a review on american ceasar
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A REVIEW ON AMERICAN CAESAR: DOUGLAS MCARTHUR
Author: William ManchesterISBN: 0-316-54498-1
Reviewer: JOSELITO CENTINA GACUTAN
Review Date: 17 SEPTEMBER 2012
Chapter 1: Ruffles and Flourishes
Introduction:
Douglas McArthur portrayed as an outstanding student during his
schools days and became greater as he entered the military school. He saw
the real life and experienced different things which he could use for what
others saw in him.
Body:
William Manchester calls Douglas MacArthur an American Caesar.
Manchester coined the metaphor largely to portray MacArthur as an American
emperor with parallels to the famous roman general.
Manchester fails to recognize, however, that MacArthurs real parallel with
Caesar has its roots in Greece, not Rome. It is hubris, the heros fatal tragic flaw in
Greek tragedy, which results in his ultimate downfall. Caesar who nobly served the
roman Republic as a general, later as its emperor, changed that democratic republic
to a dictatorship. This change signaled the demise of both Caesar and the Empire.
As a child, Douglas's family moved around a lot. He remembers life in the
West. He and his brother were schooled by their mother and there were always
plenty of books to read. When he was eight his father was transferred to
Leavenworth, where Douglas attended school. He was bored with school until he
attended the West Texas Military Academy where he became an outstanding
student.
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MacArthur enters then United States Military Academy at West Point, New
York on June 13, 1899. The first three weeks at West Point were the hardest
because of hazing. He had to testify at a Congressional investigation when one of
the plebes died from an act of hazing. He himself suffered convulsions. His first year
roommate was Arthur P.S. Hyde. During his four years, he was on the baseball and
football team. He graduated at the top of his class.
MacArthurs hubris is a complex mix of ego, personal motivations, phobias
and power. Ironically, MacArthurs career successes prior to the war created a myth
of infallibility, and the legend of a n intellectual genius and courageous hero.
Tragically, he began to believe the myth and tried throughout the war to live up to the
legend.
MacArthurs sense of his own infallibility and his tendency to define right and
wrong in absolute terms were a dangerous combination. He was confident that he
could solve any problem, that all problems had only one solution and that his solution
was the right one. It was inconceivable that he could be wrong. He often dismissed
constructive opposition as personal attacks rather than objective advice, thereby
rationalizing his rejection of otherwise sound alternatives. Perhaps this explains why
he surrounded himself with a staff that carefully filtered all input to him and rarely
gave him anything other than what he wanted to hear. These faults aside, however,
it was MacArthurs overconfidence, his over-reliance on his own judgment and
abilities, and his willingness to prosecute the war based on personal and political
rather than purely military motives that reflected MacArthurs hubris. This hubris
led to MacArthurs first battlefield failure in a forty-two year military career, his defeat
in the Philippines. He subsequently became obsesses with erasing this personal
failure. It clouded his professional judgment for the remainder of the war to the
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extent that his personal goal of retaking the Philippines became more important than
national military strategy.
Conclusion:
William Manchester described McArthur as a person who used his own
personal judgment of all things he do. He doesnt accept others opinion about of
what he says but he took it as a second thought. He covered his own mistakes by
retaking our country as more important rather than military strategy.
Chapter II: Charge
Introduction:
McArthurs achievement in military and endeavor in America. His well
performance and good advices was used by America.
Body:
The war in France consisted of trench warfare. In 1914, the French were
losing the war and in retreat. Douglas MacArthur sailed for Europe in October 1917.
His 42nd group was positioned at Nancy and destined to be used as replacements,
which MacArthur protested. At this point he was very popular with the men who
served with and under him. They were a part of what was known as the Rainbow
under the command of General John J. Pershing.
The Rainbow fought against the German spring offensive. MacArthur refused
to carry a gas mask and as a result was injured in March. Pershing thought he
obtained better performance from his officers by making unexpected visits and
criticizing them. He did this to MacArthur.
