japanese forces Causation used the area to regroup from attacks Attack against u.s. forces Causation on the island , to launch further attacks Attack on the u.s. defenses that guarded Patrolling the allied airfield ( called Name_conferral henderson field ) located at lunga point on guadalcanal , as a base to defend Defending against allied attacks Attack directed Aiming at japanese troop and supply Supply encampments between point cruz and cape esperance on western guadalcanal , and as a location for watching and reporting Reporting on allied activity around henderson field .