Why is everyone always arguing over who had the best fighters out of the allies?
Whats important is that the english-speaking world stood together, slapped the japs, kicked the krauts, and now we're all bros and no one fucks with us.
@YUSKHAN japanese were the cruelest forces of WW2 they raped female nurses they ate australian pow's killed, prisoners for no reason they was a filthy race and im glad a few atom bombs was dropped on them too bad it was not tokyo
U.S. Are not soldiers they are women with rifles.. Internet ones are even worse they are keyboard warriors. We all know all of us know the U.S. are shit. America is a continent not a country: A continent It covers the western hemisphere. North America, Central America and South America. Cyclopedia. America is a continent, not a single country.
3:44 Wow! An A-31 Vengeance a very interesting divebomber which only served on the Burma front. - Intersting to see that stuff which was found obsolete (like the M3 Lee-tank in 1944) or just plain usless were employed with succes on the Burma front
Thank you for this moving tribute! My Grandfather was in Burma serving with the Royal Sussex Regiment ... he survived the war and I will always think of him when I see footage like this.
british commonwealth is not a fascism???what is it than??they would like to be the greatest imperialist nation number 0ne, murderd and slayes the people and said to the germans that they are bad guys ;-) its a joke or not??this is the best example-- one man make some crimes and said to the other you are very badfully hahaha its typical for the monster- human- everyone make bad things but its easier to look at the other people what they have done and not does to look on her self ;-))))
@genosse007 No, just no. that was such a daft anglophobic comment I'm not even going to bother replying properly. Your just going to have to take my word for it.
@genosse007 well no you cannot compare nazi germany to the british empire!.. all of europe in the 18th century had empires.. the british were just the best at it!.. the British didnt brainwash their population!.. and slaughter millions of people because of their religion!.. germany provoked WORLD war!.. and caused the death of over 90,000,000 humans in half a century!... they did so because they wanted more LIVING space (lebensraum).. the british did it for their economy.. and industrialisation
@genosse007 well, the Commonwealth is still going strong, and any member nation within the third world is much better off within the commonwealth than not, say what you want sbout the British Empire in the Victorian era, everyone was like that, but with the British even then, there was a middle of the road on everything. besides we didn't say the germans were the bad guys, we said the Nazi party, which was invading countries and exterminating their minorities such as gypsies, slavs and jews.
brits lost singapore, because percival was a man who thought too much. they could have easily held it cus the japs were low on ammunition, but they chose not to.
@xGODZILLAFIREFOXx My attack on Singapore was a bluff – a bluff that worked. I had 30,000 men and was outnumbered more than three to one. I knew that if I had to fight for long for Singapore, I would be beaten. That is why the surrender had to be at once. I was very frightened all the time that the British would discover our numerical weakness and lack of supplies and force me into disastrous street fighting.
Percival was weak and lacked moral courage - he caused the deaths of countless Empire troops and Singaporean and Malay civilains by his poor leadership and lack of determination. Our (the Brits) shame can only be mitigated by the actions of Slim and the magnificant 14th Army. Singapore was a calamity for the British, as Churchill well understood. Singapore should have been the Malta of the East. Thank god that the majority of Singaporeans seem to have forgiven us (unlike the aussies)
@constablenapweed Preparation. The troops in Burma were woefully under equipped and in all honesty did not expect an imminent Japanese invasion. Kinda difficult finding a World War on 2 fronts when those 2 fronts are separated by thousands of miles of earth and ocean. By wars end, Percival was present at the surrender of the very man he surrendered to in the first place. The Jap was bested in the jungles of Burma and then utterly destroyed in Singapore.
@Talbot6832 I'm a pro and am fully aware what battleprocedure should have taken place. Yamishita, himself admitted that it was avery close run thing and that he wes dangerously short of water and ammo - the Japs thin logistical margins was something that Slim (my hero - criminally underated and faaar better than Monty) was aware and took advantage of. As for Percival; he was dealt a poor hand but STILL showed poor leadership, determination and moral courage. Singapore should have stood.
@constablenapweed Your otherwise intelligent post has somewhat been diminished by the need to call yourself a 'pro' - kind of odd. But anyway, it's practically second nature to associate Percival with utter failure, we know this all too well. And like you said, Slims generalship and the performance of a PREPARED British/Indian Army sent the Jap packing. Little is said of the US surrender in the Philippines, in fact, they lost even more men.
@Talbot6832 The fact is that Singapore was a MAJOR geo-strategic blow for the Brits and probably will have repercussions for our nation for centuries yet. Notwithstanding the inept Percival, another point rarely raised is the failure to implement a very sound defence plan that was to utilise modern fighters on newly built airfields across the Malay Peninsula to secure air superiority for the Imperial Forces to operate......(more)
"The fact is that Singapore was a MAJOR geo-strategic blow for the Brits"
Not at all, we went on to give the Japanese there biggest land defeat of the war at Kohima. Whats more, the British flag flew over Singapore and Hong Kong long after the Japanese had been expelled.
@smoochym Wider chap, wide; It was an irretrivable loss of prestige - one that helped to cement our much reduced status after the war. If Singpore had held in the first place, Slim wouldn't have had that long hard fight. Singapore, as a firm base would have threatened the Japs naval power in SE asia, and Australia would not have been threatened. We would not have been in hock to the Yanks both in terms of prestige and equipment. The credibility of the British, the destroyed industry.....(more)
@smoochym ..and infrastructure of Burma and Malay would not have to have been rebuilt. The Burmese civil service would not have been destroyed - Aung San would have not have been the genisis of the current Myanmar Junta...the list goes on. In Geo-Strategic terms it was one of our nations biggest ever disasters, akin to loosing at Trafalger or Waterloo (though not as bad if we hadn't stopped the Armada or lost the Battle of Britain). Events chap, events. Slims victories just sweetend the pill.
All easily rebuildable. Unlike the 60,000 troops the Japanese lost at Imphal. Singapore was the single worst moment in British military history, my own grandad was captured there. Yet, in geo strategic terms it was bordering on irrelevant - the Suez crisis had so much more to impact on British ability to project power overseas. It was less of a British decline than the ascendancy of the USA.
@smoochym Granadad, or not; hardly irrelevent. it was one of THE key events that cemented our nations decline to a second rate power. Just as the Falklands halted our decline to that of a third rate one. By Suez we (and the Fr) were already a second rate power. Brought low by crippling debt to the Americans and the stitch-up job at Bretton Woods - Keynes worked himself to death trying to stop it. Suez was merely the full stop at the end of the chapter, Singapore the opening sentence.
@constablenapweed I'd have to disagree. Britain was in economic decline at the turn of the century, maybe even before. On the other hand, newly formed countries like Germany and the USA were rapidly growing. There is no possible way Britain could of stopped Germany, USA or Japan expanding, but it could contain it's enemies. Singapore was a major strategic defeat, but it had no effect whatsoever on our ability to project power in Asia, as the Maoists and Indonesian found out.
@smoochym I have to say smoo, that it really does make a change to be able to have a mature debate on YT, without it degenerating into a troll-fest, so thankyou :-). However, I believe we could go at this for some time; hard and soft do a first rate power make. My personal experience of our Commonwealth is that the people on the ground generally saw the Brits as meaning well, expessing palpable regret on how things have passed. Still, this is a fantastic and meloncholic vid is it not .
@Talbot6832 .....however, criminally, although these aircraft were available, they were kept in the UK and utterly wasted on fruitless Rhubarbs across the channel in 1941 - the RAF had secured air supremecy over the UK the end of 1940. If the plan HAD been implemented, the Japanese would have been confronted by squadrons of Spitfire Vs and Hurricane IIs, not the handful of Buffalo's that were shot out of the sky almost immediately. Typical British - build the stable, then leave the door open :-(
@Pikaqiu The man was hung like a chicken by '45. Good riddance. Any victory he achieved counts for nothing and I'm happy he took that to his grave. The murderer.
we failed in hong kong, out numbered 4 to one we defended it with honour, inexperienced against hardened veterans, just as pearl harbour was happening, after our surrender the japanese raided a field hospital bayoneting our wounded , executed the doctors and gang raping our nurses. to an american, this didn't happen because only they faught in WW2, only their men fought and died against the enemy.
