A complex subject covering strategic egotistical, religious, imperialist, and indigenous matters. John's expertise shines through. This show upheld the quality of the first this week. Work prevents the 'live' viewing of earlier programming here in the UK, but guaranteed the follow-up will happen. What a great start to the week.
@WW2TV Жыл бұрын
Thank you Gary
@TomW2AmateurHistorian24 күн бұрын
John Manus: basically all I need to see to watch a video. I know I'll learn something, most likely I'll learn many things. This is another great discussion, thank you Woody & John!
@scottgrimwood8868 Жыл бұрын
John McManus always gives a excellent talk. His books are great!
@morganhale3434 Жыл бұрын
The success of the New Guinea and Solomons campaign had a lot to do with the good relations with the local residents and the efforts by the Coast Watcher program by Australia.
@davidlavigne207 Жыл бұрын
I totally agree. Any kindness and right thinking actions would have seemed like a God send after occupation by the Japanese "Masters of the greater East Co-Prosperity Sphere." As did the Germans in Europe, so the Japanese did, almost guarantying resentment and resistance by the populations they ruled over.
@sk43999 Жыл бұрын
Great to see this focus on the Philippines. I had a close friend whose parents were from there and lived through the war, hiding in the jungle. One thing she pointed out was that the Filippinos suffered from "colonial disease" - meaning that you become dependent on the home country (either Spain or the US) for so much infrastructure such that you are unprepared to assume responsibility once you become independent.
@silentotto5099 Жыл бұрын
That's an interesting point that I've never really given much thought to in the context of the Philippines in their run up to independence.. In most colonies, extraction industries flourish. But, the more advanced industries that a independent country would require to be in a position to maintain their independence tend to be neglected (or deliberately stifled) by the colonial power in charge.
@executivedirector7467 Жыл бұрын
That works in both directions. The colonial power tends to become dependent on the colony in ways many people fail to see.
@mjinoz16774 ай бұрын
Always enjoy John’s talks and analysis.
@terryemery7839 Жыл бұрын
Very good presentation. John McManus is knowledgeable and well spoken.
@WW2TV Жыл бұрын
Yep, hence why we have had him as a guest half a dozen times
@terryemery7839 Жыл бұрын
@ww2tv. Have watched all vids by John McManus ~ All very good. Have watched about 200 of your vids to date. My father was in the Royal Canadian Navy Merchant Marines serving in the Pacific assigned to an anti-aircraft gunnery station and was also a diver. Your vids are enjoyable, informative, and helps me pass the time. Unfortunately, I suffer from extreme arthritis that has left me immobile to a large degree, so you provide a very important service and I thank you for that. Donation will be sent soon!
@WW2TV Жыл бұрын
Thank you for the nice words Terry
@amnucc Жыл бұрын
The "engineer's war" in the Pacific was part of a super-human logistics effort supply the front lines half a world away. The repair, refit, resupply and recreation facilities were built from nothing and were able to service fleet task forces. The sheer amount of shipping needed to transport the material is mind boggling.
@kirbyculp34493 ай бұрын
When the Americans in the tropics are eating ice cream and the Japanese in the tropics are eating Jspanese then the victor is predictable.
@brucesteinhilper5926 Жыл бұрын
Great discussion here. Was based on Luzon as Marine in 1980, our jungle survival instructor was a negrito bushman who was also one of Gen.MacArthur's personal guides, and fought against the Japanese occupation as a guerilla fighter. He had some amazing stories.
@TheVigilant109 Жыл бұрын
Fantastic presentation by John as usual. Learned a lot. Look forward to John's next visit. Many thanks
@tonetriv Жыл бұрын
One of my favorite shows. McManus is one heck of a presentor, and his material here is a perfect complement to the Ricardo Jose earlier yesterday.
@WW2TV Жыл бұрын
Agreed, it was good to get both perspectives
@1089maul Жыл бұрын
Woody/John, Great presentation with thanks! Bob
@KevinJones-yh2jb Жыл бұрын
Trying to catch up on missed presentations, John McManus always a great presenter to have on a brilliant show, thank you John and Paul
@philbosworth3789 Жыл бұрын
A second great perspective on the war in the Philippines today. John is very knowledgeable and a great speaker. A great start to the series today Woody.
@tonetriv Жыл бұрын
I really liked how McManus portrayed the choice between the Nimitz/King plan vs the MacArthur plan as being complex, lots of gray areas. I wish we could share that piece of the discussion, and the impact on the post-war Philippines, more widely in universities and colleges.
@KanJonathan Жыл бұрын
Invade Taiwan in 1944 could had been an utter bloodbath.
@daverhoades5596 Жыл бұрын
Great show as usual 👍
@jimwatts914 Жыл бұрын
Howdy folks. Outstanding presentation on the US and Philippines by a master craftsman John McManus. His 3 volumes on the Army in the Pacific are required reading for students of WW2 and his ETO books are a delight. Thanks John and Woody for an enlightening show.
@WW2TV Жыл бұрын
You're welcome Jim
@1JamesMayToGoPlease Жыл бұрын
You know, enabling CC would be a kindness...
@WW2TV Жыл бұрын
They always are enabled, but they won't appear until the show has processed on KZbin
@1JamesMayToGoPlease Жыл бұрын
@@WW2TV Thank you, sir. I'll check back in the morning :)
@VictorELayne77 Жыл бұрын
🇵🇭 my country can be summed by Han Solo's old quote: "She may not look much but shes got it where it counts!" Mabuhay yall!!
@nickdanger3802Ай бұрын
1941 May 1/4 of Pacific fleet transferred to Atlantic to escort British convoys.
@alanbattenburg357828 күн бұрын
Do a show on harbor clearance at Manila.
@WW2TV28 күн бұрын
*please*
@morganhale3434 Жыл бұрын
More Australian, New Zealand, and American sailors died in the Guadalcanal campaign than did US Marines and Army soldiers.
@matteoorlandi856 Жыл бұрын
Well yes, but during the Guadalcanal campaign the japanese navy was at it's peak and so It was not an One sided Battle than the battles that came After, this Is why so many casualityes. And add the fact the allies were still learing how to fight them.
@WW2TV Жыл бұрын
Good points, and John has talked about the Solomons campaign with us previously
@johnleblanc4489 Жыл бұрын
First, thank you for an outstanding presentation today by Professor McManus. I didn’t type my questions in time to include on the live chat. A question/comment I have is I read that General MacArthur froze during the first 24 hours after the initial Japanese attack in the Philippines. The Army Air Force commander, General Brereton, tried repeatedly to get past MacArthur's chief of staff, General Sutherland, to get orders to activate prior plans to launch the B-17's to attack Formosa or to send them down to Delmonte field in Mindanao to get out of range of potential Japanese air attacks. Was this one of his greatest military blunders? Also, I read that he had expected a Japanese invasion at Lingayen Gulf in April 1942, and had, in many ways, only given lip service to the established plan under War Plan Orange to retreat to the Bataan peninsula when an attack happened. However, due to an earlier attack by the Japanese than expected, and the inability of his forces to fulfill his plans to counter the Japanese on the beaches due to an overwhelming enemy presence at Lingayen Gulf and other invasion sites, he was forced to make a very hasty retreat to Bataan. In the process he left enormous quantities of rice and other food, medical supplies, etc. that could have kept off starvation and disease longer. One veteran's account of the defense of Bataan I read years ago said the biggest reason for their surrender was a lack of food. Although I also read that much of the surplus WWI ammo they used was defective. I have no belief that the U.S. Navy could have fought through to their relief, which I believe was stated in War Plan Orange. The state of the U.S. Navy after Pearl Harbor and the U.S. military as a whole at that point in the war wouldn't support that. Even more than that, the president and joint chiefs had already decided that the War in Europe would take first priority for men and materials. What I would like to know is if General MacArthur ever confided to anyone that he failed in not ordering his airplanes to become airborne sooner after Pearl Harbor? And in conducting such a hasty retreat to Bataan? In light of these poor decisions, which did cost many lives, his award of the Medal of Honor by President Roosevelt after his escape to Australia always seemed ludicrous to me and disrespectful of the self-less bravery of other recipients who received this high honor. Thanks. Not sure if this author can answer this because I finished typing this after the presentation was over. Paul, if you are able to ask these questions of a subsequent presenter that would be great. The presentation I saw before this by Professor Ricardo Jose was outstanding and very illuminating. Great work by all!
@WW2TV Жыл бұрын
James Zobel would be the chap to ask I think.
@johnleblanc4489 Жыл бұрын
Yes, I think you are right about that. He did an excellent presentation on your channel in the past.
@tonetriv Жыл бұрын
John Leblanc, I am totally aligned with your comment. And this would make for a very rich discussion in a future episode.
@davidlavigne207 Жыл бұрын
Your observations are quite accurate. General MacArthur's inertia during the first 24 hours was inexcusable and unexplainable IMO. The Navy absolutely pilloried Admiral Kimmel and General short for dereliction of duty, baseless claims, to protect their superiors in Washington (The real culprits of the Pearl Harbor disaster) Meanwhile, MacArthur was given a pass, ordered to abandon his army, retreat in disgrace, but yet is retained in command, awarded a medal he in no way deserved, and promoted to Commander of all Allied forces in the Southwest Pacific. At least there should have been an official inquiry to see if charges were appropriate. This was simply the "Ole' Potomac two step" by the Roosevelt Administration. It has always boggled my mind. PS: He made off with about $2 Million of Filipino gold, given to him by President Quezon.
@johnleblanc4489 Жыл бұрын
I saw Mr. Zobel on another video, or perhaps when he spoke on this channel before, I'm not sure. On it, he said MacArthur never wore the medal in public. That is revelatory! Personally, I think there was a morale boosting side to this award, considering the string of U S. defeats up to that point in the pacific--Pearl Harbor, Wake, Guam, the Philippines, etc., the country needed a lift. I also believe there was a political side perhaps to this. I remember reading that MacArthur, when he was army chief of staff, had a testy meeting with Roosevelt at the White House. He had to vomit after walking out the door. That says day a great deal right there. I think MacArthur was probably afraid of only a few people--his mother, the journalist who was going to expose his illicit relationship with a very young Filipino women in the 1930's, and Roosevelt. I believe Roosevelt said he considered Douglas MacArthur to be "the most dangerous man in America." The award may have partially been a preemptive offensive action to blunt any criticism MacArthur may have been expected to make about being left out to dry without adequate men, material, and other assistance by Washington in the Philippines. If MacArthur had the biggest ego of any U.S. military leader, he certainly met his match with the politicians' politician in FDR. I am pretty sure the president saw a potential political rival there. Another commentator said George Marshall signed the MOH citation. General Marshall was a man of high integrity, knowledge, and humility, while still able to express his candid opinions to FDR. However, at the end of the day, he followed orders. Remember he wanted a cross channel invasion in Europe early in WW2 and the British said no and FDR concurred and Operation Torch happened instead.This is just one great example of his following orders. I really don't know much about this topic other than to provide a hypothesis about it. Again, Woody is right to say James Zobel is the expert on all things about the general. However, I hope the MOH is never awarded again for anything other than selfless heroism as defined by the DOD to those U.S. service members who distinguish themselves "through conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of life above and beyond the call of duty."
@Bartelldarcy8 ай бұрын
It's time for WW2TV to host its first debate, between John McManus and James Zobel. "Resolved: MacArthur was a big jerk." In honor of our Australian allies, the rule of the debate should be: Two men enter; one man leaves.
@AdamMisnik Жыл бұрын
Irregular warfare doesn't keep the enemy from killing your families. It just makes sure that the enemy pay a price for it. To hold the Philippines you need to be able to contest the air and control some of the sea lanes and an army that can hold its own. It was going to take at least a few more months before the Americans could have built up enough air assets in the islands to have a chance. At least another year for the Filipino Army to be able to be trained up enough to hold the Japanese. I doubt the US Navy would have committed many more assets to the Asiatic Squadron even without Pearl Harbor.
@executivedirector7467 Жыл бұрын
If I am not mistaken, the US Chiefs had, by 1941, long ago concluded that actually holding the PI was impossible. Imposing a significant delay was of course possible, and had MacArthur followed the original plan perhaps they would have lasted longer. It has to be said, MacArthur had years to train the Phillipine army , and one wonders how well he used that time. He was paid very handsomely for his efforts.
@AdamMisnik Жыл бұрын
I disagree about the Philippine Insurrection. Civil authority was transferred from the Spanish crown to the United States. The Filipinos just transferred the subject of their rebellion with the transfer of that authority with the same object, independence. Still think it was an excellent and informative talk.
@orlandofurioso7958 Жыл бұрын
Republican Congressman James E. Van Zandt, Pennsylvania, on February 26, 1942, introduced a bill (H.R. 6685) to authorize the President to present the Medal of Honor to MacArthur. This was the beginning of the sordid affair of gifting an unearned Medal of Honor to MacArthur, which Marshall intervened to prevent cheapening its value if the award were by a bill introduced in Congress. As noted in annotations to "Memorandum #3-144" that I found in PDF format online "Memorandum for the President, March 25, 1942" from George Marshall, part of the motivation used by Marshall to persuade FDR to grant the Medal was for its defense against Japanese propaganda that MacArthur had abandoned his post in the Philippines.
@michaelcoe9824 Жыл бұрын
Quite bizarre that John does not use the terms, 'Colonialism, or Empire', in the outset of his discussion.
@WW2TV Жыл бұрын
Why is it bizarre?
@Chiller1111 ай бұрын
I can’t speak to American wartime perceptions but as a kid growing up in the US in postwar 50’s I can say that the Marine island hopping campaign was far more culturally front of mind vs the Army’s campaign toward the Philippines. If we were pretending to be fighting the Japanese with toy soldiers or with our M1 helmet liners and toy Thompsons we were Marines landing on some island.
@davidlavigne207 Жыл бұрын
Sorry for popping in so late with my comments-the comment section wasn't in play yet when I watched the live chat. What a fantastic presentation to follow the previous one to contrast the Filipino and American perspectives. So much anguish thinking about how the Philippines fell, mainly because the Japanese stole a march on us. I won't get started on General MacArthur's abysmal performance, especially during the planning and early lack of response in the opening days. (I would not have followed that man to a rock fight had I any choice in the matter) The bravery of the defenders has an air of a Greek tragedy about it-as does the whole Pacific war to me in some regards. The decision to return was the right thing to do IMHO, but I think that MacArthur should have been relieved and replaced with someone else-not dishonoring my country's highest award for valor by accepting it for such a cowardly action-President Roosevelt's order notwithstanding. Well, there it is. If I've offended anyone, please forgive me. Wonderful discussion Woody and John.
@WW2TV Жыл бұрын
You've not offended me
@davidlavigne207 Жыл бұрын
@@WW2TV Thanks. I must remember not to bring up Michael Whitmann in future though. Your a fine host Woody!
@eadeshogue6702 Жыл бұрын
Man! This guy does not like MacArthur. It diminishes his ability to tell the American victory story in the Pacific. What’s his politics?
@WW2TV Жыл бұрын
"This guy". You mean the award-winning author of some of the best books on WWII. But what his politics got to do with not liking McArthur? MacArthur divides opinion among historians across the political spectrum
@PeterOConnell-pq6io Жыл бұрын
MacManus illuminates the intersection where good intentions collide with lack of resources to carry them out. To the reluctant imperialist US 's credit, once they created a political vacuum in 1898, they stuck around to clean up their mess, however badly.
@executivedirector7467 Жыл бұрын
"Reluctant" imperialists? The US launched the 1898 war precisely in order to grab colonies. Nothing reluctant about it.
@orlandofurioso7958 Жыл бұрын
Two American generals fled Luzon. One said, "I shall return." The other said, "I shall do anything but surrender." The one who spent his time in the dugout in Australia got the Medal of Honor and didn't deserve it. The one who spent his time in actual combat leading guerrilla forces on Mindanao throughout the war did. MacArthur resented General Fertig. He was only a colonel who promoted himself as a general, reasoning guerrilla fighters would follow an American general over a colonel. I am stunned MacArthur didn't have him court martialed in a pique of jealousy.
@billdb8854 Жыл бұрын
So according to you all soldiers should disobey orders from their commanders and fight the war as they see fit and forget what you are order to do.
@orlandofurioso7958 Жыл бұрын
@@billdb8854 MacArthur didn’t follow the approved Plan Orange, but created his own private plan. He should have been court martialed. The Germans didn't court martial officers who refused follow orders--IF it were established that if they had followed orders a loss would result. This was the policy until Hitler took control of commands. Paulus could have saved his army is but one example. So, your reply doesn't fit my premise.
@orlandofurioso7958 Жыл бұрын
Do we know who in Congress first proposed in Congress that MacArthur be given the Medal of Honor? Did MacArthur precipitate it himself to save his presidential aspirations with an undeserved honor to shield his failures? No one in the American Army had proposed it. Marshall interdicted to propose it for the honor of the Army. It had to gall him. Hardly could the citation been so misleading when the disastrous decisions MacArthur made to follow his private plans instead of Orange. Folllowing Orange almost certainly would've have changed the end result in the Philippines but the delay would have benefits. At least Britain didn’t cheapen the Victoria Cross by giving it to some admiral or general for Dunkirk. The USA made the Medal of Honor cheap by giving it to MacArthur for fleeing the Philippines.
@WW2TV Жыл бұрын
George Marshall recommended him for the award and wrote the citation
@orlandofurioso7958 Жыл бұрын
@@WW2TV Yes, he did, but he was not the first proponent, as it was someone in Congress. The military leadership can propose the award, but Congress can as well. It started in Congress. Marshall intervened and wrote a private letter, marked "Secret" to Roosevelt asking that the award be on his, Marshall's, proposal so as to not undermine the value of the Medal itself.
@davidlavigne207 Жыл бұрын
@@orlandofurioso7958 I'm sure that it was likely some Republican political friend of MacArthur-it might have even been one of his sycophant staff, like General Sutherland, his Chief of Staff? Marshall was just being a good subordinate to the President by "falling on his sword" for him IMHO. He was very protective of his boss in that way.
@orlandofurioso7958 Жыл бұрын
@@davidlavigne207 Marshall acknowledged to the Secretary of War that "there is no specific act of General MacArthur's to justify the award of the Medal of Honor under a literal interpretation of the statutes". Galling that MacArthur, in 1942, blocked the award to General Wainwright on the grounds he shouldn't have surrendered Corregidor. Fact is, MacArthur's strategic failures by not following Plan Orange, greatly sped that loss. His "on the fly" narcissist plans proved disastrous. Many generals wanted him drummed out of the Army for that.
@orlandofurioso7958 Жыл бұрын
@@davidlavigne207 Sutherland was ordered by Marshall to make the recommendation once Marshall intervened to prevent the medal being granted by an Act of Congress. I have tried hard find who in Congress introduced the bill. Say what you will. We see coverups in the news all the time for the privileged. The Medal of Honor, IMHO, was proposed in Congress to coverup MacArthur's disastrous Phillipines strategy so as preserve his potential to run for President.
@bruceday6799 Жыл бұрын
Perhaps an apology is owed by me to WW2TV. I'm sorry I just can't seem to get near the Phillipines campaigns without getting pi$$ed off about Doug's MoH. Good show!
@orlandofurioso7958 Жыл бұрын
My sentiments exactly. I hadn't seen your comment before posting two related comments on this subject. One relates to the Brits not bringing the Victoria Cross to ill repute for Dunkirk. No admiral or general got the VC. A captain did--for actual valor. The other pertains to wanting know who in Congress proposed MacArthur for the Medal of Honor and whether MacArthur precipitated that himself to shield his career and presidential aspirations. Marshall intervened to propose it himself to save the Army's honor to prevent the Medal being seen as a political award. He wrote the citation himself. Such weasel words he wrote. Galling. Whatever.
@davidlavigne207 Жыл бұрын
As you can read by some of my replies to folks, I am not a fan of "Ole' Dugout Dug." I refuse to allow my feelings about the scoundrel to ruin my appreciation of such a great presentation though.
@bruceday6799 Жыл бұрын
@@davidlavigne207 I'm retired from a world where swift reaction was part of staying alive, I just do it, I don't regret it. Sometimes, though, in less seriuos circumstances it should maybe be pushed further back, I haven't adapted yet.
@misterbaker9728 Жыл бұрын
What? Cmon the amount of lives spent and the actual men of honor who fought on both sides is amazing and sad at the same time and all you can think about is some bs about MacArthur? No offense but cmon… Battle for Manilla is one for the ages let alone the death of the Imperial Navy…. Think about that instead please Have a gray day