2. Faces of Melanesia

Honiara & Guadalcanal Island

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Site of the decisive Battle of Edson's Ridge, with the strategic hills 123 and 80 and the Lunga River (mid far right), Guadalcanal Is, Solomon Islands<br /> <br /> Perhaps the most savage and bloody, yet largely forgotten, military campaigns in the Pacific War between the US and Japan, revolved around the island of Guadalcanal. For over six months forces of Japan and the United States were locked in a bitter struggle on land, sea and in the air. <br /> <br /> The Americans were successful in capturing Lunga Point, which was the Japanese airfield. They renamed it Henderson Field, and it was to be a vital link in the resupply chain for the Allied defense of New Guinea and Australia. The Japanese mounted an attack to win back the airfield, whose perimeter was defended at the Lunga Ridge in the south of the airfield, which became known as Edson’s Ridge after the US forces commander "Red' Mike Edson. Although the Americans were almost overrun by the Japanese, in the end the attack was defeated with heavy losses for the Japanese. The battle took place between the 12-14 September 1942, with the Japanese attacking at night on two flanks. The Japanese almost over-ran the Americans on the 2nd night as the Marines were not only greatly outnumbered but were short of ammunition and supplies, and had no possibility of resupply. <br /> <br /> In the end the Battle of Edson’s Ridge was one of the most decisive victories of the war in the Pacific since it had a strategic impact on the Japanese operations in other parts of the Pacific. The Japanese realized that, in order to send enough troops and supplies to defeat the Allies on Guadacanal, they could no longer support the offensive in Papua New Guinea to capture Port Morseby, which was the doorway to an attack on Australia. The defeat at Edson's Ridge contributed not only to Japan's defeat in the Guadalcanal campaign, but also to Japan's ultimate defeat throughout the South Pacific. Historian Richard B Frank has written “The Japanese never came closer to victory on the island itself (Guadacanal) than in September 1942, on a ridge thrusting up from the jungle just south of the critical airfield, best known ever after as Bloody Ridge.<br /> <br /> A couple of photos of Honiara locals can be seen here: <a href="http://goo.gl/yq9KRK">http://goo.gl/yq9KRK</a><br /> <br /> 04/12/13 <a href="http://www.allenfotowild.com">http://www.allenfotowild.com</a>
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Site of the decisive Battle of Edson's Ridge, with the strategic hills 123 and 80 and the Lunga River (mid far right), Guadalcanal Is, Solomon Islands

Perhaps the most savage and bloody, yet largely forgotten, military campaigns in the Pacific War between the US and Japan, revolved around the island of Guadalcanal. For over six months forces of Japan and the United States were locked in a bitter struggle on land, sea and in the air.

The Americans were successful in capturing Lunga Point, which was the Japanese airfield. They renamed it Henderson Field, and it was to be a vital link in the resupply chain for the Allied defense of New Guinea and Australia. The Japanese mounted an attack to win back the airfield, whose perimeter was defended at the Lunga Ridge in the south of the airfield, which became known as Edson’s Ridge after the US forces commander "Red' Mike Edson. Although the Americans were almost overrun by the Japanese, in the end the attack was defeated with heavy losses for the Japanese. The battle took place between the 12-14 September 1942, with the Japanese attacking at night on two flanks. The Japanese almost over-ran the Americans on the 2nd night as the Marines were not only greatly outnumbered but were short of ammunition and supplies, and had no possibility of resupply.

In the end the Battle of Edson’s Ridge was one of the most decisive victories of the war in the Pacific since it had a strategic impact on the Japanese operations in other parts of the Pacific. The Japanese realized that, in order to send enough troops and supplies to defeat the Allies on Guadacanal, they could no longer support the offensive in Papua New Guinea to capture Port Morseby, which was the doorway to an attack on Australia. The defeat at Edson's Ridge contributed not only to Japan's defeat in the Guadalcanal campaign, but also to Japan's ultimate defeat throughout the South Pacific. Historian Richard B Frank has written “The Japanese never came closer to victory on the island itself (Guadacanal) than in September 1942, on a ridge thrusting up from the jungle just south of the critical airfield, best known ever after as Bloody Ridge.

