W4046\PRELUDE.DOC

Prelude to War

How did our battle with Japan start?

Why did Japan launch their attacks?
 Didn’t they have their hands full in their war with China?

            After WW I much of the world went into a depression. The Allies imposed penalties on Germany and her democratic government could not recover from defeat and carry this added economic burden. The conditions in Germany permitted Hitler to come to power.  Hitler ignored the penalties and armament limits. France and Britain had their own problems and chose to not confront Germany for these treaty violations. At first Hitler made a terrific impression on the world. He put people to work building infrastructure, unemployment was eliminated and the people supported him.
            Japan had not been decimated by WW I, but was over populated. China was weak so Japan moved in and took over Manchuria. This caused outbreaks of war with Russia, and caused Japan to wage war against China to protect their Manchuria holdings. Eager Japanese military would start problems along the Russian border and the Japanese government would quell it – there was no gain in fighting Russia.
            The Japanese found their protracted war with China had become an economic drain with no prospects of any benefit -- the government wanted out.  Japanese military tradition did not provide a retreat mode, a warrior was to win or kill himself – there was no way to save face and pull out – the war went on. The ruling structure of Japan was unique, no one could say NO to the military. The Emperor was like a God, the Army and Navy were independent, and the civil government operated the country. The Army and Navy made their own plans and presented what they intended to do to the Emperor – he had no authority to say no – so he endorsed their plans. The civil government had no option but to implemented what the military decided. 

The Japanese military greatly admired the German military. Following the conquest of Poland in 1939, Germany overran France, Belgium, Netherlands, and had Britain on the defensive – the Dutch East Indies looked like a candy store of raw materials – Japan desperately needed raw materials. When Germany turned and invaded Russia, it provided the opportunity for Japan and Russia to declare a truce, neither wanted a conflict at their back side. Japan joined Germany and Italy in a military alliance, in return Germany gave them rights to the spoils of war – Japan was free to take the Dutch East Indies. The British were the only restraining military force in the region and they had their hands full, being driven back in North Africa at a time when Britain was on the ropes being isolated by German submarines.

The US, aware of Japans desire to take the Dutch East Indies, used their only weapon available – they cut off supplies of oil and steel – Japans only source at the time. Japan had to give up the goodies or wage war. The US isolationist attitude, their reluctance to arm, barely initiating a draft; caused Japan to believe the US would not come to the defense of the far away exposed resources. The Japanese chose to block off US forces in the Pacific and suppress Australia – whose troops were fighting in N. Africa. In one fell swoop the Japanese took all the major islands in the Pacific, captured Malaysia and were shelling Australia. Within the first month the Japanese had the protection of a huge moat, the Pacific ocean; huge mountains, the Himalayas and space, China – Japan was protected and could wage war without harm to the home land.

            The US was just coming out of a deep depression, compounded by drought and dust storms, as depicted by the movie “Grapes of Wrath”. They were inwardly focused on their own problems. People watched Movietone News and March of Time at the movies, read news papers and listened on the Radio; tracking what was going on in the world.  They were aware, but avoided becoming involved, there were plenty of problems at home.  Roosevelt launched projects to put people to work by use of  WPA, PWA, CCC and NRA programs. Slowly things in the US were getting better.
            With the German people employed and supportive, Hitler got carried away with grandiose plans. By blaming the Jews he could confiscate their holdings and finance his war effort. By taking one country at a time he could confiscate their assets to pay for more conquest. Hitler’s speeches, followed by cheers, made the US public uneasy.  The selling of scrap iron to the Japanese made people feel it might be fired back – but people only made comment.  When Germany attacked Poland there was the feeling “here we go again, another European war”. Congress, in response to public sentiment, was in no mood to become involved in “foreign wars”.  Britain and France had little hope of help from the US.  The Atlantic and Pacific isolated the US from the danger of attack – the population felt safe. The “Battle of Britain”, as German bombing of London was called, only drew sympathy and “Bundles for Britain” donations.  US lethargy was almost unbelievable! Roosevelt, fully aware of dangers ahead, was hard pressed to do what he was convinced was needed -- and remain in office. 

What was the US doing prior to the outbreak of WW II?

Who was in charge of our military?

            Gen. George Marshall became Chief of Staff, after Gen. Douglas MacArthur, at the time Germany invaded Poland in 1939. Marshall had been on Gen. Pershing’s staff during WW I, planning operations and the movement of troops and supplies. During peacetime he had been an instructor and personally knew the many he would advance – and others he’d let go. He had spent time in China and the Philippines and knew the conditions well. He had been in charge of setting up the CCC (Civil Conservation Corps) camps which provided jobs for young men.  Many of these men would be among the first to go into service.  History shows that Roosevelt and Truman became highly dependent, as did members of congress as well as those in the military, on his sound and stable recommendations.

