Grabbing Gavutu

In the overall planning of “Watchtower”, the simultaneous assault on Florida and Guadalcanal, the capture of Gavutu-Tanambogo was a “side-show”, a necessary but minor element in the whole operation. The 1st Marine Parachute Battalion was chosen for the task. Mustering on 397 men, they were, unbeknownst to military …

1942-08-07

149

AH03

In the overall planning of “Watchtower”, the simultaneous assault on Florida and Guadalcanal, the capture of Gavutu-Tanambogo was a “side-show”, a necessary but minor element in the whole operation. The 1st Marine Parachute Battalion was chosen for the task. Mustering on 397 men, they were, unbeknownst to military intelligence, outnumbered by the Japanese defenders on the islets. Due to a shortage of landing craft and the higher priority given to other assaults, their attack did not begin until noon, four hours after the American landings on Tulagi and Florida and alerted the defenders. Finally, the Marine paratroopers were lightly armed, for it was never intended that they be used in such a role. An impressively furious but ineffective bombardment from a light cruiser and two destroyers rocked Gavutu during the paratroopers long run in from the east. Dive bombers from the USS Wasp swooped in to strike the Japanese as in three waves, twelve boats carried the Marines towards the seaplane ramp where they were to land.

Gavutu, Solomon Islands

The Battle of Tulagi and Gavutu–Tanambogo was a land battle of the Pacific campaign of World War II, between the forces of the Imperial Japanese Navy and Allied (mainly United States Marine Corps) ground forces. It took place from 7–9 August 1942 on the Solomon Islands, during the initial Allied landings in the Guadalcanal campaign. U.S. Marines of the 1st Marine Division, under the overall command of U.S. Major General Alexander Vandegrift, with the USMC invasion force under the direct command of Brigadier General William Rupertus, captured the islands of Tulagi, Gavutu, and Tanambogo among which the Japanese Navy had constructed a naval and seaplane base. The landings were fiercely resisted by the Japanese Navy troops who, heavily outnumbered and outgunned by the Allied forces, fought and died almost to the last man.

American

Japanese

Scenario Type = Standard