CACTUS air power at Guadalcanal.

CACTUS air power at Guadalcanal.

This study examines the role of the CACTUS Air Force during the battle for Guadalcanal. Hurriedly planned and executed, Guadalcanal was the first U.S. ground offensive in the Pacific. Starting as an unopposed amphibious assault, the operation turned into a six-month-long air, land, and sea battle to secure the island. Operating from an expeditionary airfield, the U.S. Marine Corps employed air power as its primary means of defending the island. The CACTUS Air Force conducted the campaign with limited air assets and was plagued by a variety of critical shortages, yet it managed to play a key role in the U.S. victory. This study focuses on the specific contributions of air power during this campaign. It examines the role of air power in reconnaissance, deep, close, and rear area air operations. It also examines the factors that influenced how air assets were employed and the changes in U.S. concepts about air operations that were made to conduct the air campaign. CACTUS planes assisted in defeating several major Japanese attacks. However, the daily presence and routine operations of the CACTUS Air Force were its key contributions. CACTUS Air's most important contribution was its ability to deny the Japanese air superiority and disrupt their freedom of action in the lower Solomon Islands.

http://cgsc.cdmhost.com/cgi-bin/showfile.exe?CISOROOT=/p4013coll2&CISOPTR=895&filename=896.pdf

5.14 Mb pdf

 

Sounds interesting, but I canna download it captain. Will try messing with my settings.

 

On a similar vein. Anyone have any info on the Pinapple Air Force?

 

John W. Lambert's The Pineapple Air Force (Phalanx Publishing Co. 1990) is a good "unit" history of 7th Fighter Command from Pearl Harbor to V-J Day. Though I believe out of print, Schiffer recently published a new updated version with the same title, also by Mr. Lambert.

 

Am curious if Paul Mason, one of the fellows who would report Japanese air raids to the Cactus AF from his hut is the same Australian who's name is on the brand of wine....It is a relatively popular wine here, and I've always wondered about the name. Would make a good ad if it's true.

 

I find it interesting that the longer that Marine, Navy and Army Pilots of CACTUS flew out of Guadalcanal's Henderson Field and Fighter One, the more proficient they became in their deadly trade. They were largely responsible for sinking the Japanese Heavy Cruiser Kinugasa and a number of other warships as the campaign went on. I guess that "practice makes perfect", afterall.

 

Except that any wine they may have consumed was half-fermented "Raisinjack" and therefore, drunk, "not before it's time."

 

Mmmmm, raisinjack...Does it taste like Molson Canadian?...I guess I could wikki Paul Mason and find out for meself. Thank God it's Friday.

 

Probably not, although there would be lots of yeasty flavor, punctuated by odd notes of treacle toffee sweetness. In short, it would alter your mood a bit and that's not all bad.