A couple of photos of Honiara locals can be seen here: http://goo.gl/yq9KRK

04/12/13 http://www.allenfotowild.com

GuadalcanalSolomon IslandsBloody RidgeEdson's RidgeLunga River

  • Guadalcanal Island with rainbow and moon, Solomon Islands<br /> <br /> Next weekend is the 72nd anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor and the start of the war in the Pacific. This week I’d like to feature some of my photos from Guadalcanal and The Slot, which were sites of famous battles between the United States and their Allies against the Japanese in 1942. The rainbow over Guadalcanal symbolizes the healing that followed the bloody history of the island and surrounding waters.<br /> <br /> The following is a copy of some of the text from the war memorial at Honiara, Guadalcanal:<br /> “Exploiting their successful attack upon Pearl Harbor, 7 December 1941, the Japanese struck at American, British, Chinese and Dutch Territories in the Pacific. Forced on the defensive, the United States nevertheless was determined to keep open the line of communications to Australia and to aid in its defense. Although delayed by stubborn American and Filipino resistance in the Philippines, the enemy, by mid-April 1942, had established bases in the New Guinea-Solomons area, thus threatening Australia itself. On 3 May the Japanese occupied Tulagi, a small island close to Florida Island in the Solomons group.<br /> <br /> This brought on the Battle of the Coral Sea, 4-8 May 1942, a strategic victory for the allies in which the heretofore uninterrupted Japanese push southward was halted for the first time. Then came the Battle of Midway, 3-7 June, one of the most decisive battles in naval history. The Japanese suffered crippling losses in aircraft carriers and the balance of sea power in the Pacific turned in favor of the United States and her allies. When it was discovered in early July that the Japanese had begun construction of an airfield on Guadalcanal, US Forces undertook the first land offensive of the war.”<br /> <br /> Addendum: The Naval Battle of Guadalcanal took place from 12-15 November 1942 after US and Allied forces had landed on Guadalcanal and seized the airfield, later called Henderson Field. The naval battle, which took place in The Slot between Guadalcanal and Tulagi Islands, turned back Japan’s last major attempt to dislodge Allied forces from Guadalcanal and Tulagi. The Solomon Islands are also where Kennedy Island (Kasolo Island) lies, which is the island where John F Kennedy aided his injured crew after PT-109 was rammed by the Japanese destroyer Amagiri.<br /> <br /> Other photos from the Guadalcanal area can be seen here, and more will be posted after 'U' day: <a href="http://goo.gl/MH4mUF">http://goo.gl/MH4mUF</a><br /> <br /> 30/11/13 <a href="http://www.allenfotowild.com">http://www.allenfotowild.com</a>
  • Rainbow over Guadalcanal Island, Solomon Islands
  • Sunrise over the Russell Islands (Pavuvu Island), Solomon Islands<br /> <br /> These islands are just west of Guadalcanal and Tulagi Islands, famous battle sites of WWII.
  • Rain cloud building at sunrise, Russell Islands, Solomon Islands
  • Rainstorm at sunrise with moon over Guadalcanal Is, Solomon Islands<br /> <br /> This rainstorm was followed by the rainbow seen in the accompanying image posted today.
  • Freighter entering rainstorm off Guadalcanal Is, Solomon Islands
  • Honiara harbour container port, Guadalcanal Is, Solomon Islands
  • Honiara harbour, Guadalcanal Is, Solomon Islands
  • Local boats, Honiara harbour, Guadalcanal Is, Solomon Islands
  • Pan-pipe player, Honiara, Guadalcanal Island, Solomon Islands
  • Local boats-3, Honiara harbour, Guadalcanal Is, Solomon Islands
  • Honiara harbour and town with local ships, Guadalcanal Is, Solomon Islands
