Battle of the Pacific

June 15th, 1944.

The U.S. military invades Saipan and the Northern Mariana's group of islands.

The marines moved ashore, establishing themselves on the Southwest coast.

On their way, taking control of the island.

Under Japanese control Saipan is called home by 20,000 of its citizens.

And defended by over 30,000 highly trained members of the Imperial fighting forces.

Though one of the most strategically important of the Japanese strongholds in the Pacific

Saipan's defenses folded

Under the onslaught of the American war machines,

numbering over 70,000 strong.

In the ensuing battle the majority of the Japanese defenders are annihilated.

And the survivors flee to Mount Tapochau.

Located at the centre of the island.

Taiheiyou no Kiseki ~ Fox to Yobareta Otoko

Keep your heads down! Down!

Medic! Medic!

Help!

I'll go.

Medic!

- Ammo! - We're out!

Ammo!

Medic!

Enemy planes! Stay put!

It burns!

Hey! Naito!

Naito!

Unbeknownst to the Japanese on the island

The Imperial navy suffers a humiliating defeat in the seas off of the Mariana's

Leaving the Imperial command no choice but to abandon the defense of Saipan.

The uninformed defenders however continued to fight.

Believing in the inevitable victory of their hallowed Imperial forces

And their nation.

Get outta the way!

Get a move on!

Clear the way!

Pull this thing over! C'mon move outta the way!

Sorry 'bout that! Captain! Carry on!

C'mon! C'mon! Get outta the road!

Hey! Clear the way!

God damn many Japs!

This time tomorrow! The camp's gotten be overflown in no time!

Just a few days, those yellow monkeys in the mountains are gonna be history.

You know their orders are to stop us no matter what.

These Japanese soldiers are tough.

They don't give up.

You have no idea what you're talking about, Corporal.

I advise you to keep your opinions to yourself.

Right, sir.

Dammit! Watch it!

Hey! Take it easy, Corporal!

Or I'm taking the jeep and you're walking. You read me?!

Yes, sir.

Are you alright?

Shit...

- I should've stopped. - Look. They're just Japs, sir.

They'll be fine.

Every Japanese knows there's only once in a lifetime to be sincere.

What's that mean, sir?

The Japanese treasure every meeting for if it may never recur.

If you pay attention. You might actually learn something while you're here.

Where'd you learn your lingo, sir?

You date a Jap girlfriend or something?

I studied in Japan for two years.

Unfortunately, I never got around having a girlfriend.

Bet you wanted to.

Keep your eyes on the road mister.

Yes, sir.

The remaining troops are to evacuate immediately to Mt. Tapochau.

Our Imperial Japanese Army...

Of the 43rd, division. Under the command of His Excellency Lieutenant General Yoshitsugu Saito.

Will prevail til the end.

We will hold til the 4th of July.

What did the Imperial command say?

Victory finally.

The enemy will finally see our wrath.

Command requires that only the capable and healthy go to Mt. Tapochau.

Those unwell are to stand down.

That is all!

Hold him tight!

Hold on!

Hurts doesn't it?

I understand.

Do it!

Captain?

I do not wish to go to Mt. Tapochau.

I would like to stay and perish here.

With my unit.

Please grant my wish.

You're Lewis?

Yes, sir.

Have a seat, Captain. We're not that formal here.

Not in this damn place...

Thank you, sir.

I hear you speak Japanese.

Well, the Japanese would say otherwise.

I know the basics, sir.

Where're you from?

Boston, sir.

So you're a Ivy Leaguer, huh?

You could say that.

I'll try not to hold it against you.

I need your help, Lewis.

I don't understand these Japs. This ah...

Bushido suicide thing... It's ah...

Well! It's crazy.

Well, It's ah... it's a matter of pride.

It's a way of thinking. They've been nurturing in their heads for centuries.

What? Killing themselves?

Are you..

Are you familiar with these, sir.

Can't say that I am. What are they?

Some kinda... Jap lucky charms?

No, sir.

They're shoji pieces.

They're Japanese chess pieces if you will.

They all look the same except for the writing inside.

So?

Well...

The only thing that differentiates your pieces from mine,

is the direction they're facing on the board.

Get to the point, Captain.

Yes sir.

Unlike our chess

If I were to take one of your pieces.

I don't hold onto it waiting for you to reclaim it.

I just simply turn it around.

And use it against you.

As part of my army.

What the hell does that have to do with them killing themselves!?

The Japanese put a high price on loyalty to one's master.

If one were to be taken prisoner.

It would be expected behaviour for them to serve the new lord...

With equal loyalty.

Now if that were true.

Why wouldn't they just surrender and come fight on our side?

Well, sir.

If they were to be taken prisoner there's a chance they could end up betraying their emperor.

So they choose to die.

Instead of taking the chance that might happen.

You see, sir, the Japanese...

Captain!

I didn't come here to play fucking chess.

Now if these Japs want to die I'll be more than happy to oblige them.

Honorably or otherwise.

I just want to get this damn war over with.

Are we clear?

Crystal clear, sir.

Sister...

She's running a fever.

Water.

Enemies!

Man the machinegun!

Quickly! Get up!

Attack!

There's the entrance!

You're up! Frag that cave!

Now he throws it in!

Merry Christmas! Nips!

Hold it!

- Cover the entrance! - Got it!

Cave's clear!

- Are they dead? - Go in and find out?

- I'm not going in there. - Get in there!

- Go on! - Get in there. Check him out!

- Check those pockets! - I don't have all day.

Get those souvenirs, watches...

What've you got?

Got one!

- Move out! - Yeah! yeah!

- I want a belly band! - What's a belly band?

Give it.

I have two children of my own.

Follow me.

We need to stock up on supplies.

Don't we have enough?

We need to stock up on more. Later we won't have a chance.

Naval command's not ready, so continue to hold.

We'll wait for the combined fleet to recapture the island.

Arrival of the combined fleet won't be long.

Who is this?

My subordinate.

Even without naval support?

We are going to fight?!

- Insolence! - Quiet!

Keep silent.

Captain, I will tell the rest tonight.

That even without naval support I am not afraid to die.

I want to win the war.

As do I!

No!

You just want to die.

That's not true.

Dying may be necessary.

But not unnecessary sacrifice.

Death will not ensure our victory!

We must kill as many enemies as we can to ensure our army's victory!

Bear that in mind!

I am addressing the officers and men to the Imperial Army on Saipan.

For more than twenty days since the American devils attacked,

the officers, men and civilian employees of the Imperial Army and Navy on this island.