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See if anybody really know this question. Why did the USMC fought only in the PTO (Pacific theater of operations)? There was a small unit that took part in Sicily, Italy and Normandy, but why was there no division strength in the ETO, MTO or NATO?
As I understand it, the Marines are the amphibious assault troops of the Navy. The Pacific was largely a naval war, whereas Europe was mainly Army and Army Air Corps. Thus, when the Navy needed to invade an island in the Pacific, they used their invasion troops (the Marines) to do it.
That wasn't their role. They were trained as amphibious assault troops; their job was to work together with the navy to attack heavily defended shore positions and establish a secure beachhead. They were trained and equipped to operate in small units, hitting hard and fast to destroy small pockets of enemy resistance. They didn't have the training, doctrine, or equipment to fight the large-scale battles on divisional and army-sized fronts that were typical of the European campaign. In other words, they were perfectly suited for the island-hopping campaigns of the Pacific, but not so much for sweeping maneuvers across the French and German plains.
That wasn't their role. They were trained as amphibious assault troops; their job was to work together with the navy to attack heavily defended shore positions and establish a secure beachhead. They were trained and equipped to operate in small units, hitting hard and fast to destroy small pockets of enemy resistance. They didn't have the training, doctrine, or equipment to fight the large-scale battles on divisional and army-sized fronts that were typical of the European campaign. In other words, they were perfectly suited for the island-hopping campaigns of the Pacific, but not so much for sweeping maneuvers across the French and German plains.
The Pacific Theater of War was divided into two areas of operation (1) The Central Pacific commanded by USN Fleet Admiral (5 Star Rank) Chester Nimitz and (2) The South West Pacific commanded by US Army General of the Armies (5 star rank) Douglas MacArthur. As pointed out the Central Pacific strategy pushed by Nimitz was to use islands as stepping stones to an assault on Japan and as bases to control the Pacific and contain then destroy the Imperial Japanese Navy thus forcing Japan's surrender. MacArthur advocated a campaign through the chain of islands from New Guinea leading to the recapture of the Philipines and possibly then if necessary Southern China (Taiwan or Hong Kong) to cut off Japan from South East Asia and the East Indies and its rich resources (which was why Japan attacked the US nd UK to begin with) thus forcing Japan to surrender or cease hostilities. MacArthur mainly saw the campaign through the eyes of the US Army whereas Nimitz was a Navy man.
Got some good answers but you are not looking at the main question. Why did they not fight in the ETO, MTO, NATO? Army fought on both main TO but USMC only in PTO.
First off, they where not consider amphibian assault force until WWII. It wasn’t until during WWII they carry that role and hence continue at the main amphibious assault force or “first one in” role. FACT: U.S Army had more amphibian landings than USMC in WWII.
So, why did USMC only fought in the PTO? Let’s go back to 1st June, 1918. Germany launch a massive spring offensive near the Marne River. Five German divisions faced off against two army divisions, 1 brigade of United States Marines, element of the 6th French army and element of British IX CROPS. This is the Battle of Belleau wood.
The German punch a hole through the French line. It was Marines that plug the hole and hold the line against the German till to 26th of June, the USMC took the fight to the Germans and push them back. I courage you the read in detains about the battle.
It was the Battle of Beau wood that USMC got it fame from both allies and Germany. The German refer the USMC as “vigorous, self-confident, and remarkable marksmen...”. General Pershing, "The deadliest weapon in the world is a Marine and his rifle!" Basically, USMC got a lot of glory in WWI and at times famed for defeating the Germans. Well, this did not sit well with the Army as they where the main branch of military for the U.S in WWI.
Moving forward to WWII. At some point, DoD knew that U.S what going to face Germany and possibly Japan. A few top Army brasses insisted that it will be the U.S Army taking on German in thinking that going to war with Japan will not happen. U.S. Army wanted the glory to defeat the Germans and not have any USMC have any part of it. Well, we end up fight both Japan and German and as it was U.S. Army fought the Germans and USMC faced Japan.
Now think of this. 1) What is the most icon pic of WWII from any country in WWII? Between Germany and Japan, who really took fame for defeating them- did U.S Army really defeated the Germans? And the USMC really defeated Japan?
You must also know that the Marine Corps is much smaller than the U.S. Army.
Check out what the size of an "Army" is and a "Corp"
It was designed that way to maneuver move swiftly. Even today they are ready to move on a moments notice because of their size.
You must also know that the Marine Corps is much smaller than the U.S. Army.
Check out what the size of an "Army" is and a "Corp"
It was designed that way to maneuver move swiftly. Even today they are ready to move on a moments notice because of their size.
True. In1941 the Comandant of the Marines was a Major General, that is the rank of a Division commander. The Secretary of the Navy had a job follow all of his Marines. Perhaps if a few stayed in Europe we wouldn't have SEALS or Rangers today if they followed the example of the Royal Marines
He'd have kicked all of our asses up one side of the screen and down the other, for no other reason than to show that he could even though he's been dead for 35 years.
Well the Marines are actually under the control of the US Navy and are considered the Navy's attacking ground troops for amphibious landings. I always just figured thats why they are not large like an army as they are large enough to make the intiial landings and secure a beachhead. Course the Marines were about 74,000 strong at the start of WWII and grew to almost 500,000 with 6 divisions and about 125,000 were in the Marine air wing since they had their own air force to say. But the 6 divisions were about large enough to be of an army size as I would say the 6 divisions with its support troops were around 200,000 strong. I know on Iwo Jima there was about 80,000 marines fighting at one point with 3 Marine divisions on Iwo Jima. In all with all the support troops and some Navy troops on Iwo there was well over 100,000 US troops on Iwo Jima.
Course the US Army grew to 8.3 million troops including about 2.3 million in the Army Air Force. Out of the 6 million ground troops of the Army it grew to 90 divisions and later 89 as one was deactivated which was over 2 million combat troops that went oversea's and about another 2 million Army ground service troops and overhead troops that went oversea's also. Actually on Okinawa the 10th US Army went ashore with about 182,000 troops of which about 82,000 were Marines in 3 divisions so you could say the Marines were part of the 10th US Army on Okinawa. This does not answer your questions but maybe it will give someone else an idea to give you your answer. Ron
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