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This document, “Pacific Theatre Part 11: Operation Forager,” by Lestrade aka Unpopular Opinion, critiques the historical narrative of Operation Forager, a United States offensive against Imperial Japanese forces in the Mariana Islands and Palau between June and November 1944. The author argues that many aspects of the campaign, including the scale of battles, troop numbers, civilian casualties, and Japanese resistance, are exaggerated or fabricated.
The author questions the reported civilian deaths on Saipan, suggesting the numbers are inflated and do not align with pre-war population data. He scrutinizes the accounts of mass suicides at Laderan Banadero and Marpi Point, arguing that the limited footage and lack of physical evidence point to staged events or cliff dives rather than mass suicide. Similarly, he questions the authenticity of combat footage from Saipan, comparing it to training exercises and noting the unnatural appearance of bodies and staged scenes.
The Battle of the Philippine Sea, or “Great Marianas Turkey Shoot,” is also examined. While acknowledging the United States victory, the author implies that intelligence gained from the wreckage of Admiral Mineichi Koga’s plane significantly contributed, and questions the “turkey shoot” narrative itself. The recovery of Koga’s Z Plan documents by Filipino guerrillas and a USS Crevalle submarine is depicted as improbable.
The author then delves into the Battle of Guam, criticizing the official accounts of William K. MacNulty’s command and the mysterious death of PFC Kauffman. He casts doubt on the “concentration camps” and “death marches” narrative, suggesting it may have been a measure for civilian safety. The portrayal of George Ray Tweed’s survival and intelligence gathering is also presented as fantastical.
The Battle of Tinian is discussed, with the author highlighting what he believes to be doctored images and questioning the low Allied casualties and the disappearance of Japanese troops. He further scrutinizes the actions of Japanese commanders Kiyochi Ogata, Goichi Oie, and Kakuji Kakuta, noting inconsistencies in their supposed suicides and the recovery of their bodies.
The Battle of Peleliu is presented as a prime example of illogical military strategy, where a heavily garrisoned Babeldaob was bypassed in favor of smaller islands. The author dismisses the narrative of elaborate Japanese tunnel systems, presenting photographic evidence he deems insufficient and questioning the lack of photographic documentation of these supposed underground complexes. He also points to inconsistencies in bomb tonnage claims and the apparent lack of damage to the island.
Finally, the Battle of Angaur is examined. The author questions the casualty figures, the nature of Lieutenant General Sadae Inoue’s capture and sentence, and the contradictory accounts of Japanese defenses. He reiterates his skepticism about underground defenses and the logistical feasibility of the battles described.
The document concludes with the author’s “Pacific Battle Template,” which he uses to illustrate his belief that the narratives of these battles are largely fabricated and follow a predictable pattern, urging readers to apply this template to create their own “Pacific fan fiction.”