Events That Lead to Guadalcanal Battle and Victory - Essay Example

While the loss of American aircraft and ships was replaced soon, the same was not true for Japan. (Info on the Campaign).

After the victory at ‘The Battle of Midway,’ American forces started planning for recapturing of Pacific Islands from the Japanese. The first event in this direction was the Guadalcanal battle. The use of islands, like Guadalcanal, Tulagi, and Florida in Southern Solomon by Japanese forces was proving a major threat to supply routes between the USA, Australia, and New Zealand. The battle began for the sole purpose of ensuring safety for these routes. There was a difference of opinion in Japan over the importance of this island.

While many army officers thought it better to manage the existing and over-stretched empire, the other faction wanted further territorial expansion. This could be a reason for the Japanese lacking the will to counter allied attacks at Guadalcanal. Leading the attack on August 07, 1942, allied forces expected stiff resistance from the Japanese army, but the tactical combined approach by Allied forces took the other side by complete surprise and they did not find any resistance from the Japanese. This boosted the will of Allied forces to head for an all-out victory.

Although the rough climate and weather caused communication and operational problems for Americans, there was no fighting on the island for almost 24 hours, after the attack. However, the following days witnessed severe fighting as the Japanese cruiser force attack eventually threw the Allied forces out of reach of the crucial Guadalcanal airfield. Such disarray within Japanese forces was the major element for American victory. The rough terrain faced by the Japanese was another factor for the American victory, as Japanese forces were down with fatigue and could not prove their mettle in counter-offensive attacks.

Such disarray within Japanese forces was the major element for American victory. (The Battle of Guadalcanal) Lessons learned The lessons from this battle have relevance to current defense preparations by the US. Various defense studies have reinforced the fact that America cannot afford to neglect events in the Pacific region if the country has to safeguard its economic and security interests. With China increasing its military might and economic hold on world trade, the importance of the Pacific region is still high on the American defense agenda.

The challenges posed by many nations towards ‘anti-access’ or ‘area–denial’ strategies for Americans still pose threats to the country’s security. These causes lead to the battle of Guadalcanal, forcing Americans to recapture strategic Pacific islands from Japan, during world war. They are important even today. (Holzer) Logistics of the area remains a challenge, irrespective of the development of modern weaponry with the latest technology. Supply routes are vulnerable even today. The time and distance involved with any military operations in the area have relevance even today, as the forces need to access the rough vast terrain of the region.

The lessons learned by marines and sailors during the Guadalcanal battle have been relevant for all the following campaigns in the Pacific region. The policy changes for Asia-pacific, including military strategies have been influenced by such lessons, being relevant for the Marine and Naval Corps in 2012, as well.