The Americans always get a glamourous spot in WW2. As if they single handedly beat the Nazi's , they get all the hype. The Russians are next in line (their actual effort in the war which was th emain reason why we won WW2 was far too big even for Americans to ignore). The it's us Brits who get hardly fucking anything aoart from "If it wern't for us you'r be speaking German". The ANZACS and Canadians get little to no notice and they had to be some of the best fighters.
I disagree. The Australian/NZ/Canadian forces are singled out for praise yet the British Army is taken completely for granted. There are many heroic instances of British Divisions and British Regiments surmounting the odds and defeating the enemy but these are almost always constituted as 'Allied' efforts. The minorities, ironically enough, get more attention it seems. Or certainly this is the case recently.
@Talbot6832 I would probably agree, although in Australia we tend to get a very Australian view of history. The British, Indian and Ghurkha forces, in Burma especially, did amazing things and suffered through terrible campaigns. Our history might be getting more attention because we have had a louder reaction to US histories that tended to write everyone else out of the story. Louder perhaps because our Pacific campaigns have recently been viewed as The Battle For Australia in this country.
My grandad fought in Burma and is alive but lost most of hearing due to jap artliary ...for the British Soldirs and Commonwealth Soldiers you all did a great job
My late grandad was in burma with the 14th army.He only spoke once about it with his son saying he went on patrol in the jungle and was ambushed by the japs out of his platoon he was the only one who come back.He never spoke about again.
1 thing I find so common is that so many people, mainly Americans fail to accept the fact that the British played a big part in defeating the Japanese, never mind the other Commonwealth countries engaged in the Pacific fighting. This is a truly great and emotional film. Perhaps those of you who still doubt the British and Commonwealth's commitment to the Far East, I would like you to watch something.Please type in "The twelve mile snipers". Its just one small insight into a British unit in Burma
Is this really the place for such a discussion. I have just viewed an emotional tribute video. It was quite sad to read the bickering taking place in the comments. There were great leaders on all sides but the people who endured the hardships of war were the foot soldiers, seaman,and airmen from all countries who fought and fell for our freedom. Sadly it is still happens today. Perhaps we should dwell on that and draw a line under this differing of views.
all nations helped stop the facist even small countries like Greece for whom the Great war leader Churchill said from now we have to say men don't fight like heros Heros fight like greeks stalin send a letter thanking greece for delaying the germans by 6 weeks giving them invaluable extra time prepairing Germans are brave soldiers who respect a brave emeny giving the guard of Honour twice to greek troops britain send what they could spare but were short themselfs n had to defend britain 1st
The british warrior spirit lives on in are Brothers across the oceans be them Austrlian,kiwis,Canadian or South African us in Britain will never forget them brave men that fell for the grater good and the crown
I don't even understand why we are all arguing. Seriously does it really matter how many more British fought than Americans or vice versa, what matters is that these men fought, and many died for the same common goal!
I mean this is a tribute video for crying out loud
Its a shame realy u will never see this again. makes me get goose pimples watching how the commonwealth struggled through inhumane treatment and conditions for 5 years fighting for a better world,it was the worst of humanity but also it showed the best side
Well folks being an American I dont want to Disrespect any of you but It was MacArthur who won this war and yes as much of a prima donna he was, he is the Greatest soldier who ever lived. Name any other man who can wonder into no mans land with a riding crop and a flash light and return with 6 german prisoners. Although Lord Mountbatten played a pivotal role it was really MacArthur, Admiral Nimitz, and the United State Marine Corps who wont he war in the Pacific.
Perhaps you should study geography AND history. MacArthur had sod all to do with mainland Asia ie India,Burma, Malaya. The British & Common Wealth forces dealt with the Japanese on mainland Asia. The US forces dealt with the Pacific islands. I cannot believe you have the temerity to make such a comment-it highlights the paucity of your knowledge, and a complete ignorance of the role played by other nations. Feeble.
So, jwalbridge54, you think McArthur was the greatest soldier of all time, well I can think of a small bi-sexual that would have wipped the floor with him ALEXADER THE GREAT!
If you are talking of modern times try looking up Blair Paddy Maine
If you think MacArthur was the 'greatest soldier in history,' you evidently have a very poor grasp of history. Ever heard of Alexander The Great? Ghengst Khan? Napoleon? Wellington? Rommel? Any of these men were far more remarkable leaders & soldiers then MacArthur. I will concede he had a vastly bigger ego than any of the aforementioned, even Napoleon. You get an F grade for history!
rockafella813 you have totally no respect do you? You insult all Britain and the Commenwealth. 2 divisions? What?! The British 14th Army consisted of 500,000 men. Please look it up! The US and Chinese were a sideshow in Burma, the British Empire won the war in South East Asia.
Although the Brits did have a substantial force in Asia and did help out greatly keep in mind America won the war in the Pacific. The greatest military disaster in British history took place at the onset of the Pacific war with the surrender of a force of British and Australians to a smaller Japanese Force. Keep in mind 500 marines held out for 2 weeks on Wake Island against 10,000 plus Japanese, they had to send for specialy trained group, and also the Battle for the Phillipine Islands.
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fucking brits had only 2 division in burma and left on the first sight of the japs! it was the chinese that fought the japs in Burma with US aid. the pommie bastards did fuck all free riding all the way...cunts
What an ignorant, foul mouthed, obnoxious cretin you are! Your crass stupidity and obnoxious attitde is evident to anybody who reads your pathetic & wildly inaccurate post. Look up XIVth Army- General Slim-Britain had over 500,000 men on the ground. You complete imbecile!
Quality post sir! That banging sound I heard as I read your post, was the sound of the nail being hit squarely on the head! It never ceases to amaze me how poor a grasp of history many Americans have. Clearly, they do not get taught anything other than the American view of history, they hear NOTHING about the other allied nations. The US won WW2 all by itself........Yeah right, lets forget he 20,000,000 Russians that died crushing the fighting power of the Wehrmacht on the Ost Front. Very sad.
Hey DICKHEAD- go and research the British XIV Army under General Slim. It consisted of over 500,000 men & it recaptured Burma, Malaya & defended India. You are positively ignorant & incredibly stupid to state the British only had two divisions in Burma. ROFL
Anyway, the fact remains that this a beautifully melancolic tribute to all those Commonwealth forces who fought , struggled and often died in the jungles and plains of SE Asia and by extention to all those of the Commonwealth who served, or supported the serving, in WWII. Politics aside, the Commonwealth still means something to many people who either served or are serving, or who have/had uncles, grandparents, parents, siblings or children who served or are serving. PAX
constablenapweed you are so right, thanks man. On a personal note My grandfather fought in Burma and the Japs suffered just as many major defeats against the British Empire as it did the yanks. It miffes me that all we hear is how USA won the bloody war.
Google 'third biggest Navy in World War Two.' The Canadian fleet was the thrid biggest fleet towards the latter part of the war. As I said earlier-they made a huge contribution-particularly in the Battle Of The Atlantic.
Whenw e think of World war 2 we think of Germany these men are forgotten may many its important we remember them forever!
They played a huge part in the war defending British land and attacking Japan from the West and South without which America would have lost many hundreds of thousnands of troops.
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hahahahaha really? not never? wow!!!!!!! Hey Gavin I hate to break it to you but the Brits got beat big time, twice by the same folks, on the same land. First time well that was just a hard one because who can forget a guy like George Washington and something call the American Revolution. The second being the war of 1812, with the culmination of the Battle of New Orleans led by General Andrew Jackson. Both embarassing defeats. The same flag that whipped you twice saved you twice.
I meant rarely lost a war! Oh and as far as i can tell the americans only came into the war after pearl harbour by which time we had already defeated germany in the battle of Britain and stopped an invasion, thanks America. ( I was being sarcastic there, just incase you take it for irony)
jawbridge. Your comments are not only highly offensive and innaccurate but also sadly indicative of a certain type of juvenile small town american troll. You really ought to take the time to understand the thread of this Post. Fortunately there are plenty of us here, both from the Commonwealth and The Republic, who understand the importance of our continued alliance; in particular those who have perhaps earned the right to rather more objective opinion. Nobber.
