AMERICAN STALINGRAD - ALONE

The withdrawal of the Allied invasion fleet from the Eastern Solomons on August 9 left the approximately 17,000 Marine ground troops ashore in dire straits, without naval, air, or logistical support. There were rations enough for 37 days, and sufficient munitions for about four days of heavy fighting. The troops and their officers were simply stunned by the retirement of the fleet, and, when news arrived, by the defeat off Savo. The strategic offensive in the Solomons had bogged down as soon as it began. The First Marine Division had occupied all of its viable objectives in the area, and at little cost, but it could only sit on them.