Onoda Hiroo. No Surrender.

Onoda Hiroo. No Surrender, Naval Institute Press, 1999

Although Onoda’s story was well known as Japanese “La Comte de Monte-Cristo,” there are some dubious points in his tale. Above all, did he really believe continuation of the war? According to his description, Onoda could get fairly information through newspaper, magazine and radio even in jungle. Nevertheless, it is fabulous that he didn’t accept to surrender because believing them US propaganda. Judging from his tale (his book was maybe written by ghostwriter based on his narrative), Onoda and his fellow clearly not only plunder of islanders but also killed some Philippine soldiers and islanders through 30 years. Therefore he may be afraid to be executed by Philippine after his surrender. I think his suspicious and fear of execution made his jungle life extend beyond belief.
Onoda’s case was typical of bad customs of Japanese military. He received special training for covert operation and understood how was propaganda well, but he blindly believed in what his superior ordered, and didn’t stop fighting. He was the same as other Imperial soldiers who chose suicide after denying advice of surrender. He was at the young of 24 in 1945 and inexperienced as soldier. His analysis of information was wrong though he was trained propaganda operation. After all, his youth, inexperience and blindly belief of Imperial Japan involved his men who could have survived the war. His case was quite exceptional. Many soldiers in the southern front threw away their weapon and chose alive when they heard the Japan’s defeat. Japanese organization’s bad custom (denying surrender and blindly obeying superior’s order) combined with Onoda’s unique career and character made this tragedy.