US Marine Corps - The Black Vault

442 Amphibians Came To Conquer
The Staff Log for the afternoon watch on 15 September 1942 contains the
following entry in the Chief of Staff’s handwriting:
IS September
Information of enemy shows strong concentration of Japanese Naval strength
within 300 mile radius of CACTUS. One group of 3 BB, 4 CA, 4 DD at
7–5oZ, 164E bombed by B-17s, 2 possible hits. 1 CV, 3 cruisers, 4 DD at
06-30S, 164–17E, another carrier group North of Kolombangara Island
[180 miles NW from Guadalcanal.] Enemy attacks, land and naval forces
throughout the night at CACTUS. . . . All factors of situation caused a
decision on the part of CTF 65 [Turner] temporarily to withdraw in hopes
of more favorable opportunity for reinforcement and also in order to rendezvous
Bellatrix to take in [to Guadalcanal} large quantity AV Gas. . . .
The Staff Log continues:
16 September
*****
1818: The strategical situation is doubtful. Practically no plane contacts
today and practically no information of enemy. Covering Force of carriers, our
Task Force 61, has withdrawn to BUTTON. Task Force 65 maintaining itself
in vicinity of CINCPAC grid position 4794 in order to be prepared to take
advantage of any favorable opportunity to enter CACTUS either east or west
of San CristobaL . . .
17 Septembev
0000: En route to CACTUS.
1200: Visibility reduced by haze. Nothing sighted.
*****
Considerable concentration of [Japanese] naval escort force, transport and
landing craft at Faisi [250 miles NW Guadalcanal] indicates that a major
effort will soon be made by enemy, either as direct landing attack or in building
up Faisi as a base from which future operations may be projected.
Decision was made to proceed with plan for reinforcement of CACTUS.
18 September
*****
0625: First Marine troops Ianded.zz
The reinforcement moved forward, although the second try cost us the
carrier ~a~p and the destroyer O’Brietz. But the 7th Regiment was success-
fully landed.
However, putting the 7th Regiment on Guadalcanal did not mean that
COMSOPAC was relieved of his responsibility for carrying out his directive
to occupy Ndeni in the Santa Cruz Islands “as soon as possible.” The desira-
= COMPHIBFORSOPAC Staff Log.