The attacks on Japanese seaplane and naval bases around Guadalcanal involved roughly 3,000 Marines under Brigadier General William Rupertus and about 900 Imperial Japanese Navy defenders. Fighting around Gavutu and Tanambogo met determined resistance. The Guadalcanal landing met a different situation. About 11,000 Marines came ashore at 09:10 on 7 August and secured the airfield area by 16:00 the following day. Japanese naval construction and combat personnel had withdrawn after warship bombardment and aerial bombing, before meeting American ground troops. They left food, supplies, vehicles, and intact construction equipment behind. The lightly defended position allowed the Americans to seize an airfield that would become Henderson Field before Japan could organize an adequate response.
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A thin garrison meets an amphibious force
The early landings contrasted determined resistance around Japanese naval bases with a largely abandoned airfield area on Guadalcanal.