The Saber and Scroll
ing to him . Edson ’ s men strung barbed wire and settled into their positions on the ridge complex . [ See Image F ]
The terrain around the ridge was deceiving . The jungle , which lapped at the ridge ’ s slopes , was so close the Raiders and the late-arriving Parachutists , that they would have little time to react to a sudden attack . Edson had no choice but to place his first line companies , Baker and Charlie Companies , 1st Raider Battalion and Baker Company , 1st Parachute Battalion , in vulnerable jungle outposts .
The steep slopes of the saddleback ridge were covered with kunai grass and ascended to two modest crests . The Marines labeled the southern knoll “ Hill 1 ” ( 100-ft elevation ) and the northern knoll “ Hill 2 ” ( 120-ft elevation ). [ See Image A ] The Lunga River anchored the Marines ’ western flank , and a swampy marsh separated the Raider ’ s Baker , and Charlie positions . Edson positioned the remainder of his forces in a 1,800-yard horseshoe around Hill 2 . [ See Image D ] A broad footpath connected the two hilltops and then continued north past Vandergrift ’ s headquarters to Henderson Field .
The attack began at 2130 , when the Imperial Japanese Navy cruiser Sendai began to bombard the ridge with its seven 5.5-in guns . Five shells stuck the Raider Command Post . Only one exploded , but caused no casualties . The scene became even weirder when Sendai ’ s searchlight snapped on and swept the ridge , causing the Marines to feel “ naked and exposed .” The cruiser bombarded the ridge for well over an hour , but most shells overshot the crest and landed in the jungle .
However , Sendai ’ s beacon must have come as a godsend to Kawaguchi ’ s 1st and 3rd Battalions ( 124th Infantry Regiment ). The two battalions advanced through the jungle , trying to stay on schedule at nearly a dead run , but having difficulty locating the Marine position .
The long and noisy naval bombardment masked the sound of the advancing Japanese until they were near or within the Raider ’ s lines . Major Kokusho ’ s I / 124 came closest to meeting the timetable and jumping-off point but was pushed west across the Lunga when it became entangled with Lieutenant Colonel Watanabe ’ s surging III / 124 . Kawaguchi regretted the loss of control over his battalions , but the soldiers who did penetrate Marine lines did so with the deadly skill of veteran jungle fighters .
The Japanese attacked either side of the swamp , driving a wedge between the two forward Raider companies , forcing elements of each to fall back towards the western slope of the ridge . Some I / 124 soldiers crossed the Lunga and overran Charlie company positions nearest the river . Kawaguchi ’ s men captured several Raiders and brutally tortured them with bayonets and swords . The screams of the dying haunted the men dug in around the ridge ’ s crest as they waited for a Japanese surge that did not come that night .
The first night ’ s fighting on the ridge alarmed Edson ’ s company commanders . For the first time , the Japanese
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