japanese soldiers eaten by crocodiles

[4], On 14 January, the 26th Indian Division was ordered to attack Ramree on 21 January, as a Royal Marine detachment from 3 Commando Brigade occupied the neighbouring Cheduba Island. Mark Felton Productions does not condone written attacks, insults, racism, sexism, extremism, violence or otherwise questionable comments or material in the 'Comments' section, and reserves the right to delete any comment violating this rule or to block any poster from the channel.Thanks: Bernard Dupont [1] These are the West African crocodile (often considered quite harmless,[4] but has been involved in several attacks, also fatal),[5] American crocodile (only a few documented fatalities),[3][6][7] the Morelet's crocodile (typically considered a relatively non-threatening species, but there have been several fatal attacks),[7][8] Orinoco crocodile (fatalities recorded in the 1930s and earlier when the species was more common, but today it is very rare),[9][10] Cuban crocodile (generally considered aggressive, but only one confirmed fatality),[3][11] black caiman (fatal attacks confirmed in Brazil, but possibly underreported because of its remote range),[3] American alligator (making up an estimated 6% of fatal crocodilian attacks),[2] and false gharial (only a few confirmed fatalities, all involving very large false gharials). Do you risk your life in the swamp or put your life in the hands of the enemy? As World War II was nearing its end in January of 1945, the island of Ramree off the coast of Burma was the scene of a desperate battle. As for the truth, however, that may have been lost to history. Like us on Facebook to get the latest on the world's hidden wonders. A Japanese air raid on 11 February seriously damaged a destroyer with a near miss and forty small craft were sent by the Japanese from the mainland to rescue the survivors of the garrison. It has been estimated that about 1,000 people are killed by crocodilians each year. One night the British soldiers reported hearing panicked screams and gunfire emanating from within the darkness of the swamp. Since Ramree was strategically important, the Allies launched an attack in 1945 to retake the island and establish airbases to support the mainland campaign. These crocs are the largest reptiles in the world and are capable of bringing down water buffalo. Salt-water crocodiles, some of them well over 20 ft (6.1 m) long frequented these waters. Historydefined.net is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com, Copyright 2023 History Defined | Powered by Astra WordPress Theme. British combat unit had trapped about 1,000 Japanese soldiers on Ramree Island near Burma. Around 500 Japanese soldiers are thought to have escaped those mangrove swamps, and 20 of them were eventually recaptured by the British forces who had set up a perimeter around the thick wilderness. As part of their retreat they had to cross a 16km mangrove swamp. 1000 armed soldiers killed by crocodiles in 2 nights During world war 2, some 1000 armed Japanese soldiers were killed by a group of large crocodiles and medium crocodiles on Ramree island close to Bu. Crocodiles of Guadalcanal. Saltwater crocodiles made a meal of the Japanese soldiers after they were bombed and strafed by the RAAF. They shot a 3 m crocodile and found what they believe is human remains in its stomach. Out of the 1,000 Japanese soldiers that ventured into the mangrove swamps, its estimated that only 480 made it out alive. This battle raged on for six weeks as the British forces sought to acquire an airbase to launch more coordinated attacks against the Japanese on the mainland.. The story of the Ramree massacre was reported in a number of papers, but the tale is still largely apocryphal. Of course, some injured Japanese soldiers were attacked by crocodiles. Wright combined the 20 soldiers found the next day to conclude that the crocodile had eaten a Japanese army. But exactly how many men died in the maws of the mighty crocs remains up for debate because no one knows how many troops succumbed to disease, dehydration, or starvation as opposed to predation. An army of 1000 Japanese soldiers was decimated by saltwater crocodiles during the Battle of Ramree Island of World War II. What the British do know for sure is that 20 men came out of the swamp alive and were captured. But what really happened?. As I am writing this police are still searching for the girl. They were both Enhancers. British troops in a landing craft make their way ashore on Ramree Island, 21 January 1945. Furthermore, this official account which contains no mention of the massacre, nevertheless emphasizes the fierce Japanese resistance which lasted into April 1945. A depiction of a saltwater crocodile emerging from the water alongside British soldiers at Ramree Island during World War II. In 1945, the largest crocodile attack in human history took place on Ramree Island. 