Oba, The Last Samurai: Saipan 1944-1945
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| Abstract |
About the efforts of Captain Sakae Oba, it is a book that highlights the deep commitment to the war effort that a group of Japanese soldiers displayed even though all hope may be lost. Sakae Oba fought until he had reached his goal, and won battle for himself and the spirit of his soldiers, displaying the true ethos of a warrior throughout.
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| Year of Publication |
1986
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| Number of Pages |
241
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| Publisher |
Presido Press
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| City |
Novato, CA
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| ISSN Number |
0-89141-245-X
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Reviews
Please login to review this resourceA fascinating read!
The image of the rigid, suicidally fanatic Japanese soldier seems ever-present in American popular depictions of World War II. The truth, of course, is more complicated than that. This book explores the story of Captain Oba Sakae, an Imperial Army officer who fought the United States Marines on Saipan, survived the American takeover of the island, and with but a few dozen soldiers and about two hundred civilians, engaged in successful guerilla operations for five hundred and twelve days, before surrendering with his surviving soldiers on December 1, 1945. In "Oba, the Last Samurai," we get a human portrayal of both sides, civilian and military alike, and the difficulties they faced over a protracted campaign on a small Pacific island. I find this all the more meaningful in that the book is the product of collaboration between Oba himself, and Don Jones, a Marine whom Oba fought on Saipan.
At any rate, I highly recommend it!
