Author Topic: Hiroo Onoda (Read 1574 times)

LondonPunjabi · « **on:** March 09, 2011, 09:25:58 PM »

In 1944, Lt. Hiroo Onoda was sent by the Japanese army to the remote Philippine island of Lubang. His mission was to conduct guerrilla warfare during World War II. Unfortunately, he was never officially told the war had ended; so for 29 years, Onoda continued to live in the jungle, ready for when his country would again need his services and information. Eating coconuts and bananas and deftly evading searching parties he believed were enemy scouts, Onoda hid in the jungle until he finally emerged from the dark recesses of the island on March 19, 1972.

Hiroo Onoda was 20 years-old when he was called up to join the army. At the time, he was far from home working at a branch of the Tajima Yoko trading company in Hankow (now Wuhan), China. After passing his physical, Onoda quit his job and returned to his home in Wakayama, Japan in August of 1942 to get into top physical condition.

In the Japanese army, Onoda was trained as an officer and was then chosen to be trained at an Imperial Army intelligence school. At this school, Onoda was taught how to gather intelligence and how to conduct guerrilla warfare.

His orders were
“You are absolutely forbidden to die by your own hand. It may take three years, it may take five, but whatever happens, we'll come back for you. Until then, so long as you have one soldier, you are to continue to lead him. You may have to live on coconuts. If that's the case, live on coconuts! Under no circumstances are you [to] give up your life voluntarily.”

The rest of his story can be read here:
http://history1900s.about.com/od/worldwarii/a/soldiersurr.htm

The Song is from the Camel album entitled “Nude” which was dedicated to and told Onoda’s story. The guitarist (Andrew Latimer) is one of my own personal favourite guitarists.


Camel - Lies

Punjabi Janta Forums - Janta Di Pasand · « **on:** March 09, 2011, 09:25:58 PM »

Dudh de vich meeng na pao · « **Reply #1 on:** May 11, 2011, 09:28:12 PM »

That was a great read. Just imagine the shock he got after returning to Japan after 30 years. I was watching an old Japanese movie the other day on tv about a platoon of Japanese soldiers positioned in the Philippines and how their ranks slowly but surely dwindled down to just two men. The way they were shown surviving, the things they were pushed to do, scary yet fascinating stuff.

Thanks for the neat post.

LondonPunjabi · « **Reply #2 on:** June 02, 2011, 07:26:13 PM »

Thank you for your kind words.

Yes, war is indeed an ugly activity. Yet it is fascinating to see how human beings react and adapt in extreme circumstances.

Author Topic: Hiroo Onoda (Read 1574 times)

LondonPunjabi

Hiroo Onoda

Punjabi Janta Forums - Janta Di Pasand

Hiroo Onoda

Dudh de vich meeng na pao

Re: Hiroo Onoda

LondonPunjabi

Re: Hiroo Onoda

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