Show 65 - Supernova in the East IV

Dan Carlin analyzes the critical significance of morale in warfare and how emotions like revenge and fear can dramatically shape the course of war, sometimes leading to decisions that infringe on civil liberties and alter the psychological state of both combatants and civilians.

The crucial role of morale in combat and military campaigns

Morale is a difficult-to-quantify but vital factor in the outcome of battles and wars

Carlin opens the debate by discussing the "squishy question" of how to quantify morale and its effects on warfare, asserting that it plays a crucial role in the success or failure of military conflicts. The outcome on the battlefield isn’t just about physical force; it’s largely about weakening the opponent's will to fight. Attitudes of revenge and hate can be potent drivers for combatants, as illustrated by a pilot's personal motivation to bomb Japanese carriers as payback for Pearl Harbor.

Boosting domestic morale and dampening enemy morale are key strategic goals, as demonstrated by Roosevelt's fireside chats and the Japanese submarine attack on the California coast

To elucidate domestic morale's importance, Carlin highlights Roosevelt’s fireside chats, especially one on February 23, 1942. Roosevelt used these broadcasts to maintain American spirits and rally the nation's support for the war effort, despite inevitable bad news—such as the surrender at Bataan. Moreover, Roosevelt sought to instill national pride by contesting Japanese claims of American weakness. In contrast, the Japanese used a tactical submarine attack on the California coast during one of Roosevelt's speeches, attempting to undermine American morale and expose vulnerabilities. The attack had a significant lasting psychological impact on the people living on the West Coast, including Carlin's grandparents. This tactic by the Japanese aimed to affect the "squishy underbelly of the enemy's morale." The discussion also mentions the complex decision-making process regarding risking resources for attacks aimed at affecting enemy morale, with references to both the Japanese submarine attack and the Doolittle Raid.

The dangers of excessive fear and its detrimental effects on civil liberties

The internment of Japanese-Americans during WWII illustrates how fear can lead to the erosion of civil rights, even in democratic societies

The conversation shifts to how excessive fear, like that after the Japanese submarine attack, can erode civil liberties. The internment of Japanese-Americans is an example of this erosion: following Executive Order 9066, an atmosphere of panic and xenophobia led to the unjust detention of 110 to 120 thousand people—most of whom w ...

The US military faced significant challenges in interservice coordination and leadership, particularly between the US Army and Navy, exacerbated by strong-willed leaders and a historical context of rivalry.

The intense rivalries and lack of cooperation between the US Army and Navy

Longstanding animosity and distrust between the services

Dan Carlin and Ronald H. Spector discuss the severe interservice rivalry that characterized much of the relationship between the Army and Navy prior to and during World War II. This deep-seated animosity extended across all ranks, affecting strategy and approach to conflicts. Personal issues, particularly between figures like General Douglas MacArthur and Admiral Ernest King, intensified the existing rivalry.

The difficulty in establishing a unified command structure and strategy, hampering the war effort in the Pacific

The lack of cooperation led to significant challenges in establishing a unified command structure and strategy, exemplified by the persistent disagreements over operations in the Pacific theater. Admiral King favored Navy operations, while General MacArthur proposed plans placing the Army in a lead role. These disagreements surfaced in key decisions, such as the duration of aircraft carrier air cover for the Marines landing on Guadalcanal and who should control the Pacific operations.

The Joint Chiefs of Staff, as a newly established entity at the time, struggled with a lack of a clear operational structure, further complicating coordination efforts.

The key role of leaders like George Marshall in brokering compromises and coordinating the efforts of the different military branches

Despite the rivalry and t ...

The Japanese military strategy in the Pacific War was characterized by their fanatical defense of territory, a willingness to fight to the death, and a strategy of trading lives for time to demoralize the Allies and force a negotiated peace. These tactics are analyzed through the lens of specific battles and internal military dynamics.

The Japanese reliance on the fanatical defense of territory and willingness to fight to the death

The shocking display of Japanese unwillingness to surrender, as witnessed by the Marines on Guadalcanal

Dan Carlin describes how the Japanese soldiers displayed extreme unwillingness to surrender during the Pacific War. On Guadalcanal, the Marines witnessed wounded Japanese soldiers killing themselves with hand grenades rather than surrendering. Further, a Japanese officer preferred to attack with a grenade rather than be taken prisoner. The tenacity of the Japanese became apparent during a night assault, where they fought to inflict more casualties even with no chance of success. In one instance, three Japanese soldiers with only one pistol left chose to shoot each other, then the last soldier killed himself.

The Japanese strategy of trading lives for time, aiming to demoralize the Allies and force a negotiated peace

The Japanese military's grand strategy involved taking and retaining territories, setting up a defensive perimeter to resist Allied forces, all while exploiting the spirit of their soldiers and the perceived weakness of the Americans. They suffered heavier casualties to hold important territories, aiming to demoralize the Allied public and leadership into seeking a negotiated peace. Historical patterns where their conflicts ended in negotiated settlements buoyed this strategy.

The strengths and weaknesses of the Japanese military approach

The initial success of the Japanese "supernova" expansion, but also its inherent vulnerabilities that would be exposed

Carlin speaks of the Japanese military actions as a "supernova" due to their rapid and expansive early victories, characterized by meticulously planned operations of complex precision. However, this intricate planning exposed weaknesses in flexibility and adaptability, making them vulnerable when facing unexpected challenges and causing issues when needing to adjust plans dynamically.

The challenges posed by the Japanese military's internal ri ...

Dan Carlin's discussion exposes the harsh conditions and intense fighting of the Guadalcanal Campaign, detailing the high casualties and psychological toll on soldiers, with strategic decisions revealing the desperate situation of the troops.

The horrific battle conditions and high casualty rates on both sides

The grueling jungle warfare, lack of supplies, and fanatical Japanese resistance

The Americans and Australians faced one of the worst defeats in the United States Navy's history during a night attack at Guadalcanal, losing four cruisers and over a thousand lives. Combat conditions on the island were brutal, with the Marines underprepared, relying on outdated maps; they had expected a slight hill but instead found terrains as challenging as extinct volcanoes. The Marines, described as a "suicide squad," faced grueling jungle conditions, high casualty rates, and had to wade onto shore through hip-deep water under machine gun fire, showing the extreme danger they were thrust into. The fighting at Tulagi, part of the Guadalcanal campaign, was fierce, resulting in significant Japanese casualties. Additionally, Admiral Fletcher withdrew his aircraft carriers, leaving transport ships vulnerable to attacks and subsequent heavy American and Japanese losses.

The psychological toll on the troops, including the trauma of witnessing Japanese atrocities

The night assaults led to terrifying and traumatic experiences for the Marines, and witness accounts like that of Tom Jones, who fired over 100 rounds in one night, testify to the physical and psychological strain experienced by the troops. Marines encountered situations where Japanese troops would rather kill themselves than surrender, and deceptive ambushes led to additional psychological scarring. General Vandergrift's letter described wounded Japanese soldiers using grenades to kill themselves and nearby Marines, further underlining the dire situation. The reports of atrocities, such as beheadings and widespread killings, had a profound psychological impact on Allied soldiers.

The strategic significance of the Guadalcanal Campaign and its turning point in the Pacific War

The critical importance of the Guadalcanal airfield and the Allies' hard-fought victory

The Gua ...