Post by fots2 on Nov 2, 2010 0:18:28 GMT 8
Recently some books were mentioned so I thought I might add a couple local ones. I occasionally check out stores for books written by Filipinos to read first-hand accounts of their wartime memories.
One book I bought a few years ago details the day to day experiences of a student lawyer in Manila. One chapter mentions a friend who was a Scout officer who had fought on Bataan. After the Japanese pardoned the Filipino soldiers he met his friend shortly after his return to Manila. The Scout was thoroughly disgusted with some of his country men who refused food and water to them during the Death March unless they paid for it. You don’t hear that comment very often. I forgot the book in the old country and can’t remember its name right now. Someday I’ll find it again.
Here are two recent finds:
Jungle Of No Mercy, Memoir of a Japanese Soldier by Hiroyuki Mizuguchi (published in 2010)
The author, a Japanese citizen, moved to the Philippines when he was 12 years old. He grew up in Davao where both of his parents were working. Ten years later WWII broke out and he eventually became an interpreter for the Kenpeitai assisting during raids etc. Later in the book he is in Manila and then in northern Luzon until the Japanese surrender there. Today he is still living in Davao.
At one point on Page 40, the author states that “they (the Kenpeitai) were kind and gentle and I liked working for them”. Elsewhere he says “what happened to those in the stockade is best forgotten”. That comment kind of sets the pace for the rest of the book. Few details are provided of anything negative regarding the author’s actions.
This book is not too bad but it reminds me of the text Victor posted about a Japanese officer during the Battle of Bataan. That officer was a field officer who fought extensively throughout the battle and later interacted with POWs. Never once did he mention experiencing or participating in atrocities against prisoners. That and this new book seem like “self-censored” stories to me. I am not saying that Mr. Mizuguchi participated in such atrocities but to skim over the few events he mentions seems like a dis-service to history. (My humble opinion).
It Took Four Years for the Rising Sun to Set by Joaquin L. Garcia (published in 2009, Second Edition)
The author, a seven year old boy at the time, recounts his experiences living in south Manila throughout the war.
Take a look at this photo and caption on page 18.
Note the caption. “Bataan AND CORREGIDOR prisoners”. In 2009, how can the author and the publishers TWICE let this misinformation get past them?
For the most part the book was a bit boring but redeemed itself when it covered the 1945 Battle for Manila. Well worth reading.
One book I bought a few years ago details the day to day experiences of a student lawyer in Manila. One chapter mentions a friend who was a Scout officer who had fought on Bataan. After the Japanese pardoned the Filipino soldiers he met his friend shortly after his return to Manila. The Scout was thoroughly disgusted with some of his country men who refused food and water to them during the Death March unless they paid for it. You don’t hear that comment very often. I forgot the book in the old country and can’t remember its name right now. Someday I’ll find it again.
Here are two recent finds:
Jungle Of No Mercy, Memoir of a Japanese Soldier by Hiroyuki Mizuguchi (published in 2010)
The author, a Japanese citizen, moved to the Philippines when he was 12 years old. He grew up in Davao where both of his parents were working. Ten years later WWII broke out and he eventually became an interpreter for the Kenpeitai assisting during raids etc. Later in the book he is in Manila and then in northern Luzon until the Japanese surrender there. Today he is still living in Davao.
At one point on Page 40, the author states that “they (the Kenpeitai) were kind and gentle and I liked working for them”. Elsewhere he says “what happened to those in the stockade is best forgotten”. That comment kind of sets the pace for the rest of the book. Few details are provided of anything negative regarding the author’s actions.
This book is not too bad but it reminds me of the text Victor posted about a Japanese officer during the Battle of Bataan. That officer was a field officer who fought extensively throughout the battle and later interacted with POWs. Never once did he mention experiencing or participating in atrocities against prisoners. That and this new book seem like “self-censored” stories to me. I am not saying that Mr. Mizuguchi participated in such atrocities but to skim over the few events he mentions seems like a dis-service to history. (My humble opinion).
It Took Four Years for the Rising Sun to Set by Joaquin L. Garcia (published in 2009, Second Edition)
The author, a seven year old boy at the time, recounts his experiences living in south Manila throughout the war.
Take a look at this photo and caption on page 18.
Note the caption. “Bataan AND CORREGIDOR prisoners”. In 2009, how can the author and the publishers TWICE let this misinformation get past them?
For the most part the book was a bit boring but redeemed itself when it covered the 1945 Battle for Manila. Well worth reading.