Secrets of World War II episode 12: Hundreds of sailors, eight ships and two American Admirals were to be lost in actions where valour overcame many mistakes on both sides – leading to the defeat of the Japanese Admiral Yamamoto. On August 7, 1942, American Marines waded ashore a tiny island to capture a Japanese airfield. It was the beginning of an epic six-month battle that changed the course of the war in the Pacific. What was the importance of one small enemy airfield? How were the Allies able to anticipate almost every attack planned by the Japanese high command? Feel the intensity of one of the war’s fiercest confrontations in “Secrets behind the Battle of Guadalcanal.”
Discover the crucial role played by Allied Coastwatchers and code-breakers before and during the siege. Watch a ferocious night-time sea battle, the sky ablaze with exploding shells and gunfire. Learn how a single machine gun stood between American-held Henderson Field and the Japanese army. From the bridge of an attack carrier…to the firefight at Bloody Ridge…to the watery graveyard of Ironbottom sound, relive the fight to the finish over Guadalcanal.
Secrets of World War II episode 12
You probably know the History, now discover the incredible SECRETS OF WORLD WAR II. Rarely has a war produced such clear cut reasons to fight as World War II. On the one hand were the totalitarian Dictators – Tojo, Hitler and Mussolini. On the other were the great democracies of the Western World which were gradually regaining their feet after the Great War of 1914-18 and the Wall Street Crash. Suddenly, ordinary men and women from all walks of life found themselves thrown into fearsome, nerve-tingling situations worthy of any Hollywood movie. The only difference in this series is that every story is true. Real people emerge as the Heroes of Telemark. Ordinary GIs and US Airforce and Navy personnel suddenly find themselves flying against the Japanese in China, jungle fighting in Burma and being dropped by submarine on enemy coasts at midnight.
These untold stories can now be examined in great detail with the benefit of hindsight, newly-discovered archive film, maps and computer graphics which can complete the picture for today’s viewer. Each fifty-two minute story covers the background to the main action. It will give the viewer a clear view of the historical context, the strategic objective and the tactical effort made by flyers, sailors and foot-soldiers – often in the most oppressive and life-threatening situations – to win victory from the enemy.
This is an inspiring series with a giant canvas including much never before seen colour film. Over 300,000 hours of archive material have been searched for its compilation. Specially orchestrated music and compositions from the great composers all contribute to the excitement and drama of some of the world’s greatest stories of bravery under fire.
It is the largest series of its kind ever produced and with recently released secret footage will give the viewer a new insight into the great untold war stories of World War II. In many cases, this series gives the true stories for the first time this Century.
Battle of Guadalcanal
The Battle of Guadalcanal was a major turning point in the Pacific Theater of World War II. It was fought between the Allied forces, led by the United States, and the Japanese Empire from August 7, 1942 to February 9, 1943. The battle was fought on the island of Guadalcanal, which is located in the Solomon Islands in the Pacific Ocean. The battle began with the Allies landing on the island on August 7, 1942, with the goal of securing the island’s airfield, known as Henderson Field. The Japanese had been using the airfield as a base to launch attacks on Allied ships in the area, and the Allies saw the capture of the airfield as crucial to their efforts to control the Pacific.
The initial landing was successful, and the Allies were able to secure the airfield and begin building up their forces on the island. However, the Japanese quickly launched a counterattack, and the battle quickly turned into a brutal and bloody fight for control of the island. The Japanese made several attempts to retake the airfield, but each time they were repulsed by the determined and well-trained Allied soldiers. The fighting was fierce and often hand-to-hand, with both sides suffering heavy casualties.
One of the key factors in the battle was the control of the sea lanes around the island. The Japanese had a much stronger navy than the Allies, but the Allies were able to use their superior air power to control the waters around the island, making it difficult for the Japanese to resupply their troops.The battle also saw some of the first use of aircraft carriers in the Pacific Theater, with both sides using them to launch airstrikes on the opposing forces. The Japanese were able to launch several successful airstrikes, but the Allies were ultimately able to gain control of the skies over the island.
The battle was also notable for the role of the US Marines, who made up the majority of the Allied forces on the island. The Marines were known for their toughness and determination, and they played a key role in repelling the Japanese counterattacks. The battle continued for several months, with both sides suffering heavy casualties. However, the tide began to turn in favor of the Allies, as they were able to build up their forces and gain control of the island. Finally, on February 9, 1943, the Japanese decided to withdraw their remaining troops from the island. The Allies had won a decisive victory, and they had secured control of the island and the airfield.
The Battle of Guadalcanal was a turning point in the Pacific Theater of World War II, as it marked the first major victory for the Allies in the Pacific. The victory was also significant in that it marked the first time the United States had taken the offensive in the Pacific, and it set the stage for the subsequent Allied campaign to take back the Pacific from the Japanese.
