Wrapping up 1944 in the Pacific-Episode 333 

Condolences on the death of Louis Anthony Conter the last survivor of uss arizona

We also lost Bud Anderson,a triple WW2 ace who flew mustangs over Europe.I think he was 100 yrs old,and had a very accomplished career,including being a test pilot.He was a very humble man.Fly high BUD,you earned it.Thank you Bill and Seth for yet another interesting conversation about the pacific war.😊😊😊

I don’t think I’ve ever specifically looked forward to Tuesday’s until y’all started this podcast. Bill, Seth - thank you both for all of the time and energy you guys put into getting these stories out to the masses.

Gentlemen, as you wrap up 1944 in the Pacific Theater, let me wrap up my impressions of your series. I think if Thucycides were alive today, he would refer his students to your series, instruct them to study it and then to "do history like that." You show how some of our finest heroes sometimes stumbled and how our less illustrious sometimes got it right. Some historic figures are getting their long overdue karma. Others are getting additional praise or in some instances, long overdue and well-deserved recognition. I can't think of a better homage to our patriotic heroes of the war in the Pacific than to tell their stories accurately, honestly, and with studied and practiced military insight. I'm confident that you and your distinguished guests are aware that these lessons of history are every bit as applicable and relevant today as when brave American soldiers, sailors and marines put their lives on the line in WW II. Thank you all, including of course Seth and Bill, for your service.

Regarding the Japanese leadership. I think Drach had said that their best were canned for "Not winning hard enough." Which ironically meant that they survived the war.

Dad was in Korea . At the start he was a MacArthur fan. To the point he told my Mom to name me Douglas. When he got home he wanted to change my name!!

I'll respectfully add one more category to "Bill's Top 4 List", and would label it Number 0 (above Number One): the people at home. Without the Rosy the Riverters, without the farmers busting butt to increase food production, without the factory guys staggering home red-eyed after 12 hour shifts - without the American population having, literally, rolled up their sleeves with a "gotta do this" attitude there wouldn't have been the overwhelming masses of materiel with which we beat our way across the Pacific.

I'm so glad finally something's been said about Adm. Leahy. Almost every photo showing the various joint Chiefs in a meeting Adm. Leahy is in almost all but never has word mention, sittin' all back of the Bus being quiet.

My dad recounted a story that while at Ulithi before Okinawa sailing into the harbour on the USS Barber, a destroyer escort, with so many ships no one could believe. He was sent to pick up a loading winch replacement, there was only one and there were two ships wanting one. They threw dice to see who would get it, he won of course.

" I can finish your sentences, Seth, we have been doing this too long". This is what makes the series such a pleasure. The facts enlivened by the relationship. A pleasure to listen to Bill's off-the-cuffs and their delivery.

The only thing that would make this podcast better is if I got this conversation straight from Seth and Bill at a table in my local pub.

Eddie Albert and Alvy Moore. 😁👏👏- If this war ever ends , I'm going to have see the Doc about Seth and Bill withdrawal. I have great appreciation for the time out of your lives to put this series on. When this series ends. I suggest we subscribers chip for a party for these wonderful guys and families anywhere they want. Since the recording is done about 4 weeks before broadcast. I suggest a live Q and A with subscribers after the end of the last broadcast. - and then a couple of statues... well maybe not statues! 😄 --- 1945, Arguably THE YEAR of YEARS in world history.

I believe the strict definition of the Peter Principle is "being promoted to the level of your incompetency."

I was born in December 1942. It is fascinating to think that, while I was just a baby, such mementous battles and operations were occurring in the Pacific Theatre and elsewhere and that my uncles and all the other men and women of WWII were battling for our freedom. Thank you all for your sacrifice. Thank you for our freedoms so hard won.

Great work guys. Cheers from Down Under.

This is far and away the best podcast series of WW 2 on YT I have found. You two work together so well!

I always loved that image of “murderer’s row” in the thumbnail.

God bless Bill. It seemed like he was ready to swallow his tongue forcing that smile when you challenged him to find something wrong with Mac in the Philippines. I love Bill, he is such a character and such an understated guy. A class act, both of you for that matter.

I wish my dad could watch these. He was at Pearl Harbor (Scofield Barracks) on December 7th and fought up to the invasion of Okinawa. He passed away about 7 years ago at age 93. He would have enjoyed your programs immensely. He always said that Europe always got the Lion's share of the coverage. Every June, 6th when D Day is remembered he would quietly comment that there were bigger invasions in the Pacific.

You guys are the best and continually serving your country with this history.

I found this channel only a few weeks ago and can't stop watching. I have always loved learning about WWll and have been trying to play catch up. Great stories about great men and events that need to be told.

An excellent way to end my day, thanks for all the work you guys put into this.

Another great episode gentlemen. Although I'm looking forward to the coming episodes on 1945, it is bittersweet, as I know that also signals the end to this podcast. I, as some others have mentioned, wish you guys could do the war in Europe. But I understand you also have lives of your own and so just know that you have made a difference, to so many people with your time, efforts, and skill. Thank you.

I agree the book, "The Admirals" is a great read.

Captain, the Bilge Pump throw back made me laugh out loud at work.. Well played. Sir

[Tizard mission] "err, hello chaps, we've got this cavity magnetron thingy and a vt fuse the boffins think you might make something of" [Assembled engineers of America] "Hmm. We'll make you The Future, OK? Give us 12 months, 15 top whack"

Number 5 - Industrial base. There's a whole series of youtube videos called WAR OF THE FACTORIES. They say over and over that the side that can produce the much will always win. One example is the Ford B-24 factory at Willow Run. They turned out one B-24 PER HOUR! Some other high point are the Keyser shipyards producing hundreds of Liberty ships and light carriers. And look at all the fast battleships and fast carriers, and we had the cruisers, destroyers, subs, supply ships and repair ships to go with them.

Clicked the like before I even started watching. Well every episode has been the epitome of knowledge, wisdom and history. Thank you gentlemen for be a constant.

I wish my dad was still here to watch your show. He was an Army guy. He ran away from home and lied about his age and joined the Army in 1940. He was at Schodfield barracks during the Pearl Harbor attack. His last amphibious assault was the invasion of Okinawa. He was one of the rare guys who had enough points to go home. We lost my dad when he was 93.

Seth, you are right, this "off the cuff" format was interesting and was fun to watch.

Halsey was brilliant as a 3 star. As a 4 star, not so much. Civil War General John Pope, Marshall Ney were also excellent parallels to great tactics at the Corps level, failing when given a larger force. Napoleon's remark about Ney is a classic that still stands true.

I want to add to your response to Bill about why we had it so 'easy' in the Pacific by the end of 1944, and why we did not have such control in the European theater. My short response would be two fold: (1) The generalship in Europe was far inferior, and the conflict between the US leadership and the Brits who did not WANT to give up control, thinking that it was 'their' war, was always a problem. You eluded to this being an issue in the latter part of the Pacific war when the Brits wanted to get into the fight in March/April of 1945, when the war was already at hand. Montgomery was one of the huge problems in Europe, and caused such slow progress for the allies, and general animosity. He took 6 weeks at Cairn, France when it should have been 1-2 days, He caused the death of something like 15000-17,000 killed (mainly British troops) in Market Garden, mainly because he did not know how to fight the Germans. The one general that was really good, was Patton, but most of the rest were good to average to poor (like Mark Clark). But in the Pacific war, the naval leaders were good to excellent in the most part. MacArthur was akin to Montgomery, but I do not credit his efforts in winning the Pacific war anyway. (2) The Pacific war had the US Marines, the best (in all respects) fighting organization in the world. The Japanese were just shocked every time they had to compete with and face the Marines, and lost every time, although a few times it cost us dearly! In the Korean War, the Chinese told their soldiers to avoid the troops with the leggings, the Marines! If you watch 'The Pacific' (an amazing series, and in my high end home theater, it feels like I was there during the battles!), in the first episode, Chesty is giving a rundown of what is expected of the Marines in WW II, and he says that their theater will be exclusively in the Pacific, and shows a world map, but then goes on to say that if the army runs into trouble in Europe, that they could come and finish that theater also! As far as I know and that I have researched, the only sizable forces in the army in the European theater were the 82nd and 101st Airborne troops that came close to the Marines. This was another amazing episode, and listening to you both just open up about the topic at hand, just shows off your breadth of knowledge, and enthusiasm, which I share with you. You two complement each other so well, and I loved all the US submarine force statistics that Bill gave. I wrote down your email address you announced in this episode at the end, and I will be emailing you!

The Baleo class bilge pump makes its return!

Just took a trip to see 3 ww2 museum ships. While there we saw several plaques honoring brave men. We recognized most of the names from listening to your channel. Awesome content as always and always looking forward to the next episode.

