Princess Lilies History of the Ryukyu Islands

after beginning of world war ii, japanese military conscripted school girls (15 16 years old) join group known princess lilies (hime-yuri) , go battle front nurses. there 7 girls high schools in okinawa @ time of world war ii. board of education, made entirely of mainland japanese, required girls participation. princess lilies organized @ 2 of them, , total of 297 students , teachers joined group. teachers, insisted students evacuated somewhere safe, accused of being traitors.

most of girls put temporary clinics in caves take care of injured soldiers. severe shortage of food, water , medicine, 211 of girls died while trying care wounded soldiers. japanese military had told these girls that, if taken prisoners, enemy rape , kill them; military gave hand grenades girls allow them commit suicide rather taken prisoners. 1 of princess lilies explained: had strict imperial education, being taken prisoner same being traitor. taught prefer suicide becoming captive. many students died saying, tennō heika banzai , means long live emperor .