Japanese Caves & Hideouts of Guam!!! | History Traveler Episode 240

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  • Опубликовано: 3 янв 2025

Комментарии • 267

  • @TheHistoryUnderground
    @TheHistoryUnderground  2 года назад +5

    If you've watched a few episodes and feel like I've earned it, be sure to subscribe so that you don't miss any new content when it comes out.
    Also be sure to check out The Gettysburg Museum of History and their store at gettysburgmuseumofhistory.com. Thanks!!!

  • @Mondo762
    @Mondo762 2 года назад +45

    My father, an Army Combat Engineer, was involved in the cave fighting on both Guam and Okinawa. He only mentioned it a few times over the years but I could see it had a heavy affect on him. It was the worst part of fighting in the Pacific for him.

    • @TheHistoryUnderground
      @TheHistoryUnderground  2 года назад +1

      Horrifying.

    • @justinweaver8787
      @justinweaver8787 2 года назад +1

      A thank u to ur father for his service.

    • @1psychofan
      @1psychofan 2 года назад +3

      Wow! My grandfather served in the pacific, he wouldn’t talk about it….Shortly before he passed he did, then said never again! It was always painful for him

    • @kingmelancholy3201
      @kingmelancholy3201 2 года назад +3

      My Great Grandfather was deployed to Guam also, don’t know much about what he saw and experienced but I know he was wounded and had to have a mesh screen put in his abdomen to prevent his guts from coming out. Would’ve loved to hear more from him.

    • @1psychofan
      @1psychofan 2 года назад +1

      @@kingmelancholy3201 your grandfather is certainly a hero. I know my grandfather was at Guadal Canal, and other battles in the PTO. I don’t know about Guam.

  • @joestrangio3603
    @joestrangio3603 2 года назад +50

    Another excellent episode, especially interesting to me since I was a Marine stationed on Guam for 16 months in 1975-1976. In our free time on Guam, we would explore the area on our base on the Southern part of the island and go what we called 'boony stompin.' We were taking a break when, for some reason, I decided to climb a tree that I was leaning against that was next to a rock face. When I got up about 20 feet I found an entrance into an untouched cave from WWII. It contained a Japanese mess kit, folded shelter halve and sandals made from Jeep tires. We brought back the items to our Company office that put them on display with a Japanese machine gun found by another group of Marines a year or two before. Also, I understand about the mosquitoes. I was literally bitten to death the first half of my tour on Guam but then built up some kind of immunity to them the second half of my stay. To this day, mosquitos don't bother me while people around me get eaten alive! Thanks, again for the video!

    • @TheHistoryUnderground
      @TheHistoryUnderground  2 года назад +3

      Wow! Interesting. Glad that the video brought back some memories for you.

    • @slimslamfl
      @slimslamfl 2 года назад +3

      My dad always claimed to have some sort of immunity from his time in the Pacific. I know I always seemed to get bitten twice as much as he did when we'd go fishing and such.

  • @Patriot-American
    @Patriot-American 2 года назад +21

    This is one of the best channels on RUclips for this type content. Your heartfelt presentation of these WWII sites to us is really appreciated. You bring a human element and they are a joy to watch and experience. If I had the money and time, I'd visit everyone of these sites in the Pacific and Europe. I'm drawn to them from by my relatives that served in WWII in these two areas of operation and died there. Thanks again for brining this content to us...

  • @gumby574
    @gumby574 2 года назад +16

    As a native of Guam that lived near one of the marine landing sites (Agat) seeing my island again brings back many recent memories. The fact that you have also done research beforehand and going out to these places are incredible Thank you. Also if anything if you ever wanted to check out the cave where Sergeant Shoichi Yokoi was living in after the war you can head over to Talo'fo'fo Falls it's one of the many tourist spots you can visit but sadly must pay to see it. Thank you again!

  • @beautifulchaos7041
    @beautifulchaos7041 2 года назад +2

    2:11 That is a Banyan Tree also called a “Taotaomona” tree. They are pretty cool trees. I miss Guam. You are doing an awesome job with these videos!

  • @4nthr4x
    @4nthr4x 2 года назад +3

    That shot of you walking through the dark tunnel with the flashlight, beautiful

  • @mgunny05
    @mgunny05 2 года назад

    The WWII Marine….Soldier…..Sailor…..Army Air Corps…..MEN and Women who served on the front line….BALLS OF STEEL. You again nailed it.

