Author Topic: Sayonara Mr. Onada  (Read 4565 times)

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Offline TonyKath

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Sayonara Mr. Onada
« on: Friday, 17 January, 2014 @ 18:39:39 »
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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.
Correspondents say he was greeted as a hero on his return to Japan.

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

Tony

Offline Maik

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Re: Sayonara Mr. Onada
« Reply #1 on: Friday, 17 January, 2014 @ 19:31:16 »
Reading the BBC article and the abc.net.au interview, I'd say he knew damn well the war was over but didn't want to believe it because he was quite happy living a fairly trouble-free life as a bush bandit.

"Three other soldiers were with him at the end of the war. One emerged from the jungle in 1950 and the other two died, one in a 1972 clash with local troops.

The Philippine government granted him a pardon, although many in Lubang never forgave him for the 30 people he killed during his campaign on the island."

Interesting that the Japanese see his as some sort of hero.