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Guadalcanal - Walking a Battlefield
Australia
Приєднався 25 тра 2019
A pure history channel with no frills. I lived and worked for almost 3 years on Guadalcanal the site of one of the longest and hardest fought campaigns of WW 2. I’m a former US Marine who spent most of my spare time exploring and researching the lesser known parts of this battlefield. I intend to produce a number of small episodes and sharing my walks and exploration. Some will never get to personally experience this place and some will only spend a short time here. This is for you.
Kuma (Bear) Heights - Guadalcanal
This location is rarely spoken about in the campaign outside scholars. These ridges were a key objective of the Japanese. Placing direct fire weapons here would render Henderson Filed inoperable. There were no battles fought there and probably the main reason they are not discussed.
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Відео
Mbarana Relic Museum Guadalcanal 2024
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This small museum is located on the former Japanese stronghold of the “Gifu”. Every year it improves and expands. If you ever visit Guadalcanal make sure you go there. Located ontop of Mt Austen.
2024 Guadalcanal Battlefield Relics
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This is the ‘junk’ pile of relics recently discovered. Located outside the small museum on top of Mt Austen, Barana Village. These were located around several battlefields and training area. If you ever visit Guadalcanal, I highly recommend this museum.
Following the Boat Route of the Munro Medal of Honor
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This short video features a boat ride roughly following the path of the Medal of Honor recipient, Douglas Munro. He is the only member of the US Coast Guard to have received the medal. There are two episodes on this charnel that provides more detail on the actions that day. The Munro MOH and the Little Dunkirk episodes.
The Sendais Attack - Basilone Area
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This is a short video depicting the attack route of the Japanese 2nd Sendai Division. Marine positions, including the location where a MOH was earned by Sgt John Basilone, are shown. This short video should be watched with my Basilone and Briggs Outpost episodes for a full picture.
Carney Field Bomber Base - Guadalcanal
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This is a short video on the area around the Carney Field bomber base. In the future I intend to do a more extensive study of the field itself.
Impacted Marine bullets on Edsons (Bloody) Ridge
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This is a short one-minute clip from my longer Edsons Ridge relics clip on this channel. If you would like to see more, please view that episode and also my larger Guadalcanal relics one.
The Pt Cruz Line - Guadalcanal
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The Pt Cruz Line. This line was the front line for 6 weeks and also featured heavily in the earlier Matanikau River battles. The heaviest fighting suffered by the US Army’s 164th and 182nd Regiments. The scene of heavy fighting between the Japanese 2nd Division and the US Marine 2nd Division.
A Study in Terrain - Japanese/US positions on the Gifu
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This episode focuses on my walk through the Japanese defensive layout in their most heavily fortified position in the entire campaign. The Gifu strongpoint on Mt Austen. I also walk the US lines of the US Army’s 132nd and 35th Infantry Regiments. A great study on Guadalcanal terrain.
The 1 Nov Offensive. The bloodiest day for the 5th Marines on Guadalcanal
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This episode features a very important offensive which is normally left out in most Guadalcanal histories. The 5th Marines first assaults against the strong Pt Cruz Japanese defenses. C Company, 1st Bn 5th Marines suffered the most casualties of any US company in a single action during the campaign. There are still 23 of they’re Marines lying there in unmarked graves.
Gavutu - On the Ground of the First Opposed WW2 US Amphibious Assault
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I finally got a chance to set foot on the island of Gavutu. The site of the assault by the Marine 1st Parachute Battalion.
The Location of the Goettge Patrol - Guadalcanal
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This short video is filmed on the spot of the Marine Goettge Patrol. An infamous incident that set the stage for the rest of the campaign and Pacific War. I have a longer video detailing the background and events of the patrol.
2nd Raiders Largest Fight - Battle of Asamana
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I finally located a rarely visited battlefield of the Guadalcanal Campaign. The 2nd Raider Bn’s fight at Asamana during their 30 day famous Long Patrol. In my opinion one of best small unit actions of the 6 month campaign.
81st anniversary of the Little Dunkirk action. Unedited from the site.
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On the 81st anniversary I thought I would post a short unedited video of the area this morning. I capture this action in detail with my Little Dunkirk and Douglas Munro MOH episodes.
Guadalcanal Southern Line Drone Footage with my Comments.
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Guadalcanal Southern Line Drone Footage with my Comments.
