Pacific Counterblow - Air Force Historical Studies Office

On instructions from Marine headquarters, officers of the 67 th went
through the two derelict B-17's, destroying radios, maps, charts, and
confidential papers, and biding the Norden sights. For the time
Henderson was useless as a heavy bombardment base.
In fact, Henderson was very nearly useless for any type of aircraft.
Pistol Pete-actually a number of guns-went into action again. His
range, short at first, improved with practice, most of the shells landing
in the area where the 67th's planes were parked. They came irregularly,
about two every quarter-hour. As fast as the Seabces tackled a
crater, another shell would whine over and dig at the same spot, scattering
men and equipment. Still the Seabees tamped, filled, and laid
mat, and for a time kept part of the field in operation. Providentially,
back in September, they had laid out a grass strip 2,000 yards distant
from and parallel with Henderson; although rough and short, this
strip supported the light planes during the critical mid-October days.
In an effort to silence Pete, four P-4oo's were hung with ioo-pound
bombs. The pilots, parachutes strapped on, crouched in nearby foxholes.
One at a time, between the bursts, they ran for their planes.
Drunkenly, they taxied out, careened down the runway with new
craters pocking the surface behind them. All got off but failed to
silence Pistol Pete, who was numerous, concealed, and frequently
moved. Lack of fuel precluded further raids against him; every
drop was saved for fighter defense.
Enemy pressure was relentless. At 1154 and again at 1303, enemy
bombers and fighters struck, without warning or interception. Bomb
craters could be filled, but the Seabees fell behind in their race with
Pete. By afternoon of the i4th Henderson Field was knocked out.
Down from headquarters, shortly after noon, came a Marine colonel.
His words were reminiscent of the Philippines:
We don't know whether we'll be able to ho!d the field or not. There's
a Japanese task force of destroyers, cruisers, and troop transports headed
our way. We have enough gasoline left for one mission against them.
Load your airplanes with bombs and go out with the dive bombers and
hit them. After the gas is gone we'll have to let the ground troops take
over. Then your officers and men will attach yourselves to some infantry
outfit. Good luck and good-bye.
At 1425, then, 4 P- 39's, each with a 300-pound bomb, and 3 old
P- 4oo's with ioo-pounders took off with the 4 SBD's. Henderson
had few teeth left to show the Express. One hundred and fifty miles
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