As a retired career naval officer, I have studied the Pacific theater long and hard. Not having a great appreciation for General MacArthur, I have somewhat ignored the South / West theater in my studies. These series of videos are outstanding in every way. They have giving me new insights for these vital operations. I greatly appreciate you making them.
I have done the same.., I only knew of the NewGuinea battles, but no details. Wow, this was great, thank you. PS - I did know MacArthur was a terrible commander and an arrogant fool.., plenty of other info on that.., but with the added details of NewGuinea.., yeah, mega-jackass.
Excellent analysis and presentation. The arrogance of MacArthur is fairly presented. The Australians were some of the best troops in that theatre. My father and uncle served with them and had nothing but the utmost respect for their leadership and their ability to fight and drink!
It was a mass war. Aussies, regardless of their abilities were too few. The war in the Pacific was won by America, the Brits, and very much by the Chinese.
@@2paulcoyle The Brits weren’t in the Pacific. They were in Burma, which was a different theatre. The Chinese weren’t in the Pacific, they were in China and they suffered a major defeat early on and lived under occupation for the duration of the war. The Pacific Theatre was primarily Australia and the US. Australia committed one million military personnel to the Second World War, the highest in terms of population of any allied nation. Almost al of their focus was entirely on the pacific from 1942 onwards. You don’t know what you’re talking about.
U.S. citizen with a history degree here. This is extraordinary work and a invaluable presentation. Very very much appreciated. There is definitely a more tactful way to say this, MacArthur was a self absorbed Ahole. It is extremely important to remember that it was the allies that really paid the blood cost of the war. Yes U.S. citizens did make extreme sacrifices, relative to everyone else however it is very sobering. Amazing work.
You're a gifted man. Historian and story teller. You should be on the telly! Heres to the Anzacs, Yanks and Papuans. You have done them a great service.
It's probably more accurate to mention that only the Australian part of the ANZAC acronym needs to be given thanks here. The New Zealanders were at this time still fighting in the deserts of North Africa.
H3 deserves thanks for his discussion of the Papuans. They were the innocent civilians in these battles, swept up into the conflict between the big powers.
My daughter worked in the Port Moresby region in 2015-17 and took periodic hikes in the region including along the Kokoda track. As a early 30-year old, experienced marathon runner and in excellent physical condition she reported being exhausted on her day hikes without carrying combat equipment or operating on reduced food supplies...I am in awe of the Aussie campaign and respect the Japanese tenacity under such inhumane conditions for both armies.
Respect!??? The Japanese in ww2!?? Not in your wildest dreams. Bayoneted Chinese babies, beheaded countless Aussie POW’s, forced Aussie women and Dutch women into prostitution for thousand of dirty Nips. 30 Million dead in the pacific theatre because of the Nips. Im happy they got the fat man and little boy. Shook them up so bad changed their whole blood thirsty culture into what they are today, and rightfully so.
MacArthur questioning, whilst looking at a map of the track surrounded by thick jungle, why the Aussie troops couldn’t simply do a ‘Thermopylae’ only demonstrates a Commander who had little appreciation of the situation on the ground.
The top brass had no idea what the Track was like. Only a few people had ever walked it before the militia were sent up it. Australia's Therompylae was at Isurava, where the militia dug in and waited to be wiped out. They couldn't retreat because they knew the AIF was coming up the Track to get to them. They hung on for two days in savage hand to hand fighting facing overwhelming odds. On arrival the AIF saw barely recognisable soldiers wearing rotting boots and uniforms, malnourished, the militia troops were in very poor condition, but they still retained a fighting spirit. When they were releaved they were ordered down the Track towards Moresby. On hearing the fighting starting all but a handful of the walking wounded returned back to the action. Anyone who cold hold a gun returned. Those Ragged, Bloody Heroes.
MacArthur and Blamey *were* informed of the nature of the terrain and the impossibility of properly supplying troops sent into the Owen Stanleys. The record of communication between Port Moresby and Melbourne makes that clear. High Command chose to ignore the judgement of those on the ground. The confusion under which Melbourne HQ was operating is illustrated by the simultaneous orders that Morris received to prepare the Kokoda track for demolition by explosives *and* upgrade it to the point where it was fit for motor transport. The first is obviously useless and the second unachievable without heavy machinery and months of work.
Great detail and graphics in this presentation. As a World War II history buff of 60 years, THIS American knows the importance of the Australian forces in the SW Pacific during World War II. To hear how MacArthur treated the brave Australian fighters still upsets me - when I read an article about it several years back.Thank you “Diggers!”👍👍👍
Have to agree,he did some great beach landings.But calling the heroes of Kokoda cowards while sipping cognac with a pipe in a luxury office in Melbourne was really annoying to the front line diggers.
Dugout Doug was a vain glorious POS , reminiscent of G A Custer, never gave credit to anyone except himself .the discription of Patton , Our guts , his glory sums up that media warrior to a tee. Somebody made him a 4 Star General and both them and your C in C were never held accountable until your fiasco on the Yalu took place. Dougouts nickname should have been retitled Bugout Doug. But Heck we weren't retreating , just advancing in another direction. Yep we all believe that revisionist history , after all the USA has told everyone for 50 years or more how they are the Greatest Country in the World , and you ask why so many people worldwide laugh and have no respect.
what a load of shit. broad stokes bullshit. l get my information from a mate whose dad ran over dead american servicemen on a beach at rabaul as a png runner .war is not a cut and dried business. Propaganda is a weapon of war ,not words, as our ' best prime minister ever' in nz stated to the un assembly. another useful idiot gone .bye bye jacinarella wheres your peps now
Your best yet. Travelled to Kokoda, Buna and Gona and loved your observations on the campaign. "The Australian Army should not have been burdened with MacArthur". Gold mate.
70 years of American Press and many historians ignored this outstanding performance of the Australians in this battle as critical as the Battle of Guadalcanal. This defeat of the Japanese was as much a morale booster to the Aussies as it was a shock to the Japanese Army and high command. God Bless the memory of those audacious Australians!
I'll add my (unneeded) two cents- great work! American history tends to give short shrift to this important and misunderstood part of the Pacific campaign. The Australian tenacity in New Guinea was monumental, and instrumental in turning the tide of war. Good on ya, mate!
They saved Australia. .The Japanese thought they could do it easily only had rations for 10 days. Starving they ate Australian soldiers. Thanks to all those wonderful young men who saved us.
@@ralphbranham8663 My Dad told me that famous shot of Doug and his staff wading thru the Surf was Bravo Sierra. He had ordered the landing craft to stop shy of the Beach for the Photo Op!
A great recount of the campaign. In 2008 our little group independently walked Kokoda Tk south to north, then went to Buna, Gona, Sanananda, Dobadura, Oro Bay. The track was an amazing experience, to walk where those ragged bloody heroes did not once, but twice (or more), in fighting withdrawal, then to push the enemy back was humbling. The Aussie rectangular foxholes were still there, so too the round linked Japanese foxholes, to think that was 66 years later at the time. Having visited Bomana War Cemetery on the way to Owers Corner, we saw throughout our visit just how amazingly respectful the Papuans are still for our fallen men, they tend their graves in manicured gardens at Bomana. We found many graves of the well know soldiers in the campaign, and said our thanks to then in silence to them all as we walked through over a few hours. Please do a doco on Gona, Buna, having read Peter Brunes 'Gonas Gone !' that was even more formidable fighting than Kokoda (if you could believe that possible).
Glad you're adding a lot of critical details affecting the forces on each side. Explains a lot of the actions and frustrations of the respective leaders.
Great doco. I walked the Kokoda track in 2002 & it was the hardest thing I have ever done in my life. There was no enemy firing at me, no big pack on my back & no real danger. Because of this I have a huge huge respect for the Aussies who fought there. As for MacArthur he didn't get the nick name of "Dugout Doug" for being a hero.
Thanks for a detailed, impartial, well presented account of the campaign. As an Aussie who worked alone and unsupported, except by natives, periodically in the New Guinea jungle in Eastern Papua 27 years later, I can appreciate that the malaria, dysentery and tropical ulcers that the heroic Aussies suffered, was horrendous, and with fanatical, better-equipped Japanese attacking relentlessly! Fuzzy Wuzzy Angels indeed.
After watching and listening to military documentaries and podcasts for many years, (and never having once commented in that time) I feel compelled to thank and commend you for putting together possibly the very best military documentary that I have watched. Simply outstanding! Again, thank you for your efforts and for sharing your interest with such literary and analytical skill. I do hope that you are in a position to continue this work. Regards.
Well done. As a former US Marine, I had no idea what a grandstanding jerk McCarther was. This documentary on battles literally unknown in the US, I now appreciate the skill of our Aussie allies. I salute them and you for a job well done!
He also got 1st Marine Division decimated on Peleilu. There is a podcast much similar to this, but with Americans that deal with this area of the war as well, and has an entire episode of lambasting McArthur's "leadership".
@@PalleRasmussen is it the Unauthorized History podcast? Just started following it a few months ago. They did an episode called Dugout Doug! He was an even worse human being!
The recognition of the brave and tenacious fighting spirit of the Auzzies, and the story of their vital contribution to the Pacific war, has far too long been overshadowed by the more well-known US victories at Midway and Guadalcanal. Thank you for properly honoring their service and sacrifice in such great detail. Cheers from America M8, on your fine work here, keep it comin! :)
You would never know from reading the histories or watching the war documentaries that Australian troops fought most of the battles of attrition & were killed at a rate of 2 to 1 to Americans in the South West Pacific .
The 39th are no way ,were getting the credit for their delaying tactics .These guys our our best heroes. The movie Kokada says it all, I salute you brave men
The level of detail is amazing! (American Here) I can’t help but feel you guys truly are our brothers from down under. The Aussie contribution punched well above its weight given the size of the population. 7 million people to America’s 130 million in 1940. Australia’s war economy was equally as impressive.
I appreciate the effort and time you put into these videos, they are narrated very well and use a good mix of photos, maps and other media to keep it very watchable. Making long videos about historic events where you have almost no film footage available is not easy, as the content can become bogged down and you lose the audience attention. Your documentary was not only thorough and informative but held my attention from beginning to end.
I have to agree with your comment. The narration gives a balanced view to both sides and moves at a comfortable pace. My only regret was watching this on a phone, which doesn’t do this doco justice.
Definitely the most informative recounting of the Kokoda Campaign I’ve ever watched. I really hope you go forward with this and your other topics of interest. They’re all incredibly well done, they feel very well researched and are very enriching.
