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Dragon of the Mangroves: Inspired by True Events of World War II

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Books in English about the experience of Japanese soldiers in WW II are rare, although this may change with recent popularity of the movie 'Letters from Iwo Jima.' This novel, 'Dragon of the Mangroves,' is based on a "war story" about a Japanese unit that was annihilated by saltwater crocodiles while retreating through a mangrove swamp. The anecdote itself may be apocryphal but the concept is not totally implausible, as anyone who's seen troops of crocodiles pulling down migrating wildebeests on Discovery Channel can attest. The author, Yasuyuki Kasai, is the son of a WW II Japanese artilleryman and appears to have incorporated some of his father's personal observations and experiences into the story, which gives it a certain authenticity. The novel itself is not simply written from a Japanese point of view but by a Japanese, and so includes many unique cultural elements in the background and plot, especially the foreshadowing. The characters, primarily a heavy machine gun crew and a young officer who went for his commission to escape the drudgery and harsh discipline in the enlisted ranks, are sympathetic and well drawn. The language is not always smooth and the pacing is uneven here and there, but these are minor criticisms. As much a horror story - a la 'Jaws' - as it is a war novel, 'Dragon of the Mangroves' is well worth a read.

Many stories of World War II are untold on both sides of the battles fought in the Pacific theater that should be told of the bravery displayed by the ordinary soldier on both sides and the terrors they often faced. This is one such story, based on events that occurred during the Japanese withdrawal from Ramree Island.

How does one look through the eyes of an ordinary man conscripted to fight a war he doesn't really understand and depict what he sees or what is happening around him? Talented author Yasuyuki Kasai has used his understanding of human nature to craft a tale that shows us how men react when faced with certain death.

This is a tale that could be applied to any group of men in any similar situation. The confusion caused by orders that call for defense and retreat at the same time, send Second Lt. Yoshihisa Sumi and his men on a rescue mission to remove as many soldiers as possible from Ramree Island. He must find transport to the island when no boats are available, he is given an inadequate map, arms and food, yet he finds the way to obey his orders.

Both the retreating army and rescuers are unaware of dangers awaiting them as they proceed toward a meeting place. There is a definite tension in this story that will hold your attention. History unfolds as you red and you will understand once again the untold horrors of war.

An interesting tale that I'm pleased to recommend to any fiction fan. History, horror and suspense all mingle with facts that prove life can produce experiences worse than any imagination. It is a read that will open your eyes and I can honestly say I learned something about another side to this war and the men who fought it.

My husband bought this book and LOVED IT! Used it in his high school classroom as well.

Reviewed by Richard R. Blake for Reader Views (4/07)

"Dragon of the Mangroves" is inspired by events of World War II and is based on a true story. This compelling novel is a fictional account of a deadly crocodile attack against a garrison of the Twenty-eighth Japanese Army assigned to Ramree Island, off the coast of Burma. While on the Island Minoru, Kasuga is confronted with a terrible smell coming from a saltwater creek. A local villager tells him it is the stench of death from the breath of man-eating crocodiles that inhabit Myinkhon Creek.

After fierce fighting, the battalion is driven to the island's east coast to evacuate by crossing the creek. As they are ready to embark, Kasuga smells the same putrid odor. He warns his commanding officer of the danger. His sergeant disregards him, and orders the soldiers to cross the creek.

Second Lieutenant Yoshihisa Sumi is ordered to save the survivors of the garrison on Ramree Island. Upon his arrival at Myinkhon Creek Sumi is faced with stark terror.

Kasai demonstrates an amazing insight into the driving force of military men. Some are motivated by fear or cowardice, others by pride, patriotism, heroics, or bravery. But all are moved by a strong desire to live, for self-preservation and for survival.

Although the book is written in the English language, Kasai's commanding word pictures and descriptions enabled me envision and appreciate the references to Japanese cultural and background adding an authentic picture of the Burmese locale.

"Dragon of the Mangroves" is destined to become a classic among the stories of the South Pacific of WWII and among the guerrilla warfare stories of every subsequent conflict.

Received book free of charge.

The Guinness Book of World Records says that the worst animal attack in history occurred in February of 1945, in the swamps of Ramree Island, in then-Burma. A thousand Japanese soldiers were forced into the water -- directly toward an entire colony of the world's largest and most dangerous reptiles, saltwater crocodiles.

Yasuyuki Kasai's research led him to question how many of his countrymen actually perished in that crossing, but the threat of the "dragons of the mangroves" was very real. As a Western reader, what made this particularly interesting is that the story is told from the Japanese soldiers' viewpoint. In most WW2 stories, the Japanese are simply the enemy, and we never see them as living, breathing men, with feelings, hopes and dreams much like our own.

The brilliance of this story is how the characters are brought to life through the author's finesse, perception and skill as a storyteller.

I recommend this book to you.

Timothy James Dean
Author, "TEETH - The Epic Novel With Bite"
Teeth - The Epic Novel with Bite (The New Guinea Trilogy, Volume 1)

Like all books that truly touch you, this book is based on a true story. Yasuyuki shares his experiences as a Japanese soldier fighting in the Burma campaign during World War II. Most people do not know about this deadly crocodile attack that the author describes with such vividness. This horrible story is shared in great detail in this book, a book you will not soon forget.