  • Local boats in Honiara harbour, Guadalcanal Is, Solomon Islands (best larger)<br /> <br /> Honiara is the main city on Guadalcanal. It owes its existence to the huge military supply depot that the USA built in this bay in 1943. To support the Allied war efforts in the north-western Solomons, the USA constructed wharves, roads and storage sheds and completed Henderson airfield, which is now the international airport for the island.<br /> <br /> Other photos of the shipping and harbor can be seen here: <a href="http://goo.gl/DXqurj">http://goo.gl/DXqurj</a><br /> <br /> 02/12/13 <a href="http://www.allenfotowild.com">http://www.allenfotowild.com</a>
  • Locals travelling by boat across Honiara harbour, Honiara, Guadalcanal Is, Solomon Islands
  • The Guadalcanal Campaign, US Was Memorial, Guadalcanal Is, Solomon Islands<br /> <br /> “Exploiting their successful attack upon Pearl Harbor, 7 December 1941, the Japanese struck at American, British, Chinese and Dutch Territories in the Pacific. Forced on the defensive, the United States nevertheless was determined to keep open the line of communications to Australia and to aid in its defense. Although delayed by stubborn American the Filipino resistance in the Philippines, the enemy, by mid-April 1942, had established bases in the New Guinea-Solomons area, thus threatening Australia itself. On 3 May the Japanese occupied Tulagi, a small island close to Florida Island in the Solomons group.<br /> <br /> This brought on the Battle of the Coral Sea, 4-8 May 1942, a strategic victory for the allies in which the heretofore uninterrupted Japanese push southward was halted for the first time. Then came the Battle of Midway, 3-7 June, one of the most decisive battles in naval history. The Japanese suffered crippling losses in aircraft carriers and the balance of sea power in the Pacific turned in favor of the United States and her allies. When it was discovered in early July that the Japanese had begun construction of an airfield on Guadalcanal, US Forces undertook the first land offensive of the war.”
  • 'U' is for 'Unforgotten'<br /> <br /> WWII vet lost in his memories at the US War Memorial, Honiara, Guadalcanal Is, Solomon Islands. Some of the text is reproduced below.<br /> <br /> After repulsing the heavy Japanese attacks in October, American troop strength on Guadacanal was increased again by bringing the 1st and 2nd batalions, 2nd Marines from Tulagi to Guadalcanal, and returning the 3rd batalion to Tulago. On 4 November the 9th Marines of the 2nd Marine Division arrived, eight days later two batalions of the 182nd Infantry Regiment of the Americal Division were landed.<br /> (content truncated) <br /> For four long months the 1st Marine Division reinforced had borne the brunt of a long, continuous battle, during which it inflicted far greater casualities upon the enemy than it suffered. It had also endured the hot, steamy, tropical, disease-infected jungle, which, in its own way, was a worse enemy. Of all diseases to which the division was exposed, malaria presented the greatest problem. The Division’s tour of duty had been twice the length that medical officers believed could be endured under such conditions. On 22 December the 1st Marines left the island, followed by the 7th Marines on 5 January, 1943.<br /> <br /> For an absolutely fascinating account about the completely chaotic sea battle on Iron Bottom Sound (The Slot), which was grossly mismanaged on both sides, see here: <a href="http://www.historynet.com/battle-of-guadalcanal-first-naval-battle-in-the-ironbottom-sound.htm">http://www.historynet.com/battle-of-guadalcanal-first-naval-battle-in-the-ironbottom-sound.htm</a><br /> <br /> Other photos from the War Memorial and of the wreath dropping ceremony in Iron Bottom Sound can be seen here: <a href="http://goo.gl/7QntyV">http://goo.gl/7QntyV</a><br /> <br /> 1/12/13 <a href="http://www.allenfotowild.com">http://www.allenfotowild.com</a>