FANTASTIC ! I'm an Englishman and ex servicemen, with close family living in Australia. I have always believed in the people and forces of the Common Wealth countries. My father had a similar opinion of the American forces of WW2 ..... ' saying things like ' ..... they just would not listen to advice from soldiers who had been fighting for over 3 years. They seemed unable to fully understand the bigger picture and would charge ahead without thinking and possibly not stopping to consider their allies alongside them. Ordinarily this would be fine, except where it leaves a gap through which the Germans could exploit and outflank the neighbouring Common Wealth forces who suddenly had attacks coming from their side .... '. I applaud this well delivered and historically accurate production. It it so well highlights the different mindset between the US and other military. Well done team.
No commander in the history of warfare recaptured as much territory, killed as much enemy, at such few lives, as quickly as MacArthur did. Fact. By the numbers.
@@2paulcoyle And won so many battles! The points on his ego and lack of logistics experience are well taken as well, though. Although the criticism here is fair, the author spends SO MUCH TIME going over Mac's faults (here and his other videos) while only quickly commenting on his immense skills one begins to wonder whether or not the author has an axe to grind. I recommend reading American Caesar by William Manchester if you want a balanced view of MacArthur
@@2paulcoyle MacArthur is one of the worst generals ever to command troops. Every campaign he commanded involved profligate friendly casualties, vulnerability to surprise and flanking, and unimaginative tactics. It's a bit of a mystery how he ended up as a general or remained one - his performance as a junior officer in WW1 was good, and his father was a hero at Missionary Ridge in the Civil War. As a general, though, MacArthur was a total disaster. He had almost 7 years to build the Filipino Army, and yet it was taken by surprise, and crushed in a matter of weeks by the Japanese. His generalship in the South Pacific was plodding, slow, and wasteful. Even in this video, you can see he had little awareness of the conditions of frontline troops. He opposed the island hopping campaign advocated by Nimitz, which would move the front line forward by 500 or 1000 miles at a time. He took months and months and months to clear the Philippines, which wasn't cleared fully by the time the war ended. In Korea, his troops were taken by surprise and nearly defeated not once, but twice. In the final surprise, the Chinese nearly wiped out the Marines at Chosin. In the 1st Philippines campaign, MacArthur's entire force of 150,000 troops was wiped out by a Japanese force of about 130,000. In the New Guinea campaign, MacArthur had a total force of about half a million troops. The campaign lasted literally the entire war, MacArthur failed to capture huge swaths of it, and some 200,000 Japanese troops were still left by 1945. MacArthur's forces lost 45,000 troops. In Korea, again, MacArthur's forces outnumbered the enemy, were taken by surprise twice, and lost huge numbers of men in both instances.
@@amg557 Great book. MacArthur was a genius and based on fact, MacArthur was correct, the Japanese landed a much smaller force. On the MacArthur criticism, the creator of this documentary is completely ill informed. Just look at MacArthur's service in WWI.
"I studied dramatics under General MacArthur". -Dwight David Eisenhower A genuine war hero of the first, MacArthur was a spoiled child by the second. The $500,000 bribe (to evacuate the Philippine President and family) is a key bit of evidence as to his change of character. He was given far too much credit for the outcome of WW2 in the Pacific.
A little known fact, near the end of Big Macs journey from the Phillipines in March 1942, he had flown from Darwin to Alice Springs and Mrs Mac refused to get on another B17, so they travelled via the ancient 'Ghan' railway line south to Adelaide. The last refueling stop was at Terrowie Sth Australia where an Australian group of media reporters awaited. It was at the tiny railway station there that Big Mac delivered his famous "I Shall Return" speech.
MacArthur is one of the worst generals ever to command troops. Every campaign he commanded involved profligate friendly casualties, vulnerability to surprise and flanking, and unimaginative tactics. It's a bit of a mystery how he ended up as a general or remained one - his performance as a junior officer in WW1 was good, and his father was a hero at Missionary Ridge in the Civil War. As a general, though, MacArthur was a total disaster. He had almost 7 years to build the Filipino Army, and yet it was taken by surprise, and crushed in a matter of weeks by the Japanese. His generalship in the South Pacific was plodding, slow, and wasteful. Even in this video, you can see he had little awareness of the conditions of frontline troops. He *opposed* the island hopping campaign advocated by Nimitz, which would move the front line forward by 500 or 1000 miles at a time. He took months and months and months to clear the Philippines, which wasn't cleared fully by the time the war ended. In Korea, his troops were taken by surprise and nearly defeated not once, but twice. In the final surprise, the Chinese nearly wiped out the Marines at Chosin.
@JZ's Best Friend there is a book, which I read called"The odd couple" that tells the story of MacArthur and Blaimey, I can't recall the authors name but it is a very interesting read and an eye opener.
One of the best battle( campaign) programs I've heard! So much better than any I've seen on TV, who focus on the presenter instead of the subject matter! Thanks
My Dad, Cpl. Syd Duncan was in D Coy. 2/25th Btn. 7th Div. which was heavily involved in the Kokoda Campaign. He was a very humble bloke and didn’t talk much about his war time experience except to his army mates at the frequent reunions they would have. He was one of the few left when he died at the age of 89. He joined the army when he was 19. My Mum and he had vastly different opinions of MacArthur, Mum having spent a lot of her time in the war years (before they met) volunteering for the American Red Cross entertaining American forces on leave in Australia. He also had a very low opinion of General Blamey and the level of training of the American troops they encountered later in the war. Your presentation and the subsequent productions on the Buna/Gona and Wau campaigns where he also fought has given me a whole new respect for them.
Blamey was detested by the troops in Moresby. The real culprit was the Australian prime minister who did not have the intestinal fortitude to stand up to the self serving American and support his own soldiers. My father was a officer in PNG and fought the Japanese, he never got over the war and it haunted him his whole life. What he told me about Blamey is nor worth repeating.
It beggars belief that a guy who served on John Monash's staff didn't seem to learn anything about planning and leadership from one of the best the great war had to offer.
Difficult war for PM Curtin, and it killed him with stress just before it all over. John Curtin had to fight that bastard Winston Churchill, tooth and nail, to get the 7th & 9th AIF army divisions back to Australia and New Guinea from North Africa, where these veteran soldiers were badly needed in 1942. Churchill, in a typical huff, diverted the protecting destroyers and cruisers of the convoy steaming across the Indian Ocean, because Curtin dared defy his desire to put these troops into the lost cause of Burma insisting that they return to Perth. In fact, to Curtin's great anxiety, these troops were steaming without escort for 2 weeks at the mercy of the IJN and U-boats where some well directed torpedoes could have sent all these blokes to the bottom of the sea and Australia with them. The British barely helped the defence of Australia in 1942 to mid-1945 and Churchill not one bit. Australia was saved by it's alliance with the Americans in the Pacific War, typically little done by the British except for some lend-lease Spitfires to defend Darwin.
@@kryts27 Agreed. PM Curtin did the absolute best he could with the bare minimum he had. And I agree with your assumption, possible straight fact, that the stress of the war killed him.
@@kryts27 Curtin as PM was said to have stated in a Labor caucus meeting that he knows MacArthur is a ??????, But we need him to get the American Machine Tools we need. "We must have new American Machine Tools to increase our munitions production". Curtin actually got along with Blamey, it was that Curtin knew MacArthur could authorise the resources and funds to build and expand local engineering tooling for munitions and weapons.
I read about this campaign maybe a year ago in an issue of WWII Magazine. The brutal difficulty of trekking over the Owen Stanley Mountains never left me. Mad respect.
Thank God for the Australian Army! Best information I've seen on Kokoda. I believe you have successfully exposed MacArthur's "soft underbelly." Indeed, the US soldiers called him Dugout Doug. Thanks again for another great narrative of an essential Australian victory.
I've read the book by Paul Hamm,by far the ultimate history on the Kokoda campaign.It spills the myth on the back stabbing that went on.Blamey,McArthur were scathing of the 39th who proved themselves throughout the campaign.Even the Japanese were in awe of the aussies bravery and stubbornness.It was an Aussie victory ,not as dug out Doug says,an allied victory.The Americans at Buna were pinned down and refused to fight.They did very little
@@CollieDog24try reading The Kokoda Trail by Peter Willians. He researched the Japanese archive and it showed that the Japs were undermanned and they defeated the Australians 7 times in from June to September. And he is an Australian! No history book is definitive.
Excellent engaging account. Held my attention until the end. I worked at Sogeri National High School for 3 years 1980-83. The Kokoda Trail walk was a walk some young PNG students and teachers made each year. I hope this history makes it to present day students. Our book for one course was Taim Biking Masta. Thank you for the lecture video
Great critique of MacArthur he was a selfish egotistical ass. This is also the most comprehensive doc. on the Kokoda battle that I have seen. Thank you, t from the USA
I agree 100%. 👍👍 The same can be said of Gen. Patton...a good general, but over-rated by a mainstream media which judges competence using shallow personality traits, sound bits, and overall image.
On the other hand, without MacArthur, who else would have gotten TWO aircraft carriers to stop the Japanese invasion fleet at the Coral Sea that was headed for Port Morsby? Or all the aircraft and military equipment that Australia so desperately needed?
@@seventhson27 I shall try to restrain my incredulity at that ill informed opinion. I think you'll find Nimitz after the okay from King was responsible for that committing the "NAVAL" forces to the Coral Sea campaign, under whose command it remained at ALL times. MacArthur had 'nothing' to do with the naval battle. The US navy code breakers, with a little UK provided info, identified the coming campaign, its rough aims and resources. As through out the Pacific campaign, Nimitz and King were loathed to delegate navy resources to an Army General with all but ZERO practical understanding of its uses and requirements unless pushed by political necessity. This was one of the reasons that the Soloman Islands (Watchtower campaign) were moved from SWPA into SOPAC/POA's area, there are plenty of resources discusses the very practical reasons for this and the continuation of the practice of keeping all command of major Naval operations, and the vast majority of all other Naval operations even many within the SWPA area, with the SOPAC/Nimitz/King chain of command. The comment about equipment and aircraft is just daft... seriously daft! Seems there are quite a few ill informed 'Macites' and many who are just wedded to the myths he self created and promoted.
