Crusade In The Pacific
Season 2
Dive into the War in the Pacific like never before with this 10-part series chronicling the fight from prior to Pearl Harbor up until the last bomb was dropped. Featuring combat footage and interviews with veterans from both sides, learn about their experiences and perspectives from America's war with Japan as 2015 recognizes the 70th Anniversary of V-J Day.
Where to Watch Season 2
14 Episodes
- Speeding up the Attack: The MarshallsE1
Speeding up the Attack: The MarshallsCrusade in the Pacific looks at the Allied campaign against the Japanese outposts in the Marshall Islands. United States Marines launch an amphibious assault that captures the Kwajalein atoll. Later, the Marines move further west and attack the Eniwetok atoll where they also overcome Japanese resistance. Using these atolls as airbases, the Allies bomb the Japanese stronghold of Truk in the Caroline Islands. - Stepping Stones to the PhilippinesE2
Stepping Stones to the PhilippinesCrusade in the Pacific examines the Allied effort on the island of New Britain. First it looks at the invasions of Arawe and Cape Gloucester and the crucial contributions of Native American scouts and Australian coast watchers. It also looks at the attacks on Rabaul and the Admiralty Islands, and, later, the step-by-step effort to seize control northern New Guinea. - Battle for the MarianasE3
Battle for the MarianasCrusade in the Pacific looks at the Allied campaign in the Mariana Islands. It examines the brutal marine invasion of Saipan and the effort to push back the Japanese counter-attack in the Philippians sea. On Saipan , Allied forces eventually push all the way to Marpi Point point and take the island. Japanese soldiers and civilians frequently choose death over surrender. Later, the Americans successfully invade Tinian and later Guam. - The War in China-Burma-India TheaterE4
The War in China-Burma-India TheaterCrusade in the Pacific examine early Chinese resistance to Japan prior to World War II and U.S. efforts to assist them. In order to get supplies to China, the U.S. must use an overland route through Burma. The Japanese cut off this route when they take control of Burma after the battle of Toungoo. Later, Allied forces push back against the Japanese and found the Ledo route as an alternative route to supply China. Although the Chinese resist the Japanese their efforts to mostly result in a bloody stalemate. - Palau: The Fight for Bloody Nose RidgeE5
Palau: The Fight for Bloody Nose RidgeCrusade in the Pacific looks at the brutal effort to take the Palau islands. Strategists decide invade the island chain in order to cover the flank for the impending invasion of the Philippines. Amphibious assaults land in the southern islands of Peleliu and Angaur. On Peleliu, U.S. forces encounter fierce fighting from well fortified and entrenched Japanese soldiers. The U.S. eventually push the Japanese back to Bloody Nose Ridge where some of the bloodiest fighting on the war takes place. After weeks of fighting, the Allies finally secure the island. - MacArthur Returns to the PhililppinesE6
MacArthur Returns to the PhililppinesCrusade in the Pacific examines the effort to retake the Philippines. After the initial Japanese invasion, the U.S. army is forced to surrender at Corregidor. After two years of occupation, the United States returns to retake the islands. They first attack the island of Leyte and secure the beachhead. Japanese naval forces attempt a counter-attack, but they are defeated in the battle of Leyte Gulf. The Allies secure Leyte before moving on to Mindoro and main island Luzon. On Luzon, the Americans are greeted as liberators. Eventually, they take the capital of Manila. - Bloody IwoE7
Bloody IwoCrusade in the Pacific looks at the Battle of Iwo Jima. Allied forces need the island to launch support aircraft for long range bombers over Japan. The Allies land on the beach and face strong resistance from the Japanese. The U.S. eventually take Mount Suribachi and the southern half of the island, but suffer a large number of casualties. The Allies move north and after after a difficult battle, they take control of the island. - At Japan's Doorstep: OkinawaE8
At Japan's Doorstep: OkinawaCrusade in the Pacific looks at the battle of Okinawa. American Army and Marine forces land unopposed and meet little resistance as they split the island in half. Later, as armies move north and south, fighting grows more fierce. Allied forces eventually capture the north half of the island. In the southern half, stiff Japanese resistance and rain bog down offensive operations. After weeks of fighting the advancing American troops eventually overwhelm defenders. In the end, the Battle of Okinawa proves costly for both sides. - The Air War On JapanE9
The Air War On JapanCrusade in the Pacific examines the air war over the Japanese home island. It looks at the early Doolittle Raid over Tokyo and discusses later B-29 "super fortress" attacks based out of China and the Mariana Islands. It then examines the air delivered Nuclear Attacks at Hiroshima and Nagasaki which to the surrender of Japan. - The Surrender and Occupation of JapanE10
The Surrender and Occupation of JapanCrusade in the Pacific examines the surrender and occupation of Japan. Japan surrenders unconditionally to the Allies after the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The formal instruments of surrender are signed on the deck of the U.S.S. Missouri though surrender ceremonies take place all across the Pacific theater. General Douglas MacArthur is declared Supreme Commander of Allied Forces in Japan and begins reconstruction efforts. Japanese leaders are held responsible for the war and are punished though the Emperor is absolved of responsibility. Japan experiences a number of cultural changes in the wake of the occupation including democracy and women's rights. - Shifting Tides in the OrientE11
Shifting Tides in the OrientCrusade in the Pacific examines the growth of independence movements in Asia in the wake of World War II. In the Dutch East Indies, Sukarno declares Indonesian independence and defeat Dutch efforts to retake their colony. In India, the British hands over control to Jawaharlal Nehru. They also oversees the creation of the nation of Pakistan. The two new nations soon come to conflict in the region of Kashmir. The Philippines are granted independence from the United States and struggles to adjust to self-government. In Indochina, French colonial armies attempt to suppress the independence seeking people of Viet Nam. Meanwhile, the China, the Nationalist forces of Chiang Kai-shek fight a civil war with the Communists under Mao Zedong. The Communist quickly seize the mainland forcing the Nationalists to flee to Formosa. - War in KoreaE12
War in KoreaCrusade in the Pacific examines the Korean War. After World War II, Korea is divided along the 38th Parallel. In the North, the Soviet Union influences a Communist government under Kim Il-sung. In the South, the United States shepherds a young Republic. The Korean peninsula is plunged into war when North Korea invades the South. The North quickly overwhelms the armed forces of the South until the United Nations intervenes. The conflict sours relations between the United States and Soviet Union. The United States enters the war and halts the North Koreans at Pusan. Later, an amphibious landing in Inchon turns the tide against the North Koreans. As the U.N. forces move north across the 38th parallel and head toward the Norther Border of North Korea. - Chinese Reds Attack in KoreaE13
Chinese Reds Attack in KoreaCrusade in the Pacific examines the Chinese intervention in the Korean War. Chinese Communists cross the North Korean border just as United Nations troops were moving to finish off the North Korean forces. The Chinese forces cut off U.S. troops near the Changjin reservoir. The U.S. forces march successfully to Hungnam on the coast where they could be evacuated. Elsewhere U.N. forces are forced back until a U.N. counter-attack stops the Chinese advances an recaptures Seoul. Truman dismisses MacArthur after the General pushes to attack mainland China. The War in Korea ... - The Future: Asia and the United StatesE14
The Future: Asia and the United StatesCrusade in the Pacific considers the future of relations between the United States and Asia. It examines the religions of the East including Buddhism, Islam, and Hinduism and also looks at the history of U.S. involvement in Asia. It also examines the value of U.S. assistance in Asia and efforts to curtail the growth of communism there. It also speaks to specialists from Japan, Indonesia, Pakistan, India and U.S. diplomat John Foster Dulles.