John Basilone’s and the Battle of Henderson Field with special guest Dave Holland-Episode 119

Today Seth and Bill are joined again by Dave Holland and the trio discusses the "high water mark" of the Japanese ashore on Guadalcanal-the October offensive that culminated in the Battle of Henderson Field. The heroic and true stories of John Basilone and Mitch Paige are broken down in detail. Tune in to see what the guys talk about as they break down this pivotal clash.
#wwii #wwiihistory #ww2 #usnavy #usa #usarmy #medalofhonor #enterprise #aircraft #aircraftcarrier #cv6 #midway #wwii #wwiihistory #ww2 #worldwar2 #usnavy #usnavyseals #usmc #usmarines #saipan #usa #usarmy #aircraft #aircraftcarrier #battleship #battleships #ussenterprise #aircraftcarriers #guadalcanal #naval battles #unitedstatesnavy #marine #marineraiders #wwii #wwiihistory #ww2 #usnavy #usa #usarmy #medalofhonor #enterprise #aircraft #aircraftcarrier #cv6 #midway #wwii #wwiihistory #ww2 #worldwar2 #usnavy #usnavyseals #usmc #usmarines #saipan #usa #usarmy #aircraft #aircraftcarrier #battleship #battleships #ussenterprise #aircraftcarriers #museum #essex #halsey #taskforce38 #wwii #wwiihistory #ww2 #usnavy #usa #usarmy #medalofhonor #enterprise #aircraft #aircraftcarrier #cv6 #midway #wwii #wwiihistory #ww2 #worldwar2 #usnavy #usnavyseals #usmc #usmarines #saipan #usa #usarmy #aircraft #aircraftcarrier #battleship #battleships #ussenterprise #aircraftcarriers #museum #hollywood #movie #movies #books #mastersoftheair #8thairforce #mightyeighth #100thbombgroup #bloodyhundredth #b17 #boeing #airforce wwii #wwiihistory #ww2 #usnavy #usa #usarmy #medalofhonor #enterprise #aircraft #aircraftcarrier #cv6 #midway #wwii #wwiihistory #ww2 #worldwar2 #usnavy #usnavyseals #usmc #usmarines #saipan #usa #usarmy #aircraft #aircraftcarrier #battleship #battleships #ussenterprise #aircraftcarriers #museum #hollywood #movie #movies #books #oldbreed #1stMarineDivision #thepacific #Peleliu #army #marines #marinecorps #worldwar2 #worldwar #worldwarii #leytegulf #battleofleytegulf

[@johnnevin7759]

I lost my son over a year ago, and I have to have something playing in my ear almost 24-7. I put this show on at night while trying to fall asleep and realize an hour or two later I am listening to it instead of trying to get some shuteye. This show is the best distraction I could ask for. Being from the South US I could listen to Dave speak of this stuff all day. The Alabama Twang with the Aussie mate is a nice touch. Thank you to everyone who has put together this pod cast.

[@UnauthorizedHistoryPacificWar]

So sorry for your loss

[@stevetruth2696]

I pray somehow you can find some peace.

[@bbmtge]

Hang in there. Blessings to you and your family. Always remember, there are people praying for you and thinking of you.

[@Jakal-pw8yq]

Many blessings and prayers to you. I'm so sorry for your loss and hope that you can find peace.❤

[@ColinFreeman-kh9us]

Bedtime Battalion my friend. RIP to your Dad mate

[@gregtheredneck1715]

I love listening to Dave when he gets really into telling the stories about the battles on Guadalcanal. He swings back and forth between an Australian accent to a pure southern Accent in a single sentence. Heck, sometimes it sounds like a single word. Love the passion to tell the actual history of not only the US Marines and soldiers but also the Japanese soldiers. Seth and Bill, yall are pretty good, too!

[@highdesertutah]

Yeah, his southern accent still dominates but you can hear the Aussie at the end of many words. I heard a guy who was born and raised in Germany but lived in Alabama for many years and he had an accent you would never forget.

[@markpurington8659]

Gentlemen, I cannot tell you how much I’ve enjoyed your podcasts. You really bring the Pacific War into three dimensions, but your ability to attract top notch experts like Dave Holland and Jon Pershall speaks volumes about the quality of this undertaking. My thanks to everyone involved. The only suggestion I will offer, and Dave Holland touches on it in this episode, is when you speak about different military units,such as a squad, platoon, brigade, regiment, etc., it would be great if you could give some idea of how many people we are talking about, especially for us non-military, armchair historians. The same would be useful for naval and naval aviation forces. Otherwise, don’t change a thing.

