The Horrors of War: Incidents of Machine-Gunning Japanese Troopship Survivors in the Pacific by American Pilots

Introduction to the Pacific Theater

The Pacific Theater of World War II was a harsh and unforgiving region of conflict. How often were Japanese troopship survivors machine-gunned in the water by American pilots? This question is a stark reminder of the brutality and personal nature of combat during this period. The following sections will explore documented incidents of such acts, providing a detailed analysis of the events and their historical context.

Documentation of Incidents

There are only a few documented instances of Allied pilots machine-gunning Japanese troopship survivors in the water. One of the most significant and well-documented episodes occurred in March 1943, involving a convoy from Rabaul to Lae, New Guinea.

Convoy Attack Near Lae, March 1943

The convoy's movement from Rabaul to Lae was a high-risk operation for the Japanese military. The Allied codebreakers had cracked the communication codes and provided precise location and timing information to the escorting warplanes. On March 2, 1943, US and Australian aircraft attacked the convoy as it approached New Guinea. This attack was intensive and lasted until March 3. Despite the intense bombardment, not all Japanese transports were sunk. Additionally, Allied patrol torpedo (PT) boats joined the fray. According to Warfare History Network, the fate of survivors was sealed on the morning of March 4.

America's Fifth Air Force determined that all survivors should be eliminated to prevent them from being a threat. B-24 bombers, B-17s, and Beaufighters participated in the strafing of survivors in the water for several days. Even RAAF (Royal Australian Air Force) Beaufighters and USAAF A-20s, escorted by P-38 fighters, contributed to this gruesome act. The situation was reminiscent of a battlefield where the objective was not just to disable enemies but to eliminate them completely.

Another Tragic Incident: USS Wahoo

Another documented incident took place on January 26, 1943. The submarine USS Wahoo targeted and torpedoed four Japanese ships off the coast of New Guinea. Among these was a large transport, the Buyo Maru. Following the attack, USS Wahoo returned to the area and found survivors in lifeboats. According to Cmdr. Dudley Morton, the skipper of Wahoo, the survivors were thought to be Japanese soldiers and were attacked with gunfire.

This attack was tragic because Cmdr. Morton himself claimed that he fired on the survivors under the pretense of defending his submarine. It is believed that this action prevented Cmdr. Morton from receiving the Medal of Honor, which Cmdr. Richard Okane, Morton's executive officer, believed he deserved. The incident inspired novelist Herman Wouk, and it was dramatized in his novel War and Remembrance, which later became a television miniseries.

Conclusion and Reflection

The events described in these documented incidents are a stark reminder of the inhumane and brutal nature of the Pacific Theater during World War II. The lack of mercy on both sides is chilling, reflecting the personalization of war, where killing was not merely a means to an end but a visceral act of hatred and revenge. These events are a part of the genuine and tragic history that the world must never forget.

Additional References:

National World War II Museum's Operation Tory HistoryNet's Battle of Bismarck Sea USA Today's Pacific War and Marines