During World War II almost all Japanese military servicemen died in action, refusing to surrender. They regarded it as their sacred duty to the Emperor of Japan, whom they regarded as having divine origins and authority. However, in the Marianas campaign, one Marine, Guy Gabaldon, began to go out beyond friendly lines and persuade Japanese soldiers and civilians to surrender rather than fight to the death. His efforts were extremely successful, and led to anything between 1,000 and 1,500 Japanese surrenders (the exact figure is disputed). He was awarded a Silver Star in recognition of his efforts, which I think was to undervalue them significantly. The Marines clearly felt the same, because some years later his award was upgraded to a Navy Cross: and now, after his death, there are proposals to upgrade it further, to the Medal of Honor.
This twenty-minute TV documentary examines his activities and achievements, as well as how other service personnel began to take the idea further. I'm told that after the Marianas campaign, when the war moved on to the Philippines, Iwo Jima and Okinawa, such tactics were more widely used, but I haven't been able to confirm that.
If you're interested in World War II, and the Pacific War in particular, this documentary is a must-see.
That's an episode of World War II combat history of which I'd never heard before.
Peter
The Fat Electrician did a slightly NSFW documentary on Guy.
ReplyDeletehttps://youtu.be/UYvEcx8xPBo?si=-P3CbRx36z65WXgy
My Dad entered the Marines in June 43 he was 17. He was blown up on Okinawa and spent the next year in 2 Naval Hospitals. He had massive scars on his body. One from the left shoulder to right hip, and the rest going down his legs. Most of his stomach was damaged so he was always thin. He would never talk about the war to me or my brother.
ReplyDeleteI saw a documentary several years ago that explained the reason we rounded up Japanese and isolated them from the public. They believed their Leader to be divine and we all know what people can do using religion as their excuse for their actions. Perhaps we should take the hint and apply it to another 'religion'!
ReplyDelete"Und Doch" we still engage in but another (or more) futile war. We are and always have been our worst adversary. Living in peace seems so far away. As long as fear is cultivated we will engage in war. Total human annihilation seems to be the end game.
ReplyDeleteI vaguely remember hearing stories...
ReplyDeleteThe Straw Giant by Hadley had a really funny bit about the talking tank. It was his loud speaker tank in Europe during the war.
ReplyDeleteMany if not most of them died of disease and malnutrition
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