Battle Of Guadalcanal
During the time period between August 1942 and
February 1943, the United States fought an extensive campaign against Japan for control of Guadalcanal Island, and was the U.S's first offensive move made in World War 2.
February 1943, the United States fought an extensive campaign against Japan for control of Guadalcanal Island, and was the U.S's first offensive move made in World War 2.
![Picture](/uploads/1/8/1/3/18133459/5546139.jpg?126)
Prior to the campaign, there were to be 2 commanders of this battle: Major General Alexander Vandergrift with 16,000 men and Lieutenant General Harukichi Hyakutake with 36,200 men. Following the recent Battles of the Coral Sea and Midway, Admiral Ernest King, Commander-in-Chief, US Fleet, Operation Watchtower called for Allied troops to land in the Solomon Islands at Tulagi, Gavutu–Tanambogo, and Guadalcanal. This would protect the Allied lines of communication to Australia and would let the U.S capture the under-construction airfield at Lunga Point, Guadalcanal.
![Picture](/uploads/1/8/1/3/18133459/2592014.jpg)
Starting August 7th, the U.S first marine division siezed the almost complete airfield at Lunga field and an anchorage over at Tualgi. This would bound a body of water later to be called "Iron Bottom Sound". Initial japanese ariel attacks to take the point from them was uneffective. However, 2 days later, the U.S was handed a serious defeat at Savo Island.
A lengthy struggle followed, focused on the Lunga Point airfield, A.K.A Henderson Field. Henderson Field's planes could still fly despite regular bombings by Japan, ensuring that Japanese efforts to get ground forces on Guadalcanal were expensive. Ashore,
there was hard fighting in a miserable climate, with U.S. soldiers demonstrating the weaknesses of the Japanese ground combat doctrine when met by determined, well-armed opponents.
At sea, the campaign featured two major battles between aircraft carriers that were more costly to America than Japan, and submarine and air-sea actions that gave the Allies an upper hand. Inside and around Iron Bottom Sound, five significant battles and several skirmishes proved Japan's navy stregh during the night battles. With all this, the outcome of the campaign was uncertian until Japan evacuated it's remaining troops in early February 8, 1943.
Guadalcanal was expensive for both sides. However, it was more costly for Japan than for the U.S. Both sides suffered high losses in aircraft and ships, but the United States soon replaces theirs. Japan took much longer to do so. Ultimately, this campaign built a foundation on the footing laid earlier at the Battle of Midway, and brought Japan's offensive movements to a complete stop. This then lead the Japanese into a long, costly retreat, one virtually unchecked until their capitulation in August 1945.
A lengthy struggle followed, focused on the Lunga Point airfield, A.K.A Henderson Field. Henderson Field's planes could still fly despite regular bombings by Japan, ensuring that Japanese efforts to get ground forces on Guadalcanal were expensive. Ashore,
there was hard fighting in a miserable climate, with U.S. soldiers demonstrating the weaknesses of the Japanese ground combat doctrine when met by determined, well-armed opponents.
At sea, the campaign featured two major battles between aircraft carriers that were more costly to America than Japan, and submarine and air-sea actions that gave the Allies an upper hand. Inside and around Iron Bottom Sound, five significant battles and several skirmishes proved Japan's navy stregh during the night battles. With all this, the outcome of the campaign was uncertian until Japan evacuated it's remaining troops in early February 8, 1943.
Guadalcanal was expensive for both sides. However, it was more costly for Japan than for the U.S. Both sides suffered high losses in aircraft and ships, but the United States soon replaces theirs. Japan took much longer to do so. Ultimately, this campaign built a foundation on the footing laid earlier at the Battle of Midway, and brought Japan's offensive movements to a complete stop. This then lead the Japanese into a long, costly retreat, one virtually unchecked until their capitulation in August 1945.
Bibliography
Archie Vandegrift." American History- Staff edition. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 Feb. 2013.
<http://americanhistory.abc-clio.com/Search/Display/252613?terms=guadalcanal>
Battle of Guadalcanal." American History- Staff edition. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 Feb. 2013.
<http://americanhistory.abc-clio.com/Search/Display/273496?terms=guadalcanal>
Battle of Guadalcanal." American History- Staff edition. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 Feb. 2013.
<http://americanhistory.abc-clio.com/Search/Display/252754?terms=guadalcanal>
Guadalcanal Campaign, August 1942 - February 1943." Naval History and Heritage. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 Feb. 2013.
< http://www.history.navy.mil/photos/events/ wwii-pac/guadlcnl/guadlcnl.htm>
World War II: Battle of Guadalcanal." About.com Military History. Kennedy Hickman, n.d. Web. 5 Mar. 2013.
< http://militaryhistory.about.com/od/ worldwarii/a/battle-of-guadalcanal.htm>.
<http://americanhistory.abc-clio.com/Search/Display/252613?terms=guadalcanal>
Battle of Guadalcanal." American History- Staff edition. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 Feb. 2013.
<http://americanhistory.abc-clio.com/Search/Display/273496?terms=guadalcanal>
Battle of Guadalcanal." American History- Staff edition. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 Feb. 2013.
<http://americanhistory.abc-clio.com/Search/Display/252754?terms=guadalcanal>
Guadalcanal Campaign, August 1942 - February 1943." Naval History and Heritage. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 Feb. 2013.
< http://www.history.navy.mil/photos/events/ wwii-pac/guadlcnl/guadlcnl.htm>
World War II: Battle of Guadalcanal." About.com Military History. Kennedy Hickman, n.d. Web. 5 Mar. 2013.
< http://militaryhistory.about.com/od/ worldwarii/a/battle-of-guadalcanal.htm>.