US Marine Corps - The Black Vault

HUDDLE Slowly Scuttled 441
On 11 September Rear Admiral Turner informed COMSOPAC that he
hoped availability of forces in SOPAC would be such as to permit an alloca-
tion of forces for the HUDDLE Operation because
It is essential that we occupyNdeni as soon as possible.zo
But that did not necessarily mean now, nor necessarily with the 7th Regiment.
It did mean that the JCS directive and the CINCPAC directive still contem-
plated the occupation of Ndeni.
On 12 September, and after a personal visit to Guadalcanal, Rear Admiral
Turner definitely swung to the priority of Guadalcanal over Ndeni as the
objective for the 7th Marine Regiment, and wrote:
Personal reconnaissance and a careful review of the situation with COMGEN
1st MARDIV confirms opinion . . . one more regiment is essential to defense
CACTUS now. . . . Recommend approval my departure from Espiritu Santo
for Guadalcanal, morning 14th . . with i’th Marines. . . .“
The COMPHIBFORSOPAC Staff Log tells the story of the next few days:
13 September. [At Espiritu Sante] 0015. Received secret despatch from Adm.
Turner {who was on Guadalcanal] to COMSOPAC recommending irmnediate
reinforcement of CACTUS [Guadalcanal] by the 7th Marines.
*****
0400. Anchored as before, standing by to get underway on half hour’s notice.
AA Battery in Condition TWO.
*****
0800: COMAIRSOPAC reported morning search failed to reveal presence
enemy ships this area and indicates no immediate threat to BUTTON
[Espiritu Sante] today.
*****
1130. CTF 62, Assistant Chief of Staff, and the Staff Aviation Officer returned
from a conference at CACTUS with Commanding General First
Marine Division, and COMAIRSOPAC.
*****
14 September
0048. Radio Guadalcanal reported in plain language being shelled by at
least one cruiser and two destroyers.
0515. Units of Task Force 62 underway.
*****
0800. CACTUS garrison engaged all night at rear and right flank. Now
[0800] engaged left flank. Bringing over one battalion 2nd Marines from
RINGBOLT [Tulagi_J.
rnCOMPHIBFORSOPAC to COMSOPACFOR,092300 Sep. 1942.
n COMPHIBFORSOPAC to COMSOPAC, 120530 Sep. 1942.