The definitive picture of the Pacific War?

[Canoerebel]

I first saw this picture Of Mikuma at Midway when I was about ten years old. I've never been able to get it out of my mind. Utter devastation.

[Canoerebel]

USS New Orleans makes Tulagi harbor under her own power.

I don't recall seeing this photo until I was in my 30s or later. Most of the "unforgettable" WWII photos I've seen in my life were early - in my teens or twenties. It becomes more rare to stumble across an unforgettable one later in life, because we've seen so many of the photos by then.

[Canoerebel]

For Americans, probably in the running for most memorable photo ever. Certainly in the discussion.

[Canoerebel]

One of my earliest "Oh man" moments was seeing this photo around age 10. The kind of photo that helps a youngster understand that war is awful.

[Canoerebel]

Certainly made an impression when I first saw this photo. At the time I was a youngster and had no idea there was controversy about MacArthur and that heroes could be flawed.

[Canoerebel]

Shaw explodes at Pearl Harbor. Unforgettable.

[spence]

The picture certainly shows that war is awful but maybe it also shows that there is a time to take sides when it happens because it will happen.

[spence]

For us Americans the picture of the raising of the flag on Mt Suribachi is the ONE iconic photo.

[warspite1]

For Americans, probably in the running for most memorable photo ever. Certainly in the discussion.

For us Americans the picture of the raising of the flag on Mt Suribachi is the ONE iconic photo.

Well Spence plenty of Americans have already posted and not included or mentioned this photo [;)]. But a forumite mentioned it as one of his possibles (JeffK - Australian) and one posted it as the iconic picture to represent the Pacific War (me - British). Go figure.

[warspite1]

For an iconic picture of the war in the Far East (purely from a British perspective) this one sadly says much.

[warspite1]

But for me, and despite all I've said previously, perhaps on reflection, the picture below brings together most of the thoughts raised by posters previously: the US initially as being attacked but ultimately winning, not forgetting the Japanese contribution, but above all this image sears into our conscience, for it truly conveys to one, the sheer horror, the utter futility, the enormous waste of money that is.......a Michael Bay movie

[John 3rd]

ORIGINAL: Lecivius

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Beautiful picture for Karate Kid II if I don't miss my mark.

[John 3rd]

ORIGINAL: Canoerebel

I first saw this picture Of Mikuma at Midway when I was about ten years old. I've never been able to get it out of my mind. Utter devastation.

This one does it for me.

The flag raising is incredible. Put them together and you see it all.

[Lecivius]

ORIGINAL: John 3rd

ORIGINAL: Lecivius

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Beautiful picture for Karate Kid II if I don't miss my mark.

Maybe, I dunno. I know I still sit watching sunsets, thinking on times past, people gone.

[BBfanboy]

ORIGINAL: Lecivius

ORIGINAL: John 3rd


Beautiful picture for Karate Kid II if I don't miss my mark.

Maybe, I dunno. I know I still sit watching sunsets, thinking on times past, people gone.

OK, sunset during WWII - USS Texas on convoy duty ....

[witpqs]

ORIGINAL: warspite1

But for me, and despite all I've said previously, perhaps on reflection, the picture below brings together most of the thoughts raised by posters previously: the US initially as being attacked but ultimately winning, not forgetting the Japanese contribution, but above all this image sears into our conscience, for it truly conveys to one, the sheer horror, the utter futility, the enormous waste of money that is.......a Michael Bay movie

You are a very bad man!

[:D]

[mind_messing]

ORIGINAL: warspite1

What does the OP see as the iconic image if the Pacific War?

For the American aspect of the war, it has to be this one. A spit of sand that's became the forward base for a massive naval force overnight.



For the Japanese, I think it of this one:



The euphoria of drubbing the worlds great powers in battle for six months straight, and the seeds of the hubris that would bring the Empire crashing down four years later.

[Lokasenna]

ORIGINAL: spence

Unless someone has a picture of hell, I doubt we will ever have a definitive picture of this or any other war.

Admittedly not the Pacific in WWII but this guy did an OK job.

The looks like WW1 to me.

If you want a graphic description of that particular hell, check out Dan Carlin's series.

[warspite1]

ORIGINAL: witpqs

ORIGINAL: warspite1

But for me, and despite all I've said previously, perhaps on reflection, the picture below brings together most of the thoughts raised by posters previously: the US initially as being attacked but ultimately winning, not forgetting the Japanese contribution, but above all this image sears into our conscience, for it truly conveys to one, the sheer horror, the utter futility, the enormous waste of money that is.......a Michael Bay movie

You are a very bad man!

[:D]

warspite1

Sorry...


[:D]

[Skyros]

This picture always makes me stop, the look says it all.