This is a reupload guys. The original video was restricted by youtube and I've had a bunch of people ask why they cant view the episode. I suspect it was because of one picture which showed a fallen Japanese soldier. So I've uploaded it again without any images of casualties. It can be a little hard to predict what images will violate CZcams's community guidelines and what won't; the whole process is arbitrary and there is no appeal, plus they don't even tell you exactly why a video was restricted. Please forgive the repetition, I've got some new content in the works right now.
Almost need to do this for each video after a month or two. I thought the start sounded familiar, but some of the middle and end was not, so I definitely needed the revisit!
Nobody does the war in the South Pacific better than you. Where did you get your education? I read books on these subjects (written by proper historians) that are not as well written or as good at communicating. As well your take on MacArthur(from other videos as well) is refreshing, many US historians share your opinion in a tongue-in-cheek way, some things need to be said out loud. Another aspect you excel in is portraying the Japanese Sailors, Marines and Army as military units, people in history, not as a nameless and faceless enemy, a la US high-school history textbooks. Bravo sir, bravo and encore.
I don’t know where in Australia, but I know he recently finished his PhD in military history. I think his PhD covered ancient military history but, as these videos show, his interests and knowledge cover a much wider range of military related areas. His videos on the war in the Pacific certainly make the history of the campaign in New Guinea much more accessible to current Australians and no doubt we all learn a lot from them.
My Dad served there with the U.S. Army in 1943 where he received wounds from a Japanese grenade on August 14th. I found out only thru a newspaper article where they interviewed him and another soldier about a harrowing experience where they spent the night in the jungle exchanging fire with Japanese Imperial Marines. They were relieved in the morning at a point where they were about to be overrun. He never would go camping with us. Now I understand why.
So glad I stumbled upon your channel. As an American, much of the information on Australia's vital role in the Pacific is never really told. We hear of the great heroics and importance of Australia in the war, but no one really goes into the specifics. American filmmakers and documentaries focus on the American battles, which is fine but you can only hear the tales of the same battles so many times before it's completely redundant. So this content is such a breath of fresh air as someone fascinated with WWII looking for a different perspective and different content focus. If that weren't enough, the way you use still images, topo maps, etc is extremely well done. I usually find it hard to watch vids that are stills/photos/narration, but you've done an excellent job of making it both informative and entertaining. Kudos
I am too, if you are from the US, sometimes it feels like you go from pearl, to midway, to Guadalcanal to Iwo then Okinawa then nukes. I'm so glad to be learning about everything in between now.
Grew up in Lae, spent lots of time in Salamuia diving over the wrecks. There were old anti air military equipment still on the peninsula. It was common to find shells, old weapons and helmets on a common occurrence. Along a ridge that overlooked the Lae yacht club was rumoured to house an old Japanese installation for an underground hospital and arms depot. Nadzab airport that catered to Lae had heaps of wrecks littered around it. The airport was so long many planes could take off at once. I loved exploring Papua New Guinea as a child.i got to see so much of that beautiful country and meet such wonderful people.
You know, I've always considered myself a military history lover. Especially around the world wars, I considered myself pretty knowledgeable. Well, I really shouldn't have. Frankly, I'm deeply disappointed in myself for having no clue about the phenomenal effort, sacrifice, and determination that Australia and its soldiers gave for the Pacific Theater. I knew they were a valuable ally in the war but I had no idea just how critical their fighting was to the success in halting Imperial Japan's expansion and then pushing them back. Sincerely, thank you for the amazing historical content you produce here. Being completely honest, I think your content is on par with Dan Carlin's "Hardcore History" podcast.
I feel the same way and it was refreshing to see your comment! This is a fantastic Channel and I also watch the unauthorized history of the South Pacific as well. If you haven't checked it out it's an absolute must see. They have all the top historians on there as guests and they take apart all the battles in the South Pacific and debunk all the myths surrounding some of these battles. Check it out I think you'll like it.
my grandad was on the LCI 339 that got hit by the Japanese bomb, he didn't talk about his time during the war but i did hear about this event. he made it out alive for that i'm eternally grateful.
I have read countless books on war and particularly WWII. In all my reading since 1972 I have never come across anything that covered the New Guinea campaign beyond the defense Port Moresby and the Kokoda Trail. Thank you for this excellent video and the obvious hard work you put into this video. I deeply appreciate the devotion to duty by the Australian and New Zealand armed forces. I have know for many years they were an important part of Victory in the Pacific. Now I have a deeper appreciation for my cousins down under!
I had a farther 6 uncles and a grandfather who fought with the Australian army and air force during ww2 basically from day one. And yet I know nothing of what they did because they would never talk about it. It's only though videos like this and reading regimental history's from the Australian war memorial, that I get any information on what they want though.
@@billfoster6479 Bill l had relatives who fought in the Brutal Pacific's campaigns. They never talk about it either. It was only thru their funerals were l meet their fellow WW2 service friends who they served with. That l got a insight into they went thru. Their WW2 diaries and letters written to family and friends also helped me truly appreciate their experiences. I remember being a child spending summers with them. At night they would have terrible WW2 nightmares and night terrors. God bless our families who went to serve in WW2.
@@raymondkisner9240 thank you, yes we are a blessed generation. Our fathers and grandfathers went through hell so we didn't have to. That's one reason it's so hard to see what's happening to the people in Ukraine right now. The feeling of utter helplessness of not being able to help, because Russia have nuclear weapons. I call him poo-tin cos he's a bucket of shi@. God bless stay safe.
Just want to add to the praise for this channel and this kind of content. I've only viewed the WWII videos so far, but needs to be said that they are very well done, well sourced and explained, with good analysis and context. The southwestern Pacific story is of course not very well known outside Australia, and these videos are an excellent and needed addition for those whose interest covers all theaters of WWII. Bravo.
The Aussies were real heroes. They not only had to deal with the IJA and an unforgiving jungle environment, they had to endure the insufferable Macarthur and his massive ego while doing it. Very brave men indeed. Thank you for your service and sacrifice.
There needs to more taught about the. AUSTRALIAN participation in the Pacific war. It is NOT appreciated in my opinion. It was critical at the Kakoda Track, Milne Bay and the CBI. There is the Australian naval contribution too. Keep it up.
A side note to this excellent content was the story of the crypto intercept that enabled the revenge killing of Yamamoto. From my reading of other historians work I gathered the following: The MAGIC team had broken the IJN codes. The IJN was not aware of this. The MAGIC team had broken the IJA codes but the Japanese were somehow aware that the IJA codes were compromised. Upon the revenge killing of Yamamoto the Japanese immediately implemented a security review to determine if the IJN codes had been compromised. Luckily for the allies it was determined that Yamamoto's travel plans had also been mistakenly transmitted using the compromised IJA codes which lulled the IJN into believing that the IJN codes were still secure. Had this conclusion not been reached then the IJN codes would have been changed and the MAGIC team would have lost all access to Japanese planning for the foreseeable future until such a time that the new IJN codes were cracked. This revenge attack could have had far reaching detrimental consequences to the allied war effort if not for the screwup of some unknown minion that was unaware that IJA codes had been compromised.
Isn't it funny how sometimes, so much pivots on such little things, without anyone at the time having any idea how close they are to success or failure.
There was not one single code for each Japanese Service… My understanding is that they both changed their codes and developed their coding technology. That is normal procedure for any security-minded military. A major event such as the death of Yamamoto is a pretty good hint that your security may have been compromised in some fashion, but its neither conclusive (there are many ways that information can be intercepted) nor the only reason that codes are updated. Incidentally, an unanticipated change in all codes is often a hint that your enemy is planning something significant. The level of success in code-breaking varied. Every time the Japanese changed, it would take time and effort on our part to break it again. The volume of traffic was such that not every message could be transcribed and decoded. One example is the message transmitted to the Japanese Embassy in Switzerland, instructing them to inform the Allies that Japan would surrender unconditionally. This message was not translated until months after the surrender itself took place.
the allies had such an advantage and so many successes from this cracked intel, one day i hope to watch some videos about the methods the japs used for encryption and transmission
The photo of the Australian soldier respectfully burying the Japanese soldier is so touching. Once hated enemies, the Japanese are such good friends now. I am sorry so many young men lost their lives here.
