Even when the odds were near to equal in troop strength between the Japanese and American forces in the battles for the Pacific islands the Japanese death toll was almost always significantly (understatement) higher than that of the Americans. Were the Americans just better equipped, or are there additional reasons for the uneven casualty discrepancy that I am not seeing? :mellow:
I always thought part of it had to do with the fanatics of the Japanese. They would just sort of throw themselves at the Americans. I think that has to do with their higher death count.
Japanese were fanatical fighters with a preference for death versus injury and subsequent capture and internment. Their ratios were almost always higher. An example is Betio on Tarawa November 1943, where Americans were first blooded in the push up the Pacific in their initial island hopping campaign to Japan. Over 1,000 American marines were killed however of the 4,800 Japanese defenders, only 17 survived. Errors in planning for the crossing of the coral reefs and landing craft that couldn't do the job contributed significantly to the Marine losses. With respect to New Guinea and the Australians earlier in the war, Japanese forces were being supplied with reserve troops and supplies however the Australians were not being effectively relieved. The ratio in this case was less as this was close in jungle fighting. Disease on both sides was rampant however to the latter stages in New Guinea better medical supplies for allied troops for Malaria etc, and in wound healing (Penicillin) and increases in troops, naval and aircraft support assisted in increasing the ratio of Japanese deaths to Allied. The Japanese also lost a great deal of troop ships sunk by Australian and American warships. Depending on the criteria used, these would add to the bad ratio.
Well, if I can put my two cents worth in, the Japs were cunning and shrude at the individual level at times, but in large groups under higher command, they would die like sheep to slaughter, Banzai they would scream running with bayonets fixed and we would cut them in half with .50 caliber fire, then here they come again, and again trying to do the same thing with 150 men that they couldn't do the hour before with 700. Jack
Yes, it had a lot to do with the indoctrination, training, and willingness to die for the emperor. The willingness to die to the last man (rather than the Allied doctrine of come back at a better time) was something that contributed both to the high Japanese death rate and the bitter toll taken on their enemies. There were also times when Hitler also ordered his Generals to "fight to the last man", but the Bushido creed and Samurai spirit were not part of the German make-up so there were times when Hitler was "not heard"..... tom
Well, if I can put my two cents worth in, the Japs were cunning and shrude at the individual level at times, but in large groups under higher command, they would die like sheep to slaughter, Banzai they would scream running with bayonets fixed and we would cut them in half with .50 caliber fire, then here they come again, and again trying to do the same thing with 150 men that they couldn't do the hour before with 700. Jack Jack, how many casualties did your unit(s) have from disease and accidents?
Did the Japs use Banzai charges alot? I thought that was something out of comic books. I thought the Japanese way was to build excellent defensive positions then have to be winkled out one by one, or killed like rats in the sewer.
They were defensive at Tarawa, belted the US troops at Peleliu and Okinawa. Banzai charges at Guadalcanal were ill conceived and gave the US troops the advantage. Many Banzai charges were initiated when they were in a losing position, too weak or did not have sufficient troops to defend and preferred death outside of their bunkers.
Owen, I assure you, at no time did I find the jap to be a comic book character. Yes, they would charge at you, sometimes just pop out at you from the vegetation and hurl themselves at you, they could be waiting in a spider hole, a log bunker, they would tie themselves to the tops of trees and wait for days to shoot at you, they would creep into your lines at night and at daybreak you might find one or two of your men with their throats cut from ear to ear, or worse. At Momote airfield we took five Banzai charges from before midnight to dawn, they ran out of an aircraft revetment at us, with our backs to the ocean. When it was over, the possum squads would take care of any unfinished bussiness, then the bulldozers pushed them into a pile and buried them. I am sorry if any of my posts cause offense. All the best Jack
Syscom3, I don't know how many, time seemed to take it's toll on everyone, from sickness, lack of food, lack of clean water, malaria, Amoebic dysentery, infection, skin ulcers, insect bites, razor like cuts from kunai grass. More fellas get killed by chance from stray bullets than aimed shots, because when the air is full of lead the odds are not on your side, be it enemy or friendly fire. All the best Jack
From all that I have read and heard, those who underestimated the resolve of the Japanese to kill their enemy learnt very quickly that this was not the case. One of my fathers mates said "the only way to ensure a "Jap" was dead, was to kill him again". Referring to them pretending to be dead and waiting for the forward troops to pass by after the engagement.
Hello Spidge, I see you understand my meaning of possum squads, finishing the job was just everyday routine common sense. All the best Jack
