Takeichi Nishi....

[jeffk3510]

ORIGINAL: witpqs

ORIGINAL: jeffk3510

ORIGINAL: sprior

I'm sorry guys, I just can't agree that WWII was just a bit of a misunderstanding and that everyone was basically decent, if a bit misguided. I'll just shut up.

I am not saying everyone was decent. I am saying not everyone was a cruel heartless bastard that we think they are.

I think you mistaken in your generalization of what "we" think. I believe the great majority here understand the difference between the generalization, and the degree to which it is valid, and an absolute, which isn't.

I don't me we as in people of this forum.....

[khyberbill]

On the other, other, other hand, my wife's great uncle was a  POW that was on a Japanese ship torpedoed and sunk.  The Japanese would not let any of the oil-covered and (many) injured POWs into the life boats, etc. and smacked them repeatedly with oars if they tried to approach.  The Japanese were picked up and they left the POWs in the water.  Some few were rescued by allied forces.

That man, who for other actions was awarded the Order of the Orange, never would speak to a Japanese national for the rest of his life.

The father of a childhood acquaintance was an Aussie captured in Singapore. He certainly never forgave his treatment or those of fellow prisoners. My wife is Filipino and the story of Japanese treatment of the Filipinos in general and American/Filipino prisoners is grisly. I have read a lot of stories of the Japanese occupation of the Philippines and I dont recall any mention of humanity on the part of the Japanese.