    • @Jakmak1480
      @Jakmak1480 9 месяцев назад

      Don't believe women served on the front lines in WWII. There were probably nurses who were female but medics were male. Women worked in factories in 🇺🇸 building fighter planes while men were at war. Hence the term Rosie the Riveter

  • @wirecutter59
    @wirecutter59 2 года назад +3

    It's always a pleasure to come in from feeding the animals in the morning and finding a new video from you.

  • @richardgage8490
    @richardgage8490 2 года назад +2

    You read about the fighting in the Pacific theatre but you can't really understand the nature of it from books. I've often thought this and your video has probably proved me right. It's much easier to appreciate the difficulties watching you battle the jungle and the inevitable insects and to imagine doing that while fighting for your life against an implacable foe is just that much more real for me now. Great job again JD

  • @danialkemp1
    @danialkemp1 2 года назад

    I love your videos. Educational. Real. Amazing. They are up at the top. Quality. Music----superb.

  • @howardmielcarski6683
    @howardmielcarski6683 2 года назад +6

    As for hide outs on Guam I sure hope you do an episode of George Tweed's hide out during the occupation of Guam. The only American sailor left on the island. Quite a story.

    • @Chiller01
      @Chiller01 2 года назад

      He moved around quite a bit with the help of the local Chamorro people as I recall. His story is really interesting.

  • @GhostCob
    @GhostCob 2 года назад

    Fascinating and Educational as always.
    Thanks for taking us along.
    Blessings from Gettysburg Pa…

  • @noidlehands2019
    @noidlehands2019 2 года назад +1

    Thanks so much for sharing. Very interesting to see the caves.

  • @carlsanders4680
    @carlsanders4680 2 года назад +1

    Left you a post on your latest video. All I need to say here is THANK YOU !!!!
    You remind me of Ken Burn's, just weekly.
    THANK YOU SIR !!!!!!

  • @hebrew_jitsu
    @hebrew_jitsu 2 года назад +2

    I was stationed in Guam in the early 2000’s in the Navy. I regret not exploring the island very much. I did see a few things and found a lot of spent shell casings from the battle on the command where I worked. But a lot of the cool relics I did see were underwater while scuba diving.

  • @ED-ti5tc
    @ED-ti5tc 2 года назад +2

    That last japanese soldier was most definitely dedicated to the mission. Yes, I'd hate to have to go in those tunnels also. Thanks for showing.

  • @justinweaver8787
    @justinweaver8787 2 года назад

    Wow have a good week sir thank u 4 exploring these places to show us.

  • @benjaminrush4443
    @benjaminrush4443 2 года назад

    Thanks again. Like the Naval Cave by the North Beach.

  • @cyndiebill6631
    @cyndiebill6631 2 года назад +8

    I can’t even imagine the heat and mosquitoes. To live with them in summer is one thing but to fight a war in them is totally another.
    Great video as always 👍😊

    • @TheHistoryUnderground
      @TheHistoryUnderground  2 года назад +1

      Definitely a challenging environment to fight in.

    • @specialopssoldier1
      @specialopssoldier1 2 года назад

      i mean the heat an mosquitoes is the very last thing they should worried about..they have bigger things to worry about like the enemies to fight

    • @Jakmak1480
      @Jakmak1480 9 месяцев назад

      ​@@specialopssoldier1Yup but I would think being so miserable would make it tough to focus wouldn't it?

  • @yorkcpa
    @yorkcpa 2 года назад +1

    Just back from vacation. First thing I did was catch up on your videos. Love your content!

  • @GreatNorthernTech
    @GreatNorthernTech 2 года назад

    Been catching up today after being gone for 3 weeks. Great stuff JD. 👍

  • @dlghenderson2837
    @dlghenderson2837 2 года назад +1

    Such good work you are doing. The Pacific theater was under reported because Americans were burned out on war news by then. I am still waiting for you to do Wake. 🤩 Boise, ID. Big civilian story.

