East and West (5)
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.
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.
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.
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.)
Click on images to enlarge.
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Political cartoon of the times –
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Current tidbits of news –
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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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Posted on July 24, 2014, in WWII and tagged Burma, family history, Guam, History, Japan, Military, Military History, nostalgia, Pacific War, veterans, WWII. Bookmark the permalink. 84 Comments.
I think in Brunei, there was an elite group of soldiers called the “Gurkhas” with fiercesome dog loyalty to the Sultanate who fought the Japs. Though I’m not sure if I heard it right, it was one of the urban legends I heard when I visited Brunei.
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The Gurkhas did exist, about 10 regiments worth during WWII. Mainly from Nepal, they fought in the ETO, India, Burma and Singapore. They are famous for using the khukri knife.
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You really know a lot, master Jedi. I am just your padawan learner. You’re a walking ww2 encyclopedia! 🙂
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Oh – I wish!! I learn something new everyday – or how else would I know I’m still going…. I want to be the EverReady bunnie!! (keeps going and going and…)
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Hahaha!
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Thanks for the link to the book.
Ian
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😉
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Thanks for those snippets of history
Its like a giant jigsaw puzzle that when completed
is a picture of a dark era of history.
Ian
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You’re welcome – an era that changed the world.
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What a great analogy. Guess all of life is like a jigsaw puzzle as we try to put the parts together as best we can. Sometimes it takes a while to figure it out, but when we do it is a pretty picture!
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Here is an excellent book. I’m very sure you would enjoy reading it.
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I just received 4 more books (my library is always growing) and I’ve heard of this one. I’ve taken it down and put it on my wish list for another company. (Amazon can be overpriced.) Thank you for the suggestion, Mustang.
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Fascinating. How can a small nation raise a large enough army to defend against a bully? It continues to be a problem.
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Yes, it still does tend to be a major problem, Jacqui – every where!
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I’m no rifle expert but in the first image of the “men” holding rifles, I first thought they were 1903 Springfields but the circular logo on the stocks through me for a loop. British Enfields? I don’t see magazines or a side view of the rifles. Gotta be British?
…and no kidding about the evacuation… Do you know if they made it to safety?
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That was all I could find, there was no mention of capture or casualties though.
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A question: Is it WWII or WWI when you mention the US considered increasing the defenses for Guam? Plz delete if my question is of no consequence! ☺
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Koji, all questions are important. The answer is between the world wars.
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Congratulations! I have nominated your blog for the Love and Kindness Blogger award. Please visit the site below for the details. Have a lovely weekend.
http://talesalongtheway.com/2014/07/35/love-and-kindness-blogger-award/
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I hope this does not affect our friendship, but being as this site is for the troops, not me, I will be declining this honor. I appreciate you thinking of me.
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Of course, we will always be friends. I certainly understand how you feel and I hope you can appreciate how highly I hold you and your blog. . . . . with love and kindness. . . . . .Anne
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Thank you, Anne. I appreciate your understanding.
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fantastic photos and fine post, particularly love the smiling faces!
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Hollie, I don’t think they realized what they had volunteered for – hence the smiles. Good to see you.
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yes, I imagine you are absolutely on target with that…they soon learned…Keep up the good blogging, it’s fantastic.
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Thank you very much, Hollie. I’m thrilled to see your interest.
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This is a piece of that war that is rarely covered in detail — quite good reading, my friend !
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Thank you, Chris, but in reality, a lot of detail had to be edited out or we’d be in this part till December!! I really can’t tell you how many times I went over these posts to get them down to size without disrupting the integrity of the facts. Glad you liked the end result!
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Yes, I understand perfectly– a lot of folks won’t read a post that is longer than about a 1000 words. You did a yeoman’s job with it !!!! 🙂
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Thanks, Chris – I needed that!
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Reblogged this on Lest We Forget and commented:
Part 5
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I hope your readers didn’t mind getting 5 posts from me! Thank you Pierre.
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They are used to mine…
Your posts are always informative. I always learn something new.
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THAT is a fantastic compliment coming from the Master!
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When the master thinks that his student is also a master…
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You silver-tongued devil! I can’t match your investigation techniques.
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I will take that as a compliment.
You use the expression silver-tongued devil once before.
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A flatterer.
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No I am not a flatterer. When I compliment someone it’s always the truth.
I can detect those flatterers now. You know who was the last one don’t you?
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On your site or mine? Right now I have one trying to egg me into an argument over one of the re-blogs – good grief!
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I was refering to my veteran I told you about and the young historian.
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Oh – of course him!
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I had such a wonderful meeting with Mr. Morin this week.
In a sense that’s all because of the first veteran.
Nothing would have ever happened if he had not contacted me in 2010.
Nothing about 425 Alouette, nothing about 23 Squadron. nothing about RCAF 403 Squadron…
Need I continue that enumeration?
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NO
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I had to look it up…
Silver tongue is an expression used to describe a person who has a clever way with words. The phrase is mentioned in Proverbs 10:20 as a tongue that belongs to a just person (one who is upright in word and deed).
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You see there! Would I say anything against you?
