July 1942 (2)

1st Marine Division, Wellington docks, New Zealand, 1942

 

In New Zealand, MGeneral Alexander Vandergrift was attempting to assemble his scattered 1st Marine Division while organizing the shipping and equipment that would be needed to prepare for Guadalcanal.  Being as most people were quite unfamiliar with the Solomon Islands, “National Geographic” and German WWI maps and charts were being used.  Teams began combing Australia to locate missionaries, sea captains and copra planters for more data on the region.

1st Marine Div. at Camp Paekakariki, outside Wellington, New Zealand, 1942

Detailed reconnaissance photos were needed to be taken of the Japanese airfield and Lunga Point before Operation Watchtower could be executed.  This plan also became known as “Operation Shoestring” by the men – simply because of the hastily way the ‘dress rehearsal’ of their amphibious landing was put together.  26 July – the practice run was a “complete bust.”

Henry J. Kaiser

30 July – Industrial magnate, Henry J. Kaiser, who revolutionized production of the US Liberty Cargo vessels, (nicknamed “Ugly Ducklings”), by using assembly line construction, was ‘enlisted’ by the American government to produce aircraft, armored vehicles and warships.  With the troops in training still using WWI equipment, replacement matériel was required immediately.

SS Joseph Teal, Liberty ship, built in 10 days at Kaiser’s Oregon Shipyard 1942, Kaiser is below on right.

31 July – with Japan beginning to reinforce their already acquired territories, they started work on an airfield on Guadalcanal; later known as Henderson Field by the US.  The Americans began attacking on this date to obstruct the enemy’s “Tokyo Express” – a chain of naval supply ships and the airfield.  The airfield on Tulagi was also bombed as part of this operation.

Gen. Vandergrift (L) w/ staff on USS McCawley: LtCol Gerald Thomas, LtCol Randolph McPate, LtCol Frank Goettge, Col William James

Click on images to enlarge.

Marine Corps photos courtesy of the 1st Marine Division website.

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Military Humor – 

With budget cuts, we now have Army Ducks – we start ’em out young!

courtesy of Patrick @ The Linden Chronicles

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Patrick @ The Linden Chronicles

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Farewell Salutes – 

Jerry Akes – Big Lake, AK; US Navy, Vietnam

Chuck Bednarik – Bethlehem, PA; US Army Air Corps, WWII, gunner on B-24, (famed NFL player)

David Dinwiddie – Motueka, NZ; RNZ Navy # 19515

George Finison – Macon, GA; US Army, Korea, Signal Corps

Bert Hansen – Elgin, IL; US Army, WWII

Dean Lupkey – McKinney, TX; US Army, LtCol (Ret.), WWII, ETO,/Korea

Charles McVicker – Silverdale, WA; US Coast Guard, WWII

Alvin Potter – Rockford, MI; US Navy, WWII, USS Cocopa (tug)

John Rodgers – No. Sydney, AUS; RA Air Force, WWII, 78th Squadron “Kittyhawks”

Edwin Stone – Piedmont, AL; US Army, Vietnam, Purple Heart, Bronze Star

Arthur Willing Jr. – Wellington, FL; US Army, Korea, Purple Heart

Spencer Wurst – Hamot, NY; US Army Air Corps, WWII, ETO, 82nd Airborne

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