Purple Heart Warriors: 4. Screaming Mimis
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Dramas. Immersive storytelling from the BBC World Service. Before we start, a warning that this episode contains dramatised battle scenes and outdated racial language. This is Purple Heart Warriors, an original six-part drama series inspired by real events from the BBC World Service. Episode 4, Screaming Memes.

The Japanese-American 100th 442nd Regimental Combat Team fought its way through bloody battles from Rome all the way north to the Arno River. In just three weeks of fighting, they earned 11 Distinguished Service Crosses for sending the Germans into retreat. But instead of continuing to drive the weakened enemy through the Apennines and back to the Alps, they were ordered to pull back to prepare for the invasion of southern France.

Our story continues in Naples, Italy, September 1944. Hey, you awake? Up now. What is it, sonny? I'm looking asleep. Thinking about Sarge? Yeah, that. And Maui. Do you miss your island? I miss my home too. No, I stay talking about the god Maui. From legend. Ever hear about him? I don't know too much about Hawaiian legends. Oh. So one time...

He went capture the sun. No, I don't know that story. Yeah? Used to be the sun going down too fast. Back in the old days, there was no time for do your chores, no time for dry clothes, no time for do anything because the sun went so fast. So Maui went to the top of Haleakala

And he and his brothers, they caught the sun in one net and with ropes of copper cloth and told it to go slow, slow. Otherwise, they're going to beat him. So ever since then, the sun goes slow now. So now we have more time in a day for do things. That's an interesting story. Right now I'm thinking, I wish Maui and his brothers made the sun go even slower. After I went to start cane work,

Never seemed to have enough time. Not enough time to spend with my honey, Fujiko. Not enough time to spend with my Kacchan and Tōchan. Not enough time for catching baby frogs or swimming in the ditches like when I was little. Time still go by too fast, you know? I hear you.

My name is Ken Morioka, and I somehow found myself trapped in my Grandpa Allen's 18-year-old body with the All-Nisei 442nd Regimental Combat Team in World War II. It was a part of history I knew little about before, but was quickly learning. The fighting in Italy had taken its toll. 17 missing, 1,000 or so wounded, 239 killed, sir. The mood had changed after seeing combat.

We understood the haunted looks of the more seasoned 100th Battalion, losing Sergeant Ota and many others in battle. Even seeing the carcasses of strangers, the casualties of war had taken the spring out of everyone's steps. We were finally back in Naples for some much-needed rest. Enjoy the last of your R&R, men. We'll be heading out for France in 48 hours. Felt like we just got here. Now it's back to the threshing machine.

Just when I was getting to know Senorina Lucia. Senorina Lucia? Oh, I know her too. Say it isn't so. Aloha boys. You a new recruit to I Company? Nah nah nah, I get transfer. Used to be one messenger for the M Company. Name, Bonnie Hajiro. But they call me Boxer. So why'd they send you here? Saw one guido fighting another Nisei brada.

I never know the guy, but he was in uniform so I thought I better help him. For that, I got court martial. They told me I like fight, I better pick up one bounty automatic rifle and fight with I company. So nice to stay here. I think I see how you got your nickname.

Well, they say I'm a classy boxer, not a PX brawler. I'm Sonny. Barry. Shorty. Hey, brother. Louie Louie. Hey. I'm Ken. Allen. Diskatong. I'm Crazy Bugger. So just call him Loco Moco. You from Maui? Pune, ne? Tika herda, Jiros. I'm from there, too. Hey, Kuna! Go give him some aloha! Fly with me past the whole Kuna.

Listen, Sonny, when we get to France, you stick with me, all right? No, we're friends and all, and you're bigger than me. But I can take care of myself, brother. I know. It's just... Never mind. Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh,

We were shipped out and assembled at a staging area just outside Marseille, where our camp was wrecked by gale force winds. Our summer uniforms were no comfort in the chilling rain.

The 36th Infantry Division was also known as the Texas Division. General Dahlquist, their commander, was a name I would soon learn to hate.

Think it's gonna rain like this all the way to the front? Don't know. But I don't think my socks are ever going to be dry again. Oh, this car stinks! It's horse poop. Reminds me of our lovely accommodations at the racetrack stables. You lived in an actual horse stable? You're from LA. You must have been at the temporary detention camp in Santa Anita. That's where they kept us while we waited for our permanent camps to be built. Are you kidding me? The racetrack in Arcadia?

I've gone shopping in the mall near there. What's a mall? The rain did continue, dampening not only our clothes, but our spirits as well. General Dahlquist was a smug, pudgy old bastard, like General Patton expecting a parade wherever he went. He already had little actual experience on the field. Men, we are just 40 miles from Germany. Victory is in our hands. We will rouse the Fuhrer from his nest.

The Germans know they're at the end of their rope and running scared. You will take Bruyers in the valley of those hills over there. To take Bruyers, we need to take the hills. That's ridiculous. We'll need to be alpine climbers. I need you to advance 10 kilometers a day. That's a mere six miles, men. And the enemy are nowhere in sight.

