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 Peter Flahavin 1999  Peter Flahavin 1999  Google Earth 2021 |
Location Galloping Horse is the American nickname for a series of kunai grass covered hills and ridges inland from the north coast of Guadalcanal. From the air, the feature resembles the shape of a galloping horse, with the Matanikau River forking around it to the north and south. To the east of Galloping Horse is Sea Horse, The Gifu and Mount Austen. Wartime History After the Japanese Army failed to penetrate the American perimeter on Guadalcanal, the Japanese 228th Regiment, 3rd Battalion commanded by Major Haruka Nishiyama and elements from the 230th Infantry Regiment dug into this area prepared to fight a defensive battle at this location using defenses including machine guns, mortars and infantry. By January 1943, the Japanese were weakened from disease and poorly supplied. In early January 1943, the U.S. Army cleared a trail from the Matanikau River towards Galloping Horse to eliminate Japanese defenders in the area. On January 10, 1943 at dawn, the Battle of Galloping Horse began with the U.S. Army 25th Infantry Division "Tropic Lighting", 27th Infantry Regiment "Wolfhounds" assaults the defending Japanese in the area. and continued for three days. At least 170 Japanese were killed and fewer than 100 Americans killed in the area. Mopping up operations continued until January 22, 1943 with an estimated 400 Japanese killed. The remaining Japanese including Major Nishiyama escaped further to the west. Hill 50 Located at the eastern end of the battlefield, forming the "tail" of the galloping horse. From Hill 50, the 27th Regiment, 2nd Battalion advanced westward towards Hill 52. Hill 51 Located at the flank of the galloping horse battlefield, nearest to Sea Horse and Hill 44. On January 10, 1943 in the morning captured without resistance by the 27th Regiment, 3rd Battalion. Hill 52 Located halfway along the battlefield, the center of the galloping horse. Japanese defenders emplaced at least six machine guns on this hill. On January 10, 1943 at dawn, the Japanese opened fire on soldiers from the 27th Regiment, 3rd Battalion. After further bombardment by artillery and aircraft, the summit was captured by 4:25pm with six machine guns eliminated and roughly thirty Japanese killed. Hill 53 (Knoll) Hill on the western most portion of the battlefield, the "head" of the galloping horse with a kunai grass covered knoll at the "neck". Japanese forced defended this knoll with machine guns and mortar positions. On January 11, 1943 at 9:00am, the 27th Regiment, 3rd Battalion began attacking Hill 53 but were stopped by Japanese mortar and machine gun fire and from heat exhaustion due to lack of water. On January 12, the 2nd Battalion continued the attack and nearly reached the summit but were hampered by Japanese infiltrators and were again stopped by heavy weapons fire. On January 13, four men led by Captain Charles W. Davis crawled to the knoll at the "neck". Spotted, the Japanese tossed two grenades at the attackers, but they failed to explode. The group tossed grenades back then Davis stood up and fired his rifle and pistol, rallying his men and visible to the entire line. For his actions, Davis later earned the Congressional Medal of Honor. Inspired, the Americans captured Hill 53 by noon and established positions around the perimeter area. Sims Ridge Located between Hill 53 to the west and Exton Ridge to the east a the "neck" of the galloping horse. On January 12, 1943 the 27th Regiment, 2rd Battalion E and F Company advanced around Sims Ridge towards Hill 53. Exton Ridge Located between Hill 52 to the east and Sims Ridge and Hill 53 to the west forming the body of the Galloping Horse. By January 11, 1943 the 27th Regiment, 3rd Battalion advanced to the eastern edge of Exton Ridge forming the front line. H Company and F and E Company advanced around Exton Ridge towards Hill 53. Hill 54 Located at the eastern end of the battlefield, forming the "rear leg" of the galloping horse. From Hill 55 and Hill 54, the 27th Regiment, 3rd Battalion attached over open ground ahead of Hill 52 and Hill 53. On January 10, 1943 at 6:35am their attack began, quickly capturing Hill 51, then proceeded towards Hill 52 but were pinned down by machine gun fire. Hill 55 Located at the eastern end of the battlefield. The 27th Regiment, 3rd Battalion advanced from this location towards Hill 54. Hill 56 Located at the northern portion of the battlefield. On January 10, 1943 at dawn, the U.S. Army Americal Division were at this position in reserve during the battle. Hill 57 Located at the northwestern end of the battlefield, the "front leg" of the galloping horse. A water hole is located to the northeast near the North Fork of the Matanikau River. On January 10, 1943 in the early morning six battalions of artillery and twenty-four aircraft bombarded the area. At 7:30am the 27th Regiment, 1st Battalion attacked from Hill 66 towards Hill 57 and faced only light opposition before capturing the summit by 11:40am. Hill 66 (Snake) Located at the northern end of the battlefield. Dubbed "Snake". On January 10, 1943 at 7:30am the 27th Regiment, 1st Battalion on Hill 66 crossed the North Fork of the Matanikau River and advanced towards Hill 57. References The Galloping Horse battle is fictionalized as "The Dancing Elephant" in the novel Thin Red Line by James Jones a member of the 27th Infantry Regiment and participated in the battle. The attack on "The Dancing Elephant" was adapted into two Hollywood movies: Thin Red Line (1964) and Thin Red Line (1998). Contribute
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