In the annals of history, there are moments that shine brighter than the rest, illuminating the indomitable spirit of those who faced the darkest of days. This is a testament to the resilience and unity of the British Empire and Commonwealth during a challenging period, offering an inspiring narrative of triumph over adversity.
By Brian E. Walter | 4 min read
A spectacular event steeped in pageantry
Unlike the surrender of Nazi Germany, which took place on 7 May 1945 to little fanfare in a French schoolhouse in the middle of the night, the ceremony bringing about the official surrender of Japan on 2 September 1945 was a spectacular event steeped in pageantry and witnessed by thousands. Among the throng present at this momentous event were British Lieutenant-General Arthur Percival and American Lieutenant-General Jonathan Wainwright. Until very recently, both men had been prisoners of the Japanese, the former having surrendered at Singapore while the latter surrendered in the Philippines. The presence of these men had great symbolic significance as it reflected the miraculous and definitive turn of events that had occurred over the previous three and a half years. Early in the war, Japan had inflicted the worst series of military defeats ever to befall the British Empire and the United States as witnessed by these generals. Now, like a phoenix rising from the ashes, both men emerged from this bleak period and years of horrendous Japanese confinement to witness Japan’s downfall as it acknowledged a defeat of far greater magnitude.
Two million men fighting over an immense area
The monumental struggle fought by British, Imperial and Commonwealth forces in bringing about this outcome is comprehensively covered in the new book Forgotten War, the British Empire and Commonwealth’s Epic Struggle Against Imperial Japan, 1941–1945. While generally overshadowed by the concurrent conflict in Europe or the domineering presence of the United States, Britain’s war in the Far East constituted a colossal effort eventually involving nearly two million men and vast armadas of ships and aircraft. Fighting over an immense area that stretched from India in the west to the Solomon Islands in the east and Australia in the south to the waters off Japan in the north, British and Commonwealth forces eventually scored a string of stirring victories that avenged their earlier defeats and helped facilitate the demise of the Japanese Empire.
Land, sea and air
Forgotten War provides many unique benefits in exploring these epic events. Unlike other books that tend to only focus on specific portions of the campaign, Forgotten War provides a complete and detailed accounting of all combat operations undertaken by the British Empire and Commonwealth on land, sea and in the air during the war against Japan. Some interesting facts regarding this conflict include:
- Although garnering little fanfare, the efforts put forth by British/Commonwealth ground forces rivaled those of the United States and eventually accounted for the destruction of four Japanese field armies and some 560,000 Japanese casualties (excluding prisoners taken at the end of the conflict).
- Notwithstanding the dominant position of the United States Navy in the Pacific war, British and Commonwealth maritime forces carried out numerous offensive operations that eventually brought them to the very doorstep of Japan itself and sank or participated in the destruction of hundreds of Japanese vessels including 42 principal warships (the destructions of which are all documented in the book).
- The RAF, RAAF and RNZAF (in conjunction with the USAAF) developed and executed numerous advancements in aerial logistics, close air support and aerial interdiction that paved the way for Allied victories across the South Pacific and Southeast Asia.
Global view
Another major benefit of the book is that it places the Asia/Pacific conflict within the context of the overall war effort. The Asia/Pacific war did not occur in a vacuum, and it is only through a comprehensive global view that the conflict’s execution and relevance can fully be evaluated. Accordingly, the book regularly reviews the concurrent events underway in Europe and other theatres that impacted operations in the Far East. In a similar light, the book provides unique analysis regarding the conduct of the Asia/Pacific War, the factors that facilitated Japan’s defeat, the British Empire’s role in this process and the effectiveness of the competing sides.
The human side of the war
Finally, while the book provides a comprehensive overview of the Asia/Pacific conflict, it also touches upon the human side of the war. This includes the wartime biographies of many of the senior British/Commonwealth leaders who waged this contest, a complete listing of the 49 servicemen who earned Victoria Crosses in the Asia/Pacific war along with the circumstances of these awards, and an examination of the privations suffered by the prisoners of war. It should never be forgotten that during a period of desperate trial and tribulation, men from all across the British Empire and Commonwealth came together in their millions to turn back and eventually vanquish the Japanese Empire. Forgotten War tells their inspiring story.
WANT TO LEARN MORE?
Be sure to read Forgotten War: The British Empire and Commonwealth’s Epic Struggle Against Imperial Japan, 1941-1945
The book is dedicated to the men and women who served
in the armed forces of the British Empire and Commonwealth during
World War II with particular emphasis to those who served in the Asia/Pacific war.
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