World War II was the bloodiest military conflict in history of mankind. For six years, from 1939 to 1945, millions of people died in warzones all across the globe. The end of the war brought so much sought-after respite, in all senses. People of all nations found peace which they desperately needed; this has kickstarted multiple aspects of peaceful growth – civil economy, culture, tourism.
However, although the most of both civilians and soldiers could finally take a deep breath and start thinking of long-term plans in peace, the war was not over for everyone. In fact, official records indicate that the last Word War II combatant, Hiroo Onoda, surrendered as late as 1974 – almost 30 years since the end of the war.
Hiroo was not the only soldier who refused to end the war in 1945. He was part of what is known as the Japanese holdouts – “Zanryū nipponhei”, or “remaining Japanese soldiers”. When Japan – the last Axis power in play – surrendered in August 1945, these stragglers, located in the Pacific Theatre, either simple never received the message of the surrender due to cut communications or refused to believe it – Japanese culture had strong principles, which valued following orders and fighting to the death over surrender.
Some of them were lone survivors, some retained groups with basic command structure. While most fought the remaining enemy forces in the area, and then local police when the rest of the world became demilitarized, others volunteered during the First Indochina War and Indonesian War of Independence. These regions were involved in colonial ambitions of Japan, and in the holdouts’ minds it was better for them to be free then to be controlled by Western powers.
Some soldiers preferred not to actively engage in combat, but simply to survive. The CNN tells the story of Hiroo Onoda, one the most well-known holdouts:
"While most of the Japanese troops on the island withdrew or surrendered in the face of oncoming American forces, Onoda and a few fellow holdouts hid in the jungles, dismissing messages saying the war was over. For 29 years, he survived on food gathered from the jungle or stolen from local farmers. After losing his comrades to various circumstances, Onoda was eventually persuaded to come out of hiding in 1974. He returned to Japan, where he received a hero's welcome, a figure from a different era emerging into post-war modernity. But anger remained in the Philippines, where he was blamed for multiple killings."
On one hand it is fascinating to read how these men managed to survive for decades in the wild – and not just survive, but keep their weapons and uniform in working order – now that’s dedication. But in reality these men and their determination were a danger to civilians and killed the peaceful population. The New York Times wrote:
"The last holdout, Lieutenant Onoda, officially declared dead in 1959, was found by Norio Suzuki, a student searching for him, in 1974. The lieutenant rejected Mr. Suzuki’s pleas to go home, insisting he was still awaiting orders. Mr.Suzuki returned with photographs, and the Japanese government sent a delegation, including the lieutenant’s brother and his former commander, to relieve him of duty formally."
Onoda’s story had a happy end. Still wearing his uniform, albeit very weathered, he presented his ceremonial sword to the president of the Philippines, who “pardoned him for crimes committed while he thought he was at war”. Onoda successfully rejoined the society; he died from pneumonia in 2014. There were still unconfirmed reports of other holdouts being active as late as 1980s; likelihood of someone surviving today is unlikely.
