SBD Douglas Dauntless, 1940
Indian Commonwealth troops arrive at Singapore, Nov.’41
6 December – south of Cape Cambodia, 19 Japanese transports escorted by cruisers and destroyers was reported by a Royal Australian Air Force Hudson pilot before he was shot down. London put the entire Far East Command on alert. On Formosa, 27 transports filled with the 48th Division of the Imperial Army set sail for the Philippines as 400 pilots of the Imperial Navy’s 11th Air Fleet received final briefings for their bombing runs on the American B-17s at Luzon. Messages between Consul Kita and Tokyo were being ignored as insignificant and would not be translated by the US until Monday (8 Dec.). 2130 hours – FDR was handed the message that stated Japan rejected the US 10-point proposal and says outright, “This means war,” but he did NOT wish to alert or wake Adm. Stark or Gen. Marshall.
Member of the Japanese military were told that they were embarking on a great crusade to be free, “a hundred million Asians tyrannized by 3 hundred thousand whites.” Japanese civilians slept, unaware of the plans of their 169 ships and over 2,000 aircraft ready to set the Pacific sky ablaze.
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Political cartoon of the times_____
the political side of Dr. Seuss
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Farewell Salutes –
Ivan Billcliff – Hamilton, NZ ; RNZ Air Force # 411147, Cpl, WWII
Gene Cross – Belle Glade, FL; Civilian employee of Fort Benning, GA, WWII
William Finlayson – British Columbia, Can; RC Air Force, WWII, tail gunner
Cal Hale – Glendale, AZ; US Army,Sgt. Major, 3 tours Vietnam, Bronze Star
David Johnson – Tolland, CA; USMC, Cpl, Vietnam, 3 Purple Hearts
Jim McDonald – Kennesaw, GA; US Army, WWII
Charles Pernice, Orange, CA; US Army Air Corps, WWII & Korea, Flt. engineer & gunner on B-29s
Thomas Richards – Virginia Bch, VA; USMC, Lt.Col., Vietnam
Donald Wolf – Wood River, IL; US Navy, WWII
Andrew Zamora – Seal Beach, CA; US Army, Korea, 187th RCT
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As this site begins to retell the story of WWII – A part of history passes….
HMAS Sydney
Cordell Hull
Ambassador Nomura
Japanese Carriers of the Pearl Harbor Force
To be continued…..
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A cartoon from the times….
Courtesy of Chris @ Muscleheaded
This and so many others can be found at by visiting Chris, RIGHT HERE!
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A joke that was played on the Nazis – comes to light______
Hessy Taft at 6 mos and 80.
Please click on to read…..
Geobbels w/ his troops
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Farewell Salutes –
Thomas Armstrong – Brazil, IN; US Army, WWII & Korea, Comapany A/187th RCT
Ivan (Hutch) Billcliff – Whangaparaoa, NZ; RNZ Air Force # 457333, Squadron Leader, Airforce Cross
Morris (Gene) Field – Rancho Mirage, CA; US Army Air Corps, Sgt., WWII, top turret gunner
Merton Green Sr. – Eastford, CT; US navy, WWII, SeaBees, PTO
David Haughee – Bossier City, LA; US Air Force, Korea & Vietnam
Lauren (Bud) Lampert – Springfield, VA; US Army, WWII, Silver Star
Bertha Richards – Montreal, Can & W.Palm Bch, FL; Canadian Navy, WREN, WWII
Arthur Waite – Newark, DE; US Air Force, Korea
Douglas Wilburn – Roscoe, IL; US Army, Vietnam
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Jul 27
This gallery contains 12 photos.
Originally posted on Pacific Paratrooper:
“…the wrong war in the wrong place at the wrong time.” _______ General Omar Bradley, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Armistice signing No single incident caused the catastrophic events that became WWII and the wars that sprang out of those six years also had their seeds dropped many…
A young man’s letter home gives us a rare look at the Philippines before the Japanese invasion.
Men of Burma who signed up.
Up until 1937, the 20 Burma Rifles were a regiment within the Indian Army. It was then later made part of a separate Burma Army. Being as the country was considered by most to be “backwater” and unlikely to be included in any war, this army was still in its infancy as 1941 evolved.
