Battle of the Tenaru

The Battle of the Tenaru, also known as the Battle of Alligator Creek, was a World War II engagement that occurred on August 21, 1942, on Guadalcanal in the Solomon Islands. This battle was part of the larger Guadalcanal campaign, which marked a turning point for the Allies in the Pacific War.1

In this battle, U.S. Marines successfully annihilated a force of approximately 900 Japanese soldiers east of Henderson Field. This engagement was the first ground offensive launched by the Japanese on Guadalcanal after the initial Allied landings. The Japanese aimed to retake the island and its airfield, but their efforts were thwarted by the determined defense of the U.S. Marines. The Battle of the Tenaru demonstrated the fierce resistance encountered by Japanese forces and contributed to the eventual Allied victory in the Guadalcanal campaign.12