By mid-1943, the Allies were advancing through the Solomons, pushing toward Rabao. After securing Guadalcanal and New Georgia, their next target was Vella Lavella. Unlike previous battles, the Japanese opted to withdraw rather than defend the island outright, but the fight was far from easy.
Marines, Seabees, and New Zealand forces faced…
By July 7, the Marines’ push toward Enogai had slowed to a crawl. Thick jungle, relentless enemy fire, and brutal terrain turned every step into a fight. Runners risked their lives to keep communication going, while corpsmen worked tirelessly to save the wounded.
When the Raiders captured a map of enemy defenses, Liversedge saw his chance. The 1st Raider Battalion launched a full-scale assault, smashing through machine-gun nests and mortar fire. By day’s end, Enogai was theirs, cutting off a key Japanese supply line.
But the cost was high, and the battle for New Georgia was far from over.By July 7, the Marines’ push toward Enogai had slowed to a crawl. Thick jungle, relentless enemy fire, and brutal terrain turned every step into a fight. Runners risked their lives to keep communication going, while corpsmen worked tirelessly to save the wounded.
When the Raiders captured a map of enemy defenses, Liversedge saw his chance. The 1st Raider Battalion launched a full-scale assault, smashing through machine-gun nests and mortar fire. By day’s end, Enogai was theirs, cutting off a key Japanese supply line.
But the cost was high, and the battle for New Georgia was far from over.
A coordinated raid targeted US installations in the Philippines shortly after the attack on Pearl Harbor. Japan's invasion caused US forces to withdraw and led to indefensible brutalities, such as the infamous Bataan Death March. Part 1 of this series looks…
The attack on Guam came only a few hours after the attack on Pearl Harbor. The island's defending force was significantly undergunned against the 5,500 troops from Japan's South Seas Detachment. We spend a little time talking about the amusing way Guam came into US possession, attempts to…
This episode continues our discussion in the Philippines. Most of the 4th Marines were positioned on Corregidor, a small, tadpole-shaped island in the mouth of Manila Bay. Japan's domination of air and sea cut off food and supplies to the peninsula's defenders. By April 1942, many troops had lost as much as a third…
We cover a lot in this episode, including the fall of many neutral countries, Italy and Japan officially aligning with Germany, and preparations made by the Corps before the US officially entered the war. On December 8th, President Roosevelt delivered his famous "Day of Infamy speech." It's included…
