Guadalcanal

=**Guadalcanal-WWII**=

Guadalcanal is a part of the Solomon islands which lie north-east of Australia. Even though it is humid and jungle covered, its position made it strategically important for both sides in the pacific war. If the Japanese captured the island, they could cut off the sea route between Australia and America. If the U.S. captured it, they could protect Australians from Japanese invasion and also protect the allied build-up in Australia.
 * Describing the Island and its importance:**

The Americans fought the Japanese in a period of 6 months for possession of the island of Guadalcanal in the southern Solomon Islands. This battle was the Allie's first major offensive action of the Pacific War. Japanese troops landed on July 6th, 1942, and began constructing an airfield there. On August 7th, 1942, 6,000 marines landed, expecting major Japanese defenses, but they achieved complete tactical surprise. Their objective was to capture a nearly-complete airfield at Guadalcanal's Lunga Point. A lengthy struggle followed, with its focus on the Lunga Point airfield, renamed Henderson Field. It was bitter fighting in a miserable jungle climate, the climate took its toll on soldiers carrying heavy equipment, and also it affected their radio communication. Eventually, we took the airfield. The Japanese reached their peak strength of 36,000 troops by October, but they were unable to retake the airfield. By November, the U.S. Navy was able to land reinforcement on Guadalcanal faster than the Japanese. By January, 44,000 U.S. troops were on the island. On February 1943, the Japanese were badly outnumbered and were forced to evacuate 12,000 of their remaining troops from Guadalcanal.
 * Summary of the Battle:**

About Guadalcanal [|More about Guadalcanal!]
 * Losses for the United States:**
 * 1,600 killed
 * 4,200 wounded
 * several thousand dead from malaria and other tropical diseases.
 * 24 warships (8 cruisers, 2 heavy carriers, and 14 destroyers)
 * Losses for the Japanese:**
 * 24 warships (2 battleships, 4 cruisers, 1 light carrier, 11 destroyers, and 6 subs)
 * 24,000 men
 * Links to find out more information!**


 * Pictures:**



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 * Videos: **


 * Map of Guadalcanal:**




 * Possible Test Questions:**
 * 1.** Why was it important for the US to capture Guadalcanal?
 * 2.** How many marines landed on Guadalcanal, August 7th, 1942?
 * 3.** What was the Lunga Pointe airfield renamed to?
 * 4.** Why was Guadalcanal a difficult place to fight?


 * Bibliography: **


 * "Guadalcanal Campaign, August 1942 - February 1943." Guadalcanal Campaign, August 1942 - February 1943. N.p., n.d. Web. 06 Mar. 2014. .
 * The Editors of Encyclopædia Britannica. "Battle of Guadalcanal (World War II)." Encyclopedia Britannica Online. Encyclopedia Britannica, n.d. Web. 06 Mar. 2014. .
 * "World War II: Battle of Guadalcanal." About.com Military History. N.p., n.d. Web. 07 Mar. 2014. <__http://militaryhistory.about.com/od/worldwarii/a/battle-of-guadalcanal.htm__>.
 * "The Battle of Guadalcanal." The Battle of Guadalcanal. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Mar. 2014. 