The Naval Battle of Guadalcanal 1942 - Animated

Thanks to @Drachinifel for providing invaluable research material and rare images for use in this video. Go check out his channel for deeply knowledgeable and interesting naval history.

The Japanese are trying to reinforce and resupply their troops engaging in a bloody battle with US Marines on Guadalcanal. In preparation for the convoy, the Japanese Navy moves in to bombard Henderson Field. The US Navy faces them in two fierce and chaotic battles at night.

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Research and Script by Jordan Weaver

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[TheOperationsRoom]

What could the Admirals involved have done differently?

[Drachinifel]

It was great to work with you guys on this, look forward to doing so again in the future!

[mig]

This is a messy naval battle. Must have been a nightmare to try piece together all the ships locations for this video.

[TheOperationsRoom]

@Drachinifel will be releasing his documentary on the Naval Battle of Guadalcanal on Wednesday, featuring clips from this video. Be sure to check in with him on Wednesday to see it.

[ztarz]

My father fought on Guadalcanal. Every once in a while he would talk about it. It was mostly close quarters, hand to hand in foxholes and later when he was sent into the tunnels. He was a two time Purple Heart recipient. He died in 2010 still carrying Japanese shrapnel in his leg. I do remember him not having anything good to say about Callahan. He refused to address him by his military title instead referring to him simply as Callahan. Thank you for this and all of your WW2 videos.

[dapperdino]

My great Grandpa fought in this battle. He served on the USS Laffy. He survived, and has hell of a story to tell for it.

[sarjim]

It makes sense that the Japanese snoopers misidentified the battleships as cruisers. They were undoubtedly the first time the IJN encountered a triple turret in a two forward, one aft layout on a USN battleship, but it was the common layout for USN heavy cruisers. Even with the terrible losses suffered by the USN that night, it was the first time that radar directed gunfire showed the ability to double and triple the effectiveness of a ship so equipped.

[davebickler]

My Father-in-Law, Richard Campbell was on Washington that night. Served in a 16 inch mount. He was 17 years old. Rest in peace Dad.

[markwalters]

The USS Juneau was the ship that carried the 5 Sullivan brothers to the bottom resulting in the war department not allowing brothers to serve together again in the same theater of conflict. Still enforced today. My Uncle was a Marine on the canal and once I returned from Vietnam as a Marine, he opened up a little about Bloody Ridge and a few other things. Wounded on the canal and again later on Iwo Jima.

[Shadowfax-]

It must be terrifying to have to abandon ship in the middle of the night not knowing if you’ll be rescued.

[alanjm]

The waters off Guadalcanal are called Ironbottom Sound, because so many ships lie there.

Henderson field is still an airport, the Solomon islands international airport.

It's amazing to see the amount of WW2 hardware still lying around the Solomons and Vanuatu.

[convenienceandpracticality]

My grandfather was on the USS Walke that was torpedoed and sunk. He has interesting stories to tell. Twice japanese ships (1 was a sub) saw the men who survived floating in the water, shined their spotlights on the American men and then shut it off and left without firing at them.

[TheNerdForAllSeasons]

Finishing an 11 hour shift, about to knock out, suddenly Operations Room alert.

Sleep can wait.

[Sanderford]

For me, this battle shows the growing importance of RADAR, and what a mistake it was for Admiral Callaghan to raise his flag on a ship without it.

[mattvidler]

My grandfather was on the USS Preston when it sank. His name was Edward Stuemke. He went on to serve in the Korean War. He died in 1996.

[marcdenton]

My dad was on the battleship USS Mississippi in the Pacific Theater. After coming back he never would talk about it. Modern medical science would probably diagnose this as PTSD. I watch these videos because at this late age in my life, as a Vietnam survivor, I want to understand my father better.

[michaelcabiles]

please make a video on the biggest naval battle in history: THE BATTLE OF LEYTE GULF

[alexroselle]

I used to live in San Francisco, and there's a war memorial to the USS San Francisco located in a park near Land's End, overlooking the Pacific Ocean and the approach to the Golden Gate. The memorial is built from the ship's bridge wings, which had to be replaced following this battle. They look like Swiss cheese. It's a testament to the horror of this battle and the courage and sacrifice of all who served in the Pacific War.

[h.m.]

Anyone who hasn't read 'Neptune's Inferno' I HIGHLY recommend it, if you have interest in learning more about the Naval battles around Guadalcanal. Incredible book.

[billd.iniowa]

I absolutely LOVE your animated maps. One request tho: Could you please include a scale of miles/kilometers once and awhile? I know zooming in and out throws them off, but if you could show the scale on the over-all map and then again once you are down to your tactical map, that would be icing on an already delicious cake. Keep up the great work, Thanx!