Great analysis of MacArthur. My father was down the chain of command from first MacArthur, then William Halsey, upon which morale of everyone concerned skyrocketed. MacArthur was despised. Even his Communication Officer whom I had the privileged to know couldn't stand him. He was refered to as Dug Out Doug. He had a toxic ego, and was a mamma' s boy. His success was because of his planners in his inner circle, not because of anything that Douglas Macarthur brought to the table.
2 Medal of Honor. Bravely and innovatively in Mexican War, WW1. Chairman Joint Chiefs. Retired of old age. Appointed to Philippines. WW2. The most killed at fewest causalities over the longest distance. For all nations, all forces took Japanese surrender. Successful post war governance of Japan. Turned around N. Korean invasion with Inchon landing. It isn't egotistical when you successfully do it over 45 years.
@2paulcoyle Also responsible for the defeat of US forces in the Phillipines by moving half trained troops up to defend the beaches instead of defending the supply bases, then letting the supply bases be captured by the Japaense and having US forces defend their base without their supplies...which the Japanese were using to attack the US. Responsible for the initial defeat of US forces in Korea, redeemed himself with Inchon the led US forces into another defeat by Chinese comminist forces. For a grat General McArthur spent a lot of time retreating from Asian armies. Good strategist in attack, possibly the worst defensive General in US military history and that includes William Hull.
The Australian officers and men were very similar to the Canadian officers and men in both wars. One of, if not the best, general officers in WW1 was Lt. Gen. Sir Arthur Currie, a Canadian who, like most of his officers, came from middle and lower class families. The Canadian Corps in WW1 was, like the Australians, considered shock troops and some most dependable in the war. God Bless them all. Both countries forces in WW2 were also the best.
Currie was good but I would match him with Australian General Monash . The last soldier knighted on the field of battle . First General to effectively use combined services tactics.
It wasn’t as much as the British officers were not good or capable it was because the useless gits in Whitehall would not listen, believe or act on the reports from the front. When the Canadians and Australians arrived they were not conditioned to say Yes sir, no sir, three bags full sir to the British Generals, and therefore adapted tactics that worked. Indeed when these tactics were learned by the British they became just as good.
Nicely done, havent seen the history from an Australian army perspective, reinforces my opinion of MacArthur, he wouldn't have even successful had it not been for others work :) Thanks again, we'll narrated love the graphics and detail, keep it up
MacArthur was an egomaniac. He should never have been given the power he had. He killed too many of our men in the SW Pacific and later Korea. He was also a pedophile. His 16 year old Filipino girlfriend was sent to the US.
Thank you for putting this together. My grandfather was with the 24th Battalion AIF. Learnt lots and looking forward to watching some of your other videos about the operations in PNG.
This is really a first rate military history, and very valuable. I was completely gobsmacked by the unprofessional and grossly arrogant conduct of MAJ Roosevelt! It is a pity that some US officers seemed incapable of coalition operations back in the day, but perhaps similar personalities still cause problems today. This whole campaign is really a testament to the quality of the Australian warfighter in the early 1940s, so many of whom had been educated in the military arts during five years of brutal warfare during the Great War. It was very valuable for you to have drawn the link between the aggressive fighting patrols of the Great War and the shift to similar tactics in the jungles in WWII. It showed a continuity of military experience and thought amongst Australians, from the Great War to the New Guinea campaign, and dare I say onward to Malaya and Vietnam. My great uncle was a digger in the 2/25th, who air-landed at Nadzab and fought up to the Ramu Valley & Shaggy Ridge, then later on to Balikpapan. We’d all really appreciate your continuing these superb histories to tell those stories to the full. They must take tremendous effort. Thank you!
@@reneprovosty7032 Many good, only one best - HypoHystericalHistory! I shared the previous (Makin Island) vid with vets and historians. They were amazed. I'm hoping for some Eniwetok/ Marshall Islands campaign content soon. Please like, comment, and share! Dr. Felton and others have 1,000,000+ subscribers. Hypo deserves far more credit for his work than he is currently getting. Thank HHH!
@@reneprovosty7032 I agree there are many good, but I also think that while @Hoopaball may be a touch bombastic, he makes a good point in that these HHH videos are of an extremely high quality in depth, and clarity and frankly entertainment. They mix an appropriate amount of editorial with excellent factual details and truly tell a story. I feel this quality is only usually seen on CZcams channels with 1Million+ subscribers (and even then not regularly, and especially not of this length.) I do think the length of the videos probably contributes to the difficulty in building high subscriber numbers as few people have that sort of attention span/dedication?? Nonetheless, I'm very excited to finish this posting and am very appreciative and impressed with @hypohystericalhistory work. Keep the praise up too @Hoopaball
After watching more it became obvious that this is a re-post. Still excellent, and I must admit, I often watch content more than once. Initially it wasn't marked as a re-post. Do appreciate HHH acknowledging it was. As vids hadn't necessarily been completed/posted in the chronology of the New Guinea campaign, it wasn't initially obvious this was a straight re-post. Sad there's not new content (did seem not too long since last new vid), but I'm sure a video like this takes a huge amount of time to make. Keep up the good work HHH. Looking forward to any and all of your new work.
@@skendler HHH is finishing up his PhD or he just got it. Now, I hope to see more content, and wish his channel continued growth. Sharing, liking, and commenting will make the YT algorithm push this channel up. Cheers!
Interesting and informative. Excellent photography job enabling viewers to better understand what/whom the orator was describing. Special thanks to veteran soldiers/civilians sharing personal information/combat experiences. Making this documentary more authentic and possible. A loud shout out to the medical 🚑 personal medics/stretcher bearers risking life and limb tending to the wounded soldiers. Enabling doctors/nurses working tirelessly to hopefully save the soldiers whom were taken to a field hospital. Whom are often forgotten for their valor.
I only started watching Kings and generals recently and just realized this is about where they are with their series on the pacific war. It combos with this pretty well actually, with the heavier use of animated maps in K&G being supplemented with the in depth information here.
I don't care how many times you upload it, I'll watch it ;). Yours is still the best and most thorough no fluff series on the New Guinea Campaign and surrounding excursions. Keep up the good work! Can you consider adding your book sources to the video descriptions?
This was primarily the Australian Official History, available from the Australian War Memorial (online), and the reports of General MacArthur, both "Japanese Operations in the South West Pacific Area" and "The Campaigns of General MacArthur". Plus for this there was a PhD Thesis and some research produced by the Australian Army history division.
+1 Spend some time on the Australian War Memorial site. It really is packed with great information and lots of personal accounts of participants. If I remember correctly, you can search for individual names and see if they had been mentioned in dispatch/reports.
did my army reserve training in cairns. we trained in the jungles of black mountain and the desert of chillagoe. black mountain was always up one hill down the next it seemed as if nothing was flat. mozzies and ran made reading a map impossible as rivers sprang up where there wasnt meant to be one. chillagoe was dry as hell and hot with large areas of open terrain with no cover. it was fun for me at the time but if any of it came with the threat of death at any moment then i dont really know how i would have faired. the jungle itself you couldnt see your hand in front of your face at night, followed a piece of string from the camp to the OP. nothing was dry and finding new ways to kill leeches became a game. these men literally were fighting in a mental hell.
I can't believe that I'm just seeing this video now. As someone with a relative that once served in the 2/15th battalion, I would like to thank you for making this video. Cheers mate
Outstanding materials!You folks are truly good historical and seemingly honest interpretation of the incredible powerful fighting force that is the Australian fighting man!As a proud Texan,I salute my Australian Comrades!
The series of videos on the New Guinea campaign is one of the best works of military history videos I have ever seen. I recently watched the Kings and Generals channel videos on the same subject and although they are good they are not as good as this series. This series provides more insight into the commanders and state of the troops then the Kings in General series. It must have taken a good deal of time and research to produce these excellent videos and the quality show . Although the maps are not as fancy they do give a better feeling for the terrain and also include historical maps. Congratulations and thank you for producing an excellent and outstanding series of videos.
