Pacific Counterblow - Air Force Historical Studies Office

first from Rabaul, secured by the enemy in January; then from
Tulagi, where by May the Japanese were already well established.
(It was at Tulagi on Florida Island that the Yorktown's aircraft carried
out a successful strike during the Battle of the Coral Sea.)
In June grass was burning on Guadalcanal's Lunga Plain, one of
the few spots in the Solomons where an airdrome could easily be built.
Around 4 July, Jap troops and construction personnel moved ashore
and in less than a month Allied search planes saw the first signs of
what appeared to be a concrete runway.
The Tulagi-Lunga Plain combination was extremely convenient.
Enclosed by the small islands of Tulagi, Gavutu, and Tanambogo, the
harbor at Tulagi is deep and spacious; with air cover from Guadalcanal
it presents an excellent naval base site. Backing this advanced
base were Rabaul, only 565 nautical miles distant; Bougainville, with
the important Buin-Faisi-Tonolei complex, protected from Kahili
Field, at its southern tip; Kieta, where an airdrome was already being
laid out-an impressive array of supporting bases. And from many
lesser bases in the Solomons-from Gizo, Rekata Bay, Kieta and
Buka Passage-seaplanes were already operating.
With Lunga airdrome complete, land-based bombers would be able
to soften the New Hebrides for a thrust southward. If the Japanese
were to be stopped short of a point where they could snap the lifeline
to Australia, then Tulagi-Guadalcanal offered the last possible
opportunity.
The man facing this problem was Vice Adm. Robert L. Ghormley,
COMSOPAC. As Commander, South Pacific Area, Admiral Ghormley
commanded all U. S. ground, air, and naval forces in his area,
and certain New Zealand units as well. His air commander was
Rear Adm. John S. McCain, who, as COMAIRSOPAC, controlled all
land-based aircraft in the South Pacific Area, including those of the
USAAF.
General Harmon Takes Over
Top Army commander in the South Pacific was Maj. Gen. Millard
F. Harmon, who arrived in the theater to assume the title of
COMGENSOPAC, Commanding General, United States Army
Forces in the South Pacific Area, only a week before the Guadalcanal
offensive opened. Subordinate to COMSOPAC, General Harmon
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