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BATTLE // 1942–1943

Guadalcanal

Solomon Islands · -9.428, 160.055

Cartographic map of the Guadalcanal

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Overview

The Guadalcanal campaign, also known as the Battle of Guadalcanal and codenamed Operation Watchtower by the United States, was an Allied offensive against forces of the Empire of Japan in the Solomon Islands during the Pacific Theater of World War II. It was fought between 7 August 1942 and 9 February 1943, and involved major land and naval battles on and surrounding the island of Guadalcanal. It was the first major Allied land offensive against Japan during the war.

Overview adapted from Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Significance

First sustained Allied offensive in the Pacific

Result

Allied victory

Forces & casualties

Troop strength

  • United States60,000
    medium
  • Japan36,200
    medium

United States fielded a 1.7 : 1 numerical advantage

Casualties

  • United States7,100
    medium12% loss rate
  • Japan19,200
    medium53% loss rate

Commanders (19)

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Related

6 sibling battles · 6 factions

Last verified May 2026
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