nutzbuster 7 Posted February 17, 2007 Share Posted February 17, 2007 I thought I would start a thread to let everyone know about how good this movie was. If extremely well done, incredibly well acted, historically accurate war movies are something you can appreciate, then do not miss this. Go see it while it is still on a big screen. It does have subtitles but the sentences are only like 10 words long and VERY easy to read. But the story is just so good and so well told that you wont even care about a little reading. You'll latch on to the 2 main characters instantly and find yourself rooting for them to survive. The battles scenes, especially the way they show bombs falling, are extremely well done and most of the special effects are flawless. But again...it's the telling of this story and the revealing of the WW2 Japanese soldiers mindset and culture that makes this film so incredibly interesting.This is just a fantastic movie, based on actual letters and research and is not one to miss. It's been over a week now and some scenes still haunt me. Go see this movie. Link to post Share on other sites
digitalmonkey 929 Posted February 17, 2007 Share Posted February 17, 2007 Is this the one Clint Eastwood shot at the same time as Flags of Our Fathers? Link to post Share on other sites
SuitedAces21 2,741 Posted February 17, 2007 Share Posted February 17, 2007 Is this the one Clint Eastwood shot at the same time as Flags of Our Fathers?you betcha. Link to post Share on other sites
sandwedge 30 Posted February 17, 2007 Share Posted February 17, 2007 I thought Flags of Our Fathers was an awsome movie (made a thread about it that nobody responded to) . I don't keep up with what's going on in the movie world, so I didn't even know "Letters' was currently playing. Thanks for the heads up. I'm going to go see it today. Link to post Share on other sites
Balloon guy 158 Posted February 17, 2007 Share Posted February 17, 2007 Flags of our Fathers writer James Brady wrote a second book, Fly Boys. ( Not the same as the movie that came out at same time as FooF)In Fly Boys he describes the Japanese military in very different terms then Clint.He talks about their cannabalism, their brutality, and their fanatisism.I think Clint did a bit of injustice to paint the Japanese military in a positive light with this movie, even though I agree that not all Japanese were evil. But many WWII vets are a little turned off by the failure to mention the atrocities committed by the same army as in the movie.I haven't seen the movie yet, and I will, but I think if this were a puff piece about some Al Qeda members who just wanted to do what they was right and go home to their families afterwards the majority of people would be as offended as the WWII vets are. Even though there are probably some heart breaking stories from the Al Qeda perspective too.Not trying to be argumentative about the movie, CLint does make good films, but I thought the perspective is interesting from the WWII vets side. Link to post Share on other sites
digitalmonkey 929 Posted February 17, 2007 Share Posted February 17, 2007 Flags of our Fathers writer James Brady wrote a second book, Fly Boys. ( Not the same as the movie that came out at same time as FooF)In Fly Boys he describes the Japanese military in very different terms then Clint.He talks about their cannabalism, their brutality, and their fanatisism.I think Clint did a bit of injustice to paint the Japanese military in a positive light with this movie, even though I agree that not all Japanese were evil. But many WWII vets are a little turned off by the failure to mention the atrocities committed by the same army as in the movie.I haven't seen the movie yet, and I will, but I think if this were a puff piece about some Al Qeda members who just wanted to do what they was right and go home to their families afterwards the majority of people would be as offended as the WWII vets are. Even though there are probably some heart breaking stories from the Al Qeda perspective too.Not trying to be argumentative about the movie, CLint does make good films, but I thought the perspective is interesting from the WWII vets side.I'm certain Clint left out atrocities committed by the US Army also. Link to post Share on other sites
sandwedge 30 Posted February 17, 2007 Share Posted February 17, 2007 During the Flags of Our Fathers movie, I was wondering how Clint would handle the torture that happened to the medic's friend that disappeared (described in the book - cut off his penis and shoved it down his throat). I was dissapointed that this detail was left to the viewer's imigination - not that I wanted to see an image of it, but I felt it should have been stated in the dialogue somehow. Overall though, I thought it was an excelent depiction of what these guys went through.Going to see Letters in a couple of hours. I hope it isn't a "puff piece".edit: Balloon Guy, do you have links to WWII vets responses to the movie? I would very much like to hear their opinions. Link to post Share on other sites
Balloon guy 158 Posted February 17, 2007 Share Posted February 17, 2007 During the Flags of Our Fathers movie, I was wondering how Clint would handle the torture that happened to the medic's friend that disappeared (described in the book - cut off his penis and shoved it down his throat). I was dissapointed that this detail was left to the viewer's imigination - not that I wanted to see an image of it, but I felt it should have been stated in the dialogue somehow. Overall though, I thought it was an excelent depiction of what these guys went through.Going to see Letters in a couple of hours. I hope it isn't a "puff piece".edit: Balloon Guy, do you have links to WWII vets responses to the movie? I would very much like to hear their opinions.I'm a talk radio junky and I heard about these from more than one radio show. I didn't want to try to say the movie was bad or that Clint had an agenda, just that if you know the whole story, it's not so easy to allow someone to show only one side. But then again it's a movie and there's nothing wrong with escaping into a good movie without bringing the politics of the world with you.I will go see it, and probably enjoy it, but I respect vets and always assume that their side is the most important one.Plus I hate the Japanese, but maybe that's just me.swEdit: Here's a good discussion about this topic that I found after you asked. Goeas along the lines of what I was saying:http://www.history-forums.com/forum/viewto...1116b1c40e69c59 Link to post Share on other sites
sandwedge 30 Posted February 17, 2007 Share Posted February 17, 2007 Thanks for the link, BG. I'll look through it later tonight, after the movies and then some live poker.It's interesting that you mentioned Al Queda earlier, as I see a lot of similarities between our current situation in the Mid-East and our war with Japan. I'll bore (and probably offend) everyone with a long explanation later. Link to post Share on other sites
Evgeny Davydov 0 Posted February 18, 2007 Share Posted February 18, 2007 I'm a talk radio junky and I heard about these from more than one radio show. I didn't want to try to say the movie was bad or that Clint had an agenda, just that if you know the whole story, it's not so easy to allow someone to show only one side. But then again it's a movie and there's nothing wrong with escaping into a good movie without bringing the politics of the world with you.I will go see it, and probably enjoy it, but I respect vets and always assume that their side is the most important one.Plus I hate the Japanese, but maybe that's just me.swEdit: Here's a good discussion about this topic that I found after you asked. Goeas along the lines of what I was saying:http://www.history-forums.com/forum/viewto...1116b1c40e69c59 "It's not easy to allow someone to show you one side." How many war movies where the USA is shown as the good guys have to be made in order for us to see the other side?"but I respect vets and always assume that their side is the most important one." No one is asking anyone to take sides. "Plus I hate the Japanese, but maybe that's just me" The premise isn't Japan vs US. It's a human story where the individuals happen to be Japanese. No politics or any ideologies in the film.People need to relax before cracking open their Patriot's Defense Handbook at the slightest sign of anything negative about the US.If you do see this movie and find yourself liking the main character, it doesn't make you a bad American. Link to post Share on other sites
digitalmonkey 929 Posted February 18, 2007 Share Posted February 18, 2007 "It's not easy to allow someone to show you one side." How many war movies where the USA is shown as the good guys have to be made in order for us to see the other side?"but I respect vets and always assume that their side is the most important one." No one is asking anyone to take sides. "Plus I hate the Japanese, but maybe that's just me" The premise isn't Japan vs US. It's a human story where the individuals happen to be Japanese. No politics or any ideologies in the film.People need to relax before cracking open their Patriot's Defense Handbook at the slightest sign of anything negative about the US.If you do see this movie and find yourself liking the main character, it doesn't make you a bad American. Link to post Share on other sites
