The battle took place following a landing by U.S. troops on the western coast of New Georgia from Rendova Island, as part of an effort to capture the Japanese airfield that had been constructed at Munda Point.

[4][5] For the Japanese, New Georgia formed a key part in their defenses along the southern approaches to Rabaul, and they sought to defend the area strongly, moving reinforcements by barge along the Shortlands–Vila–Munda supply line.

They attacked with bloodcurdling screams, plastered bivouacs with artillery and mortar barrages, crawled silently into American foxholes and stabbed or strangled the occupants.

[12]In order to renew the offensive, Major General Oscar W. Griswold, commander XIV Corps, was sent to New Georgia to assess the situation.

He reported back to Admiral William Halsey on Noumea that the situation was dire and requested reinforcements in the form of at least another division to break the stalemate.

The movement of reinforcements and supplies from Guadalcanal and the Russell Islands took time, and Major General Minoru Sasaki took advantage of the disorder on the American side,[12] launching a counterattack on 17/18 July.

The U.S. Marine M3 Stuart tanks from the 9th Defense Battalion that were supporting the infantry found the ground too steep, and the U.S. attack stalled.

Again, the U.S. troops utilized indirect fire to reduce these obstacles, while infantry attacked armed with flamethrowers, and operating closely alongside Marine tanks.

In the center of the frontline, the U.S. infantrymen were supported by six tanks from the 10th Defense Battalion that had recently arrived from the Russell Islands,[30] and attacked with flamethrowers, small arms and grenades.

Four U.S. rifle companies counterattacked the 200 Japanese troops around the supply dump, restoring the situation while incurring heavy casualties.

[32][33] As the fighting continued, the Japanese medical and resupply systems broke down as the Sasaki's men were reduced to around half strength.

Japanese troops defending the ridges along the Munda Trail hastily withdrew when pressed, and by 2 August only limited opposition was provided, except around Bibilo and Kokoengolo Hills.

Communications with Rabaul had been severed, and casualties had heavily reduced their fighting elements with many of the senior leaders among the dead or wounded.

The advancing U.S. divisions converged around the eastern edges of the airfield on 3 August, and although Sasaki ordered an evacuation that day, Japanese defenders continued to offer resistance around the hills.

Throughout 4 August, Japanese pillboxes and foxholes were reduced by U.S. troops attacking with indirect fire support weapons and machine guns.

[37] Fighting alongside Marine tanks and supported by mortars and 37 mm guns, U.S. infantrymen captured the airfield late on 5 August.

[1][36][35] After losing the battle for the airfield, Japanese forces began evacuating New Georgia, and a large number of troops redeployed to defend nearby Kolombangara,[38] while others were sent to Bangaa Islet which was about 4,000 yards (3,700 m) west of Munda.

Initially, Sasaki believed further troops would be sent south from Rabaul to support a counterattack in New Georgia;[39] but by the end of the month the Japanese reverted to delaying tactics to enable a withdrawal from the Central Solomons.

[40] The Allies employed the airfield to cover landings on Vella Lavella and in its campaign as part of Operation Cartwheel to isolate the major Japanese base at Rabaul.

The 169th and 172nd Infantry Regiments secured Bangaa Islet by 21 August, and Arundel Island was captured by U.S. forces in early September.