Ian W Toll wrote a great trilogy of books on the Pacific Theater of the war. They are well worth a read. Leckie wrote of his experience in the war, and he also wrote a good book on the American Revolution. The American Revolution book is out of print, but you might be able to dig up a copy in a library somewhere. Sledge wrote a very good book describing his experiences in the Pacific. Ian Toll also wrote a book called Six Frigates about the founding of the US Navy that is worth a read. It's fascinating how difficult stuff was back then compared to now with all the machines we have.
Another good HBO miniseries is From the Earth to the Moon about America's Apollo program to get to the moon. It's narrated by Tom Hanks and also has Spielberg involved.
If you look up Guadalcanal The Battle of Alligator Creek at The Operation room it gives a good animation of that battle since it is rather confusing in the show itself.
Fun fact: John Basilone is nicknamed “Manila John” because before he join the Marine Corps, he enlisted in the Army and served in the Philippines. And he joined the Marine Corps because he thought that he could served in the Philippines again but didn’t.
Robert Leckie's part in "The Pacific" is based on his 1957 book "Helmet for My Pillow". I read that book in Jr. High, and then many years later, after watching the Pacific. I believe "Stella" is based on "Sheila" from the book. What ended Robert's and Sheila's affair was, Sheila told him that she was going to Tasmania and that she was married. According to Robert, after that he just played the field during his remaining time in Melbourne. Less dramatic, but easier to understand. ..... Eugene Sledge's parts are based on his books "With the Old Breed at Peleliu and Okinawa" and "China Marine".
Enjoy this episode, it gets rougher from here on. To put this in perspective - At this point in the war it looked to a lot of people like the Japanese might actually invade Australia, and the British couldn't do very much to help after losing their base in Singapore. The airfield which the Marines captured on Guadalcanal would have put Japanese bombers within easy range of Australia, so of course a lot of Australians were happy about it.
@8:34 In peace time too old to join would be anything over 36 for active duty. In WWII when full war was declared too old was counted as 40-45, even at 60 you could enlist for the reserves (Home guard in the UK) units back in the continental united states. Of course recruiting offices were not partial and needed to fill the ranks. So if you had all your limbs, still had most of your original teeth (mind you dental hygiene was not as important back in the 1940s as it is in 2023), and as long as you could pass a basic eye and hearing exam (proving you weren't half blind or color blind) you were good to go. Although a lot of men lied about their conditions to join or enlist. In Band of Brothers in episode 4 "Replacements" the one officer kept instructing Sgt Martin to Tap his leg in the door before the jump. The officer was ordering him to do so because he was color blind and couldn't see the red or green light when it came on. As an officer he would have been the first to jump outta the plane and needed a signal when to go because he couldn't see the color lights at the door for the signal to jump.
The Australians were well-informed regarding the Guadalcanal campaign because the Solomon Islands were uncomfortably close to their nation. The United States would help the Australia defend their country and protect vital ocean supply routes. As a member of the British Commonwealth, Australia already had committed troops to the Mediterranean and to a number of areas in Asia and the Pacific. But there was tension between Australian service members and Americans. US servicemen were paid more, and they were eager to date Australian women.
It gets darker 😐 but the Pacific Campaigns were the most brutal. Not only did they fight the Japanese, they also had to fight the nature, climate, animals, 'creepy-crawleys' 🐍, tropical diseases, cyclones 🌀 🙄 nasty insects 🦟🪰 , constant rain 🌧 And what all the aforementioned affected morale and the mind. Americans are used to very harsh weather conditions, but fighting wars in those extreme climate conditions, was grueling. And circumstances like NG units from the Dakotas, Nebraska (hardly a tree, there) being sent to the steaming jungles of New Guinea 🇵🇬, took some 'adjustments'. All respect for American 🇺🇸 Warriors in the Pacific TO during WWII...
I recommend "Saving Private Ryan", if you haven't seen it already. As well as "Hacksaw Ridge", just to name a few. This Series is very good 👍 darker than "Band of Brothers", but definitely well worth watching. 🙂
I can well understand getting blind drunk in those circumstances, but the day, or even days, after, well, they are not a source of joy. Especially with little sleep because of the open air bunking and reveille. Especially if that was summer, and you were dehydrated.
I've always wondered how many women got pregnant from American Gis and Allied Troops and had children from them.Since there were Hundreds of thousands of them stationed over there. I might have a realative or two over in Europe or Japan
@fannybuster2927 I did AncestryDNA and discovered cousins in Europe I didn't know I had. They didn't know who their grandfather was, so I was able to give them a name.
Leckie's story with Stella and her family seems like fairy tale because it's mostly fiction. I think if it was true, he might have tried to return after the war.
Watch ALL of my Reactions to The Pacific already!: patreon.com/larissazeeuwe
Ian W Toll wrote a great trilogy of books on the Pacific Theater of the war. They are well worth a read. Leckie wrote of his experience in the war, and he also wrote a good book on the American Revolution. The American Revolution book is out of print, but you might be able to dig up a copy in a library somewhere.
Sledge wrote a very good book describing his experiences in the Pacific.
Ian Toll also wrote a book called Six Frigates about the founding of the US Navy that is worth a read. It's fascinating how difficult stuff was back then compared to now with all the machines we have.
