FUN WITH MAPS ISSUE 2024-206

By Steve Kovacs (Introduction by Chuck Gibson)

LOVELAND, OH (November 12, 2024) – In this edition of Fun with Maps on the day after Veterans Day, we note a critical battle in WWII.

The Solomons

A key set of battles occurred in the Pacific Theater of World War 2 in and near the Solomon Islands – Guadalcanal — off the coast of New Guinea between Allied Forces led by the US and Japanese forces for several months in 1942 to early 1943.

One of the defining moments was on November 12, 1942, with a Naval Battle and the Japanese naval bombardment of Henderson Field that was retaken by the Allied Forces in August.  The Japanese failed to neutralize the military airport.

The Battle of Guadalcanal marked a turning point with the Allied Forces switching from defensive to offensive posture, which eventually led to Japan’s surrender.

Oceania is depicted in the 1881 map by Levasseur.

Steve Kovacs and his wife Theresa reside in Loveland, Ohio where they raised their two children. He is a passionate collector of antique maps.

Visit his antique map boutique world-on-paper online. Watch for his daily feature Steve Kovacs: Fun with Maps here on Loveland Beacon.