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Episode 4: First Ground Offensive
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Guadalcanal Campaign was the first major offensive and a decisive victory for the Allies in the Pacific theater. This campaign brought American forces into the Solomon Islands and stopped the Japanese advance towards Australia. #WWII75
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Guadalcanal Campaign was the first major offensive and a decisive victory for the Allies in the Pacific theater. This campaign brought American forces into the Solomon Islands and stopped the Japanese advance towards Australia. #WWII75
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Japanese forces invaded Guadalcanal, May 1942 to build an airfield from which warplanes could threaten Allied bases and supply lines.
@indopacom #USArmy #FreeAndOpenIndoPacific #VJ75
Japanese forces invaded Guadalcanal, May 1942 to build an airfield from which warplanes could threaten Allied bases and supply lines.
@indopacom #USArmy #FreeAndOpenIndoPacific #VJ75
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The decisive victories by the @USNavy in the Coral Sea and Midway reduced the Japanese fleet effectiveness enough to allow U.S. offensive amphibious operations in the Solomon Islands. @USPacificFleet @PacificMarines #WWII7
The decisive victories by the @USNavy in the Coral Sea and Midway reduced the Japanese fleet effectiveness enough to allow U.S. offensive amphibious operations in the Solomon Islands. @USPacificFleet @PacificMarines #WWII7
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July 2, 1942 the Joint Chiefs of Staff ordered Allied forces in the Pacific to halt the Japanese advance towards lines of communication from the U.S. to Australia and New Zealand. Directing American forces into the Solomon Islands & U.S. troops into Guadalcanal.
July 2, 1942 the Joint Chiefs of Staff ordered Allied forces in the Pacific to halt the Japanese advance towards lines of communication from the U.S. to Australia and New Zealand. Directing American forces into the Solomon Islands & U.S. troops into Guadalcanal.
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Aug. 7, 1942, the @1st_Marine_Div, commanded by Maj. Gen. Alexander Vandergrift, landed on Guadalcanal. The Marines overcame the initial resistance, secured the unfinished airfield by the evening of the second day & established a defensive perimeter. #WWII75 @USMC
Aug. 7, 1942, the @1st_Marine_Div, commanded by Maj. Gen. Alexander Vandergrift, landed on Guadalcanal. The Marines overcame the initial resistance, secured the unfinished airfield by the evening of the second day & established a defensive perimeter. #WWII75 @USMC
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On Oct. 13, the Army's 164th Inf. Regiment part of the Americal Division was the first Army unit on Guadalcanal and arrived as an emergency reinforcement for the hard-pressed Marines. @NDNationalGuard @USNationalGuard
On Oct. 13, the Army's 164th Inf. Regiment part of the Americal Division was the first Army unit on Guadalcanal and arrived as an emergency reinforcement for the hard-pressed Marines. @NDNationalGuard @USNationalGuard
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On Guadalcanal, American servicemembers battled heat, mosquitoes, disease, dense vegetation, and unfamiliar terrain along with a determined Japanese enemy in an all-consuming, round-the-clock battle.
On Guadalcanal, American servicemembers battled heat, mosquitoes, disease, dense vegetation, and unfamiliar terrain along with a determined Japanese enemy in an all-consuming, round-the-clock battle.
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On Oct. 25th the Japanese aggressively attacked Lunga Point Airfield also called Henderson Field by the Marines. The 164th Inf. Regiment with the Marines repulsed the attack despite the Japanese throwing hand grenades, artillery, air and naval support. #militaryhistory
On Oct. 25th the Japanese aggressively attacked Lunga Point Airfield also called Henderson Field by the Marines. The 164th Inf. Regiment with the Marines repulsed the attack despite the Japanese throwing hand grenades, artillery, air and naval support. #militaryhistory
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On Nov 4, the Army's independent 147th Inf. Regiment arrived. By Dec. 8, the 132d and 182d Inf. and the rest of Americal Div., commanded by Maj. Gen. Alexander Patch, plus additional reinforcements, landed to relieve and replace the @1st_Marine_Div.
