completion of runway construction at tafuna, samoa, scheduled for 1 march 1942 and urgently needed to protect the south pacific lines of communication with australia, was dependent on specialized equipment loaded at san francisco for transport by "hawaiian merchant" which was delayed in the emergency after 7 december and became a matter of concern. on 14 august 1942 3d battalion, 7th marines and battery c, 1st battalion, 11th marines were transported from the wallis islands, to apia, samoa.