Aloha, just wanted to share my recent relic hunting trip while I was back on Okinawa visiting my family. I was able to get a day of stomping thru the jungle with a fellow Tunnel Rat. We were able to dig some caves on Kunishi Ridge and Yaeju Dake Ridge, we spend all day going thru caves on both ridges and I was able to dig up several bakelite Type 89 fuze plugs in great condition, tons of 7.7 and 6.5 rounds, several Type 89 Knee Mortars, one Type 91 Grenade, three M1 bullet shells, and my best find was the two rubberized ammo pouches still attached to the leather belt. This was found deep in a tunnel system on Yaeju Dake Ridge, the cave was dry so it helped preserve the leather belt which is still pliable but the ammo pouches have hardened. I found several other ammo pouches but they fell apart when I dug them up and they were still full of ammo. We also ran across the partial remains of a Japanese Soldier with helmet and three grenades. We turned the bones into the Shrine at Suicide Cliffs for them to take care of. There are still relics out there even on Okinawa. Enjoy.
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Type 6.5 rounds, 3 M1 Shells, Uniform Button, Cash Coin -
type 91 Grenade in the middle of the picture encrusted with dirtComment
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Type 89 Knee Mortar with FuseComment
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Skull with helmet and three Type 97 GrenadesComment
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Cave on Kunishi RidgeComment
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tunnel System on Yaeju Dake RidgeComment
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The only picture that was taken in the tunnel system that has orbs
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Japanese Army boot pulled out of the mudComment
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Remains of boots and other items that we have dug up through the tunnel system and placed on a dug out sleeping areaComment
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Great finds, especially the ammo pouches and belt, and a great adventure too! Also, very decent of you to turn the remains in to a proper place.
Lived in Hawaii for a long time many years ago, and still miss it,
Aloha,
JohnnieComment
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Fascinating I would love to go there one day ,I have just read Sledges book "with the old breed " a truly horrific battle .Rob.God please take justin bieber and gave us dio backComment
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WHy dont you try to fire the 7.7 ammo here I am about to fire some relic ammo
. Ok never again. My dad told me that on Okinawa he dug up a bunch of dead soldiers and guns and even a sword that looked untouched but he turned it in to his officer who probably kept it, he told my dad he wasnt allowed to keep these but my dad didnt fight him he just gave in, that sword wouldve been mine.
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Were you able to disarm the grenades and Knee mortar rounds and bring them home with you?Comment
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Fascinating finds!
I have done some exploration and rummaging in the Philippines (Corregidor), but have not come across things like this. I am always very aware of what has happened in the areas I have been and thankfully have not found any human remains. I do feel strange sometimes when I am doing this, but the urge to uncover and see history is overwhelming for me.
The climate in the Philippines is terrible for the preservation of relics and what I do find is usually in an advanced state of deterioration.
Regarding Alan Smiths question regarding the live ordnance, no it is not possible to disarm these because the components are fused together by corrosion. Additionally, the propellants and charges sometimes change over the years and are often unstable. I do keep some examples that I have found as long as they are intact and show no signs of leakage. Nothing like this can be brought back to the states anymore however.
A few years ago I was up in the mountains above Clark Airbase where the Japanese Kembu group had their defenses and the native Aetas would bring me sacks of ordnance they find all the time up there. Several of the live type 99 grenades were corroding and damp from deteriorating charges inside. I advised them to bury them very carefully!
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