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 on the Battle of Wake. After Japan’s initial attack, all hands on the island prepared for a second raid. We’ll discuss Japan’s first attempt at an amphibious landing, Japanese air raids in the days following, and end with Wake’s surrender…
This episode follows the approach of Transport Group Yoke towards Tulagi. The initial bombardments by supporting aircraft and naval vessels set the stage for the Marines' landing. Once ashore, we'll discuss the challenging terrain of Tulagi and the tactical advances of the 1st Marine Raider Battalion and 2/5, as …
The Solomon Islands campaign during World War II was a pivotal moment in the Pacific Theater, marking the first major Allied offensive against the Japanese forces. This eight-part series will focus on a series of land and naval battles in the lower Solomons that were crucial in turning the tide of war…
Amid the potential of the US entering WWII, American Samoa emerged as a linchpin in the Pacific defense strategy. With tensions rising and rumors of a Japanese attack swirling, the Marines swiftly fortified the island, constructing defenses, coastal emplacements, and antiaircraft positions. To bolster their forces…
Montford Point was established in 1942, and this is the perfect time to take a break from the Pacific and focus the next few episodes on the history of desegregation in the Marine Corps.
Marines at Montford Point overcame substantial hurdles to serve in the Corps. They were enlisting in a branch that …
Japanese forces occupied most of Luzon, and US/Philippine forces withdrew south to establish a defensive line. 72 officers and 1173 enlisted from more than 50 organizations joined the 4th Marines. This made them one of the most diverse Marine units ever to have existed. Despite the additional reinforcements, many newcomers to the 4th were…
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…