Yeah mostly always about the US forces. In fact Australian forces in Papa New Guinea were the first to defeat the Japanese in a ground battle. Fierce fighting with no quarter given. Particularly after Australian troops found their wounded were used as bayonet practice and Japanese troops found with human meat in the ration packs. Australian troops took no prisoners after that.
That is perfectly true. The Aussies gave the Japs a good hiding in New Guinea. Based on the conduct of Japanese soldiers, it is pleasing to hear that the Aussies gave no quarter to the Japanese. WELL DONE OZ!!
Not to take away from the Brits and US but I wonder how many realise the Japs actually bombed Darwin and were an inch away from invading Australia at the time. A great book to read on it called "A Bastard of a Place" gives an excellent account of the fight there.
My grandfather was a prisoner of war for 3 years and experienced 1st hand the brutality of the Japanese. He was involved in the killing of a prison guard when they were released which he never got over. He also died of health issues that never healed from the terrible conditions they lived under. Another time!!
Japan take note- those Brits with a grasp of history still despise you for your disgusting, cruel treatment of allied POW's. Japans arrogance & continued refusal to fully acknowledge the cruel ,inhuman treatment meted out to allied POWs will never by forgotten, or forgiven. You will not catch this callsign buying anything Japanese. My loyalty lies with the Brits, ANZACS, & Indian POW's who endured savage cruelty & forced labour.
Liverpool, you're right about remembering how cruel history was. And when you look closely at the video, you see how how the soldiers were slipping in the mud, cutting through the dense forest and inching their way across Burma. It must have been a very hard time indeed. The only problem is that products are globalized, and you cannot avoid buying Japanese even if you wanted to. If you look at even an American car, component parts come from a dozen countries, including Japan!
I agree with your point re globalisation, however, it is possible to avoid buying a Jap made car, TV or Hi-Fi. Eg I bought a British Hi-Fi made by Linn in Scotland, it cost me over £4k but it was worth every penny. I will never buy a Japanese built car or television- I will always buy German manufactured goods in preference. The Germans have accepted full responsibility for their conduct during WW2, they have the strength of character & decency to hold their hands up & admit they were wrong.
Slavery would never have happened without the complicity & direct involvement of many African tribes who enslaved other Africans. In addition, slavery was carried out by private entrpreneurs, as opposed to the British gov. It has absolutely no parallel with the brutality & inhumane treatment inflicted on POW's by the Japanese. There is no comparision at all. The cruelty was carried out by the private Japanese soldier-they are inherently cruel-just look at the TV programmes based on humiliation.
Re slavery- the first nation to outlaw it were the British. Ever heard of William Wilberforce?! The US has a history of ethnic cleasing the native Red Indian population. They were removed from their territories & shoved into barren, state run reservations. Ever seen the film. 'Soldier Blue?' Very controversial, the true story of the US army slaughter of a peaceful & US loyal reservation of Indians. You simply cannot compare slavery to the deliberate & calculated savage cruelty extended to POW's
Name one country that abolished slavery ahead of Britain in the period of slavery we are talking about, IE the Trade Triangle epoch. The record of the US is frnakly appalling where treatment of blacks is concerned. Up until the late 1960's the treatment of black people in numerous states was pretty bloody awful. I wouldn't like to be a black man in Alabama even today!
much credit to the ANZACS,Gurkhas, and Indian soldiers the best the alies had in the pacific theater nobody knew how to operate in those conditions better than them
germany has made efforts to apologize and japan has not, the battle for hongkong when the canadians,anzacs brits and indians surenderd the japs took yhe sword to our wounded laying in the hospitals and raped the chinese inhabitants of hongkong, and the commonwealth and americans that were lucky enough to be captured alive lived in concentration camps
Yes, AngloCrusader, you are right. The Japanese were without mercy. In their culture, captured soldiers were already dishonored, and thus were dead men walking. So much for the Geneva Convention...ehhh??
Remember also, and I don't if this was in Hong Kong or elsewhere, the British nurses who were massacred, and one survived to tell the tale. Truly horrific, I tell you...
The massacre of a British medical unit occurred in Hong Kong. The unit were massacred in a ditch-the Japanese are an utter disgrace. Their cruelty will never be forgotten. Do NOT buy Japanese produce-that is the best way of hurting them & forcing them to attone for their despicable conduct.
The beach massacre was a separate incident from the Hong Kong ditch massacre. The nurses were told to walk towards the sea & the 'brave' Japanese shot them in the back. One nurse survived the ordeal & hence the tale of yet another example of Japanese cruelty was told.
The Japanese might well have received the benefit of two atomic bombs, however, they are yet to admit & atone for their disgraceful conduct towards POW's in WW2. They like to 'save face,' so they avoid issuing an unreserved apology at all costs. Boycotting their goods is my personal choice & as far as I am concerned, it makes perfect sense & I will continue to do so. If more people had the same attitude, we could force these people to make a full & frank apology.
ahh the commonwealth, were good men banded 2gether in times of evil 2 fight 4 what was right. god bless them Britsh,Indian,kiwi,ozzy,canadian,south african.and many many more, rest in peace 2 the lads that never made it home.
The British advance through Burma cost the Japanese in excess of 150,000 dead with an unknown number missing. In their turn the British suffered roughly 15,000 casualties. That is according to Julian Thompson. They could not compete with the British adaptation to jungle warfare or the long range supply drops that were instrumental to the British success. The Japanese created a monster in the British Indian Armies in Burma. No prisoners, no surrender.
No prisoners, no surrender-in respect of the Japanese, that's a great SOP to adopt. I am proud of the men in the Commonwealth who crushed & annihilated the Japanese. If the Japanese think people have forgotten their disgusting, cruel behaviour, they better think again. They can shove their Sony TV's, Nissans & Honda's where the rising sun don't shine........Back the old boy's-boycott Japanese products wherever possible until they make an unreserved apology.
Do not have the temerity to come on here & even attempt to draw any type of parallel between the behaviour of the Japanese who systematically tortured, beat, starved & denied medical attention to allied POW's. How dare you even attempt to present such an argument. You must be completely devoid of any form of intellect to try & proffer such an opinion.
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kind of lame to come and reply to this 2 months later but....Boer wars ring any bells. Who smarter then the Brits to intern Millions and take over a country for pure profit right but hey why not.
The British did not intern MILLIONS during the Boer War. Get your 'facts' right before you spout off. You deliberately chose to use 'millions' because you believe it supports your point. Complete exaggeration. The sole purpose of the internment was to deny the Boers a civilian population to hide amongst. How dare ANY American dare to try & take the moral highground & lecture the British. Considering the disgraceful manner in which the US treated the Red Indians, I would keep quiet!
@LIVERPOOLSCOTTISH Stumbled on this one, just been reading a load of primary accounts written by members of the 1st battalion, The Dorsetshire Regiment.... the Japanese were an utter and total disgrace. I have no respect for their Army in this war.... they were savage murderers and this isn't even some mindless generalisation.... the vast majority were utter c**ts. They were weighed at Singapore, measured in Burma and then annihilated at Imphal.
Commonwealth should develop much more stronger ties with each other. The Majoirty of British, Canadians, Ozzies and Kiwis love each other not to sure about the other nations, but they wish to stay part of it. What is the Commonwealth to be honest? There is no real unity between them today. Britain should stay with their Brothers and Friends in the Commonwealth then go off to the EU, were every country cant decide what to do with its Politicians trying to turn into something the people dont want
So many countries have shown interest in joining the Commonwealth, Israel and Palestine have both expressed interest in membership, because of its ideals and a way to stop conflict between them. This was for some reason not liked by the USA so Israel may have changed its mind since 2003. 53 countries at the moment, I would love my country to join if you became more united.
The Commonwealth is just the group of nations that were once part of the British Empire. They aren't under any real obligation to retain good relations with eachother, and can go to war with eachother (I think) and remain part of the Commonwealth. Still, it's a great little organisation, and I am proud that my country is a member of it.
I think Zimbabwe is banned from the commonwealth because of Robert. So if a dictator is banned, I shouldn't have thought they can go to war with eachother. I dont think the queen would allow it, considering she is queen of most of the commonwealth countries also.
The bastard japs should have been totally wiped out. They never apologise for their sick crimes and hide the truth from their own people, even to this day. They are a sham, their culture is just a mind fuck.