A unique approach to a subject worthy of their wonderful talents

Don't forget the liberty ships they were the work horses in all theaters of the war without them nothing would of kept moving

It’s not when they are laid down as much as they are designed. The philosophy of the design is years before actual use. Great stuff. Love this channel. Learning so much.

I have that book, "The Admirals"! I'll start reading it immediately.

So, although I mostly agree with you guys on MacArthur, I also think his 1944 campaign in New Guinea was at least as good as his campaigns in the Phillipines.

I, too, am a Halsey fan for his work in 1942 and 1943. To your point of Halsey letting McCain and Mitscher "do their jobs", Halsey would have been recognized as a brilliant decision maker if he had only done that. Hasey's ego got in the way. The best thing about military leadership is a senior can be rewarded for letting their subordinates act, the leader and the subordinate generally both get recognition. Checking ego is one of the most important things a commander can do.

Expert off the cuff discussion, really good

Thanks guys. I love this podcast.

Well done, thanks

I also like your reading recommendations that both you and your guests have suggested. Just finished "Coral Comes High" and forwarded it to a friend. I never would've known about this book otherwise. Keep the recommendations coming !

I did ASW in the Navy and I played baseball and went to USC. The Navy took me after I stepped in the molehole and I believe that the Navy was the best thing that ever happened to me. So I love this story keep on wearing that shirt brother😢 ❤ my MI

Excellent way to wrap up 1944, gentlemen! I always enjoy the “two guys sitting at a bar” format. Looking forward to next week’s Q&A episode. Hope you both enjoy the Memorial Day weekend. I know that you & most of your listeners/viewers will be thinking of all those who sacrificed for our nation & our freedom. Bless them all, and their families.

This may be my favorite episode, not for the admirals but the very informative discussion. Very deep and exploratory into the subject of Pacific command. You schooled me on Leahy who I knew of but nothing of his significance. I will go down that rabbit hole in the next year or two. Bravo again gents -

Captain Toti & Seth, thanks much for your hard work. I very much appreciate and value you both.

Thank you for season 3. Very well done!

Great work guys!

Yes, on Leahy!

Lol at Bill's bilge pump interest! 😄 Thank you both so much for all the hard work that surely goes into this. I've said it before and I'll say it again, in my humble opinion this podcast is right up there with the World at War and Victory at Sea series. You have created and are creating content for future generations that must never be forgotten. 💝🎗️

God bless Lou, the last survivor of USS Arizona, who recently died. I was a member of the Navy Ready Reserve in Tucson while attending graduate school in the 1980s. If 12/7 occurred on drill weekend, our unit would participate in annual commemorative services on the University of Arizona campus. By the way an outline of the battleship was made on the mall grounds and crew members are listed on monuments.

Seth, with each podcast I'm convinced that the secret to the podcast's success has been your initial choice of Bill Toti as a partner. With his background it is understandable that he would be quite knowledgeable about American sub aces of WWII as well as WWII submarine and ASW tactics and maybe about the major naval battles of the Pacific War. But he has demonstrated a much wider knowledge base and analytical ability. He seems to have put in a lot of time researching the weekly podcast topics. Also your used of John Parnell and other guest commentators has been valuable.

Such a fun show, I’m so glad I found this

At this point in the war USN had Ice Cream barges. Curtains for IJN. DEs were being made inland then railroaded to ports and assembled. The DE components were rotated on gimbels so the unskilled workers didn't have to make welds up, always down. Crazy!!!

A continuation eppisode on the way submarines unlocked the advantages such as fuel sunk meant the japanese trained with gasoline substitute, leaders who saw charts with clearer enemy locations and lines of bearing etc would be edifying

thanks, an interesting wrap up for the season, looking forward for your next one.

In discussing, Gen MacArthur, Bill brought up Korea, so left me go to the post-war assignment - administrator of Japan. Looking back nearly 80 years and seeing the ally Japan has become, I would like to give credit to “Dugout” Doug for what I believe was his finest hour.

My father fought in the European war! So I grew up knowing a lot about that war! I knew little about bout the Pacific war except from the John Wayne movies! I still live with the motto “I am going to move that toe”. I used to stay up most of Monday night looking at RU-vid for these episodes until I finally I realized they are posted Tuesday mornings after 6 AM! I still start looking forward to them starting Saturday nights! Thank you so much!

I’m at about the point where, in my minds eye, Tuesday on the calendar looms large in bold red: new session unauthorized brilliance! Your program has become an absolute highlight of my weeks.

Love these episodes

Thank you Bill and Seth.

