The Fight for Guadalcanal WWII - Operation Watchtower | FULL DOCUMENTARY

This is the real story of Operation Watchtower, America's first victorious attack on Japanese-held land and one of the fiercest battles in the Pacific in WWII. Dramatic filmed combat footage in Color and B&W and rare still photography capture all the intense fighting from the air, sea, and land. Witness the six months of hell that earned Guadalcanal the nickname, The Island of Death in 1942.

[@allencampbell4460]

My father landed there on August 7th, 1942 with the First Marine Division, and carrying his favorite rifle...the 1903 Springfield. He went on to fight on the island hopping campaign in the Pacific. He contracted Malaria, and was wounded by a Japanese mortar, but continued on with the First Marine Division to Pelelieu. He went through Hell again in Korea in the Frozen Chosin. RIP dad.

[@biggtrux]

My dad was frozen at the Chosin too. RIP to our dads.

[@brimac58]

Thank you, Sir🇺🇸

[@justonsullivan3807]

Your Father is a real Hero my friend. I hope your Father R.I.P, he will never be forgotten. 👊🇺🇲🗽🇺🇲👊

[@Railhog2102]

1st Marine Division let's go 🇺🇸

[@allenbuck5589]

Semper fi.

[@AirborneAirAssault6565]

Yes! The greatest generation! Today's Z Generation I question if they would have the guts and backbone and discipline to fight for America and the world. I see the active military daily and am disappointed at their overweight and out of shape standards. Leaders are also disappointed. Lower the standards doesn't make things better. DEI training over war fighting skills! Hopefully they will prove my thought to be wrong. But I for see a war coming because of our weak mentally declined president. Taiwan, North Korea, Ukraine and the Middle East along with terrorist many of our political leaders have allowed into our country.

[@carywest9256]

As a teenager in the late '70s, l had an elderly feller who was our Construction Trades teacher in high school. In what spare time from our first hour of classroom instruction."Mr. Rock" would tell the class of his time on Guadalcanal with the Marines. He didn't glorify his time in WWII, he told it plainly, war is Hell. I will never forget a time he says some Nip prisoners passing through the lines. He was one of several men to take the prisoners to the rear. His immediate commander wanted the prisoners eliminated, but "Mr.Rock" said he couldn't murder anyone even though they were enemy soldiers. So the enemy Nip he took into the jungle, didn't know what was happening. "Mr. Rock" shot a round into the air, saying the Nip jumped at first. Then "Mr. Rock" pointed in a direction he wanted the guy to go.He fired a couple of more rounds, and the Nip caught the hint. The only thing "Mr.Rock" regretted was maybe the Nip circled back to enemy lines. But in conclusion, he told us he couldn't shoot an unarmed man. Even if he was an hated enemy soldier. I had"Mr.Rock's" wife as a math teacher in 6th&8th grade. If they are still living, both would be touching 100 years if not older. Teachers in this day & age can't even top these two people that taught me.

[@larryb982]

You should really try find out if they are both still living and get his story on video. Time is limited soon there where only be one of the last then no more. Nice to hear some of his story.

[@Lucky-sh1dm]

Ngl huge L as a marine to let that prisoner just go back to his lines Lmfao. Wouldn’t want that pussssey in my squad at all.

[@chrisnizer5702]

Best move Nimitz made was replacing Ghormley with Admiral Halsey. And the best move Ernest King made was giving Nimitz command of the Pacific fleet. Thanks for the video and thanks for all the Veterans who served. Semper Fidelis Marines!

[@dukeford]

Nimitz was sent to the Pacific by Frank Knox. If it had been up to King, Royal Ingersol would have been the Pacific Fleet commander.

[@chrisnizer5702]

@@dukeford F.D.R. was the one who did the actual "choosing." He was Asst. Secretary of the Navy and knew of Nimitz personally and handpicked him for the job. King was smart enough to know how to let him do it and replace Ghormley when he did.

[@dukeford8893]

@@chrisnizer5702 Nimitz couldn't do jack shitt without being directed by Ernest King. People seem to think that Nimitz was the brains behind the entire War in the Pacific. He wasn't.

[@patrickcalabro8718]

Yamamoto declared that Guadalcanal is the graveyard 🪦 of the Japanese 🇯🇵 Army if I am correct. Strategically, Japan wanted Guadalcanal for an eventual invasion and occupation of Pearl Harbor. Once Pearl was in their hands, then offensive operations were to begin at San Diego Naval Base and other selected targets 🎯 on the western coast of the U.S. Never seen anything like 👍 this video and just how expansive this undertaking was. thanks 🇺🇸 🎌 🚩 🧑‍🎤 🏁 👩‍💼

[@willoutlaw4971]

There were African American sailors who were members of the United States Navy stationed on Guadalcanal during the fighting on Guadalcanal. As usual, they were not recognized.

