Dark Waters, Starry Skies: The Guadalcanal-Solomons Campaign, March-October 1943

Dark Waters, Starry Skies: The Guadalcanal-Solomons Campaign, March-October 1943
With Jeffrey R. Cox
Part of Pacific Week on WW2TV
More WW2TV content about New Guinea and the Solomon Islands
• New Guinea and the Sol...
Battles at Sea and Naval History on WW2TV
• Battles at Sea and Nav...
Thousands of miles from friendly ports, the US Navy had finally managed to complete the capture of Guadalcanal from the Japanese in early 1943. Now the Allies sought to keep the offensive momentum won at such a high cost. This show will cover that period, leading up to the Allied invasion of New Georgia, northwest of Guadalcanal in the middle of the Solomon Islands and the location of a major Japanese base. Determined not to repeat their mistakes at Guadalcanal, the Allies nonetheless faltered in their continuing efforts to roll back the Japanese land, air and naval forces.
Our guest today is Jeffrey R. Cox making his third appearance on WW2TV. Jeffrey is a litigation attorney and an independent military historian specialising in WWII naval campaigns. His first interest was in the Pacific War, which he has studied for more than 30 years. A student of history, international affairs, and defense policy for most of his life, Cox holds a degree in National Security Policy Studies from The Ohio State University and a doctorate of jurisprudence from Indiana University School of Law.
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Jeff's previous appearance on WW2TV
80th Anniversary of the Battle of Cape Esperance • 80th Anniversary of th...
The Battle of Java Sea • The Battle of the Java...
Other Naval Battles on WW2TV:
The Battle of the Bismarck Sea - Michael Veitch • The Battle of the Bism...
The Battle of the Coral Sea • The Battle of the Cora...
Turning Points in the Battle of the Atlantic • Turning Points in the ...
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[@Chiller01]

I learned a ton during this presentation. Jeffery Cox is a great combination of substance and style.

[@philbosworth3789]

Jeff is one of those brilliant tutors. Brilliant, knowledgeable, entertaining and will engage your interest like it or not. What an episode.

[@davidlavigne207]

This presentation was great to watch. The Guadalcanal-Solomons campaign was so heartbreaking for both sides due to its attritional nature. I truly believe that it was this campaign which broke the back of the Japanese forces. That they didn't give up after such losses they suffered has always amazed me. That the U.S Navy, Marines and Army continued to press forward after such bloodbaths astounds me as well. As always, Jeffry Cox is worth the time to listen to.

[@stevej8005]

Fascinating programme about the fighting and progress up the Solomon Islands chain. Big thanks to Jeffrey for such an engaging presentation - style, substance and humour👍👍👍

[@dave3156]

Exceptionally entertaining and informative program today. I think Jeffrey could hold my attention on any subject. Very good program today. Thanks Jeffrey. Thanks Paul--always the best on your end!

[@mammuchan8923]

Always nice to listen to such a knowledgeable guest 👍

[@jeffklepzig920]

"Except in Afghanistan" Snigger. I love this guy.

[@Neaptide184]

Honestly, my first reaction was to dislike Jeffery’s “snark” and “sarcasm”, but about two minutes in I realized he reminded me of one of the two history instructors who had the most effect on my love of history (in a very positive way). We need to make a movie with a character modeled after this. Fun stuff. Will,go back and watch his other posts here, and find the first of his 4 part “trilogy”……

[@samuelwoodley986]

Thanks for doing what you do. You’re helping me finally understand in more detail what my grandfather was a part of. Pfc James E Hackwith, A Company 132nd Infantry Regiment Americal Division. From Guadalcanal to the Philippines.

[@morganhale3434]

This was excellent, so par for the course for WWTV and Mr. Cox, you two could do a weekly what's in the Sunday papers and I would watch! Also, I can't wait for the Coast Watchers show because the intro focusing on them by Mr. Cox was so full of information that I wasn't prepared for, well done.

