The Battle of Guandalcanal
The Battle of Guadalcanal was caused because of events that happened during the spring of 1942. The Japanese were seizing control of many strongholds in the New Guinea area and threatening U.S trade in that area. To try and gain some control in that area the U.S decided they would try to gain control of an island known as Guadalcanal. Guadalcanal is a 90 mile long island that has a Japanese air base on it located in the South-Western Pacific near the Solomon Island chain. The U.S sent in 10,000 Marines in on July 1942 to seize control of the airbase on the island and eventually the whole island.
Map of Guadalcanal
Vandegrift wrote to his wife: "Tomorrow morning at dawn we land in our first major offensive of the war. Our plans have been made and God grant that our judgement has been sound ... whatever happens you'll know I did my best. Let us
hope that best will be good enough."
by Connor Thomas and Andrew Taylor