  • @jimreilly917
    @jimreilly917 2 года назад +4

    What you said about mosquitos and heat without even gear much less being shot at…I had the same feeling in July at Gettysburg. God what our combat grunts have gone through, through ages, to pass us freedom….🇺🇸🦅🇺🇸

  • @davidnorman2134
    @davidnorman2134 2 года назад

    Another Japanese soldier on Lubang Island in the Philippines did the same thing, he finally give up in 1973. He wrote a book called "No Surrender"

  • @slimslamfl
    @slimslamfl 2 года назад +5

    You talk about the climate. Growing up I remember my dad (a pacific war vet) loving the winters in northern NY. He said he'd had enough heat during his late teens. When it would get really hot and humid in the summers, it always seemed to increase the number of war stories. He carried a LOT of baggage from his time in the war, he saw some horrifying stuff in the Solomons and Phillipines.

    • @Jakmak1480
      @Jakmak1480 9 месяцев назад

      I don't blame him. I hate the heat also and love Northern NY State

  • @philmathenia2265
    @philmathenia2265 2 года назад +2

    Always look forward to Wednesday,Friday and Sunday for your videos.

  • @davidenriquez2086
    @davidenriquez2086 2 года назад +1

    Jungle warfare is no joke. I have to admit, the nights are the worse. I could not imagine having someone shooting at you. You're eyes play tricks on, shadows start to look like humans. My grandfather was part of the landing on D-Day.

    • @TheHistoryUnderground
      @TheHistoryUnderground  2 года назад

      Yeah, the jungle fighting is something that I wouldn't want any part of.

  • @GhostofSicklesleg
    @GhostofSicklesleg 2 года назад +1

    JD, I really do appreciate these videos you do. As I sit here relaxing after a day of yard work. Thank you,again

  • @mikepowell1015
    @mikepowell1015 Год назад

    My mom was an Air Force brat and lived on Guam for some time in the 60’s when my Grandpa was stationed there. And she told me she remembered hearing stories about Japanese soldiers still hiding out in caves not knowing that the war was over.

  • @robertgrey6101
    @robertgrey6101 2 месяца назад

    Great story. Great video.
    In a world filled with turmoil as was back then and at present, the restfulness of the green jungle was so nice to put one at rest.
    Yes, serenity of the jungle was violated with violence.
    Now once again quiet. May the souls of combatants still lying in graves on the island rest in peace.

  • @PilotGuam
    @PilotGuam 2 года назад +1

    I lived here for over 50 yrs but haven't been to some of the places you've been, now I'm too old to go there, so thanks for showing the world. 👍👍👍😁😅🤣😘😘😘

  • @pauldouglas3084
    @pauldouglas3084 2 года назад

    Enjoyed it mate 👍👍loved the caves enjoyed last video Japanese flags can't wait for the next video

  • @TheFunkhouser
    @TheFunkhouser 2 года назад

    Its amazing JD, that tree you liked so much wouldve been about the same, living there, while all the fighting was raging there in WW2 ! 😉😵‍💫

  • @davegoodridge8352
    @davegoodridge8352 2 года назад

    Great job of editing.

  • @larryburwell8550
    @larryburwell8550 2 года назад +1

    Thank you so much for doing this so we all can see what we have never seen before. I certainly appreciate it buddy. Love the video.

    • @TheHistoryUnderground
      @TheHistoryUnderground  2 года назад

      No problem! Glad to share the experience and learn a bit more myself.

  • @philipcollins5440
    @philipcollins5440 2 года назад +1

    I so look forward to all your videos 🙂 I learn a lot and yes, I'm not able to go for myself. Thanks 👍🙏👍🙏👍

  • @dave3156
    @dave3156 2 года назад +2

    JD what an impressive series you have on Saipan and Guam--thanks so much. No wonder many of the Japanese troops were impervious to air and naval bombardment. Do you have other sites planned for this trip also? Thanks for taking us along--great work!!!

    • @TheHistoryUnderground
      @TheHistoryUnderground  2 года назад

      Got a few episode in Tinian and then we'll be back in the US covering the Battle of Antietam. Glad that you're enjoying it!

  • @TuyenPham-bt6yx
    @TuyenPham-bt6yx 11 месяцев назад

    I was on this island as a Vietnamese refugee at the age of eight years old with my family in 1975. One time, we stumbled across a Japanese soldier skeletal remain in a cave still holding his rifle.

    • @olentangy74
      @olentangy74 4 месяца назад

      I was in the navy, stationed at NAS Agana in 1975. I was part of the personnel recovering C-130, C-141’s and C-5’s full of Vietnamese refugees. For almost three weeks, planes were coming in day and night. I once drove as part of a convoy of supplies to Arote Point where a tent city was for refugees. It was a very interesting time. It is possible we may have met, my friend.

  • @shawnnevel3892
    @shawnnevel3892 2 года назад +2

    Thanks JD for another great Pacific Theater video!!!

  • @drloch6174
    @drloch6174 2 года назад +2

    I was stationed on Guam at the Naval Air Station now the airport from 72-75. On our off time we would go cave crawling. As you found out, the boonies can be hot sweaty and full of insects. Thanks for sharing your adventure.

  • @rolandtomkellam9306
    @rolandtomkellam9306 2 года назад +1

    I love your videos and I love the Pacific Theater WW II island hopping campaign. Your videos will be the closest I will ever be to seeing what I ache to see in person. Thank you.

  • @bradmiller3367
    @bradmiller3367 2 года назад +2

    As always, top marks! So dang fascinating to hear the stories of these islands and the hope yet remains that we will learn from the past….🤞🏼

    • @Jakmak1480
      @Jakmak1480 9 месяцев назад

      Hope springs eternal as they say. I'm 67 and haven't seen any change in warlike behavior. It has gone on for thousands of years and I suspect it will continue until God ends it once and for all.

  • @benthere801
    @benthere801 2 года назад

    In 1967, I was stationed on Guam, courtesy of the US Air Force, with the 22nd Heavy Bomb wing from March AFB for the "Arc light" campaign in Viet Nam. The cave system (catacombs) you entered had a well in one area that contained ammo, grenades rusty rifles, etc. that were dumped there by our troops after that area was secured in 1944.

  • @mrk3032
    @mrk3032 2 года назад +5

    Excellent video. I've been to Sgt. Yokoi's hiding spot, it used to be a minor tourist attraction on Guam. It's a 5 kilometer hike from the parking lot & TBH it's not really worth the trouble. I think that Sgt. Yokoi knew (or suspected) that WW 2 was over by the late 60s. The main reason why he stayed in hiding for so long was b/c he thought that the locals would kill him if they saw him (and that DID happen a lot in the late 40s to other Japanese holdouts). When those 2 Chamorros captured him the 1st place they took him was a local bar / restaurant called "Jeff's Pirate Cove". Jeff's is well known by all the locals on the east side of the island. They cleaned him up & sent him home to Japan where he was welcomed home as a hero. By the way, you're 100% right about the mosquitoes.

  • @fredv7487
    @fredv7487 2 года назад +1

    Thanks JD. Always informative. Interesting the amount of work they put into these places. Stay safe and watch out for low hanging rocks. 👍👍👍👍👍

  • @deanpetersen3901
    @deanpetersen3901 2 года назад

    There are a series of 5 or more Japanese caves behind the Tamuning Plaza Hotel on South Marine Drive. I am handicapped, so I could not explore them. There are probably more caves further up the cliff face. There seems to be a pathway up into the jungle from the 5 cave entrances.

  • @a47mlb
    @a47mlb 2 года назад +1

    I was stationed on Guam in the late 80’s for a time. One regret I have is not exploring more of the WWII history while there. But I DID go running on the old airstrips on Orote Point. That was pretty cool.

  • @RobertEHunt-dv9sq
    @RobertEHunt-dv9sq 2 года назад +2

    To my memory there was also a Japanese officer in the Philippines by the name of Hiro Onada who also lasted about 30+ years in the jungle before surrendering to his brother and some army officers. They knew of his existence and had been trying to get him to surrender for many years. He would raid local villages for food sources. I recall originally there were two other Japanese soldiers with him but the last one had died 10 to 15 years prior. Imagine the perseverance of Hiro to hold out that long. He was waiting for the Japanese to come back and get him. Incredible. There is a book on it and if I am not mistaken it was titled “No surrender”

    • @GodsBarnChurch
      @GodsBarnChurch 2 года назад +1

      He killed villagers over the years and wasn’t held accountable for it

    • @matthewlok3020
      @matthewlok3020 2 года назад

      I remember the Japanese dug up his former CO and ordered him to ceasefire

  • @southc4463
    @southc4463 2 года назад +1

    Googleing snakes on Guam got me sweating for you watching these haha, braver man than I

  • @grimmevol4344
    @grimmevol4344 2 года назад +1

    one heck of a pacific tour you're giving us, thx

  • @robertmoore2049
    @robertmoore2049 2 года назад +1

    I wonder how many miles/steps you walk on this video and the others, JD, to bring this amazing content. Thank you for educating us and giving us more appreciation of history and the people who lived, worked, and fought in times past.

