Marine Raiders

Major Lockhart commands the Raiders as Captain Craig leads the Paramarines in a tense defense against a Japanese assault on Guadalcanal. The fighting centers on the slopes of Edson's Ridge, testing leadership, endurance and brotherhood under fire. The battle unfolds in September 1942, shaping the fates of both units.

Craig discovers the body of a lieutenant who is tortured and executed by the Japanese, a grisly moment that shakes him to the core. Grappling with anger, he channels his fury into a dangerous one-man rampage through the jungle.

Craig's one-man rampage leaves a trail of ambushes and skirmishes as he stalks Japanese forces in the jungle. The Reising gun he wields often jams, highlighting the precariousness of his mission even as his skill makes him terrifyingly effective.

During a brutal Japanese night attack, the ridge is pressed hard, but Lockhart's Marines hold firm. Craig's presence and stubborn resolve help prevent a collapse and preserve his command.

After heavy losses, the depleted units are ordered to rest and recuperate in Australia. The move provides a rare interval of civilian-like life amid the war. The transition highlights the stark contrast between frontline combat and peacetime routine.

In Australia, Craig meets Flight Officer Ellen Foster, a sympathetic member of the Women's Auxiliary Australian Air Force. She reveals that her two brothers are serving in North Africa, deepening his emotional connection with her. He is wounded in a Japanese air attack, which complicates their budding romance.

Lockhart visits Craig in the hospital and learns that Craig wishes to marry Ellen. Thinking it signals instability, Lockhart arranges for Craig to be transferred back to the United States. The decision underscores the tension between duty and personal longing.

Back in the United States, Craig and Lockhart meet again at Camp Elliott, where their rivalry returns with a vengeance. They are stunned by how large the Marine Corps has become, with training numbers far surpassing prewar expectations. The base scenes reveal a training culture transforming the Corps.

Lockhart defends Craig when he is briefly deemed unstable, insisting he should be returned to active service. The defense underscores Craig's abilities and keeps him in the fighting ranks. The disagreement highlights the balance between command discipline and battlefield necessity.

Preparing for an invasion, Craig marries Ellen in Australia. Lockhart, upon meeting Ellen, changes his mind about marriage and the two men reconcile, signaling a renewed partnership. The alliance marks a turning point in their wartime relationship.

In a fictional Bougainville assault, Craig's Paramarines leap behind Japanese lines to relieve pressure on a beachhead supported by Lockhart's Raiders. Ellen proudly hears the news over the radio in Australia. The mission marks a climactic moment in their shared war story.