Edsons Ridge Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Edsons Ridge - Essay Example The occupation of this location would give them the means to militarily attack United States. With the ridge in their control, they would be one step away from world dominion. From the moment the Allies descended on the ridge, it was a position that the Allies had to hold on to strategically maintain their balance of power. Turning back would mean heavy sacrifice in the war scenario that even in the closing period of the war could be disastrous due to the location of the ridge and the impact it could have on anyone who controlled the region. In the circumstances, it was necessary that the ridge remained in the control of the Allies. The failure of the Japanese to retake the ridge lay on the difficulties posed by the terrain and their miscalculation about the determination of the Allies to stay put. The region was topsy-turvy and dotted with jungles. The Allies, that is, the Americans had secured the area with 12,000 men while the Japanese reckoned they would have to contend with not more than a few thousand men. It was a bloody battle between the United States' forces and the Japanese men of war. The weapons of the battle were artillery as also bayonets. There were even hand-to-hand combats. The Japanese lost men in large numbers. Given the limited nature of maneuver and resource, the Japanese could not capitalize on the elements of time and surprise to overpower the enemy. The limited supply of artillery and means to travel meant that they had to depend more on strategy of surprise and intrigue to achieve their goals (Battle of Edson's (Bloody) Bridge). On 12 September 1944 Kawaguchi divided his forces, sending a thousand strong men to attack from the east of the mound, while his force struck from the west along the ridge that led to Henderson Airfield. An attack on the Japanese base at Taivu Point by Lieutenant-Colonel Edson at this juncture successfully destroyed most of the Japanese supplies. Information secured during this raid indicated a massive attack would be coming from the southwest of the perimeter along a ridge beside the Lunga River. The attack however was short-lived and failed to yield any ground as visualized by the Japanese. The Japanese coordination failed and it was not possible to have all the men in place for the fight. Further strategies to subjugate the U.S. forces met with resistance from well-entrenched positions and the Japanese were outflanked, outnumbered and gunned down with ruthless precision. Added to the miscalculations of the Japanese about the actual strength of the U.S. forces, the jungles made coordination and attack difficult to sustain. The movements of their men could not be synchronized and their attacking strategies lacked punch and depth. They lost men in large numbers and they did not get reinforcements to compensate their lost men. It was almost as if they expected the opponents to cave in to their attacks and when this did not happen they paid for it with their lives. Such tactics spell disaster. It is not advisable even in a state of war. However a battle is full of the elements of risk and intrigue. The Japanese pursued these elements with unequivocal zeal. The strategy of surprise and intrigue normally works if the opposition is less vigilant and less pro-active. The U.S. forces