Today I Learned Some Russian in Okinawa, Japan (Photos)

Today I was out wandering around with the Canon G12 and ran across this thing.

And, I took this photo so I wouldn't forget, I learned a Russian word.

TOCHKA

That's Russian for a "Point" or "Hub" describing an important position in a battle.

So, what we have here is a picture of a Tochka.

It's a little concrete building that three people can hang out in and shoot their guns out the two windows if anybody comes along and tries to take it away from them.

This one is still standing but got lots of bullet damage during World War II.

And, nobody was home when I looked in there.

So, I figured nobody would mind if I shot this sign, too.  It helps me remember.

The location of this Tochka is Kakazu Village in Okinawa, Japan.

Back in school days, I heard about the war and I knew the US and Japan fought over this island.

 Sadly, many Okinawan people were killed in the battle.

Today, I learned the Russian word, tochka.

Now, I'm wondering.  Were the Russians here, too?

GOOGLE MAP LOCATION

Leaving this Cave in Okinawa had to Feel Great: A Photo Essay

To appreciate what it must feel like being bombed into the Stone Age it's probably best to show you this cave from the inside, looking out.  Welcome to a cave called Shimuku Gama in Yomitan Okinawa, Japan.

Over a thousand residents of Yomitan Village took shelter in this cave during the battle of Okinawa 1945.

With no flashlights or electricity this is the only daylight visible from inside Shimuku Gama.  It's dark.

The only nice thing about this natural bombshelter is the watersupply; it runs right through the front door.

Outside, to the left of the main entrance, this area could be considered the patio; it's covered, sort of.

A little bit to the right of the monument in this photo is the path that you would take to enter the cave.

The monument recognizes two men, I think we should call heroes, Heiji and his nephew Heizo Higa.

The occupying forces of the Japanese Imperial Army had instructed the civilians who took shelter in the cave to kill themselves rather than be captured when American forces arrived at the cave.

When the Americans arrived at the entrance to Shimuku Gama, the Okinawan residents were perpared to take their own lives. 

They had been told they would be tortured, mutilated and raped by the American beasts and belived it.

Heiji and Heizo convinced them otherwise.  They had both lived and worked with Americans in Hawaii and knew that US soldiers would not harm unarmed civilians. Not one civilian from this cave died.

Unfortunately, that wasn't the case in many other caves during World War II.

Leaving this cave in Okinawa had to feel great.

REFERENCES:

SURVIVORS REMEMBER COMMOTION THEN CALM INSIDE OKINAWA CAVE

COMPULSORY SUICIDES DURING BATTLE OF OKINAWA


RELATED LINK: REMINDER OF WAR IN OKINAWA

 

Memorial Day Tribute: Ernie Pyle the Writer

Memorial Day brings back memories of beach parties, barbeques, parades, ceremonies, speeches, wreath-laying and flag-waving for our veterans and those who gave their lives in the line of duty.

          A recent visit to Ie Shima Island in Okinawa, Japan reminded me of Ernie Pyle the writer.


There's probably not much I can add to what has already been written about a man who was awarded the Pulitzer Prize as a war correspondent.  I'd say he was a people-person and he could connect with and write about them in a style that has never been duplicated, anywhere, since.

Ernie Pyle followed the foot soldiers, during World War II, all over Europe and Africa. He wrote about the grunts (guys in the trenches) and their daily lives.  Hundreds of newspapers printed his articles and he could have thrown away his typewriter and lived in style after the European Campaign.

But, Ernie went on to cover the Pacific Campaign of the war, too. And he died during the battle of Okinawa.

Memorial Day was designated a National Holiday for remembering those members of the armed forces who died serving their country.  I remember.  I want everyone to remember Ernie Pyle along with them. 

It wasn't just the 77th Infantry Division that lost a buddy 18 April 1945.  Everybody lost a buddy that day.

REFERENCES:

ERNIE PYLE

AMERICA AT WAR


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