Operation Cleanslate

Allied Forces

Axis Forces

Operation

The 3rd and 4th Marine Raider Battalions in the Russell Islands and Central Solomons, 1943

As the campaign on Guadalcanal nears its conclusion in early 1943, American commanders accelerate plans to seize Rabaul. The Japanese stronghold lies at the eastern tip of New Britain, strategically positioned between New Guinea and the Solomons. Its location enables rapid redeployment of Japanese air and naval units between fronts. In response, Allied planners prepare simultaneous offensives in both directions.

In the South Pacific, Admiral William Halsey targets the Solomon Islands chain. His staff selects New Georgia as the primary objective. By December 1942, Japanese engineers complete an airfield at Munda Point. Capturing New Georgia will eliminate this threat and bring Allied airpower one-third of the way to Rabaul. However, the nearby Russell Islands pose a secondary concern. Located roughly 48 kilometres northwest of Cape Esperance, Guadalcanal, the Russells had served as a forward base during Japanese reinforcement and evacuation efforts.

To deny their further use, Halsey orders their seizure under Operation Cleanslate. This will also enable the establishment of Allied airfields to support the New Georgia campaign. The 43rd Infantry Division receives the task of securing Banika Island. The 3rd Marine Raider Battalion is ordered to occupy Pavuvu.

Transport Division 12 embarks the Raiders from Espiritu Santo in mid-February. Four days before the scheduled landing on 21 February, a lieutenant and a sergeant from the Raiders conduct reconnaissance. They confirm the islands are undefended. The 3rd Raiders make an unopposed landing—marking their first offensive action. The 159th Infantry Regiment soon follows.

On Pavuvu, the Marines face logistical and environmental difficulties. Because of concerns over enemy air attack, the Navy insists on a rapid unloading of supplies and swift withdrawal of ships. Men land in rubber boats, while preloaded Higgins boats carry their gear. Many outboard motors fail, disrupting the landing formation. Battalion commander Lieutenant Colonel Harry Liversedge notes the risks in his report.

Without motor transport, Raiders must manually haul supplies inland. During their four-week occupation, tropical conditions and limited rations wear down the men. A third of the battalion develops skin disorders. Most lose weight. Dozens fall ill with malaria and related diseases. Only the initial reconnaissance patrol performs a mission aligned with the Raiders’ original role.

While Cleanslate unfolds, Halsey prepares further advances in the Central Solomons. He continues to rely on the reconnaissance skills demonstrated in the Russells. In late February, a naval officer and six Raiders land at Roviana Lagoon on New Georgia. With help from coastwatchers and native scouts, they gather detailed intelligence for three weeks.

On 21 March, Catalina flying boats insert four Raider patrols at Segi Point. They spread out to Kolombangara, Vangunu, and Rendova, collecting data on terrain, beaches, and enemy strength. Over the following months, additional teams establish concealed posts near likely landing sites to guide incoming troops.

By May, the Japanese reinforce their positions in the Central Solomons to approximately 11,000 men. This number remains inadequate to defend the multitude of islands and coastal points. Halsey’s staff takes advantage of this dispersal and drafts a multi-pronged assault plan.

The Eastern Landing Force, comprising the 103rd Infantry Regiment and the 4th Raider Battalion, will secure Wickham Anchorage, Segi Point, and Viru Harbour. Naval units are tasked with building a fighter airstrip at Segi and a PT boat base at Viru. The Northern Landing Group, formed by the 1st Raider Regiment HQ, the 1st Raider Battalion, and two Army battalions, will land at Rice Anchorage. Their objective is to strike inland towards Enogai Inlet and Bairoko Harbour, severing Japanese supply traffic. Meanwhile, the Southern Landing Group will take Rendova and its surrounding islands.

On 4 July, units from the 43rd Infantry Division will launch a shore-to-shore assault from Rendova to New Georgia’s eastern beaches. Aircraft from Segi Point and artillery from Rendova will support the advance towards Munda airfield. D-day is set for 30 June.

In June, Japanese forces increase patrols near Segi. Coastwatcher Donald Kennedy requests assistance. On 20 June, Admiral Richmond Turner orders Lieutenant Colonel Michael S. Currin to deploy half of the 4th Raiders to Segi. Companies O and P embark on APDs and land unopposed the next morning. Two days later, Army infantry and naval construction personnel arrive.

Viru proves more challenging. Its harbour is narrow, flanked by cliffs, and guarded by a 76mm coastal gun and multiple machine guns. Direct assault from the sea is deemed too risky. Currin chooses an overland approach, beginning at Regi. His plan calls for a double envelopment. Lieutenant Devillo Brown’s 3rd Platoon will strike Tombe village on the east side, while the main force targets Tetemara from the west. Army units will land once the routes are secured.