As usual this is second to none when it comes to detailed information. I learned a few things even though I have read/watched numerous accounts on the Kakoda track. My father was a commando in New Guinea and if you mentioned General Blamey or Mac Arthur his reply was just a few sharp swear words. Unfortunately our current commander in Angus Campbell isn’t any better. He is more interested in politics and has no respect from his troops.
I am delighted you guys seem to able to finish each other's senences as you regurgitate all the old yarns about Mac Arthur. Maybe just for the hell of it pick i up some primary sources. All over the web USA , USAAF and USN in addition to ANZAK sources. And finally most important a Thank you would be swell.
@@jeffreywilliams144 G'day, Thanks for what ? Unkle Spam used Oz as a conveniently safe Rear-Area Base in which to acclimatise the raw Recruits who were to go Island-Hopping from Guadalcanal to Okinawa... Unkle Spam never ever, "Saved Oz from learning to eat Rice & pull Rickshaws...!" because Japan never ever had any Intentions nor Plans nor Infantry Troops, nor Ships, nor Tanks, nor Aircraft, nor Ammunition, nor Fuel, nor any other Supplies which would have been required to be furnished in order to launch any Continental Invasion, let alone Occupation. How about y'all Yanuis start by thanking Oz for going into Korea & Vietnam & Iraq & Afghanistan & Iraqagain & Absurdistandstill & Syriatoo..., all BEFORE WashedUptown committed Troops - while the Pentagonal Haemorrhoids waited to see how much International Support USA could count on. Such is life. Have a good one, Stay safe. ;-p Ciao !
@@alt7488 If he was not why was he brought out of retirement? And would having ALL allied forces under his command for OLYMPIC CORONET? By the way we have been talking about ww2 not Korea.
Amazing story telling, thank you, and learning more about Australian troops is fantastic. I'd always wished that Nimitz was more definitely and decidedly the Pacific commander.
Thanks. You've produced a fascinating account of this series of battles that are often overlooked because of the scale of America's island hopping campaign.
You have done such a brilliant job I hope the Australian war museum has it catalogued. I Travelled Kokoda 4 times myself. First time for my own interest, next three to show others. Bill James is the finest authority on the Kokoda experience. A humble man who without seeking kudos, has written the definitive guide book and has done more than anyone to determine the the truth of real battles.
Brilliantly cogent description of an obscure, yet critical, campaign! Kudos! Also, kudos for your excellent comparison of MacArthur/his HQ vs Australian commanders. One of the finest battle/campaign explanations I have seen. Just...superb! Thank you!!!
This is so far above any other work I have seen about Kokoda that I sit in grateful awe at the herculean effort you must have put in, to make such a detailed but also understandable and accessible account. As an Aussie born after the War, I still had relatives who fought all over the place, Europe, Africa, Asia and New Guinea. So as someone who knew a few of that great group of cobbers from the 2/14th and 39th who stayed mates for the rest of their days, I can tell you they would feel a bit embarrassed over the fuss, but honoured to be portrayed so respectfully and honestly. Thank You, very, very much.
I began studying WW2 because my father served in the pacific and my interest were of course mostly about the US part. My interest have expanded to the amazing accomplishments exhibited by the Australians and Canadians in that war. Both, having less resources than many US fighting units performed exceptionally well and achieved almost impossible results. Great respect for both.
> " ... My interest have expanded to the amazing accomplishments exhibited by the Australians and Canadians in that war. ... ". Please. Don't have rosy glasses. Errors, injustices were made by everyone, on all sides, civilian or not. There are truly non-propaganda stuff on RUclips now. "Institutional history", as usual, is propaganda, created by the victors. Social media sometimes now has true history.
Congratulations, another outstanding contribution to military history. You've presented this in a cohesive, professional and interesting manner, a great summary of this important campaign.
MacArthur's one and only look at the Kokoda Track was to be driven in a jeep as far as the road went, walk another couple of hundred yards, and then go back. This, apparently, was all the recon he needed to know exactly what the conditions were like. I have nothing but contempt for him.
Mac is a mixed bag. But remember that he lived and worked in the Philippines for many years. One tropical jungle is very similar to the next tropical jungle, he knew the conditions without even setting foot on the island. In war, men are expendable.
I agree. I've just found this channel and it is really professionally put together and presented. Great research, clear narration and super, really well annotated, graphics. This guy really knows his stuff. Hats off to him.
Good stuff mate, loved the commentary. Thanks to all for their service and sacrifice, as ever freedom rests in the hands of the right people, in the right place, at the right time!
I’ve just watched the Lae/Salamaua , Buna/Gona, Milne Bay, and Kokoda videos. Outstanding!!! Fine job sir!!! You were quite harsh on MacArthur in this video, but he deserved it and more! You would think my country could have found a better figurehead than MacArthur in this situation. My father served with the 7th Amphibious Force (i.e. US Navy 7th Fleet) in New Guinea and the Philippines and he was more critical about MacArthur than you were. My father always said positive things about working with the Australians. He said the best cup of tea he ever had in his life was in the bush in New Guinea , in the rain and mud, out of a rusty tin cup, with a group of Aussie soldiers. Thanks for putting these fine videos together. It make it easier to become more knowledgeable about the subject.
Fantastic effort clearly pulling it all together in the way you have. Very accurate, long overdue reminder of McArthur's failings and ill-informed arrogance. Refreshingly honest concerning one of Curtain's poorer efforts (when contrasted to him standing up to Churchill). Likewise of the dominent role played by the Australian army in that theatre of war for most of its duration. Really well done. Incidentally, I've only ever heard of the Papuans referred to as the Fuzzy Wuzzy Angels, though they most definitely were heroes. My father knew and I have a signed book written by the RMO (Regimental Medical Officer) of the 39th Battalian, about his recollections of that campaign. It was definitely called the Kokoda Track by the Australians, as you have said.
This is an exceptionally sophisticated and even-handed analysis. I've read extensively on the Kokoda Campaign, but could have saved myself the trouble simply by watching this video. Thanks!
As a child my grandparents Lorded MacArther. It's only recently I have learnt just how impotent he was. Your brilliant Doc further highlighted this fact. I just subbed and I am looking forward to more of your work. Thanks for your efforts.
The latest research carried out by an Australian who looked at the Japanese archive says that it was the Japanese who were out numbered and yet they constantly defeated Australian forces.
Thanks for a really thorough and detailed account of an action I have read little about. Your work is appreciated! Also, Australia can be proud of all who participated.
As an American, I have to agree with your very strong indictment of MacArthur. We won the Pacific in spite of him, certainly not because of him. Good work.
Yeah as an older Aussie, named after a young grand uncle killed at Buna, I don't have any love for Macarthur or Blamey for that matter. Bastard, career nursing egotists.
MacArthur was blinded by arrogance and ego. In particular his insistence on the invasion of Peleliu was MacArthur's folly because that Island was never used for any Naval or Army Air Support it was a seaplane base. At the cost of considerable casualties and life to the US Marines and US Army which my father-in-law fought in that battle and he said it was absolute nightmare. MacArthur unfortunately was very good at wasting his resources.
Thanks for spending time researching and creating your documentary on the battles and campaign in Papua along the track. I've spent a lot of time guiding people over the Owen Stanley Range in PNG bringing trekkers to the battlefields, luckily 10 times now. I've felt honoured to share my understanding of the situations soldiers found themselves in during the war involving the Australian, Japanese, Papuans, and Americans (in particular during the Kokoda battles the airmen) all fighting in an amazingly beautiful place, but hell during war and unseasonal heavy rain. My great great uncle was Lt. Col Allan Cameron (Major Cameron at Deniki) so I feel a strong connection to the deeds of the men in the weapon pits starring out into the darkness wondering what's next. I appreciate the effort you have gone too noting how difficult it is to explain something so long ago as time distorts and there is so much written about Kokoda. When recounting the events of 1942 in Papua I find a really interesting challenge is to discuss the differences in perspective/opinion/recollection/accuracy/facts from that of a soldier within a section in a weapon pit to that of a commanding officer in the field to those in Moresby, Brisbane and down to Melbourne. Thanks mate.
Have nearly finished my first Peter Fitzsimons' book; KOKODA.. So your work here has brought it all together superbly.. A brilliant presentation, (and well done on the VO too.. I couldn't have kept that up) which made me feel I was so much closer to the men who gave their effort and their lives to keeping Oz safe. I subscribed instantly..!
Fitzsimons book is nowhere near as good as Peter Brunes or Paul Ham's books on the subject . I found Fitzsimons book very light weight to these other authors.
Thank you for the detailed presentation of the Kokoda Track Campaign. The photographs and the maps really brought it to life in a way that merely reading about it cannot.
Thank you for this. This really is first rate work. I particularly liked your use of satellite mapping, which gave me some understanding of the terrain and difficulties of campaigning there.
Huge thanks! I have read several accounts of the Kokoda Track engagements. Your presentation with the satellite photos, in perspective showing topography, with the marking of positions brought me a more thorough understanding. Being a Navy veteran (1980s) and a history buff I have long felt that this campaign was the major arresting point of Japanese aggression. Bravo Zulu you Diggers. Bravo Zulu.
Great presentation. I have a book on the Buna campaign, but although it covers the fighting along the Kokoda Trail, it never mentions the lack of training of the Australian forces, nor does it talk about how outnumbered they were (companies facing battalions). Thank you for covering this campaign in such depth.
Thanks for posting this. A very well done and thoroughly researched presentation. The first time I learned of the battle for Kokoda and the 39th Infantry Battalion was through the 2006 film "Kokoda". I cannot imagine the conditions the soldiers faced and they were indeed very brave men.
Nice work mate, you have done a great job of outlining the campaign and the role of both individual units and commanders. Impressive. Your concluding comments are interesting. Eisenhower was criticised, not unreasonably, for not being a great strategic thinker (and he too had limited combat experience), however you correctly identify his enduring quality and hallmark of his great success, which was to wield that unruly beast of an allied army with all those prima donnas (Mark, Patton, Monty etc), into a successful fighting force. Australia's long history of shrinking before a great power is revealed for its craven and self-harming outcomes in your analysis. Much like the British, the average Australian citizen is not well served by those that govern or command them. It was true then and sadly remains true today.
@@anthonyeaton5153 i mean that is entirely debatable for plenty of reasons so I’m not going to bother because you can make the case for both sides imo. Regardless though if that’s true or not true the pacific in general was obviously not small scale and the aussies played a massive role when you add up the whole pacific campaign, they did a lot more than virtually nobody is aware besides some Australians, because even a lot of aussies don’t know how big our grandfathers contribution was.
