800 US Marines Shatter 2,500 Japanese Troops - Battle of Edson's Ridge
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- čas přidán 27. 08. 2024
- Having seized the initiative on the seas of the Pacific Theater of World War 2, the United States pressed its advantage by launching ground campaigns to capture the Solomon Islands. By August of 1942, the Americans made their first moves to dislodge the Japanese from the South Pacific in the Battle of Guadalcanal. After establishing an initial foothold with Marine landings, the United States quickly found itself on the defensive. It would be the first time they faced off against a major Japanese Army unit.
Lieutenant Colonel Merritt Edson would lead the defense of Hill 123 at Lunga Ridge on Guadalcanal from September 12th to the 14th. Facing three Japanese soldiers for every American, Edson’s unit fought valiantly to defend the key strategic location overlooking Henderson Airfield. At nightfall, under absolute darkness, they stood their ground against incessant waves of Japanese soldiers sent by General Kawaguchi. Against all odds, the American troops defending the ridge shifted the landscape of the entire war, marking the beginning of Japan’s defeat in the South Pacific.
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As a citizen of the Philippines; I sincerely thank you Americans for liberating my country from our enemies. Without you guys we don't know if we're still alive today. Thank you for helping us.
Glad y'all are free, you've had a rough time as a people it seems like. Being owned by the Spanish, US, then Japanese. Hope no other global conflicts mess with ya'.
@@racciacrack7579 yeah, i hope so; but i wonder why Spanish, Americans and Japanese wanted our small country living in peace with no enemies when they have their own and a much bigger than ours?
@@daviduntalan Geopolitics of the 19th and early 20th Century was on having global reach in order to compete. The US never was a serious colonizer and once the Philippine-American War ended in 1901, they really didn't know what to do with the islands.
@@daviduntalan the US did what it did in order to compete with the colonial European powers. You could probably say they had the same reasons as Japan.
The US took the Philippines from the Spanish, who were generally okay to live under by 1900. At the time, Spain was a very old and crippled empire, and really couldn't afford the Philippines anymore. The Americans basically continued being a fairly decent presence, resented by activists and national patriots, but that's to be expected. Mostly, Americans and Filipinos got along, with many people becoming educated and employed by American companies and government offices. Certainly, Filipinos were better off under American power than Japanese power.
My present concern is for the the quietly growing relationship between China and the current regime in the Philippines. That man is completely unpredictable, hates Americans, and may turn out to be a very evil dictator - far more apt to kill his own people than anyone can see. China would love to have another puppet like the one in N. Korea.
I was privileged to know one of the Marines who fought this battle and was deeply humbled to be a friend. He died in 2018 at age 96. His story was recorded by KMJ AM 580 Fresno ("Hometown Heroes") that same year. His name was Jim McRory who was a native of Coalinga, CA and who later moved to Porterville, CA. The man was a true American hero.
few years ago i heard some veterans were going around schools in California giving out talks about ww2. They wanted the world to remember their stories and the horrors of war since they are dying off
SEMPER FI Marine McRory !!
My grandfather fought on that ridge. Harry Ward Belles Jr. Pfc
Man I wish I had been tuned in for that. I love Hometown Heroes.
That would have been great to hear some stories from him , what an honor to know the man .
Crazy story: I lived in Japan during the 80’s and became fluent in the language. Every once in a while some old dude would tell me a war story. I randomly met some guy in a middle of nowhere place where I had ridden my bike to. He told me that before the US was involved in the war, the Japanese had taken a lightly defended British area somewhere. They took the British soldiers as prisoners, but sometime later, they were low on supplies and he and some other soldiers were ordered to shoot the prisoners. He broke down in tears and sincerely apologized to me - the only white person he had talked to since shooting the soldiers. It was a really emotional experience. I hope he has since reconciled with those men on the other side. The shame of war is that those sent to fight it really have no quarrel with each other and could have been friends if not for greedy politicians.
Thank you for passing that important story on.
Does not change the fact he is a murderer.
Heartbreaking
Tears
I’m sorry, but I don’t believe you. I too lived in Japan in the 80s. Elderly Japanese men simply did NOT speak of the war. I find it sad you found it necessary to lie about such a thing. How many years did you live there? Whereabouts?
A neighbor confided in me that he was a veteran of Guadalcanal. We talked about it for a while and it was a very emotional moment for us. Me a modern soldier, and he a veteran whose legacy I humbly bore as I put on my uniform daily.
You're probably one of the few he would talk to since you follow in his footsteps. I met one that went in on the first wave of D-Day. He talked briefly but then was overwhelmed with the memories so I changed the subject of our conversation.
My Uncle Bob (Gunny Bob) fought with the raider battalion on Edson's Ridge and was awarded a silver star. God bless you Uncle Bob, I still miss you buddy.
My dad served in Korea as a Marine at someplace he used to call the Punchbowl. He had some old pictures of that time but he rarely talked about his service.
@@yourseatatthetable my great grandpa also fot in Korea but I don’t know Much because he didn’t share any stories with my grandpa
SEMPER FI GUNNY BOB !!!
My Dad fought South Pacific US Navy under Bull Halsey. He said Okinawa was HELL. The kamakazis came everyday for 3 months. They sank 30 ships and killed over 10,000 US sailors. He had terrible PTSD and was unafraid of anything. But a wonderful loving man. Came home to my Mom, sister, and me as a baby he had only seen for 3 months when he left for 30 months...OMG: After I had kids I realized how terrible that was for him. Think about it. You get killed on land you are buried and later sent home to your family. In the Navy, you get killed and go to the bottom of 20,000 feet of water. Your family doesn't even get your dogtags or other stuff.
My Father’s friend did tell me this tale. He was training for the Invasion of Japan. There was a deep cynicism, post Okinawa, about American casualties in that invasion. Then the two Atomic Bombs were dropped & the Soviets invading Manchuria. There was an unspoken hope that no one dared express. Then Japan surrendered. Denial followed by joy. My Dad’s friend paused for a time. He then said he saw the toughest men he knew cry like little girls. They would not invade Japan. Instead they would go home. He had his eventual wife waiting for him. He wasn’t sure what the future would hold but it would not entail tropical diseases, Banzai charges nor rooting hidden troops out of caves. He was going home to a tomorrow that he would make himself....
My dad also fought in Europe and and returned to the states to train for the invasion of Japan which was estimated over 1 million American lives not to mention the number of Japanese lost so YES those 2 NUKES took lives but at the same time SAVED MILLIONS of lives
F#k they got what they deserved,
Mr_N_LUVS69 Nieman l
My Grandfather only had time to grab his rifle and run for the mountains in the Balkans from fascist Italy and Croatia.
@jorge pearl the Imperial Japanese War Cabinet was more focused on the Red Army than nuclear bombs
My father was a Marine and was there on Guadalcanal. He was one of the men who served w/ these brave men. He was in just about all the pacific Island campaigns and was fortunate to be sent state side to miss Okinawa and Iwojima God rest his soul. I grew up hearing him scream in the middle of the night from time to time from nightmares.
