WWII E114 Isolating Rabaul: The Strategic Chessboard Before Guadalcanal

Written By Robert Estrada

In this episode, we dive into the tense weeks leading up to the invasion of Guadalcanal. Major General Alexander Vandegrift and his Marines prepared for an amphibious assault with little time, limited resources, and almost no intelligence on the enemy’s defenses.

From command disputes to botched rehearsals, this episode breaks down the frustrations, miscalculations, and last-minute decisions that set the stage for one of the most grueling battles of World War II.

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  • References

  • Chapin, J. C. (1997). Top of the Ladder: Marine Operations in the Northern Solomons. United States: Marine Corps Historical Center.

  • Hough, F. O., Crown, J. A. (1952). The Campaign on New Britain. United States: Historical Division, Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps.

  • Melson, C. D. (1993). Up the Slot: Marines in the Central Solomons. United States: History and Museums Division, Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps.

  • Mersky, P. B. (1993). Time of the Aces: Marine Pilots in the Solomons, 1942-1944. United States: History and Museums Division, Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps.

  • Rentz, J. N. (1948). Bougainville and the Northern Solomons. United States: Historical Sect., Division of Public Information, Headquarters, Marine Corps.

  • Rentz, J. N. (1952). Marines in the Central Solomons. United States: Historical Branch, Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps.

  • Shaw, H. I., Kane, D. T. (2013). Isolation of Rabaul: History of U. S. Marine Corps Operations in World War II, Volume II. United States: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform.

  • Shaw, H. I. (1996). First Offensive: The Marine Campaign for Guadalcanal. (n.p.): DIANE Publishing Company.

  • Zimmerman, J. L. (1949). The Guadalcanal Campaign. United States: Historic Division, Headquarters, U. S. Marine Corps.

Robert Estrada
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WWII E115 The Bloody Prelude: Tulagi and the Road to Guadalcanal
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WWII E112 Marines Arrive in Samoa