Through the Dragon's Teeth

Operation TOENAILS called for “Liversedge Force” to capture Enogai and Bairoke Harbor in order to isolate the Japanese troops defending Munda, while the main effort against Munda itself would be made by the 43rd Infantry Division, attacking from the east. The plan looked good on paper, and movement was …

1943-07-10

WO19

Operation TOENAILS called for “Liversedge Force” to capture Enogai and Bairoke Harbor in order to isolate the Japanese troops defending Munda, while the main effort against Munda itself would be made by the 43rd Infantry Division, attacking from the east. The plan looked good on paper, and movement was primarily by trail. Knee-deep rivers became swollen, and swampy areas were impassable. After days of moving through this terrain – known as the “Dragon’s Peninsula” – the 1st Marine Raider Battalion arrived just south of the objective, Enogai. The attack began at 0700 on 10 July.

Enogai, New Georgia

The New Georgia Campaign was a series of land and naval battles of the Pacific campaign of World War II between Allied forces and the Empire of Japan. It was part of Operation Cartwheel, the Allied strategy in the South Pacific to isolate the Japanese base around Rabaul. The campaign took place in the New Georgia group of islands, in the central Solomon Islands and followed the Allied capture of the Russell Islands. The main fighting took place on New Georgia island itself, although significant actions also took place around the island chain throughout the campaign. The campaign began on 30 June 1943, when US troops carried out landings in the Kula Gulf, in the north of New Georgia island, and around the Munda area on the western coast. In addition, smaller landings were undertaken at Viru Harbor on the southern coast of the island, Wickham Anchorage on Vangunu Island, and on Rendova. In the north, several actions were fought around Enogai and Bairoko throughout July, while in the west, the main US objective was the Japanese airfield on Munda Point. Stubborn defense by the Japanese delayed the US advance on Munda and the Japanese mounted a strong counterattack before US force eventually captured Munda Point in early August. Elsewhere, further actions took place on Arundel Island in August and September after Japanese forces withdrew there after the fighting around Munda Point. A large number of Japanese troops concentrated on Kolombangara late in the campaign, but were bypassed by US troops who landed on Vella Lavella in mid-August and were later reinforced by New Zealand troops. The campaign ended on 7 October 1943 when the last Japanese troops were withdrawn from Vella Lavella, finalizing the Allied capture of the islands.

American

Japanese

Scenario Type = Standard