[@robertmoffitt1336]

Just got home from work, finishing this episode. This is hands down the best kept secret on the internet! This podcast is out freaking standing, I can't say that enough. Mad respect to Seth, Dave and Captain Toti! John Basilone, it makes me cry everytime...we stand on the shoulders of Giants...truer words were never spoken... Never Forget 💝 Semper Fi. "Those farm boys can fight", Go Army. Mitchell Paige...Never Forget 💝

[@NathanOkun]

US 14" guns are 355.6 mm and weigh 1500 pounds for the Mark 16 AP Projectile with a 0.033-sec delay Mark 21 Base Detonating Fuze and 22.5 pounds of ammonium picrate (Explosive "D") super-insensitive filler -- will only explode high power using the Tetryl boosters in the fuze upper end. The other projectile used when armor or thick rock or concrete is not a problem was the Mark 13 or, with a VT Nose Fuze, Mark 14 High Capacity (HC) Projectile of 1275 pounds, of which 76.5 pounds (6.5%) was Explosive "D". [Note: Explosive "D" was about 90% as powerful as commerciasl TNT explosive.] HC shells were multi-purpose: When the nose fuze was removed and a solid steel hardened conical plug used, it had a base fuze like the AP shell, but only 0.01-second delay. When other purposes were required, it could have an instantaneous impact nose fuze or a mechanical time nose fuze. The time and VT nose fuzes were for air explosions above the target for incendiary or wide-spread fragmentation effect. The Japanese 14" gun used on the four KONGO and all other Japanese battleships priopr to the NAGATO and MUTSU wereBritish-style guns with Japanese projectiles replacing the WWI-era and after British types. They were all 1480 pounds, changing the projectile length to match that weight depanding on how much steel body weight was used. The Type 91 AP shell for use against armor or rock or the like had trinitroanisol (Type 91 Explosive) filler weighing -- about 6% more powerful than TNT -- weighing 22.2 pounds (1.5%) with a lot of plaster, aluinum, and wood cushioning due to the filler being rather sensitive and needing this cusion to be able to penetrate thick armor without blowing up on impact. It had an extremely long 0.4-second base fuze to allow it to move a long distance underwater for "below the belt" hits at short to medium range against enemy battleships, bypassing the heavy side armor and causdin deep internal flooding and extra damage; the projectile windscreen and AP Cap tip called a "Cap Head" was easily knocked off to give a wide flat front to this shell for reduced chance of ricochet off of water when hitting just short of the enemy ship. The other shells were an impact-nose-fuzed Type 0 HE shell with a 6% filler and a unique Type 3 time-fuzed shrapnel (in a thick-steel-walled base canister filled with powerful trinitrophenol (Shimose) explosive set off by the fuze and also having rows of incendiary "Roman Candle" cylinders making up most of the projectile upper body and shooting forward like a shotgun when the fuze went off. It had a powder time fuze for air bursts, all-direction shrapnel and incendiary forward blast, and was quite good as an anti-material weapon -- also sometimes used for anti-aircraft, but not very good in this role.

[@scraptech3152]

I cant imagine the amount of research it must take to make a video with this much detail. Very well done gentlemen.

[@davidlavigne207]

All I can say after this brilliant presentation is Semper Fidelis! I was not a Marine but I appreciate the history of the Corps. I also thank Dave Holland for his continuous mention of the team effort that the fight for Guadalcanal was. His praise of the 164th Army Regiment is an example of how the Marine Corp never forgets those who fight alongside them in battle. Dave is a credit to his beloved Marines. Great insights and questions from Seth and Bill as well.

[@henryburby6077]

Japanese navy tactics: "lets divide our forces into three seperate strike forces hundreds of miles appart to attack from three directions at once!" Japanese Army Tactics: "lets send 2000 men down a beach all at once!"

[@MrFrikkenfrakken]

Can only pile on to the other comments - this channel has such value to those of us wanting the deeper story than just what was taught in schools or by private research. Totally in agreement about Dave's channel as well.

[@curlus]

For comparison, as the Kongo-class main battery guns are 356 mm and fire a shell that weighs almost 1500 lb. The largest field artillery used by U.S. Army forces in WW2 was the 240 mm howitzer that fired a 360 lb shell. Battleship-size artillery is MUCH more devastating than field artillery. The only other thing that's comparable is being carpet bombed by a mass heavy bomber strike using 1,000-2,000 lb bombs.

[@cheesenoodles8316]

I concur.... Dave's channel Walking a Battlefield is a must. His context and details are great.

[@Coffeeguyzz]

Outstanding episode. Detailed presentation offered up in a highly informative, eminently 'listenable' format. You guys do great work.

[@UnauthorizedHistoryPacificWar]

Thanks very much

[@donaldbass6737]

Navy vet here…USS Forrestal You guys are GREAT! The level of detail that you provide in the long conversation format about history that I thought I knew is incredible. I find myself binge watching your videos.

[@rossdawgsbrokenspirit9038]

Zero dark thirty, dental work not withstanding this is the best podcast on the internet.

[@UnauthorizedHistoryPacificWar]

Thank you

[@richarddevita189]

I could not agree more ..for those who love history, it doesn't get much better than Unauthorized

[@KG-1]

There are striking comparisons to be made between Mitchell Paige's actions and Joe Vittori's in the Korean War just north of the Punchbowl, mid September 1951. USMC Sgt. Vittori's CMoH was posthumous - he was killed after he had successfully manned by himself multiple machine guns to create the impression of a larger unit and thereby hold the position. This is covered in the Netflix Medal of Honor series, season 1, episode 6.

