The Ravine

The Japanese began to fortify their positions, particularly in the hills west of the Matanikau. The westward U.S. advance threatened supply routes leading to inland positions. Using reverse slope positions that could not be hit by artillery, the Japanese turned the jungle ravine in front of Hills 80 …

1942-11-24

HS13

The Japanese began to fortify their positions, particularly in the hills west of the Matanikau. The westward U.S. advance threatened supply routes leading to inland positions. Using reverse slope positions that could not be hit by artillery, the Japanese turned the jungle ravine in front of Hills 80 and 81 into a deathtrap. Twice the U.S. Army's 164th Infantry tried to penetrate the Japanese defenses, only to gain a mere 40 yards. The 182nd Infantry was ordered to assist, but still no progress was made. In light of these failures, the 8th Marines were called forward to try.

Hill 81, Guadalcanal

The Actions along the Matanikau—sometimes referred to as the Second and Third Battles of the Matanikau—were two separate but related engagements, which took place in the months of September and October 1942, among a series of engagements between the United States and Imperial Japanese naval and ground forces around the Matanikau River on Guadalcanal Island in the southwestern Pacific northeast of Australia, during the Guadalcanal campaign. These particular engagements—the first taking place between 23 and 27 September, and the second between 6 and 9 October—were two of the largest and most significant of the Matanikau actions.

American

Japanese

Scenario Type = Standard