Let's give 'em all we've got. Show 'em that the will of men fighting for democracy is stronger than the will of those fighting for a dictatorship. Sure miss Hawaii weather. When are we gonna stop being so cold? Sure could use a cup of hot coffee. Or anything that's warm. I can't feel my feet anymore.

Remember Mr. Finch's barbecues? That was something. I heard Chaplain Yamada get one letter from Mr. Finch. Says he stay visiting the injured soldiers at the hospital. He going to start up one band with Hawaii singers and musicians for cheer him up. Karuna, you can go join him when we get out of here. Get down!

What the heck was that? That thing gave me chills. I think it's what they used to call screaming Mimis. German rocket launchers. At least the trees will protect us. No, no, get away from the trees. Why? I'd come to believe that I had some insider info, so to speak. The fairy tales my grandfather used to tell me as a kid were actually disguised stories about the war. And if I could just remember them and interpret them, maybe I could keep his buddy Sonny and everyone else alive.

The Wusan warrior continued through the dense forest. It was rainy and bitter cold. The men trudged up and up the mountain when all of a sudden they were attacked by screeching birds. The fiery birds flew down from the air, one after the other, breathing fire into the pine trees. The treetops turned into metal.

and fell down on the men below. The Muson warriors had to run. Many men crossed over to the land of giants. Get in the trenches! Kruner, watch out! Holy crap, Kruner! He's a beast. We buried Kruner, as well as many others, and marked their graves for recovery. General Dahlquist was wrong about the Germans running scared. If anything,

They had hardened their resistance. They had set up booby traps, barraged the troops with heavy artillery, mortar fire and rocket launchers. By the end of the first day, we had only advanced 500 yards. Damn it, men! Why is it taking so long? I want you to march straight into Bruyere's and take the town by sunrise tomorrow. It should be a cakewalk. Their defenses are down. Do you hear me?

Sorry, sir. Our communications are unclear. There's a lot of static. I think we're about to get cut. If he radios in again, I'll personally blow up the raid. Yes, Captain Minori. All right, men. 100th Battalion have captured some prisoners, and their interrogations have revealed that the Wehrmacht is holding Briers. They have some of their best machine guns stationed up there. I'll have to be honest. It's not gonna be easy.

But you men in the 442 have garnered a reputation, even amongst the Germans. So do your damnedest. Artillery will fire the hell out of Hills A and B and Briers. And infantry will begin operations at 10-100. Yes, sir! With full, coordinated attacks, we descended on Bruyere. Take the building on the left! Sniper on the rooftop! Take him down! Take him down!

Move! Move! Move! 10 o'clock! Watch it! Watch it! We wrested the town out of German hands by nightfall, but it came at a cost. The enemy threw all they had into the defense. By the end of it, there were so many dead people on the road, Americans and Germans, that they had to bring a bulldozer to push them off the road. The locals were grateful, emerging from their basements, their hiding holes, the nearby woods.

They met us with hugs and kisses once they realized we weren't the enemy Japanese. Most of us had become numb to the carnage. I had come to feel strangely disembodied, like this was some kind of video game, hoping to God that I had more than one lifeline. But not everyone was the same. Sunny? Sunny, where are you? Sunny? Sunny, is that you?

What are you doing out here alone? I just need one moment. Be by myself, bro. Are you okay? Yeah. Yeah. Don't tell anybody else, huh? I won't. Man, it's cold out here. Get some smokes? No. That stuff will kill you. Hmm? Hey, Mokumoko. Hmm? This all going means something in the end, right? Yes, Sonny. If Hitler isn't defeated...

It's the end of the free world. Captain Minari, sir. Private Bailey from HQ. Yes, what is it? Since communication lines have been spotty, General Dahlquist had me run up here to pass on this message in person. He wants 2nd Battalion to retake Brieres. What the hell do you mean by retake Brieres, soldier? We've already sent word that we've successfully liberated the town. It's for the reporters, sir. He wants cameras and press to take the photos. Oh, for God's sake.

Tell him to stop. Sorry, Captain. It's General Dahlquist's orders and I'm afraid the 2nd Battalion is already on its way. Who are they supposed to fight? I'm not sure either, sir. Maybe you can just have German prisoners pretend? Or have them walk out with their hands raised? Can you just stand right here for the camera? Hold on. Anybody here speak French?

Maybe we can get the locals to come out. You said they were cheering? Can we have them do that again, you know, act grateful? And after that silliness, it was on to the next objective. This way forward, men. We're to cut off the Belmont-Biffontaine road from the enemy. I know, Quinteau, which way to move this thing coming from. Everywhere. Front, left, right. Just keep moving so you're not a sitting target.

We were getting better at avoiding the screaming Mimis, scanning for German foxholes along the way where we could dive for cover. At least the noise gave us a heads up before they landed. We blasted our way forward and finally reached the high ground by 1500 and dug in, exhausted. But then we ran into a new problem. I'm out of ammo. What about you? I'm the Muaraíra. A lot of water in my shoes, though. Here, Sonny.