The incedent with the 2/33rd was described to me by a South Grafton 7 th division veteran Reggie Goodger. An ablosuted gentleman of a bloke. He was a truck driver bringing in loads to the DC-3 s. This was in the 90's and he was still very clearly disturbed by it all those years later. RIP Reg. I miss our yaks.
H3 …is one excellent channel.. I appreciate the authors thorough coverage of the pacific theatre … New Guinea a strategic … yet almost unknown part of WW2 … the Australian Bravery and Sacrifices in this theatre and others ie: “Tobruk “ are of the highest order ..
In the US we mainly learn Pearl Harbor, Iwo Jima, and Okinawa. And of course the bombs and Normandy. I love these deep dives with original telegrams and communiqués.
Every time I see a new video from this channel pop up in my stream it’s like Christmas morning. The breakdowns on here are up there with Tik’s Battlestorm series, which if you’ve ever watched you would know the comparison is high praise. Thanks for the amazing content!
Thank you for your excellent work and persistence dealing with the absurb censorship of CZcams. I thought we had freedom of expression as a civil right in the US...
During this same timeframe there was the battle for kursk, the invasion of sicily(and eventually italy), the invasion of new georgia, and here we have the Lae Salamua campaign. WW2 is so vast its hard to comprehend sometimes.
This is the best visual and commentary account of these events, a fitting sequel to the excellent series of histories published by the Australian War Memorial in the 1950/60s. I have a personal interest in these events, having been born in Lae in the few years after the victory. I often wonder about the Papuan people whom I must have known, who must have lived through this convulsion of their previously peaceful lives... Anna, Malaita, Boy (the names in my family records.)
There is a bomb half uncovered on the beach on the Salamaua pennisula. When you stay there the local kids often want to sell you clips of ammo and shells. We used to buy them and chuck them them into the sea. The only building that remains is the bank vault which is used to house a diesel generator which provides power to the beach houses there.
Many years back a friend's grandfather made a point that there were only 3 things that lowered the constant anxiety fighting in the South Pacific. A battleship anchored offshore. A squadron of A 26s flying overhead. Several men arriving in shorts and slouch hats. The avg American grunt was relieved when they knew ANZACS had arrived to advise on how to navigate that jungle. It was usually bruised egos of upper echelon US commanders that caused friction.
yeah thats crazy and so petty, the Australian troops had been there a little longer and knew the ropes. you would think they'd be keen to use any advantage if it meant your men would benefit. couldnt believe that Australian liaison officer had to eavesdrop on phone calls to get any information beacause one guy had sand in his vagina and refused to acknowledge him. ah well, it all worked out in the end hey.
blows me away that even in this stage of the playlist and all the crazy fighting the video ends saying that there's even more to come... my grandfather just arrived 2/48th and was thinking he missed the worst of it, but ill wait and see...
They knew not defeating the Japanese military forces in New Guinea. Ment an eventual invasion of Darwin. Therefore it was do or die time/that brought out the best that they had to offer.
Great maps and overhead photos for the crucial topography of the events, great narrative, just a great story, from wide angle to minute details, from command to foot slogger, great military history - and entertainment!!
This is fascinating stuff. Many thanks for putting this history together. It shows a turning point that hasn't had sufficient coverage previously. Much respect to all the people involved, both historical and current.
Just so good. I am not a big fan of MacArthur, thinking him a closet fascist (he turned US Army troops on peaceful petitioners in Washington DC in 1932). I believe his insistence on retaking the Philippines lengthened the war, led to the destruction of Manila and the needless deaths of thousands of people. Nimitz knew this but Dugout Doug had FDR's ear. I hope history makes this plain. Terrible what happened to that American Colonel.
Blamey also was the head of a secret proto-fascist militia in Victoria during the 1930s (whilst simultaneously serving as Commissioner of police). It's one of the mysteries of history that the socialist Curtin (who had even in his youth thought of himself as a revolutionary) became great mates with MacArthur.
@Jack O'Bean Most of the high command of the Allies were impossible men, dreadfully vain. Fancy being Eisenhower and having to deal with them! Marshall and Tedder seem to be decent types but what do I know ...?
A great video, as usual. I love the excruciating detail and maps to show the general movement of small units. A little note for some of the more bombastic anti-MacArthur crowd: If the British and many American honchos had had their way, the Pacific theatre would have been even lower on the priority list for men and materiel. Mac's presence, popularity and connections, and his persistent lobbying at least insured that these SW Pacific campaigns weren't forgotten or starved even further than they already were.
Macarthur was awarded the "Medal of Honor" for his leadership in the Philippines in 1941 I think. To be honest I thought you got such an award for personal heroism. His sacking in 1951 as the Korean Commander was clearly necessary.
@David Howard perhaps pointless but still relevant concerning the SouthWest pacific campaign in WW2. Don't think of me as an ingrate for the US forces in the Pacific because I hold them in the highest regard. But Macarthur had many short commings as a commander in my opinion, is all.
I want to say thank you so much for all the work you have done telling these stories. I also want to thank you for your work on tiktok. I've been checking it constantly to see if you have posted more. Your a legend mate, would love to buy you a beer sometime.
New subscriber here, love your channel and your content! Your channel and the unauthorized history of the South Pacific are my two go to channels for World War II history in the south pacific. Great job!
My Great Uncle was in the 9TH in Libya . Just before El Alamein he was injured in the head and eye around late Sept 42 . Losing his vision in one eye . His head injury caused further problems . He was evacuated back to Melbourne by 43 unfit to return to service and eventually demobbed in 44 from service. We sure could of lost him in the Jungles. As it was Mum became great friends with her cousins
Wow another one so fast?! I love these videos and I love your channel and I'm honestly recommending you to everyone I know, I only wish I knew a million people to get your channel the coverage it truly deserves.
"General MacArthur’s approach to CARTWHEEL differed from the ‘island-hopping’ campaign experienced in the Central Pacific, where vast distances necessitated repeated costly offensives. SWPA afforded the opportunity for ‘leapfrogging’ and isolation of powerful Japanese strongholds. MacArthur emphatically demonstrated this through his leap into Hollandia and the 1944 Western New Guinea campaign. For those objectives that could not be avoided, extensive shaping was necessary."
OMG you're pumping these vids out so fast........ Any chance you could start doing more modern Australian Military stuff, like what Aus Nuclear Submarine we should aquire, build, our partner etc. or the Loyal Wingman or Afura Class OPV maybe land 400?
Excellent production ~ Mate ~ good research ~ I reside in the Atherton Tablelands and a keen histrion and detectorist~ I have covered many /most of the campsites including the 2/5 and 2/4th ~ and so many more ~ I absolutely respect the Diggers that struggled in those horrendous conditions ~ ( as a baby boomer myself I knew, meet and talked to so many of the vets ~ In fact I talked to a number German vets that migrated to Australia post war. ~ AS for the Leaders I think Macarthur ( and Montgomery) were generally sharp tacticians ~( although Montgomery made some bad moves ~ fortunate not to be sacked in fact ~ ) but both demonstrated poor PR/ people skills ~ and also demonstrated huge egos ~ Blamey I think was little better ~ You quoted/ referenced comments from US Military upper ranks that the Australians were better trained, demonstrated more metal than most of the USA forces. A Pleasant surprise. Been said elsewhere ~ so many of the Australian leaders were bought up as front officers and showed their skills ~ born of Grit and battle first hand ~ Great work and enjoyed or enjoying all your WWII Australian campaigns ~
Paul I. "Pappy" Gunn was a tinkerer superb, he's the one that came up with B-25's and A-20's being stripped of anything not to do with the mission (Including personnel), and literally jacked up with .50 cal. machine guns, at one point a B25 had 14 forward firing .50 cals, 8 in the nose, 2 on each side in a blister just behind the nose and the 2 guns from the dorsal ball turret, he called them "Commerce Destroyers", and they, along with the Bristol Beau Fighter and it's 4- 20 mm cannons, were absolutely Wicked. They destroyed an entire reinforcement/cargo task force.
