On August 7, 1942, the First Marine Division launched the first successful American land assault in World War Two.
The invasion of Guadalcanal was a long, cruel holding operation fought with too little equipment and support, not enough food and ammunition, and too few men.
The marines on the island were subjected to bombing raids and strafing by Japanese aircraft, bombardment by battleships, cruisers, destroyers, submarines, and land artillery, as well as being continually attacked by Japanese tanks and infantry.
For five long months they were attacked day and night before being eventually relieved by Army units.
Who were these men who faced overwhelming odds?
And how did they survive?
T. Grady Gallant, who fought at Guadalcanal himself, answers these questions in his brilliant book On Valor’s Side
Gallant’s account begins with an account of the grueling training that he and his fellow marines received in places such as Parris Island, before they undertook last minute preparations in New Zealand and made the journey towards Guadalcanal.
It is a fascinating work that gives an eyewitness view of one of the most ferocious encounters that the United States Marines had to face through the course of the Second World War.
