Dan, I watched the top video all the way through...and did not know of that history. I did know, however, that as the video mentioned, the Allies' priorities in WWII were in Europe...The Philippines, for example, suffered terribly under Japanese occupation -- waiting for troops to come.
It was intriguing to see Winston Churchill's comment, that "this was the most dangerous moment of the war." (at 10:30 minutes in.)
I have not known much about the War in the Pacific, Rooster will have some information I feel sure, I myself have learned much from him.
One of my aunties was a WAC nurse during World War II, and served in the Pacific. I also learned much from her.