Combat· World War II
Battle of the Tenaru (Ilu River)
The Tenaru was the first major Japanese ground attack of the Guadalcanal campaign.
A crack enemy regiment, overconfident and sure it faced only a few thousand Americans, rushed ashore east of the Marine perimeter and charged the defenses without waiting for the rest of its force. The fight actually took place along the Ilu River, which Marine maps had mislabeled as the Tenaru. The Marines were ready. Warned by a scout, the defenders along the river mouth cut down the attackers as they charged across a sand bar. At daybreak, a Marine battalion crossed upstream and swung around the enemy's flank, trapping the Japanese force against the water. Tanks and aircraft joined the attack. By evening the enemy regiment was destroyed. The victory proved the untested Marines could stand and beat Japan's best troops.
Podcast episodes on World War II
Record no. 115