Which military campaign in the Solomon Islands (August 1942 to February 1943) marked the first major land offensive by Allied forces against the Empire of Japan, centering on control of Henderson Field airfield?
Answer and explanation
Correct answer: C. Guadalcanal Campaign
- Step 1: US 1st Marine Division made surprise landings on Guadalcanal on 7 August 1942, seizing an unfinished Japanese airstrip renamed Henderson Field.
- Step 2: Six months of savage jungle combat and seven major naval battles (including Savo Island and Santa Cruz) drained Japanese air and naval strength, ending with Japan's full evacuation in February 1943.
Answer
Guadalcanal Campaign
Why not the others: 'Tarawa Campaign' The Battle of Tarawa in the Gilbert Islands was fought in November 1943; 'Mariana Islands Campaign' The Marianas campaign (Saipan, Tinian, Guam) took place in the summer of 1944; 'Aleutian Islands Campaign' The Aleutian campaign was fought in 1942–1943 to retake Attu and Kiska in Alaska.
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