Hakkoda Snow Marching Drill Casualities’ Museum: Memory of Tragedy
In Winter, 1902, threaten by (imperial) Russia from side of pacific ocean, Japanese army conducted Snow Marching Drill to train infantry for the case they need to move from main base to the west, walking over Hakkoda – mountainous area with some peaks, called Hakkoda-san (Mt. Hakkoda) collectively. The drill became fatal accident, resulted in losing 200 soldiers and commanders. The incident was glorified by the Meiji Government, they were buried in the cemetary, here, current north of Aomori city, exactly lined in accordance with their military rank.
The museum keeps their records, and explaining its process, cause of this tragedy. It looked like a funeral ceremony hall.
Assumed Russia’s attacking route. If they land the east side, Japan needed to move infantry from the west, where their main base located.Explaining Global backgound.Two parties organized. The small one (in red) safely walked through the Hakkoda, but the large one was lost in sudden climate change. What devided survive and death. Less preparation, deposed frozen food (mainly rice balls), and leaving the camp in midnight to lose stamina.Insufficient food and equipment.The cort was very thin.Pictures of victims.Rubber boots of a survived commander.Interview says they mistakenly perceived trees as search party in snow.Ainu, original tribe in Hokkaido, contributeed to search.Lights show the location of bodies found.The responsible officer died, allegely by committing suicide, but possilbiliy of assassination for silence cannot be denied. The truth is unknown.Cpl. Goto, who was found for the first time by search party, and informed them about his party. Allegedly, he was standing in snow with eyes open without conciousness.
