January 1943

Sunday, January 24th


Guadalcanal

The CAM Division resumes its advance. The 147th Infantry, attacking to the northwest, kills 18 Japanese and reaches Hill 98, where they make contact with the 27th Infantry by 0940. The 6th Marines attack and kill over 200 Japanese. By 1500 all 3 battalions have gained Hills 98 and 99 and have made contact with the 27th Infantry.

With the CAM Division taking Hills 98 and 99, the 25th Division is able to continue the Corps plan to advance beyond Kokumbona. The 27th Infantry is best situated to make the attack. Col Herbert V. Mitchell's 2nd Battalion, 27th Infantry, takes over the assault. E Company, released from service with 1st Battalion, rejoins the 2nd Battalion. Col William A. McCulloch, the 27th's CO, attaches K Company to the 2nd Battalion when troops from the 147th Infantry take over K Company's position on Hill 98. The 27th's objective is the Poha River, whose mouth lies about 2,300 yards northwest of the western tip of Hill 100 and about 2,600 yards northwest of Kokumbona. Supplies are brought up by landing craft to the beach at Kokumbona. By noon the 2nd Battalion has been re-supplied. Supported by H Company's machine guns and mortars on Hill 97, K and E Companies attack west at 1300 on the right, with K Company's right flank on the beach. E Company, on K's left, attempts to drive over Hill 102, a bare hill just west of Kokumbona, but a vigorous Japanese defense holds the company on the western tip. To avoid exposing its left flank, K Company halts, and both companies remain in place for the rest of the day.

On the left G Company, with the antitank platoon of the Battalion Headquarters and 6 machine guns from H Company attached, begins its advance north from Hill 97 and moves northwest to attempt to seize Hill 103, about 250 yards beyond Hill 100. When G Company tries to cross one of the dry stream beds north of Hill 100, fire from the same well-hidden enemy positions that had halted E Company hits G Company from 3 sides. Col Mitchell orders the company back. It withdraws and approaches Hill 103 by moving safely around the south slopes of Hill 100, which protects G Company from enemy fire. By nightfall it has reached Hill 103.