71 years ago

[Hern07]

On aug. 7, 1942 the U.S. invaded Guadalcanal and began the reconquest of the Solomons

[Worthless]

Shame on me for missing it. Guadalcanal was probably as much a turning point for the US in the Pacific war, as Midway. Sadly, very few Americans have ever heard of it today.

Thanks for the reminder.

[Jagdflieger]

I just finished the book "Neptune's Inferno" by James Hornfischer. It really details the naval side of the battle with good insight into national strategy, technology, tactics, command and the ship's crews. It's a good read that moves along quickly, yet covers the details of the naval battle thoroughly.

I knew that the sailors took a beating at the Canal, but I didn't realize that they suffered like they did. It was a close run battle for several months.

[bobhegf]

The men on Guadalcanal had it the worst. They were attacked from the air almost every day and shelled almost every night,this went on up untill the island was secure and then it didn`t stop.They didn`t have any aircover untill Aug. 20 1942 when VMSB 232 and VMF 223 arrived.

[Hern07]

Hornfischer is an excellant writer, my favorie is the Last Stand of the Tincan Sailors about the Battle off Samar. He seems to consider leadership as the most important ingrediant in winning a battle. Meanwhile, on Aug.8-aug9th, 1942 we have the Battle of Savo Island, the USN's most embarrasing defeats in WWII. Henderson Field was not able to operate aircraft until Aug, 18th and the first Marine ac landed two days later, Aug. 20 also saw the Battle of the Ilu river (actually fought on the banks of Alligator Creek.)

[bobhegf]

Hern07 is on the money on that one. I found all the combat reports of the fighters on line that flew from Guadalcanal from Aug 20th 1942 till Oct 11 1942. I have them on a CD. I will look for them and post some of the missions flown durring that time period.

[bobhegf]

I haven`t had much time this week and am still looking through my CDs to locate the info.