I'll look up that book on Patton and tanks.

Another aspect of WWII that I got interested in more recently  the battles in the Marianas and Okinawa. I do a lot of work in those areas and kind of think about what went on there during the war.


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The Marianas Turkey Shoot was probably the biggest turning point in the Pacific War. Of course I am prejudiced since I am most interested in the air wars during WWII. The Hellcat was the most significant carrier based fighter developed during the war. Before that our carrier based fighters and dive/torpedo bombers were pathetic.

The Marianas Turkey Shoot was probably the biggest turning point in the Pacific War. Of course I am prejudiced since I am most interested in the air wars during WWII. The Hellcat was the most significant carrier based fighter developed during the war. Before that our carrier based fighters and dive/torpedo bombers were pathetic.

American Rifleman had a series of episodes on the guns of the battles of the Pacific.  Okinawa, Guam, etc.  That was really interesting.  They also covered key battles, locations of last hold out of a key leader, etc.  That made me want to visit those sites. 

I have a "strange" fascination with envisioning what went on in the past when it comes to wars.  When I visited the US installation at Yokosuka, I was thinking about what it was like to have been there back in WWI, when it was a Japanese base.  Walking past the tunnel entrances to what were ammo depots that look like they are damaged and almost left that way since the war.  Or when I went scuba diving in Guam where there are places in Apra Harbor where you can literally touch a wreck from both WWI and WWII from one spot. 

American Rifleman had a series of episodes on the guns of the battles of the Pacific.  Okinawa, Guam, etc.  That was really interesting.  They also covered key battles, locations of last hold out of a key leader, etc.  That made me want to visit those sites. 

I have a "strange" fascination with envisioning what went on in the past when it comes to wars.  When I visited the US installation at Yokosuka, I was thinking about what it was like to have been there back in WWI, when it was a Japanese base.  Walking past the tunnel entrances to what were ammo depots that look like they are damaged and almost left that way since the war.  Or when I went scuba diving in Guam where there are places in Apra Harbor where you can literally touch a wreck from both WWI and WWII from one spot.

I believe I watched (and read) the same episodes of American Rifleman. I would also love to visit those places when I can finally retire and do some travelling. That's awesome that you got to dive around those wrecks. I have always wanted to dive around the civil war iron shipwrecks. I have no idea why I have that fascination with civil war iron shipwrecks but I do. Also, I would love to dive around a WWII plane crash. That would be kewl as well.

I believe I watched (and read) the same episodes of American Rifleman. I would also love to visit those places when I can finally retire and do some travelling. That's awesome that you got to dive around those wrecks. I have always wanted to dive around the civil war iron shipwrecks. I have no idea why I have that fascination with civil war iron shipwrecks but I do. Also, I would love to dive around a WWII plane crash. That would be kewl as well.

I didn't do the WWI (SMS Cormoran) and WWII (Tokai Maru) yet.  I will eventually though.

http://www.justgottadive.com/dive_resources/travel_articles/diving-guams-apra-harbor-wwi-and-wwii-wrecks-not-be-missed#.WO_TfjZMS3c

I did the American Tanker dive.  That was interesting.  These are super easy dives as they are in Apra Harbor, so no current and stuff.  They are on the deeper side though.  I only have PADI OWD, which is to 60 feet. I've done a bunch of dives in the 100-120 foot depths, which is technically advanced OWD (higher level certification).  Sounds like you may not be doing the dives any time soon, but just something I found when I was arranging for dives. 

I travel to Guam maybe 3-4 times a year, but I rarely get to do much personal things.  There are many wrecks, even on land, like I think a bomber near Andersen AFB.  I pass the signs all the time, but never visited.  I haven't been to Okinawa since around 2012, but I would love to go back. 

The Marianas Turkey Shoot was probably the biggest turning point in the Pacific War. Of course I am prejudiced since I am most interested in the air wars during WWII. The Hellcat was the most significant carrier based fighter developed during the war. Before that our carrier based fighters and dive/torpedo bombers were pathetic.