A marine officer walked on the battlefield just after a Japanese attack, he saw a fox hole and surrounding it was several dead Japanese soldiers , He walked up to the fox hole and saw a young dying marine. In his arms the dying marine said " They thought they could whip me Sir, But they didn't know that there was a Goddamn Marine in this foxhole".
SEMPER FI MARINES!!
@@janiceduke1205 SEMPER FI !! ALL of my Uncles were in the war and my mother's second husband was a Marine at IWO and he came home only to die with my Brother in an air crash. My brother had just finished his Navy duties with an Honorable Discharge. Was a black day in my family, especially Mom who never got over it. And why should she ?
but they did got him
F*KKIN' ERR
@@rayyansagheer6 Nah.
"Unknown to the Marines, they were outnumbered 3 to 1. Unknown to the Japanese Army, they hadn't brought enough men and weapons to stand a chance."
The Imperial Army had drastically underestimated how many Marines were on Guadalcanal. During the entire campaign the Japanese suffered from lack of food & medicine. In fact the Japanese nickname for Guadalcanal was “Starvation Island”.
The Japanese had little respect for the Americans & had not encountered the US Marines before. They felt Bushido would be enough. It wasn’t.
You might want to check the numbers on each side during the 1942 campaign in the Philippines before beating your chest any further.
@absolutely not Trust me, I'd back the British Empire reincarnate over anything squatted out of Pakistan.
If the case for American chest beating is so weak that pointing out where it isn't warranted results in the immediate playing of the race card, I'd say my rounds were on target.
@@prashanthnayak7567 120k poorly armed Filipino & US troops vs 75k Japanese troops. The US/Filipino forces suffered much higher casualties during the 3 months of fighting
@@alexius23 Let's be honest; The Japanese underestimated American power the minute they struck Pearl Harbor...ALL 50 states, running 24/7, as a tandem well oiled machine; They didn't stand a CHANCE in HELL! Their were so many enlisting, they had to turn a majority away...
"Lt Col Edson, we are surrounded."
"Good news men, we don't have to aim."
One of the demonstration of skill that Edson demonstrated was a 10" group at 500 yds offhand
@@thomasrussell2789 Decent shooting in prone let alone off-hand. Thanks for that info.
Absaalookemensch shit I’d be lucky for a 10’ group prone😂
"I have good news and bad news... we're all getting a change of underwear..." General Edson.
😂😂😂
Semper Fi! Words cannot describe how proud I am to be a member of this awesome family!
The greatest generation saved this world from tyranny. I pray and hope we never forget this as generations pass.
🇺🇸🙏🏽
Japanese - "we outnumber you 3 to 1."
American - "let's recount tomorrow"
Pls be original
" we didn't bring enough horses" ... " NO.. you brought two too many ". Charles Bronson.. ok western but same idea...
So you like to steal content
@@vincivedivicilextalionas4036 Yes, this is the way.
Actually records indicate the Americans (+Australians/British) outnumbered the Japanese 2 to 1 in this battle. 12500 vs 6217
Japanese: "We outnumber you 3 to 1"
American: "I like those odds"
Hello mr okabe rintarou
@Lysander fighting in the dark wasn't fun for either side
@Lysander as a tactician. Defending is sometimes easier than storming into a stronghold. But fighting in the dark, jesus they held it down
That formula didn't work out too well in Vietnam.
@Luke Garrett not even close, they were slaughtered
My grandfather fought all the way across the Pacific theater. He was there.
He seldom ever talked about it. But it was an amazing story. In the midst of a depression, his father killed himself and being the oldest man in the house he went to talk to a marine recruiter.
He left from Arkansas on foot to ship out for Louisiana. He got a ride from a insurance salesman from Prudential for a third of the trip.
My grandmother picked strawberries, riveted boeing airplanes and claims she had a role in the Manhattan project. I tend to believe her because her proximity to Hanford Washington at the time.
They were tough, resilient people and had so much wisdom to pass on. I feel privileged to know their stories and privileged to know them.
I remember as a child questioning why he had a 22 pump action rifle behind his door... He said, if you ever need it, it will do fine.
He despised his purple heart because he said "I had to lay behind a dead friend to get it and that ain't much of a honor."
He was a hell of a man, I miss taking to him and my grandmother. I see so many of their warnings coming to fruition today. They were remarkable people.
VH fan or is 5150 something else? Your grandparents and that generation were amazing people...
@Katarina Love I guess u never heard of the Tuskegee Airmen. they never lost an American bomber to German fighter planes.
May I ask his name?
@@OleGray7.3idi Ward Adams
@@shizzle5150 thank you
Knew a marine who was on Guadalcanal. His daughter told me that even into the 1970s if you had to wake him up you had to gently poke him with the end of a broom handle cause he awoke jumping up and swinging at anyone close by. Still fighting hand to hand after over 30 years. We are so blessed for that generation to have saved our way of life….now look what the crazy people are doing to destroy it.
“Lt Col Edson, Japanese outnumber us 3 to 1”
Edson: “then it is an even fight”
“All ships fire at will! Burn their mongrel hides!”
This is under rated af
Japanese troops, staggered line!
🤣🤣🤣🤣merica!💪
9:36
just a marine dual welding thompsons
-10% accuracy
+30% intimidation
Double intimidation. 1x2=2
Yep the thompson twins
Like a true Chad.
When you got a wall of flesh coming at you I dont see any harm in duel wielding M1 Thompsons lol
AS A MARINE, I STRIVE TO EMULATE THESE MARINES. THEY WERE THE BEST OF US. GOD BLESS THEM ALL.🇺🇸❤
Sir do you have capslock on?
Uurah!! SEMPER FI! AND YES, I THINK HE KNOWS HIS CAPS LOCK IS ON❗
I am still pained by the fact that I met dozens of Marines from WW-2 in the 6 years I was on active duty; from 1964 to 1970. And almost never had a chance to talk to them as much as I wanted to! R.I.P to the Marines who have gone on to their reward! Semper Fi!
@@thesovietduck2121 YES HE DOES IT IS PROPERLY STUCK OK?
Semper Fi leatherneck!
Big thanks from this Navy vet for all the engagements the Marines made in that war. I've know many of you, and it continues to be my honor to recognize all of the sacrifices the Corps has made.
You know that had to be demoralizing to the Japanese.
Getting beat by 840 Marines while you fielded 2'500 hundred soldiers.
Semper Fi MFer's!!!!
America had defenders advantage. If you can choose when you want to fight, and set up your desired defense it's alot easier to win.
@@kairopalmer5109 did you even listen to this? they didnt know where thy would attack ,typical hater
@@kairopalmer5109 but they weren't prepared it was a suprize attack
@@MartianV2GG Defenders always have the advantage. The Marines _did know_ where the Japanese were going to attack, and reinforced it having also destroyed Kawaguchi's main supply depot at Tasimboko.
The Japanese fought tenaciously in defence and always exacted a high price.
That is not a slur on the Marines who fought well on Guadalcanal.