Royal Netherland East Indies forces
On the Netherland East Indies (NEI), known today as Indonesia, had the Royal Netherland East Indies forces for defense, but they were literally cut off from their government due to the actions of Hitler in Europe. This military was no match for the highly trained Japanese invaders and after being under the thumb of the Dutch for so long, the civilians welcomed a change. Their minds were quickly snapped into reality as the Japanese proceeded to drain their resources and dissolve any personal freedoms they had. The oil and metal ores of Marai, Sumatra, Java, Borneo and the Celebes were the ultimate goals for Japan.
The Automedon
December 1940, the Japanese obtained top secret British documents, by way of Germany, when the Axis raider, the Atlantis captured the British Blue Funnel cargo liner, the Automedon on 11 November as it sailed for Singapore. These papers were minutes from the British War Cabinet meeting which showed a blueprint of their Far East strategy and that Britain would not declare war on Japan if Thailand and Hong Kong were invaded – they were considered indefensible. For further information and/or clarification, please visit Martin’s site at War and Security to be found HERE!!
The US considered increasing Guam’s defenses during and after WWI, but no action was taken due to the 1922 Washington Naval Conference between the US and Japan. In 1941, Guam had about 85 miles of roadways and Apra Harbor was considered the best in the Marianas, but there was no airfield. Japanese plans for invasion were completed for Guam in September and their 144th Infantry Regiment and some other units (approx. 4,886 men) were kept in Korea until November.
Guam postcard, 1940’s
The Guam Insular Force Guard, a locally-manned militia were assigned for the naval base and on 17 October 1941, dependents of US military personnel and 100 construction workers began to evacuate. (IMO – it appeared someone was aware of something brewing.)
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Political cartoon of the times –
Dr. Seuss’ attack on prejudice.
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Current tidbits of news –
Courtesy of “The Week” magazine
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Farewell Salutes –
Howard Bock – Newark, DE; US Air Force, MSgt.(Ret. 30 years), Air Weather Service
Carol Chivala – Sedona, AZ; Flight Nurse for the Flying Tigers, Korea
William Eslin – Urbana, MD; US Air Force, Korea
Leonard Charles Griffiths – NZ; RNZ Army # 443224, WWII, 23rd Battalion, Pvt.
Donald James – Coventry, CT & Lake Park, FL; US Navy (22years), WWII, PTO
Mary Hutton – Ontario, Can; RC Army nurse, WWII
John MacDonald – Syracuse & Massapequa, NY; US Navy, Vietnam
Joseph Nachreiner – Cheekstowaga, NY; US Army Air Corps, 457th Artillery, 11th A/B, WWII, PTO
Ronald Wishart – NY &FL; American Field Service, WWII, drove an ambulance in Burma for the Indian Army
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Germans amass on Norway coast, 9 April 1940
Although the April 1940 fiasco in Norway was Churchill’s responsibility as the First Lord of the Admiralty, Chamberlain paid the political price. Winston Churchill became the Prime Minister of Great Britain and her Empire, yet he remained dismissive of Japan, her own power, and wanted nothing less than an all-out war with Germany.
Norwegian village burned during a battle, April 1940
The book, The Great Betrayal: Britain, Australia & the Onset of the Pacific War 1939-42, by David Day, explains the problems in detail that faced Australia, the ambitions of Menzies and the danger both New Zealand and Australia teetered on during this period far better than I can in my limited space.
Wirraway
As the date for Japan’s ‘Operation Z’ to commence crept ever closer, Australia’s obligation of compliance with British imperatives, left the country with no aircraft capable of meeting Japanese fighters. The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) had 170 aircraft (on paper), including 53 Hudsons (20 in the Netherland East Indies); 57 Wirraways and assorted training planes. The RAAF was commanded by British Air Chief, Marshall Burnett, whose main objective was to produce more trained men for Europe and the Middle East. When New Zealand sent her 3rd Division overseas, Australia followed suit by deploying her 6th Division. The RAN was basically taken over by the British Admiralty.
Lockheed-Hudson
August 1941, after the Newfoundland meeting of Allied powers, General Pownall, Vice Chief of the Imperial General Staff was quoted as saying, “Roosevelt was all for coming into the war and as soon as possible…but he said he would never declare war, he wishes to provoke it. He wants to create an incident that brings war about, being no doubt sure that he would be fully supported by his people.”
As Pan-American Airways inaugurated its flights to New Zealand, Australia continued to deny access to Sydney. (This was on orders from Churchill.) Churchill was still asserting his rash promise of support for New Zealand, Australia and Singapore – a vow he now stated with the stipulation – “should they be invaded.”
In New Zealand, preparations were published for her people, in the event of such an invasion and this is covered by fellow blogger and avid historian, Lemuel @ History Geek and can be found HERE!!
