GUADALCANAL: THE ISLAND OF DEATH

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SUMMARY:
Celebrate the 60th anniversary of the compelling story of the Normandy Invasion: Code Name Overlord. On June 6, 1944, the Allies launched the largest combined land, air and sea operation ever in history to liberate Europe from Hitler and Nazi oppression. The Normandy invasion was a tremendous gamble and the element of surprise was paramount. This program includes rare color footage from the Library of Congress and interviews with combat veterans.

• From the EDI / MM&V catalog
• Color / B&W
DOCUMENTARY, 3 x 1 hr, 1999

DETAILED SYNOPSIS:
In the summer of 1942, American was still reeling from the attack on Pearl Harbor and the humiliating victories of the Japanese throughout the Far East. Then came the battle of the Coral Sea and the pivotal battle for Midway. Japan had been effectively countered and it was time to haunch an attack. The first landing of American forces on a Japanese-held island would occur on Guadalcanal, August 7, 1942. It was the opening of a six month campaign to wrest control of the lower Solomon Islands from the Japanese Empire. From this story of mistakes and heroism would rise the genesis of American strategy for the rest of the war in the Pacific.

I. Operation Watchtower - Approx. 60 Minutes Color and Black & White

The origin of Operation Watchtower, the first American offensive of World War II, begins with a review of the Japanese attack at Pearl Harbor and early successes that underline the desperate situation in which the Americans found themselves.

However, in May of 1942, the tide began to turn at the battle of the Coral Sea, before the shattering American victory at Midway opened the way for the United States to strike back. The question in June of 1942 was where, and the answer was an obscure Solomon Island named Guadalcanal.

II. Code name: Cactus - Approx. 60 Minutes Color and Black & White

Cactus was the American code name for Guadalcanal and for the men who fought and died there, the name was eerily prophetic. In this volume, we join the Marines in the invasion of the Solomon Island and the capture of Henderson Field.

With the Americans ashore, the Japanese seek to eliminate the threat through a series of furious attacks, No other campaign in history saw such sustained violence by land, sea and air as did the struggle for Guadalcanal.

III. The Decisive Battle - Approx. 60 Minutes Color and Black & White

Before the war began, the Japanese hoped to engage the Americans in what they termed “The Decisive Battle”, and the campaign for Guadalcanal was to achieve that status.

In this volume, we follow the naval battles and extension of American air power over the region. With the Marines on the brink of exhaustion after four months of nearly continuous action, watch as the First Marine Division is relieve d by the Army. As the infantry takes over, the pressure on the Japanese builds to the breaking point as they struggle to regain control over what they call the “Island of Death”.

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