A very well made video! Your use of clean graphics and real life satellite images makes the seemingly endless battalion numbers easy to follow and visualise. Very well put together and executed.
Brilliant Simply Brilliant, thank you for this great informative and fair video, i do agree with you, i have never seen McCarther as the legend he is oftern portrayed, brilliant Strategist, woeful commander
Horrible commander? Have you seen the film Emperor? While the film is loose with General Fellers and created a false romance, his sister was married to a Japanese. MacArthur chose Fellers to investigate, not anyone else to decide the fate of the Emperor...
@@ronclark9724 yeah, actually, pretty bad commander. Generals have to be good at two things : planning the battle, and dealing with the aftermath when those plans inevitably fall apart. MacArthur was good at the first, really, really bad at dealing with the second...
Even as a strategist, Dugout Doug leaves a lot to be desired. His defence of the Philippines was woeful at every level from Strategic downward, including logistics. His retaking of the Philippines also was perplexing - attacking Manila was pretty pointless given the overall strategic goal in that theatre.
My own grandfather fought during this campaign part of the 2/16th before being wounded, he then spent 31 days behind Japanese lines lying on a stretcher alongside 12 other wounded with 2 unwounded taking care of them , before reaching port moresby,
Jesus Christ. That must have been a profound dreadful experience knowing at any point if you are spotted and captured you would be beheaded at best. The utmost respect to the men who weren’t injured and decided they wouldn’t leave their wounded brothers to cruel hands of the Japanese of ww2.
@@MonkeyLiggaScrumptiousNan out of the 12 wounded with him in jungle he was one of only two wounded that arrived in Port Moresby, and was the only one to return to Australia the other wounded soldier passed away after arriving in Port Moresby. Grandfather was later medically downgraded unfit for frontline combat due to injury and was stationed at Rottnest Island as part of guard unit for the coastal artillery Grandfather passed away 3/11/2018, 99 years old
@@davidhobson7652 a sincere rest in peace to your grandfather mate. Anyone who fought the fight they endured had to be such a tough prick both physically and mentally just to survive that brutal existence. I don’t have any direct family that fought in ww2, though by coincidence I grew up across the road from an old bloke who fought in Bougainville. He lived by himself and he’s kids never visited him or ever really cared about his experience, I loved all of it and he treated me almost like another son. The last few years before he passed he made me a copy of his medals and asked me if I’d come with him for the Anzac Day parade instead of his own son. Very nice man but he was very blunt about his hatred for the Japanese for how cruel they were. I have so much respect for him and all our brave soldiers who have had to endure such violent adversity.
@@MonkeyLiggaScrumptiousNan I don't remember the battle grandfather fought in when he got wounded but the first medic to arrive turned around and left, only learned after war reason why the wound being to big for the supplies man carried, grandfather had been hit in arse from behind bullet shattered when it hit his right hip and exited out his right groin leaving a grapefruit size exit wound, size of wound you could see main artery for leg undamaged and pulsing Brutality of the Japanese was found by unit after his departure think some were deceased soldier tied to trees while wounded and used for bayonet practice though worst situation was cannibalism of deceased soldiers, two soldiers had part of bodies removed later found in abandoned camp wrapped in banana leaves
Great presentation. One of the things I remark is that these actions are all at battalion level and below -- and I take it that given the terrain, that's probably the largest maneuver unit that could be engaged. There are a lot of stories here about company and platoon-level action. So this contrasts wildly with contemporary operations in North Africa or Russia, where we usually discuss the division and corps level. And yet the strategic stakes here were just as significant, so these are some of the most important platoons and companies of the war.
Excellent well put together documentary. I have visited the area in 1984 and flown over the Kokoda gap to Popondetta then on to Lae. There was still evidence of the fighting even then. A crashed zero was still lying at the edge of Poondetta air field. Pretty strange after 40 years.
A comprehensive and excellent documentary. What a heart-break for so many Aussies and their families and loved ones. They truly deserve a monument and I will remember them in particular on ANZAC DAy
I just watched you latest video on RUclips and I thought it was great. In the US we don't really cover the pacific theater especially the major operations of the other allies. My grand father was a artillery officer in the pacific and from the stories iv been told did not like McCarter for alot of the same reasons you mentioned. he described him as reckless, and at times childish. continue making this great content, it really enjoyable to listen to and watch. it definitely gives a different perspective to world history and news hearing about it from someone who isn't a American. have a great
As an Ausie I think it’s important to have a firm grasp on the history and the gravity of the Kokoda Trail battle and THAT was a top job! Cheers mate, well done.
A brilliant documentary. Well researched and beautifully presented. Look forward to further documentaries from you. By the way, your summation of McArthur as full of wind and piss is so accurate. Keep the good work up.
Thank you for giving credit to the Japanese soldiers who fought very well for an insane and suicidal Emperor and government. Far too many documentaries on WWll describe the Japanese as little more than crazy, suicidal, viciously cruel madmen. Their nation suffered for the stupidity of their elite class as have so many nations everywhere throughout history.
The "special" japanese naval forces in this theatre used american and australian POWs for bayonet practice (after tying them to palm trees). Their reputation was both earned and deserved. Ask the chinese if you want a non-western POV. And unlike the Germans, they've pretended it didn't happen ever since.
eh, honestly it's a kind of both. Tough and dedicated soldiers? yes. Viciously cruel? also kind of yes thanks to the indoctrination of the japanese high command at the time... The japanese imperial army is a stark example of the dangers of discipline without thought and loyalty without question.
@@ozjohn39 Not to mention the "medical experiments" on POWS , slave labor from china and the korean peninsula little details elude these armchair historians.
My boxing coach was one of those that said yes as was his and his mates want. So many if his friends who were so much more in there eyes for their brothers that they relied on for survival then because of that they were brothers in another universe. I am blessed to have been the boxer I was because of that course of history and my mentor in boxing and my mentor in life. Thankyou dear men if Australia.
What a fantastic piece of history you've told. Deep insight with the movement of battle and maps to demonstrate key positions through out the stages. It's also confirmed my bias towards MacArthur as yet another American who's all for guts and glory regardless of his men under his command.
Your guts, his glory. THE most egotistical rat's buttocks of the century. Did you know that while he was at the US Military Academy, his mother fixed eff sandwiches for him? True!
General McArthur reminds me of that great historical hero from WWII: Jones (the butcher) Of "Dad's Army" Fame who's catch call when things got "Hairy" Was to scream hysterically; "Don't Panic! Don't Panic!" Seriously enjoying your factual unadorned doco's.
Spot on critic of Macarthur. After Baatan which he probably could not have avoided. In the and removed from command by Truman for trying to insist on the use of nuclear weapons after Japan was finished as a fighting force. I never understood why he had such a good reputation. As you say an Australian victory with good soldiers, well lead by their officers. I am British but I am proud that we fought for the same cause. Your programme rightly put the credit where it belonged.
As a retired career naval officer, I have studied the Pacific theater long and hard. Not having a great appreciation for General MacArthur, I have somewhat ignored the South / West theater in my studies. These series of videos are outstanding in every way. They have giving me new insights for these vital operations. I greatly appreciate you making them.
I have done the same.., I only knew of the NewGuinea battles, but no details. Wow, this was great, thank you. PS - I did know MacArthur was a terrible commander and an arrogant fool.., plenty of other info on that.., but with the added details of NewGuinea.., yeah, mega-jackass.
Hey man you lay some god dam respect on that man's ass
@WWerenko Everything Allied troops (Aussies plus others) endured in New Guinea in ADDITION of having MacArthur in command...
Excellent analysis and presentation. The arrogance of MacArthur is fairly presented. The Australians were some of the best troops in that theatre. My father and uncle served with them and had nothing but the utmost respect for their leadership and their ability to fight and drink!
It was a mass war. Aussies, regardless of their abilities were too few. The war in the Pacific was won by America, the Brits, and very much by the Chinese.
It’s a bloody miracle that Mac didn’t die from choking to death because of his inflated ego.
@@2paulcoyle The Brits weren’t in the Pacific. They were in Burma, which was a different theatre. The Chinese weren’t in the Pacific, they were in China and they suffered a major defeat early on and lived under occupation for the duration of the war.
The Pacific Theatre was primarily Australia and the US. Australia committed one million military personnel to the Second World War, the highest in terms of population of any allied nation. Almost al of their focus was entirely on the pacific from 1942 onwards. You don’t know what you’re talking about.
ANZACS are still the best.
@@pats3071 Absolutely spot on mate.
U.S. citizen with a history degree here.
This is extraordinary work and a invaluable presentation. Very very much appreciated.
There is definitely a more tactful way to say this, MacArthur was a self absorbed Ahole. It is extremely important to remember that it was the allies that really paid the blood cost of the war. Yes U.S. citizens did make extreme sacrifices, relative to everyone else however it is very sobering.
Amazing work.
The movie 'Kokoda', I think released in 2006, is on RUclips.
You're a gifted man. Historian and story teller. You should be on the telly! Heres to the Anzacs, Yanks and Papuans. You have done them a great service.
Lol no body watching tv
Disservice by mispronunciation of Rabaul.
It's probably more accurate to mention that only the Australian part of the ANZAC acronym needs to be given thanks here. The New Zealanders were at this time still fighting in the deserts of North Africa.
Sorry mate NZ was not there, Its only when together are they called ANZAC's
H3 deserves thanks for his discussion of the Papuans. They were the innocent civilians in these battles, swept up into the conflict between the big powers.
My daughter worked in the Port Moresby region in 2015-17 and took periodic hikes in the region including along the Kokoda track. As a early 30-year old, experienced marathon runner and in excellent physical condition she reported being exhausted on her day hikes without carrying combat equipment or operating on reduced food supplies...I am in awe of the Aussie campaign and respect the Japanese tenacity under such inhumane conditions for both armies.
Respect!??? The Japanese in ww2!?? Not in your wildest dreams. Bayoneted Chinese babies, beheaded countless Aussie POW’s, forced Aussie women and Dutch women into prostitution for thousand of dirty Nips. 30 Million dead in the pacific theatre because of the Nips. Im happy they got the fat man and little boy. Shook them up so bad changed their whole blood thirsty culture into what they are today, and rightfully so.
MacArthur questioning, whilst looking at a map of the track surrounded by thick jungle, why the Aussie troops couldn’t simply do a ‘Thermopylae’ only demonstrates a Commander who had little appreciation of the situation on the ground.
