Posted on 08/07/2012 3:18:37 AM PDT by PJ-Comix
Welcome aboard, PINGEE #1.
Interesting! Number 8 though, just proves that unions are more worried about themselves than for the good of the people. Geez.
#3 takes the old saying “war is hell” to a new level
Yeah, your country is in dire danger of being overrun by Japanese invaders so what do you do...go on strike because you don’t like the working conditions. Imagine the horrible working conditions those dock workers would be working under if their overlords had been the conquering Japanese. BTW, when the Marines went ashore to Wellington, they left a lot of obscene graffiti on the walls expressing how they felt about the striking dockworkers.
Years ago I met an old-timer who served in the army on Guadalcanal and he still was suffering from relapses of malaria after all those years. I asked him how many of those serving at Guadalcanal caught malaria. He replied, “Everyone.” I thought he was exaggerating. He wasn’t.
#8. Typical. What’s changed?
Welcome aboard, PINGEE #2
I would hazard a guess that 99% of those out there born after the war know anything at all about the battle of Guadalcanal. They should; it is one of the greatest examples of what Americans were made of.
I remember reading an account that just prior to the Japanese fleet arriving, Gunner’s Mates were scurrying about to resupply ammo from the freighters to the guns on the other vessels, but the union workers on the freighters refused to unload at 0530 as their union contract didn’t require them to start work before 0800. This prompted a Marine officer to unholster his .45 and reissue to orders to commence their operations, as they wouldn’t be afloat at 0800 otherwise.
Even though these were Aussies, they weren’t any different than the American unions. Of course, we aren’t all that far removed from Aussies. Yes, you have a point, the unions wouldn’t have mattered if the Japanese had taken over.
If Admiral Mikawa destroyed the American transport ships like he could easily have done following his naval victory, history would have been very different. BTW, Mikawa lived quite a long time, well past the lifespans of most other WWII commanders.
Not Aussies. The strike was in Wellington, New Zealand.
Good for the Marine!
Duh, I can’t read this morning...... not Aussies.....Kiwis
Australia was the jumping off point for the New Guinea campaign which was also very hellish.
I love WWII history.
I do too and I’ll have one more post on WWII history next week and then go on to other topics...many of which I think you will find fascinating because I will uncover many things that you might not have known before.
When do we get to see the other ten...?
Oops! Thanx for noticing. I corrected the original blog. BTW, I sure do hope the History Channel brings back that “10 Things You Don’t Know About” program. However, I wish they would ditch those street interviews. They are just a waste of time and cut into the topics of the show.
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