I think it's a shame so many Aussie/Canadian/Kiwis want to move away from being part of the commonwealth when videos like this demonstrate how well we work together. It's not about the UK or the Queen or anything like that, it's just about a group of nations with broadly similar people and ideals being able to work together for the benefit of each other. Much preferable to the European Union/'Special American relationships'.
As far as I know, Italy was not a major power in WWII. Yes, they were part of the Axis Alliance, but they did not do anything worth as much notice as Nazi Germany or Imperial Japan. I suppose that they provided men and arms to the war effort, but I am referring to the actualy overall conquest. So, did they actually taken anything on their own initiative, besides Greece?
"So, did they actually taken anything on their own initiative, besides Greece" They never took Greece Germany did it for them and the Balkans. Italy took a large portion of Africa until the Commonwealth mobilised against them.
British troops re-liberated Singapore, British Empire forces did most of the fighting in South East Asia. The Americans did most of their fighting in the Pacific Island hopping campaigns.
Actually it was the British that re-took Singapore after being humiliated in the Japanese take over the British were determined to take it back and they did.
The British were rarely on the offensive? Where the fuck do you get your information from then?>! The entire campaign through Burma was orchestrated by attacking British troops, the entire push through Italy and advance across North Africa was orchestrated by ATTACKING British troops. Should I mention the Rhine? Normandy perhaps? Or doubtless you've heard of the British Commandos? Para's perhaps? Get back to school kiddo.
The Battle of Britain, or, come to think of it, anything around Britain until Overlord was a great piece of offensive engineering, wasn't it? And that advance through North Africa was always an advance, especially when Rommel made it a retreat. You act like I'm insulting Britain. I have no idea why.
I haven't stated anywhere that the British weren't on the defensive, if it wasn't for Britains defensive capabilities the war would have been lost in the West. You stated that the British were rarely on the offensive, this is incorrect for the reasons stated in the previous post.
Just calm down, I'm not being antagonistic in the slightest. Yeah, I shouldn't have used the word rarely, but the British were on the defensive alot more then they were on the offensive. That isn't a bad thing, it's just the way wars work.
Why is everyone always arguing over who had the best fighters out of the allies?
Whats important is that the english-speaking world stood together, slapped the japs, kicked the krauts, and now we're all bros and no one fucks with us.
jarvy251 1 year ago
@jarvy251 Oh yes Jarv. But will we forget that lesson?
constablenapweed 10 months ago
Men fought, men died. Both sides lost soldiers. Both side is just as cruel as the other.
No one won World War Two, everyone lost
SMGJohn 1 year ago
Japanese where the one who stop the british in all the war and battles
YUSKHAN 1 year ago
@YUSKHAN japanese were the cruelest forces of WW2 they raped female nurses they ate australian pow's killed, prisoners for no reason they was a filthy race and im glad a few atom bombs was dropped on them too bad it was not tokyo
toddskisyd 1 year ago
@toddskisyd You have no idea what you're talking about, especially when it comes to the citizens of Japan.
nicck 10 months ago
Being a country where is invaded by western powers as well japan.. Non of this countris desever my attention and respect as they are all the same.
Timx4 1 year ago
@Timx4 ...of course they are :-* - I see your studying in Australia though......
constablenapweed 1 year ago
Being Chinese,i am proud that we fought side by side with the allies!
Jedbrien 1 year ago
@Jedbrien The Chinese are often overlooked, They contributed greatly to the allied victory in ww2
1MagicAndMayhem1 1 year ago
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U.S. Are not soldiers they are women with rifles.. Internet ones are even worse they are keyboard warriors. We all know all of us know the U.S. are shit. America is a continent not a country: A continent It covers the western hemisphere. North America, Central America and South America. Cyclopedia. America is a continent, not a single country.
SawLots 1 year ago
the forgotten army no more forgotten howevesome of that footage was of americans in the pacific not far east
speedwere12 1 year ago
the forgotten army no more forgotten
speedwere12 1 year ago
Fabulous video, many thanks, huge respect to those that fought in Burma against the Japanese, may they rest in peace.
sirupate 1 year ago
3:44 Wow! An A-31 Vengeance a very interesting divebomber which only served on the Burma front. - Intersting to see that stuff which was found obsolete (like the M3 Lee-tank in 1944) or just plain usless were employed with succes on the Burma front
CapKorzeniowski 1 year ago
i get a lump in my throat and goose pimples watching this through pride
durnham 1 year ago
Thank you for this moving tribute! My Grandfather was in Burma serving with the Royal Sussex Regiment ... he survived the war and I will always think of him when I see footage like this.
Rikitocker 1 year ago
my grandad fought in the war on the astern front and killed over 100 people and was shot 3 times and survived sgt.robert cade legend
barbedbobsy 1 year ago
british commonwealth is not a fascism???what is it than??they would like to be the greatest imperialist nation number 0ne, murderd and slayes the people and said to the germans that they are bad guys ;-) its a joke or not??this is the best example-- one man make some crimes and said to the other you are very badfully hahaha its typical for the monster- human- everyone make bad things but its easier to look at the other people what they have done and not does to look on her self ;-))))
genosse007 1 year ago
@genosse007 No, just no. that was such a daft anglophobic comment I'm not even going to bother replying properly. Your just going to have to take my word for it.
MrStarbuck123 1 year ago
@genosse007 well no you cannot compare nazi germany to the british empire!.. all of europe in the 18th century had empires.. the british were just the best at it!.. the British didnt brainwash their population!.. and slaughter millions of people because of their religion!.. germany provoked WORLD war!.. and caused the death of over 90,000,000 humans in half a century!... they did so because they wanted more LIVING space (lebensraum).. the british did it for their economy.. and industrialisation
birdboywallis 1 year ago
@genosse007 well, the Commonwealth is still going strong, and any member nation within the third world is much better off within the commonwealth than not, say what you want sbout the British Empire in the Victorian era, everyone was like that, but with the British even then, there was a middle of the road on everything. besides we didn't say the germans were the bad guys, we said the Nazi party, which was invading countries and exterminating their minorities such as gypsies, slavs and jews.
akropiss 1 year ago
@genosse007 Please die.
Talbot6832 1 year ago
i think its about time someone made a film or a series like band of brothers following british and commonwealth troops and what they did in the war
515tim 1 year ago 3
brits lost singapore, because percival was a man who thought too much. they could have easily held it cus the japs were low on ammunition, but they chose not to.
Pikaqiu 1 year ago
@Pikaqiu do you know anythink?!?!?!?
xGODZILLAFIREFOXx 1 year ago
@xGODZILLAFIREFOXx My attack on Singapore was a bluff – a bluff that worked. I had 30,000 men and was outnumbered more than three to one. I knew that if I had to fight for long for Singapore, I would be beaten. That is why the surrender had to be at once. I was very frightened all the time that the British would discover our numerical weakness and lack of supplies and force me into disastrous street fighting.
– Tomoyuki Yamashita Shores 1992, p. 383.
Pikaqiu 1 year ago
Percival was weak and lacked moral courage - he caused the deaths of countless Empire troops and Singaporean and Malay civilains by his poor leadership and lack of determination. Our (the Brits) shame can only be mitigated by the actions of Slim and the magnificant 14th Army. Singapore was a calamity for the British, as Churchill well understood. Singapore should have been the Malta of the East. Thank god that the majority of Singaporeans seem to have forgiven us (unlike the aussies)
constablenapweed 1 year ago
@constablenapweed Preparation. The troops in Burma were woefully under equipped and in all honesty did not expect an imminent Japanese invasion. Kinda difficult finding a World War on 2 fronts when those 2 fronts are separated by thousands of miles of earth and ocean. By wars end, Percival was present at the surrender of the very man he surrendered to in the first place. The Jap was bested in the jungles of Burma and then utterly destroyed in Singapore.
Talbot6832 1 year ago
@Talbot6832 I'm a pro and am fully aware what battleprocedure should have taken place. Yamishita, himself admitted that it was avery close run thing and that he wes dangerously short of water and ammo - the Japs thin logistical margins was something that Slim (my hero - criminally underated and faaar better than Monty) was aware and took advantage of. As for Percival; he was dealt a poor hand but STILL showed poor leadership, determination and moral courage. Singapore should have stood.
constablenapweed 1 year ago
@constablenapweed Your otherwise intelligent post has somewhat been diminished by the need to call yourself a 'pro' - kind of odd. But anyway, it's practically second nature to associate Percival with utter failure, we know this all too well. And like you said, Slims generalship and the performance of a PREPARED British/Indian Army sent the Jap packing. Little is said of the US surrender in the Philippines, in fact, they lost even more men.