On the night of 27 June, the Raiders depart Segi and reach Regi past midnight. After brief rest, they move inland. Native scouts lead the way. The trail soon vanishes into swamp. Hours later, a Japanese patrol engages the rear guard. Four enemy soldiers are killed; the Marines take no casualties. A second encounter follows, with a 20-man enemy unit attacking from a flank. After another skirmish, the enemy breaks contact. A five-man Marine team fails to rejoin the column but eventually returns to Segi.

Late on 28 June, the Raiders cross the Mohi River and establish a defensive perimeter. Progress is slow. With no working radios, Currin sends native messengers to Kennedy, requesting a delay in the planned attack.

The next day, as the column crosses the Choi River, enemy fire erupts from a ridge 275 metres away. The battalion halts. After three hours, the rear detachment repels a small Japanese force. The Raiders continue, crossing the Choi twice more before halting at 1800. Brown’s 3rd Platoon rejoins at 2100. They have suffered five killed and one wounded, but count 18 enemy dead.

Currin suspects that the Japanese now expect an attack from the east. He reinforces Brown’s force. Captain Anthony Walker takes command of two platoons and receives permission to attack independently after dawn on 1 July. That night, rain again drenches the Marines.

At daybreak, the main force advances while Walker branches off. They cross several rivers and climb steep ridges. At dusk, the Marines wade across the fast-flowing Mango River, then slog through a waist-deep mangrove swamp. To stay together in the dark, they mark each man with phosphorescent jungle debris. Hours later, the battalion reaches a ridge where they rest until morning.

Unaware of Currin’s delay, the Navy sends the APDs to Viru on 30 June. The Japanese coastal gun repels them. Headquarters redirects the embarked Army units to Regi to support the Raiders. At 0845 on 1 July, Walker’s detachment surprises Tombe. The Marines storm the village, killing 13 Japanese without suffering casualties. Moments later, six American aircraft bomb Tetemara. The attack prompts the Japanese to retreat inland, into the path of the advancing Raiders.

Contact is made shortly thereafter. Company O deploys two platoons along the trail. Fighting is intense, and rain lashes the battlefield. Currin commits reserves from Company P and his machine guns. The Raiders slowly push the enemy back.

In mid-afternoon, a small Japanese banzai charge hits the left flank. After repelling it, Currin launches a flanking manoeuvre with Lieutenant Malcolm McCarthy’s platoon. They overrun the Japanese gun positions and collapse the defensive line. Japanese survivors flee northwest. The Raiders suffer 8 dead and 15 wounded. They kill 48 enemy and capture 16 machine guns and several heavier weapons.

In the days that follow, the 4th Raiders hold Viru and patrol the area. Army reinforcements from Regi reach Tombe on 4 July. More troops arrive by sea on 9 July. The Marines re-embark for Guadalcanal.

At the same time, the other half of the 4th Raiders—Companies N and Q—see action on Vangunu. Under Major James R. Clark, they support the 2nd Battalion, 103rd Infantry Regiment. The objective is to secure Vangunu and Wickham Anchorage on 30 June. Coastwatcher intelligence places a 100-man Japanese garrison near the village of Kaeruka.

The Raiders land before dawn at Oloana Bay. Heavy seas and low visibility lead to confusion. Higgins boats scatter the Marines over a 12-kilometre stretch. Only 75 men secure the landing zone. Army troops follow later that morning.

Guided by native scouts, the combined force advances toward Kaeruka. Army Companies F and G trail behind. Most of the dispersed Marines rejoin the battalion by the time they reach the line of departure.

The assault forms a line facing south. Company Q holds the right on the Kaeruka River’s bank. Company N and Company F take the centre and left. Company G holds the reserve. Japanese resistance emerges quickly. Company Q crosses the river under fire, while Company F swings left to outflank the enemy. By late afternoon, the east bank is secure. Company Q rejoins the perimeter defence.

That night, the Japanese fire mortars and machine guns into American lines. At 02:00, three Japanese barges approach the shore. Marines open fire. One barge sinks. The other two are destroyed in the surf. Two Marines and one soldier are killed. Around 120 Japanese are wiped out.

At dawn, Lieutenant Colonel Brown pulls his men back to Vura Village. There, they regroup and plan artillery, naval, and air strikes. On 3 July, they assault Kaeruka once more. Resistance is light. Seven more enemy are killed, one captured.

The Raiders return to Oloana Bay. On 9 July, they conduct a predawn landing on Gatukai Island to investigate reports of Japanese activity. They find signs of enemy presence but no contact.

On 10 July, they return to base and rejoin the rest of the 4th Raider Battalion.

The operations in the Russells and New Georgia solidify the Raiders’ role in amphibious reconnaissance, direct action, and jungle combat. Though costly, their efforts prove vital to the Allied advance across the Central Solomons.

Aftermath

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