My mother in her eighties once told me to not let them say that dropping the bomb on Hiroshima was a mistake. My dad, after fighting to liberate the Philippines, was looking at the transport that would take him to invade Japan. He ended up in Japan but he didn’t have to fight his way in. As Harry Truman said how could I not drop the bomb and suffer huge American casualties when in good conscience I a weapon to shorten the war.

We could have gone for FORMOSA;BUT!! then we must deal ;hand and glove,with CHANG KAI SHEK!! Ask STILLWELL;AND CHENNAULT ,what they KNEW CHANG would try to do!! The japs;even tho well detested;had a RESONATING message;ASIA for the ASIANS! . This was echoed by asians throughout the Pacific and otherwise! Even the PI though terribly victimized by the japs;FELT that sentiment to be true. Formosa would have been a GIGANTIC burden to our war efforts;whereas the PI would be purely beneficial to us. Not to mention POSTWAR !! Yes FORMOSA seemed the better prize;however;the result would have perhaps CRIPPLED our ability to prosecute the Pacific war. Far too many twisting issues .lay with coming under ,ANY influence of CHANG,and his warlord buddies! Our liberation of the PI was seen then;and still now;as the USA keeping its word to a terribly abused;yet loyal ally. It was not just the RIGHT move politcally;but;as postwar issues arose;certainly,militarilly.

Awesome episode, thanks gentlemen for the educational history that must be remembered!!! T.C.B. ⚡

Guys, great tip on the adaychic shirts! They've got some really cool stuff! (And some stuff that's kinda weird, but, whatever makes people happy!) Great tip! And great podcast, as always.

just discovered you're show...great stuff.once you start watching you can't turn it off

Aussie here. Great show, I agree Momsen needs his own episode or 2.

My God, YOU guys Rawk ! YOU talk, I listen.

I really enjoyed listening to you all speak at WNHA in San Diego last weekend. Very nice to meet Bill Toti, and have a spirited talk with Jon across the lunch table. I'm one of the 700+ volunteers on USS Midway, which is a great venue for WNHA. I hope to see you all again next year!

MG(USMC) Lejuene simultaneously commanded a Marine Regiment (4th) and the Second Infantry Division (US Army) during WWI, during at least 2 major campaigns. Now I can't get any information on the specifics of those operations, but when they are under a Single Commander I would guess those 2 formations worked in conjunction with eachother.

My great Uncle died on Luzon. Nobody in my family ever questioned the decision

Will you be doing any episodes about the occupation of Japan

1:32:57 Jon: Your “blathering” turns what is already the best content on the Pacific War-on KZbin, or anywhere else-into the most intensely concentrated combination of interesting, entertaining, engaging, and informative historical expositions of the war it has been my pleasure to watch. And, as always, megathanks to Seth (and in this case, Cap’n Bill, in absentia) for creating and hosting such a consistently superb production.

My Dad never talked about his service. All I know is he was on an LST in the Navy. I was talking to a friend about this program, and he told me this. "I ask Grandpa once about his WW 2 experience and he started talking about fishing. I ask my Dad about that and he told me not to talk to Grandpa about WW2." End of story

My step dad was in the 1st wave, where he received his 1st Purple 💜, 3 total, Bronze 🥉, Silver 🥈 on different islands. He fought to take the island, where my dad a heavy equipment operator helped build an air field where planes that my mother & 2 aunts helped build flew out of and where an uncle as Chief aircraft mechanic worked. Another uncle that I'm named after was in the fight of his life in a night action against what would be called The Tokyo Express, Savo, he was in charge of keeping the steam up, on board DD 407, he was part of the commissioning crew 1938, Malcolm Halford. He also had a brother aboard her. He joined the Navy in 38, retired in 58. He was on her when the war started but while she was in Port, NY Pier 9 he was hospitalized with German measles, DD407 sailed without him He was assigned to the USS Augusta where he remained until the Augusta was back at Pier 9 for major work near the end of the war. He was sent back to Pearl where he worked on damaged Navy ships. One day he sees DD407 come in, as soon as he could he went aboard to visit old shipmates. While having coffee in the ship's mess with a group of buddies an announcement comes over the ships PA the Captain said "The war is over, Japan surrendered" For him WW2 started with him aboard DD407 and ended with him back on board her. Every adult in my childhood was either a Vet or war worker. My mom was a riveter on bombers with a sister and a future sister in law. My dad died in 67 from effects of his time in the service, later my mom married a Marine that knew my dad from their time together on Guadalcanal. They were both from Harlingen Texas but met on an island in the Pacific.

24:40 This Willoughby fellow then proceeded to be Mac's Intel Chief in Korea to similarly disastrous results.

This ship had no ROI.

It is a dish best served frozen.

It is rather strange what Cmdr. Toti said about putting his submarine out to sea while a typhoon approached. I was on the USS Dewey in Naples when the word was put out to put to sea because of a hurricane. I was on liberty and wild horses would not have kept me from making it back before she sailed. My feeling was Dewey was My ship and My ship wasn’t going anywhere without me. Toti must have had very little lead time before putting out to sea.