[@chuckokelley2448]

I had three uncles that landed with the first division The fighting Hampton Brothers all three were gunnery sergeant They had joined the Marines Before the War started stationed at Iceland and New Zealand My Uncle Bob told me one time he was stationed in a two-gun battery overlooking one of the rivers the Japanese were trying to infiltrate two barges of troop down the river he told the other gun to Target the first barge and he targeted the second when they fired he hit his and the other guy mist so they reloaded at fired again and Uncle Bob hit the second barge to sinking them both Uncle Bob and Uncle Jimmy told me that Uncle Harrison was the star cannonier As The Story Goes and army General was in charge of the artillery he asked the Marines who was the best cannoneer and everybody said Harrison The general put Uncle Harrison in charge of the bombardment the night of the Henderson field battle They went on to fight at Peleliu and Tarawa

[@hurch1915]

Wow!

[@johnnevin7759]

May God Bless your family for their service.

[@doughickey4944]

I am really enjoying this journey through history and the conversation between Seth and Bill is captivating. Could you show a map once in a while to orient us on the area of discussion? Also, the role of logistics played a huge part in each of the battles, so any idea on the numbers would be great. Looking forward to many more episodes...thank you Bill and Seth!!

[@markhoffman9655]

Agree that seeing a map at important stages of the battles would be really helpful to get a clearer mental image of the disposition of the forces.

[@davidk7324]

Concur, maps are central to the effectiveness of military/war youtube channels.

[@FlukeTog]

Great episode again. Keep up the good work. Wonder what Marines from G company were with Paige. The more answers I find the more questions I have. Thank you.

[@dmbeaster]

Really great series. Have watched every episode, and I love and have read broadly regarding military history.

[@UnauthorizedHistoryPacificWar]

Thanks for watching.

[@barryrammer7906]

I'm so proud of the USA Navy SEABEES. Never get credit or want any. Just fighting construction men.

[@jamesallen8418]

Hey guys, You talk about how Marines scrounged machine guns etc from equipment bone piles. My Father was stationed on Tinian with the Army Air Corps doing logistics. He went down to the beach where the Marines had dumped their equipment, as they exfilled off the Island. He found the best working jeep, and used it as his personal transport. His C.O. then took the jeep from him, so he went back and found the 2nd best jeep to drive. Typical of all service and depression era men. If interested when you get to the Mariana's episodes, I have some copy for you.

[@UnauthorizedHistoryPacificWar]

Still happened quite a bit early in my Navy career for that matter. The Navy word for this was "kumshaw."

[@davidharner5865]

@@UnauthorizedHistoryPacificWar I thought it was called 'liberating', thank you for the info. And thank you for these great videos! I had a hard time finding this one.

[@tomhutchins7495]

I haven't done the maths on either event to argue it conclusively, but the two contenders I can think of for a time Allied troops received similar shelling would be Sevastopol and Anzio. Neither of those involved naval gunfire per se, but German railway guns were of similar and greater size. I don't believe either would match the intensity of this bombardment though as the rate of fire of those guns was very low. Citino gives good accounts of each in his "Death of the Wehrmacht" series and he presents naval gunfire even from cruiser guns (6" or 8") as more devastating, with events such as Sicily and Anzio again where charging armoured divisions are annihilated by Allied close naval support. So I suspect the battleship shelling on Gauadalcanal was the worst bombardment Allied troops suffered.

[@heathgryder8961]

Really enjoy listening to your show. Anxiously awaiting the big battle ship showdown.

[@UnauthorizedHistoryPacificWar]

Aren’t we all? Just recorded that one today.

[@SaundersE5]

The Old Breed on the Canal are legends for all time.

[@shoofly529]

At 18:23 the AN/M2 30 caliber machine guns described are the same type that Marines customized & became 'The Stinger' M2 of Iwo Jima fame.

[@COACHWARBLE]

I consider these my morning lecture classes in military history. Part of my undisciplined military history degree😂

[@GhostofCicero]

I don't know how long this Devil Dog has been living down there but his country boy accent has picked up a bit of an Aussie flavor. Going to check out his channel, seems like he's living my dream. Semper Fi

[@UnauthorizedHistoryPacificWar]

His accent confused the heck out of us until we got him to explain...

[@flparkermdpc]

I've lived all over the USA, and I have😢 always loved the softness of speech, the rounding of vowels, and the 😮idioms and customs of the South, especially as I encountered them in the Shenandoah Valley in the middle 1950's. Its the Favorite period of my growing up life.😢 and a favored bit of the American character.

