shows off the U.S. infantry from the Flames of War starter set.
Battle for Henderson Field October 25-26, 1942
On August 7th, 1942, U.S. Marines under Major General A. Vandegrift landed on Guadalcanal to secure the airfield that the Japanese were building there, and thereby deny the Japanese the ability to threaten the supply routes between the U.S. and Australia. The nearby islands of Tulagi and Florida were secured as well, and a defensive perimeter set up. Japanese reaction to the invasion was swift as naval and air units launched attacks. By the 19th of the month, additional Japanese forces were landed on the island to retake the airfield. That airfield, renamed "Henderson Field" by the U.S., was quickly seen as the key to victory on the island.
The Japanese launched several attacks in an attempt to recapture the airfield, only to suffer heavy losses for no gain. The jungle did not pick favorites, however, and a U.S. offensive in September was stopped cold as well. By October, the Japanese realized that sizable forces would be needed to retake the airfield. It was decided to land the major elements of the 2nd Infantry Division, and combine these forces with the surviving elements of those earlier detachments, most of which were consolidated into what was known as the Kawaguchi detachment. A plan was devised to launch a diversionary attack along the coastal road, while a flanking force cut its way through the jungle and launched an attack on the U.S. forces.
Cutting their way through virgin jungle, the Japanese timetable soon fell apart. Unable to accurately traverse the jungle, communicate with other forces, or coordinate ground attacks or even naval and air support, the Japanese found themselves launching attacks in isolation. Over four days, the Japanese would launch a series of attacks with hopes of breaking the U.S. perimeter. The heaviest of these fell during the days and nights of 25 and 26 October.
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