World War II history buffs ...

[Jumperalex]

Hey guys. As many of you know American history, much like any other nations history only more so, focuses very much on wars from our own perspective both in the subject material presented as well as the "slant" it may take.

As it happens I was watching a rather well done documentary onair war in the Pacific theater in WWII, I say well done because it is the first I have seen to make an honest effort at interviewing both American and Japanese pilot and didn't shy away (as others have) from the fact that the "enemy" they are talking about shooting down are in fact American pilot (and American ships being sunk).

This got me thinking that, while I've tried to read / watch some documentries from non-american sources about the European theater I've kinda missed out on the Pacific.

SO ... all that being said. Do any of you folks know of any particularly well written books, video documentries or even web sites, that discuss the events of the war in the Pacific that focus mostly on everything ELSE I know went on besides our island hoping campaign?

I know that Galipoli (WWI), for example, was a very big deal for Australia and New Zealand. When I was there at the memorial in Canberra it was very obvious that it had left a mark on your country much like Vietnam had left a mark on the American populous ... for good and bad. But you never hear ANYTHING about it in any American history book.

So ... anyone have anything good?

[Apache600]

well, i'm not really from Austraila... but i saw the title of the subject and had to read it. I am crazy about Anything military, i'd be in it right now, but i have a case of childhood asthma, so the fuckers won't qualify me. Even though i work out with ROTC guys and beat them in almost everything.
Anyhow, i don't know of any interent sites off the top of my head. But check out a library, they're usually loaded with great stuff.
If you've got a particular questions, shoot. I'll see if i could answer it.
- Glenn

[Jumperalex]

Gla to hear from you apache and sorry to hear that you can't get what you obviously so want. Keep trying, who knows they just might change their minds. I can tell ya the army is loosening their restrictions cause they are just begging for people.

Anyway you are right that I could/should check out a library. But I think my first inclination is to not bother because ... it would be an american library. And good as they are, unless I'm at one of the huge ones like the NY Public, the chances of me finding a book that is trully absent american cultural influence are slim. that is why I figure something I might buy from mail order, on the recomendation of a non-US citizen might fit the bill best.

But yuo are right I should check it out and just might. Hell I'm in the Air Force, maybe the library here on base might have something. They certainly have an over abundance of military history stuff, maybe they will have enough variety to get at topics I'm looking for from authors who carry a different slant.

Thanks

[Apache600]

Sounds like a pretty indepth topic you're seaching for. You are right on the fact that library's are rather bias. One thing i've noticed (and i'm sure you have, being in the airforce and all) that when books list Russian Fighter Jet ranges, they are always like 3 or 4 times further than American Fighters (i know they're not). I never really understood that, are they trying to make the russian's look more dangerous or more of threat then what they really are?
I've thought about trying to get into the military again, i was as close as a signiture before, but i could have been thrown in prison for falsifing an official documnet if i was caught (having to leave out asthmic history) I'm now going to college to be a police officer, and i have hopes of joining SWAT a few years down the road. That's the closest i can do to the military.
i'm not as good with any military history other than our own, so i'm not sure i'd be any good (assuming you're looking for Austrailain involvement or whatever since you're in their forum) Sorry bro.

[Jumperalex]

Well consider that we don't like publishing the real data about our own AC and then that we like to make the other guy think we don't really know anything accurate about their stuff. Kinda like the official speed and range of the SR-71 vs what it really is. When the pilot of the current world record flight was interviewed and asked what they would do if the record was ever broken he was quoted as saying, "We'll just push the throttles forwards a little more."

Hey good luck with the swat.

As for the info I'm looking for I'm thinking it shouldn't be much harder to get than a non-american high school history text book. I mean hell just consider what a japanese history text would say? Hell if you are interested in seeing a different view of the war nithe atlantic what Da Boot. Very interesting to see a post WWII film, made ni germany, about the a U-boat. For some good contrast make a bit of a marathon of it and first watch a few american submarine movies from just after the war.

I also CAN recommend to you a book called Blood and Water by Dan Kurzman. It was a great read. It is a barely novelized true story. Check it out. In fact looking through amazon I think I see a few other books of this guys I might read. Although he is an american author I can tell you for sure that Blood and Water is anything but American-centric.

[asphaltpilot]

I tried looking for similar material in High School. I didn't have any luck. I guess history is written by the victor.

With the world at our fingertips now(via the internet), you may have better success. Good luck.