Another good HBO miniseries is From the Earth to the Moon about America's Apollo program to get to the moon. It's narrated by Tom Hanks and also has Spielberg involved.
If you look up Guadalcanal The Battle of Alligator Creek at The Operation room it gives a good animation of that battle since it is rather confusing in the show itself.
Sleeping in a sports stadium is far better than having to sleep in the mud on some small island in the Pacific Ocean.
Fun fact: John Basilone is nicknamed “Manila John” because before he join the Marine Corps, he enlisted in the Army and served in the Philippines. And he joined the Marine Corps because he thought that he could served in the Philippines again but didn’t.
Robert Leckie's part in "The Pacific" is based on his 1957 book "Helmet for My Pillow". I read that book in Jr. High, and then many years later, after watching the Pacific. I believe "Stella" is based on "Sheila" from the book. What ended Robert's and Sheila's affair was, Sheila told him that she was going to Tasmania and that she was married. According to Robert, after that he just played the field during his remaining time in Melbourne. Less dramatic, but easier to understand. ..... Eugene Sledge's parts are based on his books "With the Old Breed at Peleliu and Okinawa" and "China Marine".
The Pacific has more intense, brutal episodes but also several that are gentler and even romantic to break it up. You are very good!
From this day forward, blisters will be known as blasters
And, to be fair, when blisters reach that size, they kinda turn into blasters.
Enjoy this episode, it gets rougher from here on.
To put this in perspective - At this point in the war it looked to a lot of people like the Japanese might actually invade Australia, and the British couldn't do very much to help after losing their base in Singapore. The airfield which the Marines captured on Guadalcanal would have put Japanese bombers within easy range of Australia, so of course a lot of Australians were happy about it.
@8:34 In peace time too old to join would be anything over 36 for active duty. In WWII when full war was declared too old was counted as 40-45, even at 60 you could enlist for the reserves (Home guard in the UK) units back in the continental united states. Of course recruiting offices were not partial and needed to fill the ranks. So if you had all your limbs, still had most of your original teeth (mind you dental hygiene was not as important back in the 1940s as it is in 2023), and as long as you could pass a basic eye and hearing exam (proving you weren't half blind or color blind) you were good to go. Although a lot of men lied about their conditions to join or enlist. In Band of Brothers in episode 4 "Replacements" the one officer kept instructing Sgt Martin to Tap his leg in the door before the jump. The officer was ordering him to do so because he was color blind and couldn't see the red or green light when it came on. As an officer he would have been the first to jump outta the plane and needed a signal when to go because he couldn't see the color lights at the door for the signal to jump.
The Australians were well-informed regarding the Guadalcanal campaign because the Solomon Islands were uncomfortably close to their nation. The United States would help the Australia defend their country and protect vital ocean supply routes. As a member of the British Commonwealth, Australia already had committed troops to the Mediterranean and to a number of areas in Asia and the Pacific. But there was tension between Australian service members and Americans. US servicemen were paid more, and they were eager to date Australian women.
It gets darker 😐 but the Pacific Campaigns were the most brutal.
Not only did they fight the Japanese, they also had to fight the nature, climate, animals, 'creepy-crawleys' 🐍, tropical diseases, cyclones 🌀 🙄 nasty insects 🦟🪰 , constant rain 🌧
And what all the aforementioned affected morale and the mind.
Americans are used to very harsh weather conditions, but fighting wars in those extreme climate conditions, was grueling.
And circumstances like NG units from the Dakotas, Nebraska (hardly a tree, there) being sent to the steaming jungles of New Guinea 🇵🇬, took some 'adjustments'.
All respect for American 🇺🇸 Warriors in the Pacific TO during WWII...
I recommend "Saving Private Ryan", if you haven't seen it already.
As well as "Hacksaw Ridge", just to name a few.
This Series is very good 👍 darker than "Band of Brothers", but definitely well worth watching. 🙂
I just found this channel. Good job young lady 👉🏾👍🏾
My uncle spent 3 years 5 months in World War 2 Had to stay till the end of the War.
Love Your Reactions Larissa !!! Keep it Up
I can well understand getting blind drunk in those circumstances, but the day, or even days, after, well, they are not a source of joy. Especially with little sleep because of the open air bunking and reveille. Especially if that was summer, and you were dehydrated.
'What happened to his feet ?" 100 miles in three days is what happened. Lancing a blister hurts, but walking on one hurts worse.
A SERIES YOU MAY FIND HILARIOUS "WHAT WE DO IN THE SHADOWS" (FX) IS BEST COMEDY ON AIR TODAY👍👍👍👍👍❤❤❤❤❤🕸🕷🕸🕷🕸🕷
I've always wondered how many women got pregnant from American Gis and Allied Troops and had children from them.Since there were Hundreds of thousands of them stationed over there. I might have a realative or two over in Europe or Japan
@fannybuster2927 I did AncestryDNA and discovered cousins in Europe I didn't know I had. They didn't know who their grandfather was, so I was able to give them a name.
Nice info, thanks for sharing
Blasters 😂
Leckie's story with Stella and her family seems like fairy tale because it's mostly fiction. I think if it was true, he might have tried to return after the war.
Veel jumpcuts telkens
is that your natural hair color?
I'm sure Larissa is a natural platinum blonde.
@@tomw324 it's rare but possible. That's why I asked.