70 years ago... (1 Viewer)

[binder001]

I got very busy at work yesterday and didn't get to post that yesterday, the 7th of August marks 70 years since elements of the USMC's 1st Marine Division landed on Guadalcanal and Tulagi in the Solomon Islands. This marked the first ground offensive against the Japanese to retake ground that they had seized. The resulting seven month campaign was hell on earth, at sea and in the air. Midway was the crest of the Japanese flood, but their naval airpower might have been able to recover. Many aviators had been saved from Midway. However the IJN contributed many air units to the Solomons, both on carriers and from land bases. The grinding attrition of the Solomons campaign chewed up experienced aircrews as well as novices and kept the Japanese from being able to rebuild their carrier air groups in numbers or experience.American and Austrailian units steadily got better, the Japanese steadily got worse. Add the new generation of Allied aircraft coming into the theater.

Gary B.

 

[theBaron]

It would be appropriate to re-read "Guadalcanal Diary", or watch the movie, to observe the anniversary.

Prosit!
Brad

 

[Larry Allen]

It is a sad fact that almost every anniversary of major Battles and historical events are eventually lost in time.

Of the hundreds of Battles of the American Revolution only one or two remembered or celebrated in Boston and the surrounding communities. Bunker Hill is observed in Boston (proper) while the Battle of Lexington and Concord is re-enacted in (you guessed it) Lexington and Concord. Boston also observes “Evacuation Day” or the day that the British Army fled Boston.

I was dismayed to find that on June 6th there was only a tiny mention in the local paper and a 30 second slot on the evening news about the most momentous point of WWII.

I wonder how many Americans could tell you anything about any battles of the Civil War or WWI? Only a handful I am afraid.

Is it any different in Britain, Australia, France, Germany, China .....?

We as collectors of Toy Soldiers (and maybe Military Collectors) are a small group that has an important mission to keep these events alive and to pass these along to so the sacrifices of some many are not forgotten.

I will now get down off my soapbox.

Larry

 

[waynepoo]

Larry,
Here in OZ at least it seems that each ANZAC Day the crowds get bigger and more kids are becoming a little more aware of the history of our Diggers efforts. When I was a kid there was a lot of talk about once all the old Diggers passed away the day would fade into memory but that was when the anti war thing about Vietnam was flavour of the month (all us long haired layabouts).
But now the opposite is true, in 1974 I went to the local ANZAC march here in my home suburb and there were more marchers than crowd, this year I was taken back by the crowd, it was huge for a place like this and they were mostly all young families with the kids all standing in the front. Each year I proudly attend in memory of my Grandfather, my Father and Eleven Uncles and Aunties who served this Great nation of whom five did not return to it's shores. Attached a some pics of this years parade and service in the suburb of Sandgate which is on fringes of Brisbane,
you get some idea of the crowd but the camera does not do them justice.
Wayne.

 

[Larry Allen]

Thanks Wayne for giving me a little hope. :smile2:

I do have to admit that OUR Memorial Day and Veterans Day holidays have also shown a marked increase in attendance the last few years. I believe that it is in response to the large number of Mainers fighting in Iraq and other Middle Eastern countries.
So I guess that there is cause for hope!

Also nice pictures ….. Larry

<><><><><><>

PS .. I was a little surprised to see that Australia had actual buildings and paved streets.{sm4}


I was disappointed in that I didn’t see Koala Bears hanging from trees. Maybe all the noise scared them away huh?
See, I told ya’ I was a trouble maker!

 

[waynepoo]

Thanks Wayne for giving me a little hope. :smile2:

I do have to admit that OUR Memorial Day and Veterans Day holidays have also shown a marked increase in attendance the last few years. I believe that it is in response to the large number of Mainers fighting in Iraq and other Middle Eastern countries.
So I guess that there is cause for hope!

Also nice pictures ….. Larry

<><><><><><>

PS .. I was a little surprised to see that Australia had actual buildings and paved streets.{sm4}


I was disappointed in that I didn’t see Koala Bears hanging from trees. Maybe all the noise scared them away huh?
See, I told ya’ I was a trouble maker!

Yes mate we started wearing shoes last year but have given the television the boot as there was something mistakenly called culture from America on it that really scared the Koalas out of the trees......{sm2}{sm3}^&grin
Wayne.

 

[OzDigger]

The War in the Pacific threatened Australia more than most countries and we do appreciate America's huge input.

As mentioned by Wayne above, ANZAC DAY is increasing in popularity every year and is used to commemorate all conflicts and theaters in which Australia was involved, including the Pacific of course.

Here's a link to the most recent ANZAC DAY in my hometown of Buderim, Queensland. http://www.anointedclay.com/anzac/index.html

Larry please note that there are also no Koalas in these trees as they don't eat Bunya Pine nuts which are the largest in the world btw. Yes we have big nuts downunder.

