This episode is the seventh instalment of our Guadalcanal campaign with battlefield historian Dave Holland. This episode sees us return to the Matanikau, this time with the Marines on the offensive and discuss the role of the 1st Battalion, 7th Marines under their commander, Lieutenant Colonel Lewis “Chesty” Puller.
Chesty Puller and the Second Battle of the Matanikau
Dave Holland discusses Marine Corps legend Lewis “Chesty” Puller on Guadalcanal as the 7th Marines arrive and Vandegrift prepares to seize the initiative after Edson’s Ridge. Puller would rise to Lieutenant General, and his last posting was as Deputy Commander, Fleet Marine Force, Atlantic.
Building the Perimeter Around Henderson Field
The arrival of the 7th Marines finally allows Vandegrift to provide all-around defence to the perimeter around Henderson Field. This required tactical innovation to defeat the Japanese. The Marines lacked the manpower for any depth and only had a small reserve; however, the Marines knew that the Japanese were likely to exploit any gaps in the defences. Troops in contact would have to remain in place and fight, relying on other units to push the Japanese back.. With limited troops and contested logistics, the Marines adopt a cordon defence, using jungle, barbed wire and automatic weapons to compensate for a lack of depth in their positions. The increase in manpower also gave Vandergrift the opportunity to attempt to seize the initiative.
Operation Ka and Japanese Reinforcements
While the Marines dug in, the Japanese launched Operation Ka, a theatre-wide effort to mass the 2nd Division and heavy artillery to retake Guadalcanal and destroy the American foothold. At the same time, Admiral Yamamoto planned to lure the US fleet into a decisive battle at sea.
Chesty Puller’s Reconnaissance in Force
Puller was a a veteran of the “banana wars” in Haiti and Nicaragua and already twice awarded the Navy Cross. He had experience in operating in the jungle and was keen to seize the initiative. Puller leads a fresh battalion from the 7th Marines on a reconnaissance in force along Mount Austin and down toward the Matanikau River.
His Marines clash with well-sited Japanese positions on Mount Austin, take casualties, then push on to the Matanikau, where repeated attempts to cross under fire reveal just how dangerous underestimating Japanese strength can be.
Leadership, Logistics and Lessons Today
The episode also highlights the critical relationship between Vandegrift and Admiral Kelly Turner, and the logistics reality of the effort required to keep the Marines supplied on Guadalcanal. Tactical innovation, seizing the initiative and basic jungle patrolling skills lessons are key to understanding the development of the battle of the Second Matanikau. The next episode will discuss how communications break down and Puller’s rescue of his battalion.
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Dave Holland is an ex-Marine and has lived on Guadalcanal for a number of years. He has run many battlefield study tours across Guadalcanal and Tulagi. He has extensive knowledge of the battles fought on Guadalcanal and is one of the world’s leading experts on the land campaign. He is the author of Guadalcanal’s Longest Fight, an excellent account of the hard fighting along the Matanikau River.
