MacArthur

00:48:42,545 --> 00:48:45,145 both to control the Formosa Strait 602 00:48:45,182 --> 00:48:48,312 and as a jumping-off point against Japan. 603 00:48:48,351 --> 00:48:54,321 Now, this means bypassing the main Philippine island of Luzon 604 00:48:54,357 --> 00:48:56,827 until Formosa is secured. 605 00:48:56,860 --> 00:48:59,190 After General MacArthur's troops 606 00:48:59,229 --> 00:49:02,299 have seized the southern Philippines, 607 00:49:02,332 --> 00:49:05,302 the access of advance that should get the highest priority 608 00:49:05,335 --> 00:49:08,535 is the central Pacific offensive toward Formosa. 609 00:49:08,571 --> 00:49:12,001 General MacArthur could then move into Luzon 610 00:49:12,042 --> 00:49:15,972 and recapture Manila after my forces have taken Formosa. 611 00:49:16,013 --> 00:49:20,053 In fact, with the fall of Japan, 612 00:49:20,083 --> 00:49:23,323 the liberation of the northern Philippines, including Manila, 613 00:49:23,353 --> 00:49:27,823 will follow de facto, without any need for force of arms. 614 00:49:27,858 --> 00:49:33,098 We therefore propose to invade Formosa at the earliest opportunity. 615 00:49:33,130 --> 00:49:38,430 And my planners are convinced that a target date of March 1, '45, 616 00:49:38,468 --> 00:49:40,178 is not unreasonable. 617 00:49:42,572 --> 00:49:45,302 Well, Douglas, how does it sound to you? 618 00:49:54,284 --> 00:49:57,254 I'm a soldier, and I'll hold the horse if so ordered. 619 00:49:59,322 --> 00:50:02,222 To bypass isolated islands is one thing, 620 00:50:02,259 --> 00:50:09,369 but to leave in your rear 250,000 Japanese troops 621 00:50:09,399 --> 00:50:12,539 drawing their sustenance from the Philippines 622 00:50:12,569 --> 00:50:15,539 involves serious and unnecessary risks. 623 00:50:15,572 --> 00:50:18,972 From Luzon, I can clamp a blockade 624 00:50:19,009 --> 00:50:21,949 on all supplies from the south to Japan, 625 00:50:21,979 --> 00:50:24,889 thus forcing her to an early capitulation. 626 00:50:24,915 --> 00:50:30,425 Therefore, I propose that we land at Leyte Beach on Luzon, 627 00:50:30,453 --> 00:50:33,623 and then carry the fight to Manila. 628 00:50:33,656 --> 00:50:36,926 Given a successful landing, aren't you afraid of a long and bloody campaign? 629 00:50:38,561 --> 00:50:44,001 With the kind of performance and support provided thus far by the navy, 630 00:50:44,034 --> 00:50:46,104 I can be in Manila in five weeks 631 00:50:46,136 --> 00:50:49,336 from the day my troops step ashore on the beaches, 632 00:50:49,372 --> 00:50:51,002 and well before next March. 633 00:50:51,041 --> 00:50:52,241 General, how can you say that? 634 00:50:53,676 --> 00:50:57,146 Because for two years, Filipino guerrillas have been working 635 00:50:57,180 --> 00:51:01,410 behind the Japanese lines to set the stage for our landings. 636 00:51:01,451 --> 00:51:04,981 It's your position to know, but I can't conscientiously agree with this estimate. 637 00:51:05,022 --> 00:51:08,052 To take Luzon would demand heavier losses than we can stand. 638 00:51:08,091 --> 00:51:10,191 It seems to me we should bypass it. 639 00:51:10,227 --> 00:51:12,667 In my two years of fighting in the southwest Pacific area, 640 00:51:12,695 --> 00:51:14,895 and they have been long, hard years, 641 00:51:14,932 --> 00:51:16,592 fewer Americans have been killed 642 00:51:16,633 --> 00:51:18,863 than in the single battle of Anzio. 643 00:51:20,103 --> 00:51:22,573 The days of the frontal attack are over. 644 00:51:22,605 --> 00:51:25,305 Only your mediocre commanders use it. 645 00:51:25,342 --> 00:51:29,342 Your good commanders do not turn in heavy losses. 646 00:51:29,379 --> 00:51:31,419 Douglas, Admiral Nimitz's victories 647 00:51:31,448 --> 00:51:33,958 have been no less than your own. 648 00:51:33,984 --> 00:51:37,424 Franklin, all the years we've known each other, 649 00:51:37,454 --> 00:51:42,224 I don't believe I told you how my father won his Medal of Honor. 650 00:51:42,259 --> 00:51:44,929 No, you never did, but you're about to do it now, aren't you? 651 00:51:46,696 --> 00:51:49,536 It was during the Battle of Missionary Ridge. 652 00:51:49,566 --> 00:51:52,266 At the height of the fighting, he saw the flag go down. 653 00:51:52,302 --> 00:51:54,972 As others around him faltered, he seized up the colors, 654 00:51:55,005 --> 00:51:56,435 and rallied the troops to victory. 655 00:52:00,177 --> 00:52:03,047 Admiral Nimitz is one of our greatest admirals. 656 00:52:03,080 --> 00:52:05,410 But just now, as I listened to the plan, 657 00:52:07,250 --> 00:52:09,350 I thought I saw our flag going down. 658 00:52:10,353 --> 00:52:12,993 Oh, did you? 659 00:52:13,023 --> 00:52:16,223 Mr. President, had we the will to do so, 660 00:52:16,259 --> 00:52:1...