The top brass had no idea what the Track was like. Only a few people had ever walked it before the militia were sent up it.
Australia's Therompylae was at Isurava, where the militia dug in and waited to be wiped out. They couldn't retreat because they knew the AIF was coming up the Track to get to them. They hung on for two days in savage hand to hand fighting facing overwhelming odds. On arrival the AIF saw barely recognisable soldiers wearing rotting boots and uniforms, malnourished, the militia troops were in very poor condition, but they still retained a fighting spirit. When they were releaved they were ordered down the Track towards Moresby. On hearing the fighting starting all but a handful of the walking wounded returned back to the action. Anyone who cold hold a gun returned.
Those Ragged, Bloody Heroes.
The US ARMY’S 32 INFANTRY DIVISION was marching through the Stanley Mountains while this was going on. Then they airlifted another Division to Buna.
MacArthur did have some strengths as a commander but when ever he decided to stick his nose into tactical stuff it was comical
P
MacArthur and Blamey *were* informed of the nature of the terrain and the impossibility of properly supplying troops sent into the Owen Stanleys. The record of communication between Port Moresby and Melbourne makes that clear. High Command chose to ignore the judgement of those on the ground.
The confusion under which Melbourne HQ was operating is illustrated by the simultaneous orders that Morris received to prepare the Kokoda track for demolition by explosives *and* upgrade it to the point where it was fit for motor transport. The first is obviously useless and the second unachievable without heavy machinery and months of work.
Great detail and graphics in this presentation. As a World War II history buff of 60 years, THIS American knows the importance of the Australian forces in the SW Pacific during World War II. To hear how MacArthur treated the brave Australian fighters still upsets me - when I read an article about it several years back.Thank you “Diggers!”👍👍👍
Have to agree,he did some great beach landings.But calling the heroes of Kokoda cowards while sipping cognac with a pipe in a luxury office in Melbourne was really annoying to the front line diggers.
Dugout Doug was a vain glorious POS , reminiscent of G A Custer, never gave credit to anyone except himself .the discription of Patton , Our guts , his glory sums up that media warrior to a tee. Somebody made him a 4 Star General and both them and your C in C were never held accountable until your fiasco on the Yalu took place. Dougouts nickname should have been retitled Bugout Doug. But Heck we weren't retreating , just advancing in another direction. Yep we all believe that revisionist history , after all the USA has told everyone for 50 years or more how they are the Greatest Country in the World , and you ask why so many people worldwide laugh and have no respect.
what a load of shit. broad stokes bullshit. l get my information from a mate whose dad ran over dead american servicemen on a beach at rabaul as a png runner .war is not a cut and dried business. Propaganda is a weapon of war ,not words, as our ' best prime minister ever' in nz stated to the un assembly. another useful idiot gone .bye bye jacinarella wheres your peps now
My Grandfather was in D company 2/25th battalion and carried an extreme dislike for MacArthur to his grave.
Your best yet. Travelled to Kokoda, Buna and Gona and loved your observations on the campaign. "The Australian Army should not have been burdened with MacArthur". Gold mate.
All MacArthur did was to provide reassurance to the Australian Government and the people that we would not be hung out to dry.
he gets a real surprise about his forces at the battle of buna
@@alt7488 yes even the Japanese records tell that story of how the Americans run
@@stephenlane3078 Ghost mountain boy's did good for the limited supplies and arms they had.
Korea kind of proved than neither should have the Americans....
70 years of American Press and many historians ignored this outstanding performance of the Australians in this battle as critical as the Battle of Guadalcanal.
This defeat of the Japanese was as much a morale booster to the Aussies as it was a shock to the Japanese Army and high command. God Bless the memory of those audacious Australians!
The American press is to bolster America, not Austrailia. Hire intelligent people not kangaroos.
I knew about this from computer gaming going back to the mid 1980s.
Yeah but big Mac was the real genius out there.
@@tonyromano6220you are joking aren't you. You take your military history from a computer game? STREWTH!
@@anthonyeaton5153 some.
I'll add my (unneeded) two cents- great work! American history tends to give short shrift to this important and misunderstood part of the Pacific campaign. The Australian tenacity in New Guinea was monumental, and instrumental in turning the tide of war. Good on ya, mate!
One of my Great Uncles was in the Pacific and 30 years later still called him Dugout Doug . My Uncle retired as a Lt. Col. in the Air Force.
They saved Australia. .The Japanese thought they could do it easily only had rations for 10 days. Starving they ate Australian soldiers. Thanks to all those wonderful young men who saved us.
@@ralphbranham8663 My Dad told me that famous shot of Doug and his staff wading thru the Surf was Bravo Sierra. He had ordered the landing craft to stop shy of the Beach for the Photo Op!
@@IntheBlood67 My Great Uncle and film all show that the General was a showboat
@@IntheBlood67 General MacArthur never gave the Allies or even the Marine Corps the credit they deserved
A great recount of the campaign.
In 2008 our little group independently walked Kokoda Tk south to north, then went to Buna, Gona, Sanananda, Dobadura, Oro Bay.
The track was an amazing experience, to walk where those ragged bloody heroes did not once, but twice (or more), in fighting withdrawal, then to push the enemy back was humbling.
The Aussie rectangular foxholes were still there, so too the round linked Japanese foxholes, to think that was 66 years later at the time.
Having visited Bomana War Cemetery on the way to Owers Corner, we saw throughout our visit just how amazingly respectful the Papuans are still for our fallen men, they tend their graves in manicured gardens at Bomana.
We found many graves of the well know soldiers in the campaign, and said our thanks to then in silence to them all as we walked through over a few hours.
Please do a doco on Gona, Buna, having read Peter Brunes 'Gonas Gone !' that was even more formidable fighting than Kokoda (if you could believe that possible).
My Great Grandad was in the 53rd at Kokoda and was an unsung hero, driving trucks to deliver food and he rescued wounded.
Much respect to our Aussie cousins. You always punch way above your weight and are wonderful people. You should be very proud! A Pom.
He ain't no pom he's a limey Brit.
Glad you're adding a lot of critical details affecting the forces on each side. Explains a lot of the actions and frustrations of the respective leaders.
Great doco. I walked the Kokoda track in 2002 & it was the hardest thing I have ever done in my life. There was no enemy firing at me, no big pack on my back & no real danger. Because of this I have a huge huge respect for the Aussies who fought there. As for MacArthur he didn't get the nick name of "Dugout Doug" for being a hero.
Thanks for a detailed, impartial, well presented account of the campaign. As an Aussie who worked alone and unsupported, except by natives, periodically in the New Guinea jungle in Eastern Papua 27 years later, I can appreciate that the malaria, dysentery and tropical ulcers that the heroic Aussies suffered, was horrendous, and with fanatical, better-equipped Japanese attacking relentlessly! Fuzzy Wuzzy Angels indeed.
Er it was 25 years ago...
After watching and listening to military documentaries and podcasts for many years, (and never having once commented in that time) I feel compelled to thank and commend you for putting together possibly the very best military documentary that I have watched. Simply outstanding! Again, thank you for your efforts and for sharing your interest with such literary and analytical skill. I do hope that you are in a position to continue this work. Regards.
Thank you for calling it the Kokoda Track
Well done. As a former US Marine, I had no idea what a grandstanding jerk McCarther was. This documentary on battles literally unknown in the US, I now appreciate the skill of our Aussie allies. I salute them and you for a job well done!
He also got 1st Marine Division decimated on Peleilu. There is a podcast much similar to this, but with Americans that deal with this area of the war as well, and has an entire episode of lambasting McArthur's "leadership".
@@PalleRasmussen is it the Unauthorized History podcast? Just started following it a few months ago. They did an episode called Dugout Doug! He was an even worse human being!
@@TheLancerLife exactly
Thank you! May we forever be allies and friends 🇺🇸 🇦🇺 ❤️
The recognition of the brave and tenacious fighting spirit of the Auzzies, and the story of their vital contribution to the Pacific war, has far too long been overshadowed by the more well-known US victories at Midway and Guadalcanal. Thank you for properly honoring their service and sacrifice in such great detail. Cheers from America M8, on your fine work here, keep it comin! :)
You would never know from reading the histories or watching the war documentaries that Australian troops fought most of the battles of attrition & were killed at a rate of 2 to 1 to Americans in the South West Pacific .
The 39th are no way ,were getting the credit for their delaying tactics .These guys our our best heroes. The movie Kokada says it all, I salute you brave men
I've not seen that movie I will look for it thanks
@@zulubeatz1 Look for the film "The 39th Battalion". It's bloody good.
@@grendelgrendelsson5493 Thanks I will
I know one who was in the 39th wonderful man thanks Ginger and all those other brave boys, they were just kids.
The level of detail is amazing! (American Here) I can’t help but feel you guys truly are our brothers from down under. The Aussie contribution punched well above its weight given the size of the population. 7 million people to America’s 130 million in 1940. Australia’s war economy was equally as impressive.
I appreciate the effort and time you put into these videos, they are narrated very well and use a good mix of photos, maps and other media to keep it very watchable. Making long videos about historic events where you have almost no film footage available is not easy, as the content can become bogged down and you lose the audience attention. Your documentary was not only thorough and informative but held my attention from beginning to end.
I have to agree with your comment. The narration gives a balanced view to both sides and moves at a comfortable pace. My only regret was watching this on a phone, which doesn’t do this doco justice.
Here here
Definitely the most informative recounting of the Kokoda Campaign I’ve ever watched. I really hope you go forward with this and your other topics of interest. They’re all incredibly well done, they feel very well researched and are very enriching.
FANTASTIC ! I'm an Englishman and ex servicemen, with close family living in Australia. I have always believed in the people and forces of the Common Wealth countries. My father had a similar opinion of the American forces of WW2 ..... ' saying things like ' ..... they just would not listen to advice from soldiers who had been fighting for over 3 years. They seemed unable to fully understand the bigger picture and would charge ahead without thinking and possibly not stopping to consider their allies alongside them. Ordinarily this would be fine, except where it leaves a gap through which the Germans could exploit and outflank the neighbouring Common Wealth forces who suddenly had attacks coming from their side .... '. I applaud this well delivered and historically accurate production. It it so well highlights the different mindset between the US and other military. Well done team.
Very good take on MacArthur. He rose to his supreme level of his incompetence. Thanks!
No commander in the history of warfare recaptured as much territory, killed as much enemy, at such few lives, as quickly as MacArthur did.
