The early Pacific battles bring heroism and hardship, success and failure… long before victory. In the aftermath of World War I, the vast Pacific Ocean became the setting for a struggle between imperialistic Japan and isolationist America. Japan, eager for resources it lacked, invaded Manchuria, and later China. The situation in the Far East set Japan on a collision course with the United States, a course that ultimately led to the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. Japan's success on December 7th began an unbroken tide of victory and conquest. For the next six months, the military forces of Imperial Japan swept virtually unchecked throughout the Pacific. However, in May of 1942, the tide began to turn at the Battle of the Coral Sea, before the pivotal American victory at Midway opened the way for the United States to strike back. The question was when and where. On August 7, 1942, Marines of the First Division went ashore on Guadalcanal, the opening move of what would become a six month struggle to wrest control of the lower Solomon Islands from the Japanese. Much of the American strategy for the war in the Pacific was derived from the experience on Guadalcanal. The story of these early Pacific battles is one of heroism and hardship, success and failure, and ultimately, final victory. Experience first hand these pivotal battles through the vivid images captured by the combat cameramen and as told by those who were there. Over 8 1/2 hours, contains combat veteran first person accounts.

Part 5 Guadalcanal Pt. 1

GUADALCANAL THE ISLAND OF DEATH. From this story of mistakes and heroism would rise the genesis of American land, sea and air strategy for the rest of the war in the Pacific. It included six major naval battles, daily aerial engagements and countless clashes on land. No campaign in either theater saw such sustained action by sea, land and air. In the summer of 1942, America was still reeling from the attack on Pearl Harbor and the humiliating victories of the Japanese throughout the Far East. Then came the battles of the Coral Sea and the pivotal Battle for Midway. Japan had been effectively countered and it was time to launch an attack. Operation Watchtower, the code name for the first landing of American forces on a Japanese held island would occur on Guadalcanal, August, 7, 1942. This was the opening of a six month campaign to wrest control of the lower Solomon Islands from the Japanese Empire. From this story of mistakes and heroism would rise the genesis of American land, sea and air strategy for the rest of the war in the Pacific. Join the Marines as they go ashore on the Japanese held islands of Tulagi and Guadalcanal and watch as the enemy quickly counters their early successes.

Chapters included Day of Infamy; The Rising Sun; The Coral Sea; Midway; Pestilence; Watchtower; First Offensive; The Battle of Savo Island; First Days Ashore; The Tenaru; The Battle of the Eastern Solomons; Boredon & Fear; The Battle of Edson's Ridge; Loss of the Wasp

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