Pacific-Episode 7 (2 Viewers)

[bromhead]

This hit the nail square on the head for me; Sledge is by far my favorite character of the three main characters, probably because of the way his story has unfolded, going from being hell bent on enlisting to literally fighting in Hell.

Everything I have seen and read about Pelelieu has now come home to me through the past three episodes, especially the last one, just about THE most brutal portrait of combat I've ever seen anywhere, anytime; the beach scene on Omaha beach has met it's match.

The pillbox scene was horrific beyond belief and I was sad to see the skipper die, I felt for all of those Marines as they carried his body along the trail, specifically "Sledgehammer." Even poor Gunny snapped under the pressure of it all.

Some of the other scenes were just brutal as well, specifically the knocked out machine gun nest scene and the "Just put him out of his misery" scene.

And to lighten the mood, the pants crapping scene was priceless.

Kudos to Speilberg, Hanks and Dye; they got it right.

And to think Iwo Jima and Okinawa are still looming on the horizon.

I am totally impressed with this series in retrospect...........

More then one of us were hell bent on enlisting before we knew much of anything.

 

[Canadian Samurai]

It is my understanding that it was pressure from the Navy for the islands to be secured as quickly as possible. The admirals didn't want their ships stationary around an contested island for very long.
I have also read that there was friction between the Navy and the Army because the Army tended to attack in a more methodical manner. The more I watch this series, the more I am in awe of the Marines that served before me.

As I understand it, the Marine general at the time was part of the problem as well. I think Louis is correct in his assessment on this one:

"And so finally, it is the conduct of the marines themselves, specifically their leadership, that one must take to task. MG Rupertus was undoubtedly a tough, brave man. He had served ably in Guadalcanal and had been decorated for his leadership there. He had the utmost confidence in his men, their equipment, and his plan. American amphibious doctrine had been working across the Pacific with stunning results over the previous year, and Peleliu would be yet another validation of these methods. In these lies the greatest failing of Rupertus, and the greatest mistake by the marines: overconfidence.

Rupertus continually stated throughout the planning stages that the fight would be intense, but short. It would be a quintessential storm landing, with hard fighting on the beaches and immediately inland, but of short duration once the Japanese lines were pierced. He spoke of 'open season' on the Japanese once they began their inevitable banzai charges, and demanded that "somebody bring me the Jap commander's dress sword."(22) This was arrogance and overconfidence of the highest order, considering stiff enemy resistance continuing on Guam that summer, and the haphazard manner in which 1st MarDiv had trained and loaded for Peleliu. Morale on the part of troops and a commander's confidence are critical to victory, but such specific, bold claims on the part of a commander are irresponsible. Throughout the battle Rupertus, seemingly oblivious to the casualties his division was taking, insisted that the end was in sight, and that outside help was unnecessary. It took an order from his corps commander to get him to remove Puller's 1st Marines from the line, to be replaced by an army unit; Rupertus had repeatedly expressed his lack of confidence in the untried 81st ID, its commander, and the army in general. Apparently, it was a far better decision to sacrifice his own troops rather than take a chance on the army; inter-service rivalry is fine for enlisted men, but at the general officer level it is childish and counterproductive.

In addition to his unwillingness to accept help, Rupertus had planned an invasion for which he held only two battalions as his divisional reserve, with nothing else to back him up should the need arise. Apparently it was inconceivable to him that a situation in which his marines would need help could develop. Consequently, the 81st ID, whose attacks on Anguar and Ulithi were held up pending favorable progress on Peleliu, were launched. This, despite the fact that by D+2, the day Rupertus informed III Amphibious Corps that the 81st was not needed, 1st MarDiv was completely bogged down and suffering horrendous casualties. American intelligence knew that the garrisons on Anguar and Ulithi were smaller than the one on Peleliu, and this was precisely why the attacks on these islands were held off: so that the 81st could provide 1st MarDiv with support if needed first on Peleliu. Rupertus, stubborn to the end, had to be ordered to accept the army's assistance, and even then continued to insist that his marines would take the island shortly. Intermittent problems with water and food supplies,(23) along with stiffening Japanese resistance, and the high temperatures coupled with Rupertus' arrogant stubbornness probably resulted in more deaths than were necessary."

From: http://www.militaryhistoryonline.com/wwii/peleliu/provencourage.aspx

 

[Warrior]

More then one of us were hell bent on enlisting before we knew much of anything.

And for doing so, I say thanks to you and all others such as yourself.

To see his transformation from raw recruit, to literally falling out of the Amtrac onto the beach at Peleliu to a combat veteran is pretty amazing.................