[@stevemolina8801]

I gotta say both Dave and Jon just kick butt! I am hooked, thank goodness I stumbled across them in my feed. Thank all for of you for this series! Go Navy 71-75 GMG2

[@jimwatts914]

Dave Holland is one of the best historians. of Guadalcanal. He knows the ground the tactics and the forces involved. Great channel.

[@UnauthorizedHistoryPacificWar]

No doubt. Dave is the man.

[@wonderbreadmodelsandhistor1566]

His accent always throws me for a loop. It’s all Alabama and then every couple of sentences he throws in some Australia and I can’t help but smile. I’d love to hear the story of how a Crimson Tide Marine winds up “down under”. Agree though…he’s a fantastic resource and I enjoy all of his insights.

[@guadalcanal-walkingabattle5349]

@@wonderbreadmodelsandhistor1566 Australian women is how.

[@stuartdollar9912]

@@guadalcanal-walkingabattle5349 He certainly wouldn't be the first American to love Australia. Or vice versa.

[@MrDavid1863]

Great podcast guys, love the insights you bring, I am addicted to your episodes. Special shout out to your guest Dave. I have watched some of Dave's KZbin videos and I want to personally thank him for honoring the brave men who fought on Guadalcanal by keeping their story alive. There are truly good people out there and Dave is one of them. We are grateful for what you do for their legacy. My dad was a WWII veteran and he like so many of the his fellow veterans never really spoke about the war, and if he did it was more matter of fact, never puffing out his chest, they did what they had to do. Seth and Bill and Dave and to all your guests, I want to thank you for doing this, it matters.

[@ColinFreeman-kh9us]

Well said mate

[@dougm5341]

I had the honour and privilege of meeting Michell Paige in 2000 at Camp Pendleton. Even got a selfie…

[@wonderbreadmodelsandhistor1566]

You guys have such an awesome podcast…I know I sound like a broken record but holy smokes…it’s best in class. I’ve recommended to several of my friends and colleagues and they all agree. Sincerely…thank you guys for the efforts Still disagree about Mac though lol

[@UnauthorizedHistoryPacificWar]

Thank you so much

[@Cometkazie]

One of your best episodes of a superb series on the Guadalcanal Campaign. Keep up the good work. This episode built on previous ones. I appreciated that. I understand that the U.S. AT guns had a canister shell that made them an extremely effective anti-personnel weapon.

[@mikeemery6741]

Gosh... Captivating! If you ever have a chance to re-edit, A few other commenters below also bring this up, but please edit in some corresponding charts or maps please. I think I know a lot about the Guadalcanal Campaign until I start listening to you guys, and I start doubting my own "facts" and need references that I can actually look at! For now, I will review that charts I have, and watch this again... Great content... Love the series!

[@jeffreymartin8448]

It's impossible to watch just a couple minutes of these episodes. It's impossible to watch just 1 episode. Sleep? What's that? The hours just evaporate watching these. Great job Gentlemen. Thank you!

[@UnauthorizedHistoryPacificWar]

Thanks much. Thanks for watching.

[@flparkermdpc]

Jeffrey Martin's comment covers my experience. I've checked out all authors' books from local libraries that are mentioned by all three moderators, and I've got a lot of reading to do.

[@imperialmodelworks8473]

I agree! My interest in WWII has been primarily the ETO my whole life (I had family on both sides in the ETO), but this series has been an incredible deep dive and an excellent educational (as well as entertaining) experience. 4 days into binge watching so far!

[@robertmontgomery3943]

Hands down the best series of ww- 2 pacific action !

[@jonhenson5450]

​@@UnauthorizedHistoryPacificWargood trivia. As a member of 1/7 Basilone was manning the rails when the 1st MARDIV cleared the Miraflores Locks at Panama. The first time they entered the Pacific as a full division after forming at Gitmo.

[@mikelinderman8514]

Wow, you guys do such a great job, I think it’s great to get into the details, now the question is how do I get my 16 and 18 year old kids to listen to

[@thomasgarrison3949]

Thank you for the outstanding videos, the only thing I could ask for more would be some maps & photos of the area. My service: L/Cpl USMC 74-79, SP5 US Army 80-88, until I became a Disabled American Veteran.

[@ColinFreeman-kh9us]

I swear, as an Aussie I could listen to Dave Holland all day every day.

[@rtqii]

Completely Unfair - I am finishing up Episode 112 trying to catch up, and you throw out Episode 119 and I have to watch... No, skip this video and take them in order. I will catch up in a few days. I am at Watchtower. Guadalcanal has not happened yet!

[@mikeat2637]

A long time ago, I bought a book titled, "Strong Men Armed: The US Marine Corps Against Japan" by Robert Leckie. It was first detailed look at the USMC for me, as I had been primarily interested in the USN and strictly naval matters and history. It was a very enlightening book, and Leckie described Mitchell Paige's exploits almost exactly like your description. I also read his other excellent book about the USMC, "Helmet For My Pillow".