@@vonchavivaldi6129 it would still have been demoralizing
Youve been sweeping over the Pacific handily winning battles with less of a numerical advantage and then suddenly your stopped by 840 marines
First Marine Division, nickname: "The Old Breed". Motto: "No Better Friend, No Worse Enemy" And for 77 years the Division Insignia has but one word: 'Guadalcanal'
Rightly so.
Uhrah!!
I was with 1st mar div
@@vigilantobserver8389 ???... that would be Oorah partner.
It’s first battle. It fought in the first and last offensive of the war and has the most highly decorated unit in the Corps (5th Marines). It also fought in the most useless and horrific battle, Pelelieu. Damn MacArthur’s memory for that one.
When outnumbered, outgunned, who better then a group of Marines to hold the line.
A group of Aussies will stand with you.
@@BatMan-oe2gh the Aussies and Marines never really were at the same battlefield but there is recognition and respect expressed between them, Tough reliable and certainly that class of warriors that thrive in adversity.
Shane Jackson ironic to think the toughest aussies were in Africa doing work for the commonwealth and the marines were in PNG doing work for the allies and being the first line of defense of Australia.
@@charlesramirez587 You would be surprised about where the Aussies were in WW2. And when I was in the Army, we always trained with the Marines in exercises because we re only a small force.
Try the odds that the Australians or Gurkhas have fought against. 3 to 1 is not bad but 10 to 1 and 100 to 1 are odds those troops have fought at and come out on top.
God bless those guys. CLEARLY America's greatest generation.
It's not at all so clear. I think I would nominate their fathers, who fought in WW1, were the breadwinners during the Depression without giving in to the temptations of either Communism or Nazism, and were the leaders in WW2.
Who would be pig sick at the present commander-in-chief being given free reign to create havoc in the US of A and the rest of the planet!
@@barriereid9244 U man like when he bombed Syria & got them to stop using chemical weapons on innocent civilians or when he blew ISIS off the map or when he got Iran to stop attacking oil shipping in th Persian Gulf , unlike BO who drew a line in the sand & then did nothing, who thought ISIS was "the JV team", left us for the first time since 1943 with ZERO carriers at sea, & gave Iran, the world's largest state sponsor of terrorism, 150 BILLION in cash to finance their nuclear program?
@@marksummers463 2016 trump and Obama dropped 26171 bombs. 2017 trump dropped 40000 bombs. 2018 7362 bombs. 2019 7423 bombs. 2016 some 4500 civilians killed 2017 6000 civilians killed. See Airwar for details of the indiscriminate bombing of civilians made by trump et al. Trump has made a 67% increase in civilian deaths in Afghanistan in six months of 2016. See UN for figures. Increased and indiscriminate bombing in Yemen, Somalia and Pakistan led the Saudis to increase their indiscriminate bombing in Yemen. US made munitions have hit many hospitals and medical centres.
@@marksummers463 trump bombed empty EMPTY air bases said to have housed the chemical weapons and only after he gave prior warning to his Russian boss. The Israelis bombed Syrian and Iraqi nuclear sites yet with the French now have up to 400 nuclear warheads. They certainly do not want anyone else in the region to have them and remain top dog. ISIS are not finished. Trump allowed the Kurds to do the fighting and when their end finally was at hand, trump left the Turks to attack the Kurds and allow ISIS to reform. ISIS remain in: Africa, Sinai Peninsula, Asia. Trump is an asshole. A dangerous asshole. He more than any yank president has killed more civilians than combatants. Fact. See UN figures...if you dare!
It's the training we had in bootcamp that prepared them mentally. In 1968 they used the battles in the Pacific and WW1 as primers for us recruits at MCRD San Diego, Ca. Our training was relentless in bayonet fighting, hand to hand combat. We were taught to be aggressive and fight with the spirit of Marines who came before us. Notice how aggressive those Marines are handling their weapons in the beginning of the film. Outstanding! " Don't get mad get even" was a phrase from the Nam.
So Danny who were you with in the Nam
They were ruthless and pitiless. I talked to a real old man at the chiropractor after i exploded a lower disk in my back. He said he was on a bomber crew that dropped incendiary bombs on Japan and that almost all of the structures where made off wood. They went up like nobodies business. He said on their bombing runs the heat coming up would be so intense that their bomber would Slam up and down from the incredible up drafts. It was amazing listening to him tell of his experiences. He also talked about being shot down and captured in Japan. His friend and captain was his cellmate and they would exercise, captains orders, even though they were tortured and starved. He talked about the psychological games they played on them and the beatings. Anyway, the men in other cells did not exercise because they wanted to save their strength. He stressed that because they exercised, as best they could, that they walked out on their on feet when japan surrendered and they were released but the other men had to be carried out on stretchers. I could have listened to him for hours seeing the images in my head vividly because of how he talked and expressed himself.
A true honor to hear it I'm sure.
So he killed many thousands of children. May he rest in hell soon
@@otablott7779 they were trying to end a war that the Japanese started. check out the rape of Nanjing among the other atrocities for which the Japanese were responsible. Not to mention, they were preparing to use a dirty atomic bomb on the United States when the war ended.
otabl ott Virgin alert
@otabl ott , ultimately the real fault lies with Japanese militarism/extreme nationalism (beliefs of superiority) of that time, which resulted in the whole of Asia being brutalized.
The military regime of Japan continued it's aggressions since the very start without any considerations to the costs of the population as a whole, along with the costs inflicted upon the people they attacked/invaded
The narration is exactly what it should be, not hyperbole, not a robot, not a truck commercial voice, but clear and honest. Wow, what a war. What a hell. What courage and intelligence. What a debt to these men.
I agree, he has great tone and enunciation.
He talks a bit to fast for my taste.
what are you talking about? It's the opposite of clear, it's super rushed and hard to make out. TWO FUCKING ADS. This video is a disgrace to what is should've been.
it actually is a robot
It's annoyingly fast
I trained at Camp Edson range.....15 mile runs with full gear up and down those hills but not nearly as grueling as one week of snapping in at Edson. Semper Fi brothers of Edson Ridge....we stand on your shoulders.
What is snapping ? I really don’t know _
Thanks for covering my dad's battle in WW2. He was a Marine defending Henderson's Field.
I wonder how that feels to have your ancestors' battles covered in a video. Must be nice to be American and get all the attention.
@@jonathanallard2128 Those US Marines earned that attention more than any of us realize. Show some respect.
@@TrussttN01 You interpreted me wrong. I agree, the US Marines earned all my respect too. I meant what I said, and nothing different. Let me explain:
I'm from a nation whose soldiers have fought just as hard, but no one talks about them. Popular culture has forgotten about them, because little efforts are made to preserve these stories/memories over here.
Show some respect to them as well, no?
Let me rephrase my comment to clarify:
Sometimes I envy you Americans who celebrate (sometimes a bit too much) their warriors of the past. My nation does it too little and poorly too, so sometimes it gets me salty to see documentaries, movies, games, etc about Americans all the time when I know full well there are countless untold stories from warriors of other places that don't deserve this shade. Can you even fathom that feeling?
@@TrussttN01 There's NO DOUBT about the importance of some US fought battles and their worth in History, no one's denying that. That's what I'm saying, we ALLLLLL KNOW ABOUT THEM BECAUSE THAT'S ALLLLL WE SEEE. Get my fuckin point already.
