Guadalcanal

Question 1

Why did the Americans attack Guadalcanal?

Answer 1

Because the Japanese where constructing an Airfield there that could threaten supply lines to Australia.

Question 2

When did the Invasion occur?

Answer 2

The 7th of August 1942.

Question 3

What American Land Forces were involved in the invasion?

Answer 3

1st Marine Raiders

Question 4

What was the name of the Operation for taking Guadalcanal?

Answer 4

Operation Watchtower

Question 5

What were the designations for the beaches that were invaded?

Answer 5

Red Beach - On Guadalcanal.
Blue Beach - On Tulagi

Question 6

What is Iron Bottom Sound?

Answer 6

It is the place where many Japanese and American Navy vessels sank.

Question 7

Where is the Iron Bottom Sound?

Answer 7

It is bit of ocean to the east of Savo Island, the north of Guadalcanal and the south of Florida Island.

Question 8

What was the code name of Guadalcanal by the Americans?

Answer 8

Cactus

Question 9

What name did the Japanese give Bloody Ridge?

Answer 9

Centipede, because of how it looked from the air.

Question 10

Who was the airfield the Americans built on Guadalcanal named after?

Answer 10

Lofton Russell “Lofty” Henderson, an aviator who died at Midway.

Question 11

When did US forces capture Henderson field?

Answer 11

8th of August 1942

Question 12

When did the Americans secure Tulagi?

Answer 12

8th of August 1942.

Question 13

When was Gavutu-Tanambogo secured?

Answer 13

9th of August 1942.

Question 14

How many troops attacked Tulagi & Gavutu-Tanambogo?

Answer 14

3,000 U.S. Marines under the command of Brigadier General William Rupertus.

Question 15

How many casualties did the Japanese sustain at Gavutu-Tanambogo and Tulagi during the opening days?

Answer 15

Almost to the last man, there were 886 IJN personnel manning the naval and seaplane bases on the three islands. Approximately 20 prisoners were taken.

Question 16

What type of base had the Japanese put in Gavutu-Tanambogo?

Answer 16

Due to it being a protected harbour, it was an ideal location for a sea plane base.

Question 17

Where is Gavutu-Tanambogo relative to Tulagi?

Answer 17

These islets are approximately 3.5km east of Tulagi.

Question 18

Where is Gavutu in relation to Tanambogo?

Answer 18

Gavutu is SSE of Tanambogo. They were connected by a bridge.

Question 19

Who was in command of the troops on Tulagi and Gavutu-Tanambogo for the Japanese?

Answer 19

Captain Shigetoshi Miyazaki commanded the 3rd Kure Special Naval Landing Force (SNLF) plus members of the Yokohama Air Group.

Question 20

Who was in charge of the 1st Marine Division during this campaign?

Answer 20

Major General Alexander Vandegrift

Question 21

When did the Goettge Patrol Depart?

Answer 21

11/08/1942

Question 22

How many men were in the Goettge Patrol?

Answer 22

26 men. These included Lieutenant Colonel Frank Goettge and a Japanese Naval Rating.

Question 23

How many men survived the ambush on the Goettge Patrol?

Answer 23

3 - Sergeant Charles Arndt, Corporal Joseph Spaulding and Sergeant Frank Few

Question 24

What was the purpose of the Goettge Patrol?

Answer 24

It was initially a recon patrol of the western Matanikau region and return through the hills to the Marine perimeter the next day. However, it was thought the Japanese wanted to surrender so it was intended to try and encourage a surrender.

Question 25

Where is Red Beach?

Answer 25

It is located between Koli and Lunga Point on Guadalcanal?

Question 26

When did the Battle of Savo Island Occur?

Answer 26

The 8th-9th of August 1942.

Question 27

Was the Battle of Savo Island a tactical victory for the Japanese or American forces?

Answer 27

The Japanese.

Question 28

How many Allied ships were sunk or scuttled due to the Battle of Savo Island?

Answer 28

4 Heavy Cruisers - USS Quincy, USS Astoria, USS Vincennes and HMAS Canberra.

Question 29

Who commanded the Japanese Vessels at the Battle of Savo Island?

Answer 29

Vice Admiral Gunichi Mikawa.

Question 30

Why was the Battle of Savo Island not a strategic Victory?

Answer 30

Because the Japanese did not attack the exposed landing/transport ships as they thought the American Carriers were still in the area.

Question 31

Who commanded the First Marine Raider Battalion?

Answer 31

Major General Merritt Austin “Red Mike” Edson, Sr.

Question 32

Who led the Americal Division when thy fought in Guadalcanal?

Answer 32

Major General Alexander Patch.

Question 33

What American Airplanes operated from Henderson Field?

Answer 33

Vought F4U Corsair, Douglas SBD Dauntless, Vought OS2U Kingfisher,

Question 34

How many casualties did the Americans sustain during the campaign?

Question 35

How many casualties did the Japanese sustain during the campaign?

Question 36

How many Japanese ships rest on Iron Bottom Sound?

Question 37

How many American ships rest on Iron Bottom Sound?

Question 38

How many Australian ships rest on Iron Bottom Sound?

Question 39

JFK Story.

Question 40

Alligator Creek.