Okinawa 70 Years On

AZ Jim said:
Cookie, The Japanese believed Hirohito was a god on earth. They died by the thousands at their own hands due to their fatalistic view of themselves. Japan believed the allies would have to invade the mainland to try in and finish the war. Their civilian population from the oldest to the small school children were prepared to fight any invader. Those children were even taught to sharpen bamboo to use as weapons. Military analysts calculated it would cost literally millions of lives, both Japanese and allies to make such an invasion. THAT is why America in concert with allies demonstrated to the Japanese we had a new and very powerful weapon and sought surrender. It didn't come. I praise our decision to save lives in a war that had already killed so many. Thank you Harry Truman for having the courage to do what had to be done. That is my position and I won't argue it. When Truman dropped the bombs, I was 10 years old.
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I concur absolutely. I also note that the 500,000 Japanese civilians compared to the 14,000 soldiers is apples and oranges. The 14,000 soldiers died there on Okinawa -- the 500,00 civilians is cumulative, I would imagine.

Perhaps some reading of the history of the Bataan Death March and the Japanese treatment of American and British prisoners of war in general is in order here.
 

Every Australian is well aware of the treatment of POWs under Nippon and of the various death marches.
Our men and our nurses were there and so were some of our civilians unlucky enough to be caught up in the invasion.

For the most part we have forgiven but we will never forget.
We are now able to acknowledge the pain of former enemies without rancour.
 
Toyota is the largest car maker in the world, so I guess most have forgiven...
 

I spent a short amount of time in Okinawa. Unfortunately, I was in the hospital recovering from being shot and the only part of the island that I saw was what I could see out of the hallway windows.
 
Laurie said:
Oh for Heaven's sake.

I meant to pay a simple tribute to a bunch of guys who I never met and who I now never will, but who did the same as young men were doing from all over the world at that time, doing what they thought was right for their country.

It is always sad when young men have to go out to kill each other for the sake of old mens' ' ambitions, but if you want to go on about the futility of war, or the perfidy of the Japanese, bugger off elsewhere and start your own thread.

Thanks guys, you made it possible for people to express views like these, denigrating and belittling your sacrifice.

I was a bit surprised when none of our American members mentioned this anniversary. Now I understand why.
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Yes You would, so you SHOULD be able to understand... We view Pearl Harbor about the same way you view the bombing of London.. It's a VERY intense topic for Americans..
 
Dame Warrigal said:
What does this day mean to you, oldman?
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I have always been an amateur history buff. While I was recuperating in Okinawa, I was able to speak with many residents of the island and we did talk about their Memorial Day. I think it is a fairly important holiday for them. They celebrate their Memorial Day somewhat differently then we do here in the U.S. I think (My mind is fuzzy on some of what went on while I was there due to the drugs they had me on. A lot of morphine.) it was more a day of prayers and giving thanks openly. I was treated very well while in the hospital and I was very grateful for the services that I received. They are a very respectful people, even though they did not like the war we were fighting, which I could understand. I remember how they took turns checking on me like every five minutes the first few days. I think back often about that time in my life. I have never been able to erase the memories of that time period.

I understand that they have some of the oldest living people in Okinawa.
 
Laurie said:
Oh for Heaven's sake.

I meant to pay a simple tribute to a bunch of guys who I never met and who I now never will, but who did the same as young men were doing from all over the world at that time, doing what they thought was right for their country.

It is always sad when young men have to go out to kill each other for the sake of old mens' ' ambitions, but if you want to go on about the futility of war, or the perfidy of the Japanese, bugger off elsewhere and start your own thread.

Thanks guys, you made it possible for people to express views like these, denigrating and belittling your sacrifice.

I was a bit surprised when none of our American members mentioned this anniversary. Now I understand why.
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Oh Americans do remember it as they do many other battles and military service of family and friends. Just mention of the battle is tribute because it is yet another reminder.
 
"We view Pearl Harbor about the same way you view the bombing of London."

You surprise me.

We see the bombing of London as a normal act of war, given the modern concept of total unrestricted warfare - there are no non-combatants. It affected a small area of the country, and killed 20,000 people out of a population (if London) of 7 million or so. We killed that many in a single night, and on more than one occasion.

We see Pearl Harbor as an act of treachery, when no state of war existed, which understandably entered, and affected, and still affects, the whole American psyche.

I need to realign my thinking.



 

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