Military campaigns of the Imperial Japanese Armed Forces during WWII

[Aepsilons]

This thread will be historical-based. It will look into the land, air and naval campaigns of the IJAF throughout the duration of World War II. I would like to touch base into the following topics of interests:1) military uniforms, 2) military insignias, 3) military weaponry, 4) units, and 5) military campaigns. ​

 

[NKVD]

This thread will be historical-based. It will look into the land, air and naval campaigns of the IJAF throughout the duration of World War II. I would like to touch base into the following topics of interests:1) military uniforms, 2) military insignias, 3) military weaponry, 4) units, and 5) military campaigns. ​

My personal favourite was pearl harbour attack just stunned Yankees I don't think they will ever forget it. great planning and maintenance of operational secrecy I ever seen in any stealthy stike mission.

 

[sincity]

What there to learn from a defeated army, Japan unconditional surrender to the US in WW2.

 

[Aepsilons]

Uniforms & Equipment of the Japanese Footsoldier -- Early War

The 'Hetai', as the Emperor's footsoldier was known, confronted the Allied forces in the Pacific theatre. At the time of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor and her subsequent entry into the war against the Allies, the Japanese infantryman was equipped with a kit which had benefited from prolonged field experience in Manchuria and China. In 1941-42 the infantryman wore the Model 98 uniform, introduced in 1938. This was made in both khaki-brown cloth for winter and lighter cotton for summer and tropical use. In this simple uniform; and the model illustrated here wears summer dress with complete marching kit. In accordance with tradition he carries a flag presented to him by his family.

Uniforms & Equipment of the Japanese Footsoldier -- Late War




The simple, lightweight Japanese uniform was from the first, quite suitable for tropical campaigning, and underwent little change during the war years. As wartime shortages began to bite there was a certain amount of substitution of non-strategic materials, however; many leather items being replaced with cheaper equivalents made of vulcanized fiber or rubberized cloth. This soldier is wearing the lightened equipment typical of the jungle campaigns. The cap, shirt, and "horseshoe roll" containing basic necessities were characteristic of the defenders of the Pacific Islands against the U.S. forces, and of Burma against the British 14th Army. Although some issue items -- e.g. the gasmask -- have been discarded as useless encumbrances, our soldier still carries, fixed to his bayonet, the good luck flag his family presented to him when he left.

 

[halupridol]

interesting thread with great potential to become a huge troll fest..

 

[Aepsilons]

Military Uniform

Imperial officer

Imperial army officer, China campaign

Imperial army officer, with katana, China campaign

Imperial officer, with type 38 arisaka rifle, bayonet ready, camouflage attire
Philippine campaign

Type 38 arisaka infantry battle rifle, bayonet fixed.
Imperial infantryman

 

[Aepsilons]

Top Japanese Weapons of WWII – Machine Guns and Pistols


Machine Guns

Type 100 Sub-Machine Gun (1940) – Though slow in adopting a weapon they could use in jungle combat, the Japanese eventually developed the Type 100 sub-machine gun. Production on the Type 100 only lasted about three years, as it was never viewed as a successful weapon. It did, however, serve as a prototype for the future development of a similar weapon of a more simple design with a greater rate of fire (1944 model).







T-99 Machine Gun – Invented in 1939, the T-99 fed into the chamber from the top. Its design was based on an earlier machine gun – the T-96. Because of the backup in Japan’s war industry, the T-99 came forth too late, making little impact on the war. Still, it was a huge improvement over previous Japanese weapons.





T-11 Machine Gun – This light machine gun was the first one the Japanese invented themselves. It was an unusual gun and far from perfect. Like many of the Japanese machine guns, it was only capable of automatic fire.



Pistols/Revolvers

Nambu Pistol – First produced in 1925, the purpose of this pistol was to supply the Japanese army with a cheap, easily-produced pistol. The major problem with this WWII weapon was, in order to remove the magazine, the gun had to be well-maintained and the individual’s hands had to be dry. This downfall is believed to have resulted in the death of many Japanese officers.