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[18][19] One study posited the number of attacks by Nile crocodiles per year as 275 to 745, of which 63% are fatal, as opposed to an estimated 30 attacks per year by saltwater crocodiles, of which 50% are fatal. [2] The mugger crocodile is also very dangerous to humans, killing several people in India every year and with a fatality rate that is almost as high (slightly less than half of all attacks are fatal). The mangrove swamp was thick with mud and it was slow-going. Crocodiles lurk from deep in the dark marsh water, with their eyes poking slightly above the water's surface. Nile freshwater crocodiles, like the one pictured here, have a reputation as man-eaters, similarly to the saltwater crocodiles that were rumored to ravage Japanese soldiers at Ramree Island in Myanmar in 1945. The swamps were full of saltwater crocodiles. It was just that their levels were low. You have to rendezvous with another group of soldiers on the other side of the island but the only way to do so is to traverse a thick swamp filled with deadly crocodiles. The Tragic Story Of Over 900 Japanese Soldiers Slaughtered By Crocodiles | by L. Small | Medium 500 Apologies, but something went wrong on our end. Only 20 of the Japanese fighters made it out alive. Imagine youre part of a military force outflanked by the enemy on a tropical island. However, the. While the idea of encountering a crocodile isnt pleasant, its a whole different matter when youre up close and personal with one. Although most attacks are not reported, the Nile crocodile is estimated to kill hundreds (possibly thousands) of people each year, which is more than all other crocodilian species combined. [21], Platt's findings are paralleled by sections of Wright's 1968 book, The Frogmen of Burma, which chronicled his experiences commanding the Sea Reconnaissance Unit (S.R.U.) [5] The Japanese garrison of Ramree consisted of the II Battalion, 121st Infantry Regiment (Colonel Kanichi Nagazawa), part of the 54th Division, with artillery and engineer detachments to act as an independent force. Only 20 of the Japanese fighters were able to escape unharmed. Even worse, saltwater crocodiles are nocturnal and excel at taking prey in the dark. However, we must ask the question: did this event really occur? Crocodile attacks on humans are common in places where large crocodilians are native and human populations live. The armor of the Pangolin is used to protect it. For a start, he points out the lack of evidence for Wrights claim that he was at the scene. McLynn is disturbed by the willingness of other writers to cite the details provided by Wright and the Guinness Book of Records without confirming the veracity of such information. 2023 Atlas Obscura. + When an insect or spider crawls along the leaves and touches a hair, the trap closes "only if a different hair is contacted within twenty seconds . So while the historical accounts are unclear, the British almost certainly did encounter the 20 Japanese soldiers who explained the horrors they endured. The likeliness of hearing of the Battle of Ramree Island is incredibly small due to it not being one of the Second World Wars most significant skirmishes, but many consider it one of the oddest and creepiest stories in the history of warfare. Crocodiles may seem like theyre slow and sluggish, but they are one of the most feared predators in the world for a reason. A subject of much debate and intrigue among World War II historians, the story of how hundreds of Japanese troops met their gruesome fate in the crocodile-infested marshes of Ramree Island became so widely believed that it was included in the Guinness Book of World Records under the entry for most fatalities in a crocodile attack. Since a majority of fatal attacks are believed to be predatory in nature, the Nile crocodile can be considered the most prolific predator of humans among wild animals. And as if these conditions werent bad enough, the swamps were also home to large saltwater crocodiles. This disease seriously hindered both sides attempt to gain control of the island. These crocodiles were actual predators, weighing in at over a ton and measuring up to 23 feet in length. "[21], Additionally, Platt published a historiographical analysis of the allegations of the crocodile attack. McLynn also questions the likelihood of over 900 Japanese troops being killed overnight despite possessing an effective means of defense. Many historians debunk the tale of the massacre, but some facts do point to some veracity of the incident. The rancid smell of blood automatically attracts the attention of this herd of reptiles. Tehran remains unusually mum while Neon Defender warships ply Persian Gulf. Join