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Had it not been for World War II and Korea, Douglas MacArthur might today
be considered one of Americas greatest generals. When he retired as Chief of Staff
of the Army in 1934, it marked the culmination of a brilliant military career.
Everything Douglas MacArthur did, he did well. He had been a total success at
every job or mission.
His drive and ambition in public life was his attempt to live up to the legacy of
excellence left him by his family. MacArthur was descended from a thousand years
of ancient warriors of the Scottish Highlands. His grandfather was Governor of
Wisconsin and an associate justice of the Supreme Court of the District of Columbia.
His father won the Medal of Honor at Missionary Ridge in the Civil War, was the
youngest officer, at age nineteen, to attain the rank of colonel in the Union Army, and
continued to serve with distinction in the Army, ultimately being appointed
Commanding General and Military Governor of the Philippines.
Douglas MacArthurs meteoric career was just as distinguished as he followed
in the footsteps of his famous ancestors. He graduated from the United States
Military Academy at West Point in 1903 as First Captain of the Corps of Cadets and
with one of the highest academic records in Academy history. As a junior officer he
saw combat action in the Philippines and Mexico. As a colonel he devised the
concept for the Rainbow Division in world War I and served in the Division in France
as Brigade Commander, and later as Assistant Division and Division Commander.
During the war he earned more awards for gallantry than any other officer, earning
seven Silver Stars, two distinguished Service Crosses, the Distinguished Service
Medal and two Purple hearts. After the war, as Superintendent of the of the United
States Military Academy, he modernized and restructured the curriculum. According
to most accounts, he was the only officer, at Billy Mitchells Court Martial to vote for
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acquittal. As chief of Staff of the Army, he fought valiantly to preserve funding for the
Army during the difficult depression years.
Thus before the Japanese ever dropped the first bomb on Pearl harbor,
Douglas MacArthur had already completed a fantastic career virtually devoid of
failure and was quietly serving out his retirement as Field Marshal in the Philippines.
MacArthur was accustomed to success. He had experienced nothing else. In 1941
it was only reasonable for him to trust his own skills as a professional soldier. Even
the most modest men are seduced by success, and MacArthur was neither an
exception nor modest.
History and the people who make history are driven by relationships of time
and space. All events and decisions must be considered in such context. Having
served as Chief of Staff of the Army, it was only natural for MacArthur to believe he
understood the nature and politics of the job. Many of the officers who would hold
key positions during World War II, such as Eisenhower and Marshall, were junior to
MacArthur, and in the case of Eisenhower, had even worked for the General.
MacArthur was well acquainted with Franklin Roosevelt from long conversations,
often having nothing to do with military affairs, the two had engaged in at the white
House when MacArthur was chief of Staff. On one such occasion, MacArthur asked
Roosevelt why he wanted the Generals advice on civilian matters. The President
replied, Douglas to me you are a symbol of the conscience of America. These
facts do not justify MacArthurs behavior during the war, but they do explain how,
from MacArthurs perspective, he might be self-confident and believe himself at least
the equal, if not the superior, of the key decision makers in Washington. If events
prior to World War II had brought MacArthur power and legend, MacArthur would
seek to regain the power and perpetuate the legend during the war.
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Conclusion:
McArthur did everything for America as with the highest military in position. He
used his skills and ability as he conquered, his self-confidence always make others
believe that he had a great idea and decided well for the goodness of his
countrymen. McArthur also do this because he wanted to preserve and follow the
footstep of his ancestors and for legacy too.
Chapter III: Call to Quarters
Introduction:
McArthur became a superintendent of military army school. He
reconstructed the program and routine of school for the goodness of students
who will about to enter.
Body:
After World War I, Pershing decided that the program at West Point needed to
be revamped and appointed Douglas MacArthur as superintendent in June 1919. If
Douglas accepted, he would be confirmed as brigadier general; if he refused, he
would be a major. He accepted the offer and Pinky moved with him. MacArthur
restructured the program and routine at West Point. The plebes now had spending
money and weekend passes. Hazing was strictly forbidden and quickly diminished.