Talbot6832 1 year ago
@Talbot6832 The fact is that Singapore was a MAJOR geo-strategic blow for the Brits and probably will have repercussions for our nation for centuries yet. Notwithstanding the inept Percival, another point rarely raised is the failure to implement a very sound defence plan that was to utilise modern fighters on newly built airfields across the Malay Peninsula to secure air superiority for the Imperial Forces to operate......(more)
constablenapweed 1 year ago
"The fact is that Singapore was a MAJOR geo-strategic blow for the Brits"
Not at all, we went on to give the Japanese there biggest land defeat of the war at Kohima. Whats more, the British flag flew over Singapore and Hong Kong long after the Japanese had been expelled.
smoochym 1 year ago
@smoochym Wider chap, wide; It was an irretrivable loss of prestige - one that helped to cement our much reduced status after the war. If Singpore had held in the first place, Slim wouldn't have had that long hard fight. Singapore, as a firm base would have threatened the Japs naval power in SE asia, and Australia would not have been threatened. We would not have been in hock to the Yanks both in terms of prestige and equipment. The credibility of the British, the destroyed industry.....(more)
constablenapweed 1 year ago
@smoochym ..and infrastructure of Burma and Malay would not have to have been rebuilt. The Burmese civil service would not have been destroyed - Aung San would have not have been the genisis of the current Myanmar Junta...the list goes on. In Geo-Strategic terms it was one of our nations biggest ever disasters, akin to loosing at Trafalger or Waterloo (though not as bad if we hadn't stopped the Armada or lost the Battle of Britain). Events chap, events. Slims victories just sweetend the pill.
constablenapweed 1 year ago
All easily rebuildable. Unlike the 60,000 troops the Japanese lost at Imphal. Singapore was the single worst moment in British military history, my own grandad was captured there. Yet, in geo strategic terms it was bordering on irrelevant - the Suez crisis had so much more to impact on British ability to project power overseas. It was less of a British decline than the ascendancy of the USA.
smoochym 1 year ago
@smoochym Granadad, or not; hardly irrelevent. it was one of THE key events that cemented our nations decline to a second rate power. Just as the Falklands halted our decline to that of a third rate one. By Suez we (and the Fr) were already a second rate power. Brought low by crippling debt to the Americans and the stitch-up job at Bretton Woods - Keynes worked himself to death trying to stop it. Suez was merely the full stop at the end of the chapter, Singapore the opening sentence.
constablenapweed 1 year ago
@constablenapweed I'd have to disagree. Britain was in economic decline at the turn of the century, maybe even before. On the other hand, newly formed countries like Germany and the USA were rapidly growing. There is no possible way Britain could of stopped Germany, USA or Japan expanding, but it could contain it's enemies. Singapore was a major strategic defeat, but it had no effect whatsoever on our ability to project power in Asia, as the Maoists and Indonesian found out.
smoochym 1 year ago
@smoochym I have to say smoo, that it really does make a change to be able to have a mature debate on YT, without it degenerating into a troll-fest, so thankyou :-). However, I believe we could go at this for some time; hard and soft do a first rate power make. My personal experience of our Commonwealth is that the people on the ground generally saw the Brits as meaning well, expessing palpable regret on how things have passed. Still, this is a fantastic and meloncholic vid is it not .
constablenapweed 1 year ago
@Talbot6832 .....however, criminally, although these aircraft were available, they were kept in the UK and utterly wasted on fruitless Rhubarbs across the channel in 1941 - the RAF had secured air supremecy over the UK the end of 1940. If the plan HAD been implemented, the Japanese would have been confronted by squadrons of Spitfire Vs and Hurricane IIs, not the handful of Buffalo's that were shot out of the sky almost immediately. Typical British - build the stable, then leave the door open :-(
constablenapweed 1 year ago
@Pikaqiu The man was hung like a chicken by '45. Good riddance. Any victory he achieved counts for nothing and I'm happy he took that to his grave. The murderer.
Talbot6832 1 year ago
we failed in hong kong, out numbered 4 to one we defended it with honour, inexperienced against hardened veterans, just as pearl harbour was happening, after our surrender the japanese raided a field hospital bayoneting our wounded , executed the doctors and gang raping our nurses. to an american, this didn't happen because only they faught in WW2, only their men fought and died against the enemy.
akropiss 1 year ago 2
The Americans always get a glamourous spot in WW2. As if they single handedly beat the Nazi's , they get all the hype. The Russians are next in line (their actual effort in the war which was th emain reason why we won WW2 was far too big even for Americans to ignore). The it's us Brits who get hardly fucking anything aoart from "If it wern't for us you'r be speaking German". The ANZACS and Canadians get little to no notice and they had to be some of the best fighters.
grobo11 1 year ago 2
I disagree. The Australian/NZ/Canadian forces are singled out for praise yet the British Army is taken completely for granted. There are many heroic instances of British Divisions and British Regiments surmounting the odds and defeating the enemy but these are almost always constituted as 'Allied' efforts. The minorities, ironically enough, get more attention it seems. Or certainly this is the case recently.
Talbot6832 1 year ago
@Talbot6832 I would probably agree, although in Australia we tend to get a very Australian view of history. The British, Indian and Ghurkha forces, in Burma especially, did amazing things and suffered through terrible campaigns. Our history might be getting more attention because we have had a louder reaction to US histories that tended to write everyone else out of the story. Louder perhaps because our Pacific campaigns have recently been viewed as The Battle For Australia in this country.
andieslandies 1 year ago
My grandad fought in Burma and is alive but lost most of hearing due to jap artliary ...for the British Soldirs and Commonwealth Soldiers you all did a great job
coolmatt1125 1 year ago 4
My grandad fought in this war and died in 2007 of posterate cancer. He said the brits done well, and it was a hell highway.
didnt speak much of it.
kidoftheblock 1 year ago
*Starts crying* waaaaaaaa! i got water on my pants waaaaaaa!
leafkiller300 1 year ago
@leafkiller300 thats blood retard
xGODZILLAFIREFOXx 1 year ago
My late grandad was in burma with the 14th army.He only spoke once about it with his son saying he went on patrol in the jungle and was ambushed by the japs out of his platoon he was the only one who come back.He never spoke about again.
daggers93 2 years ago
1 thing I find so common is that so many people, mainly Americans fail to accept the fact that the British played a big part in defeating the Japanese, never mind the other Commonwealth countries engaged in the Pacific fighting. This is a truly great and emotional film. Perhaps those of you who still doubt the British and Commonwealth's commitment to the Far East, I would like you to watch something.Please type in "The twelve mile snipers". Its just one small insight into a British unit in Burma
JasperLee23 2 years ago
This has been flagged as spam show
Is this really the place for such a discussion. I have just viewed an emotional tribute video. It was quite sad to read the bickering taking place in the comments. There were great leaders on all sides but the people who endured the hardships of war were the foot soldiers, seaman,and airmen from all countries who fought and fell for our freedom. Sadly it is still happens today. Perhaps we should dwell on that and draw a line under this differing of views.
pettycurbay 2 years ago
Comment removed
164542 2 years ago
all nations helped stop the facist even small countries like Greece for whom the Great war leader Churchill said from now we have to say men don't fight like heros Heros fight like greeks stalin send a letter thanking greece for delaying the germans by 6 weeks giving them invaluable extra time prepairing Germans are brave soldiers who respect a brave emeny giving the guard of Honour twice to greek troops britain send what they could spare but were short themselfs n had to defend britain 1st
polygamous1 2 years ago
The british warrior spirit lives on in are Brothers across the oceans be them Austrlian,kiwis,Canadian or South African us in Britain will never forget them brave men that fell for the grater good and the crown
We WILL remember them
and dont forget the indians,gurkas,africans exc)
durnham 2 years ago 2
I agree, but I think you mean 'greater good!'
