Japanese Special Naval Landing Forces
Encyclopedia
The Japanese Special Naval Landing Forces (SNLF), (海軍特別陸戦隊 Kaigun Tokubetsu Rikusentai) were the marine troops of the Imperial Japanese Navy
(IJN) and were a part of the IJN Land Forces
. They saw extensive service in the Sino-Japanese War (1937-1945) and the Pacific theatre
of World War II
.
Prior to the late 1920s the IJN did not have a separate marine force, instead it used naval landing forces or rikusentai formed from individual ships's crews, who received infantry training as part of their basic training, for special and/or temporary missions.
In the late 1920s, the navy began to form Special Naval Landing Forces as standing regiment
s (albeit of battalion
size). These forces were raised at — and took their names from — the four main naval districts/bases in Japan
: Kure
, Maizuru, Sasebo
, and Yokosuka.
These bases all raised more than one SNLF.
These SNLF units saw action in China from 1932 in the January 28 Incident
and at the Battle of Shanghai
and in naval operations along the China coast and up the Yangtze River and its tributaries during the Second Sino-Japanese War
.
Other SNLF were later raised from IJN personnel in China
, at Hankow, and Shanghai
, for service in Canton
and on the Yangtze River
. On 7 December 1941 there were 16 SNLF units, this increased to 21 units during the war. The strengths of each SNLF ranged from the prewar peak of 1,200 to a later 650 personnel. There was also a special detachment in the Kwantung area, garrisoning the ports of Dairen and Ryojun.
In 1941, the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Yokosuka SNLF were converted to parachute units
. They conducted more combat drops than Japanese Army parachute units
during World War II. The SNLF paratroopers were used during the attack on Celebes
, to much lauded success by the Imperial government.
The original SNLF personnel were well-trained, high quality troops with good morale and they performed well against unprepared and unorganized opposition across Southeast Asia
. However, when faced with determined resistance, such as at the invasion of Timor and the Battle of Milne Bay
in 1942, they often experienced heavy casualties due to their unwillingness to surrender. When completely out of ammunition, they would often resort to hand-to-hand fighting with their swords. They were also responsible for the Manila massacre
during the Allied invasion of the Philippines
in February 1945, were 10,000 SNLF troops under the command of Vice Admiral Sanji Iwabuchi disobeyed orders and stayed behind to fight the Americans.
In a well known last stand in 1943, 2,619 men of the 7th Sasebo SNLF and 2,000 base personnel at the Battle of Tarawa
accounted for over 3,000 U.S. Marine Corps
casualties.
(Note: the Imperial Japanese Army
also raised amphibious units called Sea Landing Brigades(:ja:海上機動旅団). These 3,500-strong brigade
s were used to assault and then garrison islands.)
ubiqued in main bases of Kure, Maizuru, Sasebo, Yokosuka along special training centers of Ryojun and Dairen in Kantogun.
recruits were trained at the army/navy paratrooper training base on Kanto Plain.
created in the Tateyama IJN Ordnance School that was across from Tokyo on the Boso Peninsula.
established in the IJN aquatic armour unit at Q-Base on Nasakejima in 1943 and your first trained units were sent to Rabaul (New Guinea) and the Marshall Islands in October of same year.
. The land uniform consisted of a green single breasted tunic with a stand and fall collar with three buttons which ran down the front. The SNLF usually wore this uniform with the collar open and officers wore it with a shirt and tie. The tie was originally dark blue but was later changed to green. Green long trousers or pantaloons were worn as standard along with the wool puttees or leather gaitors. All except mounted troops (who wore breeches and high leather boots) wore this uniform with horsehide, pigskin or leather ankle-boots.
SNLF Paratroopers wore two types of green uniform made from rip stop parachute silk with built in bandoleers and cargo pockets, being better designed than other paratrooper models of the time.
Originally green rank insignia was used for SNLF officers. These were worn on either shoulder boards or collar tabs. Enlisted men wore red on green round ratings on the upper sleeves. Later the standard black Japanese Naval collar rank was adopted and worn by officers. The enlisted men went to red on blue round ratings.
The ankle boots had either a hobnail
ed hard leather sole with metal heel J-cleat or a rubber sole with rubber cleats. When off duty, Sailors could wear tabi
s. A collarless wool or cotton white, gray or light green under shirt was worn under the tunic. This had one or two patch breast pockets with buttoned flaps, most had only a single pocket on the left breast. A khaki cotton shirt with stand and fall collar and two breast pockets could be worn in warm climates, with or without the tunic. The flat-topped peaked cap was replaced by a cloth field cap with a short leather or (more usually) cloth peak.