I have viewed every episode, some more than once, since this podcast began. As others have noted, Tuesdays are a day we look forward to each week. Great respect for all you do. Wonder if you have considered a ‘live’ podcast where we could interact, ask questions with such knowledgeable hosts?

Great insight ... Each topic could be a series of shows. Great Show!

Interesting to hear about Adm. Marc Mitscher. While aboard USS Bunker Hill (CV-17) during the Okinawa operations, my father was a signalman who had to pass through "Officer's Country" going to and from his station. Dad was stopped by Mitscher who spotted him not wearing regulation shoes and asked what was the deal with that. Dad was wearing some Australian made loafers he traded another swabby for. Dad tried to explained and Mitscher let him off the hook saying, "I have a pair those to and they are comfortable. But don't make a habit of it wearing during your shift".

Good morning from SC!

Love it. Do an episode for each admiral or impactful person in the pacific.

1:06:28 Dang, we sunk 20 ships on Oct 24th, 1944. That’s 20 ships lost in one day. That’s insane.

Great episode.

Gentlemen..you are the MASTERS of UNDERSTATEMENT. Brilliant off the cuff summary of 1944 . Roses and brickbats with honours where they are due. THANK YOU. The young people today will not and can not comprehend what went on.

Thank you very much for another great episode.

Well done as always.

“You can never talk enough about submarines.” Plato…and Bill.

Awww, I hassa a sad, I'm not on Face Book. And to you 2 fine gentlemen I can only offer my deep heartfelt thanks to all the things you have taught me these last 3 season. I had never heard of the air battle of Formosa before that episode! I consider myself a bit above average in my knowledge about the Pacific War and to learn about a major engagement I never even heard of is humbling. And while there are 'only' 8 months left in the war those are some of the worst months of the war in the Pacific. Thank Sirs!

Thank you for the content. I've learned plenty.

With this podcast, every Tuesday becomes a "little Christmas". Thank you again for your insight and your work you put into this podcast.

great as always

The best program of its kind ANYWHERE😁

Our ship yards managed to churn out liberty ships in one day. This was done several times. You hit that one right on the nailhead.

Thanks!

Seth and Bill, thanks again for all the hours you’ve invested to give us a portion every Tuesday. I still think you ought to put your show title on those Hawaiian shirts as a way for us to return a little something in appreciation. Short that, where can we order the shirts; so when we visit the WW II Museum, or a ship museum, you’ll know your audience. Thanks again!

I can't believe it's already been 3 seasons. I always learn something I didn't have a clue about from watching. Hope you keep doing this for 10 more years!

Thanks for all the hard work and dedication. Lots of prep and editing to make it look easy! It is important to remember the cost of freedom. Thanks guys!

Great work Seth and Bill, love you cats heaps! Especially I must congratulate both of you on the airspace you give with regard to the part played by the allies, especially my Australian forefathers, in winning the war in the Pacific.

Yours is an incredible resource about the war in the Pacific. Thanks.

This may be the most interesting episode yet. And that’s saying alot, because they are all quite interesting! Superb job summarizing where we are in the Pacific War at the end of 1944.

The admirals is one of my favorite book

Thank you for the podcasts. My Grandfather and Great Uncles was in war and you have filled in loads of information I never knew because they never talk about it.

I commend your ability and dedication to putting out factual information and not just sticking to the propaganda that was distributed to keep the public motivated during the war. People need the facts to make informed decisions.

What a great episode guys! I bought the Admirals book years ago, so interesting too. New subscriber to the channel/podcast, looking forward to more!

While everyday is a school day, I believe i learn more on Tuesdays than the rest of the week. Thank you.

Thank god for Tuesday. Well done again. Please do the ETO when the Pacific is done.

"Pacific War Diary, 1942-1945: The Secret Diary of an American Sailor" by James J. Fahey was one of the first books on WW II that I ever read, back when I was in 8th grade in 1965. I still have it. One of those books that you can't put down once you start reading. My uncle served on Enterprise for the duration. I never had a chance to ask him about it, and he never shared anything with his immediate family, so his story is lost.

Outstanding episode

There are two topics, that I would have liked to see this season. One, more about what is going on with bombing campaigns against Japan. Two, more about what is going on with the sub campaign against Japan. Perhaps they could both be combined in to a single episode on the economic impact on Japan.

JIMMY DOOLITTLE episode please. Not just the raid on Tokyo. His life was incredible.

Another informative and well presented video.

As always gents an excellent episode.......Bravo Zulu!

Great show gentlemen.