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Second World War
Blog posts that pertain to the Second World War 1937-1945


The Sinking of the Tsushima Maru
Greetings all! Last week I took part in a discussion regarding ethical decision-making in my squadron's wardroom. My submission to the...
Tony Boccia
Apr 262 min read
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Book Recommendation: "Embracing Defeat: Japan in the Wake of World War Two" by John Dower
Greetings all, back today with another book recommendation. On this day April 28th in 1952, the Allied Occupation of Japan ended. It’s...
Tony Boccia
Apr 131 min read
19 views
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On this day: IJN Yamato sunk
On this day April 7th in 1945, the Imperial Japanese Navy super battleship Yamato was sunk by U.S. Navy aircraft of Task Force 58 while...
Tony Boccia
Apr 74 min read
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On This Day: Operation Ten-Go departs Tokuyama for Okinawa
On this day April 6th 1945, the ships of Operation Ten-Go departed Tokuyama. The mission assigned to the super battleship Yamato, light...
Tony Boccia
Apr 71 min read
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On this day: 509th Composite Group arrived on Tinian
On this day April 3rd 1945, the U.S. Army Air Corps 509th Composite Group arrived on Tinian and began training for the missions that...
Tony Boccia
Apr 41 min read
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80th anniversary of the Battle of Okinawa
I sent the below text in email format to the Sailors of VRM-50, marking the 80th anniversary of the beginning of the Battle of Okinawa. I...
Tony Boccia
Apr 25 min read
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Imperial Japanese Navy battleship Ise history
This is a fascinating article on the history of the Imperial Japanese Navy battleship (later hybrid carrier-battleship) Ise courtesy of...
Tony Boccia
Mar 151 min read
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Book Review: Japan's Longest Day: A Graphic Novel About the End of WWII: Intrigue, Treason and Emperor Hirohito's Fateful Decision to Surrender - Manga edition created by Yukinobu Hoshino
I've recently finished this manga, one of the better I've read, that follows the events of the last days of the Second World War,...
Tony Boccia
Mar 142 min read
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IJN Yanagi Breakwater - Kitakyushu, Japan
Some ships live forever. Here is a breakwater in Kitakyushu, Japan that was partially made by the wreck of IJN Yanagi. Apparently part...
Tony Boccia
Mar 21 min read
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Suo-Oshima Island - Yamaguchi Prefecture, Japan
About an hour drive south from Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni in Yamaguchi Prefecture is Suo-Oshima Island. There are several places...
Tony Boccia
Feb 192 min read
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Tour of Second World War sites on Guam - January 2025
Last month I had the pleasure of facilitating a tour of Second World War sites on Guam, given on behalf of Yokosuka Council on...
Tony Boccia
Feb 182 min read
8 views
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War Dogs Memorial - Naval Base Guam
This is the war dogs memorial on Naval Base Guam, or Big Navy as we call it. If you live on Guam and haven’t been to see it, take the...
Tony Boccia
Feb 181 min read
3 views
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Family trip to Saipan
Seems crazy how time flies, but last month we took a family trip to Saipan to ring in the new year and take the edge off our upcoming...
Tony Boccia
Feb 183 min read
23 views
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Imperial Japanese Navy 5th Hospital Corps Memorial
This small in-ground monument is dedicated to the Imperial Japanese Navy's 5th Hospital Corps, at the South Pacific Memorial Peace Park...
Tony Boccia
Feb 181 min read
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South Pacific Memorial Peace Park - Yigo Village, Guam
South Pacific Memorial Peace Park - Yigo Village, Guam The South Pacific Memorial Peace Park in Yigo, Guam was established in June 1970...
Tony Boccia
Feb 173 min read
29 views
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