WWII Pacific Theatre of OperationsThread

[eyepaddle]

I don't currently have any questions, but it seemed to me that there are a large number of European Theatre/Third Reich threads, perhaps we also need one devoted to the "other" part of the war. In my mind the PTO includes pretty much any area where the Japanese were THE Axis power in the conflict. This would include China-Burma-India as well as Naval Operations against the Japanese in the Indiam Ocean.

Just for kicks we could also include the small squadrons of submarines which both Germany and Italy commited to the Far East (as opposed to German Cruiser U-Boat raids against British Shipping in the Indian Ocean) Oh hell, I'm kind of a Naval History guy myself, so if you really wanna talk about those operations here, we can do that, too!

If anybody wants to get a Naval thread going as well I'm interested. WWII os my main area of interest, but WWI and earlier conflicts can also be discussed.

Just to add a little specific content to this post? On this day in 1943 (Jan 7th) US MArine and Army strength on Guadalcanal reaches 50,000. They are opposed by 25,000 Japanese. Strategic encirclement has commenced (via Sealift). In Burma a Stalemate has begun near Arakan.

Take it away folks!

[eyepaddle]

1. An addendum

If anybody is intersted in the Pacific War I cannot reccomend "Shattered Sword" by Parshall and Tully highly enough. This book tells the story of the Battle of Midway through Japanese eyes. Many Western perceptions are incorrect (though not because of dishonesty on the part of American historians, but largely because they relied on only a few Japanese sources--the main one being highly flawed and intentionally inaccurate.

One of the first assumptions challenged is the largely free pass given to Admiral Yamamoto, who in western eyes was a clear thinking brilliant strategist who wished to avoid war with America--but if he could not, he would fight to the best of his abilitt as a loyal servant of the Emperor. Yamamoto's superiors (A man named Nagano) lost an argument with Yamamoto in which Nagano believed that as long as Japan did not attack America, it is not likely we would attack Japan.

Given America's isolationsit bent at the time, this seems quite plausible to me. Without Pearl Harbor as an impetus would the US have entered the war at all? Even if entered, but very belatedly what would have been the consequences on world history?

Anybody who has a greater knowledge of the workings in Washington at this time would be very welcome in this discussion, as much of the Naval growth which took place in 1942 and 43 which was used to destroy the empire was in fact planned and budgeted years in a advance American intention to join the fray at some point is hard to deny, but what if....

[Parche]

2. My Week 7-13Octobra 2007

I flew to Hawaii, part for vacation, but the main reason was to be there for this ceremony
I met so many wonderful people, the son and daughter of Commander Morton, the son of
the previous exec on the boat, Dick Okane (medal of honor recipient)
We took the tour of the Arizona, Uss Missouri, and the new Air Museum
One of the many highlights was when I met the 4 remaining sailors that were on the USS Wahoo
before its final patrol, he took me in the USS Bowfin for a private tour, showing me what
his job was, and how he performed that.
I have never been to a Navy ceremony like this, extremely emotional,as this was the final closure for many of these families, there was not a dry eye there, and mine were misty the whole time.
I will never forget this week, and never forget these brave people.






On Eternal Patrol - Memorial Ceremony for the Men of
USS Wahoo (SS-238)







To all families, friends, and former crew members
of USS Wahoo - Lost at Sea, October 11, 1943

This page provides information on the Wahoo Memorial Ceremony and related activities. The date of the Ceremony was Thursday, October 11, 2007, the sixty-fourth anniversary of the loss of the boat, and the event was hosted by USS Bowfin Submarine Museum & Park, on the shores of Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. Activities began on Tuesday, October 9, 2007, and concluded with the Ceremony on Thursday, October 11.


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Paul Crozier has set up a blog site which enabled him to post daily about the activities while he was in Hawaii, and to put up images of the events, as well. He wants to enable those who couldn't attend the ceremony to participate, at least virtually, via his postings and guest feedback.

Please visit The War Fish Blog (http://war-fish.blogspot.com /).


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Ceremony-at-Sea

The U.S. Navy, while conducting routine operations off the coast of Wakkanai, Japan, held a Ceremony-at-Sea for USS Wahoo on July 8, 2007. A presentation by CAPT Tom Logue and RDML John Christenson about this ceremony was given at the main Memorial Ceremony at Pearl Harbor in October.



Last known photo of Wahoo Crew


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Event Schedule

Tuesday, October 9th, 7:00 p.m. - The Ohana East Hotel “Princess Kaiulani Room” was the site of the after-dinner, informal, Wahoo extended-family get-together. The gathering also served as an orientation and informational meeting for the following days’ events.

Daytime on Wednesday, October 10th was devoted to tours of three Pearl Harbor Historic Sites, the USS Arizona Memorial, the Battleship Missouri, and the new Pacific Aviation Museum.



Submarine USS Parche SS384

[Parche]

3. Admiral Halsey And The Battle Of Leyte Gulf

What do you think of the decision of Admiral Halsey to take all of his 3rd fleet up north
to intercept the 'Northern' decoy Japanese carriers.



My take on it is that while yes he should have kept Task Force 34 to guard the San Bernardino straight, but remember his flagship was the New Jersey, and that was in that Task Force, under the command of VADM Willis Lee.
In doing so, Halsey would have remained South and with the Surface ships, probably leaving
the carriers with 'Slew' McCain in charge to the North.

I think that Halsey did the right thing, as the USS Princeton just got hit by carrier aircraft
that were shuttling back and forth between the carriers and the Phillipines, the Princeton
later had to be scuttled, he was worried about air strikes on his ships, and the new kamikaze
doctrine that was just being introduced would have been a tragic situation.

:hi:

[eyepaddle]

4. Oooh, good topic,

I must confess, it's been a while since I read the book on the Battle of Leyte Gulf, so some of the particulars about task group compostion are a bit fuzzy, so your take on why Halsey needed to take his Battleships north is one I haven't thought of.

My impression was that he should have left his battleships where they were as he had been direected, but can understand why he thought he needed to pursue the shatterd remnants of the Japanese Fleet. This is especially true in light of the criticism Spruance got for not more agressively pursuing the Japanese in the Battle of the Phillipine Sea. I am defintiely intrigued by your point though.

Also, damn, can you think of the brawl that would've ensued had Iowa and South Dakota class BB (were there any North Carolina's present?) been there to face down the Japanese squadron as opposed to little ol' Taffy 3?

:hi:

[eyepaddle]

5. Sorry to leave you hanging, but I'm about to cruise for the day,

I'm going to look up a few things and refresh my memory, and we can get back to this tomorrow!

[Parche]

6. Battle plans

Ok, now set for tomorrows sailing!!! :hi: