Desecration of Remains

My pleasure Jack, I find it disgusting that some people who call themselves "historians" want to take money on the back of those who served and on the back of the fallen. Thinks happened, you are right to scream out loud and well it was the case, it will give us a first hand source for the future and we can at least use this as an antidote. Best regards.

 

I have never read that much into Japanese atrocities but I do recall about an Elderly Captain half-way through the deathmarch asking for food, to only have his head smashed with can of looted tuna.

However "Justified" it may be. I find the many atrocities towards Japanese soldiers to be disgusting as well as the nightmares ive read from Japanese POW camps.. The thing that annoys me is the image brought upon by biased history of "AMERICA- ENEMY OF EVIL" is what they would rather think of then accepting that the Islands and Jungles of the Pacific was ripe breeding grounds for hate.

Ritual suicide was common during the later months of the war, but the extreme dehumanization of Japan was probably a significant factor in the zilch numbers of Japanese POWS.

SouthWestPacificVet, if anything im saying bothers you then ask you to pardon me for my ignorance.

 

Is "America - Enemy of Evil" a book title or what?

I have never heard of the theory that the islands and jungles of the Pacific were "a ripe breeding ground for hate". But there is documented historical evidence for the idea that the Japanese political and military leadership deliberately pursued a cruel and ruthless policy of brutal treatment of enemy combatants and civilians alike, in the hopes of intimidating their opponents and increasing the pressure to enter into negotiations favorable to the Japanese.

It is very difficult to argue that early Japanese behavior, mandated by the Japanese militarists, in the war wasn't a major factor in lowering the standards of conduct for ensuing operations. The "no quarter" situation was actively encouraged by Japanese military orders and policies concerning Japanese military personnel. This was a major factor influencing both the Japanese combatant's mindset and that of opposing Allied troops.

Ritual suicide on the part of Japanese combatants was common during all stages of the Pacific War and was, in fact, praised in Japanese literature and military documents as the ONLY honorable alternative to death in combat. Japanese military law provided for harsh punishments, including execution of repatriated POW's, of captured Japanese military personnel and their families. The effect of these policies was to put the Japanese soldier in an impossible situation in losing battles; suicide often appeared as the best of several bad alternatives

The "extreme dehumanization" of Japan by the Allies was greatly facilitated by the extremely barbaric behavior of the Japanese military toward Allied combatants, civilians, and indeed, their own troops. Even John Dower, in "War Without Mercy" admits this. BTW, the Allies did take Japanese captives (at least 25,000 during the war) and toward the end of the war, this trend accelerated, not because of any change of Allied policy, but because of the breakdown of Japanese morale.

 

What I was getting at was from both sides, it would likely have had the same effect on a civilian on a hot day; an eternal grump getting frustrated excessively. A mental effect with self-concern taking over willingness to be a gentlman

It is what I picture of some less-informed Americans to have a image of for their involvement in world war 2. It is easier to believe that you are a hero then a villain. (By villain I mean refusal to believe that your side could do bad things to; namely brutal behavior.)


If my post is incomprehensible, please say so and I will try to reword. This heat is really getting to me.

 

As painful as it may be for you, we are glad to have your kind here to set it straight.

 

What I'm reading is that Americans were actually the villains in WWII and as victors we can rewrite history to state that we are heroes. Is this what you are trying to say? If not, then rewording is needed

 

Ok Ill try.

History is written by the victors correct? So wouldnt any country want to make themselves seem glorious? On Television and in the average bookstore im sure you would likely find something praising the Allies (Or whatever country the person lives in) rather then something called "Allied War crimes and atrocities". This effect has seemingly givin the mainstream people the image that the Axis were the "Bad guys" and only the bad guys can do bad things. This applies to all former allied countries in my opinion.

I merely mentioned America as it was the subject of the thread so by no means am I America bashing.

Does that help at all?

 

Oh yes, its around 35 Celsius right now and im in the hottest room in the house. I wish we could have some stereotypical Canadian weather right now

 

But labeling them Bad and us good marks the boundry line between good and evil dosent it?

"Surely the good guys cant do bad things right?" was basically what I was trying to say.

 

Would have put it in a more general context but it will do. This is pretty much human nature so it applies to all not just Americans. But as far as the allies doing bad things, well can you really call the allies 'bad' compared to the Germans and the Japanese of the time? If you are trying to say the the allies were just as bad as the axis powers, you are way off base. If you are expressing your 'opinion' so be it but trying to preach and convert us is a major faux pas.

In the topic of war, this phrase does not make sense. Killing is bad yet that is what happens in war. If you are suggesting that the phrase is an example of the attitude of the victors, I doubt that the people are that naive. In this war it was a battle between evil and good. Good triumphed. End of subject. The victors did whatever it took to take down evil.

 

I wrote that I would say it about most Allied countries, not just the States. Also; believe me please by all means that I am not trying to preach some sort of message about that how we were just as bad. I still agree with the term "Killing in Doctrine vs Killing under combat circumstances" but I make no snap judgment of anyside. I am merely thankful I didnt have to go through what any soldier did.

 

My Grand father was in the New Zealand Division in the Pacific and while on Guadalcanal he rekoned the kiwis were prone to make candle holders or lanterns out of Jap skulls and put them on the corner poles of tents etc. However i have not seen this practice mentioned in any official history of the NZ 3rd Div.

 

Kiwis are prone to all kinds of weird and bizare things. It probably wasn't mentioned coz they assumed it was normal behaviour

 

I don't think anyone expects any form of an apology from you sir.

One of my grandfathers served in Burma, and you couldn't say the J word in front of him without the bile rising, and him biting his lip to prevent a strong line in profanity coming forth. I have no real understanding of what he, and all the other allied vets, experienced but I know how strong the feeling remained.

cheers

 

The amercan people had been reading about the Jap actrocities since 1931 when they invaded Manchuria. And then later in 1937 during the "Rape of Nanking".

They had already set the standard of battle. They gave no qtr and expected none in return. They were cruel to pow's, and we were not for the most part. After experiencing Guadalcanal, Bougainville, Tarawa and Iwo Jima, there's no wonder we gave a little back at Okinawa. War is hell, after all.