Lunga Beach looking toward the Florida Islands
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Lunga Beach looking toward the Florida Islands
The Japanese Pocket during the Battle of Henderson Field - Guadalcanal
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The Japanese Pocket during the Battle of Henderson Field - Guadalcanal
Colonel Joe Mueller - Visits to Guadalcanal
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Colonel Joe Mueller - Visits to Guadalcanal
Guadalcanal Naval Actions - Savo Island with Jeff Ballard
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Guadalcanal Naval Actions - Savo Island with Jeff Ballard
Japanese Observation Post Mt Austen - Guadalcanal
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Japanese Observation Post Mt Austen - Guadalcanal
Alligator Creek by drone - Guadalcanal
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Alligator Creek by drone - Guadalcanal
Geoffrey Roecker - Missing Marines of Guadalcanal
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Geoffrey Roecker - Missing Marines of Guadalcanal
John Basilone positions from the Japanese perspective. Medal of Honor location.
Переглядів 3,7 тис.2 роки тому
John Basilone positions from the Japanese perspective. Medal of Honor location.
The US Army 164th Regiment on Guadalcanal
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The US Army 164th Regiment on Guadalcanal
L/3/5 Company Ridge Battle Guadalcanal
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L/3/5 Company Ridge Battle Guadalcanal
'Chesty' Puller Wounding Incident - Guadalcanal
Переглядів 7 тис.3 роки тому
'Chesty' Puller Wounding Incident - Guadalcanal
Thank you!
Tremendous videos.
Thanks
Excellent battlefield tour. Thank you. I’m shocked that there are no memorials for the U.S. Marines who died there. This should be a national battlefield monument in remembrance to all of the American and Japanese soldiers who gave their lives during this battle.
Whilst I respect the contributions of both the US Army and the US Marine Corps in World War 2, it was not the Guadacanal Campaign but the Kokoda and Milne Bay campaigns fought mostly by the Australian Army in New Guinea that were the turning point for the war against the Japanese and saved Australia. These campaigns were not known in the US because they were not fought by Americans. The Americans did contribute 2 US Army Divisions to the early campaign in New Guinea but their National Guard orgins meant they were not trained or prepared for the war in the New Guinea jungle. MacArthur was horrified and embarassed at their lack of performance, particularly after he had been imposing unrealistic objectives and criticising on the Australian Army for the previous months from the comfort of Melbourne 3100km away.
It was the combination of the New Guinea victory (Buna/Gona) in Jan 43. Then the Guadalcanal victory in Feb 43 that finally shifted the strategic initiative to the Allies. I’m American and Australian. You do realize the massive amount of material and men the Japanese committed and lost on Guadalcanal. Many were destined for New Guinea and had to be diverted. In sept 42 the Japanese were still pushing the Australians back on the Kokoda track. It was primarily the us victory on bloody ridge that caused a halt on the Kokoda track. Then it gave time for the Australian 7th Div to arrive and conduct the counterattack. The Japanese could not fight both campaigns. They certainly looked at the Kokoda and Guadalcanal campaigns as one. Most of the Australian historians, including the AWM, agree with this. The US only committed one division, the 32nd, early to the campaign, not 2. The 41st Div was in Australia. My friend Dr Peter Williams wrote a good book on the myths of Kokoda. Like the Australians were outnumbered is one.
@@guadalcanal-walkingabattle5349 What you say is true (acknowledged the 41 Division was still training in Australia) but the overwhelming focus on Guadcanal misses the contribution of the Australian Army. A lot of this was due to MacArthur and his PR team (Victories were American, Defeats were Allies) .You might also consider the contribution of the Australians soldiers and Airman (supported by US Army Engineers and AA gunners) at Milne Bay - The first Allied victory on land against the Japanese in the Pacific and East Asian theatre.
@@sagnal MacArthur thank goodness had no involvement in the Guadalcanal Campaign. It was under Nimitz. The first land battle victory at Milne Bay is also controversial. Really it was the Soviets that defeated the Japanese in 39. An entire division was destroyed. Then Tulagi in Aug 7, then Alligator Creek on 21 Aug. All before Milne Bay. I do not wish to disparage the Australians. I know they got a bad deal under McArthur especially in 44-45. I think people have a nationality biased focus on their owns country’s efforts. Since living in Australia for 30 years I can see that with both the US and Australia.
Thank you. Wishing you and your family a very Merry Christmas and all the best in 2025!
Thank you
Pure stupidity and tactical folly by the Japanese.
Thank you so much for researching this unit. I'm a SFC in the ND Army National Guard and each year I speak to high school students about the 164th in the Pacific Theater.
Your welcome. Mid next year I will have a book published that the 164th features heavily in. Their fights around the Matanikau
Your videos are awesome! They really put you there
Great videos, my friend! Just stumbled across them. From an AD USAF just loving history, this was great. Cant wait to watch more from you, brother.
Have been there many times and love the history (as an Aussie). I learn more each time I go there.Thank you for these great videos.
You ought to be proud of the work you do. This is history that cannot be reproduced again. The Marines need to give you a medal.
Glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for the kind words.
