HyperWar: USMC Monograph--Marines in the Central Solomons

Chapter Page 1. Introduction 1     Solomon Islands Geography 1   The Scene of Battle 2   The Rabaul Redoubt 3   Coastwatcher Activities 4   Initial Strategic Situation 6   The Concept 9   Seizure of the Russells 13 2. Plans and Preliminary Operations 17   The Directive 17   The Brisbane Decision 18   Amphibious Scouting 19   Intelligence Estimates 20   Japanese Dispositions 21   American Planning 25   The Turner Concept 28   Hester's Order 32   Seizure of Segi and Viru 36   Securing Vangunu 44 3. Marine Support in the Munda Drive 52   Preliminaries to the Landing 52   Japanese Preparations 53   Rendova: The Landing 54   Enemy Reaction 57   Rendova: The Second Day 62   Rendova: D-plus 2 62   Preparing for the Push 64   Fourth of July Celebration 65   Build-up on New Georgia 67   Queen's Gambit Declined 69   Attack out of the Beachhead 71   Laiana Beachhead 74   Marine Tanks in Action 77   Japanese Counterattack 81   Zanana Beach Defense 83   Reorganization Hiatus 84   The 25 July Assault 85   Gathering Momentum: 26-27 July 87   Breakthrough 90   Objective Attained 92   End of a Phase 94 4. From Rice to Bairoko 96   Seizure of Rice Anchorage 96   The Fight for Triri 100   Attack on Enogai 105   Battle for Bairoko 109   Bairoko Evaluated 118   Campaign Concluded 120 5. Central Solomons Mop Up 122   New Georgia Fighting Ends 122   Battle of Vella Gulf 123   Americans Sweep New Georgia 123   Long Toms in the Final Phase 125   Arundel 127   Vella Lavella: Halsey's By-Pass 131   A Base of Operations 136 6. The Role of Aviation 140   Delineation of Responsibility 140   Preparation for the Offensive 141   The Invasion 142   Shipping Strikes 144   Air-Surface Coordination 145   ComAir New Georgia Operations 146   Mission Completed 148 7. Epilogue 150   The Assessment 150   The Big Lesson 152   TOENAILS vs. WATCHTOWER 152   Marine Tactics 154   The LVT 155   The Tanks 155   Medical Services 156   Naval Support 157   Air Support 157   Conclusion 159 Appendices I. Bibliography 160 II. Chronology 169 III. Casualties 174 IV. Command List 175 V. Enemy Order of Battle 177 VI. Navy Unit Commendation 178 Index 179