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Never doubted it for a millisecond.
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I hope they read this also…
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Oh yes, I have been learning from Martin for some time now. A wonderful historian. I’m glad you liked the link!
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The cartoon of Dr Seuss’ attack on prejudice also lends itself to showing-up hypocrisy of the times (ah, all times) 🙂
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Exactly right, Ina. He knew what he was saying – good catch on your part. Thank you for reading and commenting.
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I always find it amazing how secrets always seem to be exposed at just the right or wrong time. There seems to be some synchronicity to it. Just thinking!
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Once you tell just one more person – it is no longer a secret! 😉
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The more I read about WWll the more I apparent it becomes that it was won by the enlisted men and lower ranked officers in spite of the the bungling by the politicians and generals.
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We had some excellent officers, but you always win your wars with the non-coms and enlisted men!! Where would the generals and admirals be without them? Don’t get me started on the politicians – I’ll end up venting all day!! Politicians make it very hard for me to remain unbiased as I put the posts together!
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That was some real clumsiness, allowing the Automedon to get hold of such intelligence. The Japanese must have been delighted.
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I don’t think the British thought a German ship would be in that area, but yes it was a major faux pas.
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One would have thought there would have been enough warning to eat the papers, or something!
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They were certainly not expecting a German ship in that area. Thanks for visiting!
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Another great educational post, GP! 🙂
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Thanks, Linda – I appreciate that encouragement!
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Guam — “100 construction workers began to evacuate.” By any chance do you know if these were U.S. Government employees or if they worked for a private company? If it was a private company, do you know which one?
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I’m terribly sorry, Wayne, but all the resources I happen to possess list the 100 as civilian employees and no company name is mentioned.
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World War I saw the growth of huge construction firms that still operate. I can’t remember their names just now, but for someone, it might constitute an interesting research topic … or blog.
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There you go… Right now, I am too swamped with the research I have! But yes, it would be interesting.
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I don’t think any of us will have time to do all that we want to do.
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Isn’t that a shame!
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Most assuredly.
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For some reason, your posts aren’t appearing in my inbox anymore. I will make a serious attempt to read my Reader every day.
I am impressed with you thorough research. Looking forward to reading the “whole” story.
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I don’t get all the all the notifications for the comments in my email anymore either – I have to go directly to my site to answer everyone. Over these past 22 months I know I’ve lost touch with people I was following, etc. I keep looking for them, but don’t always find them again – if I do, I re-click the follow button. Just glad you found me again. Hope you’re feeling much, much better!
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gp, The “behind the scenes” real story behind the big events continues to intrigue me. Naturally, I identify with connections when you discuss Guam & the Marianas. I landed on Guam on my way to Vietnam 1970 &, as I have mentioned before, my father served 14 months on Saipan 1944-1945, part of the Marianas, 20th Army Air Corps. I keep joking to my wife that as an American territory, we should relocated to Guam! Super post! Phil
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You are very lucky to have some idea of the locations of these islands, etc. I know I will need a number of maps as I progress because many of the places our men fought are still virtually unknown today (except for people who have been there). Why not go to Guam? Take a vacation first before you move, if you do! Thanks for sharing here, Phil.
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I especially like the Farewell Salutes. We should remember these brave men and women every day, not just on Memorial Day, Veterans Day and Independence Day.
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Thank you very much, Wordweaver! I often wonder if anyone bothers to read them, each post holds representatives of the hundreds we lose everyday and I do hope someone remembers them. I greatly appreciate your comment.
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I hope the new VA head brings about positive changes for the veterans.
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And I’m certain many others do too! On the Steve Colbert show, he told about a double-amputee veteran, Michael Sulsona, (who has been waiting 2 years for a new wheelchair from VA) was shopping in Lowe’s for some fencing, the store began closing, so the man started to leave, but his chair broke! The fence-employee brought Michael and the chair to the nut & bolt department – where the 3 men proceeded to work on the chair. The vet says the chair is as good as new after their hard work and when he left – he tried to thank the young men, but they said it was their honor! Mr. Sulsona has since sent a thank you note to the Lowe’s corp. thanking them and their employees. As Colbert said – “I always said American citizens can do better than the government – every time!” 😆
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A great good news story for everyone except the Government. 😉 Governments, all over, seem to get so bogged down with paperwork and procedures that they forget ‘the person’ they are supposed to be serving.
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Thought you might like that. There are some good stories out there, but sometimes you really have to look hard for them.
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Great article, GP. Very interesting. Love the Dr. Suess cartoon. Thanks for sharing.
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Thanks for visiting, Cindy – always a pleasure to see you!
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Wow. These are bits of history of which I had no clue. It’s amazing how truly WWII was a ‘world’ war.
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And a lot more than I was aware of either before all this data began accumulating. I can’t imagine just how much I’m missing!? Thanks for dropping by, Dan.
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A great build up to what is to come…love the Dr Seuss cartoon since I didn’t realize he used his humour for direct political messages.
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Thanks! I had only thought he ran his newspaper comics during that time. It was Chris over at Muscleheaded that turned me on to his political satire.
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