Japan WW2 holdout soldier dies

Jimbuna · 01-17-14, 07:56 AM

Remember this guy....I do.

Talk about faithfull to the end.

Quote:

A Japanese soldier who refused to surrender after World War Two ended and spent 29 years in the jungle has died aged 91 in Tokyo.

Hiroo Onoda remained in the jungle on Lubang Island near Luzon, in the Philippines, until 1974 because he did not believe that the war had ended.

He was finally persuaded to emerge after his ageing former commanding officer was flown in to see him.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-25772192

AVGWarhawk · 01-17-14, 09:16 AM

I remember hearing about him when I was a kid. Truly incredible story. Fierce loyalty.

Ducimus · 01-17-14, 09:50 AM

I think it humorous he ended up moving to Brazil because the wackyness of todays japan was too much for him. I guess he couldn't stand the school girl fetish's, edible womens panties from vending machines, hentai tentacle porn, anime, and other assorted shennaigans.

AVGWarhawk · 01-17-14, 10:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ducimus

I think it humorous he ended up moving to Brazil because the wackyness of todays japan was too much for him. I guess he couldn't stand the school girl fetish's, edible womens panties from vending machines, hentai tentacle porn, anime, and other assorted shennaigans.

I honestly can't blame him. Japan of 2014 is certainly not the Japan of 1940. Or Japan of 1974 when he did emerge. I would think we could say this for a majority of countries. Must have felt quite odd after 29 years.

Dread Knot · 01-17-14, 10:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ducimus

I think it humorous he ended up moving to Brazil because the wackyness of todays japan was too much for him. I guess he couldn't stand the school girl fetish's, edible womens panties from vending machines, hentai tentacle porn, anime, and other assorted shennaigans.

It's not like the Japan of the 1940s had a more moral reputation. The modern wackiness of Japan seems rather tame if you consider that 45,000 to 200,000 women were forced into Army sponsored brothels during the course of the war.

AVGWarhawk · 01-17-14, 11:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dread Knot

It's not like the Japan of the 1940s had a more moral reputation. The modern wackiness of Japan seems rather tame if you consider that 45,000 to 200,000 women were forced into Army sponsored brothels during the course of the war.

I would suspect this soldier did not participate in the "Comfort Women" instituted during the war. But I understand your point.

Ducimus · 01-17-14, 11:09 AM

I'm just pointing out the culture shock. It really doesn't take long. I remember vividly having more culture shock entering California after being gone for a few years, then I did when i was stationed overseas. You leave home, and in your mind it stays a certain way - how you left it. Lots of things can happen in the time space of a few years. Roads, industry, traffic, fashions, trends. Now that's just a few years, imagine nearly 3 decades of being gone. You'd be a stranger in a strange land, regardless if it was the land of your birth or not.

Aktungbby · 01-17-14, 11:16 AM

"The leaflets(surrender) they dropped were filled with mistakes, so I thought it was an American plot."-LT Onoda ... Good God! Sailor Steve is vindicated; Good grammar DOES count!

@ AVGWarhawk: apparently LT Onoda was responsible for the deaths of thirty islanders during his protracted war on the island. The Lubang islanders weren't happy about his being allowed to surrender.

Dread Knot · 01-17-14, 11:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ducimus

You'd be a stranger in a strange land, regardless if it was the land of your birth or not.

American soldiers who became POWs in the Philippines went through a similar cultural shock when they liberated by their fellow Americans in 1945. As one veteran noted "We went to war with outdated Springfield Rifles and Doughboy Helmets. We were set free by these green Men from Mars with radio sets on their backs, bazookas, jeeps, BARs, plenty of chewing gum and all manner of items we could have only dreamed of having back in '41." Even their English slang and demeanor were different.

AVGWarhawk · 01-17-14, 11:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aktungbby

"

@ AVGWarhawk: apparently LT Onoda was responsible for the deaths of thirty islanders during his protracted war on the island. The Lubang islanders weren't happy about his being allowed to surrender.

In his mind....he was still at war. He was carrying out his orders.

