Korean Job Discussion Forums

[kimchi_pizza]

You ought to read Flags of Our Fathers by James Bradley (son of one of the flagraisers). It doesn't show the viewpoint of the Japanese, but it does a great job of showing what it was like for soldiers of that time returning home and trying to live a "normal" life.

James Bradley's father, Jack Bradley, is a prime example of how a real man bears up and moves on with his life despite witnessing and participating in one of the more gruesome battles of the war. Post traumatic stress? He makes men of this generation look like a bunch'a bedwetters.

Depression-era raised and soldier of one of the greatest(worst?) wars. Men of that generation like my grandfather (fought in the Phillipines) are real heros. My grandfather never shared his experiences either until just before his death and I was a soldier at that time as well so I really appreciate what he and many others did for his family, country and even the world.

I still would like the see the Japanese view, but with virtually no survivors and proabably few documents found, I gotta doubt the accuracy a bit. Only thing left to tell their tale were their letters!

[bluelake]

When my dad went back to Iwo for the 50th anniversary, back in 1995, there were several Japanese survivors who attended (and also many widows).

[JeJuJitsu]

Great flick. Ken Wantanabe might be the best actor alive, although I thought he was even better in Last Samurai.

[Ya-ta Boy]

Vaguely related:

If you ever run across a small book called "Last Letters From Stalingrad", grab it. The letters are from the German soldiers. Great read.