pbThis new title tells the story of Japan's long-range air campaign to destroy the Cactus Air Force on Guadalcanal, why Henderson Field was so vital to both sides, and how the Allies defeated the previously all-conquering Japanese.bppThe campaign for Guadalcanal, which stretched from August 1942 until February 1943, centered on Henderson Field. The airfield was captured by the US on 8 August and placed into operation by 20 August. As long as the airfield was kept operational and stocked with sufficient striking power, the Japanese could not run convoys with heavy equipment and large amounts of supplies to the island. Instead, they were forced to rely on night runs by destroyers which could not carry enough men or supplies to shift the balance decisively against the American garrison on the island.ppThe American air contingent on the island, named the Cactus Air Force, comprised Marine, Navy and Army Air Force units. It had the challenging mission of defending the airfield against const