Absolute Sleep episodes
The Cave Fighters of Tulagi: The First American-Japanese Clash

The Cave Fighters of Tulagi: The First American-Japanese Clash

Deep in the jungle caves of Tulagi, American forces encountered an enemy who refused surrender, no matter the cost.

This powerful story retells the brutal, close-quarters battle marking a World War II turning point. When U.S. Marines landed on Tulagi in 1942, they expected resistance. Instead, they found a new kind of warfare: Japanese defenders entrenched underground, fighting to the last breath.

In this narrative, uncover:

  • Why Tulagi was a critical stepping stone in the Pacific campaign
  • The first shocking encounters with Japan’s “death before surrender” ethos
  • The hidden cave systems that turned the island into a deadly maze
  • The psychological impact on Marines who had never seen combat like this
  • The brutal tactics and nighttime assaults that defined the battle
  • How Tulagi set the tone for every Pacific island campaign that followed

Raw, tense, and historically vital — this is the story of the moment American troops realized the Pacific War would be unlike anything they had trained for. Experience the battle that revealed the true nature of the Empire’s warriors — and changed U.S. strategy forever.

#Tulagi, #American forces, #Japanese defenders, #World War II, #Pacific campaign, #cave systems, #death before surrender, #U.S. Marines