[@ronaldedson496]

Did they distinguish themselves?

[@willoutlaw4971]

@ronaldedson496 Yes. They were there, and they honorably served.

[@ronaldedson496]

Like dorey miller?

[@guycastonguay9633]

@@ronaldedson496 Go o line and see THE RED TAILS a negro fighter squadron that helped win the war!

[@allencampbell4460]

@@willoutlaw4971 a black sergeant by the name of Cobb saved my father's life by taking out a Japanese sniper in a palm tree.

[@platoon2047]

Semper Fi! I became a Marine in 1969 because men like these were my roll models growing up. Thanks to all of them for what they did and endured and stood for. And the 'them' are all the US servicemen (and of any color).

[@morgancarrillo6004]

what many did NOT know, JAPAN arrested almost 496,000 koreans, about 286,000 Vietnamese, an estimated 163,000 Thaise ( Thailand ) , about 82,650 soldiers/ slaves from Cambodia and Laos, and an estimated 41,000 slaves / soldiers from southWest and southEast China.... trained as army to defend and fight for JAPANESE IMPERIAL Dynasty

[@patrickmccrann991]

They were not used as combat troops. They were labor troops; the Japanese were completely disdainful of anyone not of Japanese ancestry.

[@billyrock8305]

Thoughts and actions ruled the day folks. (Prayers did nothing) 🇺🇸 #1

[@daffyduck7336]

The Japanese nickname for the Guadalcanal was "starvation island "

[@buzz5969]

They gave it an english name?

[@raigarmullerson4838]

@@buzz5969 yes, they all spoke english at the time

[@diannataylor2192]

GOD BLESS OUR TROOPS

[@sirmiles1820]

this is so much better than tv documentaries like Pacific. It really showed so much about this battle.

[@randallhatcher6028]

Finally I find one with a American narrative. No Brits .

[@Robert-yh9jq]

My uncle got the million dollar wound during that battle. He got hit defending alligator creek aproch. Walked with limp rest of his life

[@BeverlyBirgenheier]

My Great Uncle was a communications man in the Marines. Thankfully he came home

[@zadzad4353]

From my pov.. War in the pacific from CBI'china-burma -india theatre to the jungles off Malaya all the way to Okinawa island are more brutal and unforgiving than in europe where not just the enemy alone,the elements and the infections off the infamous "Jungle Fever" Malaria, Dengue fever and dysentery deseases etc alone can caused such a significant problems if not stop the operations off the whole army infantry..😅

[@ronaldedson496]

September 12-14, 1942, one battery of 105's (4) covered a 1800 yard ridge at 50 yard intervals a silvered haired PFC became an officer with precise fire.

[@mikeaguilar5764]

Marines are not soldiers and soldiers are not Marines. Calling a Marine a "soldier" is fighting words.

[@jjj1951]

So what

[@mikeaguilar5764]

@@jjj1951 Try saying that to a Marine.

[@blockmasterscott]

Marines=jar heads. Army=army doggies Navy=squids Air Force when formed after WW2=propeller heads. Gotta love the nicknames. 😂😂😂

[@mikeaguilar5764]

@@blockmasterscott Air Force=Zoomies. Coast Guard=Puddle Jumpers

[@evan-douglasmason3755]

I read that the Japanese nickname for the 'canal was buggy-hot.

[@edwinsalau150]

😂

[@edwinsalau150]

Rove that expression!

[@carywest9256]

Is that Anglo English for damn sultry, as we Southerners would say in Texas.

[@evan-douglasmason3755]

@@carywest9256 YUP.

[@blockmasterscott]

@@carywest9256oh man, you reminded me of growing up near Shreveport, Louisiana. When I was a kid, I remember the mail box at the highway being so hot that it left red marks on my arm when I reached in to get the mail. And that same mailbox had icicles hanging off of it in the wintertime. All those mile long trips to get the mail out of the mail box because my mom told me to get it…..

[@Agent-kb3zb]

Nice footage and well done.

[@katherinegates1559]

🇺🇲🇺🇲🇺🇲 My Dad was also there.... Guadalcanal and Okinawa.....1942 - 1946....🇺🇲🇺🇲

[@williamcanter3233]

My Father Was In WW11 Germany and uncle WW11 South Pacific Father day 6 On The Beach My Uncle Not Sure But Was there Quickly

[@jeffreym.keilen1095]

I have been told that the USS Massachusetts fired the first and last rounds of the war.

