#Japanese military history

[theinternetisaweboflies]

Fort Stevens, now an Oregon State Park, remains the only American mainland military base since the battle of 1812 to have been fired upon by a foreign power. Near midnight on June 21, 1942, a Japanese submarine surfaced and fired shells at the fort for approximately 15 minutes before submersing again. There were no casualties.

[historyofguns]

The article "Japanese Type 100 Submachine Gun — Too Few and Too Late," authored by Tom Laemlein, explores the Japanese Type 100 submachine gun and its delayed production during World War II. The article details Japan's initial lack of interest in submachine guns during the 1930s, and how, despite eventually manufacturing the Type 100 in 1944, they missed the opportunity to effectively compete with other nations' short-range firepower. The article traces the history of submachine guns, highlighting the influence of the .45 caliber Thompson and European models, the development of a simplified Bergmann-type submachine gun by Japan, and the evolution of the Type 100 through various models such as the paratrooper version with a folding stock. Despite efforts to update and improve the gun, it was ultimately limited by production constraints and the underpowered 8x22mm Nambu round. The Type 100 remains a historically interesting weapon but was not on par with other submachine guns of World War II.

[bookloversofbath]

Burma 1942: The Japanese Invasion: Both Sides Tell the Story of a Savage Jungle War :: Ian Lyall Grant & Kazou Tamayama

[sgtgrunt0331-3]

On April 1, 1945, U.S. Marines from 2nd Battalion, 22nd Marine Regiment, exit their amphibious vehicles onto Green Beach One on the island of Okinawa. It was both Easter Sunday and April Fools when American forces landed that day.

(Photo courtesy of USMC)

[barbucomedie]

Court Sword from Japan dated to the 19th Century on display at the Royal Armouries in Leeds, England

This Tachi style sword was worn for court to display and is an archaic style derived from China using flowers and foliage as decoration. Such weapons would most likely not be used for combat but as an indication of wealth and rank in court amongst other nobility.

Photographs taken by myself 2024

[cid5]

Imperial Japanese Navy Air Force Kanoya Air Base circa May 1945 in Kanoya, Kagoshima, Japan.

[troythecatfish]

[vikkicomics]

Coloured version!

Vincent and his red-tailed hawk Flosshild, concept art for Moth. A young man and his hawk was a very popular subject for portrait paintings in traditional Japanese woodblock art, which leant inspiration for this piece. This is set in Japan, 1907, when the Japan was still employing Prussian officers to modernize their military.

A young man in a pickelhaube visiting a Buddhist temple, as is shown behind him, creates a striking contrast between Pacifist and Militarist symbols, as well as between Eastern and Western aesthetics and philosophies. Both are condemned by the English-speaking establishment, we are permitted to be neither Pacifists, nor Militarists, everything we do now is expected to be motivated by plutocracy.

[nickysfacts]

The onna-musha are a great example of how traditionalism and women empowerment are not always apposing ideas!

🇯🇵🚺🏯

[infinitiumme]

Yukio Mishima in paramilitair uniform designed by himself for his tatenokai (shield society)

In cyanotype print

[tmarshconnors]

Franklin D. Roosevelt was warned.

On December 7, 1941, the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbour became one of the most infamous events in American history, leading the United States into World War II. However, a lesser-known aspect of this tragic day is the series of warnings that were issued to American military installations in the days leading up to the attack. Ten days before the Japanese planes descended upon Pearl Harbor, both the Army and Navy sent explicit messages warning of imminent war to key locations, including Hawaii, the Philippines, Guam, and the Canal Zone. These warnings, unfortunately, were largely ignored by the facilities in Oahu, resulting in catastrophic consequences.

In late November 1941, the increasing tension in the Pacific was palpable. Intelligence gathered by American cryptanalysts indicated that Japan was planning a significant military operation. On November 27, 1941, a "war warning" was sent out by both the War Department and the Navy Department. This warning indicated that a Japanese attack was likely and urged all Pacific commands to take appropriate defensive measures.

