WitP as history lesson: Are the Solomons relevant?

[Jam_USMC]

ORIGINAL: TommyG

The point of my initial posting is not that Guadalcanal was a bad place to force the fight; the point was that almost every book, movie, or documentary repeats the fiction that Guadalcanal was essential to the protection of the sea lanes to Australia. WitP disproves that overly simplified explanation. Guadalcanal was a good enough place to draw the line and force the fight, for all of the reasons posted above; the sea lanes were a minor point at best.

1st Marine Division historian George McMillian said, "There are two Guadalcanals: the battle and the legend."
I got this quote from the book "Guadalcanal" by Richard B. Frank. I think that all we hear about the battle these days, except on this forum of course, is the legend. It wasn't just about the Japanese thinking Lunga was a good place for an airfield, or the US thinking Lunga was a good place for the Japanese to not have an airfield. But it was viewed by the Japanese as an opportunity to rally after recent Naval defeats and to the US as thier first foray into offensive ground action in the Pacific. The result was an epic spitting contest.

But I think from at least the US persepective and why the battle is remembered as it is is because it was our first ground offensive, it involved the prestigious "Old Breed", it involved vast numbers of ships and planes and was the place of numerous smaller battles on land and sea and air. And finally, we (US) won. So, as we Americans are wont to do, we make a big deal out of something we are proud of. Therefore, while Guadalcanal was indeed a big deal militarily, what we tend to remember and hear about again and again is more often the legend than naked facts and statistics, or as some would say, the truth. And I think Witp does a good job of relecting that Guadalcanal was less a battle about military neccessity and more about other things.

Well, thats my opinion anyway. Have a good day, MSgt.

[Yamato hugger]

There were marines on Guadalcanal? [8D]

[wdolson]

ORIGINAL: Jam_USMC
1st Marine Division historian George McMillian said, "There are two Guadalcanals: the battle and the legend."
I got this quote from the book "Guadalcanal" by Richard B. Frank. I think that all we hear about the battle these days, except on this forum of course, is the legend. It wasn't just about the Japanese thinking Lunga was a good place for an airfield, or the US thinking Lunga was a good place for the Japanese to not have an airfield. But it was viewed by the Japanese as an opportunity to rally after recent Naval defeats and to the US as thier first foray into offensive ground action in the Pacific. The result was an epic spitting contest.

But I think from at least the US persepective and why the battle is remembered as it is is because it was our first ground offensive, it involved the prestigious "Old Breed", it involved vast numbers of ships and planes and was the place of numerous smaller battles on land and sea and air. And finally, we (US) won. So, as we Americans are wont to do, we make a big deal out of something we are proud of. Therefore, while Guadalcanal was indeed a big deal militarily, what we tend to remember and hear about again and again is more often the legend than naked facts and statistics, or as some would say, the truth. And I think Witp does a good job of relecting that Guadalcanal was less a battle about military neccessity and more about other things.

Well, thats my opinion anyway. Have a good day, MSgt.

Richard Frank's book is excellent. I read it when it came out.

Guadalcanal was a tipping point. The US was just strong enough to go on the offensive. but not strong enough or experieced enough to win quick. Uncommon Valor takes place in this area for the same reason the old Battleline/Avalon Hill game Flat Top took place there. Neither side was strong enough to slam the other. It became an epic struggle.

Guadalcanal became important to both sides for political reasons more than strategic.

Bill

[Jam_USMC]

Guadalcanal became important to both sides for political reasons more than strategic.

Bill

That's pretty well what I was trying to say though you've done it much more clearly and briefly. [:)] That battles that took place there were a huge deal in many ways, but the least of which might have been the strategic value of the island itself. I don't think I ever really realized that myself until I played this game and discovered the point value of the island. After thinking about it it made sense though.

Am working through Frank's book right now. Great stuff so far.

Edit: I wonder why the Title "Uncommon Valor" was chosen for a game that centers on the campaigns of Guadalcanal and PM? Wasnt't that quote in reference to Marines who had fought on an island elsewhere.....?

[Jam_USMC]

ORIGINAL: Yamato hugger

There were marines on Guadalcanal? [8D]

No, Yamato. Marines were not indigineous to the island. They were brought there by the Americans sometime in the mid-20th century but stayed only a for a brief time. It is said one can occasionally be seen there today.[:D]