DOUGLAS MCARTHUR

American military leaders, General of the Army.

"The American at all one hundred percent of our" American Caesar "- so named Douglas MacArthur, one of his friends. In the United States very often Caesar, kings, rulers called the people who succeed in business, even if they are in origin are irrelevant to the highest nobility. But Douglas MacArthur said that it is impossible, as MacArthur had been kind of an ancient and proud that their ancestors were part of an environment of King Arthur and belonged to a Knight of the Round Table. Family tartan (fabric) MacArthur consisted of three colors - green, black and gold, which symbolized the color of areas where the earlier of their own clan. Green meant pine, black - the harshness of the narrow valleys, and golden - blink furze, rosshego in the edges of bush. The motto of the genus have the word "faith and work. "

On the American continent MacArthur arrived in 1825. Arthur MacArthur, the senior has become a successful lawyer, member of the Supreme Court of the District of Columbia Capital.

His son, Arthur MacArthur, Jr. , chose a military career. This is not surprising, since his youth coincided with a time of civil war in the United States. He vomiting in front of a volunteer, but his father insisted that the first son graduated from military school.

In August 1862, MacArthur Jr. came in the 24 th Wisconsin Infantry Regiment. Successful military action northerners and knowledge of military affairs by the MacArthur Foundation made him a colonel in the 19 years he fought bravely and was wounded several times. The last battle for him in the civil war took place Nov. 30, 1864, when he was seriously injured and had to be on long-term treatment. Before returning to acting Army Arthur MacArthur, Jr. have served in the military court of New Orleans. In the operation, he returned after the civil war, in February 1866 with the rank of second lieutenant. (After the war, the rank obtained at the battlefield, revised, and Colonel McArthur and became a lieutenant. ) Very soon he received the rank of captain, but to the rank of Major was 23 years. Later, he defended his doctoral thesis at the National Law School, received the rank of general and led a detachment of the head expeditionary corps in the Philippines. Later, he became military governor-general of the colony.

Being a northerner, Arthur MacArthur, Jr. married yuzhanke, Mary Hardy Kicks. She came from a noble family and was the daughter of a former plantation-slaveholders. This was a happy marriage, the spouses have lived together in mutual love and respect.

Their son, Douglas MacArthur, was born January 26, 1880 in the city of Little Rock, the state capital of Arkansas. His desire to become a war no one is not surprising, because it was an example of the military career of his father. His mother had played a major role in the military career of his son, helped him reach the most prestigious military institution in the United States - Academy West Point, he graduated in 1903 with such high scores, which was recognized as the best graduate in the history of the school.

Photo — «Douglas Mcarthur»

After Douglas MacArthur Academy with the rank of junior lieutenant was enrolled in the Corps of Engineers. He began his service in the Philippines, and then transferred to Japan by his father, who then served as military attache in the country and had the rank of Major General. During the Russian-Japanese War, MacArthur was accompanied by his father as an observer.

Many people make a career either through protection or probirayas up to a stranger bones. Douglas MacArthur had a remarkable ability so that the father′s support only slightly accelerated its progress, not playing a decisive role. When a person is talented in this, sooner or later he is still relying take its rightful place.

In 1906, MacArthur returned to the United States and some time served as a military adviser under President T. Roosevelt. Soon he was promoted to captain. In 1914 he took part in a military expedition to Mexico. In 1916 he began serving in the military to head the Ministry of Information Office. They drew up a plan for the revitalization of the National Guard in case the United States will participate in the First World War. In April 1917, after the declaration of war Germany MacArthur took part in the formation Infantry Division "Rainbow" with the rank of colonel and became chief of staff of this division.

In autumn 1917, MacArthur was sent to the front in France. On the battlefields of World War II his division covered a well-deserved fame. The war ended, Brigadier General MacArthur.

After the war, MacArthur was a time in Europe in the composition of the occupying forces, and in June 1919, he received the appointment of the Chief of West Point and became the youngest head of the academy.

Given the excellent general knowledge of the Orient, in 1922 he was appointed commander of U. S. forces in the Philippines. This archipelago was captured by United States in Spain back in 1898. He was the only U. S. possession, located near the coast of Asia. With great natural resources and excellent strategic position, these islands are of great potential value and play a role in American plans for penetration in Asia.