Once I see the latest post appear under my bell, I wait until its a weekend, and a few beers, and I have the time to appreciate the effort, and learn. Thank you.
We still have an old Japanese anti aircraft gun in the back yard of our company beach haus at Salamaua. Still finding old bombs and shells out there to this day. Needless to say, we’re very careful if we ever have to dig a hole or trench.
Such an excellent presentation! On a side note MacArthur was an elitist ass, such distain always trickles down through the Command Structure. He is still held in contempt by Aussies and Yanks alike. The Australian fighting man has proved himself to be of the highest caliber in every conflict he has engaged in!
One of the hardest things for me to understand is just how little respect the leaders in Japan had for life,not only for there military sons,but for there own civilians my god they wanted to continue fighting even after the bombs were dropped! I've heard about how many of the survivors from each of the islands,hated their commanding generals for just leaving them there and telling them that we were monsters and would do horrible things to them if they surrendered to the allied soldiers! It's almost as if there would rather have the entire Japanese race wiped out rather than surrender to the allies,that's insane if you ask me.
It is fantastic coverage of the battle for NG. This has shown the difficult fighting in the NG environment. And the conflict in USA vs Aus drivers and command. As a USA student of WW2 the insight you have brought to the campaign is very interesting.
I noted that our Australian Brothers in Arms had a 7% participation at 15 mins mark in and was Noted as the greatest of the allies in percentages. WOW? I never knew as "Every" of age some a little early able bodied male in my family in those years was in the Pacific, one ending One the Mighty Mo at the armistice, and my extended or In Law family of same conditions was in Europe, some BEFORE as Illegal Canadians in the RCAF and the Battle for Britin BEFORE the US joined in and on to Army Air Corps and Infantry, to my Knowledge "All" Came Home to serve in the Next Wars. RIP Greatest! THANK YOU! I Miss You! Love you! I wish I could remember more details, and I had asked more questions. Thank you for telling me.
50:11 Nighttime forward patrolling by Australian forces during the siege of Tobruk greatly impacted the morale of the Afrika Corp and associated Italian forces. IIRC it was little things like leaving scraps of cotton tied to the barbed wired directly in front of the Axis positions.
It is rather difficult to be a 'good battle field commander' when you are running the campaigns from a Brisbane penthouse. lol There was a great reason why he earnt the name 'Bugout Doug'. Blamey and MacArthur were two cheeks of the same arse in that respect. The 6-7-9 th Australian divisions were arguably the best and most battle hardened divisions in the entire campaign. The victory in the 'battle for Australia' that took place at Milne Bay should not be over looked, the Japanese loss there and at Kokoda had a profound effect on Japanese based in Rabaul. The Aussie handed out the first major defeat of the Imperial Japanese land forces in WW2 in New Guinea. The role played by the Australian 7th Division in the Markham-Ramu Valley and in the Finsterres played a major role in restricting the Japanese from supporting their forces right along the Huon Peninusla by land all the way to Madang. In fact the Australian 7th division took Lae a few hours before the Australian 9th division arrived. The 'combined' navies and air forces controlled the sea lanes in the South West Pacific. I like your over view of ww2 campaigns but you don't give enough credit to the roles played by Aussies.
@Jack O'Bean it was reported that Dwight Eisenhower had a photograph of MacArthur on his office wall, when another General asked him what was that photograph on your wall for, Eisenhower replied to remind me not to be a horses arse. Whether true or not I don't know.
Incredible job putting together the story of a campaign that was so important to the success of the war. It’s a shame Archibald Roosevelt turned out to be such an ineffective commander. The whole Roosevelt family story is fascinating and tragic the branches were at odds politically with Alice Roosevelt Longworth going so far as to say she’d vote for Hitler before FDR in 1940 (didn’t age well). The Roosevelts were nothing if not patriotic getting his Republican cousins involved in the war effort was a sort of personal national unity project. Archibald bravely served on the western front in ww1 and lost his youngest brother not long after he was wounded. His surviving brothers died while serving in ww2 perhaps his brother’s suicide a month before The Battle of Roosevelt Ridge had effected him to where he should have taken a break from command. Kermit was closest to his father going with him on the ill fated Amazon expedition that destroyed his health and lead to his premature death. Kermit never got over his father’s death and may have blamed himself he was given command in what was thought to be the climactic final battle to drive out the Japanese invader from Alaska, the kind of exotic battle his father would have loved to be a part of. The Japanese used the over of fog after their defeat in the battle of Attu, Kermit committed suicide soon afterwards on June 4th 1943. Theodore Jr participated in operation torch as assistant commander to the 1st Infantry Division he was sited for the Croix de Guerre while fighting alongside the Free French. He was the only US general that came ashore with the first landing wave during D-Day he received the Medal of Honor for his efforts directing troops on Utah Beach. The highly unorthodox commander had been ignoring chest pains during the drive inland died on July 13th 1944 in Normandy of a massive heart attack.
This is a reupload guys. The original video was restricted by youtube and I've had a bunch of people ask why they cant view the episode. I suspect it was because of one picture which showed a fallen Japanese soldier. So I've uploaded it again without any images of casualties. It can be a little hard to predict what images will violate CZcams's community guidelines and what won't; the whole process is arbitrary and there is no appeal, plus they don't even tell you exactly why a video was restricted. Please forgive the repetition, I've got some new content in the works right now.
all good great stuff;
Google does not hire bright people. However, thanks for the posting.
Time for a rewatch anyway … it’s a lot of history …!
This is a continuous & damaging policy of CZcams's.
"Let's pretend nobody dies in war" in a small way, makes war more likely.
Almost need to do this for each video after a month or two. I thought the start sounded familiar, but some of the middle and end was not, so I definitely needed the revisit!
Nobody does the war in the South Pacific better than you. Where did you get your education? I read books on these subjects (written by proper historians) that are not as well written or as good at communicating. As well your take on MacArthur(from other videos as well) is refreshing, many US historians share your opinion in a tongue-in-cheek way, some things need to be said out loud. Another aspect you excel in is portraying the Japanese Sailors, Marines and Army as military units, people in history, not as a nameless and faceless enemy, a la US high-school history textbooks. Bravo sir, bravo and encore.
💯💯💯💯💯
I don’t know where in Australia, but I know he recently finished his PhD in military history. I think his PhD covered ancient military history but, as these videos show, his interests and knowledge cover a much wider range of military related areas. His videos on the war in the Pacific certainly make the history of the campaign in New Guinea much more accessible to current Australians and no doubt we all learn a lot from them.
MacArthur was a monster!
@@Paul-zf8obNot sure why you're confused as to the difference between someone who's out of touch and someone who's acting maliciously.
@@Paul-zf8obHow so? Explain.If anything Japanese were the monsters.
My Dad served there with the U.S. Army in 1943 where he received wounds from a Japanese grenade on August 14th. I found out only thru a newspaper article where they interviewed him and another soldier about a harrowing experience where they spent the night in the jungle exchanging fire with Japanese Imperial Marines. They were relieved in the morning at a point where they were about to be overrun. He never would go camping with us. Now I understand why.
So glad I stumbled upon your channel. As an American, much of the information on Australia's vital role in the Pacific is never really told. We hear of the great heroics and importance of Australia in the war, but no one really goes into the specifics. American filmmakers and documentaries focus on the American battles, which is fine but you can only hear the tales of the same battles so many times before it's completely redundant. So this content is such a breath of fresh air as someone fascinated with WWII looking for a different perspective and different content focus. If that weren't enough, the way you use still images, topo maps, etc is extremely well done. I usually find it hard to watch vids that are stills/photos/narration, but you've done an excellent job of making it both informative and entertaining. Kudos
You might be interested in this: czcams.com/video/KZGzjI6xCkw/video.html
I am too, if you are from the US, sometimes it feels like you go from pearl, to midway, to Guadalcanal to Iwo then Okinawa then nukes. I'm so glad to be learning about everything in between now.
