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World War II
Episode164

December 29, 2025

Into The Empire: Marines Enter Japan

Into The Empire: Marines Enter Japan
38:21
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This episode follows how Third Fleet rapidly built Task Force 31 into an occupation force, reinforced the 4th Marines for a potentially hostile landing, and seized key positions at Futtsu Saki and Yokosuka Naval Base. It covers the first hours ashore, the establishment of the initial occupation perimeter, the urgent rush to recover Allied prisoners, and the shift from invasion planning to guard duty, demilitarization, and air operations as the occupation settles in. With Tokyo Bay secured, the focus turns south toward Kyushu and the next phase of the occupation.

References

  1. Aurthur, R. A., & Cohlmia, K. (1948). The Third Marine Division. Infantry Journal Press.
  2. Craig, W. (1967). The fall of Japan. Dial Press.
  3. Crowl, P. A. (1960). Campaign in the Marianas. U.S. Army Center of Military History.
  4. Department of Defense. (n.d.). Battles of Guam: From defeat to victory. Defense.gov. https://www.defense.gov/News/Feature-Stories/Story/article/1946563/battles-of-guam-from-defeat-to-victory/
  5. Isely, J. A., & Crowl, P. A. (1951). The U.S. Marines and amphibious war: Its theory and its practice in the Pacific. Princeton University Press.
  6. Krulak, V. H. (1984). First to fight: An inside view of the U.S. Marine Corps. Naval Institute Press.
  7. Marine Corps University Archives. (n.d.). Campaign collections: Saipan, Tinian, and Guam (Mariana Islands). USMCU.edu. https://grc-usmcu.libguides.com/c.php?g=806488&p=6068272
  8. Morison, S. E. (1976). The two-ocean war: A short history of the United States Navy in the Second World War. Little, Brown and Company.
  9. Naval History and Heritage Command. (n.d.). Operation Forager continued: Landings on Guam and Tinian. History.navy.mil. https://www.history.navy.mil/browse-by-topic/wars-conflicts-and-operations/world-war-ii/1944/guam-tinian.html
  10. O'Brien, C. J. (1994). Liberation: Marines in the recapture of Guam. Historical Division, U.S. Marine Corps.
  11. Shaw, H. I., Nalty, B. C., & Turnbladh, E. T. (1966). Central Pacific drive: History of U.S. Marine Corps operations in World War II, Volume III. Historical Branch, G-3 Division, Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps.
  12. Stockman, J. R., & Carleton, P. D. (n.d.). Campaign for the Marianas: Saipan, Tinian, Rota, Guam. Historical Division, Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps.

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