Balloon guy 158 Posted February 18, 2007 Share Posted February 18, 2007 "If you do see this movie and find yourself liking the main character, it doesn't make you a bad American.Good because after reading Mein Kamp I was feeling kind of sympathetic to the Nazi party, at least in regards to the Treaty of Versilles, but now I know that's okay, the fact that the nazis or the Japanese army committed atrocities that most people can't comprehend is just a little side note in history, let's all try to ignore it so we can let Hollywood rewrite history, and make some money doing it.Study a little Russian propoganda films and you will understand why the camel shouldn't be allowed to get his nose under the tent walls.Sorry, the Patriot's Defense Handbook is right on my desk within easy reach.Sorry Nutz, didn't mean to get into a tuff with the others in your thread. I'll sit back and watch the movie before I post in here again. Man I get testy over stupid things sometimes, okay all the time. Link to post Share on other sites
digitalmonkey 929 Posted February 18, 2007 Share Posted February 18, 2007 Good because after reading Mein Kamp I was feeling kind of sympathetic to the Nazi party, at least in regards to the Treaty of Versilles, but now I know that's okay, the fact that the nazis or the Japanese army committed atrocities that most people can't comprehend is just a little side note in history, let's all try to ignore it so we can let Hollywood rewrite history, and make some money doing it.Study a little Russian propoganda films and you will understand why the camel shouldn't be allowed to get his nose under the tent walls.Sorry, the Patriot's Defense Handbook is right on my desk within easy reach.Sorry Nutz, didn't mean to get into a tuff with the others in your thread. I'll sit back and watch the movie before I post in here again. Man I get testy over stupid things sometimes, okay all the time.You completely missed the point,but...You really think the US Army has been well-behaved throughout history don't you? Link to post Share on other sites
Balloon guy 158 Posted February 18, 2007 Share Posted February 18, 2007 You completely missed the point,but...You really think the US Army has been well-behaved throughout history don't you?Compared to the Japanese, we've been saints, no...we've been better than saints.Compared to the Germans, we've been just saints.Compared to the French, it's hard to compare because we usaully win and they never do.Compared to the Russians, we've been saintsCompared to the Brits, we've had our shares of embarressmentsCompared to 80% of the world's, our military is the most gentle, law abiding and respectful.And to say that Hollywood hasn't shown the US in a bad light is silly.Seen Platoon? Dances with Wolves? Full Metal Jacket? Siege? etc.etc.etc. Link to post Share on other sites
digitalmonkey 929 Posted February 18, 2007 Share Posted February 18, 2007 Compared to the Japanese, we've been saints, no...we've been better than saints.Compared to the Germans, we've been just saints.Compared to the French, it's hard to compare because we usaully win and they never do.Compared to the Russians, we've been saintsCompared to the Brits, we've had our shares of embarressmentsCompared to 80% of the world's, our military is the most gentle, law abiding and respectful.And to say that Hollywood hasn't shown the US in a bad light is silly.Seen Platoon? Dances with Wolves? Full Metal Jacket? Siege? etc.etc.etc.I didn't say this, but if it supports your stance be my guest.You are ignorant. Link to post Share on other sites
Evgeny Davydov 0 Posted February 18, 2007 Share Posted February 18, 2007 Good because after reading Mein Kamp I was feeling kind of sympathetic to the Nazi party, at least in regards to the Treaty of Versilles, but now I know that's okay, the fact that the nazis or the Japanese army committed atrocities that most people can't comprehend is just a little side note in history, let's all try to ignore it so we can let Hollywood rewrite history, and make some money doing it.Study a little Russian propoganda films and you will understand why the camel shouldn't be allowed to get his nose under the tent walls.Sorry, the Patriot's Defense Handbook is right on my desk within easy reach.Sorry Nutz, didn't mean to get into a tuff with the others in your thread. I'll sit back and watch the movie before I post in here again. Man I get testy over stupid things sometimes, okay all the time." the fact that the nazis or the Japanese army committed atrocities that most people can't comprehend is just a little side note in history" I think most people are able to comprehend it. I also believe most people are able to comprehend that atrocities committed in war are not a German, Japanese, Swedish or American trait. It's a human one. "let's all try to ignore it so we can let Hollywood rewrite history, and make some money doing it." No facts in Letters were changed or even massaged to try and fool the viewer into believing something that wasn't accurate. "Study a little Russian propoganda films and you will understand why the camel shouldn't be allowed to get his nose under the tent walls." Propaganda films can be a huge tool of influence on the masses, there is no doubt. However there's probably more Japanese propaganda in The Karate Kid than Letters."Sorry, the Patriot's Defense Handbook is right on my desk within easy reach." Good for you. It's noble to use it when speaking out on important issues. You should find one."I'll sit back and watch the movie before I post in here again." A good idea. Link to post Share on other sites