[@rq83]

I'm not sure if what you were told is accurate 🤔. Google it.

[@francishooper9548]

The war started in 1939 and, as in the First World War, the USA sat on the sidelines for as long as it could.

[@salvadorvizcarra769]

@@francishooper9548 Propaganda, but NOT History, has led us to believe that the Empire of Japan began its territorial expansion in the 1930’s, invading China, creating the puppet State of Manchukuo and “Provoking” the war with the Western Powers. But, Was this really, how events happened? Did Japan invade China and South East Asia? It seems so. However, the Propaganda does NOT say that for centuries, all Asia was invaded by Western Powers. England occupied India, Burma (Myanmar); Singapore, Malaysia and China (Hong Kong, Nanking, Shanghai, etc). France dominated all Indochina. The Netherlands intervened by the Force of its Arms, to all of Indonesia. And Belgium, Germany, Portugal, Spain, and of course, also the United States were in South East Asia cuz, for example this country, the US, occupied the Philippines since 1898. (Spanish-American War). Thus the panorama in the 30's, the Empire of Japan, when defeating to the Tsarist Russian Empire, it also decided to "Grow" by invading its neighbors. In those years, all European nations had colonies in Africa, India, the Middle East, Asia and America. (England came to occupy almost ¼ part of the planet). For its part, the US, in 113 years of existence as a nation in those years, had "Grown" 711 the size of its territory from its original 13 colonies. Now is the picture clear? Japan for its part, had fought on the side of the winners in World War I (1914-1918), and they, the Japanese, not awarded any "Gain". The western victors of WWI divided the world. Japan was excluded. Thus, Japan's motives for attacking and expanding as the Europeans and the US did seem clearer, right? Then they, the Japanese, attacked China in 30’s, which was occupied by 6 Western Powers for almost a century. None of the Western Powers occupying China at this time, OPPOSED or fought Japan for Invading China. NONE! Then, 11 years later after having occupied the territory of China and coexisted without any problem with the Western Powers within China, they, the Japanese, attacked Hawaii, which in turn, this Island had been occupied and annexed by the US in 1898. (In 1900-01, Hawaii became US territory and Hawaii ceased to be an independent nation after more than 630 years of sovereignty. By the time Japan attacked Pearl Harbor, the United States had just completed the 40th anniversary of the military occupation and annexation of Hawaii). They, the Japanese, attacked Singapore, which was then a Colony of England. They, the Japanese, attacked the Philippines, which were occupied by the US and whose Gov’r, Douglas MacArthur reined as Emperor. Yup… Truly like an Absolute Autocrat. Therefore, the Japanese did NOT attack (In the 40’s), Singapore, China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Borneo, Timor, the Philippines, etc. In reality, the Japanese attacked England, France, Belgium, Holland, the US, etc. That is, the Japanese attacked the Western Powers invading all of Asia. That is the verifiable truth. But, Propaganda has made us believe that the good guys were us, the US. And of course… Nanking was a horrendous Genocide committed by Japan, but, it was no more horrendous than the 12 Genocides committed by the United States in his History and all over the world. Nor was it less horrendous than the Genocide committed by King Leopold II of Belgium, in Central Africa. Nor was Nanking more or less horrendous than the Genocides that the British Empire committed in America, Africa, Australia, Middle East, India and also in China too. In the Philippines (1898-1902), the US Army produced a Genocide of One Million people dead. And now, the Japanese are our friends and allies... Yup… But, to fight against China, AGAIN!!! Well… No More. No More British Malaya nor British Borneo nor British wherever. No More French Indochina. No more Dutch Indies. No More Portugese Domains. No More US Domain here. Asia is for Asians and “The China Sea” belongs to CHINA. Westerns powers have nothing to do in Asia.

[@patrickmccrann991]

Nope, that is not true.

[@SerenityMae11]

Yup its true

[@waitakereman]

For every 4 kiwis that went into the pacific only 2 came back. We won't forget them

[@PaulineYao-dx1co]

Poor American soldiers.

[@nathanhearld474]

So what is Henderson field used for now

[@platoon2047]

Doesn't matter anymore. It served its pupose 80 years ago very well.

[@k27ism]

It is a ww2 memorial museum. The Americans dumped most of their vehicles and live ammo in the Islands they camped on, throughout Solomon Islands and parts of Pacific such as Vanuatu. In the present day location of Henderson Airport, the area is a good place to visit to learn more of the geographical importance it served during the ww2.

