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World War II
Episode117

December 04, 2023

Holding the Line: Guadalcanal's Test of Endurance

Holding the Line: Guadalcanal's Test of Endurance
38:57
Listen on Apple Spotify

With the Navy pulling out, the Marines on Guadalcanal were left in a bad situation. General Vandegrift had no choice but to tighten the perimeter around Lunga Point, focusing all defenses on the airfield. Marine engineers struggled to keep the airfield operational, facing daily air raids and supply shortages. We'll close the episode with the Marines bracing for the Battle of the Tenaru, their first large-scale ground fight of the campaign.

References

  1. Chapin, J. C. (1997). Top of the Ladder: Marine Operations in the Northern Solomons. United States: Marine Corps Historical Center.
  2. Hough, F. O., Crown, J. A. (1952). The Campaign on New Britain. United States: Historical Division, Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps.
  3. Melson, C. D. (1993). Up the Slot: Marines in the Central Solomons. United States: History and Museums Division, Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps.
  4. 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.
  5. The Onslow County News and Views. (1944, June 2). "Fighting Father of the Year" Tells How He Disobeyed Orders to Fight Japs. The Onslow County News and Views, p. 1.
  6. Rentz, J. N. (1948). Bougainville and the Northern Solomons. United States: Historical Sect., Division of Public Information, Headquarters, Marine Corps.
  7. Rentz, J. N. (1952). Marines in the Central Solomons. United States: Historical Branch, Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps.
  8. 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.
  9. Shaw, H. I. (1996). First Offensive: The Marine Campaign for Guadalcanal. (n.p.): DIANE Publishing Company.
  10. Tampa Bay Times. (1944, May 30). Marine Maj. Fred Conderman of Bern, N.C., is named "fighting father of the year" by the National Father's Day committee. Tampa Bay Times, p. 1.
  11. Zimmerman, J. L. (1949). The Guadalcanal Campaign. United States: Historic Division, Headquarters, U. S. Marine Corps.

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