Location
Lat 9° 28' 60S Long 159° 58' 60E Elevation 1,514' at summit. Located inland from Honiara, overlooking the entire area including Henderson Field and the Lunga Point on Guadalcanal. The present day surfaced road goes up to the summit of Mt. Austen.

Mt. Austen is the highest peak in the area. The view across the northern coast of the island is is magnificent. Mt. Austen was listed as an objective for the USMC on their first day after the August 7, 1942 landings. Due to poor maps and intelligence about the island, planners did not know the mount was actually far inland, and impossible to reach.

The Gifu
Strong point near Mount Austen between Hills 31 and 27), named for Gifu Prefecture, the hometown of most of the defenders.

Japanese Observation Post
The "Grassy Knoll" position on the top of Mt. Austen was used by a Japanese observers, Lt. Commander Kenji Mitsui who sent radio reports about American activity. Clearly visible from his location was Henderson Field, the American perimeter and the Lunga Point anchorage. Even Tulagi in the distance.

US Memorial Pillar on Mount Austen
Plauqe missing since late 1990s.

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Last Updated
October 6, 2009