Not Sure Where to Post This

[kalamazookid]

Just found this, a very interesting read. I knew that some Japanese continued to resist after WWII had ended and, while this is an extreme case, sheds some light on some of the underlying attitudes of those soldiers. This particular fellow's story is fascinating, as is the story of what he did with his life after "surrendering" 27 years after the war.

http://www.todayifoundout.com/index.php/2010/02/a-japanese-soldier-who-continued-fighting-wwii-29-years-after-the-japanese-surrendered-because-he-didnt-know/

I'd be interested in hearing if there is any additional material out there on the subject.

[philipsteele]

its funny...

[CarolinaChuck]

Actually there is nothing funny about this story, but being a US Marine I find a lot of things in civilian life that makes no sense to me either. This story is a testament to the soldiers on both sides who fought in the Pacific in WWII. The Japanese soldier was well trained, well equipped, highly motivated and a very well disciplined fighter; they were every bit a fanatic on the field of battle. Mr. Onoda (no rank mentioned in the article) was (or is) a credit to his men, his unit, his army along with their capabilities, and the Japanese people as a whole; even how odd the Japanese history and culture may seem to us here in the West.

Please do not take this post wrong- this is not a flame on philipsteele in finding humor in this article. I thought about it and told family and friends about this story and most all found humor in my telling. I find this most telling about how military and civilian personal distinguish between what qualities in character make a good leader; such things as service, honor and courage bring a few to my mind in this tale.

Mr. Onoda is a true hero; and I like to not cheapen the sacrifice given to all brave souls who participated in this great strife in man's struggle for freedom.

CC

[tom d. friedman]

onoda was a lieutenant & military intelligence officer. i know much about him. he held out with 2 other japanese soldiers for decades, living off the land of jungle, pilfering food & other survival items from filipino civilians.