Despite the constitutional fall-out of Britain’s declaration of war on behalf of India (and without representation), the British could indeed rely on India’s support in the war. An expeditionary force of mule transport companies provided back up in France and 24 pilots were immediately sent to the RAF in 1940.
To be continued…
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Political cartoon of the times…
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Farewell Salutes –
Floyd Brittain – Sacramento, CA; US Army, WWII, ETO
Mary Branum – Scammon, KS; Aux. Military Police, WWII
Carl Carrick – Warner Robbins, GA; US Air Force, MSgt. (Ret. 29 years)
Bruce Davis – Ottawa, Can.; Cameron Highlanders, WWII
James Garner – Brentwood, CA; US 5th Regimental Combat Team, Korea, 2 Purple Hearts, [beloved actor for 50 years]
Robert Hindle – N.Z.; RNZ Air Force # 433203 LAC RL
Robert Jacoby – Park Ridge, NJ; US Navy, WWII, PTO, “Nautilus” submarine
Joe Lanear – Phoenix, AZ; US Air Force, Korea
Leland Newell – Melbourne, FL; US Air Force, Flight Surgeon
Walter Reilly – W>Palm Bch, FL; US Navy, submarine service
Timothy Sloan – Lafayette, LA; US Army, Korea, A CO/188th RCT
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FDR & Cordell Hull, 1940
If Manchuria was controlled, the Japanese felt they would have the advantage over Russia. Since the Chiang Nationalist government did wish to spend the money or the energy to combat Japan – but – still have communism squelched in the country, Manchuria was given up.
When the US started economic sanctions in 1939, Japan required new territories to supply their resources. They issued a request to the French for permission to enter Indo-China. In September 1940, the Vichy government agreed. The southeast portion of Asia was occupied, without incident, by the Japanese on 27-29 July 1941.
Vichy government, 1939
The US was incensed and proceeded to convince other countries to freeze Japan’s assets; the ABCD, (American, British, Canada, Dutch), power’s economic blockade began. By mid-1941, relations between Japan and the ABCD countries had basically reached a point of no return. The New York Times newspaper called this action, “…the most drastic blow short of war.”
The Japanese newspaper’s transport aircraft “Asagumo”, a MC-20-I, 1940’s
FDR knew he had stretched the Lend Lease Program far beyond what was even known to Congress, and he was becoming nervous with the secrecy. When the embargo was extended, the Tokyo newspaper, A Saki Shimbun (Morning Sun Newspaper), predicted: “It seems inevitable that a collision should occur between Japan, determined to establish a sphere of influence in East Asia including the southwest Pacific, and the US which is determined to meddle in the affairs on the other side of a vast ocean by every means short of war.”
Chiang Kai-shek, 1940
Making the world situation much worse, FDR did not give the Australians the defense commitment it needed. Yet, he did promise Chiang Kai-shek 50 pursuit planes and $100 million in financial assistance. (This was despite Madame Chiang’s insistence that the money was being siphoned by the government officials and military leaders.) With all of Washington’s plans in play by the spring of 1941, Admiral Stark told Admiral Kimmel: “The question of our entry into the war now seems to be when, not whether.” In Japan – Operation Z was a sure plan.
Prime Minister Konoye, 1939
By this time, Cordell Hull was following the specific instructions of FDR. Konoye in Tokyo agreed to abnegate the Tripartite Pact in his quest for peace, but Washington adamantly insisted there was “no meeting of the minds.” Konoye, despite an attempt on his life, sent a last desperate plea to meet and talk with Roosevelt before his 15 October deadline — there was no response from D.C. and he was forced to resign as Prime Minister.
By Novemeber 1941, the US Joint Chiefs of Staff were investigating which Japanese cities were strategically most important to bomb.
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Current news –
The Olympian who had his obituary written 70 years ago!
Please click on image to read the amazing story recently in “The Week” magazine.
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Farewell Salutes –
James Bogan – Ocala, FL; US Navy, Korea
Lawrence Brown – Morton, IL; US Army Air Corps, WWII, PTO, C-47 engineer
Lloyd Doody – Windsor, MR; US Army (Ret. 33 years), Vietnam
Philippe Grignon – Keswick, CAN; RC Air Force, WWII, Flight Lt.