My great uncle Sgt Virgil Scott was in the Americal quartermaster tracked division in WW2. He was blown up driving an ammunition truck possibly in the battle of Bougainville. His wife received a burnt watch he received the Bronze Star and what was left of him was buried where he fell, until the 1950’s where he was re-buried at the Pacific war memorial in Honolulu Hawaii. Our Family is unsure where he was actually killed.
Thank for showing that and I enjoyed the video
Thank you
Thanks for posting Dave!
Great stuff Dave - Keep it up! Happy belated birthday! Semper Fidelis!
Thanks
Excellent post, a seldom addressed facet of Guadalcanal.
Probably a never addressed facet 😀
Gun Ho Boots got a shoot um up on the japa didn't know what they were in for God bless the Great generation !
The army went behind them americal division
Ist and 2nd marine division went in first
Ist and 2nd marine division went in first
My dad was on Guadalcanal bronze star purple heart oak leaf Custer I put his name on ww2 memorial Washington he be proud of this 💜 the greatest generation 💜 😊
My Grandfather was there as well with the Army Americal div. 221st bat A. 155 howitzers. Hell yeah greatest generation!
You're right the Army didn't get enough credit they were right in there with the Marines only difference the Marines went in first my dad told me a second Marine Division
@@jcaleca60 Yeah the marines were there for 4 months I believe before reinforcements arrived. I know you watched the series the Pacific awesome series about marines experience over there.
Thank you for the great content.
Thanks for a great video.👍👍
My father was about as young as anyone could be and be in service during the war. Born in 1927. At Parris Island in 1944, the "old guard" marines there were either "China Marines" or Guadalcanal veterans. So my father knew men who were right here. They trained him.
My great-great grandfather fought in the 2nd marines (reinforced), 2nd marine division at Guadalcanal when he was a first-class private. He earned a silver star for manning a machine gun by himself even after the machine gun crew abandoned it. He kept laying down fire until he was shot in the shoulder where he was taken by a medic. He left Japan in 1945 after earning a Navy Cross and a promotion to sergeant. He had 2 additional Purple Hearts after Guadalcanal and had his campaign medals. He passed away in the early 2000’s. Thank you for your service.
What’s his name ?
@@guadalcanal-walkingabattle5349 his name was sergeant Nolen M Garrett
H/2/2, then 2nd Raiders, then 27th Marines on Iwo Jima. He was a badass. His Silver Star was during the Re commencement of the Matanikau Nov offensive. I know where he earned that medal. It’s a Rove and very near the police headquarters today. I’m currently writing a book about the fights around there. You should PM me on my Guadalcanal facebook page
My dad also got the Bronze star he wass with company c
My dad was nin the 132nd infantry americal division on Guadalcanal world war 2
Happy birthday gunny, semper fi
Dave is on a few of the Unauthorized History of the Pacific War podcasts about Guadalcanal. Very nice person. He does good work. If you have not checked out the Unauthorized History… go check it out.
Interesting place. Thanks for posting.
The personal items really hit home. Also, a lot of Japanese helmets.
I retired from the USMC in 2002 on Bloody Nose Ridge. A former Marine Raider read my retirement orders in a short ceremony. Lot of fun.
Cool
nice and thanks! Semper Fi
The minutia debris of war.
Great stuff Dave! Just a few days ago, I visited John Basilone's monument in NJ and also his gravesite in Arlington on the anniversary of his MOH action. Semper Fidelis!
My dad was on Guadalcanal bronze star purple heart oak leaf Custer I put his name on ww2 memorial Washington 😊
Nice, thanks
What a great little exhibit
What was a heavy machine gun?
I’m guessing you mean the M1917 .30 water cooled gun. It was considered a HMG at the time. Along with the M2 .50 cal.
@@guadalcanal-walkingabattle5349 thanks
So fricken cool, SEMPER FI. Goodnight Chesty, wherever you are!
That was excellent.
The thing. Is a m1 Garand receiver with barrel
was this the Bloody Ridge area ?
Near the ridge. More toward coffin corner. About 300 yards from the ridge in a flat jungle swamp
Glad to see you there again and doing the excellent work you do.
Amazing tools of war on display Dave.
Thanks buddy
Amazing finds, thanks Dave for opening the door to another glimpse at a brutal conflict.
Thanks
Definitely 1903 bolts. You’ll always know an Arisaka bolt from it being a straight bolt and a larger plum shaped tip.
Thanks
Interesting stuff. Thanks for posting.
Awesome Dave!
It's interesting to think that many of those items, both American and Japanese likely have a pretty extreme story that we'll never know about or fully understand. Someone ate their last meal with that spoon or fork, those bullet casings were the ones used to kill someone special to someone else etc. Good to see you post another video! 👍