HBO's The Pacific

[3 Justin 3]

Originally Posted by Sainters7

I think it's also because, in most wars it really depends on where you live for who you'd consider the "good guys" and "bad guys". But WWII is probably the only major war where the Axis were pretty much universally considered evil and had to be stopped. Of course this was furthered even more after the war when the general population found out about the Jewish concentration camps.

Also I think it gets especially overdone a bit in the States because if you look at their history, WWII is basically what shaped them into the country they are today in terms of their foreign policy. Before WWII, the States was basically a self-imposed isolationist country who wanted nothing to do with European wars and squabbling, they just wanted to focus on their side of the world. But after the war, they started seeing themselves as the great protectors, hence why now they kind of have a reputation for sticking their nose in places it may not belong.

Too bad they didn't learn anything from Vietnam.

[HOZ]

Originally Posted by worth

Serious? Source for this?

http://www.ww2pacific.com/

Most carriers weren't the big kick ass types. Sub hunters. A few plane escorts..and just carriers.....take them over there.

[Hack&Lube]

Originally Posted by HOZ

The US ships also had radar. The Japanese did not.

And they had broken the Japanese code and could read most of the radio traffic and knew their plans in advance.

The US got lucky though, it could easily have swung the other way that day. If a few squadrons had not spotted the Japanese carriers when they did, and it wasn't timed exactly with when they were most vulnerable (ordinance and fuel all over the decks), the battle (and therefore the war) could have turned much worse for the US.

Of course, with the military industrial complex of the united states, they could rebuild their losses and fight again and they would have eventually won anyway, it would just have taken much longer.

[HOZ]

Originally Posted by Hack&Lube

And they had broken the Japanese code and could read most of the radio traffic and knew their plans in advance.

The US got lucky though, it could easily have swung the other way that day. If a few squadrons had not spotted the Japanese carriers when they did, and it wasn't timed exactly with when they were most vulnerable (ordinance and fuel all over the decks), the battle (and therefore the war) could have turned much worse for the US.

Of course, with the military industrial complex of the united states, they could rebuild their losses and fight again and they would have eventually won anyway, it would just have taken much longer.

Luck
Tactics
Technology
Fortitude
.............................Absolutely

As for you last bit. Noop

[Pastiche]

Originally Posted by Hack&Lube

And they had broken the Japanese code and could read most of the radio traffic and knew their plans in advance.

The US got lucky though, it could easily have swung the other way that day. If a few squadrons had not spotted the Japanese carriers when they did, and it wasn't timed exactly with when they were most vulnerable (ordinance and fuel all over the decks), the battle (and therefore the war) could have turned much worse for the US.

Of course, with the military industrial complex of the united states, they could rebuild their losses and fight again and they would have eventually won anyway, it would just have taken much longer.

The U.S. most important advantage and really the reason why they would have outlasted anyone in WWII was energy. No one could match their domestic energy production. Japan and Germany especially.

[sa226]

Originally Posted by Pastiche

The U.S. most important advantage and really the reason why they would have outlasted anyone in WWII was energy. No one could match their domestic energy production. Japan and Germany especially.

Yep, also the ability to mass produce large quantities of supplies was a huge factor in the war.

In the US and Canada, Tanks, Aircraft, ships et all were manufactured and assembled in one location because there was zero threat of bombing.

In Britain and to an extent Germany and Japan the plants were scattered throughout the country. A spitfire would be manufactured in several different locations and then assembled at an entirely different plant. For the single reason of minimizing the loss if a plant was destroyed.

You don't hear much about the U boats and Canada's "sheep dog Navy" but the war in the Atlantic and those shipping lanes were vital to the allies success.

[nik-]

So I finally got around to watching it. I enjoyed it, but the complaints regarding character development are justified. I couldn't name a character from that show at this point, and a coworker I spoke to felt the same way.

I realize it's only one episode in, but I wish I would be able to remember a name for episode two.

[CaptainCrunch]

Just to carry on the battleship row

The history channel is showing the movie "Sink the Bismark" at 10:00 am this morning followed by a episode of Dogfight focused around the Bismark.

[3 Justin 3]

Originally Posted by CaptainCrunch

Just to carry on the battleship row

The history channel is showing the movie "Sink the Bismark" at 10:00 am this morning followed by a episode of Dogfight focused around the Bismark.

Correction: 12:00pm. (MTN)

[Tron_fdc]

I've had a long 3 days of flying, and just before I left Calgary I picked up "The Pacific" by Hugh Ambrose to read while sitting in various airports.

I would strongly suggest that anyone who intends on watching this series buys the book; it goes into great detail regarding the HBO show, the battles, and a lot of the tactics and situations that were even shown in the first episode.

I was always quite interested in the European campaign and not necessarily the Pacific, so for me the book has actually been quite enlightening. It's a great read so far.

[Fozzie_DeBear]

Fata?

You can watch the first episode online for free until Sunday midnight

[3 Justin 3]

Just a reminder, Part 2 is on in 20 minutes. Watching the "making of" now. I think it is the same as last weeks.

[MoneyGuy]

Just got home and was unable to watch this one. I trust this episode will also be on the HBO website after it airs tonight??

[3 Justin 3]

If you want to stay up late it will be on at 1:30am again tonight.

This episode was rather intense, lots of battling and mortaring. Too bad it was on the short side (only 50 minutes).

I think next week's episode will showcase Sledge going through training camp.

[worth]

This episode was pretty intense. Wave upon wave of Japanese assaulting the dug in American outposts. They did a good job of creating tension with the reloading of the 30 cals. You would think the Japanese wwi frontal assault mentalities would subside after getting cut up in every major engagement on the island.

Guess some things never change too. I have a couple friends in the marines. They tell me of the shortcomings of their equipment. They get all the old stuff while the army gets the new stuff. "marines make due". Seems to be true in WWII as well. Can't imagine using a Springfield bolt action in a situation like that.

[3 Justin 3]

Originally Posted by worth

This episode was pretty intense. Wave upon wave of Japanese assaulting the dug in American outposts. They did a good job of creating tension with the reloading of the 30 cals. You would think the Japanese wwi frontal assault mentalities would subside after getting cut up in every major engagement on the island.

Guess some things never change too. I have a couple friends in the marines. They tell me of the shortcomings of their equipment. They get all the old stuff while the army gets the new stuff. "marines make due". Seems to be true in WWII as well. Can't imagine using a Springfield bolt action in a situation like that.

No kidding, waves of guys coming at you and you get a bullet for every second essentially.

[Ducay]

Found this one basically the same as Ep1. Bunch of misc hanging out, shelling, and then dark MG firing at random japs for 10 minutes.


I've decided the reason I like Band of Brothers better (well, thus far), is not only the better characters, but the fact it surrounded so much around the strategy of the battles.
The 2 parts thus far just feel like Bastogne.

[Canuck-Hater]

Sure doesnt have the same feel that Band of Brothers did. So far BOB seemed more interesting to me.

[wooohooo]

I find the BOB characters easier to relate to... maybe it's better acting or filmography (made up my own word?) but The Pacific is still a very good series. Can't imagine the stuff they had to go through...

[T@T]

BoB wasn't all that great until the 3rd or 4th episode IMO. Give it time, I have a feeling this is going to be epic when alls said and done.