_Sailors and soldiers make a corduroy road from coconut logs across an
exceptionally muddy spot._]
[Illustration: _A 155mm Long Tom is dragged through the mud of Rendova
en route to a new position from which it could punish Japanese
positions and at the same time defend against Japanese counterattacks._
Marine Corps Historical Collection
]
The combat experience of the 9th paid dividends, especially during the
first week ashore. The Marines knew how to dig in for air attacks and
this saved lives. At 1335, 2 July, 18 Mitsubishi G4M Betty bombers
and Zeke fighter escorts entered the area from the southwest and
pattern-bombed the beachhead, causing considerable damage and many
casualties. Zero fighters flew over the beach area at tree-top level,
strafing and bombing the beach and landing craft. Gasoline storage
tanks and an explosives dump were hit and several fires were started
in the area. Battery A’s Pratl recounted, “we saw the bombers, we
assumed them to be American B-25s. We hit foxholes and the earth shook
like a rubber band as three bombs fell” near his battery.
[Illustration: