Another great reaction, Amy. This episode was just heartbreaking in so many ways. It's one thing to learn about history, but to get a glimpse of what these men actually went through really drives home the horrors suffered by all involved in war, whether they were combatants or innocent civilians.
I was a mortarman like Eugene and haveing wet charges on a mortar round is extremely bad because it leads to misfires just like you saw in that episode. Handling misfires is extremely dangerous entire gun teams have died dealing with them before even in training because they can explode in the mortar tube. In the infantry we have a saying. "Weapon, Gear, Body" because you have to take care of things in that order. you can handle discomfort but you can't let your weapon or gear fail it's life or death.
"The whole island's a graveyard." Is he serious? Yes he is. I was stationed in Okinawa for 3 years when I was in the Navy. The mainland Japanese have dedicated graveyards like Europeans and Americans but the Okinawans, who are not ethnic Japanese, bury their dead in family tombs close to where they live. When we arrived on station, we were specifically warned NEVER to mess around their tombs, especially because the tombs were favorite places for venous snakes called "habu's." Artillery barrages would easily bust open those tombs like eggs.
Wow, I've seen this a few times but it always hits me harder than i expect. Eugene comforting the woman makes my eyes tear up a bit. Also, Sledge is on the verge of losing hope and humanity, Snafu is even starting to crack from the strain. Hell of an episode. I really enjoyed watching with you, thanks Amy!🤠
There’s a 36 minute speech sledge gives on TH-cam called “with the old breed and the cost of war” he gets very descriptive and the ending where he talks about that cost no matter how many times I hear it I still tear up. Highly suggest listening to it in your free time it will change your day even week
The Japanese didn't regard the Okinawans as human. Okinawa was a later addition to the Japanese Empire, having held out independently until the 19th Century. There was and still is discrimination against Okinawans in Japan. That's why using civilians as human shields and bombers was seen as a perfectly legitimate tactic by the Japanese military. During this time the Japanese were preparing for the final defense of the main islands of Japan beyond Okinawa. 100 million die together was the slogan. That meant every man, woman, and child was expected to die fighting.
Do the Japanese have no compassion or humanity for others even now or was that just how they were was back then? Why were they so obsessed with honor (death before dishonor) back then? Please tell me that the Japanese signed the Geneva convention after they lost the war, and that they will never treat prisoners and civilians horribly (like they did in the 2nd World War) should they ever enter into another conflict?
@@jmwilliamsart The Japanese today are very different from the Japanese of WWII. During that time they were indoctrinated with extreme nationalist and racist dogma. During the Russo-Japanese War at the start of the 20th Century, European observers were highly impressed by the great humanity with which the Japanese military treated their Russian prisoners of war. That changed drastically in the 1930s after extreme nationalist and racist ideas were put into the education system.
@@place_there9104Why was this extreme racist dogma introduced into the education system back then? I think that the trend actually began in the 1920s due to social and economic difficulties that Japan had been experiencing at the time.
You've been a trooper sludging through this difficult and painful series, but it's an important story that must be remembered. I was disappointed that you edited out the ending, when the lieutenant tells them that they dropped a new bomb on Japan, and they shrug it off, not understanding its ramifications. Then the squad of airplanes flying overhead, with the ominous music, implies the second dropping of the bomb in Nagasaki. Important but subtle.
I'm disappointed in myself. 😨I think my brain was still taking in everything I had just watched, and I completely missed it! I couldn't believe it once I'd found out. 🤣😂And thank you so much for all the support you've shown along the way 😊
The teenagers that Eugene spared but was killed by the other Marine was probably an Okinawan. The Japanese impressed young Okinawans to fight for them. If they refused they would be shot. These young people were often unarmed and basically served as cannon fodder. We need to keep in mind that Okinawans were not Japanese. They even had their own language. To the Japanese, anyone who was not Japanese was less than human.
@@amylorraine3776 In a way it was not their fault. Their barbarity was due to their indoctrination as children and their training as soldiers. They were basically taught by brutal means (it was not uncommon for Japanese soldiers to die during training) to brutalize others that were deemed inferior. They were also trained to die.
As bad as this episode was it only was the tip of the iceberg. Easily could've been 5 episodes. Also Peck wasn't portrayed fairly. He wasn't some bumbling mid battle replacement that nobody liked. Irl he arrived after Peleliu and had months of being integrated to the unit prior to arriving.
I agree, there was so much going on that it could have easily been turned into a movie. It's disappointing to hear they painted Peck poorly. I also only realised how meanly the boys were treating him while I was editing-nothing drastic, but continuous. It must have felt very isolating in a situation like this.