Grew up in Lae, spent lots of time in Salamuia diving over the wrecks. There were old anti air military equipment still on the peninsula. It was common to find shells, old weapons and helmets on a common occurrence. Along a ridge that overlooked the Lae yacht club was rumoured to house an old Japanese installation for an underground hospital and arms depot. Nadzab airport that catered to Lae had heaps of wrecks littered around it. The airport was so long many planes could take off at once.
I loved exploring Papua New Guinea as a child.i got to see so much of that beautiful country and meet such wonderful people.
You know, I've always considered myself a military history lover. Especially around the world wars, I considered myself pretty knowledgeable. Well, I really shouldn't have.
Frankly, I'm deeply disappointed in myself for having no clue about the phenomenal effort, sacrifice, and determination that Australia and its soldiers gave for the Pacific Theater. I knew they were a valuable ally in the war but I had no idea just how critical their fighting was to the success in halting Imperial Japan's expansion and then pushing them back.
Sincerely, thank you for the amazing historical content you produce here. Being completely honest, I think your content is on par with Dan Carlin's "Hardcore History" podcast.
I feel the same way and it was refreshing to see your comment! This is a fantastic Channel and I also watch the unauthorized history of the South Pacific as well. If you haven't checked it out it's an absolute must see. They have all the top historians on there as guests and they take apart all the battles in the South Pacific and debunk all the myths surrounding some of these battles. Check it out I think you'll like it.
@Jakal-pw8yq I do watch them, and actually, I got their channel recommended under this channel's breakdown of Tarawa. Excellent stuff
my grandad was on the LCI 339 that got hit by the Japanese bomb, he didn't talk about his time during the war but i did hear about this event. he made it out alive for that i'm eternally grateful.
I have read countless books on war and particularly WWII. In all my reading since 1972 I have never come across anything that covered the New Guinea campaign beyond the defense Port Moresby and the Kokoda Trail. Thank you for this excellent video and the obvious hard work you put into this video.
I deeply appreciate the devotion to duty by the Australian and New Zealand armed forces. I have know for many years they were an important part of Victory in the Pacific. Now I have a deeper appreciation for my cousins down under!
I had a farther 6 uncles and a grandfather who fought with the Australian army and air force during ww2 basically from day one. And yet I know nothing of what they did because they would never talk about it. It's only though videos like this and reading regimental history's from the Australian war memorial, that I get any information on what they want though.
@@billfoster6479 Bill l had relatives who fought in the Brutal Pacific's campaigns.
They never talk about it either. It was only thru their funerals were l meet their fellow WW2 service friends who they served with. That l got a insight into they went thru. Their WW2 diaries and letters written to family and friends also helped me truly appreciate their experiences.
I remember being a child spending summers with them. At night they would have terrible WW2 nightmares and night terrors. God bless our families who went to serve in WW2.
@@raymondkisner9240 thank you, yes we are a blessed generation. Our fathers and grandfathers went through hell so we didn't have to. That's one reason it's so hard to see what's happening to the people in Ukraine right now. The feeling of utter helplessness of not being able to help, because Russia have nuclear weapons. I call him poo-tin cos he's a bucket of shi@. God bless stay safe.
Lest We Forget
Just want to add to the praise for this channel and this kind of content. I've only viewed the WWII videos so far, but needs to be said that they are very well done, well sourced and explained, with good analysis and context. The southwestern Pacific story is of course not very well known outside Australia, and these videos are an excellent and needed addition for those whose interest covers all theaters of WWII. Bravo.
The History Channel had a momentary glimpse of the majesty this channel presents. Carry on.
The Aussies were real heroes. They not only had to deal with the IJA and an unforgiving jungle environment, they had to endure the insufferable Macarthur and his massive ego while doing it. Very brave men indeed. Thank you for your service and sacrifice.
Looking forward to learning more about the Aussies participation in the pacific. Once again, appreciate the effort you put into these videos.
it is imho a less public aspect of WWII, truly good content.
There needs to more taught about the. AUSTRALIAN participation in the Pacific war. It is NOT appreciated in my opinion. It was critical at the Kakoda Track, Milne Bay and the CBI. There is the Australian naval contribution too. Keep it up.
Borneo 1945 was a thing!
A side note to this excellent content was the story of the crypto intercept that enabled the revenge killing of Yamamoto. From my reading of other historians work I gathered the following: The MAGIC team had broken the IJN codes. The IJN was not aware of this. The MAGIC team had broken the IJA codes but the Japanese were somehow aware that the IJA codes were compromised. Upon the revenge killing of Yamamoto the Japanese immediately implemented a security review to determine if the IJN codes had been compromised. Luckily for the allies it was determined that Yamamoto's travel plans had also been mistakenly transmitted using the compromised IJA codes which lulled the IJN into believing that the IJN codes were still secure. Had this conclusion not been reached then the IJN codes would have been changed and the MAGIC team would have lost all access to Japanese planning for the foreseeable future until such a time that the new IJN codes were cracked. This revenge attack could have had far reaching detrimental consequences to the allied war effort if not for the screwup of some unknown minion that was unaware that IJA codes had been compromised.
Isn't it funny how sometimes, so much pivots on such little things, without anyone at the time having any idea how close they are to success or failure.
Was this the case where the IJN knew the IJA codes had been broken but they didn't let them know?
There was not one single code for each Japanese Service… My understanding is that they both changed their codes and developed their coding technology. That is normal procedure for any security-minded military.
A major event such as the death of Yamamoto is a pretty good hint that your security may have been compromised in some fashion, but its neither conclusive (there are many ways that information can be intercepted) nor the only reason that codes are updated.
Incidentally, an unanticipated change in all codes is often a hint that your enemy is planning something significant.
The level of success in code-breaking varied. Every time the Japanese changed, it would take time and effort on our part to break it again. The volume of traffic was such that not every message could be transcribed and decoded. One example is the message transmitted to the Japanese Embassy in Switzerland, instructing them to inform the Allies that Japan would surrender unconditionally. This message was not translated until months after the surrender itself took place.
the allies had such an advantage and so many successes from this cracked intel, one day i hope to watch some videos about the methods the japs used for encryption and transmission
I’m glad you re-uploaded operation posters with added content. A history enthusiast I’m very pleased and enlightened!❤
The photo of the Australian soldier respectfully burying the Japanese soldier is so touching. Once hated enemies, the Japanese are such good friends now. I am sorry so many young men lost their lives here.
My Grandfather hated them till the day he died an old man. For the things he's seen them do.
not the people,, leaders
Great analysis of MacArthur. My father was down the chain of command from first MacArthur, then William Halsey, upon which morale of everyone concerned skyrocketed.
MacArthur was despised. Even his Communication Officer whom I had the privileged to know couldn't stand him. He was refered to as Dug Out Doug. He had a toxic ego, and was a mamma' s boy. His success was because of his planners in his inner circle, not because of anything that Douglas Macarthur brought to the table.
2 Medal of Honor. Bravely and innovatively in Mexican War, WW1. Chairman Joint Chiefs. Retired of old age. Appointed to Philippines. WW2. The most killed at fewest causalities over the longest distance. For all nations, all forces took Japanese surrender. Successful post war governance of Japan. Turned around N. Korean invasion with Inchon landing.
It isn't egotistical when you successfully do it over 45 years.
@@2paulcoyle And he wanted to nuke China, which is why he was relieved of command by Truman
@@2paulcoyle MacArthur was a pedophile and a jackass. Period. End of story. He should have been court martialed for being surprised in Philippines
Lost the Philippines out of sheer stupidity.
@2paulcoyle Also responsible for the defeat of US forces in the Phillipines by moving half trained troops up to defend the beaches instead of defending the supply bases, then letting the supply bases be captured by the Japaense and having US forces defend their base without their supplies...which the Japanese were using to attack the US.
Responsible for the initial defeat of US forces in Korea, redeemed himself with Inchon the led US forces into another defeat by Chinese comminist forces.
For a grat General McArthur spent a lot of time retreating from Asian armies.
Good strategist in attack, possibly the worst defensive General in US military history and that includes William Hull.
