Asia Pacific 1943: Guadalcanal Campaign

Political map of East Asia and the Western Pacific on 09 Feb 1943 (WWII: Victory Over Japan: Guadalcanal Campaign), showing the following events: US submarine campaign against Japanese shipping; Guadalcanal Campaign; Battle of Buna-Gona; First Arakan Campaign; Surrender of the Sixth Army.

Over the next four months, the Japanese attempted to dislodge the Americans from Guadalcanal with repeated attacks by land, air and sea. Unable to prevail, Japan withdrew over the first months of 1943. The strategic advantage in the Pacific was now in Allied hands.

Main Events

? Aug 1942–? Aug 1945 US submarine campaign against Japanese shipping

US submarine campaign against Japanese shippingin wikipedia

8 Aug 1942–9 Feb 1943 Guadalcanal Campaign

After the US landings on Guadalcanal, the Japanese mounted several attempts to retake the incomplete Japanese airfield there (dubbed ‘Henderson Field’). After the failure of three major land battles, seven large naval battles, and continuous air battles, the Japanese withdrew from the island. In all, Japanese losses were 19,200 dead, 38 ships, and up to 880 aircraft for US losses of 7,100 dead, 38 ships, and 615 aircraft.in wikipedia

16 Nov 1942–22 Jan 1943 Battle of Buna-Gona

Following the conclusion of the Kokoda Trail campaign, Australian troops of the 30th Brigade advanced on Japanese-occupied Buna and Gona, on the north coast of the island of New Guinea. They were joined by the US 32nd Division, arriving via the Kapa Kapa Trail, and together expelled the Japanese despite suffering substantial casualties from both combat and disease.in wikipedia

17 Dec 1942–14 May 1943 First Arakan Campaign

The British 14th Indian Division advances from British India into the Arakan region of Japanese-occupied Burma, occupying Maungdaw. The Japanese withdraw to the Mayu River, north of Akyab, where they successfully repel British attacks from 7 January to 3 February 1943. In March, Japan counterattacks, recapturing Maungdaw on 14 May and pushing the British back to the border.in wikipedia

31 Jan–2 Feb 1943 Surrender of the Sixth Army

On 31 January Soviet forces advancing on the remaining German positions in Stalingrad reach the headquarters of German Field Marshal Friedrich Paulus, commander of the Sixth Army, in the southern pocket and capture him. Two days later,on 2 February, the remainder of the Sixth Army under General Strecker surrenders to the Soviets, ending organized Axis resistance in the city.in wikipedia