[@USSBB62]

I was worried at the beginning that you wouldn't mention Mitchell Paige. I went to high school with his son and never new that his dad had won The Medal of Honor. Until as an adult Firefighter I inspected the American Legion in Redwood City, California and saw his picture on the wall in a place of Honor. Thanks guys !

[@jonhenson5450]

Wow, had the same thoughts, was worried M. Paige would be skipped, never knew he was from N. Ca

[@ColinFreeman-kh9us]

Humble son not to mention it mate

[@ppumpkin3282]

Turning point? I'm not sure we would even be able to land troops on Guaducanal if we hadn't wiped our four aircraft carries at Midway.

[@stephennewton2223]

I'm glad that you mentioned Holcomb. He retired at the end of 1943. Was he a quality commandant? Did he do a good job? I ask because he is a fellow Delawarean. The first Marine Corps full general.

[@petestorz172]

The Kongo class battleships were the IJN's oldest. They were originally battle cruisers (battleship caliber guns, cruiser speed, and slightly better than cruiser armor). For the bombardment mission, they had two essential qualities: they were fast enough to get in an get out and stay out of Henderson Fields daytime range; they were not fuel guzzlers like the fast Yamato and Musashi. Other IJN battleships were too slow. Their light armor would become relevant for Hiei and Kirishima.

[@petestorz172]

The thinking that much of the flower of IJN aviation was dumped into and lost in the Solomons Campaign is pretty much axiomatic. But I think that is also somewhat true of the IJA (which was also fighting in New Guinea, China, and Burma). Experienced elite IJA units got dumped into and ground up in the Solomons meatgrinder. It's kind of sick to say it this way, but the US could replace personnel and material losses while Japan could not.

[@KG-1]

Could argue that shelling of marines was the worst taken by American troops in all US history. 14" = 356mm.

[@guadalcanal-walkingabattle5349]

I agree.

[@jeffholloway3882]

I am trying to remember where, I think it was Franks history of the campaign, he had a footnote to the bombardment that it was the highest concentration of such large shells by area they fierd into. Width, depth, etc. I don't have that book anymore, something this series had me decide to rectify that.

[@dave3156]

Another great episode from these guys. Great action by the Marines and the Army 164th so soon after Pearl Harbor. Impressive. Thanks Seth and Bill and special thanks to Dave for sharing his insight. Great stuff

[@carrabellefl]

9:33 List of Allied warships in the Normandy landings Seven battleships took part: four British and three US: USS Arkansas, eastern Omaha Beach (Wyoming class, 26,100 tons, main armament: twelve 12" guns) primarily in support of the US 29th Infantry Division. USS Nevada, Utah Beach (Nevada class, 29,000 tons, main armament: ten 14" guns). HMS Ramillies (1915, Revenge class, 33,500 tons, main armament: eight 15-inch guns). HMS Rodney (1925, Nelson-class, 38,000 tons, main armament: nine 16-inch guns). USS Texas, western Omaha Beach (New York class, 27,000 tons, main armament: ten 14-inch guns, Flagship of Rear Admiral Carleton F. Bryant) primarily in support of the US 1st Infantry Division. HMS Warspite (1913, Queen Elizabeth class, 35,000 tons, main armament eight 15-inch guns, only six operational).

[@bobjackson4720]

From the mid 70's to the mid 80's I visited Honiara several times. On my first visit in 1975 I recall seeing many small ground level plaques staked around the town, identifying the location of battles and individual US military units. I went there in subsequent years and these plaques gradually disappeared. I was based on Bougainville and Honiara was my favoured route to Australia.

[@rogerpattube]

1:09:50 John: 'we dont want to make the episode about John Basilone'. Title of Episode 119: 'John Basilone's Hour of Glory'. 😆😅

[@hurch1915]

🤪

[@markhamon7462]

An Axis battleship bombarded Allied troops in 1939, when the German battleship, SMS Schleswig Holstein, fired 150mm and 300mm rounds point-blank into Polish defenders at Westerplatte. Not sure how to compare the impact of the above firing for 6 days supported by 105mm artillery, 210mm howitzers, and dive bombers dropping 26T of bombs to the Guadalcanal shelling though for intensity.

[@dougm5341]

Outstanding work.

[@MadLudwig]

Fantastic episode. The intermediate command and staff colleges, and the NCO education system, need to teach this history in far greater depth. There are enormous lessons to be learned in terms of leadership, operational planning and execution, along with the value of well integrated but decentralized command and control. All of it remains relevant today. Not sure how this current generation of young Americans would fare under similar circumstances. As a nation we are nowhere near as tough and resilient as those who endured the great depression and WWII. Those were far more physically and mentally tough people back then. We need to become less self-absorbed as a nation and more unified in our values. We aren't ready to face a determined enemy like China.

[@mhsvz6735]

Thank you for another great episode! You guys are providing an excellent service to the history of WWII in the pacific theater.

[@stephennewton2223]

Doing the math, 900 rounds over 90 minutes is 10 shells per minute. Geez. A quick search says that each weighed about 1600 pounds.

