"Operation Watchtower" was the code name for the Allied campaign to capture the Solomon Islands during World War II, specifically targeting Guadalcanal. Launched in August 1942, the operation aimed to prevent the Japanese from establishing a stronghold that could threaten supply routes between the United States and Australia. The operation involved a series of amphibious assaults and intense battles, with significant fighting occurring between U.S. Marines and Japanese forces. The successful capture of Guadalcanal marked a turning point in the Pacific Theater, as it was the first major offensive by Allied forces against Japan, leading to further campaigns in the region.