Great Battles of WWII - The Early Pacific Battles: Guadalcanal

GUADALCANAL: THE ISLAND OF DEATH. From this story of mistakes and heroism would rise the genesis of American land, sea and air strategy for the rest of the war in the Pacific. It included six major naval battles, daily aerial engagements and countless clashes on land. No campaign in either theater saw such sustained action by sea, land and air.

In the summer of 1942, America was still reeling from the attack on Pearl Harbor and the humiliating victories of the Japanese throughout the Far East. Then came the battles of the Coral Sea and the pivotal Battle for Midway.

Japan had been effectively countered and it was time to launch an attack. Operation Watchtower, the code name for the first landing of American forces on a Japanese held island would occur on Guadalcanal, August, 7, 1942. This was the opening of a six month campaign to wrest control of the lower Solomon Islands from the Japanese Empire.

From this story of mistakes and heroism would rise the genesis of American land, sea and air strategy for the rest of the war in the Pacific. Join the Marines as they go ashore on the Japanese held islands of Tulagi and Guadalcanal and watch as the enemy quickly counters their early successes. Chapters included : Day of Infamy; The Rising Sun; The Coral Sea; Midway; Pestilence; Watchtower; First Offensive; The Battle of Savo Island; First Days Ashore; The Tenaru; The Battle of the Eastern Solomons; Boredon & Fear; The Battle of Edson's Ridge; Loss of the Wasp

Cactus was the American code name for Guadalcanal and for the men who fought and died there, the name was eerily prophetic. The Marines most significant asset was an airstrip known as Henderson Field, little more than a wide spot in the road, but crucial to the defense of the island.

The Japanese fully undestood its strategic value and sought to wrest control of the airfield through a series of famous attacks. Frustrated by their inability to dislodge the Americans, the Japanese launch a massive assault on the island in mid-November in an all or nothing effort. The pressure on the Japanese builds to the breaking point as they struggle to regain control over what they call "The Island of Death."

Contains Combat Veteran Interviews and footage from The National Archives. Chapters included : Reinforcement and Reassessment; Matanikau River Actions; The Battle of Cape Esperance; The Bombardment; The Battle for Henderson Field; The Battle of the Santa Cruz Islands; Actions at Point Cruz & Koli Point; The Naval Battle of Guadalcanal; The Second Naval Battle of Guadalcanal; The Final Push