_Demolition men of the 3d Raider Battalion landed on Torokina Island on
3 November, but found that supporting arms had already killed or driven
off all Japanese._]
Over the next several days the Marines advanced inland to extend
their perimeter. There were occasional engagements with small enemy
patrols, but the greatest resistance during this period came from the
terrain, which consisted largely of swampland and dense jungle once
one moved beyond the beach. The thing most Marines would remember
about Bougainville would be the deep, sucking mud that seemed to cover
everything not already underwater. On 4 November another unit relieved
the 2d Raider Battalion on the line, and both battalions of the raider
regiment were attached to the 9th Marines. The raiders maintained
responsibility for the roadblock, and companies rotated out to the
position every couple of days.
[Illustration: _Raiders pose during a lull in the battle next to one of
the Japanese dugouts they cleared on Cape Torokina on 1 November._
Department of Defense Photo (USMC) 68117
]
Two small attacks hit Company E at the roadblock the night of 5
November, and a larger one struck Company H there two days later.
Company G came forward in support and the enemy withdrew, but the
Japanese kept up a rain of mortar shells all that night. On the morning
of 8 November Companies H and M occupied the post and received yet
another assault, this one the heaviest yet. In midafternoon Companies
E and F conducted a passage of lines, counterattacked the enemy, and
withdrew after two hours.
[Illustration: