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3 reviews
A new 600-page history of the US WWII marine campaign in the Pacific. Multiple perspectives are given, with a focus on Devil Dogs company.
The last 8 decades have seen a number of books on the Pacific Campaign, several written by survivors of one of the most highly-decorated of all marine companies, known since WWI as the `Devil Dogs'. Author, Saul David, acknowledges that one such memoir, that of Eugene Sledge, is one perhaps the finest of its kind, and those who seek a more personal impression of the campaign would be advised to start there.
In this 600-page hardback, David combines personal recollections with official regimental histories, the plans of the generals & admirals in theatre, and the Allies strategic plans for the liberation of Europe, the Pacific, & East Asia. This offers a panoramic view of each man and the job they had to do, from Roosevelt to the newest marine recruit.
Early on, the book struggles a bit, by choosing to take us straight into action, without explaining too much about Corps structure, logistics, or equipment. Thus, in the Guadacanal campaign, it reads a little dry, and the reader struggles to find locations unmarked on the fly-leaf maps.
However, this set-back proves to be only temporary. Deeper characterisation and more detailed explanations follow later. At the same time, towards the end of the Guadacanal campaign, the Corps is finding its feet. Poor, cautious officers are rapidly weeded out, and more aggressive, but intelligent tactics win out over the unplanned suicidal banzai approach of the Japanese. This is a global morale booster for the Allies, since it is the first time they have beaten enemy troops, since the entire East was rolled up by the Japanese in December 1941.
The Marine Corps compact with its men crytallises at this point. The Corps try to provide intelligent, aggressive leadership at all levels, and it expects its marines to advance in the face of heavy firing, in hot, humid, insect-infested conditions. However, stretcher-bearers advance with them, ready to rush wounded men from the front, back onto beaches & hospital ships, where the survival rate is high.
The Japanese soldier, on the other hand, is told that he is already dead at recruitment, a human sacrifice to the god-Emperor. Survival without victory is a mortal disgrace to himself and his family. He MUST fight, even in a hopeless scenario, so that the (temporarily) victorious enemy is depleted for the next campaign. This Japanese attitude meant that it was rarely safe to take prisoners, and the US marines acted accordingly.
Tremendous bravery is shown by both sides. This is brought out most clearly in the New Britain campaign, where great leadership and suidical courage are needed to take a critical ridge from the dug-in Japanese. This is the high point.
In 1944 & '45, it's clear to both sides that the Allies will be victorious, but Japan hopes for an honourable negotiated peace. Despite replacements, the company begins to suffer collective, cumulative mental fatigue. Although they miss the supremely brutal Iwo Jima battle, Okinawa is almost as bad, and the invasion of Japan itself looms large. The heavy casualties on both sides and the PTSD damage to the survivors are key arguments for those who want to justify Hiroshima & Nagasaki.
Overall, I found this quite a readable book, despite a few dry spots, providing deeper background to what I already knew of the Pacific campaign, mostly from films and tv documentaries. Professionals will probably enjoy the scholarly and properly-referenced approach, combined with multiple perspectives. 7/10Read full review...
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: new | Sold by: i-got-to-have-that
War book
Brilliant book great author and brilliant read
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: new | Sold by: i-got-to-have-that
Great book Many thanks
Great book Many thanks
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: pre-owned | Sold by: awesomebooksuk