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A True Story about WW2 Geckos,
Friendly Lizards |
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Jeff, I thought you would be
interested in this correspondence.
Every time I see that "Geico"
Insurance commercial on TV I am reminded of days past. This "Geico"
lizard that is walking upright and talking in the commercial is
a spitting image of the lizards we encountered on the Island of
Okinawa during WW2. Just like in the commercial these lizards
had four legs with a rounded head and a tail and they were
everywhere. Of course I never saw them walking upright and they
never talked to us. Ha! I found out from a person who has
recently been to Okinawa that they are called Geckoes. These
little creatures seemed to like us and they would even crawl
into our fox holes to visit us. We didn't mind seeing them
because they would eat the big flies that were everywhere and
bothering us. I suppose because of all the death on the island
the flies were big and terribly bloated. The Geckoes ate so many
of these flies they pooped everywhere including in our holes but
even this was better than putting up with those terribly bloated
flies. We had learned not to swat the flies and I'm sure you can
reason why we didn't. They were especially pesky when we
were eating. There were also big flying cockroaches on the
Island and the Geckoes had a little trouble trying to eat these
things but I have seen them accomplish it. I must admit we did
greet them with [hello little buddy] and talk to the little fellas but they never uttered a word. If talking to these
little guys causes you to think maybe we had almost lost it I
would not argue with that assessment.
Bob
July 2009, Norma and I
are at one of John and Cyndy's stage production sitting on front row seats waiting for the curtains to open. This
was a 2 1/2 hour production with a
15 minute
intermission. The tickets were sold out and it was a
great performance that featured talented singers, musicals,
comedy, and dancers. |
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Wow! Everything he said
is sooo TRUE! There are sooo many Gecko's on Okinawa! We
have tons running around our house... at first it freaked us
out, but everyone we talked to explained it was GOOD to have
them in your house because A) They're considered good
luck... and B) Because they eat all the pesky cockroaches
and spiders that also inhabit our home. In the classroom at
school, it's not unusual to have one running among the
lights. The kids freak out, but we just explain to them why
it's good to have them in there. In the summer time, every
time I sit in my chair outside... I have one run up my leg,
or out from under the chair. They also like to hang out in
our grill, so when it comes time to take the cover off I
stay back and let Andy yank it off really fast. HAHA! |
Thanks for sharing the story, I love hearing about life on
Okinawa during WW2. Ever since we went on the WW2 tour, the
stories and such make much more sense! During the tour we
got to explore the underground tunnels, Hacksaw ridge, the
Battle of Okinawa museum with lot's of artifacts from
the war, and we also went down to "Peace Prayer Park".... it
has hundreds of large plaques with the names of the
Americans and Japanese lost in the war. A very moving
experience. Mom got to go on the tour as well, and she
enjoyed hearing about and SEEING the history that lies on
the island. They told us a statistic that they are STILL, to
this day, removing 1,000 TONS of ammunition and unexploded
bombs from the
island EVERYDAY. I find that remarkable. It was
such a down pouring of bombs after bombs after bombs for
weeks and weeks, that 50 years later they're still trying to
clear the ammunition from the ground. Anyway, hope all is
well! Thanks for the
Christmas card!
We just got it... mail has been RIDICULOUSLY slow... but at
least it finally got here! =) Love you guys so much and
miss you!
Love, Dy |
From: Robert Shackles
Sent: Wed, June 1, 2011 11:51:29 AM
Subject: Ie Shima
Ross you may be interested in this because your dad may have seen
this too. It was sometime during the latter part of May and I was on
Okinawa. During a lul in the fighting I had a clear view of Ie Shima.
One of the shore Duckas [Ducks] was Heading from Okinawa to Ie Shima
with something when the Japs came over Okinawa on a bombing attack.
One of the Jap planes noticed the American Duck heading for Ie Shima
and started strafing it. That Duck was whirling around in circles
and that Jap never hit it. I bet when the guys on that little
Duck got to shore they had to wash their shorts in the ocean. Ha!
Really not funny but one of those once in a lifetime
experiences. I bet that Jap was frustrated when he called off the
attack. It had been raining tons but I remember the ocean was very
calm and it was a beautiful warm slightly overcast day when this
happened.