He encouraged sports and expanded the curriculum to include more traditional
academic subjects. He met with the opposition of the board on the introduction of
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more academic subjects. On January 15, 1912, MacArthur's engagement to
Henriette Louise Cromwell Brooks. Pinky wasn't happy about the situation.
Even the most ardent MacArthur critic would concede that professionally the
General never tasted defeat either in war or peace prior to December 1941. On the
other hand even the most strident MacArthur fan must admit that his actions in
connection with the defense of the Philippines at the outbreak of World War II rank
as perhaps MacArthurs worst performance as a military officer. Quite probably the
Philippines would have fallen eventually, regardless of any action taken in theatre,
without reinforcements and resupply. However, it is absolutely certain that the
defense plan MacArthur devised and so poorly executed hastened the defeat of
United States and Filipino forces.
Conclusion:
He had a good plan in school by reconstructing good programs and routine for
students. But others take it as negative because they always see what his
performance in the Philippines. They do criticize McArthurs actions.
Chapter IV: To the Colors, pp. 161-205 Summary and Analysis
Introduction:
McArthurs conquest and eagerness to help Philippines during World
War II. He was sending to see the situation and what he can do unto it.
Body:
The Philippines was made a commonwealth with independence coming in
1946. The Japanese had already conquered Manchuria. MacArthur wanted the job
as high commissioner of the Philippines but wasn't named to the position but was
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named on Quezon's military adviser. Pinky decided to growth him to the Philippines
even though she was eighty-four years old.
Dwight D. Eisenhower would be his chief aide. The Quezon administration in
the Philippines was trying to strengthen their defenses. MacArthur did not agree that
the archipelago was indefensible. The plans they had were known as the Orange
plans. The Filipino first lady gave him a gold baton which made him a field marshal
on August 24, 1936.
When mobilized to fight in 1941, the Filipino Army failed to live up to
MacArthurs expectations. Of the ten Filipino divisions MacArthur had counted on
paper, not one had been completely mobilized by the time the Japanese attached.
Most subordinate units never attained more than 50%-70% authorized strength.
Most divisions went into combat without their field artillery regiment. The 11th
Divisions case was typical: it was scheduled with twenty-four 75mm guns, but that
regiment did not go into action until late December, as the division was withdrawing
to Bataan, and even then had only 60^ of its manpower and eighteen guns
Many factors contributed to the Philippine Armys lack of readiness. The
Joint Army and Navy Board had never pursued a consistent course or established
long-range policy regarding the defense of the Philippines. President Quezon and
the Philippine National assembly de-emphasized the defense program from 1939-
1941, opting instead for a neutralist policy in the event of war. In July, 1940 the War
Department failed to subsidize the Philippine Army as MacArthur had requested.
And lastly, the US Philippine Department failed to give MacArthurs mission even the
nominal support directed by the War Department.
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Conclusion:
McArthurs endeavor in the Philippines was not easy as an appointed one. He
used his skills and tactics and send different colors for the defense of military. But
still the US Philippine Department failed to give him this mission as what he wanted
to have.
Chapter V: Retreat, pp. 205-276 Summary and Analysis
Introduction:
The attacked of Japanese to Pearl Harbor and planned to harm
Philippines. McArthur helped Philippines to survive on the said attacked.
Body:
It was after three in the morning when the attack on Pearl Harbor became
known. There is some confusion as to what happened in the hours after the attack.
MacArthur and others felt that the Japanese wouldn't attack the Philippines and for
more than eight hours there was no order to attack the Japanese. The Japanese
attacked other installations in Asia as the day went on, including Clark in the
Philippines. The attack continued during the week. Most of the United States air fleet
was destroyed. The United States Naval fleet departed from the Philippines.
