US 5th and 7th Marines absolutely destroyed the Japanese 4th Infantry and supporting SNLF in a massive battle along the Matanikau River. The battle, over 7 hours, resulted in the utter defeat of the Japanese force and the achievement by the US of not only its target destroying the Japanese force, but also completely clearing them away from the US territorial objective. Marine firepower was decisive, concentrating against points in the Japanese line to create conditions favorable for assault. The Japanese, very aggressive through the whole battle, were unable to score many losses against the Marines because their attacks tended to come in piecemeal without adequate support.

The battle played out in many ways like the description of the historical action I had just read in Hammel's Guadalcanal: Starvation Island. Marine strategy was essentially similar to the historical attack, but the actions along the upper Matanikau were much more decisive in favor of the Marines. Chesty Puller became a legend because of his actions on Guadalcanal, including this battle. In my replay, there were legendary Marines everywhere. Decisive US victory.