AVGWarhawk · 01-17-14, 11:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ducimus

I'm just pointing out the culture shock. It really doesn't take long. I remember vividly having more culture shock entering California after being gone for a few years, then I did when i was stationed overseas. You leave home, and in your mind it stays a certain way - how you left it. Lots of things can happen in the time space of a few years. Roads, industry, traffic, fashions, trends. Now that's just a few years, imagine nearly 3 decades of being gone. You'd be a stranger in a strange land, regardless if it was the land of your birth or not.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dread Knot

American soldiers who became POWs in the Philippines went through a similar cultural shock when they liberated by their fellow Americans in 1945. As one veteran noted "We went to war with outdated Springfield Rifles and Doughboy Helmets. We were set free by these green Men from Mars with radio sets on their backs, bazookas, jeeps, BARs, plenty of chewing gum and all manner of items we could have only dreamed of having back in '41." Even their English slang and demeanor were different.

I can only imaging the culture shock. It must have felt like a different planet all together.

Otto Fuhrmann · 01-17-14, 12:12 PM

I remember reading his story a long time ago. It was amazing, he had some inspirational loyalty. I hope he rests in peace. he deserves it.

Aktungbby · 01-17-14, 01:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AVGWarhawk

In his mind....he was still at war. He was carrying out his orders.

I was just pointing out the local's point of view...too bad the grammar was 'poor', might have been only 15 - 25...

Actually, one of the rescued POW's initially thought the German's?? were rescuing them as the modern GI helmet (post-doughboy) resembled the Jerry Stahlhelm on first glance!...and now It (Kevlar)really does!

Cybermat47 · 01-17-14, 03:40 PM

I only just heard of him. Amazing devotion to his country. R.I.P.

Jimbuna · 01-17-14, 05:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cybermat47

I only just heard of him. Amazing devotion to his country. R.I.P.

Thirty killings in the meantime

01-17-14, 09:16 AM	#2
AVGWarhawk Lucky Jack Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: In a 1954 Buick. Posts: 27,343 Downloads: 90 Uploads: 0	I remember hearing about him when I was a kid. Truly incredible story. Fierce loyalty. __________________ “You're painfully alive in a drugged and dying culture.” ― Richard Yates, Revolutionary Road

01-17-14, 11:16 AM	#8
Aktungbby Gefallen Engel U-666 Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: On a tilted, overheated, overpopulated spinning mudball on Collision course with Andromeda Galaxy Posts: 27,870 Downloads: 22 Uploads: 0	"The leaflets(surrender) they dropped were filled with mistakes, so I thought it was an American plot."-LT Onoda ... Good God! Sailor Steve is vindicated; Good grammar DOES count!@ AVGWarhawk: apparently LT Onoda was responsible for the deaths of thirty islanders during his protracted war on the island. The Lubang islanders weren't happy about his being allowed to surrender. __________________ "Only two things are infinite; The Universe and human squirrelyness; and I'm not too sure about the Universe"

01-17-14, 03:40 PM	#14
Cybermat47 Willing Webfooted Beast Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Australia Posts: 5,386 Downloads: 293 Uploads: 22	I only just heard of him. Amazing devotion to his country. R.I.P. __________________ Historical TWoS Gameplay Guide: http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showthread.php?p=2572620 Historical FotRSU Gameplay Guide: https://www.subsim.com/radioroom/sho....php?p=2713394

01-17-14, 09:50 AM	#3
Ducimus Rear Admiral Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 12,987 Downloads: 67 Uploads: 2	I think it humorous he ended up moving to Brazil because the wackyness of todays japan was too much for him. I guess he couldn't stand the school girl fetish's, edible womens panties from vending machines, hentai tentacle porn, anime, and other assorted shennaigans.

01-17-14, 11:09 AM	#7
Ducimus Rear Admiral Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 12,987 Downloads: 67 Uploads: 2	I'm just pointing out the culture shock. It really doesn't take long. I remember vividly having more culture shock entering California after being gone for a few years, then I did when i was stationed overseas. You leave home, and in your mind it stays a certain way - how you left it. Lots of things can happen in the time space of a few years. Roads, industry, traffic, fashions, trends. Now that's just a few years, imagine nearly 3 decades of being gone. You'd be a stranger in a strange land, regardless if it was the land of your birth or not.

01-17-14, 12:12 PM	#12
Otto Fuhrmann Helmsman Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Ireland Posts: 109 Downloads: 57 Uploads: 0	I remember reading his story a long time ago. It was amazing, he had some inspirational loyalty. I hope he rests in peace. he deserves it.