  • US War Memorial welcome message, Honiara, Guadalcanal Is, Solomon Islands<br /> <br /> Welcome to the Guadalcanal American Memorial<br /> This monument is a tribute to those Americans and their Allies who participated in the Guadalcanal Campaign from 7 August 1942 to 9 February, 1943. It especially honors those soldiers, sailors, marines and airmen who fought and died in the military campaign which led to the liberation of the Solomon Islands.<br /> <br /> This remembrance was erected through the joint efforts of the Guadalcanal-Solomon Islands War Memorial Foundation (U.S.A.) and the American Battle Monuments Commission.<br /> <br /> May this memorial endure the ravages of time until the wind, rain and tropical storms wear away its face but never its memories.
  • WWII vet at war memorial depicting the various actions during WWII, Honiara, Guadalcanal Is, Solomon Islands<br /> <br /> In the distance you can see Iron Bottom Sound, so called for the large number of US, British and Japanese ships that were sunk there.<br /> <br /> For an absolutely fascinating account about the totally chaotic sea battle of Iron Bottom Sound see here: <a href="http://www.historynet.com/battle-of-guadalcanal-first-naval-battle-in-the-ironbottom-sound.htm">http://www.historynet.com/battle-of-guadalcanal-first-naval-battle-in-the-ironbottom-sound.htm</a><br /> <br /> The Guadalcanal Campaign, 7 August 1942 – 9 February, 1943<br /> Land Battles: Tulagi, Gavum/Tanambogo, Tenaru River, Bloody Ridge, Maranikau River, Defences of Henderson Field, Koli Point, The GIFU-Mt Austen, Galloping Horse, Kokumbona, Junction Ending Campaing Cape Esperance
  • US Was Memorial, Honiara, Guadalcanal Is, Solomon Islands
  • Site of the decisive Battle of Edson's Ridge, with the strategic hills 123 and 80 and the Lunga River (mid far right), Guadalcanal Is, Solomon Islands<br /> <br /> Perhaps the most savage and bloody, yet largely forgotten, military campaigns in the Pacific War between the US and Japan, revolved around the island of Guadalcanal. For over six months forces of Japan and the United States were locked in a bitter struggle on land, sea and in the air. <br /> <br /> The Americans were successful in capturing Lunga Point, which was the Japanese airfield. They renamed it Henderson Field, and it was to be a vital link in the resupply chain for the Allied defense of New Guinea and Australia. The Japanese mounted an attack to win back the airfield, whose perimeter was defended at the Lunga Ridge in the south of the airfield, which became known as Edson’s Ridge after the US forces commander "Red' Mike Edson. Although the Americans were almost overrun by the Japanese, in the end the attack was defeated with heavy losses for the Japanese. The battle took place between the 12-14 September 1942, with the Japanese attacking at night on two flanks. The Japanese almost over-ran the Americans on the 2nd night as the Marines were not only greatly outnumbered but were short of ammunition and supplies, and had no possibility of resupply. <br /> <br /> In the end the Battle of Edson’s Ridge was one of the most decisive victories of the war in the Pacific since it had a strategic impact on the Japanese operations in other parts of the Pacific. The Japanese realized that, in order to send enough troops and supplies to defeat the Allies on Guadacanal, they could no longer support the offensive in Papua New Guinea to capture Port Morseby, which was the doorway to an attack on Australia. The defeat at Edson's Ridge contributed not only to Japan's defeat in the Guadalcanal campaign, but also to Japan's ultimate defeat throughout the South Pacific. Historian Richard B Frank has written “The Japanese never came closer to victory on the island itself (Guadacanal) than in September 1942, on a ridge thrusting up from the jungle just south of the critical airfield, best known ever after as Bloody Ridge.<br /> <br /> A couple of photos of Honiara locals can be seen here: <a href="http://goo.gl/yq9KRK">http://goo.gl/yq9KRK</a><br /> <br /> 04/12/13 <a href="http://www.allenfotowild.com">http://www.allenfotowild.com</a>
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