Here is the first post of the series “American Stalingrad,” the history of the Guadalcanal campaign. There will be several other posts between now and July 31, at which time the series will go behind the paywall. I hope these will interest free subscribers sufficiently for them to take up a paid subscription to follow this and several other interesting projects under development.
My Dad, on the USS Mindanao, a repair ship, told me stories of fighting in all of these, at least from Sept 43 on. He saw me at six months old, just before he departed. He came back after Okinawa.
I lived on Guam as a young kid from 1950 to 1956. We got hear many stories about the Japanese occupation and they still had the last of their soldiers coming out of the jungle who were sure they had not lost. Also was taken to one of caves used to hide Tweed a US personal by the Guamainins who reported on troop movements to the Navy. Your story is bringing back many memories. Looking forward to more!
I love the details about the Airacobra ground crews who assembled the aircraft. Truly the unsung heroes of the South Pacific operations. Also I didn’t realize that Yorktown and Enterprise (my father’s ship) visited the South Pacific so early.
Yeah, their first deployment was in early February, for the Marshalls-Gilberts raids, then Yorktown went back down and rendezvoused with Lexington for the Lae strikes, then they both went back down for Coral Sea.
No stories to tell about this campaign, except that my nephew went cave diving at Truk Atoll, probably in the 80’s if memory serves. Seems sea beds of warships make great diving spots.
History has not been kind to Gen. MacArthur. Apparently he was quite the stuffed shirt, expecting linen table cloths and valet service everywhere he went. Popping in for consultations with field commanders by flying boat, but only after the band could be in place to welcome him. I know you are not a member of Big Mac's fan club, TC, but was he actually useful an any way?
He came up with the "island hopping" campaign which cut Allied losses by leaving Japanese troops to "wither on the vine." He also came up with the Inchon Invasion in Korea, the most difficult amphibious operation ever. The joke was the biggest office in his staff was the public relations office. He is mostly seen well by the Right.
My Dad, on the USS Mindanao, a repair ship, told me stories of fighting in all of these, at least from Sept 43 on. He saw me at six months old, just before he departed. He came back after Okinawa.
I lived on Guam as a young kid from 1950 to 1956. We got hear many stories about the Japanese occupation and they still had the last of their soldiers coming out of the jungle who were sure they had not lost. Also was taken to one of caves used to hide Tweed a US personal by the Guamainins who reported on troop movements to the Navy. Your story is bringing back many memories. Looking forward to more!
George Tweed's story is very interesting. They made a movie out of it in the early 60s as I recall.
Do you recall the title? I would love to see it. Thanks
"No Man Is An Island" (1962) starring Jeffrey Hunter as Tweed.
Thanks a bunch!
That's a riveting account, Tom. You write this stuff so well, SNAFUs and all!
Well written as always. Waiting will be a challenge.
I love the details about the Airacobra ground crews who assembled the aircraft. Truly the unsung heroes of the South Pacific operations. Also I didn’t realize that Yorktown and Enterprise (my father’s ship) visited the South Pacific so early.
Yeah, their first deployment was in early February, for the Marshalls-Gilberts raids, then Yorktown went back down and rendezvoused with Lexington for the Lae strikes, then they both went back down for Coral Sea.
No stories to tell about this campaign, except that my nephew went cave diving at Truk Atoll, probably in the 80’s if memory serves. Seems sea beds of warships make great diving spots.
Yes, that's one of the great dive spots on the planet. All sunk in the great raid of February 17, 1944
Excellent and compelling. Wish more of our country-folk knew our history.
Once again, I’m lucky to be reading your work.
Waiting TC...patiently.
Wow TC! I'm getting caught up on my reading and this is fascinating. Your knowledge of this is incredible.
History has not been kind to Gen. MacArthur. Apparently he was quite the stuffed shirt, expecting linen table cloths and valet service everywhere he went. Popping in for consultations with field commanders by flying boat, but only after the band could be in place to welcome him. I know you are not a member of Big Mac's fan club, TC, but was he actually useful an any way?
He came up with the "island hopping" campaign which cut Allied losses by leaving Japanese troops to "wither on the vine." He also came up with the Inchon Invasion in Korea, the most difficult amphibious operation ever. The joke was the biggest office in his staff was the public relations office. He is mostly seen well by the Right.