Guadalcanal – The Cactus Air Force

Detailed account of the heroic effort of Army, Navy, and US Marine pilots in the early days of World War II. The Battle of Guadalcanal was one of the first prolonged campaigns in the Pacific. This was the battle that strained the logistical capabilities of the combatant nations involved. For the U.S., this need prompted the development of effective combat air transport for the first time. A failure to achieve air superiority forced Japan to rely on reinforcement by barges, destroyers, and submarines, with very uneven results. Presenter: Michael Carra