Stabbing a Wounded Friend

[AnDuc49]

This was an article published in the Japanese newspaper Asahi Shinbun. I think that it speaks volumes about some of the Japanese experiences during the war. Mods remove if a foreign veteran recollection is not allowed.

 

Stabbing a Wounded Friend

 

I would like to write about my friend "K", now passed away. At the end of the Pacific War, he was a soldier in the Phillipine Battlefront. Pursued by superior American forces, his company was wandering among the jungles of Luzon. The Manila Defense Headquarters had already retreated deep into the mountains. Heading in that direction, his company had lost a third of its men. Many were wounded.

Passing through the jungle, exposed to the continuous rain and the barrage of gunfire from the American forces, they had to cross over a bald mountain. It was impossible to climb with the wounded. Among the wounded was "M", who was a close friend of "K". He had been shot through the thigh, and the lower half of his body had already turned purple, like a corpse. There were many others who were unable to move and could only wait for death. Those who pleaded, "Take us with you", we're told, "We'll come back to get you," and the company left, climbing the mountain under the cover of night.

Towards dawn, the company finally reached a spot with trees, near the summit. There they made their headquarters. It was then that "K," along with two other soldiers, received the callous order of the company commander. They were told to go down and off any wounded who might still be alive. According to the commander, if any wounded were taken prisoner, they could leak information about the movements of the Japanese forces.

"K" and the others resisted these order. Yet on being told it was necessary to save their own lives, there was nothing they could do. Waiting for night to fall, they went back down to the place where the yet the wounded. A few men were still alive. "M" was among them.

"You came back for us after all," "M" wept with gratitude. Unable to kill him, "K" engaged in a rambling conversation. But the enemy could come at any time. "K" pulled his sword out in the dark and frantically stabbed "M".

"K" said no matter how many years had passed since the War's end, he was unable to rid himself of the heavy burden on his heart.

 

Nakayama Juntarou, sixty-six (m.)

self-employed, Tokyo

[gwb123]

Yes, you are correct. As compelling as this is, it does not belong on the US Militaria Forum.

 

If you wish to post things such as this, you might want to join the Wehrmacht Awards Forum.

 

Despite the name, they have a very active section on Japan.

 

http://www.wehrmacht-awards.com/forums/