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NJACO, as bad as the Kokada Trail was, the fighting for the terminus of the trail at Buna and Gona ranks among as the most brutal and primitive type of fighting of the war. Strictly a light infantry type of fight in the middle of fetid disease ridden malarial swamps. This took place before the allied logistics pipeline was in place and ground support from the 5th AF was non existent and pretty much useless. Same with any type of artillery support. It didn't work.
The Aussie and US Army troops who fought there deserve all the praise in the world for their accomplishments.
Attu was still pretty bad. Every battle is bad for the side that loses.
Wrong, every battle is hell for all soldiers on both sides...
Whether it be psychological or physical, the toll that it takes on all men, is terrible. Having seen the effects it has on people first hand, I can attest to this.
It has nothing to do with winning or losing.
i think he is aluding to the fact that when the island was retaken in '43, the japanese had abandoned the island.