Battle Rats re-airing 12/16 - Tunnels of Iwo Jima

[mcmike]

Battle Rats re-airing 12/16 - Tunnels of Iwo Jima

For those interested that missed it the first time:

[IMG]file:///C:/Users/Mike/AppData/Local/Temp/moz-screenshot.png[/IMG]Thursday 12/46/09 check local listings

"The tunnels of Iwo Jima proved to be so well constructed and elusive that two Japanese naval machine gunners hid out, and survived underground until 1949, four years after the war had ended. BATTLE RATS : Iwo Jima explores this distant island battlefield, above and below ground. Going into places that few have seen or ventured into since the 1945 battle. See for the first time the extensive Japanese tunnel networks, bunkers and fighting positions as they are today some 64 years after the battle."

http://battlerats.tv/

[mcmike]

Okinawa Stragglers

Quote Wikipedia:

"After Iwo Jima was declared secured, the Marines estimated there were no more than 300 Japanese left alive in the island's warren of caves and tunnels. In fact, there were close to 3,000. The Japanese bushido code of honor, coupled with effective propaganda which portrayed American G.I.'s as ruthless animals, prevented surrender for many Japanese soldiers. Those who could not bring themselves to commit suicide hid in the caves during the day and came out at night to prowl for provisions. Some did eventually surrender and were surprised that the Americans often received them with compassion, offering water, cigarettes, or coffee.<sup id="cite_ref-Toland1970_p731_24-0" class="reference">[25]</sup> The last of these stragglers, two of Lieutenant Toshihiko Ohno's men, Yamakage Kufuku and Matsudo Linsoki, lasted six years without being caught and finally surrendered in 1951<sup id="cite_ref-25" class="reference">[26]</sup> (another source gives the date of surrender as January 6, 1949)."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Iwo_Jima

David - when you go back to Okinawa you better watch out; might be a couple of old farts with well cared for weapons down in there!

[mcmike]

More on the Stragglers

http://www.wanpela.com/holdouts/profiles/kufuku.html

[thor202]

Thanks for the info Mike.

[Ryukyutunnelrat]

Quote Wikipedia:

"After Iwo Jima was declared secured, the Marines estimated there were no more than 300 Japanese left alive in the island's warren of caves and tunnels. In fact, there were close to 3,000. The Japanese bushido code of honor, coupled with effective propaganda which portrayed American G.I.'s as ruthless animals, prevented surrender for many Japanese soldiers. Those who could not bring themselves to commit suicide hid in the caves during the day and came out at night to prowl for provisions. Some did eventually surrender and were surprised that the Americans often received them with compassion, offering water, cigarettes, or coffee.<sup id="cite_ref-Toland1970_p731_24-0" class="reference">[25]</sup> The last of these stragglers, two of Lieutenant Toshihiko Ohno's men, Yamakage Kufuku and Matsudo Linsoki, lasted six years without being caught and finally surrendered in 1951<sup id="cite_ref-25" class="reference">[26]</sup> (another source gives the date of surrender as January 6, 1949)."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Iwo_Jima

David - when you go back to Okinawa you better watch out; might be a couple of old farts with well cared for weapons down in there!

would I be able to ship him home if I find one