Fact. By the numbers.
@@2paulcoyle And won so many battles! The points on his ego and lack of logistics experience are well taken as well, though. Although the criticism here is fair, the author spends SO MUCH TIME going over Mac's faults (here and his other videos) while only quickly commenting on his immense skills one begins to wonder whether or not the author has an axe to grind. I recommend reading American Caesar by William Manchester if you want a balanced view of MacArthur
@@2paulcoyle MacArthur is one of the worst generals ever to command troops. Every campaign he commanded involved profligate friendly casualties, vulnerability to surprise and flanking, and unimaginative tactics. It's a bit of a mystery how he ended up as a general or remained one - his performance as a junior officer in WW1 was good, and his father was a hero at Missionary Ridge in the Civil War. As a general, though, MacArthur was a total disaster. He had almost 7 years to build the Filipino Army, and yet it was taken by surprise, and crushed in a matter of weeks by the Japanese. His generalship in the South Pacific was plodding, slow, and wasteful. Even in this video, you can see he had little awareness of the conditions of frontline troops. He opposed the island hopping campaign advocated by Nimitz, which would move the front line forward by 500 or 1000 miles at a time. He took months and months and months to clear the Philippines, which wasn't cleared fully by the time the war ended. In Korea, his troops were taken by surprise and nearly defeated not once, but twice. In the final surprise, the Chinese nearly wiped out the Marines at Chosin.
In the 1st Philippines campaign, MacArthur's entire force of 150,000 troops was wiped out by a Japanese force of about 130,000.
In the New Guinea campaign, MacArthur had a total force of about half a million troops. The campaign lasted literally the entire war, MacArthur failed to capture huge swaths of it, and some 200,000 Japanese troops were still left by 1945. MacArthur's forces lost 45,000 troops.
In Korea, again, MacArthur's forces outnumbered the enemy, were taken by surprise twice, and lost huge numbers of men in both instances.
@@2paulcoyle Well maybe I just can't stand him.
@@amg557 Great book. MacArthur was a genius and based on fact, MacArthur was correct, the Japanese landed a much smaller force. On the MacArthur criticism, the creator of this documentary is completely ill informed. Just look at MacArthur's service in WWI.
"I studied dramatics under General MacArthur". -Dwight David Eisenhower
A genuine war hero of the first, MacArthur was a spoiled child by the second. The $500,000 bribe (to evacuate the Philippine President and family) is a key bit of evidence as to his change of character. He was given far too much credit for the outcome of WW2 in the Pacific.
His MOH was nothing more than a UNjustified political gesture. NO General should get a MOH for setting an example and inspiring his troops..
A little known fact, near the end of Big Macs journey from the Phillipines in March 1942, he had flown from Darwin to Alice Springs and Mrs Mac refused to get on another B17, so they travelled via the ancient 'Ghan' railway line south to Adelaide.
The last refueling stop was at Terrowie Sth Australia where an Australian group of media reporters awaited. It was at the tiny railway station there that Big Mac delivered his famous "I Shall Return" speech.
MacArthur is one of the worst generals ever to command troops. Every campaign he commanded involved profligate friendly casualties, vulnerability to surprise and flanking, and unimaginative tactics. It's a bit of a mystery how he ended up as a general or remained one - his performance as a junior officer in WW1 was good, and his father was a hero at Missionary Ridge in the Civil War. As a general, though, MacArthur was a total disaster. He had almost 7 years to build the Filipino Army, and yet it was taken by surprise, and crushed in a matter of weeks by the Japanese. His generalship in the South Pacific was plodding, slow, and wasteful. Even in this video, you can see he had little awareness of the conditions of frontline troops. He *opposed* the island hopping campaign advocated by Nimitz, which would move the front line forward by 500 or 1000 miles at a time. He took months and months and months to clear the Philippines, which wasn't cleared fully by the time the war ended. In Korea, his troops were taken by surprise and nearly defeated not once, but twice. In the final surprise, the Chinese nearly wiped out the Marines at Chosin.
@JZ's Best Friend there is a book, which I read called"The odd couple" that tells the story of MacArthur and Blaimey, I can't recall the authors name but it is a very interesting read and an eye opener.
@@LTrotsky21stCentury agreed. He was of the same caliber as Montgomery. Right...mate???
One of the best battle( campaign) programs I've heard! So much better than any I've seen on TV, who focus on the presenter instead of the subject matter! Thanks
First class history and story telling. The maps in 3D really help explain the difficulty of the terrain. Thanks you.
My Dad, Cpl. Syd Duncan was in D Coy. 2/25th Btn. 7th Div. which was heavily involved in the Kokoda Campaign. He was a very humble bloke and didn’t talk much about his war time experience except to his army mates at the frequent reunions they would have. He was one of the few left when he died at the age of 89. He joined the army when he was 19. My Mum and he had vastly different opinions of MacArthur, Mum having spent a lot of her time in the war years (before they met) volunteering for the American Red Cross entertaining American forces on leave in Australia. He also had a very low opinion of General Blamey and the level of training of the American troops they encountered later in the war. Your presentation and the subsequent productions on the Buna/Gona and Wau campaigns where he also fought has given me a whole new respect for them.
Blamey was detested by the troops in Moresby. The real culprit was the Australian prime minister who did not have the intestinal fortitude to stand up to the self serving American and support his own soldiers. My father was a officer in PNG and fought the Japanese, he never got over the war and it haunted him his whole life. What he told me about Blamey is nor worth repeating.
It beggars belief that a guy who served on John Monash's staff didn't seem to learn anything about planning and leadership from one of the best the great war had to offer.
@@bushyfromoz8834 Good point. you'd think so
Difficult war for PM Curtin, and it killed him with stress just before it all over. John Curtin had to fight that bastard Winston Churchill, tooth and nail, to get the 7th & 9th AIF army divisions back to Australia and New Guinea from North Africa, where these veteran soldiers were badly needed in 1942. Churchill, in a typical huff, diverted the protecting destroyers and cruisers of the convoy steaming across the Indian Ocean, because Curtin dared defy his desire to put these troops into the lost cause of Burma insisting that they return to Perth. In fact, to Curtin's great anxiety, these troops were steaming without escort for 2 weeks at the mercy of the IJN and U-boats where some well directed torpedoes could have sent all these blokes to the bottom of the sea and Australia with them. The British barely helped the defence of Australia in 1942 to mid-1945 and Churchill not one bit. Australia was saved by it's alliance with the Americans in the Pacific War, typically little done by the British except for some lend-lease Spitfires to defend Darwin.
@@kryts27 Agreed. PM Curtin did the absolute best he could with the bare minimum he had. And I agree with your assumption, possible straight fact, that the stress of the war killed him.
@@kryts27 Curtin as PM was said to have stated in a Labor caucus meeting that he knows MacArthur is a ??????, But we need him to get the American Machine Tools we need. "We must have new American Machine Tools to increase our munitions production". Curtin actually got along with Blamey, it was that Curtin knew MacArthur could authorise the resources and funds to build and expand local engineering tooling for munitions and weapons.
I read about this campaign maybe a year ago in an issue of WWII Magazine. The brutal difficulty of trekking over the Owen Stanley Mountains never left me. Mad respect.
Thank God for the Australian Army! Best information I've seen on Kokoda. I believe you have successfully exposed MacArthur's "soft underbelly." Indeed, the US soldiers called him Dugout Doug. Thanks again for another great narrative of an essential Australian victory.
I've read the book by Paul Hamm,by far the ultimate history on the Kokoda campaign.It spills the myth on the back stabbing that went on.Blamey,McArthur were scathing of the 39th who proved themselves throughout the campaign.Even the Japanese were in awe of the aussies bravery and stubbornness.It was an Aussie victory ,not as dug out Doug says,an allied victory.The Americans at Buna were pinned down and refused to fight.They did very little
Not true. The initial failures of the 32 were due to a complete neglect of their training, and MacArthur’s ineptitude.
@@CollieDog24try reading The Kokoda Trail by Peter Willians. He researched the Japanese archive and it showed that the Japs were undermanned and they defeated the Australians 7 times in from June to September.
And he is an Australian!
No history book is definitive.
Excellent engaging account. Held my attention until the end. I worked at Sogeri National High School for 3 years 1980-83. The Kokoda Trail walk was a walk some young PNG students and teachers made each year. I hope this history makes it to present day students. Our book for one course was Taim Biking Masta. Thank you for the lecture video
Great critique of MacArthur he was a selfish egotistical ass. This is also the most comprehensive doc. on the Kokoda battle that I have seen. Thank you, t from the USA
I agree 100%. 👍👍 The same can be said of Gen. Patton...a good general, but over-rated by a mainstream media which judges competence using shallow personality traits, sound bits, and overall image.
On the other hand, without MacArthur, who else would have gotten TWO aircraft carriers to stop the Japanese invasion fleet at the Coral Sea that was headed for Port Morsby? Or all the aircraft and military equipment that Australia so desperately needed?
@@seventhson27 Well stated. It's to easy to try and Judge someone like him without proper references.
@@seventhson27
I shall try to restrain my incredulity at that ill informed opinion.
I think you'll find Nimitz after the okay from King was responsible for that committing the "NAVAL" forces to the Coral Sea campaign, under whose command it remained at ALL times.
MacArthur had 'nothing' to do with the naval battle.
The US navy code breakers, with a little UK provided info, identified the coming campaign, its rough aims and resources.
As through out the Pacific campaign, Nimitz and King were loathed to delegate navy resources to an Army General with all but ZERO practical understanding of its uses and requirements unless pushed by political necessity.
This was one of the reasons that the Soloman Islands (Watchtower campaign) were moved from SWPA into SOPAC/POA's area, there are plenty of resources discusses the very practical reasons for this and the continuation of the practice of keeping all command of major Naval operations, and the vast majority of all other Naval operations even many within the SWPA area, with the SOPAC/Nimitz/King chain of command.
The comment about equipment and aircraft is just daft... seriously daft!
Seems there are quite a few ill informed 'Macites' and many who are just wedded to the myths he self created and promoted.
@@CmoreChap Agree. Admirals King and Nimitz were running that show and tried to ice McArthur any chance they had.
As usual this is second to none when it comes to detailed information. I learned a few things even though I have read/watched numerous accounts on the Kakoda track. My father was a commando in New Guinea and if you mentioned General Blamey or Mac Arthur his reply was just a few sharp swear words. Unfortunately our current commander in Angus Campbell isn’t any better. He is more interested in politics and has no respect from his troops.