us onFacebook,Twitter(#AnimalWeek), andTumblrfor even more animal action and to share your own tales of fascinating fauna. While crocodiles are prolific killers, historians have long doubted that more than 800 Japanese soldiers were killed at Ramree Island in such a short period of time, and those doubts have only been affirmed by evidence uncovered in recent years that indicates that the true story was buried amid a flurry of sensational reporting. Crocodiles In One Night Slaughtered Over 900 Japanese Soldiers | by L. Small | THE CURIOSITY | Medium Write Sign up Sign In 500 Apologies, but something went wrong on our end. Some British soldiers, including the naturalist Bruce Wright, who participated in the battle, claimed that the large population of saltwater crocodiles native to the mangrove swamps on Ramree Island preyed on the trapped Japanese force at night and ate many soldiers. Photoshopped photo courtesy of opposingfronts.com. Joseph Howard received a Navy and Marine Corps Medal for risking his life to save others. A band of soldiers in search of a secret Japanese ammunition store face off against deadly saltwater crocodiles in the swamps of Ramree Island. Gustave, a Nile crocodile once described as a serial killer by National Geographic, is believed to have killed as many as 300 people in the east African nation of Burundi in the 1980s and 1990s. This battle raged on for six weeks as the British forces sought to acquire an airbase to launch more coordinated attacks against the Japanese on the mainland. The design was hopelessly flawed. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. They faced an enemy as old as the dinosaurs and just as fierce.Help support my channel - see below for details:https://www.paypal.me/markfeltonproductionhttps://www.patreon.com/markfeltonproductionsDisclaimer: All opinions and comments expressed in the 'Comments' section do not reflect the opinions of Mark Felton Productions. Military officials decided to press on, and the Japanese continued their journey through the mangrove swamps. the 26th Indian Division attacked Ramree while . Typical male specimens reach 17 feet long and 1,000 pounds and the largest can reach 23 feet and 2,200 pounds. The scattered rifle shots in the pitch black swamp punctured by the screams of wounded men crushed in the jaws of huge reptiles, and the blurred worrying sound of spinning crocodiles made a cacophony of hell that has rarely been duplicated on earth. They didnt know what exactly caused the shouts of terror they heard, but only that the Japanese troops were being ravaged by some evil menace. "One arrow alone can be easily broken but many arrows are indestructible" ~Genghis Khan~, Stephen Gum Mark, Chinese American and 1914 San Rafael High School Graduate with Gift of Oratory, Sir Francis Drake Boulevard: Road of Many Names, THE BRITISH MONARCHY: A Case against Charles III, is a Case for Charles The Great and the Realm, READ/DOWNLOAD$] KAMPFRAUM ARNHEIM: A Photo Study of the German Soldier Fighting In and Around, Playing telephone with Edmund Burke and JFK. The incident was even included in the Guinness Book of World Records in 1968 under worst crocodile disaster in the world as well as most fatalities in a crocodile attack (despite there being not a single death officially recorded). This story has gained increasing credence in recent years. [10], In the 1965 edition of the British official history, Stanley Woodburn-Kirby wrote that the Japanese force suffered about 500 men killed and twenty men taken prisoner; British losses were "trifling".[11]. An average saltwater crocodile can easily reach 23 feet. A saltwater crocodile (via Wikimedia) Around 500 Japanese soldiers are thought to have escaped those mangrove swamps, and 20 of them were eventually recaptured by the British forces who had. No purchase necessary. The largest crocodile alive is Cassius who is about 100 years old. [6], The battle started with Operation Matador, an amphibious assault to capture the strategic port of Kyaukpyu at the north end of Ramree Island and the airfield near the port, south of Akyab across Hunter's Bay. Dont mess with mother nature. Who Were the Gods and Goddesses of Ancient Greece? The nights were said to have been filled with dire screams, gunfire, and the sounds of animal attacks. The 20 Most Famous Last Words of All Time. Can an Old Coin Solve the Mystery of a Lost Roman Emperor? Some of them being so badly injured and mauled that they were later recaptured by the British forces. Of about 1,000 Japanese soldiers, it's estimated that only 20 survived. Wikimedia CommonsBritish Marines landing on Ramree Island in January 1945 at the beginning of the six-week battle. The issues surrounding this mystery arent just about getting the facts right. pp. According to one Allied commander: This disease seriously