Posted on 11/08/2014 4:18:54 AM PST by Homer_J_Simpson
Lost in Shangri-La: A True Story of Survival, Adventure, and the Most Incredible Rescue Mission of World War II [Kindle Edition] by Mitchell Zuckoff (free through November 30)
Amazon Best Books of the Month, May 2011: Near the end of World War II, a plane carrying 24 members of the United States military, including nine Women’s Army Corps (WAC) members, crashed into the New Guinea jungle during a sightseeing excursion. 21 men and women were killed. The three survivors--a beautiful WAC, a young lieutenant who lost his twin brother in the crash, and a severely injured sergeant--were stranded deep in a jungle valley notorious for its cannibalistic tribes. They had no food, little water, and no way to contact their military base. The story of their survival and the stunning efforts undertaken to save them are the crux of Lost in Shangri-La, Mitchell Zuckoff’s remarkable and inspiring narrative. Faced with the potential brutality of the Dani tribe, known throughout the valley for its violence, the trio’s lives were dependent on an unprecedented rescue mission--a dedicated group of paratroopers jumped into the jungle to provide aid and medical care, consequently leaving the survivors and paratroopers alike trapped on the jungle floor. A perilous rescue by plane became their only possible route to freedom. A riveting story of deliverance under the most unlikely circumstances, Lost in Shangri-La deserves its place among the great survival stories of World War II.
There is institutionalized duplicity at work. The Germans who worked for Hitler against the Soviets as spies were brought into the OSS/OSI and then the CIA in '47. This was not publicized and was being done vigorously while the high profile Nazis were being tried and executed. We also brought Japanese researchers to the US to develop our NBC programs, and these devils were the ones who committed unspeakable atrocities on Chinese people. We also manned the rocket and space agenda with 'captured' German scientists. For America, duplicity is institutionalized.
I think it was MacArthur exacting a victor’s retribution.
An interesting story as I reread my source:
In 1944, Yamashita was promoted to the rank of general and was sent to the Philippines to command the 14th Area Army in what was called the Army’s decisive battle against the United States. He boasted to the Japanese public that “the only words I spoke to the British Commander during negotiations for the surrender of Singapore were, ‘All I want to hear from you is yes or no.’ I expect to put the same question to [Douglas] MacArthur.” MacArthur’s response to him, as written in MacArthur’s memoir, was that Yamashita was an able commander, but “he talked too much”.
German dispositions in the Ardennes today:
German dispositions in Lorraine:
“we should not have taken them as prisoners.” Under international law and treaty, by not wearing the uniform of a foreign nation, when they take up arms against the armed forces of the United States, they are not entitled to any protection of any kind whatsoever. Including the right to be taken prisoner.
Quite correct. Al Qaeda/ISIS type guerrillas should not be considered POW's or civil criminals. The Geneva Conventions apply to those captured in uniform with rank insignia. There may be intelligence reasons for capturing them alive. They should be tried by military commission and executed, with suitable exceptions for those who provide valuable intelligence.
Lol. Florida and Kansas had the same number of electoral votes.
At this time of the war if obama had been elected then the Germans and the Japanese would eventually win WW2
Here’s some German war crimes that went unpunished as well.
Hadn’t heard this story until today.
http://freerepublic.com/focus/chat/3224947/posts
Interestingly, Justice Murphy also dissented in Koramatsu, the case finding the Japanese internment constitutional.
it seems to me a lot of Japanese war criminals were not prosecuted.
MacArthur probably said it best, “He talks too much.” (and got noticed)
The Filipinos hated just about all the Japanese. There wasn’t much “co” in the Co-Prosperity Sphere.
If Justice Murphy was on the Supreme Court today. FReepers would hate him. Too liberal. However, sometimes I wonder about us. Murphy believed in standing up for the rights of the accused against the State which is the ultimate protection of individual liberty. But those conversations are for another time.
I agree that the really culpable Japanese leaders escaped justice (cough cough “Hirohoto” cough cough) and otherwise honorable scapegoats like Yamashota went under the bus. Well even in victory and retribution, there’s politics.
Did you see The Railway Man? Very interesting movie based on a true story of a British POW in a Japanese camp during WWII. Obviously, it's not a light afternoon at the cinema, but I found it very interesting.
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.