The Guadalcanal Campaign
The
Guadalcanal Campaign or otherwise known as the
Battle of Guadalcanal started on August 7th, while being the first major land offensive by
Allied Forces against Japan. The campaign follows
the Battle of the Coral Sea (May 1942) and
the Battle of Midway (June 1942).
The
Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN) had occupied
Tulagi back in May, while constructing a seaplane base nearby. In early July, the IJN began constructing a large airfield at
Lunga Point on nearby Guadalcanal. The concern by Allied Forces is that Japan with such a base would allow
Japanese long-range bombers would threaten the sea lines of communication from the
West Coast of Americans to the populous
East Coast of Australia.
It's reported that Japan had about 900 troops on Tulagi, and 2,800 personnel at Guadalcanal. These Japanese bases would protect Japan's major base at
Rabaul, which threatens Allied supply and communication lines, while establishing a coordinated, planned offensive against
Fiji,
New Caladonia, and
Samoa (the name of the planned Japanese attack was
Operation FS).
The operation aspect was known as
Operation Watchtower. The Watchtower force numbering 75 warships and transports (of vessels from the
United States and
Australia), were reported to have assembled near Fiji on July 26th, while forces left for Guadalcanal on July 31st.
Bad weather allowed the Allied expeditionary force to arrive unseen by Japanese forces on the night of August 6th, while taking enemy forces by surprise the next morning. The landing force split into two groups, one attacking Tulagi and the other attacking Guadalcanal. Allied forces destroyed 15 Japanese seaplanes near Tulagi.
3,000 Marines assaulted the three islands of Tulagi, Gavutu & Tanambogo. With some heavy resistance, the Marines were able to secure all three islands.
The U.S. and Allied Forces accomplished a lot this past month, and know the battle is far from over.