sandwedge 30 Posted February 19, 2007 Share Posted February 19, 2007 " the fact that the nazis or the Japanese army committed atrocities that most people can't comprehend is just a little side note in history" I think most people are able to comprehend it. I also believe most people are able to comprehend that atrocities committed in war are not a German, Japanese, Swedish or American trait. It's a human one. "let's all try to ignore it so we can let Hollywood rewrite history, and make some money doing it." No facts in Letters were changed or even massaged to try and fool the viewer into believing something that wasn't accurate. "Study a little Russian propoganda films and you will understand why the camel shouldn't be allowed to get his nose under the tent walls." Propaganda films can be a huge tool of influence on the masses, there is no doubt. However there's probably more Japanese propaganda in The Karate Kid than Letters."Sorry, the Patriot's Defense Handbook is right on my desk within easy reach." Good for you. It's noble to use it when speaking out on important issues. You should find one."I'll sit back and watch the movie before I post in here again." A good idea."I think most people are able to comprehend it. I also believe most people are able to comprehend that atrocities committed in war are not a German, Japanese, Swedish or American trait. It's a human one." While I agree with you that atrocities committed in war are a human trait, I feel you are downplaying the extent to which the Japanese committed atrocities. And as for Germany, I hear the voices of six million jews disagreeing with you."No facts in Letters were changed or even massaged to try and fool the viewer into believing something that wasn't accurate. "Facts changed? -- probably not. Massaged? -- Yes. I'm sure the ratio of captive Americans being treated hamanely vs being tortured during the battle of Iwo Jima was not 1:1.So, I saw the movie. While I thought it was a good movie, I didn't find it as heartwrenching as Flags of Our Fathers. I also thought it was a good attempt at saying that in war, there are good humans on both sides. I'm sure that, like the Americans, there were many soldiers that would much rather be at home with their families. I thought the movie did a pretty good job of describing the Japanese culture which led to their fanaticism.Overall though, I thought the movie was soft on the atrocities committed by the Japanese, and in general on the overall fanaticism of their troops.Oddly, I didn't find myself rooting for the main characters to live, although I felt it a shame that they may die. Link to post Share on other sites
princeof56k 0 Posted February 19, 2007 Share Posted February 19, 2007 But then again it's a movie and there's nothing wrong with escaping into a good movie without bringing the politics of the world with you.I happy to see someone mention this. Link to post Share on other sites
digitalmonkey 929 Posted February 19, 2007 Share Posted February 19, 2007 "I think most people are able to comprehend it. I also believe most people are able to comprehend that atrocities committed in war are not a German, Japanese, Swedish or American trait. It's a human one." While I agree with you that atrocities committed in war are a human trait, I feel you are downplaying the extent to which the Japanese committed atrocities. And as for Germany, I hear the voices of six million jews disagreeing with you.You are missing the point.Someone like Jeffery Dahmer didn't kill and canibalize because he was an American. He did it because he was a fucked up individual; he just happened to be an American. As a boy Hitler was whipped on an almost daily basis by his father. This, most likely, has more to do with his behaviour as an adult than the fact that he was German; especially when you consider that he was born in Austria. Link to post Share on other sites
Mercury69 3 Posted February 19, 2007 Share Posted February 19, 2007 It is an excellent film and quite deserving of Best Picture. For me it's the best of the five, but only because it tells it's story in a more concise way. The Departed was waaaay too long (still highly enjoyable) and Babel tried to force the idea of cohesion between it's story arcs a bit too much. Little Miss Sunshine was better than I expected, but I'll guess that a lot of people didn't catch on that it was far more than a quirky family comedy. The Queen was excellent, but it's British, so it'll lose points for being as good as it is.My personal Best Picture choices, in order of who I think should get the statue (does not include picutres not nominated...):Letters From Iwo JimaLittle Miss SunshineThe DepartedBabelThe Queen Link to post Share on other sites
