The Plantation

The US Army 34th Infantry Division advanced on the Lambeti Plantation in New Georgia with Marine tanks as it attempted to capture the Japanese Airbase at Munda Point. The fighting was intense and did not see the gains expected as …

1943-07-24

39

The US Army 34th Infantry Division advanced on the Lambeti Plantation in New Georgia with Marine tanks as it attempted to capture the Japanese Airbase at Munda Point. The fighting was intense and did not see the gains expected as Marine tanks were engaged by anti-tank guns and the attack slowed. This and other smaller battles across the entire front highlighted the tenacious Japanese defense of the airfield, the difficulty of jungle fighting, and the limits of the American fighting man. Following these battles, additional forces would be brought in, and the 34th Division Commander relieved for a more aggressive commander.

Munda Point, New Georgia

The Battle of Munda Point was a battle, from 22 July – 5 August 1943, between primarily United States Army and Imperial Japanese Army forces during the New Georgia Campaign in the Solomon Islands in the Pacific War. The battle took place following a landing by U.S. troops on the western coast of New Georgia from Rendova, as part of an effort to capture the Japanese airfield that had been constructed at Munda Point. This advance had become bogged down and while the Allies brought forward reinforcements and supplies, the Japanese had launched a counterattack on 17–18 July. This effort was ultimately unsuccessful and afterwards U.S. forces launched a corps-level assault to reinvigorate their effort to capture the airfield. Against this drive, Japanese defenders from three infantry regiments offered stubborn resistance, but were ultimately forced to withdraw, allowing U.S. forces to capture the airfield on 5 August. The airfield later played an important role in supporting the Allied campaign on Bougainville in late 1943.

Wikipedia: Battle of Munda Point

American

Japanese