LIVERPOOLSCOTTISH 2 years ago
the music name please.
jinpoi 2 years ago
I think it's from the movie 'Road to Perdition'
2210ethan 2 years ago
Long live Uk and USA!!!
residentevil5fan18 2 years ago 2
In rememberence of those undermanned garrisons that got wiped out by the Japanese.
TheAussie00 2 years ago
British got the best defence in the wourld at that time.. we can see the tactics are use to fight with Jap at Battle Of Bukut Candu ...
blackbird1000cc 2 years ago
I don't even understand why we are all arguing. Seriously does it really matter how many more British fought than Americans or vice versa, what matters is that these men fought, and many died for the same common goal!
I mean this is a tribute video for crying out loud
ScotlandsHero 2 years ago 25
I agree.
LTWW2 2 years ago
@ScotlandsHero exactly. britain and america were on the same side for fuck sake
pillok91 1 year ago
@ScotlandsHero If a video contains the name of any country, thats what you can expect savvy D:
Shadowfang3000 1 year ago
yeah so wot if more american divisions crossed the rhine we were fighting the war for longer than you were :D
matthewjez 2 years ago
plus liverpool scottish.
you realy know your history mate dont know why that yanks even trying to argue with you lol
durnham 2 years ago
Its a shame realy u will never see this again. makes me get goose pimples watching how the commonwealth struggled through inhumane treatment and conditions for 5 years fighting for a better world,it was the worst of humanity but also it showed the best side
durnham 2 years ago
Well folks being an American I dont want to Disrespect any of you but It was MacArthur who won this war and yes as much of a prima donna he was, he is the Greatest soldier who ever lived. Name any other man who can wonder into no mans land with a riding crop and a flash light and return with 6 german prisoners. Although Lord Mountbatten played a pivotal role it was really MacArthur, Admiral Nimitz, and the United State Marine Corps who wont he war in the Pacific.
jwalbridge54 2 years ago
Perhaps you should study geography AND history. MacArthur had sod all to do with mainland Asia ie India,Burma, Malaya. The British & Common Wealth forces dealt with the Japanese on mainland Asia. The US forces dealt with the Pacific islands. I cannot believe you have the temerity to make such a comment-it highlights the paucity of your knowledge, and a complete ignorance of the role played by other nations. Feeble.
LIVERPOOLSCOTTISH 2 years ago
So, jwalbridge54, you think McArthur was the greatest soldier of all time, well I can think of a small bi-sexual that would have wipped the floor with him ALEXADER THE GREAT!
If you are talking of modern times try looking up Blair Paddy Maine
twaww2 2 years ago
If you think MacArthur was the 'greatest soldier in history,' you evidently have a very poor grasp of history. Ever heard of Alexander The Great? Ghengst Khan? Napoleon? Wellington? Rommel? Any of these men were far more remarkable leaders & soldiers then MacArthur. I will concede he had a vastly bigger ego than any of the aforementioned, even Napoleon. You get an F grade for history!
LIVERPOOLSCOTTISH 2 years ago
rockafella813 you have totally no respect do you? You insult all Britain and the Commenwealth. 2 divisions? What?! The British 14th Army consisted of 500,000 men. Please look it up! The US and Chinese were a sideshow in Burma, the British Empire won the war in South East Asia.
JasperLee23 2 years ago 3
Although the Brits did have a substantial force in Asia and did help out greatly keep in mind America won the war in the Pacific. The greatest military disaster in British history took place at the onset of the Pacific war with the surrender of a force of British and Australians to a smaller Japanese Force. Keep in mind 500 marines held out for 2 weeks on Wake Island against 10,000 plus Japanese, they had to send for specialy trained group, and also the Battle for the Phillipine Islands.
jwalbridge54 2 years ago
just like in france all those men surrended by some bad ass general order,
if they could have a chance to fight they would beat the japs.
jinpoi 2 years ago
yeah the only yanks that were there were the meryll's marauders, they learned a lot of things with 1st class commandos,the chindits
jinpoi 2 years ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
fucking brits had only 2 division in burma and left on the first sight of the japs! it was the chinese that fought the japs in Burma with US aid. the pommie bastards did fuck all free riding all the way...cunts
rockafella813 2 years ago
rockahalfwit; you sad uninformed, malignant oygen thief.
constablenapweed 2 years ago 2
What an ignorant, foul mouthed, obnoxious cretin you are! Your crass stupidity and obnoxious attitde is evident to anybody who reads your pathetic & wildly inaccurate post. Look up XIVth Army- General Slim-Britain had over 500,000 men on the ground. You complete imbecile!
LIVERPOOLSCOTTISH 2 years ago 3
These threads always have to be infected by some yank who's substituted history lessons for call of duty II.
Nevermind, just another registered brain donor.
gert83 2 years ago 18
Quality post sir
LIVERPOOLSCOTTISH 2 years ago
Quality post sir! That banging sound I heard as I read your post, was the sound of the nail being hit squarely on the head! It never ceases to amaze me how poor a grasp of history many Americans have. Clearly, they do not get taught anything other than the American view of history, they hear NOTHING about the other allied nations. The US won WW2 all by itself........Yeah right, lets forget he 20,000,000 Russians that died crushing the fighting power of the Wehrmacht on the Ost Front. Very sad.
LIVERPOOLSCOTTISH 2 years ago
Hey DICKHEAD- go and research the British XIV Army under General Slim. It consisted of over 500,000 men & it recaptured Burma, Malaya & defended India. You are positively ignorant & incredibly stupid to state the British only had two divisions in Burma. ROFL
LIVERPOOLSCOTTISH 2 years ago
Anyway, the fact remains that this a beautifully melancolic tribute to all those Commonwealth forces who fought , struggled and often died in the jungles and plains of SE Asia and by extention to all those of the Commonwealth who served, or supported the serving, in WWII. Politics aside, the Commonwealth still means something to many people who either served or are serving, or who have/had uncles, grandparents, parents, siblings or children who served or are serving. PAX
constablenapweed 2 years ago
constablenapweed you are so right, thanks man. On a personal note My grandfather fought in Burma and the Japs suffered just as many major defeats against the British Empire as it did the yanks. It miffes me that all we hear is how USA won the bloody war.
JasperLee23 2 years ago
same here my grandfarther fought in hong kong and the world acts like we were never even part of it
scimatarpictures 2 years ago
What are you talking about? Japan had the 3rd largest fleet in the world at the time, then the UK and US at first and second.
Agamemnon862 2 years ago
Okay, perhaps the Canadian Navy was the fourth largest fleet in the world. Will you sleep better this evening now?!
LIVERPOOLSCOTTISH 2 years ago
Wrong again, but I think I'll be okay....
Agamemnon862 2 years ago
Google 'third biggest Navy in World War Two.' The Canadian fleet was the thrid biggest fleet towards the latter part of the war. As I said earlier-they made a huge contribution-particularly in the Battle Of The Atlantic.
LIVERPOOLSCOTTISH 2 years ago
Chindits
doubleestark 2 years ago
So Proud to be British!
Whenw e think of World war 2 we think of Germany these men are forgotten may many its important we remember them forever!
They played a huge part in the war defending British land and attacking Japan from the West and South without which America would have lost many hundreds of thousnands of troops.
51wins 2 years ago 3
The british fought bravely out there the wee slanty eyes bastards didn't know when to give up thebritish have never lost a war!
Gavin66627 2 years ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
hahahahaha really? not never? wow!!!!!!! Hey Gavin I hate to break it to you but the Brits got beat big time, twice by the same folks, on the same land. First time well that was just a hard one because who can forget a guy like George Washington and something call the American Revolution. The second being the war of 1812, with the culmination of the Battle of New Orleans led by General Andrew Jackson. Both embarassing defeats. The same flag that whipped you twice saved you twice.
jwalbridge54 2 years ago
I meant rarely lost a war! Oh and as far as i can tell the americans only came into the war after pearl harbour by which time we had already defeated germany in the battle of Britain and stopped an invasion, thanks America. ( I was being sarcastic there, just incase you take it for irony)
Gavin66627 2 years ago 3
jawbridge. Your comments are not only highly offensive and innaccurate but also sadly indicative of a certain type of juvenile small town american troll. You really ought to take the time to understand the thread of this Post. Fortunately there are plenty of us here, both from the Commonwealth and The Republic, who understand the importance of our continued alliance; in particular those who have perhaps earned the right to rather more objective opinion. Nobber.
constablenapweed 2 years ago 4
You really are an insult to your History teacher!
wombat310 2 years ago
jwalbridge54 - what are you trying to prove, that you're an idiot? OK - we accept that...
i think you'll find we won the war of 1812. It could, at best, be described as a score draw.
gert83 2 years ago 2
does anybody know what song is this??
davidcaro06 2 years ago
There was no reason for Japan to grab hands with Nazis and to fight against UK if they did not support Chang Kai Shek.