Thomas Kenny – Cradell, NJ; US Army Air Corps, WWII, PTO, 187th RCT, 11th A/B
Carl “Dal” Maas – Davenport, IA; US Marine Corps, WWII, PTO, 6th Marines
Alexander Morton – Detroit, MI & Palm Bch, FL; US Air Force, Vietnam
Kenneth Reynolds – Stuart, FL; US Navy, WWII, ETO, Naval Combat Demolition Team, 2 Bronze Stars
Christopher Scarrott – Christchurch, NZ; RNZ Army # 768057
Stanley Walega – Manchester, NH; US Army, Korea
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The caption should read, “Tenno HEIKA banzai”
Caption correction of the shout is courtesy of Mustang Koji who can be found HERE!!
Click photo to read caption.
On 18 February 1931, the League of Nations, with America in the lead, issued the “Nonrecognition Doctrine” which pushed Japan’s anger even further. [ to read what is also known as the Stimson Doctrine – click HERE!! US Ambassador Joseph Grew in Tokyo persisted in his warnings against this action. But, even the in-coming president [FDR] and Secretary of State, Cornell Hull argued for the status quo.
Ambassador Joseph Grew, 1939
Stimson w/ the Doctrine, 1939
In 1936, FDR and his drive for naval appropriations caused 50,000 veterans to stage a March for Peace in front of the White House. Children were organized under a banner of “Money for schools, not battleships.” Privately, FDR raged about isolationists and pacifists as early as 1937 when he held a rally in Chicago in the attempt to gain support to “quarantine” Japan. The Japanese quest to become a major world power became their primary goal.
In 1939, FDR sent $25 million to the Chunking government to carry on their war with Japan; while Britain told Australia and New Zealand not to worry – the US would not remain indifferent to the Japanese threat in the Far East. The Australian Prime Minister told the Canberra Parliament, “What Great Britain calls the Far East is to us the Near North.” Richard Casey met with the British Foreign Office and was told, “the defense of the territories in the Pacific would be determined by the needs in Europe” – they were virtually being abandoned.
FDR campaigning in Warms Springs, GA, 4 April 1939
By January 1940, Churchill was cabling FDR daily for more aircraft and supplies to help Britain keep good its promise, “We shall never surrender;” under the Lend Lease Program, [which was being stretched beyond its legal limits more and more each day]. Japan’s growing power was being ignored. What was commonly misunderstood by Western cultures was that the Japanese Army and Navy Ministries were part of the governmental structure and the military was gaining power each day.
The British interwar plans for a conflict with Japan as early as 1940 depended entirely on the US. The American plans named “Orange” envisioned a trans-Pacific projection of US power, with Manila serving as a base of operations in the Far East. But, by 1941, “Plan Dog” foresaw the Atlantic as the offensive and the Pacific in a defensive state.
Japan’s Second Cabinet, early 1940
By 1941, the regular cabinet members of the Japanese gov’t were on a need-to-know basis and entire civilian cabinets were forced to resign as the war drew closer. Japan’s signing of the Tripartite Pact on 27 September 1940 with Germany and Italy, [was to Japan], a trade agreement, plus a way to keep Russia busy and unable to hinder her while she invaded Indochina. This was not the view of the West and caused further deterioration of Us/Japanese relations.
In his campaign for an unprecedented third term in office, FDR spouted in Boston, MA, “I give you one more assurance. I have said it before, but I shall say it again and again and again: Your boys are NOT going to be sent to any foreign war.” (As we all know now – that was merely a hollow political promise.).
To be continued…..
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A View of the homefront – 1939
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Political Cartoon of the times –
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Farewell Salutes –
Robert “Eggs” Avington – St. Petersburg, FL; US Army (Ret.), Korea, Distinguished Service Cross, Purple Heart
Thomas Cushing – Hopkinton, NH; US Army, WWII, PTO
Marjorie Effinger – Atwater, CA; US Army, nurse, PTO
Thomas Groom – Christchurch, NZ; RNZ Army# 19274, WWII
Patrick Holland – Halifax, Can; RC Navy, RC Army, RC Air Force, Major (Ret. 42 years) 3rd Clasp to the Canadian Decoration
William McFatter – Vernon, FL; US Army, WWII, ETO, Purple Heart
Robert McCurley – Springfield, IL; US Army Air Corps, WWII, POW
Melvin Shubert – NY & Lake Worth, FL; US Navy, WWII, Medical Corps
Tedrowe Watkins – Big Fork, Montana; US Marine Corps, WWII
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Smitty - artwork by Priorhouse.wordpress.com/
Our Silent Observer
Jeep crossing
Pacific Paratrooper 