On Nov 4, the Army's independent 147th Inf. Regiment arrived. By Dec. 8, the 132d and 182d Inf. and the rest of Americal Div., commanded by Maj. Gen. Alexander Patch, plus additional reinforcements, landed to relieve and replace the @1st_Marine_Div.
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Under Maj. Gen. Alexander Patch's command, the Army's Americal and @25ID and the 2d Marine Div., U.S. forces went on the offensive on 18 December to secure the island. #WWII75
Under Maj. Gen. Alexander Patch's command, the Army's Americal and @25ID and the 2d Marine Div., U.S. forces went on the offensive on 18 December to secure the island. #WWII75
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Jan. 2, 1943, Gen. Harmon activated XIV Corps and assigned Maj. Gen. Patch to command the three divisions and make plans for a major offensive.
Jan. 2, 1943, Gen. Harmon activated XIV Corps and assigned Maj. Gen. Patch to command the three divisions and make plans for a major offensive.
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Jan. 10, 1943, XIV Corps began its first offensive of the new year, with Patch pointing almost all of his units west. @25ID took over the Gifu-Mount Austen area and moved west across the Matanikau River.
Jan. 10, 1943, XIV Corps began its first offensive of the new year, with Patch pointing almost all of his units west. @25ID took over the Gifu-Mount Austen area and moved west across the Matanikau River.
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By Jan. 18, XIV Corps had pushed two miles west of the Matanikau River and over four miles inland. In taking the major objectives of Galloping Horse, Sea Horse, the Gifu, and the coastal strip beyond Point Cruz.
By Jan. 18, XIV Corps had pushed two miles west of the Matanikau River and over four miles inland. In taking the major objectives of Galloping Horse, Sea Horse, the Gifu, and the coastal strip beyond Point Cruz.
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Maj. Gen. Patch combined some Marine and Army units into a Composite –Army-Marine Division due to combat losses and malaria. The CAM Div. advanced along the west coast.
Maj. Gen. Patch combined some Marine and Army units into a Composite –Army-Marine Division due to combat losses and malaria. The CAM Div. advanced along the west coast.
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When U.S. forces reached Tenaro on Esperance, Feb. 8, expecting a trap they only found a few stragglers; the Japanese had evacuated the Island. The Guadalcanal Campaign lasted from Aug. 7, 1942 until Feb. 9, 1943.
When U.S. forces reached Tenaro on Esperance, Feb. 8, expecting a trap they only found a few stragglers; the Japanese had evacuated the Island. The Guadalcanal Campaign lasted from Aug. 7, 1942 until Feb. 9, 1943.
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These gains cost the Americans 1,592 killed in action and 4,183 wounded, with thousands more disabled for varying periods by disease. Entering the campaign after the amphibious phase, the two Army divisions lost 550 killed and 1,289 wounded.
These gains cost the Americans 1,592 killed in action and 4,183 wounded, with thousands more disabled for varying periods by disease. Entering the campaign after the amphibious phase, the two Army divisions lost 550 killed and 1,289 wounded.
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Victory on Guadalcanal combined with the American –Australian victory at Buna, New Guinea turned back the Japanese drive toward Australia. One of the key lessons learned was to stop reacting to the Japanese thrusts and take the initiative.
Victory on Guadalcanal combined with the American –Australian victory at Buna, New Guinea turned back the Japanese drive toward Australia. One of the key lessons learned was to stop reacting to the Japanese thrusts and take the initiative.
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The joint U.S. military services and Allies were crucial to the victory in the Guadalcanal. Working in multiple domains they controlled the air, land and sea. Today, the joint force Multi-Domain operations create multiple dilemmas to any potential adversary.
The joint U.S. military services and Allies were crucial to the victory in the Guadalcanal. Working in multiple domains they controlled the air, land and sea. Today, the joint force Multi-Domain operations create multiple dilemmas to any potential adversary.
Thanks and check back for tomorrow’s Episode 5, covering China, India and Burma campaigns during #WWII75.