[@michelmendoza1769]

God Bless your Dad I’m fairly sure he got to really enjoy the Garand once he got one

[@Carl-ht7cg]

My uncle was an ambulance driver for the army there😎

[@doug3469]

what a piece of garbage. more propaganda than informative. very disappointing. it's almost an insult to the men who suffered and died at alligator creek and bloody ridge. if you really want to know about what happened read the book "Guadalcanal".

[@platoon2047]

You can't get into the entire campaign in one hour.

[@johnheigis83]

FEMA states, "[active and passive civil-defense] is [comprehensive] [contingencies] / emergency management... In a 4 phased cycle... Using an All Hazard / [Threat] Approach... ... Mitigation... ... Preparedness... ... Response... ... Recovery... While, maintaining secondary manual backup system. Define "civil" We can use a neutral objective liaison logistics non-profit matrix NGO... "DES / Disaster and Emergency Services"... ... (The Gov version of "civil defense" - once know as "Office of Civil Defense" With our Matrix NGO - mirroring up against and managing our republics... .. As - and in the name of - managing emergencies / disasters / distress / contingencies... As... "DES-SSS" ... DES... Support, Systems, Services. (Where we can back our "White Hats, and make adjustments.") ... (Since, in this case, the correct label is crucial, to match up to FEMA / DHS... ...Goal, Mission, and Objectives... ... "To protect life and property." In my words.. ... To protect life, responsible liberty, accountability, happiness, and having a sense of "home", where folks are free, and feel safe and secure enough, to live the art of kindness. For living for a 24/7/365 mechanized empowered demos-kratia \ democracy, within a republic. ( I'll add and edit more later. I'm an old guy... Need a break. I guarantee this loophole. And, just thinking about it... I'm suspicious... ... My OCD wouldn't let go of it, so I ended up finding workable parts and pieces... Of a design, that Jesus guy engineered... ... With the help of his friends... ... Like Mary Mag...??? ... About, how they'd like to see us working together / mustered. To restore the mustering element - of the militias, like back then - for managing crucial issues... ... With NGO Chapters, everywhere... ..(Structured, much like ARC?).. For DES-SSS Projects... ... With Sub-Projects... ... with Missions... (Who, what, when, where, which, why, how...) While noting, our situation, and who we're dealing with...? With, our EOCs built into schools, colleges, universities... Using Interns, In-service Learning, Vets, Volunteers... Where all Teachers and Instructors must teach related stuff... Each Semester... For better FEMA Degree programs. (Note, FEMA / EMI built their Higher Education Degree Program, based on my research and templates! Tell Boyce Wayne Blanchard, the Flathead Valley guy says, "Hi!" And, for more info on me, find William "Bill" Thomas, who deep-retired, from being a MT - DES Div Director, and tell him, I said, "Help!... I found the path!") Gotta go. I can poke at this phone no more. Later... Hope to finally hear back from someone, at MT. Semper Fidelis...!......... Copied, for continuous reposting, until someone finally heard be out, and activates building this. Project #1 "DES-SSS" Project #2 Streamline republics Project #3 Suffrage .......... Infrastructure, Education, Liaison, Logistics, Admin, Social Systems we need. Note, "We....." Has no borders or boundaries...!...???? Chapters everywhere Note too, that "civil-defense must not be - only - another Government Agency, having "enforcement" powers. (Where appointed Department Heads "muster.") While our NGO is a democracy system, throughout. With, at least two - really cool - oversight / support levels. Bye! Damn it! Just trying to shove in, as much as I can!

[@johnheigis83]

QRF champions requested... ... To restore our "active and passive civil-defense." Comprehensive contingencies-management capabilities. Standing by...

[@waitakereman]

My dad was there too he called it henderson s

[@MrSmokeyroo]

Milne bay was the first time the Japanese were defeated in ww2 by the AIF. Some of the Australian troops were the first to defeat the Germans .quite a feat

[@gruntforever7437]

Yammamoto realized it was the decisive battle but never put his all into it. Kept holding back the bulk of the battle line when if he had committed it the Japanese might have retaken the island

[@robertstack2144]

Great video with the Army highlighted.

[@alalfianalawa2382]

Terima kasih usa menghajar jepang dan terima kasih jga jerman menghajar eropa,sehingga kami bisa menghajar belanda dan kami merdeka 🤔🤔🤔

[@blockmasterscott]

Guadalcanal=knife fight in a phone booth.

[@buurowingowl]

when did the army relieve the Marines on Guadalcanal?

[@chrisnizer5702]

The Army troops relieved the First Marine Division on Guadalcanal in late January, early February 1943. I believe it was the Army's "Americal" Division. It takes a lot of manpower to garrison an island the size of Guadalcanal. Manpower the Marines needed for combat.

