“War is hell” Civil War general William T. Sherman once
said. Some more than others. Like the war against Japan in the Pacific during
W.W. II. All this as the Americans fought fanatical resistance island hopping
their way to Tokyo.
Ugly, brutal, dehumanized, suicidal, no holds barred, take
no prisoners…… It’s all there in Jeff
Shaara’s historical fiction novel The Final Storm. Why read about such true but ugly history?
Fair question. Especially when it’s so much easier, more comfortable to turn
our back on “real” reality, when our
youth culture is obsessed with video game violence, sham “reality" TV and facile “saving democracy” generalizations
about some of our more recent wars.
This book will take you into the eye of the storm in the
spring of 1945, as the United States turns its vast military resources toward a
furious assault on the last great stepping-stone to Japan – the heavily
fortified island of Okinawa. The
three-month battle features some of the most vicious combat of the entire
Second World War, as American troops confront an enemy that would rather be
slaughtered than experience the shame of surrender. Told through the voices of
combatants on both sides, The Final Storm reminds us that the real reality of
war is truly hell. That the sacrifice of those who confront suicidal fanaticism
should never be forgotten. I highly recommend this book. And a short clip from my cousin Terry in
Idaho showing one small ship defending the American Fleet surrounding Okinawa
against Kamikaze attackers…. https://www.dropbox.com/sh/4zkp7hvrgbcd7gd/D-qPNsG9ym#lh:null-Laffey%20Enhanced%20vo%203.wmv
I sure agree with your sentiment.
ReplyDeleteHelps others to also truly appreciate the sacrifice those in the military actually make as we just stand by the wayside waving flags, sometimes give them a parade upon their return and then turn our backs on the harsh realities they have been through when they need help after they war they fought for us is over the war they go through within themselves after the fact is jut as bad sometimes even worse. I am the daughter of a military father that went through a year of the Vietnam war.
ReplyDeleteFrom all that I see on the news, war is a terrible thing.
ReplyDeleteMy dad never spoke of his WWII days.
ReplyDeleteMy Daddy is one of the men who fired upon Kamikaze planes as they barreled their way toward their suicidal mission. I assure you that my heart and mind are firmly planted to thank each and every veteran who put his/her life on the line serving our great nation.
ReplyDeleteMy Daddy is still living. I love him with all my heart.
The war in the Pacific was carnage, on a scale we can't imagine today. We have no frame of reference. We lost over 110,000 soldiers, mostly Marines, in the island-hopping. The conditions alone, mud, rain, disease and scarce food and water would be enough to disable most armies. The mindset of the Japanese soldier is incomprehensible to us now.
ReplyDeleteI had my own war in Viet Nam, but what I went through pales in comparison.
One thing that will prevent WW2, at least it's scale, from happening again is communication. Back then few knew until after the war the extent of genocide that was happening not only in Europe, but in China, where an estimated 18 million Chinese civilians died in the war.
Despite the brutality, these stories are very compelling. Reminds us of the horror of war.
ReplyDeleteCan you imagine 80 minutes out there? I cannot, all our fighting men are heros. The video was a good reminder. Thanks for sharing it.
ReplyDeleteYes, war is hell... I have some information written in the late 1800's from my 2GGrandmother--when she lost so many sons and family members to the Civil War... Her words made me cry. So sad...
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Betsy
I like historical fiction. I'll have to put this on my list.
ReplyDeleteWhen will we ever be able to say "no more war." -- barbara
ReplyDelete