One of the best books out there. Many printings.

If you are interested in getting this book, beware of later printings which lack the foldout "Destruction of Japanese Merchant Marine" maps. These maps chronicle the destruction of Japan's merchant navy throughout the war. It's amazing how US Subs were sinking ships soon after Pearl Harbor. In Japan's homeland waters.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United...n_World_War_II

 

The “Silent Service” recognition has been severely understated since during WWII. Many lost their lives aboard a ship that after suffering a casualty had nowhere to escape. It’s sad.

 

My Dad was on a destroyer in the Pacific serving under Admiral Bull Halsey. His ship came upon a disabled a Jap sub and which couldn't submerge. The Japs abandoned ship and jumped overboard. His ship tried to rescue the Jap sailors but they would not surrender. The Captain ordered several sailors to rake them with machine guns so they wouldn't be rescued by another Jap ship. He remembered Pearl Harbor.

 

That's some story; but, that's real world.


And, here we are driving their cars and loving them. And, I can't think of them as my enemy, even knowing what the past was like. Even only the real people who had to fight wars could sit on the sidelines and watch those who decide to do it had to fight them.

 

My Dad died in 1977. Japanese cars were just making their way to the U.S. My Dad did what he had to do but after the war he held no hatred for the Japanese. I owned many Hondas, and Lexus vehicles. I'm sure my Dad would have been ok with that. He was a good man.

 

Good to hear. I'm sitting here trying to make sense of my last sentence. I was out celebrating last night.

I think what I meant to say was "If" only those who fought could sit on the sidelines and watch those on both sides who make wars happen fight it out. I guess you get the idea.

I would like to believe the so-called average joe in every country is at heart a decent person.

 

Esp in WW2. Innocent young (on both sides) fighting battles 1000 of miles from home. On islands no one ever heard of, before 1941.

 

My father was on a LST in the Pacific. He is spinning in his grave because I drive a "Jap" car. He hated the Japanese for what he saw and what they did.

Patty's father was wounded at Normandy.....for the other side!

 

Scoots, I know. I drove an Audi and my uncle was killed at St. Lo. The awakening for me was knowing WWII flying hero's like John Fitch by the mid-50s were driving for Mercedes. Many other drivers quickly put that war behind them and drove for Japanese companies as well.

 

Yeah, you gotta move on. All wars are terrible and have lasting effects on those who survived. The suicide rate for current vets is astronomical. My cousin was in the army and served in Viet Nam. When he returned home he took his life. He was a great kid but the war changed everything for him We used to hunt together, Sad.