"Negotiations with Japan appear to be terminated to all practical purposes with only the barest possibilities that the Japanese Government might come back and offer to continue. Japanese future action unpredictable but hostile action possible at any moment. If hostilities cannot, repeat cannot, be avoided the United States desires that Japan commit the first overt act. This policy should not, repeat not, be construed as restricting you to a course of action that might jeopardise your defence."

Similarly, the Navy's communication emphasized the imminence of war and the need for vigilance:

"This dispatch is to be considered a war warning. The negotiations with Japan in an effort to stabilize conditions in the Pacific have ceased, and an aggressive move by Japan is expected within the next few days."

Despite the urgency conveyed in these messages, the response from military facilities in Oahu, where Pearl Harbor is located, was shockingly lax. Several factors contributed to this alarming oversight, including a misinterpretation of the threat's location and a general underestimation of Japan's capabilities and intentions.

Another controversial aspect of the lead-up to Pearl Harbor is the role of President Franklin D. Roosevelt. Critics argue that Roosevelt was aware of the impending danger but failed to take adequate steps to prevent the attack. While it is true that Roosevelt had access to intelligence reports indicating a potential threat, the extent to which he understood or acted on this information remains a topic of debate among historians.

Some theorists suggest that Roosevelt might have allowed the attack to happen to galvanize American public opinion in favor of entering World War II. However, most historians dismiss this notion as a conspiracy theory, citing the immense risk and unpredictable consequences of such an action. What is clear, though, is that the warnings from both the Army and Navy were not given the level of attention and urgency they warranted, either by Roosevelt's administration or the military commanders in Hawaii.

The attack on Pearl Harbor had devastating effects, resulting in the deaths of over 2,400 Americans and the loss of numerous ships and aircraft. In the aftermath, numerous investigations sought to understand how such a significant surprise attack could have occurred. These inquiries highlighted the failures in communication, preparedness, and the underestimation of the Japanese threat.

One of the crucial lessons from Pearl Harbor is the importance of heeding intelligence warnings and ensuring that all levels of command understand and act upon them appropriately. The tragedy underscored the need for improved communication and coordination among military and government agencies to prevent such lapses in the future.

The events leading up to the Pearl Harbor attack serve as a poignant reminder of the consequences of ignoring clear warnings. The messages sent ten days prior to the attack were explicit and direct, yet the failure to act on them resulted in one of the darkest days in American history.

As we remember Pearl Harbour, it is essential to acknowledge the lessons it taught us about vigilance, preparedness, and the critical importance of acting on intelligence to safeguard national security.

[lonestarbattleship]

Combined Fleet Resupplying for the Battle of Leyte Gulf, in Brunei Bay. From left to right, Mogami (最上) in front of Musashi (武蔵), and Chokai (鳥海) in front of Yamato (大和).

Date: October 21, 1944

Colorized by Irootoko Jr: link

[historicminiaturesnorthernva]

Japanese Infantry and a Type 97 Chi-Ha tank, 1943.

[holy-ghost-fire]

A group of Japanese American soldiers in France, December 1944. Nisei soldier's caption: "Mule skinners. Charlie Co. were really in the hills. All supplies being brought up by mules went up to operate our radio and lead one of these critters. But halfway up I had the mule drag me. Lucky that my animal was tame enough not to mind."

[sgtgrunt0331-3]

"We wanted to pull the beach over our heads like a blanket."

On February 19, 1945, U.S. Marines land on the black, volcanic sands of Iwo Jima. For the next 36 days, the Marines fought one of the most ferocious and bloodiest battles in their history.

(Video footage courtesy of the film "To the Shores of Iwo Jima")

[barbucomedie]

Pair of Swords from Japan dated to the 19th Century on display at the Perth Museum in Perth, Scotland

In Edo period Japan these pairs of swords were called daishō often translated to "Big-little" refering to the larger katana and shorter wakizashi. In the following Meiji period the wearing of these swords was banned, something that the ruling Samurai did to indicate their status. With this ban many swords went up for sale and were bought up by visiting dignitaries and merchants from Europe. They would go on to be part of many museum collections around Europe.

Photographs taken by myself 2024