In 1930, General MacArthur was appointed Chief of Staff, U. S. Army, but after the U. S. Congress granted the Philippines independence in 1935, returned to the islands as military adviser. Along with it, Major Dwight Eisenhower, MacArthur believed that the most talented staff officer in the U. S. Army. In 1936, in agreement with the U. S. government Filipino President Quezon appointed Douglas MacArthur, Philippine Army field marshals. MacArthur was temporarily dismissed from the U. S. armed forces. United States War Department authorized the creation of MacArthur in the Philippines troops from the local population, who could play the role of the subsidiary for the U. S. Army and Navy.

In July 1941, in connection with the Japanese aggression, MacArthur was called back to active duty in the U. S. army, was appointed to the post of commander of U.

Photo — «Douglas Mcarthur»

S. forces in the Far East. On the assumption that Japanese troops attacked the first cause on the islands, he had received instructions to assist the Philippines in case of aggression. MacArthur did not believe in any possibility, nor the desire of the Japanese attack the Philippines, so even after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, he did not lead troops in combat readiness. True, the morning of December 8, he raised the alarm on the aircraft, but rather than to attack the Japanese air base in Formosa (Taiwan), bombers pokruzhili over their airfields and landing. As soon as the American planes sat on its base, from the sky to sprinkle the Japanese bombs. More than half the cars were destroyed on the airfield. So even before the invasion of the Philippines, Japanese military aircraft to ensure a complete domination in the air.

The same day, at the northern tip of Luzon island of the Japanese landing landed several groups that a few days captured U. S. bases located there, and began to move to the south, where the main forces of MacArthur. Over the next two weeks the Japanese army landed in different parts of the island are several compounds that have also begun to move to the Philippines capital Manila.

Given the gravity of the situation, Douglas MacArthur decided to withdraw its troops from neukreplennoy capital. 2 Jan, 1942 under the onslaught of the enemy the American army left Manila and focused on the Bataan Peninsula and the island fortress Korregidor who firmly seal the entrance to Manila Bay. MacArthur decided to gain a foothold on this and keep it until the last. For the Japanese command of such a turn of events was totally unexpected. When planning the seizure of the Philippines bid came from the fact that the major part of the U. S. Army will be broken in the general battle for the capital, and is absolutely not ready for a protracted siege of Bataan. The Japanese commanders did not have intelligence on the status of defensive structures in the area. An attempt to dislodge the fly zahlebnulas MacArthur from Bataan. He even managed to almost completely encircle and destroy a Japanese division.

Chief of Staff of the Japanese army attacked, General MacArthur wrote in the rate that the promotion of the Japanese army is very difficult, there were difficulties with the supply and the army suffered heavy losses. Despite this, the troops MacArthur was almost hopeless. Troops have been impossible to provide either air or by sea. Only submarines, break the blockade, especially valuable supplies. Therefore, food and ammunition was diminished. March 11, 1942 on the orders of command MacArthur left Korregidor. His duties took Lieutenant General Wainwright. April 3 Japanese army moved on the offensive, and to April 10, fully captured Bataan. 36 thousand American and Filipino soldiers and officers are in captivity. Nevertheless, in the hands of the U. S. Army left the island Korregidor. Garrison fortress kept until May 6 when, after bloody battles with Japanese troops, General Wainwright, realizing the futility of further struggle, capitulated.

Photo — «Douglas Mcarthur»

7 May, 1942 Japanese imperial conquest of the Philippines declared the bid closed. This defeat, Douglas MacArthur described as a personal insult. After the capture of the Philippines, the Japanese MacArthur arrived in Australia. There he was awarded the Medal of Honor and gave became famous phrase: "I have done that to, but I will come back. "

Soon, MacArthur was appointed commander of forces in the south-western zone of the Pacific which included Australia, New Guinea and the Dutch East Indies. Its new headquarters located in Brisbane, on the east coast of the Australian continent. General immediately involved in a dispute over how to conduct war America. MacArthur supported by Admiral King, in the belief that troops should not be spraying on other fronts, including in Europe, where Japanese can go on the offensive in any sector of the front, and offered to open a second front in the Pacific Ocean. According to him, bound as much as possible of Japanese forces, the Americans would use their command of the Soviet army in the Siberian German front. Arguing as military, Douglas MacArthur believed that full-scale allied military action could not have done any in Europe or North Africa. But, as has repeatedly happened during the Second World War, political considerations took precedence over the display of the military.