Evgeny Davydov 0 Posted February 19, 2007 Share Posted February 19, 2007 While I agree with you that atrocities committed in war are a human trait, I feel you are downplaying the extent to which the Japanese committed atrocities. And as for Germany, I hear the voices of six million jews disagreeing with you.Massaged? -- Yes. I'm sure the ratio of captive Americans being treated hamanely vs being tortured during the battle of Iwo Jima was not 1:1.So, I saw the movie. While I thought it was a good movie, I didn't find it as heartwrenching as Flags of Our Fathers. I also thought it was a good attempt at saying that in war, there are good humans on both sides. I'm sure that, like the Americans, there were many soldiers that would much rather be at home with their families. I thought the movie did a pretty good job of describing the Japanese culture which led to their fanaticism.Overall though, I thought the movie was soft on the atrocities committed by the Japanese, and in general on the overall fanaticism of their troops.Oddly, I didn't find myself rooting for the main characters to live, although I felt it a shame that they may die."While I agree with you that atrocities committed in war are a human trait, I feel you are downplaying the extent to which the Japanese committed atrocities." Actually I'm not. I stated that this behaviour is a human trait. I neither downplayed or upplayed anything."And as for Germany, I hear the voices of six million jews disagreeing with you." What exactly are they disagreeing me with? I said committing atrocities is a human trait. German's are human. The six million expierenced first hand what humans are capable of doing to other humans. "Massaged? -- Yes. I'm sure the ratio of captive Americans being treated hamanely vs being tortured during the battle of Iwo Jima was not 1:1." I disagree. When we are shown the second American soldier being captured he is only saved because the Japanese officer present is able to see the prisoner as a person. The officer has been to the US and can speak english. If you watch the scene you realize that the other Japanese soldiers first instinct is to butcher the American, and it took special circumstances to save him. Link to post Share on other sites
sandwedge 30 Posted February 20, 2007 Share Posted February 20, 2007 You are missing the point.Someone like Jeffery Dahmer didn't kill and canibalize because he was an American. He did it because he was a fucked up individual; he just happened to be an American. As a boy Hitler was whipped on an almost daily basis by his father. This, most likely, has more to do with his behaviour as an adult than the fact that he was German; especially when you consider that he was born in Austria.I think I do get your point, and I agree that you can't say "All Americans are good and All Japanese are bad" -- I think that was a theme in the movie, and I appreciated the attempt at portraying it. However, I don't think you can use the excuse, "Adolph was beaten as a child. Therefore, the murder of 6 million jews was justifiable (yes, I know you aren't saying that exactly).Letter's portrayed some Japanese soldier's as honest, decent people. Yes, I believe that a lot of Japanese fit this description. A lot didn't, though. The emporer himself wasn't the one who bayonetted pow's who straggled behind during the Bataan death march. He didn't personally behead and/or cannibilize American and British pow's. He didn't personally rape, pillage, and murder the Chinese. Japanese soldiers did. And the atrocities comitted by the Japanese were widespread and documented.Ultimately, it was their culture of fanaticism which led to these atrocities. I don't think you can necessarily blame any one individual for how their society got that way. However, you must hold their nation accountable for actions commited in it's name. Yes, I know that the Americans were not competely innocent of atrocities, but if you compare the two nations' actions, you DEFINATELY are not comparing apples to apples.We won the war by completely destroying their ability and desire to wage war. After winning, we didn't "conquer" them in the sense that we annexed them. Instead, we occupied them for a time, and then we helped them rebuild their nation. Let's say, just for shits and giggles, that THEY had won the war - more than just win - they completely destroy our navy and decide that Hawaii should be theirs. How do you think they would have treated the civillians? Thank God that wasn't the case.edit: I admittedly do not know as much of this history as I should. Therefore, I'll do some searching on Japanese atrocities and copy/paste results with my posts. Anyone is welcome to find American atrocities of comparable nature and submit them also...ATROCITY ON LUZONWhile many atrocities were committed on Luzon, this one stands out for its sheer bloody mindedness. Fourteen Filipino resistance fighters surrendered to the Nippon savages after their ammunition was expended. Tied together neck to neck and with hands tied behind their backs, they were marched three miles to their place of execution. Ordered to sit down, another group of prisoners were brought in and forced to dig fourteen holes two feet wide and four and a half feet deep. When the digging finished the fourteen Filipinos, with their neck ropes removed, were forced to jump into the holes while the other group shovelled the earth back into the hole and stamped it down hard until only the head and neck of the victims were visible above ground. Their repugnant duty finished, the grave diggers were then lined up and shot in cold blood. The attention of the Japanese was now focused on the fourteen heads awaiting decapitation. A few soldiers had gone behind some bushes to defecate and after scraping together their excreta on to banana leaves they returned to the buried victims and kneeling down offered each head a last meal. Unable to move, the helpless men could only shake their head from side to side whereupon the Japanese soldiers stuffed the revolting faeces into their mouths amidst peals of laughter from their comrades. After they had their fun, the serious business of execution commenced as an officer drew his sword and with deft strokes separated the fourteen heads from the bodies. No one was ever punished for this foul deed. Link to post Share on other sites
digitalmonkey 929 Posted February 20, 2007 Share Posted February 20, 2007 I think I do get your point, and I agree that you can't say "All Americans are good and All Japanese are bad" -- I think that was a theme in the movie, and I appreciated the attempt at portraying it. However, I don't think you can use the excuse, "Adolph was beaten as a child. Therefore, the murder of 6 million jews was justifiable (yes, I know you aren't saying that exactly).Letter's portrayed some Japanese soldier's as honest, decent people. Yes, I believe that a lot of Japanese fit this description. A lot didn't, though. The emporer himself wasn't the one who bayonetted pow's who straggled behind during the Bataan death march. He didn't personally behead and/or cannibilize American and British pow's. He didn't personally rape, pillage, and murder the Chinese. Japanese soldiers did. And the atrocities comitted by the Japanese were widespread and documented.Ultimately, it was their culture of fanaticism which led to these atrocities. I don't think you can necessarily blame any one individual for how their society got that way. However, you must hold their nation accountable for actions commited in it's name. Yes, I know that the Americans were not competely innocent of atrocities, but if you compare the two nations' actions, you DEFINATELY are not comparing apples to apples.We won the war by completely destroying their ability and desire to wage war. After winning, we didn't "conquer" them in the sense that we annexed them. Instead, we occupied them for a time, and then we helped them rebuild their nation. Let's say, just for shits and giggles, that THEY had won the war - more than just win - they completely destroy our navy and decide that Hawaii should be theirs. How do you think they would have treated the civillians? Thank God that wasn't the case.edit: I admittedly do not know as much of this history as I should. Therefore, I'll do some searching on Japanese atrocities and copy/paste results with my posts. Anyone is welcome to find American atrocities of comparable nature and submit them also...ATROCITY ON LUZONWhile many atrocities were committed on Luzon, this one stands out for its sheer bloody mindedness. Fourteen Filipino resistance fighters surrendered to the Nippon savages after their ammunition was expended. Tied together neck to neck and with hands tied behind their backs, they were marched three miles to their place of execution. Ordered to sit down, another group of prisoners were brought in and forced to dig fourteen holes two feet wide and four and a half feet deep. When the digging finished the fourteen Filipinos, with their neck ropes removed, were forced to jump into the holes while the other group shovelled the earth back into the hole and stamped it down hard until only the head and neck of the victims were visible above ground. Their repugnant duty finished, the grave diggers were then lined up and shot in cold blood. The attention of the