[jimtorr]

Patton did have the right idea.

Unfortunately, the troops would not have gone along. They were willing to undergo wartime life and death to defeat Germany, and nothing else. My own father is a good example.

McArthur asked for his army engineer regiment by name for Japan occupation duty shortly after the Japanese surrender. This was the most experienced regiment in the army at building airfields, having worked their way across the Pacific from Hawaii to Okinawa since 1942.

The enlisted men had a meeting, and sent a delegation of senior NCO’s to the Island commander, saying they refused to go to Japan, and would go home one way or another instead. McArthur had to settle for a green regiment.

More than one ship, civilian and navy, was seized by troops desperate to go home ASAP. The same sort of thing happened in Europe.

[wally_bert]

I had never of that side of WWII history.

My grandfather was 3rd army, a sergeant, I think in supply and he never talked much of the experience.

[JohnyBoy]

Interesting stuff.

[ABN 505]

I remember my Father talking with some Army buddies years ago. He told of a Unit review after the Germans had surrendered and the unit commander Gen. Jim Gavin gave a stirring address about how proud he was to have been commander of such a great fighting force and related how they had been awarded a Presidential Unit Commendation along with other awards. He than proceeded to give the rest of his speech about now that the War in Europe was won the 101st would regroup, rearm, and head to Japan to finish the war over there. My Dad could tell the way he talked he was expecting a rousing cheer and enthusiasm from the troops instead of that there was complete silence as everyone looked at the guy next to him and had the same thought, I want to go home I fought my war. Remember most of these guys had been fighting since Normandy, fought in Holland and suffered through the Battle of the Bulge. They were in no mood to go over to Asia and keep on fighting.