Why didn't the Japanese cut the ropes in Hacksaw Ridge?

Why didn't the Japanese cut the ropes in Hacksaw Ridge? - A Person in a Kimono Wearing a Hannya Mask

In Hacksaw Ridge the Japanese just let the American soldiers climb up and there appeared to be no defence. The American soldiers were absolutely safe once they climbed down the ridge. The Japanese could shoot since they occupied a higher elevation. So why didn't they cut the ropes?



Best Answer

Keep in mind the movie is based on true events and there can be all kinds of reasons they didn't cut the ropes given the chaos of war and strategic motives of the different sides.

The Battle of Okinawa is known to be one of the bloodiest battles of the Pacific War and the key attack points were the beach and the ridges. The movie makes it seem like the rope ladder was abandoned and left with two guys to guard it at certain points. I find this highly unlikely. If the US took the time to put a mesh rope ladder up, they would leave enough forces to defend it. Any Japanese soldiers that came close enough to the ridge to attempt to cut it would have been gunned down. That said, its very possible that they DID attempt to cut the ropes down and its very possible that they succeeded in some of these attempts.

Ultimately, whether they attempted to cut the ropes or not is a detail not important to the movie's plot.

We are meant to suspend our reality and assume that if any attempts were made to cut the rope, they either failed or were remedied by putting it back up.




Pictures about "Why didn't the Japanese cut the ropes in Hacksaw Ridge?"

Why didn't the Japanese cut the ropes in Hacksaw Ridge? - Person Cutting a Yarn
Why didn't the Japanese cut the ropes in Hacksaw Ridge? - Anonymous joiner working with Japanese saw while cutting edge of timber plank on floor in workshop
Why didn't the Japanese cut the ropes in Hacksaw Ridge? - Professional woodworker cutting wood with hacksaw



How did the Japanese survive Hacksaw Ridge?

Hacksaw Ridge The American attack on the ridge began on April 26. It was a brutal battle for both sides. To defend the escarpment, Japanese troops hunkered down in a network of caves and dugouts. They were determined to hold the ridge and decimated some American platoons until just a few men remained.

Did Desmond Doss treat Japanese soldiers?

On May 4, 1945 during the Battle of Okinawa, Doss helped rescue at least 75 wounded men, including some Japanese soldiers, by lowering them down a cliff and treating their injuries.

How historically accurate is Hacksaw Ridge?

Okinawa's Maeda Escarpment is an approximately 350-foot high ridge that runs across most of the island of Okinawa. "The Japanese had been there for years," said the real Desmond Doss....Hacksaw Ridge (2016)REEL FACE:REAL FACE:Sam Worthington Born: August 2, 1976 Birthplace: Godalming, Surrey, England, UKJack Glover8 more rows



Why Didn't You Stop Me?




More answers regarding why didn't the Japanese cut the ropes in Hacksaw Ridge?

Answer 2

You can find the answer in many accounts of the specific battle and I recommend watching the documentary on Doss, The Conscientious Objector. It is true that Doss was one of the ones tasked with securing the nets in the first place.

The ridge is much shorter than depicted in the movie and the terrain below it is far from flat so Japanese positions on the hill had a clear view of American movements all the way down to the landing zone. The only time that American troops could not be seen was right at the base of the ridge.

According to survivors anyone sent up to the top of the ridge for reconnaissance prior to securing the nets that was shot and killed. However, in accordance with Japanese tactics at the time, once it was clear what the Americans were doing, the Japanese soldiers waited until a concentration of troops had made it to the top before they opened fire. This was to ensure the maximum amount of casualties and that's pretty much what they did every time the Americans tried to secure the ridge--up to eight or nine times.

As long as those nets remained, the Japanese suspected the Americans would keep using them and putting large numbers of troops right in their line of fire. Though not always followed, this strategy was used in the hopes that the Americans would get tired of the fighting and offer a negotiated peace. Instead it convinced the US that an invasion of Japan would be too costly and the atomic bomb should be used instead. For what is probably the most comprehensive view of the battle from the Japanese perspective, I suggest The Battle for Okinawa by Colonel Hiromichi Yahara.

Answer 3

According to the true story the Japanese wanted the Americans close to their hideout for tactical reasons. I guess that is part of the reason why they didn't cut the ropes. Another reason could be the exposure to the heavy artillery at sea. Also, according to the true story Desmond Doss was one of the volunteers to climb up and attach the ropes (not depicted in the movie). So it was mounted by the Americans, not the Japanese.

Sources: Stack Exchange - This article follows the attribution requirements of Stack Exchange and is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.

Images: cottonbro, Karolina Grabowska, Ono Kosuki, Ono Kosuki