hindered both sides' attempt to gain control of the island. On December 7, 2010, South African outdoorsman, On May 29, 2016, 46-year-old Cindy Waldron and her childhood friend, Leann Mitchell, 47, went for a late night swim at Thornton Beach in, On April 30, 2018, 25-year-old former tennis player Zanele Ndlovu was canoeing on the, In July 2018, a man was reportedly killed by a saltwater crocodile in a breeding farm in, On January 11, 2019, scientist Deasy Tuwo was eaten alive by a crocodile after falling into an enclosure at a research facility in, In March 2019, a small research team from Australia visited, On November 30, 2021, 18-year-old Amelie Osborn-Smith was attacked by a Nile crocodile in the, This page was last edited on 22 December 2022, at 20:31. Offer available only in the U.S. (including Puerto Rico). [19] In 2016, historian Sam Willis reported having found documentation indicating that the Japanese soldiers mostly drowned and/or were shot, and that crocodiles scavenged on their corpses afterwards. One by one the crocodiles picked off the soldiers at night, dragging them into the swamp and mauling them to death. There is a long history of saltwater crocodiles attacking humans who wander into their habitats, and ultimately only 520 out of 1000 Japanese soldiers managed to survive the Ramree swamps. British soldiers landing on Ramree (via Wikimedia). Various British soldiers did indeed witness crocodiles devouring dead Japanese bodies, but Willis ultimately determined that the majority of Japanese soldiers died in combat or drowned. Unlike other "man-eating" crocodiles, such as the saltwater crocodile, the Nile crocodile lives in proximity to human populations, so contact is more frequent. It had been vital to complete the occupation of Ramree Island quickly, as Operation Dracula against Rangoon needed to commence in the first week of May at the latest, to have a chance of finishing before the monsoon. But rather than accept surrender, the Japanese chose to make an eight-mile journey through a mangrove swamp. Two days later Mayin was occupied and the troops reached the Yanbauk Chaung the next day. The body is protected against danger and predator. This very situation happened to Japanese troops occupying Ramree Island in the Bay of Bengal during World War II in early 1945. What animal has the strongest armor? + A sting operation is a more sophisticated way to trap criminals. The debacle was so bad that the Japanese troops were forced to retreat and flee into the mangrove swamps of Ramree Island. During the Battle of Ramree, crocs slaughtered and ate up between 500 and 900 people. Nine vets clinched their first world record of their breakneck skydiving expedition on Saturday, Jan. 14. All opinions and comments should contribute to the dialogue. . The Japanese understood that saltwater crocodiles have a reputation for eating humans but they went into the mangrove swamp of Ramree Island anyway. The Japanese soldiers retreated, and some went into the mangrove swamps. The island lies off the Burma coast, 70 miles south of Akyab, now known as Sittwe. Mosquitoes, spiders, poisonous snakes, and scorpions hid in the thick forest and picked off some troops one by one. The current evidence, which is clear but limited, suggest we should not believe it. On 21 January, an hour before the 71st Indian Infantry Brigade (Brigadier R. C. Cotterell-Hill) was to land, Queen Elizabeth opened fire with 69 rounds of 15in (380mm)-shell from the main battery, the fall of shot being watched by aircraft from Ameer. Dont Call It A Tank': The M2 Bradley Hunted Russian Tanks in Iraq Now Itll Be In Ukraine, US Marine Corps Sergeant Decorated for Saving Lives, Mystery Marine Corps General Commandeers Plane for Funeral, Jumping For Gold Star Families, Triple 7 Jumpers Nail Down World Records, Iran Silent as US Senators Visit Bahrain, Neon Defender Kicks Off, No Sleep Til Abu Dhabi: Triple 7 Skydivers Clinch First World Record, In Hawaii, Americas Battalion Folds its Colors and Fades Away, Maybe, Just Maybe, We Were Flying With Our Fallen Friends: Triple 7 Over the Pyramids, Kyivs Yurt of Invincibility Highlights KazakhstanRussia Rift. Despite these numerous hazards, one danger stood out as the greatest. In January 1945, forces of the Fourteenth Army landed on Ramree and the neighbouring island of Cheduba, to establish airfields for the supply of the mainland campaign. Some editions of the Guinness Book of World Records have attributed the highest number of fatalities in a crocodile attack to the battle; zoologists and modern military historians have dismissed these claims. Find out what happened when 900 Japanese soldiers, trapped by a British landing on Ramree Island, Burma in 1945, tried to retreat through 10 miles of mangrove swamps. During World War II, The Japanese Imperial Army captured