I am so glad to see this get attention. I have run accross so many people who are willing to denigrate MacArthur, calling him “Dugout Doug” and the such; but refuse to believe a word when I discuss how Saint Roosevelt broke numerous promises to the General and abandoned our troops in the Philippines!
Between December 1941 and May 1942, what forces did Roosevelt have, that he could send, that would not be sacrificed, to rescue our troops in the Philippines?
Agree with your post. As an aside there is an anti MacArthur cult in America. MacArthur represented a nobility that an egalitarian cannot stand-it drives them mad. Yes, as do all men he had flaws and the egalitarian plays them to the max when in fact it was actions like the author of the main article postulated that really harmed our efforts in the Far East.
From what I understand, the three powers decided that Europe was the greater threat, and thus would get a huge amount of materiel. The Pacific WAS left to fend for themselves.
This is no secret. I guess I am missing the point.
Concur only in part: MacArthur could have put his stars on the line and stood up to FDR. He could have refused to leave for Australia. Had that word reached the American people, FDR would have been forced to send support. Instead, MacArthur had MG Wainwright stay and suffer captivity.