Redeployment to the Pacific
Because the war ended in the European Theater before it did in the Pacific, there was a distinct possibility that troops stationed in Europe would be sent to the Pacific. This was against the hopes and wishes of the troops and their families back home, as they wanted them home as soon as possible. The Japanese's heartless and ruthless nature was feared by the Allied troops and their commanders alike, especially in light of their determination not to surrender in the face of overwhelming odds.
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Not all troops would be sent to the Pacific because only “part of the forces deployed against Germany would have to be redeployed to the Pacific or to the Asiatic mainland in order to assure the promptest possible end to the Japanese war” (Craven). The rest of the soldiers were in effect not needed to finish the fighting. In addition, “redeployment would involve chiefly naval and air forces” because of the nature of the battles in the Pacific Theater (Craven). Thus, while not all troops in Europe were to be redeployed, a significant number of them would be to end the war in the Pacific. This led to great consternation on the part of troops stationed in Europe and their families back home. One of the worst parts about this period was the uncertainty: it was unknown if a soldier was to be redeployed in the Pacific until the orders were given to move out.
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