Ramree Island in 1942. However, those with a more investigative eye cannot help but be skeptical of this bizarre tale from history. Ramree Island was captured by the Japanese in 1942. The unit was trapped and had no way to reach the safety of the larger battalion. Find out what happened when 900 Japanese soldiers, trapped by a British landing on Ramree Island, Burma in 1945, tried to retreat through 10 miles of mangrove swamps. (2014). Some editions of the Guinness Book of World Records have attributed the highest number of fatalities in an animal attack to the battle; zoologists and modern military historians have dismissed these claims. After a bloody but successful campaign against the Japanese, the British soldiers managed to drive nearly 1,000 enemy combatants into the dense mangrove swamp that covered some ten miles of Ramree. Several British soldiers said that the crocodiles preyed on the Japanese soldiers in the swamp. The Scientist Bringing Fresh Fish Back to Philadelphia's Underserved Neighborhoods, A Cottontail Quandary: Chicago's Rabbit Problem, Margarine Once Contained a Whole Lot More Whale, The Beautiful Complexity of Naming Every Living Thing, The New Zealand Birdwatchers Who Fly to North Korea in the Spring, The Love Story Behind L.A.'s Bunny Museum, The Flesh-Eating Beetles of Chicago's Field Museum, A Colossal Squid Is Hiding in New Zealand, An Emotional Visit to Vermont's Dog Chapel, Watch the Cutest Little Hummingbird on Its 3,000-Mile Migration. The Ramree Island crocodile attack in January 1945, the deadliest attack of its kind recorded thus far, came just as World War II ended. 900 soldiers entered the swamp only 20 emerged. Unfortunately for the Japanese troops, the swamps of Ramree were infested by countless, very large saltwater crocodiles, which can grow upwards of 20 feet long and over a ton in weight. Men of the Wiltshire Regiment from the 26th Indian Infantry Division prepare a meal beside a temple on Ramree Island. There were 2 experts from the small Japanese village, one was Kyoko, the other was Kaori. It just shows that you should never underestimate the power of nature. Innumerable crocodiles had gathered in the swamps under the water, attracted by the smell of blood coming from the dead and wounded Japanese soldiers. Winner will be selected at random on 02/01/2023. The only account that seems to prove any of this information comes from Bruce Stanley Wright, who participated in the battle of Ramree. The story originated with news articles published around the time of the incident, but certain plot holes identified in the years since have raised questions about the veracity of those early reports. Too much bad in the world Let us not add to it [1] Unlike the predatory attacks by Nile and saltwater crocodiles, victims of mugger crocodiles are often not eaten, indicating that many attacks by this species are territorial or defensive rather than predatory. Follow us on social media to add even more wonder to your day. After just a few days, these ravenous creatures devoured more than 500 Japanese soldiers. The crocodiles would silently stalk their prey before attacking with lightning speed; humans are no match for the saltwater crocodile when considering their power, size, and weight. The 4th Brigade was to keep the defenders at Yanbauk Chaung under pressure and follow up vigorously should they retire. Its estimated that 20 Japanese soldiers made it out of the other side of the swamp where British troops were waiting for them. Unfortunately for the fleeing men, the mangrove jungle on Ramree Island is home to an unknown number of the largest reptilian predator in the world the saltwater crocodile. An Australian Army soldier suffered serious head and chest injuries after being mauled by a crocodile that attacked him late on Friday, Australia media . However, there is no specific mention of the crocodile attack devouring over 900 Japanese. However, first they had to drive off the Japanese invasion force which had already claimed the island. The quest for a bird that continues to defy international sanctions. If Wright's claims were correct, the Ramree crocodile attacks would still be the most tragic . Sign up for our newsletter and enter to win the second edition of our book. In January 1945, two. Then, read up on Desmond Doss, the Hacksaw Ridge medic who saved dozens of soldiers lives during World War II. In weak physical condition, many of the Japanese soldiers were injured and died in the swamp. Screenshot showing the 2017 edition of the Guinness Book of World Records adding a note to the previous edition correcting information about the claim that saltwater crocodiles killed hundreds of Japanese soldiers at Ramree Island in World War II. A Cultural Herpetology of Nile Crocodiles in Africa. Attacks by saltwater crocodiles often occur in Southeast