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N0KFQ > TODAY 07.08.11 23:37l 51 Lines 2233 Bytes #999 (0) @ WW
BID : 10710_KB0WSA
Read: GUEST
Subj: Today in History - Aug 7
Path: IZ3LSV<IK2XDE<DB0RES<ON0AR<HS1LMV<CX2SA<N0KFQ<KB0WSA
Sent: 110807/2226Z 10710@KB0WSA.MO.USA.NA BPQ1.0.4
Aug 7, 1942:
U.S. forces invade Guadalcanal
On this day in 1942, the U.S. 1st Marine Division begins
Operation Watchtower, the first U.S. offensive of the war, by
landing on Guadalcanal, one of the Solomon Islands.
On July 6, 1942, the Japanese landed on Guadalcanal Island and
began constructing an airfield there. Operation Watchtower was
the codename for the U.S. plan to invade Guadalcanal and the
surrounding islands. During the attack, American troops landed on
five islands within the Solomon chain. Although the invasion came
as a complete surprise to the Japanese (bad weather had grounded
their scouting aircraft), the landings on Florida, Tulagi,
Gavutu, and Tananbogo met much initial opposition from the
Japanese defenders.
But the Americans who landed on Guadalcanal met little
resistance-at least at first. More than 11,000 Marines had
landed, and 24 hours had passed, before the Japanese manning the
garrison there knew of the attack. The U.S. forces quickly took
their main objective, the airfield, and the outnumbered Japanese
troops retreated, but not for long. Reinforcements were brought
in, and fierce hand-to-hand jungle fighting ensued. "I have never
heard or read of this kind of fighting," wrote one American major
general on the scene. "These people refuse to surrender."
The Americans were at a particular disadvantage, being assaulted
from both the sea and air. But the U.S. Navy was able to
reinforce its troops to a greater extent, and by February 1943,
the Japanese had retreated on secret orders of their emperor (so
secret, the Americans did not even know it had taken place until
they began happening upon abandoned positions, empty boats, and
discarded supplies). In total, the Japanese had lost more than
25,000 men, compared with a loss of 1,600 by the Americans. Each
side lost 24 warships.
The first Medal of Honor given to a Marine was awarded to Sgt.
John Basilone for his fighting during Operation Watchtower.
According to the recommendation for his medal, he "contributed
materially to the defeat and virtually the annihilation of a
Japanese regiment."
73, K.O. n0kfq
Another old retired guy
E-mail: n0kfq@winlink.org
N0KFQ@N0KFQ.#SWMO.MO.USA.NA
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