I am delighted you guys seem to able to finish each other's senences as you regurgitate all the old yarns about Mac Arthur. Maybe just for the hell of it pick i up some primary sources. All over the web USA , USAAF and USN in addition to ANZAK sources. And finally most important a Thank you would be swell.
@@d.1.a_mayby18 And a lousy PT Boat passenger. Seasick all of the way during his escape to Australia.
@@jeffreywilliams144 if he was that brilliant as a commander,
why was he sacked during the Korean war
@@jeffreywilliams144
G'day,
Thanks for what ?
Unkle Spam used Oz as a conveniently safe Rear-Area Base in which to acclimatise the raw Recruits who were to go Island-Hopping from Guadalcanal to Okinawa...
Unkle Spam never ever,
"Saved Oz from learning to eat Rice & pull Rickshaws...!"
because Japan never ever had any Intentions nor Plans nor Infantry Troops, nor Ships, nor Tanks, nor Aircraft, nor Ammunition, nor Fuel, nor any other Supplies which would have been required to be furnished in order to launch any Continental Invasion, let alone Occupation.
How about y'all Yanuis start by thanking Oz for going into Korea & Vietnam & Iraq & Afghanistan & Iraqagain & Absurdistandstill & Syriatoo..., all BEFORE WashedUptown committed Troops - while the Pentagonal Haemorrhoids waited to see how much International Support USA could count on.
Such is life.
Have a good one,
Stay safe.
;-p
Ciao !
@@alt7488 If he was not why was he brought out of retirement? And would having ALL allied forces under his command for OLYMPIC CORONET? By the way we have been talking about ww2 not Korea.
Amazing story telling, thank you, and learning more about Australian troops is fantastic.
I'd always wished that Nimitz was more definitely and decidedly the Pacific commander.
Thanks. You've produced a fascinating account of this series of battles that are often overlooked because of the scale of America's island hopping campaign.
Another amazing documentary about a part of the war that has largely been ignored by the USA. Thank you for giving us this.
The American public were told that it was a US victory. MacArthurs' idea.
You have done such a brilliant job I hope the Australian war museum has it catalogued.
I Travelled Kokoda 4 times myself. First time for my own interest, next three to show others.
Bill James is the finest authority on the Kokoda experience. A humble man who without seeking kudos, has written the definitive guide book and has done more than anyone to determine the the truth of real battles.
Going from the deserts of north Africa to the jungles of Papua was a challenge. Much respect from NZ.
Excellent account.
Thanks be to those men.
Brilliantly cogent description of an obscure, yet critical, campaign! Kudos! Also, kudos for your excellent comparison of MacArthur/his HQ vs Australian commanders. One of the finest battle/campaign explanations I have seen. Just...superb! Thank you!!!
This is so far above any other work I have seen about Kokoda that I sit in grateful awe at the herculean effort you must have put in, to make such a detailed but also understandable and accessible account.
As an Aussie born after the War, I still had relatives who fought all over the place, Europe, Africa, Asia and New Guinea. So as someone who knew a few of that great group of cobbers from the 2/14th and 39th who stayed mates for the rest of their days, I can tell you they would feel a bit embarrassed over the fuss, but honoured to be portrayed so respectfully and honestly.
Thank You, very, very much.
This is the most accurate review of the battle of Kakoda trail. The logistics concern was the most accurate. Impressive.
I began studying WW2 because my father served in the pacific and my interest were of course mostly about the US part. My interest have expanded to the amazing accomplishments exhibited by the Australians and Canadians in that war. Both, having less resources than many US fighting units performed exceptionally well and achieved almost impossible results.
Great respect for both.
> " ... My interest have expanded to the amazing accomplishments exhibited by the Australians and Canadians in that war. ... ".
Please. Don't have rosy glasses. Errors, injustices were made by everyone, on all sides, civilian or not. There are truly non-propaganda stuff on RUclips now. "Institutional history", as usual, is propaganda, created by the victors. Social media sometimes now has true history.
Congratulations, another outstanding contribution to military history. You've presented this in a cohesive, professional and interesting manner, a great summary of this important campaign.
MacArthur's one and only look at the Kokoda Track was to be driven in a jeep as far as the road went, walk another couple of hundred yards, and then go back. This, apparently, was all the recon he needed to know exactly what the conditions were like. I have nothing but contempt for him.
I agree
Mac is a mixed bag. But remember that he lived and worked in the Philippines for many years. One tropical jungle is very similar to the next tropical jungle, he knew the conditions without even setting foot on the island. In war, men are expendable.
@@chocolatewithedgarcia1012 "In war, men are expendable" That is why you would make a horrible leader.
@@Adriaticus To an extent it is true. As for Five-Star General Douglas MacArthur he was very frugal with his casualties.
Fantastic video,. Your level of research and clear story telling makes for engaging viewing.. Much respect, Papua Merdeka!
This is becoming one of my favorite channels. 😎👍
Already my favourite.
I agree. I've just found this channel and it is really professionally put together and presented. Great research, clear narration and super, really well annotated, graphics. This guy really knows his stuff. Hats off to him.
Good stuff mate, loved the commentary. Thanks to all for their service and sacrifice, as ever freedom rests in the hands of the right people, in the right place, at the right time!
I'll continue to look forward to your Australian military history. Thank you for taking the time to put this together.
I can’t begin to tell you how much I enjoyed watching this. I’m looking forward to seeing one about the battle of Gona, Buna and sananadra.
Awesome. Great respect to Arnold Potts. His statue stands proud in his home town of Kojonup.
This is really well made and written.
Great work man. 🏆
I’ve just watched the Lae/Salamaua , Buna/Gona, Milne Bay, and Kokoda videos. Outstanding!!! Fine job sir!!! You were quite harsh on MacArthur in this video, but he deserved it and more! You would think my country could have found a better figurehead than MacArthur in this situation. My father served with the 7th Amphibious Force (i.e. US Navy 7th Fleet) in New Guinea and the Philippines and he was more critical about MacArthur than you were. My father always said positive things about working with the Australians. He said the best cup of tea he ever had in his life was in the bush in New Guinea , in the rain and mud, out of a rusty tin cup, with a group of Aussie soldiers. Thanks for putting these fine videos together. It make it easier to become more knowledgeable about the subject.
Fantastic effort clearly pulling it all together in the way you have. Very accurate, long overdue reminder of McArthur's failings and ill-informed arrogance. Refreshingly honest concerning one of Curtain's poorer efforts (when contrasted to him standing up to Churchill). Likewise of the dominent role played by the Australian army in that theatre of war for most of its duration. Really well done.
Incidentally, I've only ever heard of the Papuans referred to as the Fuzzy Wuzzy Angels, though they most definitely were heroes. My father knew and I have a signed book written by the RMO (Regimental Medical Officer) of the 39th Battalian, about his recollections of that campaign. It was definitely called the Kokoda Track by the Australians, as you have said.
This is an exceptionally sophisticated and even-handed analysis. I've read extensively on the Kokoda Campaign, but could have saved myself the trouble simply by watching this video. Thanks!
As a child my grandparents Lorded MacArther. It's only recently I have learnt just how
impotent he was. Your brilliant Doc further highlighted this fact. I just subbed and I am looking forward to more of your work. Thanks for your efforts.
As an American I must say that the Aussies were the toughest S.O.B.s fighting on the allied side. The Kokoda campaign proves it !
The latest research carried out by an Australian who looked at the Japanese archive says that it was the Japanese who were out numbered and yet they constantly defeated Australian forces.
@@anthonyeaton5153 It may be revisionist history.
Thanks for a really thorough and detailed account of an action I have read little about. Your work is appreciated! Also, Australia can be proud of all who participated.
As an American, I have to agree with your very strong indictment of MacArthur. We won the Pacific in spite of him, certainly not because of him. Good work.
Yeah as an older Aussie, named after a young grand uncle killed at Buna, I don't have any love for Macarthur or Blamey for that matter. Bastard, career nursing egotists.
he was a maniac
You should think how close he came to leveraging his position to become the dictator of America. It was a close run thing.
I see a valid criticism of MacArthur, I like
MacArthur was blinded by arrogance and ego. In particular his insistence on the invasion of Peleliu was MacArthur's folly because that Island was never used for any Naval or Army Air Support it was a seaplane base. At the cost of considerable casualties and life to the US Marines and US Army which my father-in-law fought in that battle and he said it was absolute nightmare. MacArthur unfortunately was very good at wasting his resources.
Thanks for spending time researching and creating your documentary on the battles and campaign in Papua along the track. I've spent a lot of time guiding people over the Owen Stanley Range in PNG bringing trekkers to the battlefields, luckily 10 times now. I've felt honoured to share my understanding of the situations soldiers found themselves in during the war involving the Australian, Japanese, Papuans, and Americans (in particular during the Kokoda battles the airmen) all fighting in an amazingly beautiful place, but hell during war and unseasonal heavy rain. My great great uncle was Lt. Col Allan Cameron (Major Cameron at Deniki) so I feel a strong connection to the deeds of the men in the weapon pits starring out into the darkness wondering what's next. I appreciate the effort you have gone too noting how difficult it is to explain something so long ago as time distorts and there is so much written about Kokoda. When recounting the events of 1942 in Papua I find a really interesting challenge is to discuss the differences in perspective/opinion/recollection/accuracy/facts from that of a soldier within a section in a weapon pit to that of a commanding officer in the field to those in Moresby, Brisbane and down to Melbourne. Thanks mate.
Well done mate....My father fought in the Battle for Lae.The 39th Btn were incredible.
Have nearly finished my first Peter Fitzsimons' book; KOKODA.. So your work here has brought it all together superbly.. A brilliant presentation, (and well done on the VO too.. I couldn't have kept that up) which made me feel I was so much closer to the men who gave their effort and their lives to keeping Oz safe. I subscribed instantly..!
Fitzsimons book is nowhere near as good as Peter Brunes or Paul Ham's books on the subject . I found Fitzsimons book very light weight to these other authors.
@@paulobrien3241 Ok. Well, I’m a light weight reader really.. I’ll look out for them..! 👍🏼
All you need now is the RAN’s contributions to defeating the Japanese. Outstanding & informative, even for a former USN officer. Thank you.
Glad to have a good and accurate video talking about this campaign, the lead ups and hardships undertook by both sides. Thanks!