Germany and Italy declared war on the United States. By Christmas, the Japanese
were on the ground in the Philippines.
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MacArthur blew up many of the bridges to prevent the Japanese from
advancing to Manila. He also told the Quezon family to be prepared to evacuate, if
necessary.
When he was awakened at 3:40AM Sunday morning December 8, MacArthur
was told of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. In his memoirs he writes that My
first impression was that the Japanese might well have suffered a serious setback.
His rationale was that Pearl Harbor was Americas strongest military position in the
Pacific. Its garrison was a mighty one, with Americas best aircraft on strongly
defended fields, adequate warning systems, antiaircraft batteries, backed by our
Pacific Fleet. It is inconceivable that a commander of MacArthurs experience could
have arrived at such a conclusion, even if it was a first impression based on
fragmentary reports. Prudent commanders err on the side of preparedness. But it is
consistent with his belief in the infallibility of his opinions. He had repeatedly and
publicly pronounced that the Japanese would not invade the Philippines and lacked
the power to take on the US in the Pacific. This personal bias obviously influenced
his conclusion even in the face of events to the contrary. Any responsible
commander would have put aside any personal bias in favor of quickly preparing for
a worse case scenario. MacArthur, instead, combines arrogance with paralysis and
did virtually nothing.
Conclusion:
McArthur did everything to cover Philippines not to be as centered to bomb by
Japanese. He prepared our country for this. But of what the Japanese did to Pearl
Harbor and Philippines, America did actions to stop their violence.
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Chapter VI: The Green War, pgs. 277-328 Summary and Analysis
Introduction:
McArthur led the United States battle against the Japanese. He also led
the Philippines to defeat the invaders.
Body:
Maps of the Pacific were a problem because there weren't many. MacArthur now
had the authority to lead the United States battle against the Japanese although it
took five weeks for the Joint Chiefs of Staff to work out the agreement. He was
named Commander in Chief of the Southwest Pacific Area on April 18. Admiral
Chester W. Nimitz was named commander of the Pacific Ocean Areas. MacArthur
was determined to re-capture the Philippines and he assured Quezon that he would
do that.
The American lost Bataan on April 8. During early 1942, the base was being
established for an offensive against the Japanese. On May 6, the Japanese captured
Corregidor. The next day the Death March began in which seven to ten thousand
American and Filipino prisoners died. By June 9, all of the troops in the Philippines
had surrendered.
Conclusion:
McArthur was determined to recapture and to help Philippines with help
of American military forces. The lost of Bataan and the Death March which Filipino
and American experienced. They built base to establish as an offensive against the
Japanese.
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Chapter VII: The Green War
Introduction:
The McArthurs Ishall return in the Philippines. His personal quest in
retaking Philippines makes him eager to return.
Body:
After the fall of Guadalcanal, MacArthur was placed in change of all Allied
forces in the Southwest and South Pacific. In April 1943 there were plans for the
invasion of New Georgia and then to Bougainville. The Allied forces were trapped on
some of the islands where MacArthur's forces didn't go. He did not engage in island-
hopping. MacArthur moved his base to Hollandia in New Guinea on August 30,
1944. Jean entertained Eleanor Roosevelt on the island, since Douglas was away at
Port Moresby. Jean was embarrassed by someone's comment about MacArthur
running on the Republican ticket, but must of it consisted of right win extremists. He
was viewed as a threat by many intellectuals. MacArthur was finally advised to finish
out the war and said he had no interest in politics.
From the first day MacArthur arrived in Australia after his daring escape from
Corregidor, retaking the Philippines became his personal quest. The office of War
Information thought the phrase (I shall Return) as good one but asked MacArthurs
permission to change it to We Shall Return. He refused permission. And so I shall
Return, it stayed. The emphasis on I would become more pronounced as the war
went on. Douglas MacArthur would personally avenge the defeat in the Philippines,
regardless of US National Strategy that focused on Europe first. He instead believed
that Asia was the key to US future interests and should, therefore, receive first
priority. This fundamental difference between MacArthur and Washington regarding
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their thrust of US foreign policy would continue throughout the war and for the next
decade, culminating in the Generals reliefin Korea.