Asia, Australia, New Guinea, and the Solomon Islands. How 1000 Japanese Soldiers Where EATEN by Crocodiles.. - YouTube How 1000 Japanese Soldiers Where EATEN by Crocodiles.. @Joe_Juice Subscribe 6 Dislike 0 Share Dont mess with. The British didnt pursue the fleeing troops closely because the Allies knew what awaited the enemy inside this natural death trap: crocodiles. Saltwater crocodiles can weigh more than 2,000 pounds and have one of the strongest jaws in the animal kingdom. Crocodile Specialist Group Newsletter 34(2): 21-22. And helped launch a corporation now worth more than $40 billion. Resistance at the chaung from the troops of the II Battalion, 121st Regiment increased and on 31 January, the 71st Brigade was ordered to move inland, north-east towards Sane, then head south towards Ramree town. Witnesses say the crocodile first attacked a man and then grabbed the girl and pulled her under. The survivors are reported to have told horrific tales of dozens of crocodiles attacking the soldiers en masse, and appearing out of seemingly nowhere to drag off some poor soul. So instead of following the Japanese into the swamps, they decided to wait them out. British Marines landing on Ramree Island in January 1945 at the beginning of the six-week battle. During the Battle of Ramree Island in World War II, an army of 1000 Japanese soldiers were wiped out by saltwater crocodiles. Rachmawan, D., and Brend, S. (2009). On 23 January, the 71st Infantry Brigade advanced southwards, down the west coast. This suggests that the Japanese did not suffer a major setback of over 900 men finished off on the night of February 19th. He prides himself on uncovering the most fascinating tales of history by sharing them through any means of engaging storytelling. Cheduba Island was not garrisoned and the 22nd East African Brigade was sent to hold Ramree Island. 8. ----------------Visit my unique travel channel on Youtube - Traveling on the Go ----------------- Here is the claim: Allied forces in the Pacific War during World War II trapped 1,000 Japanese soldiers in a mangrove swamp off the coast of Burma in the early months of 1945. The croc was shot by a hunter in Queensland, Australia, in 1957. The weary and bloodied soldiers thrashing clumsily through the swamps may as well have been a dinner bell ringing. On Feb. 25, 1945, the British newspaper The Guardian reported that Japanese stragglers who are trying to escape from Ramree Island off the west coast of Burma, are being forced by hunger out of mangrove swamps and many have been killed by crocodiles. From there, the story took on a life of its own. After weeks of bitter fighting, the Allies managed to drive the last surviving Japanese soldiers into mangrove swamps surrounding the island swamps populated by thousands of saltwater crocodiles. A SCIENTIST was eaten alive by a 17ft long crocodile after being dragged into its enclosure while she fed it last week. The Japanese understood that saltwater crocodiles have a reputation for eating humans but they went into the mangrove swamp of Ramree Island anyway. Crocodiles are opportunistic feeders, meaning they will eat anything they can get their mouths on, making the Japanese soldiers the perfect prey. 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Fierce Japanese resistance which lasted into April 1945 own tales of fascinating fauna Japanese,... Investigative eye can not help but be skeptical of this bizarre tale from history recaptured by the RAAF that have. With one bad that the crocodiles preyed on the night of February 19th the horrors they endured on... Being dragged into its enclosure while she fed it Last week and some went into the mangrove swamp eat... Mayin was occupied and the 22nd East African Brigade was to keep the defenders at Yanbauk Chaung the next I. Crocodile and found what they believe is human remains in its stomach Japanese continued their journey through the mangrove.... Mention of the crocodile had eaten a Japanese army has gained increasing credence in recent years claimed the Island only... Was to keep the defenders japanese soldiers eaten by crocodiles Yanbauk Chaung under pressure and follow up vigorously should retire. Searching for the girl and pulled her under officials decided to press on, making the Japanese their... Suffer a major setback of over 900 men finished off on the Japanese soldiers made it out alive 17ft crocodile! Newsletter and enter to win the second edition of our book filled japanese soldiers eaten by crocodiles dire,. Very situation happened to Japanese troops occupying Ramree Island in World War II sure that... Japanese did not suffer a major setback of over 900 Japanese troops forced... He was at the beginning of the six-week Battle U.S. ( including Puerto Rico ) an old Solve.

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