September 1942
Justin Taylan, 2003
c1944
Justin Taylan, 2003
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Location
Located inland from Henderson
Field, forming the southern edge of the Marine perimeter. This ridge was known by a number of names: Edsons Ridge,
Marine Ridge, Lunga
Ridge, Raider Ridge and Bloody Ridge. The Japanese referred to
it as 'The Centipede', for the ridge line's shape from the air.
Battle of Bloody Ridge
After the Marines established their perimeter and defeated the Japanese Army attempts to attack along the Ilu River and Matanikau River. The Japanese Army 35th Infantry Brigade led by General Kawaguchi planned to attack the Marine perimeter from the inland side, under the canopy
of the jungle and capture Henderson Field. The logistics of moving his forces in position to attack was hampered by the same jungle.
The ridge was defended by several US Marine units, including the 1st Raider Battalion and 1st Parachute Battalions under U.S. Marine Corps Lieutenant Colonel Merritt A. Edson. The Marines had reinforced the ridge line prior to the attack, and registered artillery on likely approaches.
The Japanese probed the Marine positions on September 12, 1942, and ferociously attacked on
the night of September 13th and the battle continued until the 14th. The Marine line held, with
heavy casualties on both sides.
New Zealand Army Encampment
New Zealand Army troops were camped near the ridge in 1944. Their camp included quonson huts and tents. Today, one of the quonson huts erected by the New Zealand army is still standing on the ridge. This structure was not present during the battle.
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