40 years ago today, after spending 28 years hiding in the Guam jungle.. (war, bomb)

[uggabugga]

shoichi yukoi was captured.

fascinating story, i would like to read the english translation of his memoirs from his time on the island.

For most of the 28 years that Shoichi Yokoi, a lance corporal in the Japanese Army of world War II, was hiding in the jungles of Guam, he firmly believed his former comrades would one day return for him.

And even when he was eventually discovered by local hunters on the Pacific island, on 24 January 1972, the 57-year-old former soldier still clung to the notion that his life was in danger.

"He really panicked," says Omi Hatashin, Yokoi's nephew.

Startled by the sight of other humans after so many years on his own, Yokoi tried to grab one of the hunter's rifles, but weakened by years of poor diet, he was no match for the local men.

BBC News - Shoichi Yokoi, the Japanese soldier who held out in Guam

[cpg35223]

Originally Posted by uggabugga

shoichi yukoi was captured.

fascinating story, i would like to read the english translation of his memoirs from his time on the island.

This would be fodder, of course, for the perpetual, "Should We Have Used The A-Bomb On Hiroshima and Nagasaki?" thread. If soldiers were hiding out in the jungle for decades with no support, what would they have done with a supportive populace during an American invasion?

[greatblueheron]

Thanks uggabugga---very interesting read...

[uggabugga]

Originally Posted by cpg35223

This would be fodder, of course, for the perpetual, "Should We Have Used The A-Bomb On Hiroshima and Nagasaki?" thread. If soldiers were hiding out in the jungle for decades with no support, what would they have done with a supportive populace during an American invasion?

i would hope not. i don't see any need to make such a leap, and that topic has been beaten to death too many times already.

Originally Posted by greatblueheron

Thanks uggabugga---very interesting read...

glad you liked it

[Dd714]

There were a number that took years to surrendor. I read one case where a soldier lived in the bush but also took a number of civilians lives after the war in his efforts to survive - killing for food or shelter, etc. They were finally captured and with the publicity of the "poor lost faithful soldier" returned home to Japan as a hero, but I find it hard to celebrate those that are so fanatical as to kill the innocent and to refuse to surrendor after all good faith efforts have been done to show them the war was over years ago.

[Huckleberry3911948]

facinating story. the level of obediance and loyalty of japanese soldiers is extraordinary.

[Felix C]

There was a news wire story in the local news paper, The Miami Herald, about Japanese holdouts still active in the Phillippines. Last one sighted was in 2009. Efforts are still being made to communicate with them that the war is over.