Type 94 Pistol – The Type 94 pistol was developed prior to WWII when the Japanese began seeking an even cheaper (than the Nambu) pistol. However, the Type 94 actually wound up being more expensive. First put into production in 1935, and despite being one of the worse pistols ever produced, close to 70,000 of them were produced.







Nambu Revolver – The first Nambu revolver dates back to 1893. Many of the features of this revolver were designed after western revolvers. Though well-built, this self-cocking revolver was incapable of single-action.



Top Japanese Weapons of WWII – Rifles


Type 99 – The Type 99 rifle was first introduced in 1939, though it was basically a modified (re-chambered) version of the 1938 rifle. It was fitted with a special sight that allowed a soldier to sight and hit an incoming airplane.





Arisaka - Because the Arisaka was designed in the 30th year of the Emporer Meiji (1897), it is more commonly known as the “30th Year Rifle”. The Arisaka was a much longer than average rifle – 50.25” and though its length exceeded the height of the majority of Japanese soldiers, it was a standard issue for Japan’s infantrymen. It remained in production until the end of WWII in 1945.





Several other variants of the Arisaka were used by the Japanese including the 38th Year Sniper and the 44 year Carbine. The 44 year carbine actually had a folding bayonet up under the muzzle.



Type 97 – Anti-tank Rifle – Weighing in at 152 lbs, the Type 97 was the heaviest of all anti-tank rifles. It took a crew of four to fire this fully-automatic rifle, which also capable of shooting high explosive rounds. The Japanese Navy used the Type 97 as an anti-aircraft gun.





The Japanese produced large quantities of the above weapons and used them extensively throughout WWII.

• Type 38 – over 3 million
• Type 99 – 3.5 million
• Type 30 rifles – 554,000

 

[Aepsilons]

The Harbin Incident

In order to justify the direct intervention of the Kwantung Army to assist General Xi Qia, Colonel Doihara engineered a riot in Harbin. During the uprising, one Japanese and three Korean subjects of Japan were killed. Although most Japanese forces had been withdrawn from northern Manchuria for use in the Chinchow operation ; but the 2nd Infantry Division , commanded by Lieutenant General Jiro Tamon , had returned to Mukden for a rest.

On receiving orders to go to the rescue of General Xi Qia, the 2nd Division entrained on the same day. Some delays were experienced because of transportation difficulties in the cold winter weather. This gave General Ting Chao time to seize the Municipal Administration in Harbin and arrest pro-Japanese Governor of Heilungkiang General Chang Ching-hui.

From Tsitsihar the newly arrived Japanese 4th Mixed Brigade moved in from the east. For seven days Japanese columns struggled over the frozen countryside in temperatures of 30° below zero. Finally they closed in on the city from the west and south on February 4.

Battle of Harbin

General Ting Chao fought a 17-hour battle, which Harbin's inhabitants watched from their rooftops. Possibly in an effort to embroil Russia, Ting Chao's artillery was posted in front of the offices of the Soviet-dominated Chinese eastern railroad, but to no effect. Ting Chao's men, many of whom were poorly equipped and untrained civilian volunteers, finally broke under the fire from Japanese guns and the bombing and strafing by Japanese aircraft. General Ting was forced to retreat from Harbin to the northeast, down the Sungari River, pursued by Japanese aircraft. Within a few hours the Japanese occupation of Harbin was complete.

Doihara offered Ma Zhanshan one million dollars in gold to defect to the new Manchukuo Imperial Army. With General Ting Chao's defeated, Ma Zhanshan agreed on 14 February 1932 and retained his post as Governor of Heilonjiang Province in exchange for cooperating with the Japanese.

On February 27, 1932, General Ting Chao, offered to cease hostilities, ending official Chinese resistance in Manchuria.