Main contributions in the Battles Paschendaele, Vimy, of Hong Kong, Dieppe, Ortona (Little Stalingrad), Normandy, The Shcheldt Estuary (Liberation of the Low Countries), The liberation of Denmark, The battle of the Atlantic, Battle of Britain, Falaise Gap, and many more. Mainstream public (asnd quite possibly you too personally) rarely heard of these battles or the involvement of my nation in them. Guess why. Get my point already. What are you waiting for to acknowledge it? Are you denying it? Tell me I'm wrong here! I dare you!
Oh please stop' with your notion that Americans died to keep others free as if the USA involvment wasn't just as self serving as any other casus belli!! Just goes to show you drank the propaganda cool-aid. The reason American soldiers died is so that AMERICANS would remain free in the long term, that's it. GTFO here with your pretended selfless sacrifice.
The truth is,
People do appreciate what USA has done, all that the world asks of you is you stop sucking your own dick and pat yourselves in the back while downplaying what the others did all the damn time, exactly like what you're doing by refusing to acknowledge the evident American cultural ethnocentrism and the darkness that surrounds the feats of other nations. This is exactly what irritates the world at large. HUMILITY seems to be foreign to you guys, apparently. While we're at it, I've even heard MANY 'Murican delusionals claim that USA is the main reason why Germany lost WW1 and 2. The VERVE on some of you, it's crazy. You just don't see people spouting such self-aggrandizing fantasies like that elsewhere. THAT'S WHAT people are tired of.
By the way, I'm not from one of the nations liberated by USA, so your message of ungratefulness doesn't apply to me, thanks.
I thought you could understand my point of view and empathize and I'm pretty disappointed you can't even fathom what I'm saying. I suppose it should ALWAYS be about you guys. After all, what the fuck did the others really do, right? If you weren't taught about battles of other nations, it must be because they don't exist or they're unimportant, right? That's what I'm getting from you. Self-centered Americans like you are EXACTLY why I wrote my original comment.
@@TrussttN01 '' It must suck to come from a country that you are ashamed to even mention. An inferior country that hasn’t accomplished anything important. I told you to tell us of the battles your country was involved in. ''
And I did, you cretin. Learn to read. And thanks for ENTIRELY proving me right. ''An inferior country that hasn’t accomplished anything important.''
EXACTLY what I was talking about. And you wonder why people seem to be ''ungrateful'' but it's just your oblivious ass confusing ungratefulness with being tired of your manifestly GIGANTIC hubris. Shame on you. I don't know why but I was expecting someone with half a brain, capable of empathy to discuss with, instead I got Douchey McDouchebag the very embodiment of the huge American ego. Fuckin hell...
I miss the old days when History Channel played documentaries like this....now its Swamp People, Ice Road Truckers, Tuna Guys, and all kinds of CRAP.
James Arciaga ...”reality tv” is the worst.
@@teddy.d174 Agreed. In 96/97 I was doing security work in Kazakhstan and I saw the Dutch tv version of SURVIVOR where it had been on for 5 years. In 2000 I see the American version with some guy taking all the credit for inventing REALITY TV. It was a rip off and a lie from the beginning and its only gotten worse.
Don't leave out the wild hair idiot and aliens.
@@Sam2sham Yeah....funny how he annoys you when he's on 4 or 5 times a night, 2 or 3 nights a week....but you notice when he's not around...lol.
I've been saying this for a decade or more. And I've seen in comments plenty. You'd think someone from history would see all these and they'd go back to quality programming. As well as Discovery.
With a father who fought in the Pacific in WWII, I grew up watching a lot of history shows like "World at War" and "Victory at Sea" so I knew a bit about the Guadalcanal campaign. But I learned several new things and saw footage I had not seen before, thanks, job well done.
Chiron wrote: ".... I learned several new things and saw footage I had not seen before, thanks, job well done." ....... Quite a bit of the footage was not from the Guadalcanal fight. A lot of it was shot of Tarawa. Any time the "history" uses stock footage, it is often of unsure origin. Any time you see Marines with camouflage helmet-covers, it is AFTER Guadalcanal. On the "Canal" the Marines had bare "steel pots" sometimes with army-style mesh "camouflage netting." The Corps didn't get the cloth helmet covers until late 1942.
@@wittwittwer1043 Thanks for the info. My father was at Tarawa
World at war was a greaat show. I wish I could find rhe series for my colllection.
One of the things worth noting about the Pacific War. The Japanese and in particular the Japanese Military Leaders were not really expecting the tooth an claw fight they got from the Marines. All of their planning was really against US Army forces, with an emphasis on MacArthur. Many had spent time in Washington, had been to the Pentagon and had studied the “Fort Benning Method” of the Army. They viewed the Marines as a shabby force of second tier Naval troops no significance. They were not expecting a force more aggressive than their own.
It was necessarily that the marines were better trained or more aggressive… they were both just as well trained. The Japanese suffered from winners fatigue having won just about every single battle up until that point. Fighting against second rate armies in China and the koreas. The Japanese soldiers also drank the Kool aid of propaganda that westerners, in particular Americans were weak and spoiled. Living in high luxury and that the Japanese soldier was physically and morally superior and better trained. All that came to an end when they finally faced off against a well trained, well armed military force.
@@Wow-673 But they weren’t winning easy fights in China. They had bogged down and stalemated badly. Not so much from organized battle with the Chinese Army so much as the constant attrition against their over extended supply lines, and from the shear scale of the country starting to dilute their forces. Granted they were flush from wild successes in the Philippines and Singapore.
As a Navy Corpsman, I had the privilege of being stationed at Quantico. This base is rich in the history of the Marine Corps. I really enjoyed my time there. My daughter was born there!
Milne Bay (25 August 1942 - 7 September 1942) is usually described as the first major battle of the war where Allied troops defeated the Japanese.
At Milne Bay the Japanese were forced to withdraw completely and abandon their strategic objectives
That wasn’t an Allied victory that was a purely Australian victory.
@@Trucksofwar yep
@@Trucksofwar There were American engineers at the airfield, but i don't know how much fighting they saw.
@@Trucksofwar not true. There was 1,400 Americans Engineers and staff were at Milne Bay
If the Japanese had taken Milne Bay they would have had airports close to Port Moresby and Australian shores
There is no need for the history channel... excellent video thank you thumbs up stay awesome military history buffs/nerds.
History channel now is pretty much all drama
Surprising what happens when you remove the Barriers to Entry
The history channel became a joke.
Dark Docs (etc.) and The History Guy are all you need. I just hit play on one of hundreds of video choices, and let it play forever.
The History Channel isn't really the History Channel anymore! Neither is American hero Channel... They've lost their way! Now we have to rely on dark docs Dark Skies and other online contributors to history.
I love these stories, even though they often fill me with a profound sadness. Thank you for your hard work, your devotion to accuracy, and your professional delivery. You're an excellent documentarian and historian.
Not so much on the accuracy. The first major defeat of the Japanese in WWII was at Milne Bay.
