(3/5) Pacific Lost Evidence Tarawa Episode 2 World War II

[jackle910]

Thanks God, Japanese army don't have good armors and heavy artillery. They lack of material is a reason they lost this war. If they've armors and artillery like the Germany army had, USA's casualties will be double or triple or worst.

[MrZverina]

Because of these moments of heroism,I sometimes want to be one of the America's golden generation.

[pucksterz12]

It was so nice to see that a couple of our boys were able to stop and have a beer in the midst of all that carnage. It brought a tear to the eyes.

[sarnath66f]

what a big mess - those landings!

[dylanthegreatify]

Why does Wiki not have Tarawa?

[Bander1]

Are smoke grenades another word for white phosphorous?

[Toddinfantry]

@Bander1 Yes and no. White phosphorous (also called Willie Pete) can be used for smoke generation and also for igniting flammable materials. Smoke grenades use a different chemical compound to create smoke and while they get hot they aren't used to burn things.

Hope this helps.

[Bander1]

@Toddinfantry

Actually I know the difference but for some armies especially the israelis they like to substitute the word smoke for WP for media purposes. But I know what you're getting at.

[Toddinfantry]

@Bander1 The Israelis seem to like to use WP as a "terror" weapon. By this I mean that they fire large amounts of WP into populated areas to generate lots of smoke that blinds people and is choking thick. If something catches fire then...oh well. Yes, tell everyone it is just for smoke to mask Israeli movement.

[Bander1]

@Toddinfantry

Very true, WP is good both as a smoke and as a offensive weapon too especially on built up and dug in positions. But since its use is condemend worldwide they like the term smoke for it.

Oh yeah that reminds me about smoke and the use of chemical weapons in battle. A few years ago I talked with a Iranian veterna of the Iran Iraq war, we talked about the use of chemical weapons in the battlefield(yeah he got gassed, I think it was mustard but he survived).

[Bander1]

@Bander1

Chemical weapons are most effective when the enemy is on a flat plain with no way to go to elevation since gas is heavier than air and quickly settles to the ground. He said when they get gassed they usually go to higher ground.

[Mr199072]

it is such a mystery why the japanese did not counterattack the marines on the first night. I have read that if they did attack in force they could have driven us back into the sea. Thank God they did not!

[2bn442RCT]

@Mr199072 The Japanese commander was killed and no one else seemed to take command

[sherman3211]

@2bn442RCT

Yep, the Japanese really relied too heavily on their leadership. The individual soldier was not taught to make their own decisions. Take out their officers and they are SOL. Thank GOD for that!

[90az8]

@Mr199072 , they would definately counterattacked if they could of. so something stopped them. and i'd like to see them try to push the marines back into the sea.

[1138thz]

@Mr199072

I don't think its a mystery. Almost their entire command staff had been hit and killed by naval bombardment earlier that day. And because of the Japanese ridged military class structure their troops/NCO's were highly dependent on the officers. They just weren't trained to take over when their officers bit the dust. The opposite has always been true of the US military. Japanese inflexibility cost them dearly all through the war. They couldn't adapt to fluid situations without officers.

[worldbattle39]

you should post all lost evidences

[emilyemi91210]

the world war history is so interesting

[daheff123]

looks like your reposting gd houston post's ?

[2bn442RCT]

Your exactly correct! I'm GDHouston LOL. I appreciate you looking out for my interests DAH Thanks!

[ImpulseGuy2006]

One if by land, two if by sea, sir. We must all become Paul Reveres. Thank you, sir.

[bawad]

@2bn442RCT lol welcome back!