The 27th Infantry Regiment, commanded by Colonel William A.
McCulloch,
was set to attack Galloping Horse as part of the 25th Infantry Division under Field Order Number 1. the 27th was to capture the
high ground between the northwest and southwest Matanikau forks.
H Hour was set for 0635, 10 January 1943. The attack was to be
the most extensive ground operation since the landing in August
1942.
The 900-foot-high hill mass was called the Galloping Horse (Map)
because of its appearance in aerial photographs. The distance
from the head of the Galloping Horse, Hill 53, to Hill 66 and
the 1st Battalion was about 1,500 yards. From the head to the
tail, Hill 50, is another 2,000 yards to the northeast. Steep
terrain isolates Galloping Horse on three sides: The Matanikau
River's main stream separates it on the east from the high
ground on the east, the southwest fork of the Matanikau from the
high ground on the south, and the northwest Matanikau fork flows
between Galloping Horse and the hills on the north. The
southern slopes of the Horse's back and head, Hills 51, 52, and
53, are almost perpendicular; and Hills 50 and 55 are nearly as
steep. The hills are open, with only a few scattered trees,
high dense, tough grass, and brush.
Back in December 1942 and January 1943, patrols from the 2s
Marines and the Americal Divisions's Mobile Reconnaissance
Squadron had met heavy enemy rifle fire, machine-gun, and mortar
fire from the vicinity of Hill 52. The enemy also held strong
points along the banks of the southwest Matanikau fork south of
the Galloping Horse.
Colonel McCulloch determined to attack south across the 2,000
yard front of the Galloping Horse with two battalions supported
by sections of the Regiments Cannon Company. The steep terrain
and limited jeep trails convinced the commander that two
battalions could not be adequately resupplied if they were to
attack abreast. He ordered the 1st Battalion, commanded by
Lieutenant Colonel Claude E. Jurney, to attack on the west
across the Matanikau fork and up towards Hill 57.
US Army Photo Galloping Horse
The 3d Battalion, commanded by Lieutenant Colonel George E.
Bush, was ordered to assemble behind the 2d Marines lines and
attack generally southwest to take Hill 53. The 2d Battalion,
commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Herbert V. Mitchell, was put
into reserve near the base of Hill 55.
The 25th Infantry Division Artillery began firing a heavy
concentration of artillery with the first divisional
time-on-target shoot of the Guadalcanal campaign and possibly
World War II. After 30 minutes and almost 100 tons of artillery
had been sent downrange, Navy P-39s and dive bombers struck at
the reverse slopes with 500-pound bombs and 325-pound depth
charges.
After the bombardment, Company F, 8th Marines moved to secure
the 1st Battalions right flank; the Americal Division's Mobile
Reconnaissance Squadron moved to protect their left flank by
establishing a blocking position in the ravine between Hill 56
and the Horse's eastern foreleg. Company B moved to link up the
Marines in the vicinity of the water hole. Battalion departed
Hill 66 with A Company in the lead. In 4 hours the battalion
had secured its objective on Hill 57, encountering only light
resistance.
The 3d Battalion departed their assembly area at the foot of
Hill 55 at 0300. By 0610 they had climbed Hill 55 and reached
its line of departure. At 0635 they crossed through the Marine
lines across the saddle and down the forward slope of Hill 54.
Company L captured Hill 51 without opposition and established a
fire support position.
References:
US Army in World War II Series; Miller, John Jr. Guadalcanal:
The First Offensive, P257, 1949. CMH Pub 5-3
US Army Center of Military History pamphlet
http://www.army.mil/CMH-PG/brochures/72-8/72-8.htm (See the discussion on
Capt Davis)
This page last updated on
07 December 2008