What revelation these documentaries are. A whole history of the War in the Pacific revealed in detail and with frankness. Many thanks
The Australian officers and men were very similar to the Canadian officers and men in both wars. One of, if not the best, general officers in WW1 was Lt. Gen. Sir Arthur Currie, a Canadian who, like most of his officers, came from middle and lower class families. The Canadian Corps in WW1 was, like the Australians, considered shock troops and some most dependable in the war. God Bless them all. Both countries forces in WW2 were also the best.
Currie was good but I would match him with Australian General Monash . The last soldier knighted on the field of battle . First General to effectively use combined services tactics.
It wasn’t as much as the British officers were not good or capable it was because the useless gits in Whitehall would not listen, believe or act on the reports from the front. When the Canadians and Australians arrived they were not conditioned to say Yes sir, no sir, three bags full sir to the British Generals, and therefore adapted tactics that worked.
Indeed when these tactics were learned by the British they became just as good.
Nicely done, havent seen the history from an Australian army perspective, reinforces my opinion of MacArthur, he wouldn't have even successful had it not been for others work :)
Thanks again, we'll narrated love the graphics and detail, keep it up
MacArthur was an egomaniac. He should never have been given the power he had. He killed too many of our men in the SW Pacific and later Korea. He was also a pedophile. His 16 year old Filipino girlfriend was sent to the US.
Thank you for putting this together. My grandfather was with the 24th Battalion AIF. Learnt lots and looking forward to watching some of your other videos about the operations in PNG.
This is really a first rate military history, and very valuable.
I was completely gobsmacked by the unprofessional and grossly arrogant conduct of MAJ Roosevelt! It is a pity that some US officers seemed incapable of coalition operations back in the day, but perhaps similar personalities still cause problems today.
This whole campaign is really a testament to the quality of the Australian warfighter in the early 1940s, so many of whom had been educated in the military arts during five years of brutal warfare during the Great War.
It was very valuable for you to have drawn the link between the aggressive fighting patrols of the Great War and the shift to similar tactics in the jungles in WWII. It showed a continuity of military experience and thought amongst Australians, from the Great War to the New Guinea campaign, and dare I say onward to Malaya and Vietnam.
My great uncle was a digger in the 2/25th, who air-landed at Nadzab and fought up to the Ramu Valley & Shaggy Ridge, then later on to Balikpapan.
We’d all really appreciate your continuing these superb histories to tell those stories to the full. They must take tremendous effort.
Thank you!
Best historian on CZcams!
Thanks!
there are many good ones, including this gentleman
@@reneprovosty7032 Many good, only one best - HypoHystericalHistory!
I shared the previous (Makin Island) vid with vets and historians. They were amazed.
I'm hoping for some Eniwetok/ Marshall Islands campaign content soon.
Please like, comment, and share! Dr. Felton and others have 1,000,000+ subscribers. Hypo deserves far more credit for his work than he is currently getting. Thank HHH!
@@reneprovosty7032 I agree there are many good, but I also think that while @Hoopaball may be a touch bombastic, he makes a good point in that these HHH videos are of an extremely high quality in depth, and clarity and frankly entertainment. They mix an appropriate amount of editorial with excellent factual details and truly tell a story. I feel this quality is only usually seen on CZcams channels with 1Million+ subscribers (and even then not regularly, and especially not of this length.) I do think the length of the videos probably contributes to the difficulty in building high subscriber numbers as few people have that sort of attention span/dedication?? Nonetheless, I'm very excited to finish this posting and am very appreciative and impressed with @hypohystericalhistory work. Keep the praise up too @Hoopaball
After watching more it became obvious that this is a re-post. Still excellent, and I must admit, I often watch content more than once. Initially it wasn't marked as a re-post. Do appreciate HHH acknowledging it was. As vids hadn't necessarily been completed/posted in the chronology of the New Guinea campaign, it wasn't initially obvious this was a straight re-post. Sad there's not new content (did seem not too long since last new vid), but I'm sure a video like this takes a huge amount of time to make. Keep up the good work HHH. Looking forward to any and all of your new work.
@@skendler HHH is finishing up his PhD or he just got it. Now, I hope to see more content, and wish his channel continued growth. Sharing, liking, and commenting will make the YT algorithm push this channel up.
Cheers!
Interesting and informative. Excellent photography job enabling viewers to better understand what/whom the orator was describing. Special thanks to veteran soldiers/civilians sharing personal information/combat experiences. Making this documentary more authentic and possible. A loud shout out to the medical 🚑 personal medics/stretcher bearers risking life and limb tending to the wounded soldiers. Enabling doctors/nurses working tirelessly to hopefully save the soldiers whom were taken to a field hospital. Whom are often forgotten for their valor.
I only started watching Kings and generals recently and just realized this is about where they are with their series on the pacific war. It combos with this pretty well actually, with the heavier use of animated maps in K&G being supplemented with the in depth information here.
I don't care how many times you upload it, I'll watch it ;). Yours is still the best and most thorough no fluff series on the New Guinea Campaign and surrounding excursions. Keep up the good work!
Can you consider adding your book sources to the video descriptions?
+1 to the further reading/ sources section in the video description if it isn't a bother
This was primarily the Australian Official History, available from the Australian War Memorial (online), and the reports of General MacArthur, both "Japanese Operations in the South West Pacific Area" and "The Campaigns of General MacArthur". Plus for this there was a PhD Thesis and some research produced by the Australian Army history division.
+1 Spend some time on the Australian War Memorial site. It really is packed with great information and lots of personal accounts of participants. If I remember correctly, you can search for individual names and see if they had been mentioned in dispatch/reports.
did my army reserve training in cairns. we trained in the jungles of black mountain and the desert of chillagoe. black mountain was always up one hill down the next it seemed as if nothing was flat. mozzies and ran made reading a map impossible as rivers sprang up where there wasnt meant to be one. chillagoe was dry as hell and hot with large areas of open terrain with no cover. it was fun for me at the time but if any of it came with the threat of death at any moment then i dont really know how i would have faired.
the jungle itself you couldnt see your hand in front of your face at night, followed a piece of string from the camp to the OP. nothing was dry and finding new ways to kill leeches became a game. these men literally were fighting in a mental hell.
Savage knew the value of initiative, well run,, good campaign. Lots of pressure on those commanders.
I can't believe that I'm just seeing this video now. As someone with a relative that once served in the 2/15th battalion, I would like to thank you for making this video. Cheers mate
Can’t praise this channel too highly for its great content and a refreshing view of the war in the Pacific from the sharp end
oh you can, it feeds your prejudices!
Outstanding materials!You folks are truly good historical and seemingly honest interpretation of the incredible powerful fighting force that is the Australian fighting man!As a proud Texan,I salute my Australian Comrades!
Thanks for your kind words mate 😊
The series of videos on the New Guinea campaign is one of the best works of military history videos I have ever seen. I recently watched the Kings and Generals channel videos on the same subject and although they are good they are not as good as this series. This series provides more insight into the commanders and state of the troops then the Kings in General series. It must have taken a good deal of time and research to produce these excellent videos and the quality show . Although the maps are not as fancy they do give a better feeling for the terrain and also include historical maps. Congratulations and thank you for producing an excellent and outstanding series of videos.
The incedent with the 2/33rd was described to me by a South Grafton 7 th division veteran Reggie Goodger. An ablosuted gentleman of a bloke. He was a truck driver bringing in loads to the DC-3 s.
This was in the 90's and he was still very clearly disturbed by it all those years later.
RIP Reg. I miss our yaks.
This is an epic military history channel. Right up there with Tik and Stalingrad battle data. Criminally under subscribed.
Better than tik even cos no time wasted on poli tik
@@echochamber4095 Sorry to disagree, but the war does not occur without the politics to drive motivate it.
I agree. Tik history is my #1 site, its a winner. This series of videos is presented differently but 2nd to none for me. A masterpiece.
@@echochamber4095 Nope. TIK explains the politics of what happened because that influences the war economy of the nations involved.
