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In September 1942, the 1st Marine Division, led by Edson, was preparing to attack Henderson Field, a crucial airfield that had been built by the Japanese. The Marines were concerned about the Japanese's whereabouts and their intended course of action. Edson, Thomas, and Griffith, along with Lt. Col. Merrill Twining, planned a raid on the eastern portion of the island to gather valuable information about enemy troops. However, the raid was halted due to the destruction of two American destroyer transports. On September 8, the Marines landed 3,000 yards east of Tasimboko village, where they discovered supplies and unmanned antitank weapons from the Japanese 8th Independent Antitank Company. Edson resisted division instructions to back down, requesting air support from Henderson Field's 1st Marine Airwing. The Japanese withdrew, leaving the fieldpiece in the hands of the Marines.
The Marines redesigned their plan to encircle Tasimboko due to the river's depth and muddy terrain. They discovered medical supplies, foxholes, and trenches, indicating a sizable enemy unit. The Raiders used 60mm mortars to force the enemy out of their strongholds and requested air support. They destroyed the enemy's supplies and weapons, setting a radio generator, canned groceries, and rice on fire. The raid on Tasimboko was a huge success, resulting in 27 Japanese deaths and increased morale among the troops. The 840-man combined Raiders and "Chutes" squad made their way to the ridge line, setting up camp at the southern hill. The operation contributed to the troops' increased self-assurance and the capture of crucial Japanese documents.
After a month of battle on Guadalcanal, Edson's Marines were exhausted and ready to repel an enemy onslaught. They knew that if they couldn't repel the Japanese, they would lose the struggle for Guadalcanal. Edson strategically used the tough terrain to his advantage, establishing reserve positions between the airstrip and the ridge. The Marines formed a defensive line west of the Lunga River, with dense jungle acting as a natural barrier. General Vandegrift relocated his division command post, and the Japanese were approaching the Raiders and parachutists. Major General Kiyotake Kawaguchi, a reinforced regiment under Major General Kiyotake Kawaguchi, was close to the ridge. However, Kawaguchi's plan to attack Henderson Field proved flawed, as the Marines knew the enemy was approaching due to the Tasimboko raid. Kawaguchi's plan to launch a massive attack on the Marine perimeter was falling apart, and the outcome of this conflict would determine the fate of the Americans on Guadalcanal.
On September 11, Platoon Sgt. Joe Buntin led a patrol to locate and assess the Japanese army's advance. The enemy began fire, and the American troops retreated. The Japanese bombers halted their attack, but the American patrol suffered heavy casualties. On September 12, the 1st Battalion, 124th Infantry, attacked the Marines' lines near the lagoon. The Japanese broke through trenches, forcing the Marines to retreat and reunite with Company B. The remaining Marines threw grenades to stop the Japanese. Tensions increased as the night went by, and the opposing offensive petered out as dawn approached. On September 13, P-40s and Grumman F4F Wildcat aircraft rained down on the Japanese, forcing them to seek cover. Kawaguchi, a dispersed battalion commander, attempted to gather his forces for an assault on Henderson Field.
In the Battle for Guadalcanal, the taciturn Raider captain, Edson, launched a counteroffensive against the Japanese, regaining Company C's position. However, the attempt to expel the enemy was unsuccessful. Edson summoned his company commanders to his CP, who instructed him to improve wire lines and rest. Kawaguchi's hordes broke free and attacked B Company's defenses. The fatigued Marines managed to unite with Company C, but Kawaguchi failed to seize the opportunity. Edson ordered closer artillery to provide a protective canopy while staying in constant contact with his forward observers. Major Ken Bailey, a Marine's Marine, received the Medal of Honor for his exceptional gallantry on the ridge. The Raiders and "Chutes" established a new defensive line.
The battle for the ridge in the Pacific was a brutal and bloody battle involving the Japanese and the Marines. The Japanese mortar barrage shattered the phone lines, and the artillerymen were ordered to advance and join the Able Company. The Marines, led by Colonel "Red Mike" Edson, successfully fought back against the Japanese, resulting in the loss of over 500 troops. The battle also saw the U.S. Army Air Corps' pilots launching machine gun fire and destroying enemy forces.
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