98 Rock by junge1
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No AI - This artwork was created entirely by hand or with traditional digital tools.
Description
After the December 7, 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, Wake Island, about 2,300 miles west of Hawaii and 1,300 miles East of Guam, also came under attack, and after stiff resistance by US Marines stationed there fell to the Japanese on 23 December 1941. It remained under Japanese control until 4 September 1945.
The Japanese took about 1,600 prisoners (450 military and 1,150 civilians).
During January 1942 all military prisoners and about 750 civilians prisoners were transported to Prisoner of War (POW) camps in China and Japan.
The remaining prisoners on Wake Island were utilized by the Japanese building island fortifications, such as revetments and bunkers. In September 1942, all remaining prisoners except 98 heavy equipment operators were transported to POW camps in China.
The Japanes sustained food shortages and sickness during that time and the American civilian POW had outlived their usefulness. They were excecuted at this location on 5 October 1943 by orders of Admiral Sakaibara.The inscription '98/U.S.P.W./5-10-43' was scratched into the coral rock by one of the prisoners, later recaptured and also executed.
This fact remained unknown to the American authorities until after the war.
Admiral Sakaibara was tried and found guilty for this atrocity and executed by hanging on 19 June 1947.
This picture, with yours truly perched on the rock, was taken in March 1990 and later scanned.
Thank you for viewing and commenting on my uploads and a special 'Thank you' to those that may have added some of them to their favs,
Sig...
Comments (32)
I had no idea. Thank you for telling us. Great shot!!
I remember watching about this on History channel. War is always tragic. Really wish we people could learn to resolve our difference in other ways. Great bit of memorabilia!
a sad story indeed ! Thanks for the info ! Great capture !
Excellent and interesting shot. Thanks for the informations too.
fabulous history lesson. excellent photo!
A special story...glad you got this photo and filled us in on the details.
Excellent shot, fantastic colors and details
Thank you for the history. Such a horrible event, such misery in such a beautiful setting.
Thank you for sharing a little known episode of WW2. I can't say the pic is "beautiful", because actually it's much more!!!!!
So interesting, Sig!
Sig the Rock stands for a lot and yours truly looks good on the Rock!
Thanks for the informations! Interesting capture..love it :)
wow so sad war have to be. cool shot of you
Sitting on a lot of history! ;)
Awesome shot and info., thanks for sharing!!!!
Esplendida captura, excelente info, aplausos (5)
A very sad story; you shared it well.
I prefer the fly-by over the bridge, great picture tho.
Such a sad thing and that all due to War.Awesome capture my friend.
@duncanoooo. I think you took it!
great capture and sad story sig and nice picture of you..
Fastantic work, xcellent!!! Interesting history!!!
nice shot...
first a beautiful shot,and the information and story is fascinating for me as i study a bit (since my youth)WWII. but in this story lays the whole ridiculness of war and brutality.strong brother.
Jolie photo!
very interesting info .. lovely shot !!
A famous place. I actually know more about Wake Is that Pearl. Handful of of Marine pilots flying Wildcats etc..... It goes on. Such bravery. The American Dunkirk that never was! So few people - should of got them off. But that is history. Same could be said for other battles elsewhere. I'm off now.... Stop me! Interesting and moral picture! well done, my friend. Rob.
Nice capture!
Excellent historic capture, well done!!!
wonderful shot and story