从印度洋清澈的蓝色环礁到圣罗伦斯河的冰冷水域,探险团队展开一次大型的探险,透过历史上六场严重海难的遗迹,追溯事件发生的因由。
日军占领菲律宾两年后,麦克阿瑟将军实践承诺,领军重踏菲国领土,收复失地。美军在马尼拉湾和科隆湾组织空袭,后者更成为整个修收复行动的转捩点,十多艘补给船、货轮同油轮几乎全数遭美军击沉,推进了稍后的雷伊泰岛登陆,最终导致日军投降。躺在科隆湾清澈海水中的多艘舰艇残骸,便是美军这场无情报复的见证。
Shipwrecks: When History Resurfaces - The Recapture
“People of the Philippines: I have returned! […] our forces stand again on Philippine soil – soil consecrated in the blood of our two peoples.” Douglas MacArthur’s speech in October 1944 marked the Allied reconquest of the Philippines after two years of Japanese occupation, and a personal victory for the general. A few weeks earlier on September 21–22, 1944, he’d organized an air raid in Manila Bay and Coron Bay. It was a victory for America: 300 Japanese planes, 25 merchant vessels and several battleships were neutralized, eventually leading to the surrender of Japanese troops.
On February 11, 1945, the Americans and Filipino guerillas finally liberated Manila. Strewn beneath the crystal-clear waters of the island nation, amazing underwater wreckage tells the tale of liberation while preserving the memory of some of WWII’s bloodiest and most devastating sea battles.
1942年日军突袭菲律宾,为二战的太平洋战役展开序幕。苦战过后,美菲联军惨败,美军统帅道格拉斯·麦克阿瑟将军更败走澳洲,为两年后的回归埋下伏线。现时这个东南亚岛国已成为潜水爱好者的天堂,海底大量的战舰、坦克与战斗机残骸,记录了日本与联军双方为整个亚太区的命运所展开的殊死激战。
Shipwrecks: When History Resurfaces - The Fall
“Fresh Japanese troops constantly arrived in great numbers by air or sea, while I could only bury my dead.” Thus recalled General Douglas MacArthur upon finding himself surrounded by the Japanese Army in the Philippines in 1942. The Pacific Battle of WWII had just begun. It would last three years, and the spectacular defeat of American forces at the unexpectedly powerful hand of the Japanese Empire was its opening act.
In April 1942, MacArthur was forced to flee the Philippines for Australia, abandoning his troops with a heavy heart. But he vowed to return and free the prisoners. Today, the Southeast Asian island nation is rich with underwater treasures from this tragic chapter in history. Kevin Sempé and his crew will dive into the deep waters of the Philippines in search of the vessels and battleships, as well as tanks and fighter planes, that tell the story of the Japanese invasion, and the desperate fight the Allied Forces put up.