"The Pacific"

[Gipper]

The 10-part HBO series begins tonight. It is claimed to be very accurate. It portrays the amazing bravery of American servicemen and the horrible conditions they endured. True heroes all.

 

[dahermit]

Some of the stuff is taken from the guy (cannot remember his name) who wrote "A Helmet for my Pillow". I listened to it (books on tape), in the car when I had to drive long distances to work. Being done by the same people who did "Band of Brothers" and "Saving Private Ryan", it will likely be of very high quality. I will have to wait for it to come out on DVD (I do not have HBO), before I can see it.

I was born in 1943. Over my lifetime, after studying WWII, I have come to the conclusion that, that generation saved my bacon. A debt so large it cannot be repaid.

 

[Gipper]

Part 1 was very well done. And, was very accurate.

I close friend's father fought for the Americal Division (23rd Infantry - US Army) at Guadalcanal. He won the bronze star for removing his machine gun firing pen while the hill he occupied was overrun by Japanese.

Nearly all his buddies were killed or injured during the war. His closest friend bleed out in his arms crying for his mother...at 18 years of age. He admitted to killing many Japanese including using the bayonet. And, like most American soldiers he hated the Japanese, but feared and respected their fighting abilities.

After the war he returned to the States, married his high school sweetheart, and raised two children. He promised himself that he would never board another ship or plane the rest of his life and never did. He lived a simple life.

His son said he never once appeared angry or raised his voice to anyone. He always refused promotions in the Army and did the same in private life. He made little money and never traveled outside the US again.

His family never knew of his WWII experiences until near his death, when he finally told them. And even then, it was very difficult for him.

We owe so much to simple men like this man. A true American hero. May God bless him.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/23rd_Infantry_Division_(United_States)

 

[Bunz]

Some of the stuff is taken from the guy (cannot remember his name) who wrote "A Helmet for my Pillow". I listened to it (books on tape), in the car when I had to drive long distances to work. Being done by the same people who did "Band of Brothers" and "Saving Private Ryan", it will likely be of very high quality. I will have to wait for it to come out on DVD (I do not have HBO), before I can see it.

Yeah I will have to wait until the DVD comes out, but I would often rather have it in that format where I can watch it at my leisure and be able to rewind immediatly etc. I dont watch enough TV to justify premium cable to DVR. I have appreciated the style that the team of producers have done in previous efforts.

I was born in 1943. Over my lifetime, after studying WWII, I have come to the conclusion that, that generation saved my bacon. A debt so large it cannot be repaid.

Well, Im going to date myself here, and according to your signature I think this will put me on the ignore list but I was born 2 weeks after Reagan took office. I dont disagree though that the generation that fought in WWII and also in Korea saved western civilazation. This isnt something lost on all modern young folks. In fact I think you are seeing a revival in some ways.
That being said the Pacific War has long been a hobby of mine. I dont live far from the Aleutians which were occupied during the war, and in my home village and surrounding villages there are still relics or fairly recently removed artifacts etc dating from those times and lasting until the middle 60s as the front lines to a Japanese and then Soviet/ChiCom/NKorean action. Costal batteries, watch towers etc. I could go on and on about the local history of the region and my families military history.
I am also an airplane enthusiast(nerd) of which I think WWII was the golden age of flight.

 

[Bunz]

Part 1 was very well done. And, was very accurate.

I close friend's father fought for the Americal Division (23rd Infantry - US Army) at Guadalcanal. He won the bronze star for removing his machine gun firing pen while the hill he occupied was overrun by Japanese.

Nearly all his buddies were killed or injured during the war. His closest friend bleed out in his arms crying for his mother...at 18 years of age. He admitted to killing many Japanese including using the bayonet. And, like most American soldiers he hated the Japanese, but feared and respected their fighting abilities.

After the war he returned to the States, married his high school sweetheart, and raised two children. He promised himself that he would never board another ship or plane the rest of his life and never did. He lived a simple life.

His son said he never once appeared angry or raised his voice to anyone. He always refused promotions in the Army and did the same in private life. He made little money and never traveled outside the US again.

His family never knew of his WWII experiences until near his death, when he finally told them. And even then, it was very difficult for him.

We owe so much to simple men like this man. A true American hero. May God bless him.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/23rd_Infantry_Division_(United_States)

I am glad to hear that the first part met expectations.

My family also has had similar experiences concerning veterans simply not talking much about the wars, at least not combat and more about experiences with thier brothers like how they had a good night playing poker. Despite the medals that proved they were there it wasnt until late in life did the horrors of war come out, and then in a somber mature, and sometimes mournful way.

 

[Gipper]

Part II was equally good.

I loved the last scene. Four Marines arrive aboard ship after being relieved on Guadalcanal. They have experienced the horrors of war for the first time. They go to the mess hall and enjoy a cup of hot coffee like it the best thing they have ever tasted.

The cook tells them that all America knows of their victory and they are heroes at home. They appear shocked by the news, but not impressed.

 

[Gipper]

The series completed its last part last Sunday. I thought it was very well done and kept to historical facts.

What those great young American boys did was truly amazing and admirable.

I wonder if enough Americans like them still exist.

 

[pocketfullofshells]

I also will have to wait fod DVD to add to Band of Brothers and Generation Kill ( my favorite)

 

[dahermit]

"Generation Kill" was an excellent film albeit, poor name. It demonstrates the ineptness of organizational dynamics from which the military is not immune, if not the best example. Millions spent training recon specialists while using them for non-recon missions while the proper resources sit idle. Senseless orders, foolish officers, incompetent officers, etc. Anyone who has ever been in the military knows what I am referring to. That film shows that success of the mission is more likely to be the result despite the system as it is because of the system.