[@hc6368]

Great episode. I live in the PI and had men working for me that remembered the Japanese occupation back when I came here in the late 1990's. Some really horrible stories. My wife's great Uncle came ashore with McAurther. He's in the picture and the statue in Tacloban. There were some incredible stories from here , during the siege and the return. People that were there still are thankful. I doubt you can find many sources but there are Filipino veterans that were in US service , that were struggling to get recompensated after the Bataan Death March even in my life time. I will share this. We had a very elderly man working for us. He told me he saw his parents beheaded after passing handfuls of cooked rice to US servicemen on the Bataan death march. He walked to SE LUzon at 9 years old and orphan with a refugee group. My wife's grandfather adopted him. He and I shared coffee and cigarettes in 1998 in the early mornings until his death. Never shirked a task, raked the yard every morning Didn't speak a word of English but "thank you." Always a smile on his face . Lived a life alone . Amazing the conversations we would have, Neither of us knowing each other's language , but understanding. He is gone now.

[@ColinFreeman-kh9us]

Hey mate I’m so glad I scrolled down to your story. Men like that and the terrible trauma they suffer are why we must stand up to these weak, criminal politicians and media across the western world with their puppets of $$$ profit like Trudeau and Zelensky. The carnage the Japanese inflicted upon the Filipino people even Satan himself would not forgive. Thanks again, from Australia

[@davidwatson2399]

Hi guys. I would love to hear you go into depth on Kokoda, particularly the heroic efforts of the 39th BTN in withdrawl and the 7th Aus Div push back over the mountains and Milne Bay battle that stoped the Japanese. By the way, the e isn't pronounced in the name Milne.

[@kylecarmichael5890]

Six. seven hours...I think that is quite long enough for Basilone to keep the Japanese from breaking through.

[@billechols7136]

Great show gentlemen.

[@stevewaldschmidt4344]

It seems to me that the Japanese failures could also be attributed to their poor leadership. Great planning has to take into account the terrain, strength of your enemy, etc. The Japanese's poor opinion of the American serviceman has cost them greatly in this campaign!

[@NathanOkun]

The Japanese never really soaked up the knowledge of what WWI artillery and machineguns did during that war. They found out the hared way.

[@vincentlavallee2779]

I have to throw in another comment here about the impact of the Guadalcanal campaign on the war in the Pacific. I also agree that this was the real turning point in the War in the Pacific, and not Midway. While I have the utmost respect and admiration of the Marines, and from your detailed reporting, the US Army guys from the Dakotas, and how they all fought so hard and continuously for 4-5 months. But I look at the overall impact the Guadalcanal campaign had on the war's development and its eventual outcome. Of course, if the Marines (and Army guys) had failed, and had lost the airfield, the war would have progressed differently, and perhaps even longer, although maybe the Atomic bomb would have had the same results (and there was a third one). Basically, it was these factors that were far reaching: (1) Japan could not sustain a naval campaign over a long duration in any way, even though their supply chain was much shorter in trying to supplying their land forces, (2) they did not really know how to fight us, or perhaps any western power, but I suspect that the Marines were at least two notches above what they had seen anywhere, (3) they lost so many pilots, especially the trained and experienced ones, in trying to reclaim the island, and (4) they lost the 6 months of their time advantage of being ready to enter into a war, while the US had to build almost everything.

[@derekhieb7458]

I grew up near Spokane WA in Millwood boardering Geiger field named after the general the only air force officer to lead a ground assault. 15 years ago I happened to meet his grandson a tugboat captain.

[@jonhenson5450]

Roy Geiger was a Marine air wing officer NOT air force, which was originally army air corps.

[@derekhieb7458]

@@jonhenson5450 right USAF didn't exist till post war. Thinking about it, the Marines of course, navy squadrons and army air force with B-17's. Good thing they had the Japanese to fight because that would have been the worst interservice rivalry ever.

[@mikelamberth9975]

Dave is the closest to a first person account that you can get. The story about Marines "pilfering" reminds me of one my grandfather used to tell. The 5th Pioneers were at Camp Tarawa in late 1944, and after months of eating mutton, decided to have some real steaks. The irony of being on the world's biggest cattle ranch notwithstanding, the enlisted men ate mutton from Australia, while the officers ate beef. So he and some of his buddies decided to "pilfer" a 6 by full of steaks one day. His company grilled them that night. A couple of Shore Patrol showed up the next day, looking for the "pilfered" rib eyes and t-bones. A Marine officer intervened when an arrest was brought up. The officer told the SP that his Marines would soon be in combat, and unless those SP wanted to take the place of any Marines tossed in the brig, none of his Marines were going to be charged.😏 The PT boat crews also scrounged any 30 mm cannons from wrecked P39's too.

[@guadalcanal-walkingabattle5349]

Great story

[@UnauthorizedHistoryPacificWar]

Bill responding: as long as you call it "kumshaw," it's OK.

[@jeffreyriese]

37mm from the P-400 & P-39 aircraft.

