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Truk was part of the Japanese Mandated Islands ceded to Japan in 1919. A major fleet anchorage was created there soon after occupation, and over the next twenty-five years the Japanese used Truk as their main base of operations for the Southern Pacific.

For almost an entire year, the American forces in the Pacific took the lion's share of equipment and men that America was trickling out of her factories and training camps. The goal of United States President Franklin D. Roosevelt and United States Army General George C.

Cast

Introduction

The Historical Setting

Missing from Thin Red Line — Another Half of the Guadalcanal Story

The Story of Guadalcanal

A Brief Biography of James Jones' Military Career

Thin Red Line: The Novel

The Thirties were marked by confrontation and violence. The Western diplomats practicing Appeasement believed it would prevent another global war, but were woefully unaware of what they were dealing with. Most of the confrontation was between the ideologies of Nazism and Communism; they became mortal enemies in the thirties, which made their non-aggression pact and the dismemberment of Poland all the more shocking.

Cast

Introduction

The Historical Setting

Missing from Thin Red Line — Another Half of the Guadalcanal Story

The Story of Guadalcanal

A Brief Biography of James Jones' Military Career

Thin Red Line: The Novel

Tarawa Atoll is a series of small islands in the Gilberts. The major Japanese outposts were on Betio, a bird-shaped island in the southern part of the chain; and Makin, which was raided early in 1942 by US Marines. Nine leathernecks who were mistakenly left behind were executed, but the raid was considered a success, especially by a victory-starved American public.

In the spring of 1942, Reichskanzler Adolf Hitler had taken direct command of his Army Groups in the Soviet Union and outlined his plan for the coming campaign season. He intended to throw everything into taking Moscow, except for a smaller operation to capture Leningrad.

This essay contains spoilers. Please don't continue unless you want to know key details about the film.

Cast

Introduction

The Last Great Invasion?

The Real 2nd Rangers

Landing on the Dog Green Beach

In July 1936, Spain was ruled as a monarchist republic. Strikes and political maneuvering marked months of economic turmoil. Into this cauldron stepped Spanish Army General Francisco Franco, commander of the armies of Spanish Morocco. He attempted a coup de état in late July 1936, coming to Madrid from Morocco borne by German and Italian aircraft.

When Guadalcanal was secured, the Solomons were still largely held in Japanese hands or deserted. To the north, the major Japanese base on New Britain, Rabaul, could control the entire area with its large complement of aircraft and its excellent naval anchorage.