In the South Pacific, the most important recent historical event was probably World War II. Islands that had seen very little change or foreign influence were suddenly swarming with activity. In the middle of 1942, the Japanese arrived at Guadalcanal. Named by the first European to arrive, Alvero de Mendana in 1568, the island was the scene of fierce hatred between the Spanish settlers and the local indigenous people. Certainly the battles that took place on the island during WW II were also fierce and tragic. On land and in the surrounding sea, ships and men on both sides fought for dominance. At Red Beach we saw the small sand area where 10,000 marines landed unchallenged. Then the marines held the airstrip that was being constructed. Today it is the Henderson International Airfield where the few visitors fly in from nearby countries. Bloody Ridge provided us with a panoramic view of the surrounding fields and farms. American soldiers held the high ground on top of Bloody Ridge while the Japanese tried to overtake them. Only grass and a few trees now cover an area which saw some of the fiercest fighting of the war.
In 1992 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Red Beach landing, a war memorial was dedicated on a high hill above the main town. Engraved in stone are the stories of the battles that took place in this small but significant part of the South Pacific. The battles of Guadalcanal were critically important to the war effort because they were the first time the allied troops had seized an area occupied by the Japanese. Today we saw the locations. But the reef, forest, and fields have recovered the landscape. A few pieces of metal and encrusted sunken ships are all that remain. Monuments now mark and explain the events of war to generations to come. Reminding and educating all about the destruction and tragedies of such times.
Leaving the port of Honiara and the island of Guadalcanal, we sailed into Iron Bottom Sound. The afternoon was quite pleasant cruising by some of the islands with rugged terrain covered in most places with lush green vegetation. Scattered along the shores we could see occasional villages where small outrigger canoes paddled by lone fishermen left to catch a meal. Hovering above the ship, Crested Terns were also looking for a meal. As the ship flushed small flying fish from the water the terns dove toward them attempting to grab the gliding fish before they returned to the sea. The action was so fast it was difficult to tell if any were successful. As we cruised northwesterly and the sun set, the low bank of clouds at the horizon were outlined in a bright orange glow telling us another beautiful day in this fascinating part of the world had come to a close.
In 1992 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Red Beach landing, a war memorial was dedicated on a high hill above the main town. Engraved in stone are the stories of the battles that took place in this small but significant part of the South Pacific. The battles of Guadalcanal were critically important to the war effort because they were the first time the allied troops had seized an area occupied by the Japanese. Today we saw the locations. But the reef, forest, and fields have recovered the landscape. A few pieces of metal and encrusted sunken ships are all that remain. Monuments now mark and explain the events of war to generations to come. Reminding and educating all about the destruction and tragedies of such times.
Leaving the port of Honiara and the island of Guadalcanal, we sailed into Iron Bottom Sound. The afternoon was quite pleasant cruising by some of the islands with rugged terrain covered in most places with lush green vegetation. Scattered along the shores we could see occasional villages where small outrigger canoes paddled by lone fishermen left to catch a meal. Hovering above the ship, Crested Terns were also looking for a meal. As the ship flushed small flying fish from the water the terns dove toward them attempting to grab the gliding fish before they returned to the sea. The action was so fast it was difficult to tell if any were successful. As we cruised northwesterly and the sun set, the low bank of clouds at the horizon were outlined in a bright orange glow telling us another beautiful day in this fascinating part of the world had come to a close.
