The battles of Matanikau proved to be decisive turning points in the land campaign for Guadalcanal the longest and bloodiest ground battle of the campaign. For five months, the conflict raged along the river and its basin. The true significance of this area remained unrecognised for a long time, but the American and Japanese forces fighting over it knew that it was the key to the ultimate prize, Henderson Airfield. Seven major battles and countless smaller skirmishes were fought in this bloody tug-of-war, which stretched for miles from the river to the hills and gorges. Although countless books have been published on the Guadalcanal campaign, none of them have focused on the decisive battles in the Matanikau Basin. This first comprehensive study of these important battles, which objectively examines all sides, fills this crucial gap in the history of the Guadalcanal campaign. Author Dave Holland spent three years exploring the battlefields, researching and documenting his findings. Thanks to his knowledge of the area, he is able to take the reader on a journey in the footsteps of the soldiers. With his investigative skills and military background, he offers a fresh, detailed and often completely new perspective on the land campaign, highlighting previously unknown facts and illustrating their significance as turning points in the campaign.
