BLUF
In the WW2 Solomon Islands Guadalcanal Campaign, US Marines used a hybrid form of defence that utilised offensive tactical forays that wore down their competent and determined Japanese foes leading to their defeat.Summary
This article by James Holmes in The National Interest makes the following points:
- Once U.S. Marine defenders had withstood Japanese counterattacks and had adequate supplies, they were able to employ Active Defence tactics.
- Active defence incorporates offensive tactical forays into a predominantly defensive posture.
- Active defence enabled U.S. forces to hold Guadalcanal’s airfield.
- The same principles have been used by China..
- Guadalcanal demonstrates that strategists need to constantly evaluate and re-evaluate the relative importance of defence and offense.
References
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References from the Web:
- The Solomon Islands Campaign: Guadalcanal- The National WW2 History Museum
- Battle of Guadalcanal in World War II- History Crunch
- AUG 2020 One of WWII's toughest battles began 78 years ago — here are 7 things you didn't know about Guadalcanal-Insider