The Imperial Army had twice attempted to recapture Henderson Field from the Americans,

and twice had been driven back with heavy casualties.

The first attempt had been made with a force of a thousand,

the second time with a force of 6,000.

Now the army was prepared to send nearly 17,000 additional soldiers

to win at last the battle for Guadalcanal, the once obscure island that had become the main

battlefront of the Pacific Theater. Welcome to the history of the 20th century. Episode 382.

Turning point.

When we last looked at the situation in the Pacific Theater, General Hyakutake Harukichi,

commander of the Japanese 17th Army, the man responsible for Imperial Army operations in New Guinea

and the Solomon Islands, had decided he'd had enough of the Navy's timid rat transportation

methods that brought Japanese reinforcements and supplies to Guadalcanal in drips and drabs.

The army had promised the emperor it would retake Guadalcanal in drips and drabs. The army had promised the emperor it would retake Guadalcanal, and General Hiakutake

was going to do it right. No more messing around. A full infantry division, the second division,

and more, would be sent to the island, with equipment and supplies and heavy

weapons, including artillery guns and tanks. These are the sorts of things that can only be carried

on transport ships. The general would personally lead the reinforcements to the island and direct

the battle, bringing 17th Army headquarters

with him.

The Navy commander at Rabal told him this would be impossible. The American Navy and the

plains based at Henderson Field made the waters of the Eastern Solomon Islands too dangerous.

Hyakutake told him that if the Navy refused to escort him and his soldiers to the island,

...