Posted on 12/20/2010 5:06:13 PM PST by SunkenCiv
Naoto Kan became only the second Japanese prime minister to visit the World War II battlefield of Iwo Jima Tuesday. He came to pay his respects to over 21,000 Japanese soldiers who fell in battle on the Pacific island -- many whose bodies are only now being recovered by archaeologist on the island.
The battle of Iwo Jima began on February 19, 1945, and continued to March 26, 1945...
The Imperial Japanese Army positions on the island were heavily fortified, with vast bunkers, hidden artillery, and 18 kilometers (11 mi) of tunnels. The battle was the first U.S. attack on the Japanese Home Islands and the Imperial soldiers defended their positions tenaciously. Of the 21,000 Japanese soldiers present at the beginning of the battle, over 20,000 were killed and only 1,083 taken prisoner.
Two mass graves were discovered on the volcanic isle by civilian search teams in October, more than sixty-five years after the five fierce weeks of fighting that culminated in an American victory. The graves -- one at the foot of Mount Suribachi, where U.S. troops famously raised their flags -- are thought to contain, together, the remains of up to 2,200 men.
Archeologists are now engaged in the grim task to exhume the bodies in addition to trying to get enough evidence to help identify the bodies... The Japanese government has said any remains uncovered which might be one of 218 America soldiers still missing they will immediately notify the American government...
The decision by the Government and Prime Minister Kan is a bold step to help address and bury the shame along with the guilt associated with the defeat not only at Iwo Jima but for the war in general...
(Excerpt) Read more at archnews.co.uk ...
Thanks!
Agreed.
Me too.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.