  

Roosevelt, Marshall & Arnold, key players in building our Air Power

What conditions did Gen. Marshall face prior to the Japanese attack?

            Early on, the US and Britain held secret military conferences. The British had an Army-Navy-Air Force structure. The US had an Army-Navy structure, the Army Air Corps was a small part of the Army. For joint meetings, Hap Arnold who was head of the Army Air Corp, served as head of the US Air Force. From then on the Army Air Corps began it’s transition to an independent Air Force.
            From the time Germany invaded Poland until Japanese attack, Gen. Marshall was constantly engaged in appeals to congress to provide funds for defense. Marshall knew from the beginning that Germany would be the main adversary. One of the first things he did was ask for an assessment of how big an Air Force we would need. Based on this study Marshall went to congress for funds to activate plans for a new US Air Force. Slowly he obtained some funds and Congress barely passed the Draft, on the condition that it was for one year only. Thanks to foreign orders, the US industry had a running start when war came.

            The US had cracked the Japanese code -- what was being done?

            Gen. Marshall and President Roosevelt knew the content of the Japanese coded messages.  They knew something was pending but didn’t know what, when or where.  By the beginning of 1939 the US military forces had dwindled to less than third rate and poorly staffed.  Marshall warned Roosevelt to not antagonize the Japanese, as we were not ready -- and proceeded to inform congressmen of our absurdly inadequate a defense. Anticipating trouble, Gen. MacArthur was called back into service and sent to the Philippines to prepare US and Philippine forces in the event of an attack.
            When the French and British came to the US, after Germany invaded Poland in 1939, they wanted airplanes, airplanes and more airplanes.  Roosevelt, keenly aware of their priorities made a grand political announcement that we were going to build thousands of airplanes – intending to cause Hitler to pause. Marshall insisted we needed people and bases, not just airplanes.  In time he convinced a begrudging congress to provide funds for more people and facilities for an expanding Air Force. The 19th and 7th BGs had been reactivated and could now be populated with personnel for the trickle of new airplanes. 

A Clash of Cultures

People are programmable – combatants are programmed to different beliefs.

 

 

1932 photo of the fellows who started Japan's expansion 

Prewar Japan:  Ruled by War Lords; in name of Emperor God; peoples bound to ancient codes of conduct; Set upon acquiring new territory and resources by use of force and rule by use of fear; buoyed by success.

Prewar US: Democratic Rule; freedom of religion; peoples belief in western values of personal freedoms &  rights; Isolationists; emerging from severe depression; set upon peace and free enterprise.

            The Japanese society was based on a mixture of religious fanaticism, in the form of Emperor worship, medieval rules of conduct imposed by War Lords, mixed with rapid modernization of their industry and weapons. These were combined by the War Lords into a game plan of expansion to gain land and resources. The War Lords obtained the Emperors endorsement, they didn’t need his permission, with his endorsement the people; civilian and military were sure to follow until death. It was their religious duty to the Emperor.

News Photo of US Defensive Force

            The government and peoples of the United States were woefully ignorant about the Japanese people, their culture, leaders and their technology. We were overly confident, our movies showed us conquering the west, that "we" won the war with Germany, that the good guy in the white hat always win.  We knew we were the good guys and that we would always win if someone was so foolish as to attack us. As for the Japanese, people who lived in paper houses would not throw bricks. Large factions of the population preached peace – per unwritten law of the west; there was no fight if the opponent did not draw a gun. By refusing to join the arms race there would be no war. Besides we had the Atlantic and the Pacific for protection, we would have plenty of warning and time to prepare should anyone dare attack us. 

The Japanese could read the mood of the American people, or so they thought.  We were not preparing for war and were too preoccupied with having a good time.  The large Pacific ocean was an advantage, without island bases it was not possible to bring war to their shores.  With the large land mass of Asia under their control their homeland was unassailable -- our big talk was without a big stick.  Destroy our meager forces and we'd pull back within our shores.  We had done little to help save Europe and would care less about the East Indies. 

We and our Pacific allies, the Australians, British and Dutch, were pitifully unprepared for the surprise attack and came much closer to loosing the South Pacific than most people were aware. The enemy struck with a plan and ferocity, completely committed to conquest. We found they didn't fight fair -- they were readily willing to die to win, and had no interest in caring for prisoners -- only cowards surrendered in their culture -- why waste their energy and assets on prisoners. 

Americans immediately rushed to enlist and join in the war effort -- after they attacked us. Those over run in the Philippines quickly became aware we were caught up in an all out life or death commitment. Americans never doubted we would ultimately win, sometimes ignorance is bliss -- it took a while to convince the Japanese they were going to loose. Then we were surprised that knowing this, they still would not quite?  We did not understand their mine set. 

