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|combatant1= {{flag|United States|1912}}
|combatant2= {{flagcountry|Empire of Japan}}
|commander1=
|commander2=
|strength1=30,000<ref name=Rentz93/>
|strength2=8,000<ref name=Rentz93/>
|casualties1=4,994 killed or wounded (since 2 July) <ref name=Rentz93/>
|casualties2=4,683 killed, unknown wounded (since 2 July)<ref name=Rentz93/>
|campaignbox= {{Campaignbox New Georgia}}
|}}
The '''Battle of Munda Point''' was a battle
==Background==
[[Munda, Solomon Islands|Munda Point]] is on
[[File:NewGeorgiaGroup5.jpg|The New Georgia group of islands|thumb|left|350px]]
[[Landings on Rendova|Rendova was secured]] in short order by U.S. forces who landed there on 30 June as part of the preliminary phase of the Allied operation to [[New Georgia campaign|secure New Georgia]]. On 2 July 1943, Major General [[John H. Hester]]'s [[43rd Infantry Division (United States)|43rd Infantry Division]] crossed the Blanche Channel from Rendova. A few days later they [[Drive on Munda Point|began a westward advance]] towards the Japanese-held airfield at Munda Point. Over the course of two weeks, these forces undertook a slow advance along the coast towards the airfield. Held up by the dense jungle, difficult terrain and strong Japanese defenses, the U.S. troops became disorganized, and the advance stalled after reaching the Japanese main line of resistance on 15 July.<ref>Hammel, ''The Munda Trail'', p. 109</ref>
The inexperienced U.S. troops, hungry and tired, began to lose their fire discipline and forward momentum.<ref>Stille, ''The Solomons 1943–44: The Struggle for New Georgia and Bougainville'', pp. 52–54</ref>
{{quote|Darkness came to the jungle like the click of a camera shutter. Then the Japanese crept close to the American lines. They attacked with bloodcurdling screams, plastered bivouacs with artillery and mortar barrages, crawled silently into American foxholes and stabbed or strangled the occupants. Often they cursed loudly in English, rattled their equipment, named the American commanding officers and dared the Americans to fight, reminding them that they were "not in the Louisiana maneuvers now." For sick and hungry soldiers who had fought all day, this unholy shivaree was terrifying. They shot at everything in sight – fox fire on rotting stumps, land crabs clattering over rocks, even comrades.<ref name="Morison, p. 199">Morison, ''Breaking the Bismarcks Barrier'', p. 199</ref>}}
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[[File:Munda Point Airfield.jpg|thumb|The airfield at Munda Point]]
In order to renew the offensive, Major General [[Oscar Griswold|Oscar W. Griswold]], commander [[XIV Corps (United States)|XIV Corps]], was sent to New Georgia to assess the situation. He reported back to Admiral [[William Halsey]] on Noumea that the situation was dire and requested reinforcements in the form of at least another division to break the stalemate.<ref>Morison, ''Breaking the Bismarcks Barrier'', p. 198</ref> Griswold took over command of the troops in the field on 15 July and began preparations for a corps-level offensive. The movement of reinforcements and supplies from Guadalcanal and the [[Russell Islands]] took time, and Major General [[Minoru Sasaki]] took advantage of the disorder on the American side,<ref name="Morison, p. 199">Morison, ''Breaking the Bismarcks Barrier'', p. 199</ref> launching a [[New Georgia counterattack|counterattack
Japanese preparations for the counterattack had begun with the movement of reinforcements from the [[13th Infantry Regiment (Imperial Japanese Army)|13th Infantry Regiment]] from Kolombangara and Bairoko.<ref>Shaw & Kane, ''Isolation of Rabaul'', pp. 99, 104–105</ref> On 14 July, six [[Company (military)|companies]] began their approach march
==Battle==▼
▲The U.S. commander, Griswold, issued orders for an offensive aimed at capturing Munda airfield on 22 July.<ref>Miller, ''Cartwheel: The Reduction of Rabaul'', pp. 143–144</ref> On 23 July, the U.S. 43rd Infantry Division was reinforced by the [[37th Infantry Division (United States)|37th]] and [[25th Infantry Division (United States)|25th Infantry Division]]s. These divisions were commanded by Major Generals [[Robert S. Beightler]] and [[J. Lawton Collins]].<ref>Miller ''Cartwheel: The Reduction of Rabaul'', pp. 137 & 144</ref><ref>Hammel, ''Munda Trail'', p. 128</ref> The following day, the U.S. preparations for the offensive were completed. The 37th was deployed inland with three regiments, the [[145th Infantry Regiment (United States)|145th]],[[161st Infantry Regiment (United States)|161st]] and [[148th Infantry Regiment (United States)|148th]], positioned along the front from south to north. On their left, along the coast, the 43rd Infantry Division pushed two regiments forward, the 103rd and [[172nd Infantry Regiment (United States)|172nd]], and held the 169th back in reserve.<ref name=Stille55/><ref name=Miller145map>Miller, ''Cartwheel: The Reduction of Rabaul'', p. 145 (map)</ref> In total, U.S. forces assigned to the effort to capture Munda numbered around 30,000 men. Seven infantry regiments were ultimately committed from three different divisions.<ref name=Rentz93/><ref name=Rottman67/>
[[File:NewGeorgiaJapanesePillbox.jpg|thumb|A US soldier inspects a Japanese pillbox]]
Meanwhile,
Across a frontage of around {{convert|3,200|yd}} the Japanese defenders had established a series of defenses along a northwesterly axis from the beach at Ilangana. These defenses consisted of strong [[Pillbox (military)|pillboxes]] and fortifications amidst thick jungle. These dominated several high features including Shimizu
▲==Battle==
The U.S. attack began on 25 July, with the 37th Division attacking towards Bibilo Hill while the 43rd Division drove towards Lambeti Plantation and the airfield.<ref>Miller, ''Cartwheel: The Reduction of Rabaul'', p. 144</ref> The attack was heavily supported by naval gunfire and artillery. This included [[M101 howitzer|105 mm]] and [[155 mm gun M1|155 mm]] field pieces, while the [[destroyer]]s fired their 5-inch deck guns. Allied aircraft also carried out airstrikes along the coast. While visually spectacular and involving thousands of rounds, the preparatory fires did not initially result in a breakthrough for U.S. forces. The defending Japanese troops were able to reoccupy their pillboxes after the barrage.
▲Across a frontage of around {{convert|3,200|yd}} the Japanese defenders had established a series of defenses along a northwesterly axis from the beach at Ilangana. These defenses consisted of strong pillboxes and fortifications amidst thick jungle. These dominated several high features including Shimizu Hil, Horsehoe Hill, Kelley Hill and Reincke Ridge.<ref>Miller, ''Cartwheel: The Reduction of Rabaul'', pp. 144–145</ref> Situated to provide mutual support, the pillboxes were well constructed with coral and coconut logs. Dug-in several feet beneath the ground, they were well camouflaged and only a small part showed above ground with firing points for machine gunners and riflemen.<ref>Lofgren, ''Northern Solomons'', p. 20</ref>
[[File:Capture of Munda Point.jpg|thumb|upright=1.35|left|Capture of Munda Point, 22 July – 4 August 1943]]
Inland, the U.S. troops advanced
On the extreme right flank
A change of command of the 43rd Infantry Division took place on 29 July, with Major General [[John R. Hodge]] taking over from Hester.<ref>Miller, ''Cartwheel: The Reduction of Rabaul'', p. 149</ref> On 30 July
For the Japanese, the situation grew desperate. Communications with Rabaul had been severed, and casualties had heavily reduced their fighting elements with many of the senior leaders among the dead or wounded. The advancing U.S. divisions converged around the eastern edges of the airfield on 3 August, and although Sasaki ordered an evacuation that day, Japanese defenders continued to offer resistance around the hills. Throughout 4 August, Japanese pillboxes and foxholes were reduced by U.S. troops attacking with indirect fire support weapons and machine guns.<ref name=Rentz93>Rentz, ''Marines in the Central Solomons'', p. 93</ref><ref name=Stille61-62>Stille, ''The Solomons 1943–44: The Struggle for New Georgia and Bougainville'', pp. 61–62</ref><ref name=Morison205-206>Morison, ''Breaking the Bismarcks Barrier'', pp. 205–206</ref> After encircling the airfield,
[[File:172nd Infantry at Battle for Munda, 1943, WWII.JPG|thumb|172nd Infantry during the fighting around Munda]]
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==Aftermath==
After losing the battle for the airfield, Japanese forces began evacuating New Georgia, and a large number of troops redeployed to
Meanwhile, several Naval Construction Battalions, including the 24th and 73rd, began repairing the airfield and expanding its capacity. By mid-August, two U.S. Marine fighter squadrons were operating from the airfield in support of operations on Vella Lavella. Throughout this period, U.S. ground forces on New Georgia undertook mopping
During the [[Bougainville campaign]], commencing in late 1943, over 100 Allied aircraft operated from Munda airfield. It was, according to author Mark Stille, the "most important airfield" used to support the Allied invasion.<ref name="Stille, p. 61"/> Three U.S. Army soldiers received the [[Medal of Honor]] for their actions during the fighting around Munda Point: First Lieutenant [[Robert S. Scott]] (172nd Infantry Regiment), Private First Class [[Frank J. Petrarca]] (145th Infantry Regiment, medic), and Private [[Rodger Young|Rodger W. Young]] (148th Infantry Regiment).<ref>Lofgren, ''Northern Solomons'', pp. 22–23</ref>
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==References==
*{{cite book | last = Hammel | first = Eric M. | author-link = Eric M. Hammel | year = 1999 | title = Munda Trail: The New Georgia Campaign, June-August 1943 | publisher = Pacifica Press | isbn = 0-935553-38-X }}