This is where my dad joined the war for the second time. After surviving the sinking of the Lexington CV-2, he was sent to Bremerton and served as an ACO on the Enterprise CV-6 during the 1944 engagements. He was 24 years old and met my mom in a pool hall near the Airbase they trained at before boarding the ship.

Note: I'm a 1st time watcher, and subscribed Very impressive work

I love new information about unknown event on sea or land wars, but this is a ture gem a golden nugget Admiral Charles Lockwood also know to his submarines men as Uncle Charlie. Thank you for this talk about a truely remarkable leader and man.

I went to Bro Martin 1980-1983, my uncle was a surgion in eto at a mash.there is a picture of my mom giving two cannon balls from the battle of chalmette to robert taylor for the war effort, wow wish i had them

I still wonder why FDR ordered "Mac" out of the Phillipines in '42? It would have solved so many problems, both military and political(?) if he would have allowed him to be captured instead of Wainwright.

Who remembers "A-day" now? But, "D-Day" is practically universally known. Serves the S** right!

Love that FDR was a Navy guy. Also pushed hard for massive aircraft production increases - they thought his targets (100,000 planes!) were too high, but later exceeded.

Thank you for an overview of the challenges and successes under Uncle Charlie's leadership. I was hoping for more of a profile of the man, his personality, aspects of his leadership that were noteworthy. What of his post-war career? Did any of his thinking endure in the submarine service? One challenge for the leadership of this post is the inability to guide skippers beyond sending them on missions. ComSubPac has to determine who will be successful and send him on his way. What did ADM Lockwood look for?

My grandfather was a Higgins boat driver at Peleliu. He endured 22 days of straight shelling and finally lost his mind over the death. This man saw 11 separate invasions during wwii and peleliu was the last stop. He recovered at oak knoll. This is one of the saddest chapters of World War II. Peleliu destroyed the finest regiment in the us military, the 1st Marines.

The attack on Pearl Harbor can be considered a strategic victory for the US. Japan failed to get the carriers, the subs and the oil tanks as mentioned in this episode. One thing not mentioned was they failed to get the pilots being that the majority of our aircraft was destroyed on the ground. Six of the eight battleships were repaired and updated as was the base itself. The lost aircraft were replaced. The only real tragedy was of course the loss of American lives.

I read about this as a kid 65 years ago.

Awesome guys!!!

The story of the USS Indianapolis has captured my imagination since I was a teen and inspired me to join the Marine Corps. The story was a tragedy for the ship, her men, and her Captain. The Navy compounded the tragedy by prosecuting Captain McVay unjustly. May he, his men, and his ship rest in peace knowing they did their jobs.

I have been learning about the European theater of Operations for some time. I heard Mr. Parshall on my favorite KZbin channel WW2TV. Now I’m hooked on this channel too. Jimminey Christmas you know you’re history. Thank you for the many hours of study it has taken to be so familiar with this part of WWII history. God bless all involved in making these programs possible.

Akagi, *laid down as 1920, demonstrated the total commitment as *Japanese heavy industry. Yokosuka, Kobe, Kawasaki, and Mitsubishi shipyards as among the "yard component to assembly. Japan's ruling *Diet governance as expending 1/3 of national budget as direct Navy cost. 1917 to 1920 years as an example of that cost and effort. Incoming shipments as to all support undertaking was through sea to land logistic with the armies of worker craftsmen tethered to the site(s) production. Akagi build as site. Kure the second-oldest naval dockyard in Japan * prefecture. "Hiroshima as city". This area as yard component has shown a transition as coal (steam ) to oil bunker fuel and the naval efforts advance to the later Chinese conflict (various mission) cira 1935 to outbreak of war.. The heavy industry component driving mining, metal mills a rolling +drop forge, crucible advances is aluminum, copper and methods to a sort of peak as 1935 thru 1945. Kure Arsenal included a major steel works (built with British assistance) *also ordinance products. Construction of Akagi as an aircraft carrier began on 19 November 1923. The heavy industry as a driving force to economy, leadership expenditure and later shipyard yield as: The keel of Yamato, the lead ship of the class,[7] was laid down at the Kure Naval Arsenal, Hiroshima, on 4 November 1937 in a dockyard that had to be adapted to accommodate her enormous hull.[8][9] The dock was deepened by one meter, and gantry cranes capable of lifting up to 350 tonnes were installed. Build time as three years document the improvements as *Method. *As compared to earlier Akagi build years. The view of a sunken Akagi is also, a look back at the pre-US conflict as years 1920 to 1941 *pearl Harbor where the twisted steel (as keel) 1920 was a parallel to Nippon endeavor shaping the outbreak as US entry. The burned and exploded wreck often a flagship to the Naval and air crew domain. The year 2025 as 81 years past sinking and the build to conflict additive to 100 years steel structure at keel. Events, places and forces that shaped our modern world today. Thank you, historians for the wonderful series. Just so well done. M.

