98 Rock by junge1

Photography • Military • posted on Mar 19, 2009

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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)

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lyron

1:43PM | Thu, 19 March 2009

I had no idea. Thank you for telling us. Great shot!!

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shadownet

1:48PM | Thu, 19 March 2009

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!

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virginiese

1:53PM | Thu, 19 March 2009

a sad story indeed ! Thanks for the info ! Great capture !

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Hendesse

2:04PM | Thu, 19 March 2009

Excellent and interesting shot. Thanks for the informations too.

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timtripp

2:29PM | Thu, 19 March 2009

fabulous history lesson. excellent photo!

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bmac62

3:21PM | Thu, 19 March 2009

A special story...glad you got this photo and filled us in on the details.

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jeroni

4:19PM | Thu, 19 March 2009

Excellent shot, fantastic colors and details

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dragonmuse

4:21PM | Thu, 19 March 2009

Thank you for the history. Such a horrible event, such misery in such a beautiful setting.

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sandra46

5:03PM | Thu, 19 March 2009

Thank you for sharing a little known episode of WW2. I can't say the pic is "beautiful", because actually it's much more!!!!!

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durleybeachbum

5:16PM | Thu, 19 March 2009

So interesting, Sig!

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casmindo

6:49PM | Thu, 19 March 2009

Sig the Rock stands for a lot and yours truly looks good on the Rock!

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annie5

6:52PM | Thu, 19 March 2009

Thanks for the informations! Interesting capture..love it :)

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jocko500

7:01PM | Thu, 19 March 2009

wow so sad war have to be. cool shot of you

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DennisReed

7:52PM | Thu, 19 March 2009

Sitting on a lot of history! ;)

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Digitaleagle

8:39PM | Thu, 19 March 2009

Awesome shot and info., thanks for sharing!!!!

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flaviok

9:35PM | Thu, 19 March 2009

Esplendida captura, excelente info, aplausos (5)

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beachzz

9:52PM | Thu, 19 March 2009

A very sad story; you shared it well.

duncanoooo

10:04PM | Thu, 19 March 2009

I prefer the fly-by over the bridge, great picture tho.

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kgb224

10:51PM | Thu, 19 March 2009

Such a sad thing and that all due to War.Awesome capture my friend.

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junge1

10:55PM | Thu, 19 March 2009

@duncanoooo. I think you took it!

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Minda

11:20PM | Thu, 19 March 2009

great capture and sad story sig and nice picture of you..

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MongusKing

11:34PM | Thu, 19 March 2009

Fastantic work, xcellent!!! Interesting history!!!

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lizzibell

11:46PM | Thu, 19 March 2009

nice shot...

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renecyberdoc

1:13AM | Fri, 20 March 2009

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.

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PIERRE25

3:07AM | Fri, 20 March 2009

Jolie photo!

lucindawind

7:15AM | Fri, 20 March 2009

very interesting info .. lovely shot !!

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debbielove

7:51AM | Fri, 20 March 2009

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.

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