Finally Chang was kicked out of China by Mao ZheTong, and British lost everything in Asia.
2008venom 2 years ago
Great vid. Rarely ever hear of the Commonwealth forces in the pacific front. So its good to see something with them in.
Never forget them.
BritGBM 2 years ago
Yeah mostly always about the US forces. In fact Australian forces in Papa New Guinea were the first to defeat the Japanese in a ground battle. Fierce fighting with no quarter given. Particularly after Australian troops found their wounded were used as bayonet practice and Japanese troops found with human meat in the ration packs. Australian troops took no prisoners after that.
Riyun72 2 years ago 5
That is perfectly true. The Aussies gave the Japs a good hiding in New Guinea. Based on the conduct of Japanese soldiers, it is pleasing to hear that the Aussies gave no quarter to the Japanese. WELL DONE OZ!!
LIVERPOOLSCOTTISH 2 years ago
Not to take away from the Brits and US but I wonder how many realise the Japs actually bombed Darwin and were an inch away from invading Australia at the time. A great book to read on it called "A Bastard of a Place" gives an excellent account of the fight there.
Riyun72 2 years ago
My grandfather was a prisoner of war for 3 years and experienced 1st hand the brutality of the Japanese. He was involved in the killing of a prison guard when they were released which he never got over. He also died of health issues that never healed from the terrible conditions they lived under. Another time!!
Riyun72 2 years ago 4
Japan take note- those Brits with a grasp of history still despise you for your disgusting, cruel treatment of allied POW's. Japans arrogance & continued refusal to fully acknowledge the cruel ,inhuman treatment meted out to allied POWs will never by forgotten, or forgiven. You will not catch this callsign buying anything Japanese. My loyalty lies with the Brits, ANZACS, & Indian POW's who endured savage cruelty & forced labour.
LIVERPOOLSCOTTISH 3 years ago
Liverpool, you're right about remembering how cruel history was. And when you look closely at the video, you see how how the soldiers were slipping in the mud, cutting through the dense forest and inching their way across Burma. It must have been a very hard time indeed. The only problem is that products are globalized, and you cannot avoid buying Japanese even if you wanted to. If you look at even an American car, component parts come from a dozen countries, including Japan!
suryavajra 3 years ago
I agree with your point re globalisation, however, it is possible to avoid buying a Jap made car, TV or Hi-Fi. Eg I bought a British Hi-Fi made by Linn in Scotland, it cost me over £4k but it was worth every penny. I will never buy a Japanese built car or television- I will always buy German manufactured goods in preference. The Germans have accepted full responsibility for their conduct during WW2, they have the strength of character & decency to hold their hands up & admit they were wrong.
LIVERPOOLSCOTTISH 3 years ago
"it aint half hot mum"
matt2house 2 years ago
The British have a history of slave trading, imperialism, broken promises and Racism, what makes the British any better?
Every country has it's share of injustice, but it's always the Government at large, people are never evil at heart.
pieceofparadox 2 years ago
Slavery would never have happened without the complicity & direct involvement of many African tribes who enslaved other Africans. In addition, slavery was carried out by private entrpreneurs, as opposed to the British gov. It has absolutely no parallel with the brutality & inhumane treatment inflicted on POW's by the Japanese. There is no comparision at all. The cruelty was carried out by the private Japanese soldier-they are inherently cruel-just look at the TV programmes based on humiliation.
LIVERPOOLSCOTTISH 2 years ago
Re slavery- the first nation to outlaw it were the British. Ever heard of William Wilberforce?! The US has a history of ethnic cleasing the native Red Indian population. They were removed from their territories & shoved into barren, state run reservations. Ever seen the film. 'Soldier Blue?' Very controversial, the true story of the US army slaughter of a peaceful & US loyal reservation of Indians. You simply cannot compare slavery to the deliberate & calculated savage cruelty extended to POW's
LIVERPOOLSCOTTISH 2 years ago
there were countries that out lawed slavery before England adopted it's political system.
pieceofparadox 2 years ago
Name one country that abolished slavery ahead of Britain in the period of slavery we are talking about, IE the Trade Triangle epoch. The record of the US is frnakly appalling where treatment of blacks is concerned. Up until the late 1960's the treatment of black people in numerous states was pretty bloody awful. I wouldn't like to be a black man in Alabama even today!
LIVERPOOLSCOTTISH 2 years ago
10/10
MegaBrits 3 years ago
Good point - The EU made Britain sever many links with the Commonwelath to allow EU memebership.
See my videos on the EU called "BRITAIN ON THE BRINK"
PARTS 1 through to 4. - The EU is horrid.
MegaBrits 3 years ago
Thanks MegaBrits. I look forward to checking your vids out!
suryavajra 3 years ago
excellent vid...great footage. 5 stars
joedredd13215 3 years ago
much credit to the ANZACS,Gurkhas, and Indian soldiers the best the alies had in the pacific theater nobody knew how to operate in those conditions better than them
AngloCrusader 3 years ago 2
germany has made efforts to apologize and japan has not, the battle for hongkong when the canadians,anzacs brits and indians surenderd the japs took yhe sword to our wounded laying in the hospitals and raped the chinese inhabitants of hongkong, and the commonwealth and americans that were lucky enough to be captured alive lived in concentration camps
AngloCrusader 3 years ago 2
Yes, AngloCrusader, you are right. The Japanese were without mercy. In their culture, captured soldiers were already dishonored, and thus were dead men walking. So much for the Geneva Convention...ehhh??
Remember also, and I don't if this was in Hong Kong or elsewhere, the British nurses who were massacred, and one survived to tell the tale. Truly horrific, I tell you...
suryavajra 3 years ago
The massacre of a British medical unit occurred in Hong Kong. The unit were massacred in a ditch-the Japanese are an utter disgrace. Their cruelty will never be forgotten. Do NOT buy Japanese produce-that is the best way of hurting them & forcing them to attone for their despicable conduct.
LIVERPOOLSCOTTISH 3 years ago
Yes, they were massacred along the beach, and only one survived to recount the events.
suryavajra 3 years ago
The beach massacre was a separate incident from the Hong Kong ditch massacre. The nurses were told to walk towards the sea & the 'brave' Japanese shot them in the back. One nurse survived the ordeal & hence the tale of yet another example of Japanese cruelty was told.
LIVERPOOLSCOTTISH 3 years ago
It was a long time ago. Boycotting japanese products makes no sense.
They got what was coming to them, those two mushroom clouds. I think they learned there lesson after that.
SquareHeadSlacker 2 years ago
The Japanese might well have received the benefit of two atomic bombs, however, they are yet to admit & atone for their disgraceful conduct towards POW's in WW2. They like to 'save face,' so they avoid issuing an unreserved apology at all costs. Boycotting their goods is my personal choice & as far as I am concerned, it makes perfect sense & I will continue to do so. If more people had the same attitude, we could force these people to make a full & frank apology.
LIVERPOOLSCOTTISH 2 years ago
yeah, The way they treated our POW's was almost inhuman and If you want to boycott their stuff i don't see what's wrong with it
R0gue01 2 years ago
Nips suck
OmiLoco 3 years ago
Suck nips
That's an order
maureenOWW 2 years ago
ahh the commonwealth, were good men banded 2gether in times of evil 2 fight 4 what was right. god bless them Britsh,Indian,kiwi,ozzy,canadian,south african.and many many more, rest in peace 2 the lads that never made it home.
durnham 3 years ago 4
The British advance through Burma cost the Japanese in excess of 150,000 dead with an unknown number missing. In their turn the British suffered roughly 15,000 casualties. That is according to Julian Thompson. They could not compete with the British adaptation to jungle warfare or the long range supply drops that were instrumental to the British success. The Japanese created a monster in the British Indian Armies in Burma. No prisoners, no surrender.