[@KevinJones-yh2jb]

Just finished watching a rerun of Jeff’s presentation last night. Always a joy listening to him, fantastic knowledge and research. I have learnt so much of the Pacific campaign. Bring Jeff back again soon, thanks Jeff and Woody

[@barriereid9244]

Excellent lecture.

[@jonrettich-ff4gj]

There is an antique tradition among Japanese that a usually younger warrior will perceive the emporer’s need or wish and headstrong go break all the rules. I know in WW2 this was several times manifested in China the incident that led to taking Manchuria, the colonel in the Philippines that defied Yamashitas directives and the young officers revolt at the end of the war. As always a valuable addition to my understanding. As ever thank you and your guest

[@patrickwentz8413]

Will watch this tomorrow during the winter storm.

[@Mongo_UK]

6:54 will be quoting Jeff from here on! Although my research is on the Western Campaigns, his point highlights the importance of Phantom and why they were such a critical unit to the war effort.

[@cheesenoodles8316]

Another excellent program, a very knowledgeable and engaging guest.

[@user-dc1ud6px3s]

Why is Mr. Cox dressed like a James Bond villian? Just kidding, I'm a fan.

[@markrunnalls7215]

Excellent Paul ,very informative .

[@TheVigilant109]

Very interesting. Learned a lot today. Many thanks

[@Scaadoo]

Very enjoyable programme thank you Paul

[@WW2TV]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@1089maul]

Woody/Jeff, If I am honest, the Pacific campaign isn’t my subject and I have read very little about it. However, with Woody’s style of being a host and Jeff’s knowledge and style, I thoroughly enjoyed this presentation! Very informative. The whole presentation had a nice flow and was easy to understand. Thanks to you both. Bob

[@WW2TV]

Thanks Bob

[@dermotrooney9584]

Excellent stuff! 🌟

[@dennisweidner288]

The LSTs were not just used for landings, but after D-Dsy the Allies did not have a port. The LSTs were used to supply the Allied Armies, going back and forth from England, and landing the supplies on the beaches. This is why so many LSTs were needed in Europe. German units held out in many of the ports for months.

[@WW2TV]

Good point Dennis

[@airborngrmp1]

The Japanese seemed to really have a bad habit of believing (or at least recording at face value) the absurdly inflated claims of casualties inflicted by naval air strike. Does anyone have a decent source that juxtaposes their inflated numbers with reality, or any similar data analysis?

[@user-xj6rr3yv8q]

Jeffery, are you on the Bosporus?

[@WW2TV]

Well his green screen image was yes

[@JeffreyWilliams-dr7qe]

The Solomons are much more complex than Java Sea. I will watch despite advice from worshippers.

[@allancarey2604]

Hate to do this but Rabaul is pronounced Rah-Ball

[@WW2TV]

And yet you can find pronunciation guides offering variations, such as Ruh Bowl. Like many geographical names there are more than one accepted pronunciation

[@allancarey2604]

@@WW2TV - Yeah, its only based on living in Port Moresby for years as a kid & as an adult...not to mention how the locals pronouce it.

[@WW2TV]

@@allancarey2604 No need for sarcasm

[@markrunnalls7215]

I heard that a Brit element helped the US successfully land on the Solomon islands .. I believe it was a couple of RN intel officer's and a handful of native people that aided there landing ?? The reason for me hearing about this is via Dr Mark Felton's you tube history channel ,Mark Felton productions .

[@edmundmcalister119]

Knowledgeable, but comes across as pedantic and glib. Even though my grandfather fought in the Guadalcanal Campaign from roughly Sept. 42 through May 43, I'll probably check this out in the library ... I dislike it when an author talks as if things should have been obvious to one and all; we weren't there, we weren't privy to the information they had; we weren't under the same stresses.

[@WW2TV]

His syle is unique, that's for sure

[@JPKelly-xr7tr]

This.

[@warrenklein7817]

Knowledgeable and the best explanation of the Coast Watchers I have seen. As to manner of delivery, different from most but effective.