  • @astaboy
    @astaboy 2 года назад +2

    JD says, "I have to say, this is different than anything I've seen in Saipan or Guam".
    I say, "This entire series is different than anything any of us has ever seen".

    • @TheHistoryUnderground
      @TheHistoryUnderground  2 года назад

      Ha! So glad that the series is bringing something fresh to the table. I'm always afraid that I'm covering stuff that's old hat to people. Thank you.

    • @robertgrey6101
      @robertgrey6101 2 месяца назад

      ​@@TheHistoryUnderground
      Don't worry about old hat.
      Many viewers may never have seen such places with the story to go with them.
      Keep up the good work of viewing history in the Asia Pacific area.

  • @joshoacaballerodrums
    @joshoacaballerodrums 2 года назад +2

    We have a similar story as well here in the Philippines. His name was Hiroo Onoda, He hid in Lubang island for 28 years as well, he kept fighting and thought the leaflet droppings were just America propaganda to lure them out. During those times he was like a Philippine Sasquatch or Boogeyman who would kill anybody who would come across his path. I hope you could visit us soon! I love your channel it makes me understand the history alot more.

  • @mamab4211
    @mamab4211 2 года назад +1

    Thanks for taking us along 🫶🏼 Very interesting 🧐 … every time you show a cave in any of your videos I say out loud “ Watch your head JD” this time my kid was watching with me and he asked “who’s JD?” My reply “ Only the best videographer a, story teller and history buff on the WWW!!!” 💕🤣😂🤣😂 Thanks again for sharing your experiences and travels with us. I’ve learned so much since I found you channel!! 💪🏻😎

  • @craigfroese6689
    @craigfroese6689 2 года назад +2

    Hey JD love the content. After doing the Pacific War perhaps you can do North Africa, Sicily and the Italian Peninsula in World War 2.

  • @robnewlee1787
    @robnewlee1787 2 года назад

    My Dad was stationed on Agana Naval Air Station '59-'61 or so. I was in K-2nd grade. We were made Junior Bomb Squad members, to teach us not to touch any objects that could be unexploded ordinance. Sadly, a few local kids had died after finding a grenade and trying to open it with a hammer.
    I also remember a Japanese soldier that gave up after 16 yrs. I read his book many years ago. I have fond memories of catching geckos and chameleons. Trips to Tarage beach. Incredibly beautiful, with it's white sandy shore and coconut trees leaning over us.
    Thanks for the video.

  • @GeraltofRivia5150
    @GeraltofRivia5150 2 года назад +1

    I imagine most of the top cover was blown away by the Navy before the Marines or soldiers landed. Irregardless, trying to fight in whatever was left must have been a nightmare.

  • @thomasreed8259
    @thomasreed8259 Год назад

    My father was a combat medic on Guadalcanal (1942) and Guam (1944), my brother Vietnam vet spent 3 days on Guam before going to nam then Thailand, I was stationed on Guam 1981/82! Fun assignment except all the alerts

  • @phyllishershkowitz3806
    @phyllishershkowitz3806 2 года назад +3

    I am curious about how they created that big cave, it looked very different from the other caves. This one took more time to create, and the walls were pretty smooth.

    • @vw2112
      @vw2112 2 года назад

      he actually found a cave that i didnt know about there i was all over that place looking for that stuff for 9 months.

  • @davidking6172
    @davidking6172 2 года назад

    Great work JD 👏

  • @mrDCunningham
    @mrDCunningham 2 года назад +1

    Amazing work JD. You bring things and places that we would have never seen. Thank you Thank you. 👍🏼😎

  • @wannabe4668
    @wannabe4668 2 года назад +14

    I think that dude taught survival classes upon returning to Japan. There were two others along with him for a number of months. After hearing from not only American soldiers but also locals on the island with loud speakers that the war was over his compadres walked out of the jungle and resumed life. I believe it took family of his coming from Japan to convince him the war was truly over. What a bull headed dude.

