MARINES IN THE
CENTRAL
SOLOMONS
MARINES IN
WORLD WAR II
COMMEMORATIVE SERIES
BY MAJOR CHARLES D. MELSON
U.S. MARINE CORPS (RET)
[Illustration: _The approach to Rendova Harbor as seen from the deck
of an LST carrying Marines ashore. It sails through the narrow Renard
Entrance with Rendova Peak in the background and the Lever Brothers’
landing at the right just around the bend. (Marine Corps Historical
Collection)_]
[Illustration: _The objective of the Central Solomons campaign was
the Japanese airfield on Munda Point, which, in friendly hands, would
be a stepping-stone in the conquest of the Solomon Islands chain. The
airfield runs west to east and a taxi-way snakes through both sides of
the field. Kokengolo Hill is on its north side. This photograph records
the results of a Marine dive-bomber attack, which resulted in a hit on
a gas or ammunition dump in the center of the picture. (Department of
Defense Photo [USMC] 55454)_]