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In order to restore the situation, 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 Sasaki took advantage of the disorder on the American side,<ref>Morison, ''Breaking the Bismarcks Barrier'', p. 199</ref> launching a [[New Georgia counterattack|counterattack]] on 17/18 July.<ref>Miller, ''Cartwheel: The Reduction of Rabaul'', pp. 135–136</ref>
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, but were held up for three days by harsh terrain. On 17 July, the Japanese troops launched an attack against the US rear areas, raiding the 43rd Infantry Division's [[command post]], kitchen areas and medical aid stations. Elements of the attacking force managed to penetrate as far as the original US beachhead around Zanana, but were repulsed by artillery and counter penetration forces. Meanwhile, the Japanese [[229th Infantry Regiment (Imperial Japanese Army)|229th Infantry Regiment]] attacked the high ground held by the US [[103rd Infantry Regiment (United States)|103rd]] and [[169th Infantry Regiment (United States)|169th Infantry Regiment]]s, where they came up against stiff defense. Eventually, the Japanese counterattack petered out on 18 July.<ref name=Stille55>Stille, ''The Solomons 1943–44: The Struggle for New Georgia and Bougainville'', p. 55</ref>
==Battle==
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