It was the combination of the New Guinea victory (Buna/Gona) in Jan 43. Then the Guadalcanal victory in Feb 43 that finally shifted the strategic initiative to the Allies. I’m American and Australian. You do realize the massive amount of material and men the Japanese committed and lost on Guadalcanal. Many were destined for New Guinea and had to be diverted. In sept 42 the Japanese were still pushing the Australians back on the Kokoda track. It was primarily the us victory on bloody ridge that caused a halt on the Kokoda track. Then it gave time for the Australian 7th Div to arrive and conduct the counterattack. The Japanese could not fight both campaigns. They certainly looked at the Kokoda and Guadalcanal campaigns as one. Most of the Australian historians, including the AWM, agree with this. The US only committed one division, the 32nd, early to the campaign, not 2. The 41st Div was in Australia. My friend Dr Peter Williams wrote a good book on the myths of Kokoda. Like the Australians were outnumbered is one.

@@guadalcanal-walkingabattle5349 What you say is true (acknowledged the 41 Division was still training in Australia) but the overwhelming focus on Guadcanal misses the contribution of the Australian Army. A lot of this was due to MacArthur and his PR team (Victories were American, Defeats were Allies) .You might also consider the contribution of the Australians soldiers and Airman (supported by US Army Engineers and AA gunners) at Milne Bay - The first Allied victory on land against the Japanese in the Pacific and East Asian theatre.

@@sagnal MacArthur thank goodness had no involvement in the Guadalcanal Campaign. It was under Nimitz. The first land battle victory at Milne Bay is also controversial. Really it was the Soviets that defeated the Japanese in 39. An entire division was destroyed. Then Tulagi in Aug 7, then Alligator Creek on 21 Aug. All before Milne Bay. I do not wish to disparage the Australians. I know they got a bad deal under McArthur especially in 44-45. I think people have a nationality biased focus on their owns country’s efforts. Since living in Australia for 30 years I can see that with both the US and Australia.

Your welcome. Mid next year I will have a book published that the 164th features heavily in. Their fights around the Matanikau

Glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for the kind words.

Thanks

Probably a never addressed facet 😀

What’s his name ?

@@guadalcanal-walkingabattle5349 his name was sergeant Nolen M Garrett

H/2/2, then 2nd Raiders, then 27th Marines on Iwo Jima. He was a badass. His Silver Star was during the Re commencement of the Matanikau Nov offensive. I know where he earned that medal. It’s a Rove and very near the police headquarters today. I’m currently writing a book about the fights around there. You should PM me on my Guadalcanal facebook page

Cool

I’m guessing you mean the M1917 .30 water cooled gun. It was considered a HMG at the time. Along with the M2 .50 cal.

@@guadalcanal-walkingabattle5349 thanks

Near the ridge. More toward coffin corner. About 300 yards from the ridge in a flat jungle swamp

Thanks buddy

Thanks

Thanks