Take one of my clips. Sorry, Boxer. I don't have any more water. Let's call in for reinforcements. Yes, sir. We need water, ammo, food, whatever they've got. Call Captain Kinn. Shall I inform General Dahlquist? God, no. He just tried to send reporters in. Kinn coming! Damn Jerry's never going to stop! Coming from all over too. We need ammo, quick!

In case Germans were infiltrating our comms, the radio men took to communicating in Japanese with a little Hawaiian thrown in. It also helped us to misinterpret or ignore commands from General Dahlquist. Not looking good, sir. Supply tanks were ambushed on the way. Jerry's apparently all over the hill. Some of them are on bicycles. Now, hell, we need those ammo and supplies! Get them here on foot. Yes, sir.

Sound like they're getting closer. Can't see anything through the fog. We sat on the hill like proverbial ducks, low on ammo, low on food and water, through the night and into the next day. I racked my brain trying to remember something from my Grandpa Alan's story about the situation, but there was nothing that came to mind. Has any party been able to break through the Germans? No word, sir. Men coming, at arms. Hold fire. Wait till they're enraged.

We need to make every bullet count. Damn, where'd they go? Two o'clock. Two o'clock! That's not English. Not German either. How's it, Connie? Oh, what have I brought us? We have supplies. Our French ME letters away, Germans don't know about. Are you a sight for sore eyes? Say that. Come on. Come on.

I'm so hungry I could eat one horse for three days straight. Never heard that expression before. I sure miss the mess tent. The smell of cooked meat. Yeah, as long as it isn't ours. Hang on a sec. I gotta go warn him about something. You gonna warn about what?

Every day was menacing for the warriors.

The ogres were constantly throwing rocks, and the firebirds continued blowing flames into the trees. So what did they do? They learned to dig holes wherever they were so they could jump into them and to stay away from the smoke of their cooking fires. Because the ogres could see them send rocks that way. He's got a point there. I'll ask some men to move the tent. Thank you, sir.

Let's go eat close to the fire. I can get some warmth in me. Anybody else got the chills? No, Barry, trust me. Pick a spot further down the hill, near the foxholes. We better listen to Locomoco, eh? Sound like he knows something. But I can't feel my feet. Do any of your feet look all wrinkled up like this? That looks pretty bad, Barry. I think you got trench feet. Go see a medic. Eat up, man.

We don't know when the next opportunity will be to eat hot food. We've got orders to take Bifontaine next. For real? We just got to the top of the hill. Now they let us go back down? That makes no tactical sense, sir. That's behind enemy lines and beyond the range of artillery support. Not to mention the fact we're already low on supplies. I understand, Private. But it's General Dauquist's orders. Watch it! They hit the cooking fire.

What'd I tell you? Mokomoko, you was right. I'm starting to believe you really know what going happen. Looks like they wouldn't put Barry on the stretcher. I think he going home cause he get ugly feet, eh? Is he gonna be okay? I don't know if we'll be able to save his feet. Depends on how fast we can get him down. I've had enough, guys. Sayonara. They're gonna fix you up and you're gonna be alright, eh? Frankly, a warm bed and sleep sound good to me. Say hello to all the wahine at Royal Camp. Take care, Barry. Don't forget us, buddy.

Of course I won't forget you. We'll all have a barbecue with Mr. Finch when this is over. Anybody else think it's a bad idea going back down the hill now that we're at the top? Hey, that General Dumbquest, he had no good idea since we went right here. Why do you think he throws us at every damn mission that others think are impossible? Because we're the best troops? No, because we're expendable. He thinks we Niseis are cannon fodder. Hey, Nokomoku. Hmm? So you said you're here for help me?

What changed my future? I don't know. I'm not sure. I think so. In the future, was I dead? You know, I'm from 80 years in the future, so pretty much everybody from this time period is dead. Including my Ji-chan. Okay, but I mean, did I die here? How about we change the subject? Because I don't know if this is some alternate reality. Nothing certain. That sounds like a yes to me. So I'm going to die in this war? Like I said.

Maybe I'm here to change what happens. I know things. And maybe that'll help keep some people from dying. Like how the cooking smoke attracted German fire. I bet I just prevented a bunch of men from dying, and now they're all alive in the future. Yeah. Yeah, maybe you're going to change the future. You just stick with me, Sonny. And I'll keep us both alive. I didn't know if I could really change things or keep men from dying or what any of all of this meant. But I knew it was important to try.

The past holds the key to the future, Ken. We can't forget. Next time, Ken applies the lessons his grandfather had taught him. Eight years of judo classes that my grandpa had forced me to take finally had a purpose. This has been episode four of six of Purple Heart Warriors with Aki Kotabe and Will Sharp. Written by Iris Yamashita. Directed by Jessica Dromgoole. Produced by Catherine Bailey.

and is a Catherine Bailey production for the BBC World Service.

And never miss an episode.