Customer Reviews

National Geographic: The Lost Fleet of Guadalcanal

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My review is based on the VHS tape version that was released years earlier.

Given the magnitude of Guadalcanal and the number of important battles fought on and near it, the relatively short running time of this documentary can only begin to touch the surface of the overall story. Instead, it deals heavily with the emotions of the men on both sides who fought the battles and in that regard I think it does an admirable job of conveying to the viewer a little of what they felt.

I've shown this video to a number of WWII veterans and they have unanimously given it high marks. Those wanting a more precise historical account of the Guadalcanal campaign may be somewhat disappointed and might be better served by reading one of the many excellent books published on the subject including the companion book to this video.

Just like "The Battle for Midway" and "The Search for the Battleship Bismarck" by NG, this film stays the same tone as the two. They gather survivors from the Guadalcanal talking about the war while searching for warships in this campaign. Of course, the combat footages interweave during the running time.

This campaign was fought so intensively for six months on the ground, at sea and in the air. It turns the tide of the Pacific theater. Before it, the Japanese always advance. After it, the Japanese always retreat. This film doesn't give me the feelings of the significance. In addition, it narrows the scope of this campaign and many important battles are not included. The well-known "Tokyo Express" is never mentioned in this film, which is another disappointment.

To conclude, this film doesn't give you the whole picture of the lengthy Guadalcanal campaign. Another DVD "Guadalcanal: The Island of Death" is the very choice.

item arrived well packed & on time and i will enjoy seeing it over the years another great Ballard DVD with National Geographic

saw this a number of years ago and was moved by the vets and their stories of the actions there.Got caught with our pants down at Savo Island,total underestimation of Japans naval night fighting capabilities.All in all,a very interesting piece.

While this is a good solid film about one of the fights that we had to win. I was very disappointed that Admiral Halsey was not mentioned as he was one of the major reasons why we won that fight. Also The first Battleship versus Battleship fight was not mentioned when Adm Lee with the Battle Ships USS Washington and the South Dakota literally blew the Old Battle Ship Kiroshima right out of the water with some outstanding Radar Shooting. Oh well!

Bottom of the Sea,between Guadalcanal and Savo Island,
Called as "Iron Bottom" !--another "Lost Series"


Much complcated names, " Battle of Guadalcanal "Battle of Solomon" or
"3rd and 4th Battle of Savo Island". Japanese called "3rd Battles of Solomon Sea".
These Series of Naval Battles were held for Superiority of Guadalcanal campains
in Solomon Islands bycombined Air and Sea Battles for only 4 Days.
Name of "Iron Battles" came from accumulated Total numbers of sunken Battle Vessel
of Allied and Japanese ships were more than 50s !
Aims of these Survey by Dr.Robert Ballard explored this graveyard for find out wrecakages,
50 years ago.He leads a Joint National Geographic Society/U.S.Navy.
After Marine's Landig and contiuing and repeated battles with reinforced,engaged Japaanese
contiued until defeat and failure of all-out attempt to retake the Henderson Air Field,
"Bloody Ridge Battle" on 12~14,Sept,1942.During these battles,
Early,Nov,1942,Japanese organized Tranport Convoyed by Warships which aimedfor pounding
Hendersoson Air Field. During 2 costly Night Naval Battles, More Allied War Ships were sunk !
But Allied Air Attacks sank most of Japanese Troop& Equipment Transport Ships following
Reenforcement only be relyed on "Tokyo Express" by Destroyer by night.
US Marine pushed Japanese westward . Suddenly, one night,successful GHOSTY Retreat ended
the 6 months of Battle of Guadalcanal !
During these Naval Battles,Japanese lost 1-light carrier,2-battleships,4-cruisers,and
11-destryers. Anerican lost 1-fleet carrier,Hornet,and badly damaged Enterprise-the only
Only US,Carrier in the Pacific,10-crusiers,14-destroyers
On this survey, There were no easy detections of Wreckaged Ships- but later they can keep
the many scenes of wreckages of War Ships !