Episode 28: Death Island

September 1942 would end much as it had progressed the last few weeks. After the arrival of the Sendai division on the island General Vandegrift decided he needed to alter his defense to prepare for them. To do this he dispatched chesty puller and his battalion to occupy the eastern shore of the Matanikau by force. Moving out from the main perimeter westward toward the Sendai’s it was not long before contact was made with Japanese infantry. The 7th marines, despite tough training prior to arrival on the island were unprepared for maneuver in the jungle however. They were exhausted before ever making contact, the heat and uneven terrain got to them before the Japanese ever did. So after a fierce firefight colonel Puller’s battalion withdrew, suffering 170 casualties: 65 killed, 105 wounded.

Wrecks of Iron Bottom Bay

Henderson Field