World War II
Episode115
November 20, 2023
The Bloody Prelude: Tulagi and the Road to Guadalcanal
While the main invasion force stormed Guadalcanal, a smaller but equally critical battle unfolded on Tulagi. As Marines waded through chest-deep surf, they found themselves facing an enemy that would not surrender. Fighting through thick jungle and jagged ridgelines, they encountered machine-gun nests, sniper fire, and relentless counterattacks. The battle for Tulagi would turn the island into a brutal proving ground for the Marines.
References
- Chapin, J. C. (1997). Top of the Ladder: Marine Operations in the Northern Solomons. United States: Marine Corps Historical Center.
- Hough, F. O., Crown, J. A. (1952). The Campaign on New Britain. United States: Historical Division, Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps.
- Melson, C. D. (1993). Up the Slot: Marines in the Central Solomons. United States: History and Museums Division, Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps.
- Mersky, P. B. (1993). Time of the Aces: Marine Pilots in the Solomons, 1942-1944. United States: History and Museums Division, Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps.
- Rentz, J. N. (1948). Bougainville and the Northern Solomons. United States: Historical Sect., Division of Public Information, Headquarters, Marine Corps.
- Rentz, J. N. (1952). Marines in the Central Solomons. United States: Historical Branch, Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps.
- Shaw, H. I., Kane, D. T. (2013). Isolation of Rabaul: History of U. S. Marine Corps Operations in World War II, Volume II. United States: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform.
- Shaw, H. I. (1996). First Offensive: The Marine Campaign for Guadalcanal. (n.p.): DIANE Publishing Company.
- Zimmerman, J. L. (1949). The Guadalcanal Campaign. United States: Historic Division, Headquarters, U. S. Marine Corps.
Explore the battles from this episode
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