It is hard to fathom how soldiers who were starving, disease ridden could make suicidal charges again and again.
He was on an AA 40mm Bofors gun crew and they leveled the guns to fire at enemy positions. When snipers in trees were encountered they moved the AA guns into position and shot air bursts into the trees.
My father's opinion was that if it had not been for the atomic bomb, he would been involved in an amphibious landing of the Japanese mainland and if lucky would have just been wounded. No qualms about dropping the atomic bombs.
My Dad was in the infantry in Europe, D-Day through V-E Day. His division was rearming & preparing to deploy to the Pacific theater when the A-bombs were dropped.
He (we) were stationed in Japan 1956-58. Got along great with local Japanese. No hatred either way.
Lots of talk about Gen. McArthur; in my opinion he worked a miracle with Hirohito to tell his people to cease resistance without shame and that according to their gods nothing happens by accident. Our occupation was the most benevolent the world has ever seen.
But Dad reminded me that if the Japan home islands had been invaded, I wouldn’t be here. Always said one million U.S. dead if we had.
Seems however that the further away in time we get, the closer the past becomes as we are still learning about Jap atrocities, Unit 731, their atomic program, comfort women & more. IT has been a boon for historiography.