Guadalcanal – Then and Now

CHINA AND THE SOLOMON ISLANDS

Last week, when the U. S. Coast Guard cutter Oliver Henry sought to make a scheduled stop at historic Guadalcanal to refuel and reprovision, it was tersely denied port entry. This abrupt and insulting snub demonstrates that the totalitarian People’s Republic of China now essentially controls the strategic Solomon Islands, which represent an important chapter in American history. During World War II, thousands of Americans gave their lives to push back Imperial Japan from the archipelago. Moreover, the people of the Solomon Islands were staunch allies in common cause. Furthermore, much blood famously was spilled on the islands and in the waters surrounding them, including the aptly named Iron Bottom Sound. Therefore, and especially in light of the sacrifices made by America and the Commonwealth of Nations in the Solomon Islands, a new Chinese military and economic foothold between Guam, Australia and New Zealand should be of grave strategic concern.

THE MARINES HAVE LANDED

Exactly eighty years ago, on August 7, 1942, the United States Marine Corps landed on Guadalcanal to capture a new Japanese airstrip that threatened Australia. However, once in control Henderson Field, the Marines staged a heroic battle to hold their exposed position against great odds. For six months, amidst fierce naval battles offshore and intense aerial duels overhead, the Marines and, later, Army reinforcements, fought a savage war of attrition with Japanese forces in the putrid jungle. During the series of deadly naval battles in “the slot” offshore, America lost proud cruisers named Astoria, Atlanta, Quincy, Vincennes and Juneau, the latter including the five Sullivan Brothers of Waterloo, Iowa. However, prior to the epic struggle, most Americans had never heard of the Solomon Islands. But the Tenaru, Tulagi, Rendova, Cape Esperance, Cactus Air Force, Edson’s Ridge, Savo Island and Tassafaronga soon filled the public consciousness.

TURNING THE TIDE IN THE PACIFIC

Following the pivotal naval battles of Coral Sea and Midway, Guadalcanal was the decisive moment in turning the tide of the Pacific War. Among the Americans, Australian Coastwatchers, and Solomon Islands Constabulary there are many heroic sagas. Ace airmen including Joe Foss and Gregory “Pappy” Boyington roamed the skies. Future American president John Fitzgerald Kennedy famously skippered PT-109. Perhaps most significant is Sir Jacob Vouza, sergeant major of the constabulary and chief Marine scout. Japanese troops captured and tortured Sir Jacob. Left for dead, he somehow made it back to American lines and gasped warning of an impending attack. Later knighted by Queen Elizabeth II, he also famously won the American Legion of Merit, Silver Star, honorary American citizenship and permanent rank in the U. S. Marine Corps. Therefore, it is hard in light of this profound and shared legacy to understand recent developments.  

A SERIOUS SECURITY THREAT

Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare has alarmed his neighbors, America and others after he signed a new security pact with China. A Chinese military presence in the Solomon Islands would put it on the doorstep of Australia and New Zealand and in close proximity to Guam. Therefore, tensions between America and Pacific allies with the Sogavare government have grown dramatically in recent months. Moreover, Sogavare reportedly plans to allow the People’s Liberation Army to station forces in the Solomon Islands.  But any deployment of Chinese forces to the Solomon Islands would pose a serious security threat to American and allied interests. China could threaten the U.S. Navy’s lines of communication at depth while also gathering valuable intelligence from sensor systems based on the Solomon Islands. But China is also ominously moving to envelop Guam, protect an invasion of Taiwan and interdict any American counterattack.

MASSIVE CHINESE INVESTMENT

Consequently, the Biden administration is faced with the Solomon Islands escalating action against American and allied interests. The response so far has judiciously attempted to redress these concerns by boosting American aid and economic engagement. Those moves follow years of neglect by the United States, which led to understandable frustration. With an export market of less than $1 billion annually, the Solomon Islands continue to rely on low-value exports such as wood and fish. China has stepped into this gap, offering massive investment in return for political obedience. Hence, the snub of the Oliver Henry. The international patrols that the cutter is part of police illegal global fishing, which guilty Chinese crews are responsible for. Therefore, China has reason to obstruct the patrols and manipulate their puppet Sogavare.

PUSHING BACK AND IMPOSING COSTS

Although a tenuous democracy with a weak rule of law, the Solomon Islands has the sovereign right to pursue whatever foreign policy it chooses. But America and its allies also have the right to defend their interests. Because Chinese access to the Solomon Islands poses a clear threat to American and allied security, the Solomon Islands must face consequences for aligning with Beijing. Firstly, America, Australia, Britain and France should increase military patrols in the area. Furthermore, Sogavare must be made to realize the position he has put himself in. Meanwhile, we can undermine his diplomatic and economic interests beyond China. Links with other trading partners are far more important. America and Australia can declassify intelligence showing how corrupt and beholden to Beijing that Sogavare actually is. In conclusion, Sogavare must come to recognize that there are painful costs associated with his antagonism and embrace of China.

Learn more about Guadalcanal and the Pacific Theater of World War II in America Ascendant – The Rise of American Exceptionalism.