Not so much on professionalism as this would imply objective neutrality and this was as one sided and USA centric bias as it gets.
One of my customers that I grew to become great friends with was a 1st Division Marine that fought on Guadalcanal, The first Marines were the first American ground combat unit to defeat the Japanese in battle and they received a Presidential unit citation. Along with that citation the survivors all received a book about the 1st Marine division history, and it included the long battle for Guadalcanal. The books were all autographed by the President of the United States at the time, Harry Truman. Tom let me read that book and he told me about his time on Guadalcanal and some of the combat he was in. From stealing Japanese rice, to carrying field artilery thru the jungle, surviving barages by 16" Japanese naval guns, and the banzai attacks on Henderson field. These guys are true American heroes and part of the reason why I tear up every time I hear our anthem and taps.
Wow. So I guess they got the award after the war since Truman because president at the end of the war
"Shipmaster, they outnumber us three to one!"
"Then it is an even fight"
Outnumbered three to one?? Good odds for ANY Marine!!
We’re it so Easy
THE FIRING RANGE AT CAMP PENDLETON IS CALLED EDSONS RANGE!!!
My dad was a marine and he landed on the " Canal" as old vets referred to it. My dad never talked about his time on that miserable island but I will always know that he and his fellow marines have every right to be called heros
Numerous marines were interviewed throughout WW2 attesting that if it came down to hand to hand combat, it was no contest and it never ended well for the Japanese soldier.
Yea we were honestly healthier and stronger back then. Boys spent more time outside and we all ate less processed food. Not to mention we probably had about a couple inches average height over the Japanese as we do now. Gotta admit though those 2 on the right at 13:09 probably would’ve put up a good fight.
@@jki808 not just that Japanese soldiers were often malnutritioned and weak because of it
@@jki808 Wtf u talking about with processed food? This is a 1943 battle involving Japanese and American men who were born and raised in the 1920'-30's. Processed food? USA was a thousand times more advanced technologically than Japan at that time. If ANY of the two nation's inhabitants would have eaten processed foods, it wouldn't be Japan. The truth is neither of these ate much processed food at all, in general, but if one side ate more of it, it would DEFINITELY be USA men.
Americans tended to win close quarters/hand to hand combat for many reasons, none of them is processed foods.
White men are generally taller and bigger than Asian men. That goes for Canadians, Australians and Europeans too.
Americans had A LOT MORE CQB-appropriate weapons, automatic weapons and pistols.
Americans were fresh from being on a static positions while the Japanese were tired from marching and charging to get to the US positions. Physically tired by the time they met in hand to hand combat.
It's no surprise they wouldn't be winning the close quarters fighting with such disadvantages, none having anything to do with processed food.
I'm a Marine vet. We went through 3 days listening to the exploits of every battle the Marines participated in. Having that legacy to live up to is life changing! Semper Fi my brothers!
My father was an Edson Raider on Bloody Ridge. He was my hero. Thank you for this doc
Wish I could like more than once. I love learning about history! The good, the bad, and the ugly as hell. I'm honored to hear these stories. Stories of brave, resilient human beings who against all odds came out victorious. They came out wounded and traumatized but also came out stronger and their actions secure our freedom
I was born and raised around Tulagi and Gavutu Islands and had lived on Guadalcanal Islands for few years. I now live in Europe. I know so much about those locations you mentioned in this documentary film. Thank you for sharing the history.
Regarding the comment on WW1 helmets in the video. My father was on Guadalcanal. He said the US was not prepared to fight a war on two fronts so the good equipment went to Europe. His unit did receive some equipment from WW1, including helmets, rifles, and bayonets. One machine gun they had was off of a WW1 biplane. They had to fire it in spurts. What the allies - including the Australians - did was amazing. They truly earned the title of the "Greatest Generation". My father has been gone now some years. His stories were spell-binding. (From Harry using my wife's email.)
Very important the word “major” is included in the title because Australian forces already stopped the Japanese Army weeks before.
It was the first time the Japanese Army had been defeated in battle for 250 years and it was done almost exclusively by Australian militia/citizen reserve forces who were fighting to keep the Japanese from invading their homeland.
Bravo! 👍
That is amazing, given they were militia. I have searched YT for more info about Milne Bay, but most of what I've found are "dry lectures." Is there a good documentary that covers the battle? Update: here is an excellent video about Milne Bay: czcams.com/video/pToxEa30KdU/video.html
Marines are tough, but Aussies are, at the least, their equal
@Yar Nunya Have you read the initial response or did you just think "'Murrica, F**k yeah" ?
@@stevenkerr1455 seems like it hey.
Most movies and stories about WW2 focus on Europe. On multiple occasions a couple hundred Marines are guarding a section of line facing thousands of Japanese soldiers and winning. Amazing! Truly the greatest generation.
On June 5th, 1944, the US fleet sailed from Pearl Harbor to invade Saipan, a staggering distance of over 3500 miles (wider than the span of the continental US!) carrying 77,000 men and countless ships and airplanes. The invasion was launched on June 15th - not even 10 days after Normandy. I do feel that in general, the Pacific Theater gets short change compared to Western Europe in public knowledge or media attention (maybe North Africa and Italy come close.) Just the sheer vast distances and complex logistics involved boggle the mind.
Sadly, I feel like many in today's generation or even the prior generation know where Guadalcanal is or what happened at the Battle of Savo Island or how Iron Bottom Sound got that name...
Thank you for fighting for me! May I prove worthy of your sacrifice!
The first notable defeat of the Japanese was by the Australians at the Battle of Milne Bay, fought from 25 Aug to 07 Sept 1942. The Japanese invading force was completely defeated and halted all plans to try and cut off the crucial bases at Port Moresby, where their overland invading force had been halted at Ioribaiwa, overlooking Port Moresby.
The Australians began driving the Japanese back from 27 Sept 1942 to Buna on the east coast, where the Japanese were finally defeated on 22 Jan 1943.
From the turning back at Ioribaiwa in Sept 1942, the Japanese were systematically driven back north and through the islands.
This made the Japanese position on Guadalcanal untenable and lead to their final defeat there. The fighting on Guadalcanal ran from 07 Aug 1942 to 09 Feb 1943, two weeks after the Japanese defeat at Buna.
The 3 land battles, plus the naval Battle of the Coral Sea in May 1942 and the naval Battle of Midway in June 1942, ended Japanese expansion and began the long road to their final defeat in 1945.
the seppos don't want to hear this as it ruins their narrative.
Yeah but it's not USA-centric, so forget that. MURICA BABY!!!!!!
The U.S.
The U.S. destroyed far more Japanese troops than any other Allied nation. According to a report by the U.S. Army Chief of Staff, in the period between Pearl Harbor and the end of the war, the total number of Japanese troops wiped out on the Asian Front was 1.5 million.Sep 3, 2015
@@jamessephar9458 How is that relevant?
@@jamessephar9458 So?
this is why I like YT so much, I'm well educated, know a reasonable amount about the Pacific campaign but still can be surprised by how little I actually know when I come accross sites like this.
