Battle of Gaudalcanal - WW2 Timeline (August 7th, 1942

The largely overlooked Guadalcanal Island in the Solomon Island chain held little to no value for most prior to the Pacific War of World War 2 and its importance came to bear during the period of Japanese expansion which threatened overall stability in the region. To the south, Australia was attempting to prevent all-out invasion from the Japan, a power whose reach began to encompass more than was deemed comfortable for the island nation. Additionally, the United States maintained several key interests in the region and was also an ally to Australia. As such, forces from the United States and the British Royal Navy, as well as Commonwealth participants, all attempted to stem the tide of Japanese aggression. Guadalcanal would now become an important staging area for both sides.

Should the Japanese maintain control of the island, they would construct an airfield suitable for fighters and bombers that could target the Australian mainland in preparation for an all-out ground invasion. Additionally, this forward staging area could be used by the Japanese Army and Navy to harass, and ultimately disrupt, vital shipping lanes between the United States and Australia in effect placing a stranglehold on the island.

Conversely, American control of Guadalcanal could net an important forward airfield to bring the fight to the enemy. It became important for the U.S. Navy and Marines and their allies to secure the region island-by-island in what became known as 'Island Hopping'. This step-by-step doctrine would ensure that the Allies could bring a much more coordinated and fully-backed response against a determined foe.

By May of 1942, the Japanese forces in the Solomons had increased to considerable numbers. Australian reconnaissance showed additional forces beginning construction of an airfield at Guadalcanal and, upon receiving the word of the Japanese intent, American General Douglas MacArthur recognized the danger and acted quickly.

Having played mostly on the defensive up to this point in the Pacific War, American forces - led by the U.S. Marines and supported by the U.S. Navy - landed on Guadalcanal on August 7th, 1942. In all, some 19,000 Marines were sent ashore at points near Lunga Point and Tulagi. Virtually unopposed, the Marines secured the airfield under construction and killed, captured. or drove away the Japanese defenders. Some 1,500 Japanese soldiers at Tulagi were also killed. With the airfield in American control, the field was christened 'Henderson Field' by its new owners. The first of thirty-one aircraft, this a Grumman F4F 'Wildcat' fighter, landed on the field during August 20th. Wildcats were later joined by Douglas SBD Dauntless dive-bombers and these aircraft formed vital air cover needed to retain control of the airfield.

On August 18th, a Japanese ground force numbering about 6,000 attempted to storm the airfield and retake it. In their way stood 2,000 determined Marines utilizing whatever defense they could. Against a fanatical Japanese enemy, the Marines made short work of the waves of soldiers attempting to break the defensive perimeter. By the end of it all, this Japanese force was completed annihilated.

Despite further attempts to fortify their forces near and around Guadalcanal, the Japanese suffered mounting losses. Of the 8,000 troops landed on September 13th, 1,200 of these were killed in one night of fighting. Reinforcement from the Japanese mainland soon took its toll on the Marines but their ranks numbered 22,000 to 23,000 men plus several thousand reinforcements at Tulagi. Allied forces were funneled to the island by way of Australia.

Japanese battlecruisers attempted a bombardment of the airfield that largely succeeded in destroying aircraft, exploding fuel stores, and cratering the airfield. However, their ground forces failed, yet again, to overtake the defenders and suffered thousands more casualties.

After a failed delivery of 11,000 additional Japanese troops resulting in 6,000 being lost during transit as the transports were sunk by the Allies, the Marines now pressed against the remaining enemy. The defensive perimeter was widened considerably against a tired and beaten enemy. Losses soon became insurmountable for the Japanese to the point that, by January of 1943, the signal was given by high command to evacuate Guadalcanal. In the first week of February, 11,000 Japanese soldiers returned to friendly territory and left thousands of dead on the island. To add to Japanese losses in the battle, some 800 aircraft were either damaged or destroyed and at least 65 naval vessels were lost. By this time, American forces had increased to 50,000 ground troops further backed by warships and air cover. After the Japanese evacuation, American forces closed in on the remaining pockets of enemy to ensure a compete victory.

There are a total of (30) Battle of Gaudalcanal - WW2 Timeline (August 7th, 1942 - February 9th, 1943) events in the SecondWorldWarHistory.com database. Entries are listed below by date-of-occurrence ascending (first-to-last). Other leading and trailing events may also be included for perspective.