I have often thought about those guys on that Duck. I wonder if they
all survived that conflict?
Bob |
Sent: Thursday, June 02, 2011 3:27 PM
To: Robert Shackles
Subject: Re: Ie Shima
That's a great story, Bob, though undoubtedly quite painful for the
participants. I never heard my Dad tell it, and unfortunately, he's
not here to ask. Somewhere I recall a story of several GIs heading
over to Minna Shima on a raft from Ie, getting stuck there, and
having to spend the night. They returned safely to Ie Shima the next
day, but much of the military had been out looking for them.
When I took my Mom to Ie Shima in 2002, we were both struck by the
beauty of the place. Very colorful sea and sky, and plenty of warm
sunlight. Obviously, none of thsat came through the few black and
white photos we'd seen from 1945. In fact, we took separate rooms at
the YYY Club, near Ie's east end on the south shore, and Mom slept
out on her balcony at night, saying it more closely resembled Dad's
experience.
Ross |
To: Robert Shackles
Ross, after the rainy season was over and the mud dried up you and
your mother are describing the way I remember Okinawa during the
day. During the night when we were hunkered down in our holes we
could always hear the rumble of distant artillery as other units
were engaged with the enemy and we could hear the distant roar of
the engines as the B-17s and B-29s were coming in for a landing or
taking off on a mission over Japan. The night sky was peaceful and
beautiful with all the bright stars, and the light balmy ocean
breeze was delightful. We were usually two in a hole and one slept
as the other stood guard. Thanks for the memories. I’m happy that
you and your mom were able to visit Ie Shima. I’m sorry Ross I did
not know your father is no longer living. You and your mother have
my heart felt sympathy. Sadly old father time has depleted the ranks
of WW2 veterans and at our age those of us living realize there is a
constant roll call and in the near future we will all be history. We
are passing the baton to a younger generation and our prayer is they
can preserve their freedoms and live in peace. God Bless America!
Happy Trails
Bob |
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VJ day as you know was August 14, 1945 and I was aboard ship on this
day heading back to the States. The Captain of the ship
announced the Japanese surrender over the ships intercom
system. We were not surprised because we were told
victory was only a few day away when we were being sent
home. We were still uneasy during our trip home because
we did not believe all the Japanese submarines that were
out looking for us had received their surrender orders
yet. The Captain also told us that he had his orders to
prepare for the invasion of Japan but the orders were
suddenly put on hold until he was ordered to leave
Okinawa and return to the States. |
We were
extremely happy with this announcement because none of us felt we
would survive the invasion. We were thankful for those atomic bombs
that ended the bloodshed. Yes, it's reported that 180 thousand
Japanese civilians died as a result of dropping the bombs but the
War Department also reports that 200 thousand civilians and soldiers
died in the three month battle at Okinawa and I have no problem with
those figures. Because of my experience fighting at Okinawa I ask
only that people think how many of us, and how many Japanese
civilians would have died during the invasion of Japan where the
Japanese people [civilians and military] were willing to die
defending their homeland. The only people I here condemning America
for dropping the bombs are the Japanese and those Americans who were
not fighting to defend our home front and our way of life, but who
today [both Americans & Japanese] are able to enjoy their freedom to
condemn us without mentioning the facts about what could have been.
Click below
BobJUST THINK HOW THIS YOUNG LADY FELT WHEN SHE DISCOVERED
THE VIDEO HER FATHER SHOT
Great video of a Spontaneous Victory Parade in Honolulu in 1945.
Take a look at this video-absolutely fabulous! Notice the cars and
jeeps, youth. The guys in khaki or gray shirts and black ties are
Navy officers or chiefs. The rest are Army or Marine. How young they
all were to do what they did. This guy really captured a moment in
history! (You can listen to Jimmy Durante singing "I'll be Seeing
You" in the background, too) This is a super video of a time past -
we need to remember and be THANKFUL. Check out the color fidelity.
It's not bad for 1945. Nothing will ever compare with Kodachrome
film.
VJ Day, Honolulu Hawaii, August 14, 1945 from
Richard Sullivan on
Vimeo.
65 Years Ago my Dad shot this film along Kalakaua Ave. in Waikiki capturing spontaneous celebrations that broke out upon first hearing news of the Japanese surrender.
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