YT = censorship
Amen, brother
Yoi need to check out Mark Felton, "the history guy" and lindy beige
@@CrackedCandy Drachinifel is the place to go for info on ships and naval battles. He's running out of ships to make videos on, so he's also gone into the development of naval armor, guns, procurement, etc.
H
Funny no mention of John Basilone. He deserves to be remembered. Semper Fi brother!
I was in arlington cemetery like 10 years ago. Just tired from walking around. I sat next to grave. I saw the grave stone say john basilone. I was like i know that name. Then week later i remembered the man the myth the legend john basilone. Man those guys were tough as nail. Maybe ww2 was last just war we fought.
Manila John from Raritan, New Jersey. They still celebrate the man and his heroism every year with a parade and the Red, White & Blue. My father (‘53-‘64) USMC Legion detachment has the honor of being the color guard. He always looked forward to marching in that parade above all others. Miss that salty old Devil Dog.
This video is about the fight for Edson’s Ridge. John wasn’t in LtC Edson’s battalion.
My father in law Bill Sexton was a China Marine along with John Basilone. They were drinking buddies. He talked about their wild times together. SF Marines.
Great video.
True heroes.
They really taught an evil,brainwashed enemy a real lesson.
An example to us all.
Look at the " Battle of Long Tan " where about 116 Australian and New Zealand troops Defeated and sent over 2000 VC into retreat , Now that would take some serious brass balls . Rip to all brave and courageous souls that have lost their lives at war they will never be forgotten . ✌️
If you had a good defensive position and enough ammunition. It's not uncommon to defeat a big number of poorly equipped enemy.
18 August 1966 D Company 6 Battalion RAR commanded by Major Harry Smith. At one stage their SLRs were so fouled by mud they had to cock them for each shot.
Yeah it dont count when the 2000 VC's mentioned are villagers made up of young boys, old men, and a bunch of women who were trying to farm the land.
@@mr.cookie7308 What about My Lai when the yanks murdered a whole village of unarmed civilians?
@@alanmacpherson3225 The Yanks are no better than you guys, probably worse than you all.
The Japanese were so desperate that they even threw in their German reserves 9:59 .
The rifle range where we were taught basic marksmanship at Camp Pendleton during boot camp was Edson Range.
Hah.
Appropriate wordplay. Marines do have a sense of humor.
How about Basilone road? This battle is where he was recommended for the Medal of Honor
I was baptized at Edson Range Chapel 👍
rah devil
@@bennettrogers7921 the highway outside of base is also named after him apparently I'm honor of the mad lad
Dark Docs' formula reminds me of effective speech outlines:
1. Tell them what you're going to tell them.
2. Tell them.
3. Tell them what you just told them.
Dark Docs, you might want to cut the scene of the German soldier fighting an American, 9:58 - 10:04. It looks like it was shot in a studio, not the Pacific theater.
It was a training video. VERY out of place.
@@les3449 VERY !!!
I thought it was an old movie were they didnt care about the authenticity of the equipment as much like when they used Patton tanks in Patton, coincidentally, instead of German tanks for example.
AGREED!
Yup
Good job on the video, you hit pretty much every important point regarding that first major U.S. tactical ground action against the IJA.
Just wanta point out a minor issue, I think this was the first major ground action the Japanese lost against the AMERICANS in the Pacific;
The IJA had already suffered a similar defeat fighting the Australian Army at Milne Bay.
Also loved seeing that poor lost German infantry soldier at about 9:57 stumble into American lines and get his comeuppances!
Second actually. The Wake island defenders repulsed the first invasion attempt there in December 41. Generally forgotten in the aftermath of the second successful attempt later in the month.
yes Milne Bay was the first...
This is merely the second Marine stand against all odds at Guadalcanal. There was a similar one earlier at the Battle of Alligator Creek. There would be an even bigger one a few weeks later on these same ridges.
And there were any number of other engagements, nearly as dramatic. The test of America's Marine force on Guadalcanal puts your heart in your throat.
Worlds greatest fighting force at it again.
i think its also important to point out that during this battle the marines where armed very similarly to the Japanese infantry. M1 garands where only issued to army units at this point so most marines where going in with spring fields and the odd thompsons,m50 risings and trench guns also be issued in small numbers to specialized units. the .30 cals used as well where the big heavy water cooled ones their grand fathers had used.
I'm glad my country has never needed to ask me to engage in hand to hand knife fighting with our enemies. I would if it was necessary but who really wants to do that? I'm grateful most of us haven't had to face that choice.
Spaghetti Monster's judging your life choices , Well said.
If dems gain control of our government, you may have to !
The spaghetti Monster in the sky is about to put the world to task judging what is right and wrong and you may soon face that reality!!
You can believe in whatever works for you but you will still have to face reality and you will be judged like everything else is judged. It’s your job to find the right path and be prepared for it!
@@tomscott904 Why are you tip-toeing around the name, God ? Spaghetti Monster ? WTF .
@Winfield Scott Who put quarters in you bub ? Wasn't talking to you anyway, democrat !
"Colonel Edson, they outnumber us 3 to 1!"
Colonel Edson: "then it is an even fight"
"One shot one kill" is a highly effective mantra. Semper fi
Thanks for this. The Pacific theatre is largely ignored despite it being the most brutal in the war.
"30 miles short of Port Moresby"( New Guinea Kokoda Trail) the Aussies ground them to a Holt!!!!! Aussie! Aussie !Aussie! Brave men!🙏😍
. . . and then aussies, US, and PIB soldiers kicked their butts off the northern beaches Gona, Buna, Sananada in an equally brutal campaign.
The Aussies and PIB started that campaign with about the same odds, but with much less experience than the Japanese.
One of the finest fighting withdrawals ever staged, sapped the enemy of their reserves until they were forced back.
Rest in peace to all marines that fought on Guadalcanal and its other islands. Got to learn better about how the marines played an important role in the Guadalcanal Campaign, thanks to me being in MCJROTC.
@Justice Boofer Alright. I'll look him up.
And also the japanese that fought against them, rip to every ww2 soldier
@@amstarksten2247 yeap
"Important" role is an understatement. Critical role is more like it.
@@kilroy2517 true very true my friend
*First learned of Edson's ridge back in 97 when I was given the book Goodbye, Darkness by William Manchester. I was 14 at the time and that started my fascination with history.*
If I remembered, he was part of the Raiders outfit. And his emotional recounting of Sugar Loaf Hill battle during and after the war. He did boast of having a big dick. May he rest in peace.
The file footage was all over place. Some movie scenes, multiple battle footage from all over the pacific theater.
Even battles in Korea. Plus don't forget the hand to hand combat clip of a Nazi soldier fighting an American in Europe.
No matter still a good story you put together. Impossible to find ancient films of the full actual battles on Guadalcanal. It was our baptism for our long fight with the well seasoned Japanese military.
Thanks for the video!
"Shipmaster, they outnumber us three to one."
"Then it is an even fight."
During the Battle of Gettysburg, the Union defenders were considered to have a 5 to 1 advantage over the Confederate attackers due to being dug in behind formidable defensive positions.
Burn their mongrel Hides!!!!!