 

[Northgate Woods]

It is a sad fact that almost every anniversary of major Battles and historical events are eventually lost in time.

Of the hundreds of Battles of the American Revolution only one or two remembered or celebrated in Boston and the surrounding communities. Bunker Hill is observed in Boston (proper) while the Battle of Lexington and Concord is re-enacted in (you guessed it) Lexington and Concord. Boston also observes “Evacuation Day” or the day that the British Army fled Boston.

I was dismayed to find that on June 6th there was only a tiny mention in the local paper and a 30 second slot on the evening news about the most momentous point of WWII.

I wonder how many Americans could tell you anything about any battles of the Civil War or WWI? Only a handful I am afraid.

Is it any different in Britain, Australia, France, Germany, China .....?

We as collectors of Toy Soldiers (and maybe Military Collectors) are a small group that has an important mission to keep these events alive and to pass these along to so the sacrifices of some many are not forgotten.

I will now get down off my soapbox.

Larry

Larry mate,
And good Koala Day to you.^&grin I personally as an ex-serviceman celebrate five major days in the Australian Military Calendar. Anzac Day (25th April) Armistice Day (11th November) Long Tan Day (Vietnam 18th August) Beersheba Day (31st October) and Cambrai Day (18th November), the last two being Lighthorse and Tank battles with my old Regiment having Re Union Dinners.
We here in the Land Downunder have a small Military History but a very proud one. Hope this helps cobber. Don't take any notice of Wayne. He's a Queenslander.:smile2::smile2: Cheers Howard

 

[TomNT]

PS .. I was a little surprised to see that Australia had actual buildings and paved streets.{sm4}


I was disappointed in that I didn’t see Koala Bears hanging from trees. Maybe all the noise scared them away huh?
See, I told ya’ I was a trouble maker!

Larry, you wouldn't be stirring the possum a little would you???? Keep it up mate and we'll send a large mob of Kanga's from Canberra to sort ya out!:rolleyes2:^&grin

Yes mate we started wearing shoes last year but have given the television the boot as there was something mistakenly called culture from America on it that really scared the Koalas out of the trees......{sm2}{sm3}^&grin
Wayne.

Shoes mate, you forgot about me thongs...(the one's you wear on your feet international treefroggers):rolleyes2:

Tom

 

[Larry Allen]

Yes mate we started wearing shoes last year but have given the television the boot as there was something mistakenly called culture from America on it that really scared the Koalas out of the trees......{sm2}{sm3}^&grin
Wayne.

WHAT? You mean "The Simpsons" isn't rich with Class and Culture? < D’OH>

Then we have great shows that portray grossly overweight people trying to get thin while we humiliate them, followed by the riveting “Dancing with the Stars”. And then we have ……….^&confuse

Hummmmm … Maybe I move to Australia!
Larry

 

[Larry Allen]

Larry mate,
And good Koala Day to you.^&grin I personally as an ex-serviceman celebrate five major days in the Australian Military Calendar. Anzac Day (25th April) Armistice Day (11th November) Long Tan Day (Vietnam 18th August) Beersheba Day (31st October) and Cambrai Day (18th November), the last two being Lighthorse and Tank battles with my old Regiment having Re Union Dinners.
We here in the Land Downunder have a small Military History but a very proud one. Hope this helps cobber. Don't take any notice of Wayne. He's a Queenslander.:smile2::smile2: Cheers Howard

Hey Howard!
I tip my hat to you sir and thank you for your Service to Australia and the world!!!!!! -- Larry

 

[waynepoo]

WHAT? You mean "The Simpsons" isn't rich with Class and Culture? < D’OH>

Then we have great shows that portray grossly overweight people trying to get thin while we humiliate them, followed by the riveting “Dancing with the Stars”. And then we have ……….^&confuse

Hummmmm … Maybe I move to Australia!Larry

Larry a good reason to move down under is it is a tad warmer mate, and there is one bit of Amercian culture we have taken to heart, the 'Kini' as we have called it.
Wayne.

 

[Larry Allen]

Larry a good reason to move down under is it is a tad warmer mate, and there is one bit of Amercian culture we have taken to heart, the 'Kini' as we have called it.
Wayne.

Wayne my friend, that picture of Maine is wrong. That can't be winter, it must be SUMMER in Maine. ^&confuse The reason is simple.

You can see the "person" from 20 -30 feet away.
Ha, Ha, Ha that can only mean it must be late June or early July. If it was a Maine winter shot you would not see him at all. {sm3}{sm3}

Very,very, very nice .... ummmm .... "buildings" :tongue: in the other picture. It took me 20 minutes before I saw them however.

Okay, roll out the sleepin' cot, sir, I'm getting my tickets as soon as the drifts are under 10 feet!
Larry