The Dead and Those About to Die - Omaha Beach

[lobosrul5]

I just got through reading McManus's Trilogy of books on the US Army in the Pacific starting with "Fire and Fortitude". His reason for writing this is that, in the popular eye,in the Pacific Theater the Navy and the Marines have gotten most of the intention,with the Army taking relatively second place. The books were written to try to correct this.
Excellent books. Last Volume 'To The Ends Of The Earth" was just published in APril.
Excellent books, and does correce the idea that the Marines were the only ones to any serous land fighting n the Pacific.
BTw McManus is not at all impressed by "Dugout Doug" and feels strongly that McArthur stole credit for the Southwest Pacific campaigns from his Army Commanders, who did much of the planning and fighting.

My opinion of ole Dugout Doug is that he could give a helluva a good rousing speech, and he did a damned good job, though probably a little too light handed, in Japan post war. But, other than that highly overrated. Corregidor should've been for better prepared for one.

 

[dudalb]

My opinion of ole Dugout Doug is that he could give a helluva a good rousing speech, and he did a damned good job, though probably a little too light handed, in Japan post war. But, other than that highly overrated. Corregidor should've been for better prepared for one.

The First third of McManus's "Fire and Fortitude" goes into detail about how badly MacArthur messed up the defense of the Phillipinnes. Geanted, they were probably doomed from the start with the US Pacific Fleet being put out of action but still MacArthu could have held out longer then he did.