In my research into the General Reconnaissance Squadrons of the RNZAF, I have talked with many veterans who served at Guadalcanal as it was one of the RNZAF's main bases for its bombes and fighters. Some have said that long after the fighting there died down, there were still Japanese soldiers in the jungle subsisting and occasionally sniping at Allied troops on the airfield. The Battle of Guadalcanal was officially declared won by the Allies on the 9th of February 1943, the announcement saying that the Japanese who had not already been taken off the island had been taken prisoner. But I'd like to know is it true that bands of Japs were still in the jungle near to the Allied camps well afetr that date? If so, how many of them were there approximately? A handful or hundreds? A rumour I have heard a few times was that they snuck onto the airfield in search of food often, and that in some cases they would attempt to join the chow line to get food from the Mess. That sounds like a great story, but I don't know if it's true at all. It seems unlikely.
The Battle of Guadalcanal was officially declared won by the Allies on the 9th of February 1942 - you probably mean 1943...... I presume you have already checked the NZETC - Operations from Guadalcanal, November 1942-February 1943 No real info on remaining Japanese soldiers so far: On 9 February the American Command discovered that the Japanese activity of the previous weeks had been not a prelude to an offensive but a cover for the evacuation of their troops on Guadalcanal. Allied intelligence estimates of the numbers of men who had been landed by the Tokyo Express were completely at fault since the destroyers, instead of bringing in personnel, had been carrying them out. Except for stragglers and a rearguard, all the Japanese on the island had been evacuated by 8 February. The operation must be counted one of the most successful bluffs of the war, for by making the Allies take up defensive positions and halt their offensive operations the Japanese were enabled to complete their evacuation with little interference from the American land forces.
In my research into the General Reconnaissance Squadrons of the RNZAF, I have talked with many veterans who served at Guadalcanal as it was one of the RNZAF's main bases for its bombes and fighters. Some have said that long after the fighting there died down, there were still Japanese soldiers in the jungle subsisting and occasionally sniping at Allied troops on the airfield. The Battle of Guadalcanal was officially declared won by the Allies on the 9th of February 1942, the announcement saying that the Japanese who had not already been taken off the island had been taken prisoner. But I'd like to know is it true that bands of Japs were still in the jungle near to the Allied camps well afetr that date? If so, how many of them were there approximately? A handful or hundreds? A rumour I have heard a few times was that they snuck onto the airfield in search of food often, and that in some cases they would attempt to join the chow line to get food from the Mess. That sounds like a great story, but I don't know if it's true at all. It seems unlikely. No rumor, your info is correct. last man to hold out (confirmed) held until 1947. here is an excellent web site on the subject: Japanese Holdouts: Registry Although a couple of years out of school, I still remember Onoda comming out of the jungle on Mindoro in 1980. Regards simon
Hi This is something I would not have thought possible!!! I have been in boats going past Vella Lavella many times. It is not a big island, it takes about 40 minutes to run its length in a dinghy powered by a 40hp out board motor. It is not a wide island nor are there any really high mountains. I guess back in the post war period the populations were not as high as they are now and so there was more isolated pockets of bush in which to hide. Guadalcanal, Isabel, Choiseul I can imagine the chance of holdouts as they are bigger islands with some water and food, but Kolumbangara, it seems too small and the terrain is so steep. In the mid-nineties on Seleo Island just off the coast of Aitape in north west PNG, I met a fellow who was senile. The locals said he was a Japanese soldier and they had hidden him while the Americans and Australians were there. He had a local wife and a parcel of kids and grandchildren. He did look different - stature and skin colour - although he certainly had gone local. I think I took a photo but it would be in Australia, this was before digital cameras
