Professional Soldiers ® - One Man Guerrilla

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- Insurgencies & Guerrilla Warfare (http://www.professionalsoldiers.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=38)

- - One Man Guerrilla - Hiroo Onoda (http://www.professionalsoldiers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=35807)

One Man Guerrilla - Hiroo Onoda

In March of 1974, some 29 years after the official end of World War II, Hiroo Onoda, a former Japanese Army intelligence officer, walked out of the jungle of Lubang Island in the Philippines, where he was finally relieved of duty. He handed over his sword (hanging from his hip in photo), his rifle, ammunition and several hand grenades. Onoda had been sent to Lubang Island in December of 1944 to join an existing group of soldiers and hamper any enemy attacks. Allied forces overtook the island just a few months later, capturing or killing all but Onoda and three other Japanese soldiers. The four ran into the hills and began a decades-long insurgency extending well past the end of the war. Several times they found or were handed leaflets notifying them that the war had ended, but they refused to believe it. In 1950, one of the soldiers turned himself in to Philippine authorities. By 1972, Onoda's two other compatriots were dead, killed during guerrilla activities, leaving Onoda alone. In 1974, Onoda met a Japanese college dropout, Norio Suzuki, who was traveling the world, and through their friendship, Onoda's former commanding officer was located and flew to Lubang Island to formally relieve Onoda of duty, and bring him home to Japan. Over the years, the small group had killed some 30 Filipinos in various attacks, but Onoda ended up going free, after he received a pardon from President Ferdinand Marcos.

And so it goes...

Richard :munchin

Now, that's a soldier.

Badass. No matter what you think of the Japanese soldier's conduct during the war, this cat is a testament to duty, honor, country. What a story - I certainly hope there's a book out there somewhere on this cat.

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimP (Post 423827)

What a story - I certainly hope there's a book out there somewhere on this cat.

No Surrender: My Thirty-Year War

http://www.amazon.com/No-Surrender-T.../dp/1557506639

Gutes lesen!

Richard :munchin

After what the Japanese did to Filipino civilians during WWII, I am surprised they let him go. I guess time does heal all wounds...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Richard (Post 423829)

No Surrender: My Thirty-Year War

http://www.amazon.com/No-Surrender-T.../dp/1557506639

Gutes lesen!

Richard :munchin

sicher! :D

http://professionalsoldiers.com/foru...ight=surrender

http://www.damninteresting.com/the-s...-wouldnt-quit/
He did give back to the people over there

Quote:

When Onoda returned to meet with Suzuki and his old commander, he arrived in what was left of his dress uniform, wearing his sword and carrying his still-working Arisaka rifle, 500 rounds of ammunition, and several hand grenades.

Talk about the meticulous rifle (and ammo) maintenance required in 30 years of tropical climate. What was that old creed: This is my rifle.....

It seems incredible he didn't read any of the dropped leaflets or heard that the war was over.............:rolleyes:

Big Teddy :munchin

Quote:

Originally Posted by greenberetTFS (Post 423983)

It seems incredible he didn't read any of the dropped leaflets or heard that the war was over.............:rolleyes:

Big Teddy :munchin

Quote:

It was upon killing one of these cows that one of the soldiers found a note some months later. It was a leaflet left behind by a local resident, and it said, “The war ended on August 15. Come down from the mountains!” The Japanese guerrilla soldiers scrutinized the note, and decided that was an Allied propaganda trick to coax them out of hiding. It was not the only message they encountered; over the years, fliers were dropped from planes, newspapers were left, and letters from relatives with photos. Each attempt was viewed by the soldiers as a clever hoax constructed by the Allies.

...................

In September of 1949, over four years after the four men went into hiding, one of Onoda’s fellow soldiers decided that he had had enough. Without a word to the others, Private Akatsu snuck away one day, and the Sugi Brigade was reduced to three men. Sometime in 1950 they found a note from Akatsu, which informed the others that he had been greeted by friendly troops when he left the jungle. To the remaining men, it was clear that Akatsu was being coerced into working for the enemy, and was not to be trusted. They continued their guerrilla attacks, but more cautiously.

He sure did, but he is the embodiment of the True Believer in NDD's signature:

Somewhere a True Believer is training to kill you. He is training with minimal food or water, in austere conditions, training day and night. The only thing clean on him is his weapon and he made his web gear. He doesn't worry about what workout to do - his ruck weighs what it weighs, his runs end when the enemy stops chasing him. This True Believer is not concerned about 'how hard it is;' he knows either he wins or dies. He doesn't go home at 17:00, he is home. He knows only The Cause.

Still want to quit?

Quote:

Originally Posted by frostfire (Post 424489)

They continued their guerrilla attacks, but more cautiously.

Their guerrilla attacks on who?.............:rolleyes:

Big Teddy :munchin

Quote:

Originally Posted by greenberetTFS (Post 424521)

They continued their guerrilla attacks, but more cautiously. Their guerrilla attacks on who?

Teddy,

Well...since they were on Lubang Island...I'm fairly certain it wasn't the Tralfamadorans. ;)

Richard :munchin