The Pacific

Arapahoe SG

I just watched the first 2 episode of the HBO mini series of "The Pacific" (don't asked me where i watch it)

I was just wondering if the Allies or the American had rushed into Guadalcanal before softening the defences of the island. I didn't mean it would changed the way was fought or the sucidal killing would be any different. But was wondering if a prolong bombing raid and isolation would have helped to weaken some of the defences and the will to fight.

Intro background of the series...

It is a series about the american soldiers who fought in the Pacific the whole 9 yard from Guadalcanal to Okinawa base on the account of 3 soldiers. Below are the thoughts and discussion with Tom Hanks and Steven Spielberg... and the crews for making of "The Pacific".

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=94et1Bb53mw

If you are interested in the stories there are 2 books that the show was based on...

Eugene B. Sledge who wrote a book title "With the Old Breed"

this is an interesting interview with Eugene Sledge.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8-idSRLjg9A

Robert Leckie wrote "Helmet for my pillow"

and 3rd person john basilone

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lNC5QvpmbiE

weasel1962 SG

It was the right move. Going in early = took the airfield and formed a base of ops. This was early in the war where the Japs could have disrupted a build-up attack, despite the success at Midway. The Japs still had several CVs + rabaul. If the US waited, superior Jap land and sea support could have been terminal.

I think the mistake was the japs not concentrating for the attack on Henderson airfield whilst the US troop build up had occurred, wasting their attacks in piecemeal actions and not taking out the airfield.