Japanese was now focused on the fourteen heads awaiting decapitation. A few soldiers had gone behind some bushes to defecate and after scraping together their excreta on to banana leaves they returned to the buried victims and kneeling down offered each head a last meal. Unable to move, the helpless men could only shake their head from side to side whereupon the Japanese soldiers stuffed the revolting faeces into their mouths amidst peals of laughter from their comrades. After they had their fun, the serious business of execution commenced as an officer drew his sword and with deft strokes separated the fourteen heads from the bodies. No one was ever punished for this foul deed.Just the fact that you would mention that being beaten as a child justifies the killing of millions of Jews shows how much you're missing the point. Be sure to cite your sources. Link to post Share on other sites
sandwedge 30 Posted February 21, 2007 Share Posted February 21, 2007 Just the fact that you would mention that being beaten as a child justifies the killing of millions of Jews shows how much you're missing the point. Be sure to cite your sources.THE PIG BASKET ATROCITYWhen the Allies capitulated to the Japanese in East Java in 1942, around two hundred Allied soldiers took to the hills around Malang and formed themselves into groups of resistance fighters. Eventually they were rounded up by the Kempetai. The captured soldiers were squeezed into three foot long bamboo pig baskets and transported in five open lorries, under a broiling 38 degree sun, to a rail siding and then transferred in open railway goods wagons to the coast. (Eye witness to this transfer was a 15 year old girl, Elizabeth Van Kempen, who witnessed this while standing together with her father, on a nearby ridge of the mountain Semeru. They could plainly hear the prisoners screaming for help and water. (Miss Kempen's father was later killed by the Kempetai at Malang on March 25, 1945, for hiding weapons and ammunition. Elizabeth Kempen now lives, as of 2004, in Tilburg, Holland)Half dead from thirst and cramp, the captives were carried on board waiting boats which then sailed out to the shark infested waters off the coast of Surabaya. There, the unfortunate prisoners, still enclosed in their bamboo cages, were thrown overboard to the waiting man-eaters. The commander in chief of Japanese forces in Java, General Imamura, was later acquitted of this atrocity in a Netherlands court for lack of evidence. A subsequent Australian Military Court found General Imamura responsible and handed down a sentence of ten years imprisonment.source Link to post Share on other sites
digitalmonkey 929 Posted February 21, 2007 Share Posted February 21, 2007 THE PIG BASKET ATROCITYWhen the Allies capitulated to the Japanese in East Java in 1942, around two hundred Allied soldiers took to the hills around Malang and formed themselves into groups of resistance fighters. Eventually they were rounded up by the Kempetai. The captured soldiers were squeezed into three foot long bamboo pig baskets and transported in five open lorries, under a broiling 38 degree sun, to a rail siding and then transferred in open railway goods wagons to the coast. (Eye witness to this transfer was a 15 year old girl, Elizabeth Van Kempen, who witnessed this while standing together with her father, on a nearby ridge of the mountain Semeru. They could plainly hear the prisoners screaming for help and water. (Miss Kempen's father was later killed by the Kempetai at Malang on March 25, 1945, for hiding weapons and ammunition. Elizabeth Kempen now lives, as of 2004, in Tilburg, Holland)Half dead from thirst and cramp, the captives were carried on board waiting boats which then sailed out to the shark infested waters off the coast of Surabaya. There, the unfortunate prisoners, still enclosed in their bamboo cages, were thrown overboard to the waiting man-eaters. The commander in chief of Japanese forces in Java, General Imamura, was later acquitted of this atrocity in a Netherlands court for lack of evidence. A subsequent Australian Military Court found General Imamura responsible and handed down a sentence of ten years imprisonment.source Ever heard of the Eisenhower Death Camps? Of course you haven't, you're American."Starting in April 1945, the United States Army and the French Army casually annihilated one million [German] men, most of them in American camps . . . Eisenhower's hatred, passed through the lens of a compliant military bureaucracy, produced the horror of death camps unequalled by anything in American history . . . an enormous war crime." -- Col. Ernest F. Fisher, PhD Lt. 101 st Airborne Division, Senior Historian, United States ArmySourceThere's plenty more if you look around. Link to post Share on other sites
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