The Battle of Bougainville :: essays research papers

The Solomon Islands campaign began with the victorious 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 American military man gained a solid foothold on the island of Bougainville. The Russells, New Georgia and Bougainville were objectives target area Isolate Rabaul The objective of the Solomon Islands campaign was to cut off Japans major forward air and naval base at Rabaul, on theisland of New Britain. Rabaul was the hub of Nipponese air power in the south Pacific--a stopping point for planes sexual climax fromNew Guinea in the south westside and Truk, the home of the Japanese feature Fleet, in the south central Pacific. Bougainvillewas key to neutralizing Rabaul. Preliminary Attacks The first dishonor on Bougainville occurred Aug. 15, 1943. Eight Corsairs from Marine Fighter Squadron 214 (later known asthe sour Sheep) flew up from the Russell Islands to strafe the Kahili airfield during American amphibious landings on theisland of Vella Lavella. The lightning strike--a perplexity so complete the Japanese did not have time to snarl back--damagedaircraft and refueling equipment on the ground and forestalled a night attack on the American amphibious force. because of their value as air bases. participation of Empress capital of Maine Bay The evening of the landing, Army reconnaissance aircraft reported that a self-aggrandizing 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 tail to avoid Japanese long-range torpedoes, sank twoenemy ships after triple hours of heavy fire. With two other ships damaged in collisions while act to avoid Americantorpedoes, the scattered Japanese chose to retreat. The American force had plainly two ships hit, both of which sustainedmoderate damage. The Japanese Response Battle of Empress Augusta Bay The evening of the landing, Army reconnaissance aircraft reported that a large Japanese surface force was heading for