Hello all, I am doing a report on the way the Japanese and Americans fought in the Pacific. I am focusing on the tactics, but also how the soldiers mentally changed over the time they spent there. A few years ago I watched a documentry called Hell in the Pacific and it was fantastic. I knew about how vicious the Americans fought towards the end and why they had to, however it was shocking how some began to collect body parts and bones. About two weeks ago, I finished a book called Senso. This book had many memoirs and letters which were written by Japanese service men, civilians, and others durning the war. I was surrprised to see that there was a good deal of Japanese that were opposing the war, fought like normal human beings, and some were sympathetic to the U.S. No doubt, after reading that I feel very ignorant for almost considering that just about every Japanese soldier was the same, in his views of war. So, after reading that I have a greater respect than I did once before for the Japanese soldier during WWII (not saying I never did at any point in my life). But now I would like to hear some of your comments! Both on the American attitude and the Japanese attitude before, during, and even after the war (you choose).
Hello all, But now I would like to hear some of your comments! Both on the American attitude and the Japanese attitude before, during, and even after the war (you choose). Specifically Japanese and American or the PTO which involved Australians, NZ, British, Indian, Dutch et al. (I am not being facetious here as they are sometimes left out of the equation. I have spoken to young American service personal who didn't even know that Australians et al fought in the Pacific.) In general terms, anybody who did not have respect for the fighting ability of the Japanese should not be discussing the subject at all. They were the epitome of soldiers who were prepared to fight to the death for their country and their Emperor. The hatred of the Japanese by their enemies was in most part, due to their treatment of captured combatants and civilians. Their vision threw out the rule book of war and forced their enemies to reciprocate in kind.
Ah yes....forgive me for direguarding Austrailia and NZ. No apologies needed. It is good to hear from someone else from Kansas besides "Dorothy". My daughters girlfriend is heading to Kansas on Monday. She has a 2 year "Basketball" scholarship at "Cloud County Community College" in Concordia.
lol Well congrats! I hope she does well. Its getting really cold too, so she may want to dress warm. Infact I would be to surprised if it snows anytime soon.
There is no question about the courage, tenacity, fighting spirit, and ability to endure hardship of the Japanese soldier. On the other hand, some of their tactics and attitudes actually helped the Allies. When the situation became tactically impossible, some Japanese chose to kill themselves rather than be captured. As well, banzai attacks by infantry amounted to little more than mass suicide. These actions neither helped the Emperor nor furthered Japanese goals. As Gen. George Patton once famously said, "You don't win wars by dying for your country. You win them be making the other poor bastard die for his." JT
And speaking of Anzacs, I'm currently reading Richard Wheeler's A Special Valor: The U.S. Marines and the Pacific War. The author says that elements of the Third New Zealand Division occupied the Treasury Islands during the fighting for Bougainville. The same division took the Green Islands during the New Britain Campaign to encircle and neutralize Rabaul. JT
There is no question about the courage, tenacity, fighting spirit, and ability to endure hardship of the Japanese soldier. On the other hand, some of their tactics and attitudes actually helped the Allies. When the situation became tactically impossible, some Japanese chose to kill themselves rather than be captured. As well, banzai attacks by infantry amounted to little more than mass suicide. These actions neither helped the Emperor nor furthered Japanese goals. As Gen. George Patton once famously said, "You don't win wars by dying for your country. You win them be making the other poor bastard die for his." JT Too true! The Japanese laid the ground rules, the allies raised the bar and the Japanese could not jump high enough.