Actually the marines outnumbered them!
Brute ships, staggered line!
Not to take anything away from the marines , but the first major defeat of Japanese ground forces occurred At Milne Bay , New Guinea , one month earlier . The victory was achieved by a force made up largely of Australian troops , militia and regulars , with US support elements .
It was a very close won battle which prevented the capture of Port Moresby and resulted in the total defeat and withdrawal of the Japanese invasion force .
Well worth a video.
It wasn't a close battle at all, in the beginning the Japanese were the flexible group choosing WHERE to attack, static defenders had to wait to see what course the attackers were instigating and when that transpired and additional troops could be sent to the area of conflict the out come was never in question. The Japanese force were driven into the sea. HOWEVER the Americns did not secure Guadacanal until Feb 1943 whereas the Australians had already defeated the Japanese at Milne Bay in Sept 1942 and also the Japanese ( who started the attack with over 11,000 men) had been held and started to be driven back in New Guinea also in SEPT 1942. During the Vietnam war 105 Australian soldiers and 3 New Zealand soldiers were attacked BY AMBUSH In a rubber plantation , by approx 2,500 NVA regs with V C thrown in..........The Australians held with under 20 kia and the NVA /VC left many hundreds dead on the ground and carried of many others.
I'm sorry, that does not suit the narrative at all.
Remember, every American of age was a marine, killing hundereds as they waded in blood across the Pacific, loaded down with purple hearts, yadda yadda, fricken yadda.
Bet their grandkids even bought their medals off Amazon to prove its true.
@@stevebrickshitta870 The Australians actually won the first ground battle in New guinea which was part of Australian territory, sorry but the heading is miss leading that is not showing disrespect, but the truth .
Rule 1 of war. Don’t piss off the Aussies
Anthony Mcdonald One major difference is Guadalcanal was an allied offensive and Milne was a defeat of a Japanese offensive
An Aussie here - This is such an interesting part of history. Previously I had been taught the Japanese retreat from New Guinea was due to supplies not making it through. But this video started the Japanese troops were withdrawn to help with campaign elsewhere, and they were just 30 miles from Port Moresby. Either way, thank goodness for the US army, marines, airforce & navy.
My grandfather would have been wrapping up his training at Parris Island when these guys were in the furnace on Guadalcanal. Never got to meet him, but from doing my research WW2 era marines are the most hardcore, badass infantrymen in our nations history and are often overlooked due to the scale of other theatres in the war. The world still owes the old breed a debt, and we can never forget them.
You should do a video on the Battle of Kohima where a garrison of 1,500 British and Indian troops pushed back an attacking Japanese division of 15,000 men.
Yesss!!!
@Jakey Snakey But non bigger than those of General Bill Slim.
@Northern Lad Thanks,
@Jakey Snakey
It reminds me of my father
He was one of the six survivors of the Sandakan Ranau Death March in North Borneo
He was honoured in Australian Parliament when he passed away in January 1997, in the Parliamentary Hansard about him it mentioned the fact that his balls could have filled a hat, or words to that affect
(Swelling caused by Beriberi)
@@petewood2350 One of the best allied commanders of the second world war.
Love the random film clips. German soldier on Guadalcanal? Also, Marines with m1s? Finally, Marines don't care to be called Soldier.
Some do because they’ve earned the name marines and marines and soldiers are different each one is made for a purpose
This is one of my favorite videos from Dark Docs. The narration is quick as usual but at 75% playback rate it becomes compelling with a relaxed undertone, one that does not betray the significance of the content presented to us.
That was an amazing effort outnumbered by that much, Try Battle of Long Tan Vietnam, 105 Australians, 3 Kiwi's Vs 2000 NVA Regulars
Yes. Without diminishing the Marines The 1st defeat of the Japanese was by Aussie reservists (CMF) at Milne, New Guinea.
The Chocko's pushed the Japanese amphibious assault back into the sea
@@righty.275 Yes you're right. I was working from my memory of what l'd read & learned. Couldn't even remember which reserve (CMF) Battalion it was.
Even though it was a short battle by comparison to Guadalcanal, I get annoyed by the U.S. "historians" who think that America won everything without help.
Australia inflicted the 1st defeat on the Axis land troops by defeating the Italians.
They were the 1st to fight Rommel to a standstill.
They were the 1st to defeat Japanese on land.
The list goes on......
@@kevinstorm1771 you do realise the 18th Infantry Brigade comprising the 2/9th, 2/10th and 2/12th were part of the 2nd AIF? Those battalions were not Militia/chocko's mate.
My dad fought there. The Army took up the fight, after Marines withdrew. He and a childhood friend from Alabama were replacements, assigned to the 37th Ohio. They fought on the 'canal, New Georgia (Dad always said it wasn't a bit like the real Georgia) and Bougainville. They both managed to get back to the world after being seriously wounded in the Battle of Hill 700. I'd love to see a vid about that hellish night. Great job as always.
American patriots like these are what built America into the greatest country in the world. Big shoes for us to fill. Let us not forget their sacrifice and our privilege.
I was always taught the first major defeat was Milne bay, where the Japanese landed and were driven back into the sea by an Australian division and American company. The first time they invaded and failed.
I can tell the narrator is working through a bit of a speech impediment but I think he did a great job, by any standards. Great video, keep up the great work!!
While Americans constantly pat themselves on the back saying THEY alone won the war little known battles turned the tide. 200 Australians were left to die in a jungle hell hole known as Kokoda. Outnumbered about 8 to one they made a stand. No training no supplies land fill weapons little water riddled with dysentery malaria ......fear. They made what was a national disgrace ( that put them in that position to start with) to a victory for humanity. They had no chance and they won. My eyes fill with tears at their bravery. What a story of courage and resolve . Never forget
Read "Green Armour" or something about it
And you people constantly act as is the US had no impact on the war whatsoever when that is completely untrue. Nobody in the US says we won the war ourselves, that is myth created the downplay the significance we played in the war.
@@RejectedRecords1998 Utter rubbish. None is suggesting the US had no impact. Your argument is trying to get validity by suggesting the extreme opposite to nullify the statement. Us people? Im Australian. and not by any means anti American. Imho the biggest difference America made or greatest contribution was its MASSIVE industrial power. if you think that trivializes those heroes who hit the beach ask a Russian and find out the numbers of those who died to stop Nazi tyranny. History says 20 million. Have been told by Russians the number is 3 times that. They bore the brunt
That’s good to know, thanks for the information and support. My grandfather served in the 82nd Airborne in Market Garden and several other major battles. We will have your back again if China ever tries anything too funny. The commonwealth must stay strong
And your story while a dramatic one is just one of thousands just like it that had no more no less outcome on the war. You tell a tale of 200 determined men and act as though its evidence of epic proportion. Many Many brave men faced things like that on ALL sides Tales are told of their exploits by those so an American will tell an American exploit Stop being a whiny little Bitch The French acted as if they wo the war
The Aussies at Milne Bay would argue they achieved the first ground victory against the Japanese on the 25th August 1942.
Come on. Don’t you know that the Americans won WW2 all by themselves.