Despite the lack of troops, MacArthur was able to halt the Japanese to Australia and even won some victories in Port Moresby and Guadalcanal. It became clear that Japan was the culmination of his success. The Japanese army and navy vydohlis and switched to defense. Now large-scale Allied offensive was only a matter of time.

MacArthur decided to strike at the huge assume that the Japanese have created in the south and south-east around its strategic space. The defense of the region relied on New Guinea and the base of Rabaul, on New Britain. Because of the rivalry between the army and the fleet of the U. S. MacArthur shared command with Admiral Nimitsem, but they were able to agree and work together. MacArthur Foundation, in cooperation with the command of the fleet has developed a tactic called his headquarters in the "frog jumps". The essence of it was that well-trained jumps sequentially, one after another to capture the Japanese island bases. MacArthur ability to coordinate air, sea and ground operations and its ability to choose the time and place to strike ensured the success of this tactic.

April 22, 1944 MacArthur dropped landing in that part of New Guinea, where he has not waited. The Japanese troops were in the rear of the forthcoming U. S. Army, and by the end of July, Americans firmly held the northern coast of the island, creating a springboard for the capture of the Philippines. A 20 October, 1944 MacArthur, landed with the landings at Leyte, said: "I came back. " He fulfilled his promise, and American troops returned to the Philippines. Landing on the main island of the archipelago - Luzon was conducted January 9, 1945, shortly after sunrise.

Photo — «Douglas Mcarthur»

After months of fierce fighting, troops captured the fortress Korregidor MacArthur, the last stronghold of the Japanese on Luzon. In the battle for the Philippines the Japanese lost 192 thousand people, American military losses were 8 thousand.

In April 1945, Douglas MacArthur was appointed commander of all U. S. Armed Forces in the Pacific Ocean. Before his troops lay the Japanese island, the path that now has been opened.

6 and 9 August 1945 at the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki atomic bombs were dropped. This terrible spectacle history of mankind is not yet known. Those who were near the epicenter of the blast, died at the scene, the survivors have received severe burns. More than 100 thousand inhabitants of these towns have been killed.

August 10, Emperor Hirohito announced the cessation of hostilities, but the next day the widespread surrender of Japanese troops.

2 September, 1945 on board the ship Missouri in Tokyo Bay 65-year-old General MacArthur accepted the surrender of Japan. Together with him in a military delegation included General Persival, surrendered in Singapore, and General Wainwright, who fought to the last in Korregidore.

The period of American occupation of Japan lasted seven years, from September 1945 till April 1952. Most of the time the supreme power in the country were concentrated in the hands of General MacArthur. In the history of Japan has come a unique period, when all the reins of government has their hands on the American administration. Contrary to expectations, General MacArthur began to hold democratic and humane policies. He managed to save the old political elite and at the same time give the country a new constitution, destroying remnants of feudalism. Many Japanese have asked the General, who has earned the respect of their enemies, and recently received the nickname "uncrowned emperor. "

MacArthur remained in Japan until the beginning of the war in Korea. Since the beginning of the war he was 8 Jul. , 1950 was appointed commander of UN troops. September 15, he held the attack at Inchon landing, which forced the North Korean troops to retreat. Following North Korea′s support for the Chinese volunteer army MacArthur became the advocate for the blockade of the Chinese coast, as well as the bombing of several sites in China. These proposals were not accepted by the Government of Truman, and in April 1951, MacArthur was relieved of his post of commander.

At home, where he has been since 1937, he was received as a hero. MacArthur was invited to speak at a joint session of Congress. He finished his speech saying: "Old soldiers do not die, they leave. "

Recent years MacArthur lived a very lonely and rarely participated in public events. He died in hospital Walter Reed in Washington on April 5, 1964 at the age of 84 years.