    • @nedrasellayah9314
      @nedrasellayah9314 2 года назад

      Not so much bull headed as following I belive a Bushido code of never surrendering. Also having been told that the Allies would use trickery to tell the Japanese the war was over to trick them into surrendering. He was in the same mindset thst people who go through torture go through. Permanently suspicious of anything out of the ordinary.

    • @fokkerd3red618
      @fokkerd3red618 2 года назад +1

      Fanatical to say the least.

    • @skimmer8774
      @skimmer8774 2 года назад +2

      Japan is a people of dedication.

    • @timspencer1856
      @timspencer1856 2 года назад +1

      He should have been terminated on general principle because you just know he's going to come back at you later.
      Another of your excellent class quality videos.

    • @joestrangio3603
      @joestrangio3603 2 года назад +1

      What I heard was that he and his two compadres subsisted on shrimp caught in the Telafofo area of the island, literally right in the center where fresh water was. His two compatriots passed away over the years and he was left alone. When found, he 'surrendered' and said the first thing he wanted to do was meet the Emperor.

  • @claudethibaudeau2714
    @claudethibaudeau2714 2 года назад +3

    Another very interesting history video. I appreciate the hard work you do to inform us. Do you think there were any pow's held in that area? Another thing is I'd imagine that the artifacts left behind must've been taken long ago

    • @TheHistoryUnderground
      @TheHistoryUnderground  2 года назад +1

      Thanks! And yes, there were some concentration camps inland. I'm not exactly sure where though.

  • @edwardh1591
    @edwardh1591 2 года назад +2

    Really neat video.

  • @swampyankee
    @swampyankee 2 года назад +1

    I find it interesting that that tunnel apparently didn't have a 90 degree bend at the entrance to stop incoming rounds. As Japanese tunnels go it looks relatively straight forward to take out.

  • @Navet63
    @Navet63 2 года назад

    I can't imagine the fear and horror those American soldiers experienced when discovering these caves, not knowing what looms in the darkness. Thanks for sharing these historic sites.

  • @tonyeagle4182
    @tonyeagle4182 2 года назад +1

    Amazing that there is so much remaining from the war in the Marianas
    I've really enjoyed your videos(All Of Them)
    This is something I've always wanted to do was retrace the island hopping campaigns starting at Pearl Harbor.

  • @roadlizardcu8664
    @roadlizardcu8664 2 года назад +1

    Very interesting, cave was extraordinary. Good show, enjoyed.

  • @mark-ib7sz
    @mark-ib7sz 2 года назад +1

    Excellent content. Thank you very much !!!

  • @1psychofan
    @1psychofan 2 года назад +1

    Very interesting!!

  • @kathleendaugherty4218
    @kathleendaugherty4218 2 года назад +5

    My generation fought in Viet Nam, and it makes me think about what I was told about how scary the tunnels were.

    • @user-tk5fi1my5i
      @user-tk5fi1my5i 2 года назад +2

      The tunnels the Japanese made and the tunnels the Vietnamese made were totally different from each other. The tunnels in Vietnam would be a lot worse to fight in, at least that's my opinion. They were a lot smaller, more booby traps, and weren't meant to be found at all by the Americans. Most of the tunnels the Japanese made were more like a bunker complex.

    • @TheHistoryUnderground
      @TheHistoryUnderground  2 года назад +1

      Can't even imagine.

    • @kathleendaugherty4218
      @kathleendaugherty4218 2 года назад

      @@user-tk5fi1my5i Thank you

  • @joedills3509
    @joedills3509 2 года назад +7

    i visited the cave of the japanese survivor when i was stationed there as a marine at naval magazine in 76 and 77,it was,nt far from the mag off of cross island road,it was a tunnel dug into the side of a ravine,there were 11soldiers there originally i think, they got sick and about,7 died ,the rest moved about 100 yards down the ravine and up another one and dug another hole in the bank and lived there for a few years,i think all but one gave up and left a few years later,the final survivor was found by a farmer sitting beside his field not far from the tunnel

    • @joestrangio3603
      @joestrangio3603 2 года назад +2

      I too was stationed with Delta Company, Marine Barracks, Guam Naval Magazine. You might have been new at about the time I left. I arrived July 1975 and rotated back to the States in October 1976. Our paths might have crossed briefly. My last 3 months, I was Sergeant of the Guard of 1st Platoon. Take care, Marine.

