Dave, I remember when I was a wee lad, my Uncle Joe used to tell me these incredible tales of his overseas service in the Second World War.
I conjured up vivid images in my head as he recounted his and his comrades' adventures and campaigns in the steaming jungles of Borneo.
I particularly recall one of the more gruesome stories he used to relate, about how the Japanese would try to lure unsuspecting Allied soldiers into an ambush. Apparently, he said, they would tie a captured prisoner to a tree and smear him with honey, leaving the poor
beleaguered soul at the mercy of the millions and millions of ants that would be attracted by the sweet smell.
The Japanese plan relied on the compassion of their enemies. The victims, on being engulfed by the marauding insects, would begin to scream out in agony and plead for release from their torment. Any unsuspecting Allied soldiers would naturally be drawn to attempt to save their colleague, unaware that they were walking into an extremely well defended ambush.
Joe would explain that once the Allies became aware of these deplorable tactics, they were ordered to ignore the pleadings of captured comrades and never to attempt a rescue, lest they themselves were captured in the 'honey trap' and then possibly used as the bait in future. He described in detail the anguish of having to try and put out of his mind the screaming of his compatriots being eaten alive by ants.
Oh yeah, if I were you, I'd stay awake Dave
Hope that helps