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Day-by-Day Timeline of Events

Wednesday, July 1st - July 31st, 1942

The Allies received word on the construction of a strategic Japanese airfield (Henderson Field) on the island of Guadalcanal, part of the Solomon Islands. As such, plans are set in motion to curtail construction of the endeavor. US Navy and Marine forces spring into action.

Thursday, August 6th, 1942

US Navy and Marine forces position themselves near Guadalcanal.

Friday, August 7th, 1942

Amphibious forces spearheaded by the United States Marines begin against the Japanese-held island of Guadalcanal.

Saturday, August 8th, 1942

The amphibious landings largely conclude by this date.

Monday, May 4th, 1942

USS Yorktown launched strike aircraft south of Guadalcanal. At 6:30AM, the American Navy aircraft spot and subsequently target Japanese land emplacements and sea vessels in the area.

Saturday, August 8th, 1942

By the end of the day and facing next to no opposition, the US soldiers capture and secure Henderson Field.

Saturday, August 8th, 1942

Naval battles ultimately take place between the Imperial Japanese Navy and the United States Navy for control of Guadalcanal.

Saturday, August 8th, 1942

Japanese bombers attack US forces at Henderson Field.

Saturday, August 8th, 1942

Just outside of Guadalcanal, the islands of Tulagi and Gavutu fall to the Allies.

Tuesday, August 18th, 1942

A Japanese counteroffensive sees an amphibious landing take place at Taivu. This landing zone is just 32 miles east of Henderson Field.

Thursday, August 20th, 1942

The first of thirty-one US fighter aircraft arrive at Henderson Field.

Friday, August 21st, 1942

Japanese ground forces attempt attacks against Henderson Field and American forces at Tenaru. The Japanese troops make little headway and are themselves encircled.

Saturday, August 22nd, 1942

The Japanese attackers at Henderson Field and Tenaru are ultimately destroyed, forcing Colonel Ichiki to commit ritual suicide.

Sunday, August 23rd, 1942

The Battle of the Eastern Solomons begins.

Monday, August 24th, 1942

The US Navy claims a Japanese aircraft carrier. The carrier is attacked and sunk.

Monday, September 7th, 1942

US Marines enact a surprise amphibious landing against Japanese strongholds at Taivu.

Tuesday, September 8th, 1942

The US Marine landings result in the destruction of vital Japanese supplies and the recovery of important operational data.

Saturday, September 12th, 1942

Some 6,000 Japanese Army personnel are used in a final thrust against the Americans at Henderson field. Among the attackers is the Japanese 35th Brigade.

Sunday, September 13th, 1942

Japanese forces come within a half-a-mile of Henderson Field before being stopped and, ultimately, driven back.

Monday, September 14th, 1942

At the end of the Henderson Field offensive, the fanatical Japanese have lost at least 1,200 soldiers in the fighting.

Tuesday, September 15th - October 7th, 1942

The Japanese begin building up their forces to reclaim Henderson Field.

Saturday, October 10th, 1942

Japanese reinforcements are shipped to the west and disembarked at Tenaro, some 20 miles from American forces.

Friday, October 23rd, 1942

Some 20,000 Japanese fighters, including elements of the 2nd Division and 17th Army, undertake a new offensive under the direction of General Maruyama.

Monday, October 26th, 1942

After some 3,500 casualties are netted against the Japanese attackers, the offensive stalls and is ultimately called off.

Sunday, November 1st - January 31st, 1942

Neither force can claim much action during this span. In time, US forces number some 58,000 troops while Japan can claim 20,000-strong.

Sunday, January 10th, 1943

The decision to abandon Guadalcanal is made by Japanese autorities.

Sunday, January 17th, 1943

The Japanese begin to withdraw their battered army units from Guadalcanal.

Monday, February 1st, 1943

A massive evacuation effort sees some 11,000 Japanese personnel moved fom Tenaro, Gaudalcanal.

Sunday, February 7th, 1943

The last remnants of the Japanese Army on Guadalcanal is evacuated from the island.

Sunday, February 7th, 1943

Gaudalcanal officially falls to the Americans.

Battle of Gaudalcanal - WW2 Timeline (August 7th, 1942 - February 9th, 1943)

The Battle of Guadalcanal prevented Japanese forces from establishing an all-important airfield in the Solomons.