This chapter opens in the early morning with a group of soldiers from the U.S. Army preparing to attack the island. The men are surprised to find that the island's defenses have been put to the test, and that the invasion force has been able to surprise them. As the soldiers prepare to attack, they are interrupted by the sound of gunfire from the enemy's guns. The soldiers are shocked by the ferocity of the attack, and they are forced to retreat to protect the island from further attack.