[@patrickmccrann991]

Actually, the 1st Marine Division was relieved in mid December 1942. The first Army troops had landed to reinforce the Marines in October 1942 from the Americal Division. Later, the 2nd Marine Division and 25th Infantry Divisions were landed. General Vandergrift turned over command of the island to General Patch of the Army.

[@chrisnizer5702]

@@patrickmccrann991 I stand corrected, thanks for the heads up my friend. I'd forgotten about the Army troops that arrived right around the time of the Edson's Ridge battle's. Those guys were put on the perimeter as soon as they set foot on the island. Did a great job working with the Marines. Thanks for the reply my friend, Semper Fidelis!

[@patrickmccrann991]

@chrisnizer5702 Bloody Ridge, aka Edson's Ridge, was all Marines, September 1942. The second battle was fought just east of the Ridge by 1st Battalion, 7th Marines under Chesty Puller and an Army Battalion, I think 2nd Battalion, 165th Infantry of the Americal Division. The Army troops were initially fed into Puller's lines to reinforce them. Later, they were given their own defensive sector. The Americal Division was the only division formed entirely overseas during the war; the division's units were originally independent units that were gathered as they arrived in New Caledonia and formed into a Division. The Americal never had a numerical designation, one of only two divisions during the war. The other was the Philippine Division destroyed in the beginning of the war with the fall of the Philippines.

[@mikeaguilar5764]

Most of the "Japanese" work battalions were actually Koreans.

[@bobmeyers3478]

My uncle a marine died there. Never had a chance to see him

[@k27ism]

R.I.P

[@roywhl1]

Good one

[@IntheBlood67]

Outstanding!

[@akhinmaunggyi2146]

Thanks.

[@Theearthtraveler]

Really good!!

[@papipapi4554]

Savo.

[@iainnixon2007]

Yes the USA did win the war However the battle of Milne bay is often described as the first major battle of the war in the Pacific in which Allied (AUS) troops decisively defeated Japanese land forces. Although Japanese land forces had experienced local setbacks elsewhere in the Pacific earlier in the war, unlike at Milne Bay, these earlier actions had not forced them to withdraw completely and abandon their strategic objective.

[@terrymarshall3377]

Like most Australians and Americans you do not know about the Battle of the Points. Here the Japs were given their first defeat from a bunch of grounded airmen, ship wrecked sailors, and Philippine Scouts.

[@chrisnizer5702]

Milne Bay and the Kokoda Track campaign were both severe losses for the IJA. They were within sight of Port Moresby and had to withdraw all the way back across the Owen Stanley mountains, practically starving the whole way back. The Aussies were real heroes and they had to endure the insufferable Macarthur and his massive ego in addition to the IJA.

[@MrSmokeyroo]

Milne bay was the first time the Japanese were defeated in ww2 by the AIF. Some of the Australian troops were the first to defeat the Germans .quite a feat

[@steenfuglsangjespersen8620]

Ha ha ha probeganda shit 😅

[@SerenityMae11]

Ha ha ha yew khant spehl

[@speakupriseup4549]

Actually WW2 had been raging for 3 years by 1942, as usual America only turned up for the second half then claimed they won it

[@larryb982]

Did more than claim they did it buddy ! Not sure where your from but if your American you should be very grateful and well if your not. You should have some respect regardless.

[@guycastonguay9633]

@@larryb982 Ah here we go again with the usual American bullshit! It was the Russians who saved the world. They lost 25 MILLION while the Americans only lost 429,000!

[@ooyginyardel4835]

You’re welcome.

[@johnbowley7132]

The u s did win the war

[@johnbowley7132]

Mister please get your head out of sand

[@mottipaa]

god bless the japanese defenders against the intruders

[@davidtreleaven554]

they were also the intruders

[@randallhatcher6028]

They intruded China and merciless killed un armed men women and children . At that time they were getting natural resources from America so we cut them off because they wouldn't pull out of China. That's why Japan attacked us .

[@donnycooke56]

Oh boy. Someone doesn't know history.

[@binko969]

Starting at about 46:30, so awesome to actually get a look inside an amtrack. Never seen any film of that before. And each position too, driver, loader, gunner, machine gunner. Really cool. Thanks for posting this

[@michaelmaddox8801]

THANKS I wondered what that was. looked it up from "amtrack tank" which let to "Amtanks, which were fitted with turrets from Stuart series light tanks (LVT(A)-1) and howitzer motor carriage M8s (LVT(A)-4)"