    • @joedills3509
      @joedills3509 2 года назад

      @@joestrangio3603 i was in 3rd herd, Corporol Coffee was my cog,my sog was staff sgt Hall, Semper Fi brother!

  • @michelehurt9258
    @michelehurt9258 2 года назад +1

    I remember the story of the Japanese solder. I was in high school. Thought and still can't believe he survived thinking the war was still on.

  • @coltonking8287
    @coltonking8287 2 года назад

    Kinda wished you went a little further in the tunnels i was so interested in that for some reason lol but rather you be safe and keep the videos going. Very interesting episode

  • @glock22357
    @glock22357 2 года назад +2

    What you should have learned, trekking that island, is the value of OFF insect repellant.
    And also, giving thought to what that terrain and environment was like during the battle. With most of the vegetation blown to smithereens, I would imagine the humidity and bugs would have been cut back a little bit.

    • @CSltz
      @CSltz 2 года назад

      I can remember when the Off!
      Was restocked that was really a big deal.

  • @Robasteerjock51
    @Robasteerjock51 2 года назад

    Wow. Thanks

  • @gregsayre4700
    @gregsayre4700 2 года назад

    Great dadgum video JD

  • @Chiller01
    @Chiller01 2 года назад +2

    I was a climber and heights don’t bother me but caves are a whole different thing. I’m pretty sure I’m mildly claustrophobic. Plus could you imagine the report from an M1 Garand inside a cave?

  • @DrRockter5150
    @DrRockter5150 2 года назад +1

    It's such a pleasure watching your first-hand look at Saipan and Guam. I was wondering if your plans are to go to Iwo Jima at any time. Or maybe something about the Doolittle raid in Japan? The war in the Pacific, in my opinion, was a tad more brutal than that in Europe. Jungle warfare has got to be more treacherous, because of the environment, than urban warfare. Not to make light of those who were in Europe, just a comparison. Thanks for all your informative videos, and I look forward to each and every one!

    • @TheHistoryUnderground
      @TheHistoryUnderground  2 года назад +1

      Would love to go to Iwo Jima but the Japanese government is highly restrictive when it comes to access. Thanks for the kind words!

  • @Gitarzan66
    @Gitarzan66 2 года назад +1

    There be sasquatch in them caves. I remember reading about that soldier in Readers Digest when I was a kid in the 70's

  • @jimginn7163
    @jimginn7163 2 года назад

    A good repellent for mossies is lavender, either water or roll on👍👍

    • @shownbjerg
      @shownbjerg 2 года назад

      Also crushed lemon grass extract mixed into a base of coconut oil.

  • @mikenixon2401
    @mikenixon2401 2 года назад

    Very good report. I remember when his being found was headline news.

  • @jonathanlewis8018
    @jonathanlewis8018 Год назад

    those concrete tunnels are supposed to be air raid shelters, as the Kanji inscription at the entrance reads out the words: " 防空“, which literally mean "prevention against the air".

  • @benthere801
    @benthere801 5 месяцев назад

    I was stationed at Anderson in 1967 during "ARC LIGHT" as an electronics tech on B52's. At that time , the man made caves you explored near Agana, had a well inside one branch that was filled with captured Japanese weapons to within 10 feet of the top. Also, there were partially buried Japanese pill boxes in some areas, that had been exposed by rains that contained human bones and weapons, I have pictures of Japanese shore guns in other areas.

  • @robertkrusin9856
    @robertkrusin9856 2 года назад +1

    Great video as always.. Saw the title and wondered how many times you were going to hit your head..

  • @Riko_YAN2
    @Riko_YAN2 2 года назад

    Hi local here, on the mainroad on the aftermath of a typhoon one day, the washed away foliage revealed a extremely well built concrete pillbox overlooking Agana Bay on the cliff face. Going from Hagatna to Tamuning, its located across the street from the Green roofed Condo, in between a Thai restaurant and a Mobil gas station right above a small faded and dirty pink wall. As of right now the foliage has grown back, and I am unaware if there are any nearby entrances to go inside it.

