his ureserve posit ions behind 3


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block t he ga p bet ween t heTh e en em y r esist a nce in

sect or , h ow ever , w a s un exp.\ ll t hree ba tt a lions w eret ile ,J a pa nese during t he co

260I-. I A\g130lZ1:


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>/;:J?3\/ \

AD VANC E TO P IVA FORKSbivoua c a rea behind 1/3a brea st of 2/3. The disposiMa rines a t th is t ime resembw it h t he a pex poin ted a longt ra il t ow ard t he ,J a pa nese p


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1st B at t a lion w zs in front ,left of t he t ra il a nd 2/3Cibiks force, holding a poof t he perimet er , w a s reincompa ny of ra iders a nd a pl

g~gposit ion s in front of t he 3the opening sa lvo, the rofire a nd t he sh arp bla st sin the jungle a hea d merd ea fen in g t hu nd er . Inutes or so, more tha n 5


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75mm a nd 105mm howinto t he J a pa nese posit ioa rea w a s ja rred a nd shtha n 60 tons of explosiv

AD VAA-CE TO I IVA FORKSment bega n t o t igh t ba ck, tsist ance sw elled from a fewshot s in to a fllr iolls? fa na t, J i ip a ]l es ~ t r oop s from resa rea s out side t he bea ten zon


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int o posit ion a nd opened fiv a ncin g M a rin es . E nen ly abla st ed a lony t ile line, t mfront of the a (lva ncing Mt r e mely a cm lr a t e 90n 1n 1m or t

264t alion orga nized a per imw ait ed for 2/3 t o comeThe 2d B at t alion, movna l object ive, w a s slow edreinforcement s a s it


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Quickly request ing 6mort ar concent ra tions,o~ e rca m e t he en em y oppforward. Th e. fin a l s ta n

AD VANC E TO P IVA F ORKSL at e in t he a ft er noon, Ra ndaw as ordered t o move nor th aRiver t o repor t to Coloner egim en t for oper at iona l con


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before da rk, Ra nda ll repoH enry a nd w a s direct ed t oa rea . The ba t t a lion w a s tofor relief of the front linesda ybrea k a s possible. The

266of grena des, since ~explosives w a s hurledpositions. The Ma rinva n ce a g ain st t his for midubbed t he knoll G ren


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Ma ny a tt em pt s t o enw ere repulsed. At somrine a tt a ckers w ere ont he enemy em pla cem ent s

AD VANCE TO P ITA FORKSca sua lt ies must ha ve beenh igh er t ha n t ha t figur e.The fight for expa nsionhea d in th is a rea w as recordedt le of P iva Forks, a nd ma rke


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ra ry end of ser ious enemythe occupa tion a ncl developmCa pe Torokina a rea . Theground from w hich t het hrea ten or ha ra ss the bea chh


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AD VANCE TO P IVA FORKSThe lt h Ma rines, on the r igh37th D ivision, report ed ruggth is subsect or w ith ma ny ridgorges cut by w ater fa lls a nd


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21st a nd 3d Ma rines, how evt he t a sk of holding a rea s inswamps . These. the Ma riw ere not , impa ssa ble, buttha t la rge forces of enemy

End of a Miss


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,21,0

close support w ea pon sch ut ist s reluct an tly buclu ded t ha t t he en em ysw er e q uit e g ood .

D uring t he da y, 15

0?0


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3d D efense B at t a lionregistered a long the fopa ra chut ist s per imetenemy from ma king

E ND OF A MIS S IONH EL L ZAPOPPI N RI DGEAN D H I L L 600A 4

Aft m t he move t o In la ndF, corps hea dqua r t ers kepthill ma ss some 2,OOOya rds


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w hich domina ted the a reaP iva a nd Torokina Rivers.held by the J a pa nese, w oulobserva tion of t he en tire C

274


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E ND OF A MI SS I ONt o expa nd t he perimet er to mw it h t he pa ra ch ut e regim en t.a nd, a s a sma ll pa trol from 2/9it , w as a mbushec] by a boutThe Ma rines lost tw o killew ounded in the first excha nxe.


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nese then w ithdrew . The foll40-nla n lmt rol from the 9t hgr ess ivelV s cou te(l a l~ exd ofbut did ~ ot encounter a ny e

276Com pa ny L t o out fla nkrequest ing t he P rovisiosupport w it h Compa nyheither of t hese tw ohea dw ay a ga inst t he a l


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t he ridge a nd t he heaemy.s S evera l pa trolsw ere a mbushed by J a papla cement s, a nd, dur

E ND OF A MIS S 1ONthere was only spora dic snipa ft ernoon the. sca tt ered elempa ra chut e reginlellt n lovedlea vin g t he un tin islle{l bus inem y s t lol~ g ho]d a m l t ile d iffic


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]>ly :lll(l e~ :lclla t i(J 1 lt o l/21 apa r a ch ut e t roops , obviou slya n d u nd er st ren gt h i%r s uch sba t, moved in to reserve pos

278new ly complet ed a irst rused t ha t a ft ernoon.pla nes, loa ded w it hma de a run on t he enedusk a ft er t he t a rget h


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sm oke shells from 81mpla nes ma na ged t o hitt he fift h pla ne droppebehind t he Ma rine fro

E ND OF A MIS SIONS hort ly a ft er t he fina l a ir

of 1/21 a nd 3,/21 (commitfrom the regimenta l reservH ill 1000 a nd over H ellza popa coordina ted double envel


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a ir a tt acks a nd t he direct a rdone the job. Th e bla st eda rea revea led ma ny dea d ,Jst unned survivors w ho ma d

280era l relief a long t he periof t he Armys America lw as no furt her a ct ion ob efor e t h e M a r in es d epaAft er the ca pture of Hi


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a nese r esist a nce con sist eod ic sh ellin g of t he a r eaw it h i5mm how it zers aThis firing, how ever, w a

E ND OF A MIS S IONla nding, a nd t he count era tt acrine Corps sect or . P r is on25. J a pa nese ma teriel ca ptnegligible a nd

history of the u.s. marine corps in wwii vol ii - isolation on rabaul

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