This reminds me of some isolated Japanese soldiers who still thought the war was going on long after that, something like 20 or even 30 years afterwards. I vaguely remember reading about it in the papers when one was eventually persuaded it was safe to go home. This was a long time ago now & I don't remember the details.

Thanks Mark. 1974, almost 30 years after the war ended. The old memory isn't playing tricks after all.

Unfortunately the links on Mark's webpage seem to be dead. Try this. It's a fascinating story. http://history1900s.about.com/library/weekly/aa120700a.htm

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Ah yes but they did fight & 3 2 of them died. Did you read my link? http://history1900s.about.com/library/weekly/aa120700a.htm

I remember hearing or reading about this when it happened ('74). I also recall reports of Japanese on a 'remote Philipino Island' still waging war against the locals. But they couldn't find them. 

I've always intended to buy Onoda's book but have never seen it on a shelf (if I had, I would certainly have bought it).   

This bloke must have got some pile of back-pay!!!! I suppose that's what he 'bought the farm' with (not colloquially...... ).

In fact, there were many, many incidents for the first few years after the war, where Japanese in remote areas had to be 'coaxed' out and told that the war had been over for 'so many' years. But the stories and accounts died off around 1950, when the vast majority had been found or surrendered for one reason or other. This one is most certainly a 'stunning' exception.

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When you consider that they were responsible for the deaths and wounding of so man locals, it gives you an idea of how active (although it was 30 years) they were.

They would have been consumate experts at camouflage and evading capture and hiding etc. It's no wonder it took so long to find him.

I would like to know if the ammo that he had was still 'safe' to use. Up till recently, I had need of a handgun and was required to get rid of my ammo (either use it or trade it at the armoury) after it reached 2 years old!!!! Is 30 year old ammo reliable and further more, liable to backfire etc?   ???