Lecture Notes: Guadalcanal Campaign

Introduction

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Guadalcanal Campaign Overview

• Date: August 7-8, 1942.
• Objective: Capture of Guadalcanal, Tulagi, Gavutu-Tanambogo.
• US Navy under Admiral Ernest J. King wanted to advance in South Pacific.
• Operation Watchtower: US Marines land almost unopposed on Guadalcanal.

Initial Landing

• Marines face little opposition on Guadalcanal.
• Tulagi and Gavutu-Tanambogo: intense Japanese resistance, heavy Marine casualties.
• By August 9: 850 Japanese defenders killed.

Japanese Counterattack

• August 9: Japanese ambush in the Battle of Savo Island.
• Result: Four Allied cruisers sunk.
• US Admiral Turner retreats with limited supplies and Marines.

Marine Defense Setup

• Marines led by Major General Alexander Vandegrift.
• 11,000 Marines to defend Guadalcanal's airfield.
• Henderson Field completed on August 18.

Japanese Response

• August 19: Colonel Ichiki’s 28th Infantry Regiment lands on Guadalcanal.
• Ichiki: aggressive commander with past experience in China.
• Goal: Recapture Henderson Field.

Early Skirmishes

• US Marines ambush Ichiki's scouting party.
• Discovery of Japanese plans by Marines.

Battle of Alligator Creek

• Night of August 20: Ichiki's forces attack across Alligator Creek.
• Marines entrenched with machine guns and anti-tank guns.

Ichiki's Assault

• Ichiki launches multiple waves of Banzai charges.
• Marines use heavy firepower, including mortars and artillery.
• Japanese forces suffer heavy losses.

Marine Counterattack

• Marines encircle and destroy remaining Japanese forces.
• Ichiki commits suicide; only 15 Japanese captured alive.

Outcome and Impact

• 777 Japanese soldiers killed vs. 44 Marine casualties.
• Battle highlights Japanese willingness to fight to the death.
• Shaped Allied perception of Japanese forces.
• Guadalcanal campaign continues with further battles expected.

Conclusion

• Guadalcanal pivotal in challenging Japanese superiority in WWII.
• Further content on Marine Corps training available on the Intel Report.