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World War II
Episode129

March 10, 2025

The Fight for the Piva-Numa Numa Trail Junction

The Fight for the Piva-Numa Numa Trail Junction
35:04
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By early November 1943, the Japanese launched a desperate counteroffensive to reclaim Bougainville. Their plan called for a large-scale infiltration behind Marine lines, followed by a full assault. The Marines' quick response and overwhelming firepower shattered the enemy's ambitions. Artillery and airstrikes devastated Japanese forces, while the Raiders and 9th Marines held the crucial Piva Roadblock against repeated attacks. The battle saw acts of incredible bravery, including the sacrifice of PFC Henry Gurke. By the end of November, the Marines had secured their perimeter, and positioned themselves for the next phase of the Bougainville campaign.

References

  1. Altobello, B. (2000). Into the shadows furious: The guerrilla war in the Solomon Islands, 19421944. Presidio Press.
  2. Chapin, J. C. (1997). Top of the ladder: Marine operations in the Northern Solomons. Marine Corps Historical Center.
  3. Fuquea, D. C. (1997). Bougainville: The amphibious assault enters maturity. Marine Corps Gazette.
  4. Gailey, H. A. (1991). Bougainville, 19431945: The forgotten campaign. University Press of Kentucky.
  5. Hoffman, J. T. (1995). From Makin to Bougainville: Marine Raiders in the Pacific War. Marine Corps Historical Center.
  6. James, K. (2012). The hard slog: Australians in the Bougainville campaign, 194445. Cambridge University Press.
  7. Lord, W. (1977). Lonely vigil: Coastwatchers of the Solomons. Viking Press.
  8. McGee, W. L. (2002). The Solomons Campaigns, 19421943: From Guadalcanal to BougainvillePacific War turning point. BMC Publications.
  9. Melson, C. D. (1996). Up the slot: Marines in the Central Solomons. Marine Corps Historical Center.
  10. Mersky, P. B. (1993). Time of the aces: Marine pilots in the Solomons, 19421944. Marine Corps Historical Center.
  11. Miller, J. (1959). Cartwheel: The reduction of Rabaul. Office of the Chief of Military History, Department of the Army.
  12. Monks, J. (1945). A ribbon and a star: The Third Marines at Bougainville. H. Holt and Company.
  13. Morison, S. E. (1958). Breaking the Bismarcks Barrier (Vol. 6). History of United States Naval Operations in World War II. Little, Brown and Company.
  14. Rentz, J. N. (1946). Bougainville and the Northern Solomons. U.S. Marine Corps Historical Branch.
  15. Shindo, H. (2016). Holding on to the finish: The Japanese Army in the South and Southwest Pacific, 194445. In P. Dean (Ed.), Australia 194445: Victory in the Pacific (pp. 163184). Cambridge University Press.

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