 

[Desert Fox]

This thread will be historical-based. It will look into the land, air and naval campaigns of the IJAF throughout the duration of World War II. I would like to touch base into the following topics of interests:1) military uniforms, 2) military insignias, 3) military weaponry, 4) units, and 5) military campaigns. ​

Japanese people are very brave. The Japanese defense of Iwo Jima is truly inspiring. Those brave soldiers fought to defend every inch of that Godforsaken Island just so the American's wouldn't have it easy in bombing their homeland!

My personal favourite was pearl harbour attack just stunned Yankees I don't think they will ever forget it. great planning and maintenance of operational secrecy I ever seen in any stealthy stike mission.

Roosevelt was actually aware of the attack beforehand but he did not order any preventive measures because he viewed it as an opportunity to enter the war.

 

[Military fancier]

The Harbin Incident

In order to justify the direct intervention of the Kwantung Army to assist General Xi Qia, Colonel Doihara engineered a riot in Harbin. During the uprising, one Japanese and three Korean subjects of Japan were killed. Although most Japanese forces had been withdrawn from northern Manchuria for use in the Chinchow operation ; but the 2nd Infantry Division , commanded by Lieutenant General Jiro Tamon , had returned to Mukden for a rest.

On receiving orders to go to the rescue of General Xi Qia, the 2nd Division entrained on the same day. Some delays were experienced because of transportation difficulties in the cold winter weather. This gave General Ting Chao time to seize the Municipal Administration in Harbin and arrest pro-Japanese Governor of Heilungkiang General Chang Ching-hui.

From Tsitsihar the newly arrived Japanese 4th Mixed Brigade moved in from the east. For seven days Japanese columns struggled over the frozen countryside in temperatures of 30° below zero. Finally they closed in on the city from the west and south on February 4.

Battle of Harbin

General Ting Chao fought a 17-hour battle, which Harbin's inhabitants watched from their rooftops. Possibly in an effort to embroil Russia, Ting Chao's artillery was posted in front of the offices of the Soviet-dominated Chinese eastern railroad, but to no effect. Ting Chao's men, many of whom were poorly equipped and untrained civilian volunteers, finally broke under the fire from Japanese guns and the bombing and strafing by Japanese aircraft. General Ting was forced to retreat from Harbin to the northeast, down the Sungari River, pursued by Japanese aircraft. Within a few hours the Japanese occupation of Harbin was complete.

Doihara offered Ma Zhanshan one million dollars in gold to defect to the new Manchukuo Imperial Army. With General Ting Chao's defeated, Ma Zhanshan agreed on 14 February 1932 and retained his post as Governor of Heilonjiang Province in exchange for cooperating with the Japanese.

On February 27, 1932, General Ting Chao, offered to cease hostilities, ending official Chinese resistance in Manchuria.

 

[FunkyGen]

THIS THREAD MUST BE BANNED. JAPANESE WERE ILLEGAL OCCUPANTS AND COMMITTED SEVER HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSES. SHAME!

 

[asad71]

But where are the campaigns?

@Nihonjin1051

 

[third eye]

My personal favourite was pearl harbour attack just stunned Yankees I don't think they will ever forget it. great planning and maintenance of operational secrecy I ever seen in any stealthy stike mission.

Pearl harbour was not a campaign, it was a sneak attack on an unsuspecting nation which till that date - 7th Dec was not an enemy.

 

[INDIC]

THIS THREAD MUST BE BANNED. JAPANESE WERE ILLEGAL OCCUPANTS AND COMMITTED SEVER HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSES. SHAME!

British and Japanese both were same.

Pearl harbour was not a campaign, it was a sneak attack on an unsuspecting nation which till that date - 7th Dec was not an enemy.

Pearl Harbour was a great blunder done by the Japanese.

 

[FunkyGen]

British and Japanese both were same.

Did I glorify them British people? eh....

Pearl Harbour was a great blunder done by the Japanese.

Blunder doesn't even begin to describe what they did....