Onada, the man for whom World War II lasted almost 30 years.
A name that symbolises unwavering loyalty and perseverance, Hiroo Onoda became world famous for his unusual role in Japan's history during and after the Second World War. His story, which spans three decades after the end of the war, offers a fascinating perspective on loyalty, military discipline, and the tragedy of conflict.
The early years of Onoda
Hiroo Onoda was born on March 19, 1922, in Kainan, Japan. As a young man, he joined the Imperial Japanese Army, where he was trained as an intelligence officer. In December 1944, in the middle of World War II, he was sent to the island of Lubang in the Philippines. His mission was to gather intelligence and carry out sabotage tactics against Allied forces. This was a critical task, as Japan was already under pressure by that time from the Allies' advance in the Pacific.