Roy Geiger was the only marine who commanded an Army Field Army on Okinawa. (10th Army)

How about doing a show on Roy Geiger.

The question that keeps popping into my head is this. While I understand that revenge for Pearl Harbor is a motivation for the average sailor... Was this the singular motivation? In Europe, defeating the NAZI regime was quite a motivator was this a factor in the Pacific? Did the average sailor understand the evil of the Japanese army? Did they know about the China rape? Did they know about Unit 731? How much of the "big picture" did the US sailor, soldier, or Marine know? Clearly it took every ounce of moral courage to defeat the Japanese on the Islands. What was the motivation for the average person thrust into the Pacific? So many acts of bravery and courage on this front, it begs the question how it was presented to them? Fighting for the man next to you is powerful for sure. What sustained moral on our side? Maybe I am ignorant about this. (It would not surprise me.) But this audience is a privilege to be among and if there are any insights, I would appreciate being educated. I have learned so much from this podcast and the comments!!

Another great submarine episode--Bill must have been quite happy. The Frank Rich reveal was mind blowing!

Einstein was a patent inspector and had a good eye for what would work and what wouldn't.

Saving American lives was the right decision. but I saw a Y2 v of the Japanese who survived the blast gathering, it was a moving film. some of them lived into their 70's and 80's

I just discovered this series and these guys do a fantastic job. I consider myself a decent amateur historian on the Pacific war but I am learning so much from this. Great job!

Amazing episode; ordering the book now. My grandfather flew 33 missions in P-400 Aircobras from Henderson’s cow pasture runway and received this: The President of the United States of America …[presents] the Silver Star to Major (Air Corps) Thomas H. Hubbard (ASN: 0-380248), United States Army Air Forces, for gallantry in action against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a Fighter Airplane of the 1st Air Group, Far East Air Force… Major Hubbard repeatedly fought off enemy Japanese fighters in defense of Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands. He especially distinguished himself on 10 October 1942, by leading his reduced squadron against a strongly defended enemy position, braving intense anti-aircraft fire, and bombing and machine gunning the Japanese strong point until it was impotent. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Major Hubbard, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army Air Forces.

Been watching since about episode 50. This was one of the very best episodes. Thanks for everything guys

@9:40 I thought they were diesel powered; in fact Nimitz drove the change from gasoline to diesel early in his career.

Thank u

Kinney ???

Brilliant presentation! Incredible background in submarine evolution, tactics and of course.. torpedo’s that actually worked!

The Japanese did develop/use self sealing fuel tanks- it became quite standard on Japanese aircraft even the Zero.

I used to listen to UHOTPW with great interest and enthusiasm. But since Nov Im overtaken with great sadness and anger, fear for children and grandchildren. When I hear the opening theme now I just cry. I Cry for my fallen countrymen who sacrificed so much for all of us, I cry for the people of the United States whose sons and fathers and daughters died to protect us from the very things that imperil us now. I cry for a country that has lost its way , lost its purpose and the people who held the dream of an American freedom, I cry for all those souls who yearn to breathe free, that is no more. I have no idea what country I woke up in this morning, but it isn’t the one I used to know. The pain of realising that you’ve lost your country is a terrible burden to bear. I’m an American, one who believes in freedom and justice, for every person, from every shore, with all their hopes and dreams and desires. I am beginning to understand how the Japanese felt when finally conquered by us in 1945; I understand how a man can look at the destruction around him whether tangible or societal, and believe that all he ever knew was either an illusion or destroyed. I often wonder now if I want to continue or to remain. With the awful array of forces in front of us determined to bring down all that we hold dear, please give me a reall, compelling reason to carry. We have no underground, no organised resistance, no series of intelligent and insightful leaders to show us the way. We are rudderless. I’ve been faced with this before, in Southeast Asia. But we had the means to fight against the oppression. I NEVER thought I’d have to face this situation in my OWN COUNTRY. We weren’t perfect, far from it. But we were giving ourselves a chance we realised we had a long way to go and we knew there was so much to do but we were trying so, why did these people have to appear now and intentionally take us back 60 years, a government is for the people And by the people government is not for the wealthy the oligarchs where the people are the indentured servants. But I don’t know how to fight anymore, I did when I was young and trained but I’m old now and I look at it around me and I see a problem, that is absolutely overwhelming and I have no idea what to do where to start. Damn them to hell for doing this to us. Somehow whether by time or by our own hand, we will make them pay. That much is certain.

The Army in Europe kept their distance from replacements too. Even some returning wounded got similar treatment depending how long they ha been with the outfit and how much action they had experienced with the unit before they were wounded and taken from the battlefield..

i'm so psyched ! My wife was watching the Q&As with me and ordered me a shirt ! Can't wait for it to come in. If I see another one like it, I will know they listen to the podcasts.