Japanese Army Handbook 1939-1945 by Forty OBE, Lieutenant Colonel George

The Imperial Japanese Army grew from a peacetime standing army of 17 divisions, to a massive 191 (mainly infantry) divisions. Their highly successful campaigns in the Far East and Pacific theatres at the beginning of World War II were every bit as spectacular as those of the Germans in Europe, their troops earning an enviable reputation as expert jungle fighters which it took some years for the Allies to match. Their code of honour also made them extremely cruel enemies to prisoners and civilians alike, whilst their fear of dishonouring themselves and their families meant they would automatically fight to the last without any thought of surrender. In this text, George Forty reviews the organization of the Imperial Japanese Army, from high command down to divisional level and below, and examines the mobilization and training of these extraordinary troops. The individual soldier is described in detail, from his uniform and equipment to personal weapons. Major weapons are also covered, from tanks and artillery to vehicles and technical equipment, with a separate chapter describing military symbology and tactics.