Spector
Let me loan you a book called "the cactus Air Force"
And you might change your mind on the turning point if the air war in the pacific

At the turkey shoot, the us navy had superior planes and training and experience
At that time, the Japanese Air Force and navy had only moderately improved planes and most of the experienced pilots had been lost already
The majority of their pilots at that time were poorly trained

In the air battle for Guadalcanal, the Japanese had superior planes, pilots AND numbers
And yet a ragtag group of us planes was able to turn the tide

This book is one of my favorite ww ii books
The other is "the big e" about the carrier enterprise


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Spector
Let me loan you a book called "the cactus Air Force"
And you might change your mind on the turning point if the air war in the pacific

At the turkey shoot, the us navy had superior planes and training and experience
At that time, the Japanese Air Force and navy had only moderately improved planes and most of the experienced pilots had been lost already
The majority of their pilots at that time were poorly trained

In the air battle for Guadalcanal, the Japanese had superior planes, pilots AND numbers
And yet a ragtag group of us planes was able to turn the tide

This book is one of my favorite ww ii books
The other is "the big e" about the carrier enterprise


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I accept your offer!!! Thanks!!!! 

I accept your offer!!! Thanks!!!! 

You going range early in the am Sunday as usual?


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You going range early in the am Sunday as usual?


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As usual. I'll be there around 6:30-7am. Thanks!!!

As usual. I'll be there around 6:30-7am. Thanks!!!

Will there be doughnuts?


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Will there be doughnuts?


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Doughnuts and coffee.

Doughnuts and coffee.

What about next Sunday?

I still have to bring the steel toe boots for test targets. . .

What about next Sunday?

I still have to bring the steel toe boots for test targets. . .

Doughnuts and coffee every Sunday!!!   

An Army medic friend posted this today as part of commemoration of D Day. Thought it was pretty interesting.




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Tank wars are yet another neat aspect of WWII that I know little about.

Always been fascinated by that tank destroyer we had with the radial aircraft engine and faster than hell.  Apparently had a magnum version of our wimpy tank cannon that could actually do damage to the Tigers.

Always been fascinated by that tank destroyer we had with the radial aircraft engine and faster than hell.  Apparently had a magnum version of our wimpy tank cannon that could actually do damage to the Tigers.

I had to look this up as I am not familiar with what you are talking about here. I was only familiar with the M10 tank destroyer which was based on the Sherman. After looking it up it looks like it was designated the M18 Hellcat. Ask me about the Hellcat and we'll talk about the best carrier based fighter of the war. LOL

Here is a link to a page I found:

http://www.militaryfactory.com/armor/detail.asp?armor_id=250

It just goes to show that I am still learning new stuff about WWII. Thanks Rob!!!

I've been getting more interested in the airborne aspect of D-Day.  I don't recall reading much about that aspect and the beach landing/invasion seems to get the bulk of the coverage/glory.  No doubt that was one of the hardest fought battles (or group of battles) with something like 4,000 lives lost.  But the more I hear about the airborne aspect of the operation, the more I'm intrigued. 

It just goes to show that I am still learning new stuff about WWII. Thanks Rob!!!

Yeah, the Hellcat.  Apparently until the M!A1 came along, it was the fastest tracked vehicle we ever built.  50mph or something IIRC.

Think I saw a TV documentary of some guys rebuilding one a few years back,

I've been getting more interested in the airborne aspect of D-Day.  I don't recall reading much about that aspect and the beach landing/invasion seems to get the bulk of the coverage/glory.  No doubt that was one of the hardest fought battles (or group of battles) with something like 4,000 lives lost.  But the more I hear about the airborne aspect of the operation, the more I'm intrigued.

The glider invasion aspect is interesting. Especially when you see how the gliders were constructed. They look like WWI aircraft. Man, those guys had real .44 cal lead balls!!! 

I just finished watching a fascinating series on WW1, mostly because I watched Wonder Women. Practically every conflict you can imagine in Eurasia and Africa started from this conflict including Hitler, Japan, South Africa, IRA, Middle East, Soviet Bloc, etc. Basically, it took 38 million casualties to put an end to most monarchies and eventually most colonial rule. After watching the series, I was struck with how similar the personalities were between the Kaiser and Trump.

https://www.amazon.com/To-Arms/dp/B06XKQRV49/ref=sr_1_1

Try listen to this podcast called "Hardcore History" by Dan Carlin.

http://www.dancarlin.com