 

[Toy Soldier Brigade]

I am throughly enjoying this mini series. For some reason I keep thinking about the scene in episode seven when Sledge sits down and starts opening a can of food. Then turns around and his buddy is throwing rocks into the top of the dead Japanese soldiers head. Definitely gave me the creeps. That boy isn't right. Every scene he's in I'm waiting for him to snap and go over the edge.

 

[binder001]

the garrisons on Anguar and Ulithi were smaller than the one on Peleliu, and this was precisely why the attacks on these islands were held off: so that the 81st could provide 1st MarDiv with support if needed first on Peleliu.

That was doubly unfortunate - Peleliu was just an outpost that could have been bypassed, Ulithi was the real prize. Ulithi became a major fleet base. It was a jumping off point for future operations and was a repair haven for many damaged ships.

Gary B.

 

[lancer]

I am throughly enjoying this mini series. For some reason I keep thinking about the scene in episode seven when Sledge sits down and starts opening a can of food. Then turns around and his buddy is throwing rocks into the top of the dead Japanese soldiers head. Definitely gave me the creeps. That boy isn't right. Every scene he's in I'm waiting for him to snap and go over the edge.

Agreed. That was one creepy scene and Snafu is interesting, to say the least. -- Al

 

[VIRIATO]

Brutal!!! Realistic I guess. I've finally got into the groove with this series, this episode is just superb, just like the last one.

IMHO,
Paulo

 

[marco55]

Rating up to 9.5
Mark

 

[DCN1898]

That was a very disturbing scene with Snafu pitching the pebbles. It will be hard to picture him as the Pharaoh from A Night in the Museum ever again!

 

[lancer]

Hey all. This series has been terrific. I have just re-read "With the Old Breed" by Sledge. I had all but forgotten how good it was. I urge any of you who have not read it to get a copy and do so. It is a very honest and harrowing read. You will not be let down. -- Al

 

[bromhead]

I am throughly enjoying this mini series. For some reason I keep thinking about the scene in episode seven when Sledge sits down and starts opening a can of food. Then turns around and his buddy is throwing rocks into the top of the dead Japanese soldiers head. Definitely gave me the creeps. That boy isn't right. Every scene he's in I'm waiting for him to snap and go over the edge.

And do you believe Snafu would have had a happy,long and well adjusted post war life? had he survived or dealt always with the VA system that to this day is considered troubled to say the least by anyone enrolled in that.
To Me Rami Malek is beginning to steal the charactor lead,definatly could become the next young peter Lorre to those with an idea who he was.

 

[kingtoot]

And do you believe Snafu would have had a happy,long and well adjusted post war life? had he survived or dealt always with the VA system that to this day is considered troubled to say the least by anyone enrolled in that.
To Me Rami Malek is beginning to steal the charactor lead,definatly could become the next young peter Lorre to those with an idea who he was.

I think that Snafu has adjusted well to combat...how else can you survive all of that emotionally without some sort of gallows humor? When he screamed into the bunker to the japs inside to die while he emptied his clip into them..wouldn't you feel the same way to people who were trying to kill you? and then convinces Sledge not to pull out gold teeth...certainly not because of "jap germs"...but to save sledge's last piece of humanity..those two are very good character actors..

 

[bromhead]

I think that Snafu has adjusted well to combat...how else can you survive all of that emotionally without some sort of gallows humor? When he screamed into the bunker to the japs inside to die while he emptied his clip into them..wouldn't you feel the same way to people who were trying to kill you? and then convinces Sledge not to pull out gold teeth...certainly not because of "jap germs"...but to save sledge's last piece of humanity..those two are very good character actors..

"wouldnt I feel the same way to people trying to kill me?" LOL to say the least,My comments about Snafu had nothing to do with your response.I am interested in your views on "adjusting to combat " of course.

 

[kingtoot]

And do you believe Snafu would have had a happy,long and well adjusted post war life? had he survived or dealt always with the VA system that to this day is considered troubled to say the least by anyone enrolled in that.
To Me Rami Malek is beginning to steal the charactor lead,definatly could become the next young peter Lorre to those with an idea who he was.

I totally agree with you on this...stealing the lead...definitely..I remember Peter Lorre...creepy but compelling..now I need to watch "Night at the Museum"

 

[Stryker II]

I totally agree with you on this...stealing the lead...definitely..I remember Peter Lorre...creepy but compelling..now I need to watch "Night at the Museum"

If he survives Okinawa, SNAFU will definately need some help stateside........Stryker

 

[bromhead]

If he survives Okinawa, SNAFU will definately need some help stateside........Stryker

And in these times Snafu and half the company would already have been up on charges.

 

[Stryker II]

And in these times Snafu and half the company would already have been up on charges.

THAT IS TRUE!!!..............Stryker

 

[bromhead]

THAT IS TRUE!!!..............Stryker

Way past an Article 32,,