Marines in the Central Solomons

by
Major John N. Rentz, USMCR

 

Historical Branch, G-3 Division, Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps
1952

 

MUNDA STRIP. prize won by XIV Corps, as seen from atop Bibilo Hill in late August 1943. In a little over a week after its capture, this strip became a base for ComAirSols planes operating against enemy installations in the Northern Solomons. Seabees, working in the foreground, soon made Munda the major operating airfield in the Solomons. Its occupation enabled South Pacific Forces to move into Bougainville before the end of the year.

The Solomon Islands, Spring 1943

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Contents

Foreword			v
Preface			vi
Chapter			Page
I.	Introduction		1
		Solomon Islands Geography	1
II.	Plans and Preliminary Operations		17
III.	Marine Support in the Munda Drive		52
IV.	From Rice to Bairoko		96
V.	Central Solomons Mop Up		81
VI.	The Role of Aviation		140
VII.	Epilogue		150
Appendices
I.	Bibliography		160
II.	Chronology		169
III.	Casualties		174
IV.	Command List		175
V.	Enemy Order of Battle		177
VI.	Navy Unit Commendation		178
	Index		179

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Transcribed and formatted for HTML by Patrick Clancey, HyperWar Foundation