H3 …is one excellent channel.. I appreciate the authors thorough coverage of the pacific theatre … New Guinea a strategic … yet almost unknown part of WW2 … the Australian Bravery and Sacrifices in this theatre and others ie: “Tobruk “ are of the highest order ..
In the US we mainly learn Pearl Harbor, Iwo Jima, and Okinawa. And of course the bombs and Normandy. I love these deep dives with original telegrams and communiqués.
Every time I see a new video from this channel pop up in my stream it’s like Christmas morning. The breakdowns on here are up there with Tik’s Battlestorm series, which if you’ve ever watched you would know the comparison is high praise. Thanks for the amazing content!
He made your day Harry.
@@readhistory2023 lol he did, and I didn’t even need to blow his head clean off
Totally agree, this and TIK make my military history day.
I love these videos. Being an American we don't here about the New Guneia campaign very often. Keep it up!
Thank you for your excellent work and persistence dealing with the absurb censorship of CZcams. I thought we had freedom of expression as a civil right in the US...
A clear and detailed description of the campaign. Thank you for all your hard work
During this same timeframe there was the battle for kursk, the invasion of sicily(and eventually italy), the invasion of new georgia, and here we have the Lae Salamua campaign. WW2 is so vast its hard to comprehend sometimes.
Great stuff. Balanced, detailed, understandable and high quality. Thanks!!!
This is the best visual and commentary account of these events, a fitting sequel to the excellent series of histories published by the Australian War Memorial in the 1950/60s. I have a personal interest in these events, having been born in Lae in the few years after the victory. I often wonder about the Papuan people whom I must have known, who must have lived through this convulsion of their previously peaceful lives... Anna, Malaita, Boy (the names in my family records.)
I just stumbled onto this channel. Binge watching now!
Thanks for the great content.
This is great. I particularly liked the explanation of the mental problems of jungle fighting.
There is a bomb half uncovered on the beach on the Salamaua pennisula. When you stay there the local kids often want to sell you clips of ammo and shells. We used to buy them and chuck them them into the sea. The only building that remains is the bank vault which is used to house a diesel generator which provides power to the beach houses there.
Many years back a friend's grandfather made a point that there were only 3 things that lowered the constant anxiety fighting in the South Pacific.
A battleship anchored offshore.
A squadron of A 26s flying overhead.
Several men arriving in shorts and slouch hats.
The avg American grunt was relieved when they knew ANZACS had arrived to advise on how to navigate that jungle. It was usually bruised egos of upper echelon US commanders that caused friction.
yeah thats crazy and so petty, the Australian troops had been there a little longer and knew the ropes. you would think they'd be keen to use any advantage if it meant your men would benefit. couldnt believe that Australian liaison officer had to eavesdrop on phone calls to get any information beacause one guy had sand in his vagina and refused to acknowledge him. ah well, it all worked out in the end hey.
blows me away that even in this stage of the playlist and all the crazy fighting the video ends saying that there's even more to come... my grandfather just arrived 2/48th and was thinking he missed the worst of it, but ill wait and see...
Thanks for this. Up here in the UK too little is known about the bravery, skill and achievements of the Australian forces in New Guinea.
They knew not defeating the Japanese military forces in New Guinea. Ment an eventual invasion of Darwin. Therefore it was do or die time/that brought out the best that they had to offer.
Extraordinary detail... Brilliant imagery with the photos and campaign mapping on 3D satellite views. This a priceless historical record.
Dude, I love your content. The care and preparation are second to none. Thank you very much!
Great maps and overhead photos for the crucial topography of the events, great narrative, just a great story, from wide angle to minute details, from command to foot slogger, great military history - and entertainment!!
This is fascinating stuff. Many thanks for putting this history together. It shows a turning point that hasn't had sufficient coverage previously. Much respect to all the people involved, both historical and current.
Really nice to see the Pacific War though the eyes of our Allies, not a US centrist view.
Just so good. I am not a big fan of MacArthur, thinking him a closet fascist (he turned US Army troops on peaceful petitioners in Washington DC in 1932). I believe his insistence on retaking the Philippines lengthened the war, led to the destruction of Manila and the needless deaths of thousands of people. Nimitz knew this but Dugout Doug had FDR's ear. I hope history makes this plain. Terrible what happened to that American Colonel.
Blamey also was the head of a secret proto-fascist militia in Victoria during the 1930s (whilst simultaneously serving as Commissioner of police). It's one of the mysteries of history that the socialist Curtin (who had even in his youth thought of himself as a revolutionary) became great mates with MacArthur.
@Jack O'Bean Most of the high command of the Allies were impossible men, dreadfully vain. Fancy being Eisenhower and having to deal with them! Marshall and Tedder seem to be decent types but what do I know ...?
"I studied dramatics under MacArthur" - Dwight Eisenhower.
A great video, as usual. I love the excruciating detail and maps to show the general movement of small units. A little note for some of the more bombastic anti-MacArthur crowd: If the British and many American honchos had had their way, the Pacific theatre would have been even lower on the priority list for men and materiel. Mac's presence, popularity and connections, and his persistent lobbying at least insured that these SW Pacific campaigns weren't forgotten or starved even further than they already were.
Macarthur was awarded the "Medal of Honor" for his leadership in the Philippines in 1941 I think. To be honest I thought you got such an award for personal heroism. His sacking in 1951 as the Korean Commander was clearly necessary.
Irrelevant and pointless comment.
Don't care for Dougout Doug or good ole Monty.
@David Howard perhaps pointless but still relevant concerning the SouthWest pacific campaign in WW2. Don't think of me as an ingrate for the US forces in the Pacific because I hold them in the highest regard. But Macarthur had many short commings as a commander in my opinion, is all.
Thank you. I am learning so much about the courage of the Allies
I'm watching this at midnight as I go to sleep and will be finishing it tomorrow morning. Your stuff is so good.
Bless those young men and never forget what they did.
Thank you for your priceless reporting!
I want to say thank you so much for all the work you have done telling these stories. I also want to thank you for your work on tiktok. I've been checking it constantly to see if you have posted more. Your a legend mate, would love to buy you a beer sometime.
@@desydukuk291 we're all gay.
New subscriber here, love your channel and your content! Your channel and the unauthorized history of the South Pacific are my two go to channels for World War II history in the south pacific. Great job!
Great video and I'm really glad I found your channel. Keep up the great work!
My Great Uncle was in the 9TH in Libya . Just before El Alamein he was injured in the head and eye around late Sept 42 . Losing his vision in one eye . His head injury caused further problems . He was evacuated back to Melbourne by 43 unfit to return to service and eventually demobbed in 44 from service. We sure could of lost him in the Jungles. As it was Mum became great friends with her cousins
Great channel I'm a world war 2 buff since a kid I'm in my 60s but we never had the knowledge like this of the Australian s
Wow another one so fast?! I love these videos and I love your channel and I'm honestly recommending you to everyone I know, I only wish I knew a million people to get your channel the coverage it truly deserves.
Like he says in the description, this is a reupload. That's why it's out such a short time after the other video.
@@togamid right, haven't listened to it yet, hence my confusion.
Excellent in detail, thorough research and presentation. Well done.
"General MacArthur’s approach to CARTWHEEL differed from the ‘island-hopping’ campaign experienced in the Central Pacific, where vast distances necessitated repeated costly offensives. SWPA afforded the opportunity for ‘leapfrogging’ and isolation of powerful Japanese strongholds. MacArthur emphatically demonstrated this through his leap into Hollandia and the 1944 Western New Guinea campaign. For those objectives that could not be avoided, extensive shaping was necessary."
These videos are top notch👌
Amazing work, keep it up. There is much to little in depth analysis of the Pacific War.
Cheers.
Savage has to be the best name for a war man
OMG you're pumping these vids out so fast........ Any chance you could start doing more modern Australian Military stuff, like what Aus Nuclear Submarine we should aquire, build, our partner etc. or the Loyal Wingman or Afura Class OPV maybe land 400?
He did the submarine one and a detailed one on the Army and Navy that referenced both of those.
Like he says in the description, this is a reupload. That's why it's out such a short time after the other video.
