Ninth Tanks PTO (id:#60706)

(BFP 3: Blood and Jungle ID: BFP-48)   [next]   [previous]

Lambetti Plantation, New Georgia, Solomon Islands 1943-07-26 (0 others)

Overview:

The Marine Corps’ 9th Defense Battalion was attached to the U.S. Army’s 43rd Infantry Division for the drive on Munda Airfield. The Japanese airfield defenses consisted of the 229th Regiment, antiaircraft units, and aviation personnel now fighting in a ground role. The fighting raged for several days, and the tanks knocked out numerous log bunkers, pillboxes, and other strong points. The light tanks were operating in rugged terrain not considered suitable for armored tactics, but at one point did break through the tough defenses. They were forced to withdraw as the infantry was unable to achieve the same success. The Japanese also began to use Molotov cocktails to attack the tanks in the close terrain. On July 26th, the Ninth’s tanks, reinforced by an additional six tanks, attacked the Lambetti Plantation. The terrain was marked by slopes and thick underbrush. The Japanese defended from a strongpoint with a number of pillboxes covering a clearing.

Defender: Japanese (Reinforced elements of 229th Infantry Regiment)  

Errata (source)