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Battle of Guadalcanal
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U.S. Marines in combat gear wade ashore from a landing craft onto a sandy beach during the Guadalcanal landing in August 1942. Black and white historical map showing Guadalcanal, Florida, and Tulagi in the Solomon Islands, with military developments in 1942 during World War II. The map marks key battle locations, troop movements, and areas occupied by Japanese and Allied forces, with explanatory notes summarizing major events and landings from August to November. Surrounding islands and sea routes are also depicted. Alexander A. Vandegrift Guadalcanal campaign: Tanambogo Island Antique map of the Solomon Islands and Bougainville in the South Pacific, showing island names, major settlements, and surrounding seas. The map highlights Bougainville in red and includes German possessions, navigational routes, and a scale bar. Drawn from the 1902 Encyclopaedia Britannica atlas. William F. Halsey, Jr. Battle of Guadalcanal: USS President Jackson Battle of Guadalcanal Battle of Guadalcanal: Henderson Field American soldiers and Marines stand around large field guns and anti-aircraft artillery in a rough clearing, with scattered debris, on Guadalcanal during World War II.
At a Glance
Germany invades Poland, September 1, 1939, using 45 German divisions and aerial attack. By September 20, only Warsaw held out, but final surrender came on September 29.
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U.S. marines raising the American flag over Mount Suribachi, Iwo Jima, in February 1945
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Civil War era cannon overlooks Kennesaw Mountain National Battle. (military, artillery, American history)
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Louis IX of France (St. Louis), stained glass window of Louis IX during the Crusades. (Unknown location.)
World Wars
D-Day. American soldiers fire rifles, throw grenades and wade ashore on Omaha Beach next to a German bunker during D Day landing. 1 of 5 Allied beachheads est. in Normandy, France. The Normandy Invasion of World War II launched June 6, 1944.
A History of War

Battle of Guadalcanal: References & Edit History

Article Contributors

Primary Contributors

  • The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
    Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors.

Other Encyclopedia Britannica Contributors

Article History

Type Description Contributor Date
Add new Web site: World History Encyclopedia - Guadalcanal Campaign: WWII's Brutal Fight to Control the Solomons. Sep 18, 2026
Add new Web site: Naval Historical Foundation - The Naval Battle of Guadalcanal. Jul 23, 2026
Add new Web site: Australian Government - Department of Veterans' Affairs - Battle of Guadalcanal and Australia. May 28, 2026
Add new Web site: World War II Database - Guadalcanal Campaign. Apr 17, 2026
Top Questions added. Jan 28, 2026
Add new Web site: Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps - Battle of Guadalcanal: 81st Anniversary of Operation Watchtower. Nov 08, 2025
Add new Web site: U.S Naval Institute - The Naval Battle of Guadalcanal. Sep 29, 2025
Add new Web site: NPR - The Battle for Guadalcanal. Jul 28, 2025
Add new Web site: The National WWII Museum - Guadalcanal: The Joint Fight. Mar 27, 2025
Add new Web site: Army University Press - A Case Study for Multi-Domain Battle. Feb 14, 2025
Add new Web site: HistoryNet - Second Naval Battle of Guadalcanal: Turning Point in the Pacific War. Oct 28, 2024
Add new Web site: Warfare History Network - Guadalcanal: Bloody Encounter at Hell�s Point. Jul 23, 2024
Add new Web site: The Ohio State University - ehistory - Battle of Guadalcanal, 1942-1943. Oct 10, 2023
Add new Web site: Naval History and Heritage Command - Battle of Guadalcanal. Dec 16, 2022
Add new Web site: Naval History and Heritage Command - Battle of Guadalcanal. Oct 15, 2022
Article thoroughly revised. Jun 30, 2020
Media added. Dec 15, 2016
Add new Web site: History Learning Site - The Battle of Guadalcanal. Feb 12, 2014
Added new Web site: Military History Encyclopedia on the Web - Operation Watchtower: The Battle for Guadalcanal (August 1942-February 1943). Sep 29, 2008
Article revised and updated. Aug 23, 2007
Article added to new online database. Jul 20, 1998
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