Battle of Hellzapoppin Ridge and Hill 600A

Battle of Hellzapoppin Ridge and Hill 600A
Part of the Bougainville Campaign of the Pacific Theater (World War II)
US Marines clear a Japanese position on Hill 600A
Date 12–24 December 1943 Location Bougainville in the South Pacific Result Allied victory
Belligerents
United States	Japan
Commanders and leaders
Allen H. Turnage Evans O. Ames	Harukichi Hyakutake Masatane Kanda
Units involved
21st Marine Regiment	23rd Infantry Regiment
Strength
Unknown	235 (initially)
Casualties and losses
17 killed, 32 wounded	~ 51 killed

The Battle of Hellzapoppin Ridge and Hill 600A consisted of a series of engagements fought in mid-December 1943 on Bougainville between forces of the United States Marine Corps and the Imperial Japanese Army. Although minor in terms of casualties and in comparison to other battles in the Bougainville campaign, the battle was the last significant action undertaken by the 3rd Marine Division on the island before they were replaced by United States Army soldiers from XIV Corps. It resulted in the capture of the two positions by the Marines with the support of artillery and aircraft, and the withdrawal of the Japanese forces as the American perimeter, which had been established around Torokina in November, was expanded towards the Torokina River.