There was something I just read by Erich Hartmann. He was the Ace of Aces, in any nation of any war. Flying for the Luftwaffe, he shot down 352 aircraft. He was barely in his 20's when he was captured by the Soviets following the war.
War is terrible, and terrible things happen. Listen to this from an interview of him in 1995 before he died:
"We went 8 days without any food and then were told we were to be moved. All of us, even women and children were taken to an open field. The trucks stopped, and there were Soviet troops there waiting for us. The Russians then separated the women and girls from the men, and the most horrible things happened, which I cannot say here. We saw this, the Americans saw this, and we could do nothing to stop it. Men who fought like lions cried like babies at the sight of complete strangers being raped repeatedly. A couple of girls managed to run to a truck, and the Americans pulled them in, but the Russians---most were drunk---pointed their guns at the allies and fired a few shots. Then the truck drivers decided to drive away quickly. Some women were shot after the rapes. Others were not so lucky. I remember a 12-year old girl whose mother had been raped by several soldiers. She died from these acts soon afterward. Then, more Russians came, and it began all over again and lasted through the night. During the night, several families committed suicide, men killing their wives and daughters, then themselves. I still cannot believe the things as I speak now. I know many will never believe this story, but it is true."
Afterward, Hartmann was tortured and held prisoner by the Soviets for 10 years after the war...but said this:
"Never allow yourself to hate a people because of the actions of a few. Hatred and bigotry destroyed my nation, and millions died. I would hope that most people did not hate Germans because of the NAZIs, or Americans because of slaves. Never hate, it only eats you alive.
Very interesting post. Thank you for sharing it.
My father, to his credit, was among the many WWII Pacific War veterans who did not harbor post-war resentment or prejudice against the Japanese. Of course, I would not have blamed him if he had. There are POWs I know of who could not shake their hatred, and who could blame them?
My father had tremendous respect for the Japanese up until the day he died - but I know which side he would be on in this discussion were he here to participate.
The Japanese culture in 1942 was not what it is today. It's important to keep that factor in mind.