            For a reader to appreciate the 19th BG saga they need to know of associated events preceding the start of WWII -- to understand why the American, Australian, British and Netherlands forces were so inadequate. Looking at a map, Japan is very small compared to the US. Cartoonists would show a big US battleship being circled by a little Japanese boat with a caption, "Go away sonny or we will blow you out of the water".  The public was led to believe the Japanese were short little soldiers with buck teeth, using inferior weapons, only capable of picking on defenseless Chinese.  In reality the Japanese possessed superior weapons at the start; their Zero fighter could shoot down B-17s and their torpedoes worked and ours did not -- the Allies first learned of this in combat.  From the beginning the Japanese were quite willing to give their life in exchange for winning an objective. Kamikaze methods were used to sink the British battleships from down at the deck level, whereas our culture expected to sink ships with immunity above the enemy at 30,000 feet. Even with the help of our "magic" Norden Bomb sight we could not hit ships at sea from that altitude.  Our B-17s were Flying Fortresses in name only, they did not have self sealing fuel tanks or tail guns, enemy Zeros could get above or behind and shoot them down.  Crews quickly learned that a cloud was their best friend.  There were large losses on the ground the first day -- it was an added humiliating shock to loose them in air combat in the next few days.  The media back home converted loss to triumph, for a while the public was spared reality.

Chronology of Events

Prior Events 1922-1941

1922:  28th Sqd set up in the Philippines
1932:  19th BG & 30th Sqd activated at Rockwell Field CA
1933:  B-10 ordered, the first bomber with an enclosed crew.  Hitler comes to power.  Roosevelt elected President. Congress enacts sweeping legislation to bring nation out of deep depression.
1934:  B-17 design initiated by Boeing
1935:  19th BG & 30th Sqd moved to March Field CA.  B-10B delivered & Hap Arnold used them to map west coast for first time.  MacAurther is sent to the Philippines.
1936:  133 B-18s ordered. The low cost two engine B-18 bomber version of a C-47, won over the four engine B-17, we were peaceful nation and did not need a costly long range bomber.  Roosevelt wins second term 
1937:  177 B-18Bs ordered. 13 B-17s ordered to keep it alive, giving it the charter of flying coastal reconnaissance beyond the range of coast artillery. B-10, B-18 & B-17 all used the same R-1820 engine to save money.       
1938:   Japan invades Manchuria.  Hitler occupies Czechoslovakia.  B-24 & B-25 design initiated.
1939:  Germany attacks Poland. France & England declare War on Germany. Germany & Russia sign non-aggression treaty. Churchill replaces Chamberlin & General Marshal is made Chief of Staff.  WPA funds are used to build Wichita KS and KC KS aircraft plants. Snow White and 7 Dwarfs is released.  93rd Sqd added to 19th BG. B-26 design initiated. 
1940:  Congress trims 10% from 850 million defense budget. Russia invades Finland. German invades Denmark, Norway.  Gen Marshal requests 657 million extra for defense.  Germany invades Belgium, Netherlands & France -- 600,000 British soldiers escape at Dunkirk, 500,000 and all weapons are lost. Marshal describes our force as "nice boys with BB guns" -- congress votes 1.5 billion for defense.  ROTC rifles are shipped to Britain. France surrenders and Germany starts bombing Britain.  Congress increases defense budget to 117 billion and passes the Draft for one years service only. Germany, Italy & Japan sign military pact. Japan takes French Indo-China.  US breaks Japanese code.  Germany has 12 mechanized divisions with 55,000 tanks -- US has one experimental brigade. P-47 & P-51 design initiated, B-17C begins production.  Yale students vote 3:1 to support America First to keep US out of war.

Jan 1941:  First secret meeting between British and US military.

Feb 1941:  Congress passes bill to provide Lend-Lease supplies to Britain.  GM to build B-25, Ford to build B-24, Chrysler to build B-26. German subs sink 18 of 19 cargo ships. British push Italians back in N. Africa.
Mar 1941:  Germany has 300 subs hunting in wolf packs.  Germany takes Hungary, Bulgaria & Rumania.
April 1941:  Japan & Russia sign non-aggression pact.  Germany takes Yugoslavia & Greece. Germany retakes Bengasi from British in N. Africa. 
May 1941:  Lindberg leads America First to keep US out of the war, claiming majority public support.
June 1941:  Germany invades Russia.  Germany's Bismark sinks Hood; British sink the Bismark.
July 1941:  US cuts sale of supplies to Japan.
Aug 1941:  Congress approves extending the draft beyond one year by one vote. US has 40 tanks for 4 divisions. 
Sept 1941:  Wedemyer provides Victory Plan to Gen Marshal, which defines AAF needs.  