*{{cite book | last = Lofgren | first = Stephen J. | year = 2000 | url = http://www.history.army.mil/brochures/northsol/northsol.htm | title = Northern Solomons | series = The U.S. Army Campaigns of World War II | publisher = [[United States Army Center of Military History]] | access-date = 24 May 2020 | id = CMH Pub 72-10 | oclc = 835434865 | archive-date = 3 January 2012 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120103065416/http://www.history.army.mil/brochures/northsol/northsol.htm }}
*{{cite web | last = Miller | first = John
*{{cite book | last = Morison | first = Samuel Eliot | author-link = Samuel Eliot Morison | year = 1958 | title = Breaking the Bismarcks Barrier'', vol. 6 of ''[[History of United States Naval Operations in World War II]] | publisher = Castle Books | oclc= 248349913 }}
*{{cite web | last = Rentz | first = John | year = 1952 | url = http://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/USMC/USMC-M-CSol/USMC-M-CSol-5.html | title = Marines in the Central Solomons | publisher = Historical Branch, Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps | access-date = 24 May 2020}}
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*{{cite book | last = Altobello | first = Brian | year = 2000 | title = Into the Shadows Furious | publisher = Presidio Press | isbn = 0-89141-717-6 }}
*{{cite web | last = Craven | first = Wesley Frank |author2=James Lea Cate | url = http://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/AAF/IV/index.html | title = Vol. IV, The Pacific: Guadalcanal to Saipan, August 1942 to July 1944 | work = The Army Air Forces in World War II | publisher = U.S. Office of Air Force History | access-date = 20 October 2006 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20061126225132/http://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/AAF/IV/index.html| archive-date= 26 November 2006 | url-status= live}}
*{{cite book | last = Day | first = Ronnie | year = 2016 | title = New Georgia: The Second Battle for the Solomons | publisher = Indiana University Press | isbn =
*{{cite book | last = Feldt | first = Eric Augustus | author-link = Eric Augustas Feldt | orig-
*{{cite book | last = Hayashi | first = Saburo | year = 1959 | title = Kogun: The Japanese Army in the Pacific War | publisher = Marine Corps. Association | id = ASIN B000ID3YRK }}
*{{cite web | last = Hoffman | first = Jon T. | year = 1995 | url = http://www.nps.gov/archive/wapa/indepth/extContent/usmc/pcn-190-003130-00/sec11.htm
| title = New Georgia | format = brochure | work = From Makin to Bougainville: Marine Raiders in the Pacific War | publisher = Marine Corps Historical Center | access-date = 2006-11-21 }}
*{{cite book | last = Horton | first = D. C. | year = 1970 | title = Fire Over the Islands | isbn = 0-589-07089-4 }}
*{{cite book | last = Lord | first = Walter | author-link = Walter Lord | orig-
*{{cite web | last = Melson | first = Charles D. | year = 1993| url = http://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/USMC/USMC-C-CSol/index.html | title = Up the Slot: Marines in the Central Solomons | work = World War II Commemorative Series |
*{{cite web | last = Mersky | first = Peter B. | year = 1993 | url = http://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/USMC/USMC-C-Aces/index.html | title = Time of the Aces: Marine Pilots in the Solomons, 1942–1944 | work = Marines in World War II Commemorative Series | publisher = History and Museums Division, Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps | access-date = 20 October 2006 }}
*{{cite book | last = McGee | first = William L. | year = 2002 | title = The Solomons Campaigns, 1942–1943: From Guadalcanal to Bougainville--Pacific War Turning Point, Volume 2 (Amphibious Operations in the South Pacific in WWII) | publisher = BMC Publications | isbn = 0-9701678-7-3 }}
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*{{cite web | last = Shaw | first = Henry I. |author2=Douglas T. Kane | year = 1963 | url = http://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/USMC/II/index.html | title = Volume II: Isolation of Rabaul | work = History of U.S. Marine Corps Operations in World War II
| access-date = 2006-10-18 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20061120062643/http://ibiblio.org/hyperwar/USMC/II/index.html| archive-date= 20 November 2006 | url-status= live}}
*{{cite web | last = United States Army Center of Military History | author-link = United States Army Center of Military History | url = http://www.history.army.mil/books/wwii/MacArthur%20Reports/MacArthur%20V2%20P1/macarthurv2.htm#contents | title = Japanese Operations in the Southwest Pacific Area, Volume II – Part I | work = Reports of General MacArthur | access-date = 8 December 2006 | archive-date = 25 January 2008 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080125072601/http://www.history.army.mil/books/wwii/MacArthur%20Reports/MacArthur%20V2%20P1/macarthurv2.htm#contents }} – Translation of the official record by the Japanese Demobilization Bureaux detailing the Imperial Japanese Army and Navy's participation in the Southwest Pacific area of the [[Pacific War]].
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