Quote:
Originally Posted by Jim O
The Battle of Guadalcanal (Operation Watchtower) marked the first time that Allied (primarily US) forces had won a land battle against the Imperial Japanese Army.... This was the real "turning point" in my opinion.
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Hm, if we only compare Midway and Guadalcanal, I would still consider Midway the "turning point". As things turned out, Japan lost four out of six fleet carriers at Midway. Had that not have happened, Guadalcanal operation would have been delayed, and when it would take place, it would have been very different with the Kido Butai still as strong as pre-Midway strength.
Put it this way: Imagine Americans trying to hold on to Henderson Field without definite air superiority during the day. That would've been very difficult at best.
Guadalcanal was indeed one of the most critical campaigns without a doubt, but I don't think it was "the" turning point. Perhaps the series of events combining Midway-New Guinea-Solomons/Guadalcanal together makes up "the turning point" of the Pacific War?
I might be saying that just because I'm much more so a navy buff than a land-war one...