Wrong, they pulled from the draft pool during WW2 after Dec 5 1942. While the corps worked with the draft board to select draftees who were at least somewhat interested in being marines, they were still draftees at the end of the day. They also drafted during Vietnam, though I'm not as clear on when.
that adverage event some actually use to c,aim they were drafted was they would recieve a draft norice from the US Arnt then go to the marines or other services and enlist enabling them to falsely vlaim they were drafted int aht service. When I say that kn one was ever drafted in the USMC thus is very true that service for it's entire time of existance ahs beenthe onky one that is 10% volunteer, I am a military Historian and I deeply studied the USMCespecially on this fatc alone, any one who claims I am wrong on think that The USMC almost lost the entire Guadalcanal campign.
@@simonbarabash2151 Who are you speaking t this is not me My emai address is different plus I statred to study Military History what I was in Junior Higdh I am now 69 and still studying as for my spelling when U get excite my typing isn't to good, lus I served in the USMC and know from my YEARS of study and practical ezperience of the truth I speak of.
@@simonbarabash2151 Most Viet Nam draftess were drafted only in the ARmy as the army is tthe ONY service that drafted anyonem yet because if LBJ's "Great Society they did draft many black Men to break up black homes and guarntee the black vote which is in the presess of backfiring on them. Plus through MY studiies during the late 60s and earky 70s crownds in the states cried ut the phrase "Hell no We Won't Go" ub[nder the complete mistaken belief that everuone drafted was sent to Veit Nam, That true facys were that only about 35 of thse drafted went there, the rest went to various bases in the United States and other Countriies no invovle in the war and even soe sent to the pentagon. To me this info came as a joke to those who were draft dodgers,
I think that Eugene holding that dying Okinawan woman restored his humanity and brought him back from the darkness.
I totally agree plus I read hs book from cover to cover.
And when he comes out of the hut, Snafu asks, “Find anything?”. Eugene says “No”. But we know he did.
Another great reaction, Amy. This episode was just heartbreaking in so many ways. It's one thing to learn about history, but to get a glimpse of what these men actually went through really drives home the horrors suffered by all involved in war, whether they were combatants or innocent civilians.
I was a mortarman like Eugene and haveing wet charges on a mortar round is extremely bad because it leads to misfires just like you saw in that episode. Handling misfires is extremely dangerous entire gun teams have died dealing with them before even in training because they can explode in the mortar tube. In the infantry we have a saying. "Weapon, Gear, Body" because you have to take care of things in that order. you can handle discomfort but you can't let your weapon or gear fail it's life or death.
Eugene regains his humanity.
"The whole island's a graveyard." Is he serious? Yes he is. I was stationed in Okinawa for 3 years when I was in the Navy. The mainland Japanese have dedicated graveyards like Europeans and Americans but the Okinawans, who are not ethnic Japanese, bury their dead in family tombs close to where they live. When we arrived on station, we were specifically warned NEVER to mess around their tombs, especially because the tombs were favorite places for venous snakes called "habu's." Artillery barrages would easily bust open those tombs like eggs.
Eugene ssledges book "With the Old Breed at Pelelui and Okinawa spells this out in graphic detail. it is a very good read!!!
A good movie to watch after this series is HACKSAW RIDGE, which is about one of the bloodiest battles on Okinawa.
I have seen it but didn't realise that it was in Okinowa. Agreed, it's a great film.
Wow, I've seen this a few times but it always hits me harder than i expect. Eugene comforting the woman makes my eyes tear up a bit. Also, Sledge is on the verge of losing hope and humanity, Snafu is even starting to crack from the strain. Hell of an episode. I really enjoyed watching with you, thanks Amy!🤠
I totally understand. I couldn't believe that it also got me upset while editing, a scene that will definitely stay with me. Thank you, dedcowbowee!😊
@@amylorraine3776 😊
There’s a 36 minute speech sledge gives on TH-cam called “with the old breed and the cost of war” he gets very descriptive and the ending where he talks about that cost no matter how many times I hear it I still tear up. Highly suggest listening to it in your free time it will change your day even week
@@kevinotoole2285 LOVE that speech. Listen to that all the time, always a pleasure to listen to his interviews
Thanks for the suggestion. I'll have to give it a listen.
@@amylorraine3776 let me know what you think
The Japanese didn't regard the Okinawans as human. Okinawa was a later addition to the Japanese Empire, having held out independently until the 19th Century. There was and still is discrimination against Okinawans in Japan. That's why using civilians as human shields and bombers was seen as a perfectly legitimate tactic by the Japanese military.
During this time the Japanese were preparing for the final defense of the main islands of Japan beyond Okinawa. 100 million die together was the slogan. That meant every man, woman, and child was expected to die fighting.
