Ep 7. The Lost Evidence: Guam

In "The Lost Evidence: Guam," the seventh episode of the first season of the docuseries Pacific, viewers are taken on a historical journey to the Pacific island of Guam during World War II. Guam was a U.S. territory at the time and one of the first places Japan invaded after the attack on Pearl Harbor.

The episode begins by revealing that the U.S. military possessed a vast amount of aerial footage of Guam during the war, much of which had never been analyzed or even viewed until recently. The show's focus is on a team of experts who are studying this footage to gain a deeper understanding of what happened on the island during the conflict.

The team consists of four individuals: Mark Noah, a historian with the non-profit organization History Flight; John Perfetto, an independent researcher and World War II enthusiast; Dan King, a forensic image analyst; and Kenji Igusa, a Japanese historian. Each one brings a unique perspective and skillset that is crucial to unraveling the mysteries surrounding the battle for Guam.

The team first examines footage of the invasion itself, which took place in July 1944. They are able to identify key landmarks and features of the island, as well as the movements of both U.S. and Japanese troops. They also analyze the tactics used by each side and discuss the devastating impact of the battle on Guam's indigenous Chamorro population.

As they delve deeper into the footage, the team uncovers new details about the battle that have never been documented before. For example, they discover evidence of an air raid on the island that was previously unknown. They also examine footage of an ambush carried out by Japanese troops, which helps shed light on their tactics and strategies.

Throughout the episode, the team faces a number of challenges. They must contend with poor quality footage, language barriers (as many of the Japanese soldiers spoke little or no English), and the fact that much of the island's landscape has changed since the war. Despite these obstacles, they persevere, using cutting-edge technology and their own expertise to uncover new information.

One particularly poignant moment in the episode comes when the team visits a site where the remains of dozens of U.S. Marines were discovered in 2015. These Marines had been buried in unmarked graves on the island for over seven decades. Mark Noah and his team are working to identify these soldiers and give them a proper burial. They hope that their work will bring closure to the families of these fallen heroes.

Overall, "The Lost Evidence: Guam" is a fascinating look at a little-known aspect of World War II history. Through the lens of never-before-seen aerial footage, viewers gain a new appreciation for the sacrifices made by both U.S. and Japanese troops, as well as the innocent civilians caught in the crossfire. The dedication and expertise of the team of experts is impressive, and their work serves as a testament to the power of seeking truth and understanding in even the darkest moments of human history.