He's gone over a lot of modern stuff in his past Q&As
@@andrewsmall6834 I NEED MORE INFORMATION ON ITTTTTTT!!! ITS SO GOOOD!!!
@@togamid Oh sorry didn't look at it I was too busy watching it!
Excellent production ~ Mate ~ good research ~ I reside in the Atherton Tablelands and a keen histrion and detectorist~ I have covered many /most of the campsites including the 2/5 and 2/4th ~ and so many more ~
I absolutely respect the Diggers that struggled in those horrendous conditions ~ ( as a baby boomer myself I knew, meet and talked to so many of the vets ~ In fact I talked to a number German vets that migrated to Australia post war. ~
AS for the Leaders I think Macarthur ( and Montgomery) were generally sharp tacticians ~( although Montgomery made some bad moves ~ fortunate not to be sacked in fact ~ ) but both demonstrated poor PR/ people skills ~ and also demonstrated huge egos ~ Blamey I think was little better ~
You quoted/ referenced comments from US Military upper ranks that the Australians were better trained, demonstrated more metal than most of the USA forces. A Pleasant surprise.
Been said elsewhere ~ so many of the Australian leaders were bought up as front officers and showed their skills ~ born of Grit and battle first hand ~
Great work and enjoyed or enjoying all your WWII Australian campaigns ~
These videos are awesome!
Imagine having the ability to put this together? Me either.
You no longer need expensive college to learn obscure or deep history. We are in the next Gutenberg revolution. Love the videos!
2 Thumbs Up! Love this kind of content. Having seen, heard, read almost everything on WW2 it's hard to find virgin content (as I am concerned).
Good stuff. An important period in the history of Australia
Where?
Paul I. "Pappy" Gunn was a tinkerer superb, he's the one that came up with B-25's and A-20's being stripped of anything not to do with the mission (Including personnel), and literally jacked up with .50 cal. machine guns, at one point a B25 had 14 forward firing .50 cals, 8 in the nose, 2 on each side in a blister just behind the nose and the 2 guns from the dorsal ball turret, he called them "Commerce Destroyers", and they, along with the Bristol Beau Fighter and it's 4- 20 mm cannons, were absolutely Wicked. They destroyed an entire reinforcement/cargo task force.
Once I see the latest post appear under my bell, I wait until its a weekend, and a few beers, and I have the time to appreciate the effort, and learn. Thank you.
We still have an old Japanese anti aircraft gun in the back yard of our company beach haus at Salamaua.
Still finding old bombs and shells out there to this day. Needless to say, we’re very careful if we ever have to dig a hole or trench.
My Father fought in the battle for Lae..Incredible video from you.
Another amazing doco! Fantastic job
Such an excellent presentation! On a side note MacArthur was an elitist ass, such distain always trickles down through the Command Structure. He is still held in contempt by Aussies and Yanks alike. The Australian fighting man has proved himself to be of the highest caliber in every conflict he has engaged in!
One of the hardest things for me to understand is just how little respect the leaders in Japan had for life,not only for there military sons,but for there own civilians my god they wanted to continue fighting even after the bombs were dropped! I've heard about how many of the survivors from each of the islands,hated their commanding generals for just leaving them there and telling them that we were monsters and would do horrible things to them if they surrendered to the allied soldiers! It's almost as if there would rather have the entire Japanese race wiped out rather than surrender to the allies,that's insane if you ask me.
Thank you for this detailed description!
looking forward to this, great work mate, thankyou!
It is fantastic coverage of the battle for NG. This has shown the difficult fighting in the NG environment. And the conflict in USA vs Aus drivers and command. As a USA student of WW2 the insight you have brought to the campaign is very interesting.
I noted that our Australian Brothers in Arms had a 7% participation at 15 mins mark in and was Noted as the greatest of the allies in percentages. WOW? I never knew as "Every" of age some a little early able bodied male in my family in those years was in the Pacific, one ending One the Mighty Mo at the armistice, and my extended or In Law family of same conditions was in Europe, some BEFORE as Illegal Canadians in the RCAF and the Battle for Britin BEFORE the US joined in and on to Army Air Corps and Infantry, to my Knowledge "All" Came Home to serve in the Next Wars.
RIP Greatest! THANK YOU! I Miss You! Love you! I wish I could remember more details, and I had asked more questions. Thank you for telling me.
UNDERAPPRECIATED ALLIES/ VIDEO: Tales of valor few have seen. One of the best vids of the action in that theater. Thanks.
50:11 Nighttime forward patrolling by Australian forces during the siege of Tobruk greatly impacted the morale of the Afrika Corp and associated Italian forces. IIRC it was little things like leaving scraps of cotton tied to the barbed wired directly in front of the Axis positions.
Offensive patrols were a standard operating procedure in the British and Empire Forces.
What a really great channel.
1:48:44. Paratrooper Baltivik of the 503rd PIR, I wish I knew more of his story. Great gratitude to him .
You are such an interesting and thoughtful historian. I'm here from tiktok, and I'm a huge fan.
No he's not.
Excellent presentation!
Fantastic presentation and narrations - Jesus bless all involved - bless all veterans families and friends.🕊️🙏🇦🇺
Paragunners !!! Brave men from a brave country.
It is rather difficult to be a 'good battle field commander' when you are running the campaigns from a Brisbane penthouse. lol There was a great reason why he earnt the name 'Bugout Doug'. Blamey and MacArthur were two cheeks of the same arse in that respect. The 6-7-9 th Australian divisions were arguably the best and most battle hardened divisions in the entire campaign. The victory in the 'battle for Australia' that took place at Milne Bay should not be over looked, the Japanese loss there and at Kokoda had a profound effect on Japanese based in Rabaul. The Aussie handed out the first major defeat of the Imperial Japanese land forces in WW2 in New Guinea. The role played by the Australian 7th Division in the Markham-Ramu Valley and in the Finsterres played a major role in restricting the Japanese from supporting their forces right along the Huon Peninusla by land all the way to Madang. In fact the Australian 7th division took Lae a few hours before the Australian 9th division arrived. The 'combined' navies and air forces controlled the sea lanes in the South West Pacific. I like your over view of ww2 campaigns but you don't give enough credit to the roles played by Aussies.
@Jack O'Bean it was reported that Dwight Eisenhower had a photograph of MacArthur on his office wall, when another General asked him what was that photograph on your wall for, Eisenhower replied to remind me not to be a horses arse. Whether true or not I don't know.
@Jack O'Bean Blamey
Buna and Gona and salamaua were brutal battles! Fighting in swamps is ridiculous!
Loving the content my man, keep it up xx
Incredible job putting together the story of a campaign that was so important to the success of the war. It’s a shame Archibald Roosevelt turned out to be such an ineffective commander. The whole Roosevelt family story is fascinating and tragic the branches were at odds politically with Alice Roosevelt Longworth going so far as to say she’d vote for Hitler before FDR in 1940 (didn’t age well). The Roosevelts were nothing if not patriotic getting his Republican cousins involved in the war effort was a sort of personal national unity project. Archibald bravely served on the western front in ww1 and lost his youngest brother not long after he was wounded. His surviving brothers died while serving in ww2 perhaps his brother’s suicide a month before The Battle of Roosevelt Ridge had effected him to where he should have taken a break from command. Kermit was closest to his father going with him on the ill fated Amazon expedition that destroyed his health and lead to his premature death. Kermit never got over his father’s death and may have blamed himself he was given command in what was thought to be the climactic final battle to drive out the Japanese invader from Alaska, the kind of exotic battle his father would have loved to be a part of. The Japanese used the over of fog after their defeat in the battle of Attu, Kermit committed suicide soon afterwards on June 4th 1943. Theodore Jr participated in operation torch as assistant commander to the 1st Infantry Division he was sited for the Croix de Guerre while fighting alongside the Free French. He was the only US general that came ashore with the first landing wave during D-Day he received the Medal of Honor for his efforts directing troops on Utah Beach. The highly unorthodox commander had been ignoring chest pains during the drive inland died on July 13th 1944 in Normandy of a massive heart attack.