Ross Smith no but American industrial power did.
They achieved the second on Kokoda as well. Guadalcanal was the third loss. Before Milne Bay the IJA had not lost a land battle. After it they never won another.
My old boxing trainer fought at Milne bay. He was as tough as they came bare knuckle boxer who fought in jimmy Sharman’s tents as well.
Is that where the U.S.S. Lexington went down? Serious question.
Colonel Edson was a total badass. We were blessed with so many great leaders in World War II.
It was very important, but it wasn't the first major defeat. The first was at Milne Bay when the Japanese fought over the airstrips at Milne Bay on the South East tip of New Guinea. This was the first major land battle of the war in the Pacific in which Allied troops decisively defeated Japanese land forces. The Australians forced the Japanese to withdraw completely and abandon their strategic objective. This had a a profound impact upon the thoughts and perceptions of the Allies towards the Japanese, and their prospects for victory. Milne Bay showed the limits of Japanese capability to expand using relatively small forces in the face of increasingly larger Allied troop concentrations and command of the air. As a result of the battle, Allied morale was boosted and Milne Bay was developed into a major Allied base, which was used to mount subsequent operations in the region.
The battle was of strategic importance, for a strong airbase at Milne Bay meant there would be no more sea invasion attempts on Port Moresby, there was extensive air support over New Guinea, and also over the islands to the east.
...how quickly we forget
I was an FO with the 1st Mar.Div. 2/11 in Vietnam, Dodge City, Pnu Island
Gotcha--My old man J.D Foss was in the 1st Marines from April of 1940- April 1948!!!!! Fought in 7 major campaigns including Wake-- Guadalcanal-- Peliliu-- Okinawa-- and was being prepared to invade Japan......
After Peleliu he re-enlisted fought in Okinawa and then went to China for 3 years as a China Marine protecting Chiang Kai Shek....
I love the videos you put out. Reminds me of what the History Chanel used to show, but not nearly as good of commentary that you provide. Thank you for providing these, you do an excellent job
"American soldie-"
Me: MARINES!
I have nothing but respect for the Marines on Gaudalcanal, and Edisons Raiders on the Ridge. Just like to point out that the FIRST major defeat of the Japanese was a few weeks prior, at Milne Bay on Papua
Steve....I am no historian....I know the Aussies are formidable warriors to any opponent, Last I heard, we are on the same side. Todays world is a debacle of never before, and someday soon it will explode......Stay ready. 🇺🇸
@Willam Ward You have got that comment horribly wrong.
I'm not going to hell when I die--I've already been there...Thank you all Veterans for giving me my Freedoms!!!
That’s why my great grandfather served in the Imperial Japanese Navy.
He participated in many battles and survived the war.
bless them all.. from both sides bud
It was actually the second. From August 25th to Sept 7th in 1942 was the battle of Milne Bay in Papua New Guinea. Australian Army forces (25th Army and 61st Militia) and American Engineers defended 3 airstrips against 2 or 3 Japanese SNLF forces, completely repelling them from their objective after repeated attacks. They were finally forced to retreat for the first time in the second world war.
My Grandfather was in the 61st, and fought in that battle. May he rest in peace along with all the brave soldiers who fought to save Australia.
This really is a testament to the strength of the United States Marines sheer discipline , strength and fortitude. They decimated a powerful enemy outnumber 3-1. And they’ve done this kinda thing several times.
You gotta quit calling them soldiers! They're Marines.
True never call a marine a soldier never call a soldier a marine different training different mission.
everytime i heard that i got triggered
@@michaelchristensen9004 you're correct in what you say! Unfortunately calling a Marine a Soldier is ACTUALLY a compliment. I spent 7 years 10 months with 1st Recon Battalion.
@@gregorysinicrope947 since when is it a compliment to be called a soldier ? No devil I ever knew should agree with that. 2nd Raider Bat 2012-2016. Either way Semper Fi.
Let me guess most of you are kids in high school who call themselves “future marines” lol. Marines and Army do similar combat training these day . Also the army spent lots of time on the islands with the marines during WW2.
Great job, but the first Allied force that inflicted a major defeat on the Japanese were the Australians in New Guinea. It’s important to get it right.
bullshit the first defeat of the JIA was by the Australian army in PNG typical yanks
@@ChadwickTheChad stop spreading bullshit and people will stop calling you out lmao
@@ChadwickTheChad hey dumbo this is the internet sorry to tell you it is not american lmfao
@@ChadwickTheChad tough luck for you mate lmao
*“The Americans on this island are not ordinary troops, but Marines, a special force recruited from jails and insane asylums for bloodlust.”*
~Japanese Propoganda On Guadalcanal.
They weren't wrong! Semper Fidelis!
I don’t want down play the heroic actions of what the marines did there on Guadalcanal but the first major Japanese land/invasion defeat of the war was at the hands of Australians in the Battle of Milne Bay which started on the 25th of August 1942 and ended on the 7th of September 1942.
And the Aussies in shorts...
I actually came here to say this, glad I was beat to it.
The Guadalcanal Campaign started on 7 August 1942.
Australians did bad ass in the Pacific war. I didnt know until I saw a WW2 Pacific documentary. I had no idea how important they were before.
We know , but this was video dedicated to this battle
Battle of Milne bay, Australian forces delivered Japan it's 1st defeat, Guadalcanal was afterwards
One mattered and one didn't though. Australia was no threat to Japan and also the australians outnumbered the Japanese by 5 to 1.
@@echoromeo384 a win is a win
@@echoromeo384 It was an Allied victory, and it predates the Marine's win on Guadalcanal. Yes? And it did matter. It was Japan's first defeat in the SWPA.
@@echoromeo384 it mattered because the Japanese had not been beaten on land in any battle at that point until Australia handed them a defeat. The Japanese were being seen as indestructible until that battle. That makes it prominent.
This battle is the first MAJOR defeat, so yes, massively important, but don't whittle the other as though it was nothing.
@@echoromeo384 so Japan's push south would pose no threat to the US. Really. If the US was not able to base out of Australia it would have been a different story. I appreciate that America has saved the world, all by themselves, since forever and do appreciate patriotism of Americans but that is a poor excuse for not knowing the full story
My uncle Alexander Peña fought in this battle, 3rd battalion 6th marine regiment 2nd marine division, Guadalcanal, Tarawa, Saipan, Tinian..KIA July 31st 1944 Island of Tinian, the island was declared secure Aug 1st, he was killed day before his war would have been over...God Bless America!!!!
My best friend was in a Marine recon unit in Viet Nam. He was the only member of the unit to come home alive. I only found out after his suicide how he suffered from PTSD. He believed that he should have died with his unit. He told me in a suicide note that he felt so depressed and guilty for being alive that he couldn't take it anymore. I found him in my conference room shot through the heart. He hid his suffering by being a jokester and pretending to be lighthearted. I never suspected anything was wrong until it was too late to help him.
@Scott Ouellette I agree 100% with you. Several of my high school buddies came back dead or maimed. We should never have gotten into what was a civil war. The French made a mess which we tried to clean up and couldn't. Never again!