One tends to view the Second World War as an inevitability where weight of numbers smothered the Axis. While this is undoubtedly true, there were times in every theatre where the ability for the Allies to survive long enough for their power of production to enter the equation was in serious jeopardy. Americans tend to view World War 2 as a somewhat short affair. Beginning in the end of December of 1941 (already two years into the war in Europe, and many more in the Pacific), we often forget about the massive and humiliating defeats the US suffered in the Philippines and all over the Pacific until June of 1942 and the Battle of Midway. The casual observer’s (from some of your comments to these Diaries, I know there are no casual observers on MGoBlog) conception of the war then fast forwards to Iwo Jima, or perhaps even the bombing of Japan, with sort of a general understanding that America made progress in between.

In 1942 however, that progress was far from certain. In the latter part of that year, having seen some victories small and large, the United States was ready to go on the offensive against the Japanese. This started at an island called Guadalcanal. Despite the Arsenal of Democracy the United States became in WW2, the Marines and Naval force at Guadalcanal was still a remnant of the inter-war period. Armed with WW1 era rifles, the Marines on the island were under equipped and under supplied to face the Japanese Army that was being sent to push them back into the sea.

Marines at Guadalcanal

 

The war in the Pacific required a harmony between services like very few wars in history before or since. Success required Naval, Air, and Land forces to work together as one. The Marines on Guadalcanal were trusting the Navy to watch their back against the still powerful Japanese fleet. They were let down. Afraid to lose their precious (and insanely valuable) carriers to land based Japanese bombers, the Navy withdrew them from the seas around Guadalcanal, followed closely by the surface ships. The situation was made worse after the Japanese mauled the reamaining US Navy cruisers at the Battle of Savo Island, taking firm control of the seas around Guadalcanal. The US Navy in 1942 was far from what it would later become. Slow to adjust to new technology, slow to replace faulty weapons, and with command and control systems out of synch, the Marines on the island could not count on their support. They would have to do it themselves. For weeks, the Marines were subjugated to attacks not only on the ground and in the air, but also shelling from Japanese battleships behind them. The Marines on the island were cut off, and were forced to fight alone with what they had.

 

IJN Battleship Haruna which shelled Marines at Guadalcanal. With eight 356mm guns. 

 

What they had was pretty good. Most of the armies Japan had faced prior to this were colonial garrison troops, against which they had experienced nothing but success. But on Guadalcanal they faced US Marines. Experienced from wars in China and small brushfires across the world, Marine leaders were the first opponents the Japanese would face with relevant combat experience. Rather than put together a solid strategy, the Japanese lined up like that had for the last half decade of war, and went straight forward. The Marines dug in around their only lifeline, the airstrip called Henderson Field. To lose it meant almost certain death for the Marines on the island, and the great American offensive in the Pacific would fail.

Marine Officers at Guadalcanal. could Play ILB at Wisconsin with that jaw

 

Three times the Japanese lined up and came right at the Marines on Guadalcanal. First at the Tenaru, the 900 men of the 31st IJA Infantry Regiment slammed into 3,000 of the US Marine 1st Infantry Regiment. The Marines were ready, they were prepared, they knew what was coming, and stopped the Japanese in their tracks.

In their arrogance, the Japanese infantry would try two more front assaults over the coming weeks. First at Edson’s Rudge and then at a place called the Matanikau. They ran right into the teeth of the best warriors America had to offer, and were shattered. The Japanese had squandered their chance for victory by underestimating their opponents, and given away the initiative to their enemy, who would never give it back.

 

For whatever reason, (and there are many) the offense against Illinois was broken. Much like the US Navy in 1942, they were missing some pieces, and were unable (or unwilling) to change their concept on the fly to fit their new realities. This diary is not about how poorly the offense played, and I do not know nearly enough to even begin to dissect that. This diary is about how when they were left by themselves, with a perfect season on the line and all of their goals in front of them, the Michigan defense stepped up on four plays (one penalty) and held the line.

Illinois needed one first down. Ten Yards. An Illinois who hasn’t beaten a team inside the Top 3 since 2007, (beat #1 OSU!!). An Illinois who lost to Michigan State. They had victory in their grasp, and the Michigan Defense simply refused to let them close their fists around it. For one series, the Michigan defense flexed to what it had been in the second half of every game all season, an unbreakable wall.

Earlier in the year, we discussed Kalel Mullings on defense. He struggled, pretty hard. But one of the beautiful things about college football is it allows young men to find a role and excel in it. While Mullings may be a running back in the future, for now he is a linebacker. When his team needed him, they put him in position and gave him a task he could excel at. Use your size and stop the run, (he did over pursue on the penalty scramble, ok, play didn’t count).   While it is far from a redemption arc (he’s young, he will develop), it is amazing to see a young man who has struggled so much throughout the year know his team trusts him. To know that when all of their collective dreams are on the line, he is one of the 11 men they will count on.

The second hero was Taylor Upshaw. A 3 Star Graduate Student, Taylor Upshaw is a quintessential Michigan Man. He’s seen game action, but has never been a star. He has worked his way up, never quitting, doing the work to make himself and Michigan what they are. He is in his fifth year in the program, and has stayed behind some of the best players at his position Michigan has EVER had. He has stayed, and on the last play of Illinois’ attempt to seal the upset, he made the 3rd down tackle. He shut the door on Illinois, and have his offense one more shot. He stayed, and he is a champion.

Beat Ohio.