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How Filipino WWII Soldiers Were Written Out of History

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Re: How Filipino WWII Soldiers Were Written Out of History

#21

Post by bane »

I recently came into a collection of bank notes from various places and points in history. Among them was a small collection of Japanese Occupation era Philippine Bank Notes (Pesos, Centavos, etc.) which has lead me to start to investigate more into that time period and more about the places Japan occupied during the war. [1][2]

I have other banknotes from similar tumultuous times (Korean Yen, before and after revolution Russian and Soviet banknotes, same for Iran). I find it interesting that it seems one of the first things new governments do is find engravers, make high-quality engravings, and start printing new currency.

1 - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_government-issued_Phi...

2 - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_invasion_money

Re: How Filipino WWII Soldiers Were Written Out of History

#22

Post by notahacker »

danmaz74 wrote: post #2

> The Philippines was a large American holding in the South Pacific "holding"... looks to me like the whole history of the Philippines as a US colony has been written out of history.

I'm not sure the period gets that much critical attention in the Filipino curriculum either. I'm struggling to think of an ex-colonial power more culturally influential and admired than the US in the Philippines, and that's as a Brit who's been to quite a few of the better-run former British colonies.

Re: How Filipino WWII Soldiers Were Written Out of History

#23

Post by walshemj »

rdl wrote: post #12
kmfrk wrote: post #3

Reminiscent of the Indian contribution.

India in WW2 is...complicated. (Unless you meant the Native American contribution to the US WW2 effort -- the code talkers got a lot of the coverage there, especially since the Windtalkers movie)

One Sikh MP in the UK apparently got heckled to the effect "your granddad was not at Dunkirk" - As he said later No "He was fighting in Burma in the Indian Army"

Re: How Filipino WWII Soldiers Were Written Out of History

#24

Post by rdl »

walshemj wrote: post #23
rdl wrote: post #12

Earlier quoted context omitted.

India in WW2 is...complicated. (Unless you meant the Native American contribution to the US WW2 effort -- the code talkers got a lot of the coverage there, especially since the Windtalkers movie)

One Sikh MP in the UK apparently got heckled to the effect "your granddad was not at Dunkirk" - As he said later No "He was fighting in Burma in the Indian Army"

The Sikh Regiment of the (British) Indian Army was amazing (and probably should be re-established in the British Army, in addition to the units in the modern Indian Army,) One of the most formidable and honorable military units of all time, completely loyal to the Allies.

The "complication" with India was the (Second) Indian National Army during WW2, following Subhas Chandra Bose, who were allied with the Axis. (They argued fighting colonialism was more important than fighting the Nazis and Imperial Japanese.)

Re: How Filipino WWII Soldiers Were Written Out of History

#25

Post by immoderate »

danmaz74 wrote: post #2

> The Philippines was a large American holding in the South Pacific "holding"... looks to me like the whole history of the Philippines as a US colony has been written out of history.

Yes, the genocide of the Philippine-American War wasn't covered in the history classes in my high school curriculum. What is even more amazing is how many Filipinos were willing to fight on behalf of the Americans, only a generation after the U.S. slaughtered them.

And given what a terrible record the US has in neglecting veterans of all backgrounds, it isn't surprising that the brave men of the USAFFE were treated so poorly.

We should also remember that this was the era of the asinine anti-Asian immigration policies, another shameful topic only lightly covered in American history books. Effectively they were good enough to die for us, but not good enough for us to honor our promises to them.

Re: How Filipino WWII Soldiers Were Written Out of History

#26

Post by nickik »

immoderate wrote: post #25
danmaz74 wrote: post #2

> The Philippines was a large American holding in the South Pacific "holding"... looks to me like the whole history of the Philippines as a US colony has been written out of history.

Yes, the genocide of the Philippine-American War wasn't covered in the history classes in my high school curriculum. What is even more amazing is how many Filipinos were willing to fight on behalf of the Americans, only a generation after the U.S. slaughtered them. And given what a terrible record the US has in neglecting veterans of all backgrounds, it isn't surprising that the brave men of the USAFFE were treated s…

Please don't overuse the word genocide, its was not a genocide.

Re: How Filipino WWII Soldiers Were Written Out of History

#27

Post by immoderate »

notahacker wrote: post #22
danmaz74 wrote: post #2

> The Philippines was a large American holding in the South Pacific "holding"... looks to me like the whole history of the Philippines as a US colony has been written out of history.

I'm not sure the period gets that much critical attention in the Filipino curriculum either. I'm struggling to think of an ex-colonial power more culturally influential and admired than the US in the Philippines, and that's as a Brit who's been to quite a few of the better-run former British colonies.

I agree, Filipinos on the whole love the USA and I have asked a few younger Filipino-American immigrants about these topics and the most common response was a blank stare. I guess they haven't discovered the fallacy of the American dream yet either, they're just damn happy to be here.

Re: How Filipino WWII Soldiers Were Written Out of History

#28

Post by immoderate »

nickik wrote: post #26
immoderate wrote: post #25

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Yes, the genocide of the Philippine-American War wasn't covered in the history classes in my high school curriculum. What is even more amazing is how many Filipinos were willing to fight on behalf of the Americans, only a generation after the U.S. slaughtered them. And given what a terrible record the US has in neglecting veterans of all backgrounds, it isn't surprising that the brave men of the USAFFE were treated s…

Please don't overuse the word genocide, its was not a genocide.

I acknowledge your point, it is arguable whether it constituted genocide, some believe it to be so. Killing hundreds of thousands and placing them in concentration camps is ugly no matter what word is used though.

Re: How Filipino WWII Soldiers Were Written Out of History

#29

Post by nickik »

walshemj wrote: post #23
rdl wrote: post #12

Earlier quoted context omitted.

India in WW2 is...complicated. (Unless you meant the Native American contribution to the US WW2 effort -- the code talkers got a lot of the coverage there, especially since the Windtalkers movie)

One Sikh MP in the UK apparently got heckled to the effect "your granddad was not at Dunkirk" - As he said later No "He was fighting in Burma in the Indian Army"

The Indian 4th and 5th divisions were some of the best. 5th Indian was part of Operation Compass and both were involved part of the East African Campaign. Plus tons of other places.

Whoever said that, was a fucking idiot.

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