Nov 1941:  US merchant ships allowed to carry guns.   
Dec 1941:   WW II begins for the US.

Chronology of Subsequent Events

June 1941: 19th BG moves from March Field CA to Albuquerque NM.
Sept 1941:  19th BG fly B-17s to Hawaii for recently formed 14th Sqd. 

Oct 1941:   B-17s flown by 14th Sqd to Clark Field PI.  19th BG starts move to Clark Field.

Nov 1941:  19th arrives at Clark Field. 5th Air Base Unit arrives to create a Del Monte Field on Mindanao PI.   
Dec 1941:   7th BG starts move to "Plum" Del Monte Field Mindanao PI.  

Dec 7/8, 1941  Japan Attacks Hickam Field Hawaii.

Dec 7/8, 1941  Japan Attacks Clark Field PI.

The Task Ahead

            In the global arena of political and military power it was decided the US would defend the Philippines against the growing Japanese threat.  In high school I had participated on a 1938 debate topic “Should the US form a military alliance with Great Britain” and was thus aware of articles written to the effect that the US should not be responsible for the defense of the Philippines.  However the idea of abandoning what was considered “ours” did not develop a following as did the sentiment for staying out of “foreign wars”.  The general voting public and those my age and a bit older who would fight the war knew next to nothing about the Philippines.  Our knowledge of the region and conditions were based on movies, newspapers and magazines – most of which had little to do with reality.

The Philippine Commonwealth government had been established after Roosevelt took office in 1935.  It was still in it’s infancy trying to cope with multiple people groups speaking multiple languages and scattered among many islands. 

Existing infrastructure was concentrated mostly on the main island of Luzon with one city, Manila and small villages connected with primitive roads and a few rail lines.  The next largest island Mindanao was even less developed, with populations divided between Christian and Moro elements who tolerated each other at best.  What infra structure there was had been set up by business enterprises – government and enterprise as known in the US was almost non-existent.

MacArthur and Marshall were among the few with personal knowledge of the region and who also knew of war first hand.  The book “Fall of the Philippines” prepared by US Army Center for Military History reveal that MacArthur enthusiastically took on the task of defending the Philippines.  Faced with the presidents assignment Marshall was pleased to have MacArthur in charge of the effort.  As I read of conditions in the Philippines at the time, well known by MacArthur and Marshall, I was hard pressed to understand how MacArthur expected to defend the islands. 

It was obvious to any military strategists that Japan was after Dutch East Indies resources, their interest in the Philippines was as a base and to fend off US forces.

MacArthur had been part of the military jury for the Billy Mitchel court marshal, in which Billy made his case that airpower was our only way to defend ourselves against an attack by the Japanese.  It would seem that MacArthur and Marshall placed much faith in the ability of B-17’s to fend off an invasion force.  There seems to have been no dependence of expectation of the navy fending off an invasion fleet.

While Marshall went to great lengths to get B-17s to the Philippines, MacArthur was busy trying to create a military force out of Philippine recruits.  The existing Philippine Scouts, prewar trained, would prove to be very capable.  But converting natives from a Philippine culture and multiple languages bogged down – the optimism of wishful thinking got ahead of reality. 

The optimism of fending off invading forces by use of B-17s was equally flawed.  The B-17 was a flying fortress in news print only – it’s design charter had been to fly observation for US coastal defense.  War games would have revealed that bombers could not sink moving ships from altitude.  This seems to have been overlooked in the rush to fly aircraft across the Pacific expanse – which in itself was quite a feat. 

By early 1941 it had become obvious to MacArthur that he needed a significant number of US troops to achieve a meaningful ground force plus a significant increase in supplies.  Again Marshall did his best to arrange for movement of supplies to the Philippines – these became “The Aid” MacArthur would refer to when telling defenders “Aid is coming”.  This aid was expected and the reason many 19th BG personnel would be assigned to the defense of Battan, rather than sent to Mindanao, in expectation of the need for an air field to receive expected aid. 

“Fall of the Philippines” is highly recommended reading to understand the limited defensive forces available to the US when the Japanese began to land.  The 19th BG history of PI events covers only a limited segment of what happened to those at Clark Field.

The war began while I was in college.  My concept of Clark Field, hit in the first attack, was that of a modern US air field with concrete runways, bunkers and facilities.  It was not until I began compiling this history that I realized it was just a pasture with nowhere to disperse aircraft caught on the ground.  Bomber operations depend on a secure base.

The movie term “They were Expendable” is very appropriate.  MacArthur and Marshall must have known they were in a race against time.  Persons sent there to fend off the Japanese advance did remarkably well with what they had.  Knowing many of them through this history endeavor has caused me to feel very proud of them – reinforcing my faith in our nation and it’s people.