Tanambogo Nightmare

By 1600, the Marine paratroopers had secured the summit of the hill on Gavutu and would spend the night digging some of the die-hard Japanese defenders from scattered caves on its slopes. But they had been repulsed on nearby Tanambogo. The “Red Meatball” was still proudly waving from …

1942-08-07

150

AH04

By 1600, the Marine paratroopers had secured the summit of the hill on Gavutu and would spend the night digging some of the die-hard Japanese defenders from scattered caves on its slopes. But they had been repulsed on nearby Tanambogo. The “Red Meatball” was still proudly waving from a staff on Hill 121 as the sun set. With heavy casualties, Gavutu still unsecured and Tanambogo yet to be taken, Major Miller of the 1st Marine Parachute Battalion had no choice but to request reinforcements. The only unit that was immediately available was B Company of the 2nd Marine Regiment which had landed unopposed at Haleta on Florida Island in the early morning. Confusion and last-minute outfitting delayed B Company’s departure. Shortly after nightfall, the six landing craft carrying the 2nd Marines finally headed to Tanambogo. As they approached the beach, naval gunfire ignited a small fuel dump near the water’s edge. The Japanese defenders opened a brisk fire as the Navy guns fell silent. A hail of rifle and machinegun bullets greeted the invaders, even as the first touched shore.

Tanambogo, 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