Firing Squads

[Paul in NZ]

I second that.

Also, just on a side note, looking back at what happened 50+ years ago, we can't judge anyone for their actions. At that point in time it was the right thing to do, and I suppose admitting this on a public forum will earn some harsh comments ect, but I think I would have done the same.

If you saw combat in WW2 and came through, you no doubt saw at least 3 of your friends die, thats enough to change any mans outlook on life.

Probably true! Particularly in NZ!

I think it's great to have rules of combat to at least try and keep people in check but I still think it's a bit of a laugh going on about the Japs and the Nazis when some of the people on the winning side were every bit as bad!

The Russians vs the Germans - Holy crap! 21,000,000 died! Not all from combat either!

The Partisans? Feck! Some vets I know reckon that anything the SS could dream of paled besides Titos Partisans revenge...

So I try not to judge and desperately try to avoid these conflicts. They add very little to the human condition.

[Sniper]

The Russians vs the Germans - Holy crap! 21,000,000 died! Not all from combat either!

And half the russian deaths were attributed to officers killing their soldiers when they refused to fight or retreated.

[Oscar]

Today I was lucky enough to see a collection of photographs of an old soldier.
These were scanned and nicely preserved.

The problem is, these were photographs of European Soldiers, Executing by 2 or three man firing squad, UNIFORMED japanese soldiers.

With lovely little footnotes about the nasty nipponese empire/soldier they were killing, and the autographs of the shooters.

Now I now damn well New Zealanders were also guilty of this, but tell me, isn't that a war crime? A crime against Humanity?

And some of these people we called heroes, they lived distinguished lives. But they would shoot an anarmed man, in their captivity, in cold blood!!

WTF??

They were very graphic, you could see the look of fear on the Japanese faces, and then the anguish on the face, as after they had been shot, they spun to the ground. Dammit, the smug whitey bastards that didn't actually shoot were sitting around with great smiles on their faces, watching and applauding. This is only 5 guys at most, but, I am just like, disgusted, and feel dirtied, that people should do that, and be proud of doing it.

Hot blood, war, killing etc, I can understand that, but cold blood for entertainment?? Far Koff!!

Whats your thoughts people?

Many Japanese were executed for war crimes after the war, usually after a fair trial. I think you'll find that's you're looking at...