[@HHIto]

May this great man RIP; I am thankful to a real man, not a red-capped grifter.🙏

[@jayjohnson9996]

I really enjoyed the 3 part series of the land battle that took place on Guadalcanal that took place in October and November of 1942. Dave did a really wonderful job in explaining in details and tactics of the United States Marines and the IJN.

[@SaundersE5]

You do such great work keeping this important and pivotal battle alive for new generations.

[@MrVern814]

Mitch Paige was the basis for the original GI Joe if I remember correctly

[@vincentlavallee2779]

I came to this video as a response to my comment in your episode 116 when I asked about J Basilone and if he was in the ridge battle covered in that episode. So, I am pleased to have been directed here. I have studied all of WW II (well, most of) for the past 35 years, and the big guns were used against the Germans on D-Day, and on Plus 1 perhaps. While the allies were not getting bombarded as the Marines here were, the big guns of the very limited BBSs there at D-Day did have an impact inland on the German movement of their Panzers. This bombardment was not well coordinated, nor did they use spotter planes, but it did leave a huge impression on the Germans that received this bombardment. Also, you mentioned in this video that Army troops were there on Guadalcanal in October, arriving the day of the big shelling! What a greeting! I had thought that the Army did not arrive until late Nov. & early Dec. So, was this just a small group? In addition, I had read that a lot more than 50% was damaged from the big 14" Japanese guns, especially with respect to the number of planes destroyed, and the next day or two that they could hardly get any off the ground.. Also, were tanks used on Guadalcanal when the Marines landed, or did they come later, and if so, when? I see some video documentaries that imply Sherman Tanks were there (a lot of video documentaries have a lot of wrong videos (from other places/times), and wrong stats, and sometimes, just plain wrong info. I think that the tanks that were there at Guadalcanal were M3s, and not M4s. And my hat goes off to Dave, A Marine - the 'best' and toughest fight force on the planet. Well, the Airborne 101 and 82 came close! I thank him for his service, and keeping his interest and passing on the very key part of US history. I am currently writing an ebook (it has hundreds of online links in it and many pictures and diagrams) on the overall history of the US, starting at the very first permanent British settlement (1609), and will cover all the way up to today. It is already 120 pages. Right now in the ebook I am in WW II in 1943, just finishing up in the European theater. The I will head back to the Pacific and pick up probably at Tarawa.

[@ColinFreeman-kh9us]

Pretty sure the Yanks used the Honey tanks on Guadalcanal, yeah it’s always fascinated me to mate.

[@patrickwwevans]

You guys mention the USS New Jersey, I was just on the ship last week and bought some of the old teak deck wood. If. you guys want a pen made out of that wood let me know. (takes about an hour a pen so no biggie, no cost, my way to give back) Teak is not the most gorgeous wood (as a woodworker) but it is cool to have a part of history. And also Thanks for your last video that included the Kokoda trail and that whole Port Moresby thing.

[@crimsonking70]

Dave beat me to it. I was about to correct Seth's hyperbolic statement (don't forget about the CBI Theater!).

[@cantunamunch]

Is there any chance you guys will do a focus episode on the flyers of the Cactus Air Force? It seems like they were actually a lot more effective than either the Midway land-based bombers, or some of the carrier-based squadrons at Midway or Santa Cruz?

[@Silverhks]

You guys have expressed some confusion over the m3 half-track with the 75. I meant to address this on the earlier video but I'll do it here. I think part of the confusion is the American naming convention. Everything starts with an M1. This unit is the M3 GMC (Gun Motor Carriage) and is the first antitank vehicle designed for the Tank Destroyer force. As such it didn't just happen to have direct fire capabilities but was designed primarily for that. It was replaced in that role by the M10. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M3_Gun_Motor_Carriage

[@bobkohl6779]

1917A1s and later MG-42 were slowed down to 900 rpm

[@SW-pz1yy]

It seems like they would have provided links to Dave's videos

[@StoryboardMindset]

I've been an avid fan on Spotify and this is the best podcast dealing with the Pacfic war by far. Thank you for your hard work and fantastic content.

[@UnauthorizedHistoryPacificWar]

Thanks much

[@bayknight20]

Sounds like the Marines were still using the 1903 rifle and not the M1. I wonder what the Army troops were using?

[@knutdergroe9757]

The ARMY and National Gaurd troops all had the M1 Grand. The MARINES had the much beloved M1903a3. The Marine CORPS begin issuing M1 Grand because of the Guadalcanal Campaign. But not until after the Campaign.

[@markpaul-ym5wg]

Guadalcanal was called by the Japanese the island of death.

[@Docleegb]

“…and they whipped that ass all day long….” My favorite Seth-ism so far. Lovin’ it!

[@UnauthorizedHistoryPacificWar]

Colorful if nothing else... -SP

[@christopherslaughter2263]

The 101st got their teeth kicked in at Bastogne German 88’s really poured it on those guys for about a month.this was a high concentration air burst attack. Naval shells do not have an air burst option which in my opinion makes it not as effective as a lighter shell that does air burst.

