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| Location The Maruyama Road (Maruyama Trail) was a walking trail inland from the north coast of Guadalcanal. Prewar and during the Pacific War part of the part of the British Solomon Islands Protectorate (BSIP). Today located in Guadalcanal Province in the Solomon Islands. Wartime History On October 12, 1942 company of Japanese Army engineers began to cut a rough trail from their position on western Guadalcanal inland towards the southern edge of the U.S. perimeter. This trail would allow soldiers to trek into position to launch a counteroffensive to capture Henderson Field. The trail was dubbed the Maruyama Road (Maruyama Trail) for Japanese Army General Masao Maruyama, commander of the 2nd Division (Sendai). The trail spanned 15 miles / 24 kilometers of dense jungle, ravines, ridges and required crossing many rivers and streams. It was only suitable as a rough walking trail and required all heavy equipment to be carried. Due to the dense jungle, the Americans never detected the trail. During late October 1942, the Japanese Army, 2nd Division (Sendai) under the command of General Masao Maruyama used this trail to trek from western Guadalcanal inland to the southern U.S. perimeter at Bloody Ridge ahead of the Battle for Henderson Field. At the conclusion of the battle, the same trail was used by surviving Japanese personnel to withdraw and supplies and equipment were abandoned along the trail. On December 21, 1942 the U.S. Army 132nd Infantry Regiment was directed to find the Maruyama Road. The 1st Battalion, Company C under Lt. Fred A. Kap at Mount Austen east of The Gifu tasked with the mission. They advanced roughly 1,000 yards southward into dense jungle but found no enemy nor the trail. References Orchids in the Mud page 121 (Page 121) "On 21 December under orders from Gen. Sebree, the regiment was directed to find the Maruyama (east-west) trail which Gen. Sebree believed was located to the First Battalion's left front. Lt. Fred A. Kap's platoon of Company "C" was given the mission. They were to scout out the immediate front and advance a 1,000 yards southward. They made a careful search, but found neither the enemy nor a trail." Contribute Information Do you have photos or additional information to add? Last Updated May 13, 2026 |
 Map December 18-27 1942 |
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