The story of the soldier who fought for 30 years without knowing World War Two had ended
A special mission
At the beginning of the war, Japan captured numerous islands in the Philippines, both big and small. Most of the first major battles happened on these islands, this was where Hiroo was dispatched to. From Manila, Hiroo received orders from the famous general Takahashi who told him “Trainee officer Onoda will be sent to Lubang island, where he will lead the Lubang garrison into a mercenary group”. The general also added “It is absolutely forbidden to die of your own accord. It could take 3 years, 5 years, but whatever happens, we will come to find you. Until then, as long as you are a soldier, you will continue to lead. It may be you will have to live off of coconuts. If that’s the case, you will live off of coconuts ! Under any circumstances are you allowed to end your own life voluntarily”. Things were not going to be as easy as anticipated for Hiroo.