[@guadalcanal-walkingabattle5349]

355mm v 88m. One has tree bursts the other takes the whole tree out and any foxholes around it.

[@philpockras4408]

Found y'all via Reminisce magazine and Bill's article on MacArthur, Halsey, and I can't remember who else. I've listened to or watched all episodes so far. Both my uncles were Army in the Pacific. My paternal grandfather was in Manila after its liberation helping to restore water and sewer service to what remained of the city. Bill -- you are from Ohio? Where?

[@UnauthorizedHistoryPacificWar]

I am. Campbell, just outside of Youngstown.

[@philpockras4408]

Nice. Now I understand about all the Italian American people. My wife's from New Castle, PA. I lived there in the early 80s when all the heavy industry was shutting down. Thanks for your service to our country, sir! I wanted to, but was handed a new 4-F draft card when my army physical was suddenly ended.

[@DanielMulloy-bg6gw]

People make it out that John pulled the pinnel hook and ran with a machine gun at his hip..... same thing on Iwo Jima. It's hard to know what the truth is. It makes sense that that's probably not totally true.

[@guadalcanal-walkingabattle5349]

Basilone in his own MOH testimony said he carried a gun with tripod attached over. Several other independent resources state the same.

[@henryburby6077]

US military engeneers are just amazing.

[@bobkohl6779]

The old battleships did shell in the ETO, try the battle of battery Hamburg by Cherbourg

[@guadalcanal-walkingabattle5349]

My grandfather was one of the VII Corps guys that took that city. That battery fired at US and British battleships and not troops? The discussion was around US troops being subjected to heavy naval bombardment.

[@bobkohl6779]

@guadalcanal-walkingabattle5349 that battery had several. Canons and not just fixed out to to the ocean

[@guadalcanal-walkingabattle5349]

@@bobkohl6779 didn’t the US infantry stop the naval guns before they traversed landslide?

[@whbrown1862]

Great episode! One of these days - I will catch up to the current episodes! 😮

[@SamBryan-b6u]

Thank you, Gentlemen for remembering not only my predecessors but all of sacrifices of my parents war. Retired Seabee.

[@johnnevin7759]

My best friend's dad was a Seabee. He is probably 80 or so. When did you serve?

[@BlitherVids]

Seth, Bill, and Dave - thank you guys once again for doing this. We love listening and watching these!

[@samstewart4807]

Too bad you are not using any maps.

[@theprinceovercameall]

After driving by Basilone Road near Pendleton for so many years, I really appreciated hearing his story here (along with the rest of the stories from that engagement).

[@jonhenson5450]

Now all the 5 in South OC is Basilone memorial hwy

[@willl7780]

sea beas dont get enough credit

[@davidwatson2399]

Aussie here. Love your work guys.👍

[@thewatchhawk]

The rear guns on several aircraft were .30 M2 machine guns which had a greater rate of fire 1,200 to 1,500 RPM compared to old the 1919 which was half that. I'm sure the Marines loved the M2. If memory serves correctly this is where the idea for the infamous Stinger came from.

[@Kangenpower7]

1 hour and 35 minutes into the video, you talk about the last major Japanese offensive in the Pacific, in the war, in October 1942. So they went from attacking Pearl Harbor in December 1941, and the last one in October, 11 months later. Then it takes another 3 long years to convince Japan they lost the war. It's to bad they could not be convinced a few weeks faster! Saving millions of gallons of fuel each week of the war! Saving thousands of lives, millions of dollars in bombs, bullets, and so on. This also makes me wonder how much food was needed to be imported to Japan in 1946, to prevent starvation! And how long it was before they could start to produce enough food for the people of Japan.

[@bobkohl6779]

Are you kidding, looking at pictures vs maps vs actual overviews like Google Earth makes orientation of all factors difficult.

[@BruceHonaker]

My dad was on the hornet and he never really spoke about it. He died when I was 13 so I have to get my information from places like KZbin. However, I just wanna thank you guys for the accuracy in your research. I can’t tell you what it’s like to be able to dependon your broadcast. Keep up the good work.

[@houseatreides4128]

Being in my 50's this podcast series is the most thorough I have seen on the Pacific War. Very well done. I must have watched 3 or 4 podcasts before I made the decision to start at the beginning and watch the podcasts in order, 23 podcasts down and many more to go.

[@garyrunnalls7714]

Great show!

[@DanielMulloy-bg6gw]

I don't know of another time US forces came under heavy battleship gun attack..... that may have been the only time after the fall of the Philippines and Guam at the very beginning.

[@johnnevin7759]

If the US was to storm an island like this today, would the Marines just blitz the jungle with Napalm type bombs to get rid of the hiding places and crate an open battlefield?

[@SugoiEnglish1]

How does one explain the success of a frontal assault by the IJA v the British vis a vis a defensive orientation v the USA?