  • @jimwiskus8862
    @jimwiskus8862 2 года назад +1

    I wondered if the 7’ tall cave at the end wasn’t used for storing munitions? That might make sense, so they could stack the munitions crates much higher.

  • @Jerry-fn5nx
    @Jerry-fn5nx 2 года назад +1

    Wow! 28 years that solider held out. I think I read about that. They had to get his wife to come talk to him through a loudspeaker telling him the war was over and to come home. Crazy

    • @mrk3032
      @mrk3032 2 года назад +1

      That's not how he came out of the jungle. 2 local fishermen saw him in the jungle. They were smart & didn't try to bag him the 1st day. They planned to capture him the following day, when they'd be better prepared to do so. They gambled that he'd return the next day to the same fishing spot where they saw him. Their plan worked & he was captured.

    • @TheHistoryUnderground
      @TheHistoryUnderground  2 года назад +1

      Pretty wild story. There were a few locals that ended up getting him.

    • @Jerry-fn5nx
      @Jerry-fn5nx 2 года назад

      @@mrk3032 Cool! I didn't know the whole story. I vaguely remember reading about it

  • @dougmartin1723
    @dougmartin1723 2 года назад +1

    Have you tried the Coconut crab that’s on the island

  • @copsrobertsokl5127
    @copsrobertsokl5127 2 года назад +4

    I've heard the stories of Japanese soldiers living in the jungles years after the war was over, but always doubted they were real so I guess I know better now. Have you done anything JD on the island of Midway battle? If so can you tell me which videos they are.

    • @TheHistoryUnderground
      @TheHistoryUnderground  2 года назад +3

      Haven't made it to Midway yet. And yeah, there are several verified stories of Japanese soldiers holding out for years after the war was over.

  • @kathyevans3251
    @kathyevans3251 2 года назад +1

    Thus was cool.

  • @davidr2975
    @davidr2975 2 года назад +1

    Was it cooler in the caves?

    • @TheHistoryUnderground
      @TheHistoryUnderground  2 года назад

      No. Quite the opposite. Very hot and humid.

    • @davidr2975
      @davidr2975 2 года назад +1

      @@TheHistoryUnderground I was in guam in January of this year, went to a few war sites, did alot of snorkeling , water very clear, seen alot of tropical fish, great place to go, very friendly people.

  • @Wreckdiver59
    @Wreckdiver59 2 года назад

    Clearing those caves must have been a nightmare. Especially with how fanatical the Japanese were. I can't even imagine.
    Great job not hitting you head JD 😆

  • @reloadncharge9907
    @reloadncharge9907 2 года назад +2

    Another excellent episode….yes, imagine fighting during the war…..mosquitoes, japanese, booby traps, banzais…….we got lucky! Thanks, Andrew

  • @CSltz
    @CSltz 2 года назад

    I remember the little green bottles of insects repellent that they gave us in the 70’s
    After a few times of putting that stuff on you weren’t sure about keep on using it. The bottle had turned from green to semi clear. It would actually remove paint from a truck. I know this for a fact we put it on there ourselves. And just kept checking on it for a while. It did sort of keep the mosquitoes away. But the nats just loved the stuff. It also would “melt.”Those black plastic ink pens. Good times in K-9.

  • @michaelewert8310
    @michaelewert8310 2 года назад

    Despite the "dad gum mosquitoes " 🦟 an excellent presentation. Have you ever considered checking out the battlefields of Isandlwana and Rorkes Drift?

  • @johnellis6959
    @johnellis6959 2 года назад +1

    Some of those jungle scenes had serious Indiana Jones vibes. It’s a shame you didn’t have a button up khaki shirt and a fedora, that would have been great. Probably best to skip the leather jacket; I don’t know how he didn’t get heat stroke from wearing it. Thanks, as always, for the great content. 👊🇺🇸

    • @TheHistoryUnderground
      @TheHistoryUnderground  2 года назад +1

      Ha! It felt like I was on the set of an Indiana Jones movie plenty of times.

  • @bmcg5296
    @bmcg5296 2 года назад +1

    Is that scorch marks on the inside walls of the caves J.D from the flamethrowers?

  • @jondoe399
    @jondoe399 2 года назад +1

    Great video JD, thank you. Too bad you can only bring 3oz of bug spray on the plane.