Thank you for the detailed presentation of the Kokoda Track Campaign. The photographs and the maps really brought it to life in a way that merely reading about it cannot.
Thank you for this. This really is first rate work. I particularly liked your use of satellite mapping, which gave me some understanding of the terrain and difficulties of campaigning there.
Huge thanks! I have read several accounts of the Kokoda Track engagements. Your presentation with the satellite photos, in perspective showing topography, with the marking of positions brought me a more thorough understanding. Being a Navy veteran (1980s) and a history buff I have long felt that this campaign was the major arresting point of Japanese aggression. Bravo Zulu you Diggers. Bravo Zulu.
This account is a gem... a treasure
and yes, thinking Americans despise McArhur
thinking Americans despise shitpost comments like yours.
Bloody Good video mate. Thank you Aussies for keeping the world safe.
Great presentation. I have a book on the Buna campaign, but although it covers the fighting along the Kokoda Trail, it never mentions the lack of training of the Australian forces, nor does it talk about how outnumbered they were (companies facing battalions). Thank you for covering this campaign in such depth.
Thanks for posting this.
A very well done and thoroughly researched presentation.
The first time I learned of the battle for Kokoda and the 39th Infantry Battalion was through the 2006 film "Kokoda".
I cannot imagine the conditions the soldiers faced and they were indeed very brave men.
Nice work mate, you have done a great job of outlining the campaign and the role of both individual units and commanders. Impressive. Your concluding comments are interesting. Eisenhower was criticised, not unreasonably, for not being a great strategic thinker (and he too had limited combat experience), however you correctly identify his enduring quality and hallmark of his great success, which was to wield that unruly beast of an allied army with all those prima donnas (Mark, Patton, Monty etc), into a successful fighting force. Australia's long history of shrinking before a great power is revealed for its craven and self-harming outcomes in your analysis. Much like the British, the average Australian citizen is not well served by those that govern or command them. It was true then and sadly remains true today.
mate you narate these so well with such detail ! good job, i particularly like how you mention enemy reports and perspectives
BruZ only channel I'm stinging to ring U at 3am to see if I can tick again, your producing a body of work that is of the highest quality.
This is amazing! And has to be the best presentation of battle I have ever read, watched or listened to. I have been studying ww2 for 45 years.
Another excellent presentation - thank you!
Briliantly written. Does not insult the listener but explains all that needs to be explained very well. Also really well read.
I should also mention "Those Ragged Bloody Heroes" by Peter Brune. A great book on the Kokoda campaign.
On the grand scale of WW2 Kokoda was a minor engagement.
@@anthonyeaton5153 i mean that is entirely debatable for plenty of reasons so I’m not going to bother because you can make the case for both sides imo. Regardless though if that’s true or not true the pacific in general was obviously not small scale and the aussies played a massive role when you add up the whole pacific campaign, they did a lot more than virtually nobody is aware besides some Australians, because even a lot of aussies don’t know how big our grandfathers contribution was.
A very well made video! Your use of clean graphics and real life satellite images makes the seemingly endless battalion numbers easy to follow and visualise. Very well put together and executed.
Brilliant Simply Brilliant, thank you for this great informative and fair video, i do agree with you, i have never seen McCarther as the legend he is oftern portrayed, brilliant Strategist, woeful commander
Horrible commander? Have you seen the film Emperor? While the film is loose with General Fellers and created a false romance, his sister was married to a Japanese. MacArthur chose Fellers to investigate, not anyone else to decide the fate of the Emperor...
@@ronclark9724 yeah, actually, pretty bad commander. Generals have to be good at two things : planning the battle, and dealing with the aftermath when those plans inevitably fall apart. MacArthur was good at the first, really, really bad at dealing with the second...
Even as a strategist, Dugout Doug leaves a lot to be desired. His defence of the Philippines was woeful at every level from Strategic downward, including logistics.
His retaking of the Philippines also was perplexing - attacking Manila was pretty pointless given the overall strategic goal in that theatre.
Thank you. A brilliant and important piece of work,. You have done a great service to Australian military history and to those who served. Well done.
My own grandfather fought during this campaign part of the 2/16th before being wounded, he then spent 31 days behind Japanese lines lying on a stretcher alongside 12 other wounded with 2 unwounded taking care of them , before reaching port moresby,
I interviewed veterans of the 2/14, who were part of the 21st brigade with the 2/16 and 2/27
Jesus Christ. That must have been a profound dreadful experience knowing at any point if you are spotted and captured you would be beheaded at best. The utmost respect to the men who weren’t injured and decided they wouldn’t leave their wounded brothers to cruel hands of the Japanese of ww2.
@@MonkeyLiggaScrumptiousNan out of the 12 wounded with him in jungle he was one of only two wounded that arrived in Port Moresby, and was the only one to return to Australia the other wounded soldier passed away after arriving in Port Moresby.
Grandfather was later medically downgraded unfit for frontline combat due to injury and was stationed at Rottnest Island as part of guard unit for the coastal artillery
Grandfather passed away 3/11/2018, 99 years old
@@davidhobson7652 a sincere rest in peace to your grandfather mate. Anyone who fought the fight they endured had to be such a tough prick both physically and mentally just to survive that brutal existence. I don’t have any direct family that fought in ww2, though by coincidence I grew up across the road from an old bloke who fought in Bougainville. He lived by himself and he’s kids never visited him or ever really cared about his experience, I loved all of it and he treated me almost like another son. The last few years before he passed he made me a copy of his medals and asked me if I’d come with him for the Anzac Day parade instead of his own son. Very nice man but he was very blunt about his hatred for the Japanese for how cruel they were. I have so much respect for him and all our brave soldiers who have had to endure such violent adversity.
@@MonkeyLiggaScrumptiousNan I don't remember the battle grandfather fought in when he got wounded but the first medic to arrive turned around and left, only learned after war reason why the wound being to big for the supplies man carried, grandfather had been hit in arse from behind bullet shattered when it hit his right hip and exited out his right groin leaving a grapefruit size exit wound, size of wound you could see main artery for leg undamaged and pulsing
Brutality of the Japanese was found by unit after his departure think some were deceased soldier tied to trees while wounded and used for bayonet practice though worst situation was cannibalism of deceased soldiers, two soldiers had part of bodies removed later found in abandoned camp wrapped in banana leaves
Great presentation. One of the things I remark is that these actions are all at battalion level and below -- and I take it that given the terrain, that's probably the largest maneuver unit that could be engaged. There are a lot of stories here about company and platoon-level action. So this contrasts wildly with contemporary operations in North Africa or Russia, where we usually discuss the division and corps level. And yet the strategic stakes here were just as significant, so these are some of the most important platoons and companies of the war.
keep at it man, i love your step-by-step discussions of the battles!
Excellent well put together documentary. I have visited the area in 1984 and flown over the Kokoda gap to Popondetta then on to Lae. There was still evidence of the fighting even then. A crashed zero was still lying at the edge of Poondetta air field. Pretty strange after 40 years.
Just wanted to say thanks, you make great content.
A comprehensive and excellent documentary. What a heart-break for so many Aussies and their families and loved ones. They truly deserve a monument and I will remember them in particular on ANZAC DAy
I just watched you latest video on RUclips and I thought it was great. In the US we don't really cover the pacific theater especially the major operations of the other allies. My grand father was a artillery officer in the pacific and from the stories iv been told did not like McCarter for alot of the same reasons you mentioned. he described him as reckless, and at times childish. continue making this great content, it really enjoyable to listen to and watch. it definitely gives a different perspective to world history and news hearing about it from someone who isn't a American. have a great
As an Ausie I think it’s important to have a firm grasp on the history and the gravity of the Kokoda Trail battle and THAT was a top job! Cheers mate, well done.
A brilliant documentary. Well researched and beautifully presented. Look forward to further documentaries from you. By the way, your summation of McArthur as full of wind and piss is so accurate. Keep the good work up.
Very good narrating of a difficult history. Lots of new stuff for me to learn. Thank you for this video.
Thank you for giving credit to the Japanese soldiers who fought very well for an insane and suicidal Emperor and government. Far too many documentaries on WWll describe the Japanese as little more than crazy, suicidal, viciously cruel madmen. Their nation suffered for the stupidity of their elite class as have so many nations everywhere throughout history.
They also cannibalised Australian POWs on the Track. And murdered 7777 Australians from Singapore.
Yes, they were good soldiers... but total failures at being Human. 11 million murders by bayonet, sword and shovel testify to that.
The "special" japanese naval forces in this theatre used american and australian POWs for bayonet practice (after tying them to palm trees).
Their reputation was both earned and deserved.
Ask the chinese if you want a non-western POV.
And unlike the Germans, they've pretended it didn't happen ever since.
eh, honestly it's a kind of both. Tough and dedicated soldiers? yes. Viciously cruel? also kind of yes thanks to the indoctrination of the japanese high command at the time...
The japanese imperial army is a stark example of the dangers of discipline without thought and loyalty without question.
@@ozjohn39 Not to mention the "medical experiments" on POWS , slave labor from china and the korean peninsula little details elude these armchair historians.
My boxing coach was one of those that said yes as was his and his mates want. So many if his friends who were so much more in there eyes for their brothers that they relied on for survival then because of that they were brothers in another universe. I am blessed to have been the boxer I was because of that course of history and my mentor in boxing and my mentor in life. Thankyou dear men if Australia.
What a fantastic piece of history you've told. Deep insight with the movement of battle and maps to demonstrate key positions through out the stages. It's also confirmed my bias towards MacArthur as yet another American who's all for guts and glory regardless of his men under his command.
Your guts, his glory. THE most egotistical rat's buttocks of the century. Did you know that while he was at the US Military Academy, his mother fixed eff sandwiches for him? True!
I'm very pleased that I came across your channel. You do an outstanding job explaining a theatre that I next to nothing about. Thank you.
General McArthur reminds me of that great historical hero from WWII: Jones (the butcher) Of "Dad's Army" Fame who's catch call when things got "Hairy" Was to scream hysterically; "Don't Panic! Don't Panic!" Seriously enjoying your factual unadorned doco's.
Spot on critic of Macarthur. After Baatan which he probably could not have avoided. In the and removed from command by Truman for trying to insist on the use of nuclear weapons after Japan was finished as a fighting force. I never understood why he had such a good reputation. As you say an Australian victory with good soldiers, well lead by their officers. I am British but I am proud that we fought for the same cause. Your programme rightly put the credit where it belonged.