Existing comment:
Fighting for Survival:
The Japanese responded to the Marine landings on Guadalcanal with furious counterattacks and bombing raids.
The US landing at Guadalcanal combined strategic surprise with tactical defense. This enabled the Marines to shock the Japanese garrison long enough to seize a bridgehead and the airfield, but for the next four months they fought for their lives against waves of enemy counterattacks by land, sea, and air. Time and again, the Japanese seemed on the verge of overwhelming the beleaguered Marines. Each time, the Marines, soldiers, and sailors held the line. |