End of WWII photos

[Texdentist]

A site with some remarkable photos taken in Europe and Japan just after WWII.

http://www.theatlantic.com/infocus/2...he-war/100180/

[blckslvr79]

Interesting site and pictures.

Thanks for sharing.

[92Roadster]

...I think my dad might be in that picture part of the Invasion
of Africa....he was a POW for 3 1/2 years in Italy, so maybe not...

19 The super transport ship, General W.P. Richardson, docked in
New York, with veterans of the European war cheering on June
7, 1945. Many soldiers were veterans of the African campaign,
Salerno, Anzio, Cassino and the winter warfare in Italy's mountains. (AP Photo/Tony Camerano) #

[KennyGS]

None from Guam, where my dad fought.

[C3C6 Norm]

Interesting and thanks. My dad, WWII veteran, served in Europe.

[Junkman2008]

Wow Doc, nice find! I have a huge interest in WWII and am always watching documentaries on this war. The last one that I watched by Ken Burns was by far the best. Very detailed and very interesting.

One thing that saddens me about WWII is all the destruction of priceless artifacts and buildings. So much history was forever lost. I am also torn by my respect for the Japanese soldier, who were hard as hell but committed so many war transgressions. At the same time, our boys were not always choir boys either but the Japanese solders took their transgressions to a whole new level. The Baton Death March was just one of many incidents that I can think of right off.

My respect for the Japanese soldier can be see in Hiroo Onoda, pictured below. This soldier was HARD. To not stop fighting until 1974, along with only 3 other guys is insane. That's some serious commitment to your country right there, considering that he was informed that the war had been over for years. That's the kind of soldier that I would want in my fox hole. You have to respect a man with that kind of resolve. Real warriors respect other warriors and this guy, despite whatever he may have done, gets my respect.


In March of 1974, some 29 years after the official end of World War II, Hiroo Onoda, a former Japanese Army intelligence officer, walks out of the jungle of Lubang Island in the Philippines, where he was finally relieved of duty. He handed over his sword (hanging from his hip in photo), his rifle, ammunition and several hand grenades. Onoda had been sent to Lubang Island in December of 1944 to join an existing group of soldiers and hamper any enemy attacks. Allied forces overtook the island just a few months later, capturing or killing all but Onoda and three other Japanese soldiers. The four ran into the hills and began a decades-long insurgency extending well past the end of the war. Several times they found or were handed leaflets notifying them that the war had ended, but they refused to believe it. In 1950, one of the soldiers turned himself in to Philippine authorities. By 1972, Onoda's two other compatriots were dead, killed during guerrilla activities, leaving Onoda alone. In 1974, Onoda met a Japanese college dropout, Norio Suzuki, who was traveling the world, and through their friendship, Onoda's former commanding officer was located and flew to Lubang Island to formally relieve Onoda of duty, and bring him home to Japan. Over the years, the small group had killed some 30 Filipinos in various attacks, but Onoda ended up going free, after he received a pardon from President Ferdinand Marcos.





Thanks for posting Doc!

[C5sarge]

Good stuff Tex. Nice post.