Aola Bay and the Koli Point action Carlson's patrol

carlson s raiders come ashore @ aola bay on 4 november.

at 05:30 on 4 november, 2 companies 2nd marine raider battalion—commanded lieutenant colonel evans carlson, landed boat @ aola bay, 40 mi (64 km) east of lunga point. carlson s raiders—along troops u.s. army s 147th infantry regiment—were provide security 500 seabees attempted construct airfield. aola bay airfield construction effort had been approved william halsey, jr.—commander of allied forces in south pacific area—acting on recommendation rear admiral richmond k. turner, u.s. naval commander of amphibious forces south pacific.

the 2nd marine raider battalion unique unit in marine corps. battalion s original organization , tactics based around communist chinese precepts carlson had witnessed while serving observer communists during second sino-japanese war in 1937-1938. these precepts included promoting equality between officers , enlisted men , making decisions through collective consensus. unlike 1st marine raider battalion, focused on commando tactics, 2nd battalion trained operate guerrilla force. training included emphasis on infiltration tactics , involved tactical exercises conducted @ night. battalion organized 6 self-contained rifle companies , headquarters company. before landing @ guadalcanal elements of battalion had seen action part of garrison of midway atoll during battle of midway in may 1942 , near disastrous makin island raid in august.

in november, vandegrift, fearing japanese planning assault on lunga perimeter east using shōji s forces plus additional reinforcements, launched operation against japanese units @ koli point. beginning on 4 november, 2 battalions of u.s. marines , 2 battalions of u.s. army troops attacked , attempted encircle shōji s men @ gavaga creek near village of tetere in koli point area.

as american troops attempting destroy shōji s force, vandegrift ordered carlson s raiders march overland aola bay toward koli point cut off of shōji s forces escaped encirclement attempt. on 5 november, 2 transport ships headed espiritu santo pick 3 companies carlson s battalion while carlson prepared 2 companies on guadalcanal march overland towards koli point. carlson arranged rear echelon personnel @ aola resupply patrol rations every 4 days @ prearranged point on coast. patrol native carriers meet boat , manpack supplies inland carlson s patrol base.