Conclusion:
McArthur says a phrase in the Philippines made an issue in America. They
said he had to use we instead of I. He would personally avenge the defeat in the
Philippines without the help of US forces.
Chapter VIII: At High Port
Introduction:
Of what Filipinos experienced in time of Japanese invasion and attack in
our country, it does not change the everyday living of individual. it doesnt
have anything to do to change our customs and traditions and also the people
who help us to be protected.
Body:
The everyday life of the Filipinos was not affected much by the war even after
three years of war. The Japanese were among them but their customs and lives
were unchanged. The only exceptions were the guerrillas and the collaborators.
There were atrocities by the Japanese that MacArthur found out about. He vowed to
free the archipelago and word of this reached the people. There was a strong
resistance movement in the rural areas. MacArthur represented hope to them.
The collaborators including the wealthy. They didn't want their lifestyle to
change and basically consented to the puppet government. Some felt these people
should face the consequences of their collaborations: other felt they had no choice.
The Japanese were determined not to let MacArthur's establish as base in the
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Philippines. MacArthur's forces were gathering at Manus and Hollandia where the
Japanese tried attacking them and lost. MacArthur returned to the Rock on March 2.
MacArthur now had to deal with the issue of the collaborators. Osemona, who was
slated to be President, left the problem to MacArthur who basically blocked their
prosecution. Jean returned with seven year old Arthur at the end of February. They
had been separated from MacArthur for four months and Jean was happy to be back
in the city. Since the schools had been demolished, they an English private teacher,
Mrs. Phyllis Gibbons, to tutor Arthur. The United States command did not have plans
to liberate the Philippines beyond Luzon but they did not stop MacArthur. The entire
archipelago was liberated by July 5. MacArthur made a few trips to visit the troops
but, aside from that, preferred to spend the time with her family.
At this time the Japanese people were still convinced that they were winning
the war. MacArthur entered Tokyo six days after the surrender. The Japanese had
suffered the worst defeat in history in terms of causalities. At this time, MacArthur
was second in popularity only to Eisenhower with the United States public.
MacArthur began to establish democracy in Japan. He had authority over the
function of Hiroshito. He could also outlaw political parties and dissolve the Diet. He
was seen in public quite a bit and was popular with the Japanese people. He
established his headquarters in an insurance building which became known as Dai
Ichi. Douglas liked to receive visitors and always made them feel welcome.
MacArthur had received almost every possible military decoration. He surprised
some people by his lack of political ambitions, but he stayed on in Japan to help
establish the past war government. The Japanese never ceased being ruled by their
own leaders.
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Conclusion:
The Japanese didnt let McArthur to win in their battle as if he was acting as
leader of it. He was too far to his family but it does not end its feeling to end up with
defeat. He drawn his out of will to enter the politics and continue his willingness to
help the Philippines.
Chapter IX: Last Post
Introduction:
McArthurs decision had not given an approval in retaking the rest of the
Philippines. This trigger him make a decision without the consent of US.