Talbot6832 3 years ago 5
Funny thing...I haven't seen any videos here on the 4th and 5 th Divisions of the British Indian Army....
There's a lot more vids on the Indian National Army...
suryavajra 3 years ago
No prisoners, no surrender-in respect of the Japanese, that's a great SOP to adopt. I am proud of the men in the Commonwealth who crushed & annihilated the Japanese. If the Japanese think people have forgotten their disgusting, cruel behaviour, they better think again. They can shove their Sony TV's, Nissans & Honda's where the rising sun don't shine........Back the old boy's-boycott Japanese products wherever possible until they make an unreserved apology.
LIVERPOOLSCOTTISH 2 years ago
"until they make an unreserved apology. "
Has britain apologized what they did in other countries?
MokomaSusi 2 years ago
Do not have the temerity to come on here & even attempt to draw any type of parallel between the behaviour of the Japanese who systematically tortured, beat, starved & denied medical attention to allied POW's. How dare you even attempt to present such an argument. You must be completely devoid of any form of intellect to try & proffer such an opinion.
LIVERPOOLSCOTTISH 2 years ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
kind of lame to come and reply to this 2 months later but....Boer wars ring any bells. Who smarter then the Brits to intern Millions and take over a country for pure profit right but hey why not.
jwalbridge54 2 years ago
The British did not intern MILLIONS during the Boer War. Get your 'facts' right before you spout off. You deliberately chose to use 'millions' because you believe it supports your point. Complete exaggeration. The sole purpose of the internment was to deny the Boers a civilian population to hide amongst. How dare ANY American dare to try & take the moral highground & lecture the British. Considering the disgraceful manner in which the US treated the Red Indians, I would keep quiet!
LIVERPOOLSCOTTISH 2 years ago 3
Lol.
Talbot6832 2 years ago
I´m not english, but Britannia rules.
OmiLoco 2 years ago
@LIVERPOOLSCOTTISH Stumbled on this one, just been reading a load of primary accounts written by members of the 1st battalion, The Dorsetshire Regiment.... the Japanese were an utter and total disgrace. I have no respect for their Army in this war.... they were savage murderers and this isn't even some mindless generalisation.... the vast majority were utter c**ts. They were weighed at Singapore, measured in Burma and then annihilated at Imphal.
Talbot6832 1 year ago
god save the queen
jimmyphack 3 years ago 3
Weren't Commonwealth soldiers put in death camps by the Japanese after catastrophic losses?
renwuying777 3 years ago
The losses weren't catastrophic until after they were put in the camps.
TaylorFlame 3 years ago 4
Commonwealth should develop much more stronger ties with each other. The Majoirty of British, Canadians, Ozzies and Kiwis love each other not to sure about the other nations, but they wish to stay part of it. What is the Commonwealth to be honest? There is no real unity between them today. Britain should stay with their Brothers and Friends in the Commonwealth then go off to the EU, were every country cant decide what to do with its Politicians trying to turn into something the people dont want
randomusernamemygod 3 years ago 5
So many countries have shown interest in joining the Commonwealth, Israel and Palestine have both expressed interest in membership, because of its ideals and a way to stop conflict between them. This was for some reason not liked by the USA so Israel may have changed its mind since 2003. 53 countries at the moment, I would love my country to join if you became more united.
randomusernamemygod 3 years ago
The Commonwealth is just the group of nations that were once part of the British Empire. They aren't under any real obligation to retain good relations with eachother, and can go to war with eachother (I think) and remain part of the Commonwealth. Still, it's a great little organisation, and I am proud that my country is a member of it.
TaylorFlame 3 years ago
I think Zimbabwe is banned from the commonwealth because of Robert. So if a dictator is banned, I shouldn't have thought they can go to war with eachother. I dont think the queen would allow it, considering she is queen of most of the commonwealth countries also.
roketjack 3 years ago
The bastard japs should have been totally wiped out. They never apologise for their sick crimes and hide the truth from their own people, even to this day. They are a sham, their culture is just a mind fuck.
nottmfunguy 3 years ago
I think it's a shame so many Aussie/Canadian/Kiwis want to move away from being part of the commonwealth when videos like this demonstrate how well we work together. It's not about the UK or the Queen or anything like that, it's just about a group of nations with broadly similar people and ideals being able to work together for the benefit of each other. Much preferable to the European Union/'Special American relationships'.
thegreatloy 3 years ago 3
WAR MAN, Y'KNOW.
JUST, DAM.
tHIS FOOTAGE IS A LITTLE OLD BUT IT SHOWS SOME GREAT FOOTAGE OF NAM.
GOD BLESS AMERICA.
dannycreighton 3 years ago
i think you've taken something
d33t3 3 years ago 4
The japanese are funny.
They think that they can win a war against the UK.haha
VoltiView 3 years ago
yes, maybe they can, with the help of NAZI Germany and Italian,,,
bt thx god, both USSR n USA are on the allies side,,, even China and India,
DogyKane 3 years ago
That's right mate!
VoltiView 3 years ago
As far as I know, Italy was not a major power in WWII. Yes, they were part of the Axis Alliance, but they did not do anything worth as much notice as Nazi Germany or Imperial Japan. I suppose that they provided men and arms to the war effort, but I am referring to the actualy overall conquest. So, did they actually taken anything on their own initiative, besides Greece?
ChaosLord127 3 years ago
"So, did they actually taken anything on their own initiative, besides Greece" They never took Greece Germany did it for them and the Balkans. Italy took a large portion of Africa until the Commonwealth mobilised against them.
randomusernamemygod 3 years ago
they did in Singapore, although outnumbered by british and commonwealth troops. Thank god for the Americans who fought and freed the region
Khaircester 3 years ago
British troops re-liberated Singapore, British Empire forces did most of the fighting in South East Asia. The Americans did most of their fighting in the Pacific Island hopping campaigns.
Talbot6832 3 years ago
Actually it was the British that re-took Singapore after being humiliated in the Japanese take over the British were determined to take it back and they did.
sendtothefunnyfarm 3 years ago 4
It's a shame that so many young Australians died fighting the Japanese in the war, but it's not like I hate the Japanese.
And the British were rarely on the offensive. I do not know where you get your information from.
TaylorFlame 3 years ago
The British were rarely on the offensive? Where the fuck do you get your information from then?>! The entire campaign through Burma was orchestrated by attacking British troops, the entire push through Italy and advance across North Africa was orchestrated by ATTACKING British troops. Should I mention the Rhine? Normandy perhaps? Or doubtless you've heard of the British Commandos? Para's perhaps? Get back to school kiddo.
Talbot6832 3 years ago
The Battle of Britain, or, come to think of it, anything around Britain until Overlord was a great piece of offensive engineering, wasn't it? And that advance through North Africa was always an advance, especially when Rommel made it a retreat. You act like I'm insulting Britain. I have no idea why.
TaylorFlame 3 years ago
I haven't stated anywhere that the British weren't on the defensive, if it wasn't for Britains defensive capabilities the war would have been lost in the West. You stated that the British were rarely on the offensive, this is incorrect for the reasons stated in the previous post.
Talbot6832 3 years ago
Just calm down, I'm not being antagonistic in the slightest. Yeah, I shouldn't have used the word rarely, but the British were on the defensive alot more then they were on the offensive. That isn't a bad thing, it's just the way wars work.
TaylorFlame 3 years ago
Y the brits are always on the offensive..
learn something man, like the germans..
they can mount quick counterattack after losing grounds..
hafizwewe 3 years ago
If A fued is defused that is great if there is a fued that refuses we will defuse it our selfes - Winston , Churchill
i shed a tear to each Chap who died and fought...
Aaron1200195 3 years ago 3
japan had a very strong imperial army thats why they were winning
justwatch000 3 years ago 2
I salute the commonwealth nations
BRITISHNINJA2007 3 years ago 2
Can anyone tell me the title and artist of the music used in this footage?
fordsterx 3 years ago
my great grandad was in the second world war :-) just thought id say that lol
OoM3GSoO 3 years ago
Same Mine was at Dunkirk in 1940
what about yours??
thebritish25 3 years ago
i dont know to be honest! never asked.
OoM3GSoO 3 years ago