Do the Japanese have no compassion or humanity for others even now or was that just how they were was back then? Why were they so obsessed with honor (death before dishonor) back then? Please tell me that the Japanese signed the Geneva convention after they lost the war, and that they will never treat prisoners and civilians horribly (like they did in the 2nd World War) should they ever enter into another conflict?
@@jmwilliamsart The Japanese today are very different from the Japanese of WWII. During that time they were indoctrinated with extreme nationalist and racist dogma. During the Russo-Japanese War at the start of the 20th Century, European observers were highly impressed by the great humanity with which the Japanese military treated their Russian prisoners of war. That changed drastically in the 1930s after extreme nationalist and racist ideas were put into the education system.
@@place_there9104Why was this extreme racist dogma introduced into the education system back then? I think that the trend actually began in the 1920s due to social and economic difficulties that Japan had been experiencing at the time.
For another perspective on Okinawa watch Hacksaw Ridge.
I have seen it, but I don't remember it being in Okinowa. Such a great film, Desmond Doss was one of a kind.
You've been a trooper sludging through this difficult and painful series, but it's an important story that must be remembered. I was disappointed that you edited out the ending, when the lieutenant tells them that they dropped a new bomb on Japan, and they shrug it off, not understanding its ramifications. Then the squad of airplanes flying overhead, with the ominous music, implies the second dropping of the bomb in Nagasaki. Important but subtle.
I'm disappointed in myself. 😨I think my brain was still taking in everything I had just watched, and I completely missed it! I couldn't believe it once I'd found out. 🤣😂And thank you so much for all the support you've shown along the way 😊
Eugene lied - he found his humanity, again.
Well, the good news is that the last episode is considerably easier. :-)
The teenagers that Eugene spared but was killed by the other Marine was probably an Okinawan. The Japanese impressed young Okinawans to fight for them. If they refused they would be shot. These young people were often unarmed and basically served as cannon fodder. We need to keep in mind that Okinawans were not Japanese. They even had their own language. To the Japanese, anyone who was not Japanese was less than human.
The Japanese sound like they were absolutely terrifying.
@@amylorraine3776 In a way it was not their fault. Their barbarity was due to their indoctrination as children and their training as soldiers. They were basically taught by brutal means (it was not uncommon for Japanese soldiers to die during training) to brutalize others that were deemed inferior. They were also trained to die.
As bad as this episode was it only was the tip of the iceberg. Easily could've been 5 episodes.
Also Peck wasn't portrayed fairly. He wasn't some bumbling mid battle replacement that nobody liked. Irl he arrived after Peleliu and had months of being integrated to the unit prior to arriving.
I agree, there was so much going on that it could have easily been turned into a movie. It's disappointing to hear they painted Peck poorly. I also only realised how meanly the boys were treating him while I was editing-nothing drastic, but continuous. It must have felt very isolating in a situation like this.
Dogs Rule!!
Nevrer is hstory has the Marines ever drsfted any one ever if a marine makes that claim he or she is lying!!!!
Wrong, they pulled from the draft pool during WW2 after Dec 5 1942. While the corps worked with the draft board to select draftees who were at least somewhat interested in being marines, they were still draftees at the end of the day.
They also drafted during Vietnam, though I'm not as clear on when.
that adverage event some actually use to c,aim they were drafted was they would recieve a draft norice from the US Arnt then go to the marines or other services and enlist enabling them to falsely vlaim they were drafted int aht service. When I say that kn one was ever drafted in the USMC thus is very true that service for it's entire time of existance ahs beenthe onky one that is 10% volunteer, I am a military Historian and I deeply studied the USMCespecially on this fatc alone, any one who claims I am wrong on think that The USMC almost lost the entire Guadalcanal campign.
@@brianmacy518 Sure, Mr. "military historian". But I'll trust what I read over some dude who cant spell.
@@simonbarabash2151 Who are you speaking t this is not me My emai address is different plus I statred to study Military History what I was in Junior Higdh I am now 69 and still studying as for my spelling when U get excite my typing isn't to good, lus I served in the USMC and know from my YEARS of study and practical ezperience of the truth I speak of.
@@simonbarabash2151 Most Viet Nam draftess were drafted only in the ARmy as the army is tthe ONY service that drafted anyonem yet because if LBJ's "Great Society they did draft many black Men to break up black homes and guarntee the black vote which is in the presess of backfiring on them. Plus through MY studiies during the late 60s and earky 70s crownds in the states cried ut the phrase "Hell no We Won't Go" ub[nder the complete mistaken belief that everuone drafted was sent to Veit Nam, That true facys were that only about 35 of thse drafted went there, the rest went to various bases in the United States and other Countriies no invovle in the war and even soe sent to the pentagon. To me this info came as a joke to those who were draft dodgers,