Body:
On 3 October 1944, the JCS authorized MacArthur to conduct the Luzon
operation. They had not given approval to retake the rest of the Philippines or to
move against the remainder of the cutch East Indies. In fact at the Yalta conference
in February, 1945 the JCS assured the British that the United States had no such
intentions. MacArthur, however, had been independently working on his victor Plan
and his Oboc plan, respectively, that would do exactly that rather than leave the two
island groupings to wilt on the vine, As early as September, 1944, MacArthur had
decided to use his Eight Army to take the rest of the Philippine south of Luzon as
soon as his sixth Army had control of Northern Luzon. Without approval from the
JCS and while the Sixth Army was taking heavy losses around Manila and at other
strong points, MacArthur gave the order. By the time the JCS finally authorized the
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operation it was long after the fact and the Eight Army had all but competed the
southern campaign. The Japanese had not repeated MacArthurs error and
attempted to defend the beaches. Instead, they had withdrawn to interior strong
points, forming a defense in depth. After landing on Luzon at Llingayen Gulf on 9
January, MacArthur though Manila would quickly fall and in fact made every effort to
capture the city by his birthday on 26 January. But over 20,000 Japanese Army and
Navy troops elected to use the city to anchor their defense, resulting in a bloody
battle that lasted from February 23rd to March 3rd. In the fight for Manila the US lost
1,010 KIA, the Japanese 1600 KIA, an estimated 100,000 had been killed. It is
difficult to say what would have happened had the Eight Army not been pulled away
from the major fight on Luzon. But it is fair to say that MacArthur did not have
permission to conduct the attack to the south, and this attack violated his own policy
of bypassing and isolating garrisons. He also grossly underestimated the resistance
on Luzon. And lastly, no operation should be so trivialized that it includes its
commanders birthday as part of its timetable.
Conclusion:
McArthur became over in sending the troop without the knowledge or go-
signal of the US official. He made decision by himself. And this decision made the
attacked which violated his own policy of bypassing and isolating garrisons and harm
people.
Chapter X: Sunset Gun
Introduction:
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McArthur enters Korea during the invasion of North to South. He was
appointed to help Americans to evacuate. He was told to supply more troops
and support South Korea.
Body:
The North Korean invasion of South Korea was interpreted as an all out
offensive. The United Nations Security Council condemned the aggression and the
United States vowed to enter the war. MacArthur was placed in charge and ordered
to evacuate two thousand Americans. Truman worried about retaliation in other
places from the Communists. MacArthur was told to supply and support the South
Koreans. He traveled to the Korean front on the fourth day of the war. Four reporters
went with. It was the first of seventeen trips he would make. After a report to
Washington, MacArthur was given the authority to use American troops to attack
North Korean targets.
Conclusion:
McArthur was appointed to evacuate American troops. He was also
given an authority to use troops from America to attack North Korea as a target. This
was during the unexpected invasion of North to South to its own division.
Chapter XI: Recall
Introduction:
McArthurs claiming that he choose orders but dont obey it but instead
do what he usually do as what military tactics he exercise.
Body:
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MacArthur drove around the country in 1952 having received many invitations
from governors and mayors. There were numerous parades and the MacArthurs
received gifts where ever they went. Douglas gave speeches. MacArthur
campaigned against the administration. There was talk of MacArthur being
considered as a possible presidential candidate and was chosen to given the
keynote address at the Republican convention. MacArthur thought he was a better
choice than Eisenhower, but Eisenhower received the nomination and went on to win
the election. MacArthur remained popular with the public.
Jean and Douglas hoped that Arthur would attend West Point someday, but
he never did. He eventually attended and graduated from Columbia in 1961. He
remained in Manhattan after his father's death living under an assumed name.
As the war progressed a pattern developed with regard to MacArthurs
performance as a theatre commander that went unchecked and unchallenged. He
began the war, just recently recalled to active duty from retirement, but with the
reputation as a Far East expert and perhaps the greatest living figure in the U.S.
Army. His genius was widely accepted; so too was his courage. By 1941, MacArthur
had been in the military for forty-two years, twenty-three as a general officer. He had
been successful at every stage of his career, and with success had come
recognition, confidence and optimism. Tragically that self-confidence grew like a
cancer into "hubris." A strength became a weakness. Self-confidence became
overconfidence and then became infallibility. In 1941, MacArthur largely ignored
warnings of imminent Japanese attack against the United States or its territories in
the Far East, because he did not believe such was the Japanese intent. For, the
most part he dismissed intelligence and directives from Washington. Just prior to the
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