The Battle of Bougainville :: essays research papers

The Solomon Islands take to the woods began with the taking of Guadalcanal in December 1942. In February 1943 the Russell Islandsfell, and the New Georgia group followed in August 1943. At the end of 1943, the campaign reached its goal when Americantroops gained a solid foothold on the island of Bougainville. The Russells, New Georgia and Bougainville were objectivesObjective Isolate Rabaul The objective of the Solomon Islands campaign was to cut moody Japans major forward air and naval base at Rabaul, on theisland of New Britain. Rabaul was the hub of Japanese air power in the south Pacific--a stopping loony toons for planes coming fromNew Guinea in the southwest and Truk, the home of the Japanese Combined Fleet, in the south central Pacific. Bougainvillewas key to neutralizing Rabaul. Preliminary Attacks The first pom-pom on Bougainville occurred Aug. 15, 1943. Eight Corsairs from Marine Fighter Squadron 214 (later known asthe Black Sheep) flew up from the Russell Islands to s trafe the Kahili airfield during American amphibian landings on theisland of Vella Lavella. The lightning strike--a surprise so complete the Japanese did not have time to shoot back--damagedaircraft and refueling equipment on the ground and forestalled a night attack on the American amphibious ram down. because of their value as air bases. Battle of Empress Augusta Bay The evening of the landing, Army reconnaissance aircraft reported that a large Japanese surface force was heading forBougainville. Task Force 39 intercepted it about 230 the following morning 45 miles west of Empress Augusta Bay. TheAmerican ships, executing maneuvers at breakneck speeds in the darkness to avoid Japanese long-range torpedoes, sank twoenemy ships after three hours of heavy fire. With two other ships damaged in collisions while trying to avoid Americantorpedoes, the scattered Japanese chose to retreat. The American force had only two ships hit, both of which sustainedmoderate damage. The Japanese rec eption Battle of Empress Augusta Bay The evening of the landing, Army reconnaissance aircraft reported that a large Japanese surface force was heading for