Turning Point of the Pacific War: Guadalcanal Island
Japan’s Choices and Consequences After the Midway Defeat
Japan After Midway
Despite the Midway defeat, Japan continued its expansion, targeting Guadalcanal Island for a base.
Strategic Importance of Guadalcanal
Guadalcanal was crucial for controlling the Solomon Islands. A Japanese base there would threaten US access, while a US base would open a path to Southeast Asia.
US’s Counterattack Potential
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| Battle of Guadalcanal, (August 1942–February 1943), Britannica |
The US believed seizing the Solomons could decisively favor them. Japan moved first to occupy Guadalcanal.
Japan’s Easy Occupation
Japan easily occupied undefended Guadalcanal and began building an airfield, underestimating the US response.
Japan’s Miscalculation
Japan's assumption of a delayed US response was wrong. The US quickly dispatched the elite Marine Corps to Guadalcanal.
U.S. Marines’ Landing
The unprepared Japanese non-combatants were easily defeated, and Guadalcanal fell to the US, who then used Japan's airfield against them.
Fierce Fighting in the Darkness
The Pacific War series consists of a total of 9 parts, and this article is the 6th installment.
Japanese Counterattack Plan
Japan planned to recapture Guadalcanal, a vital location, and quickly dispatched a small fleet.
Night Battle Strategy
Their strategy relied on a night battle, using darkness to evade less accurate American radar and exploit Japan's superior night vision training ("Cats' Eyes").
Victory and Withdrawal
The Japanese fleet ambushed American ships at night, inflicting significant damage with minimal losses. However, fearing daylight counterattacks, they withdrew before dawn.
Missed Opportunity: Supply Ships
A critical oversight was the failure to target American supply ships, positioned behind the main fleet. These ships were vital for sustaining US forces on Guadalcanal.
Turning Tide
By not attacking the supply ships, Japan missed a chance to severely weaken the American presence on Guadalcanal. Despite a successful night battle, this oversight proved costly.