Million Dollar Tree PTO (id:#59800)

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Bougainville, Solomon Islands 1944-03-18 (2 others)

Overview:

On November 1, 1943, the U.S. 3rd Marine Division landed on the west side of Bougainville, the northern most island of the Solomon chain. Japanese forces, numbering approximately 45,000 men, were concentrated at the northern and southern end of the 60 mile long island. Seabees quickly carved two airfields out of the jungle in the perimeter established by the Marines. After the situation stabilized, the Army’s XIV Corps and the Americal Division, veterans of the Guadalcanal campaign, relieved the Marines. On March 9th, weeks after American control of air and sea in the vicinity had been won, the Japanese attacked. Their commander, Lt. Gen. Harukichi Hyakutake ordered his best troops, the 6th Inf. Division, to attack the perimeter. One objective was Hill 260, a forward American position on which stood a massive 150 ft tall Banyan tree housing an artillery observation post. While the initial attack gained the hill, the Japanese failed in attempts to exploit the breakthrough. So there they stayed, entrenched and awaited the oncoming assault.

Defender: Japanese (Elements of 3rd Battalion, 13th Infantry Regiment, 6th Inf. Division)  

Errata (source)