SNLF officers were not usually issued uniforms so they had to procure their own, thus there was a wide variety in the details, color and texture of their uniforms, with uniform colors ranging from pale to dark green. Collars were stiffer and materials were of a higher quality. All ranks later wore a single breasted version of the IJA M98. Officers could wear straight trousers with their M98 uniforms as a walking out uniform and later they could also wear the tunic with the collar open over a white or gray green shirt.
was replaced by the Navy Type 2 and later the Type 3. Both were variants of the IJA Type 92 (1932). It was officially called tetsubo (steel cap) but was called tetsukabuto (Steel Helmet) by troops. It was made in the shape of a dome with a short protruding rim all the way around it the IJN's Type 2 had a less flared rim. This helmet was made of a thin inferior chrome-molybdenum
steel with many proving to be very fragile, being easily pierced by shrapnel and/or gunfire. The IJN Type 3 was even thinner and made cheaper than the Type 2. An anchor for the IJN was fixed to the front with two bendable prongs attached to the back of the badge. They passed through a slit in the front of the shell and were then bent over to secure the badge to the helmet. The helmet and anchor were then painted one of many shades of green. They were sometimes whitewashed in the winter. A tan cover known as a first pattern was a two layer, fiber reinforced linen cover with a wool/felt two piece anchor sewn on the front. The second pattern cover was a shade of green. It had a one piece bevo woven anchor insignia sewn onto its front. Nets were then used to add a camo effect. The helmet was secured to the head by an elaborate set of straps descended from those of the Kabuto
samurai
helmet, although IJN helmet tapes were tied differently from the way the IJA tied them. It was also able to be worn over a field cap. Camouflage nets were widely worn over the helmet especially in the Southern theatre and Pacific island campaign.
The IJA issued single-breasted over coats, capes and raincoats with hoods in olive drab.
Imperial Japanese Navy
The Imperial Japanese Navy was the navy of the Empire of Japan from 1869 until 1947, when it was dissolved following Japan's constitutional renunciation of the use of force as a means of settling international disputes...
(IJN) and were a part of the IJN Land Forces
Imperial Japanese Navy Land Forces
Imperial Japanese Navy Land Forces of World War II originated with the Special Naval Landing Forces, and eventually consisted of the following:...
. They saw extensive service in the Sino-Japanese War (1937-1945) and the Pacific theatre
Pacific War
The Pacific War, also sometimes called the Asia-Pacific War refers broadly to the parts of World War II that took place in the Pacific Ocean, its islands, and in East Asia, then called the Far East...
of World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
.
History
In the late 1920s, the navy began to form Special Naval Landing Forces as standing regiment
Regiment
A regiment is a major tactical military unit, composed of variable numbers of batteries, squadrons or battalions, commanded by a colonel or lieutenant colonel...
s (albeit of battalion
Battalion
A battalion is a military unit of around 300–1,200 soldiers usually consisting of between two and seven companies and typically commanded by either a Lieutenant Colonel or a Colonel...
size). These forces were raised at — and took their names from — the four main naval districts/bases in Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
: Kure
Kure, Hiroshima
is a city in Hiroshima prefecture, Japan.As of October 1, 2010, the city has an estimated population of 240,820 and a population density of 681 persons per km². The total area is 353.74 km².- History :...
, Maizuru, Sasebo
Sasebo, Nagasaki
is a city located in Nagasaki Prefecture, Japan. As of 2011, the city has an estimated population of 259,800 and the density of 609 persons per km². The total area is 426.47 km². The locality is famed for its scenic beauty. The city includes a part of Saikai National Park...
, and Yokosuka.
These bases all raised more than one SNLF.
These SNLF units saw action in China from 1932 in the January 28 Incident
January 28 Incident
The January 28 Incident was a short war between the armies of the Republic of China and the Empire of Japan, before official hostilities of the Second Sino-Japanese War commenced in 1937.- Naming :...
and at the Battle of Shanghai
Battle of Shanghai
The Battle of Shanghai, known in Chinese as Battle of Songhu, was the first of the twenty-two major engagements fought between the National Revolutionary Army of the Republic of China and the Imperial Japanese Army of the Empire of Japan during the Second Sino-Japanese War...
and in naval operations along the China coast and up the Yangtze River and its tributaries during the Second Sino-Japanese War
Second Sino-Japanese War
The Second Sino-Japanese War was a military conflict fought primarily between the Republic of China and the Empire of Japan. From 1937 to 1941, China fought Japan with some economic help from Germany , the Soviet Union and the United States...
.
Other SNLF were later raised from IJN personnel in China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
, at Hankow, and Shanghai
Shanghai
Shanghai is the largest city by population in China and the largest city proper in the world. It is one of the four province-level municipalities in the People's Republic of China, with a total population of over 23 million as of 2010...
, for service in Canton
Guangzhou
Guangzhou , known historically as Canton or Kwangchow, is the capital and largest city of the Guangdong province in the People's Republic of China. Located in southern China on the Pearl River, about north-northwest of Hong Kong, Guangzhou is a key national transportation hub and trading port...
and on the Yangtze River
Yangtze River
The Yangtze, Yangzi or Cháng Jiāng is the longest river in Asia, and the third-longest in the world. It flows for from the glaciers on the Tibetan Plateau in Qinghai eastward across southwest, central and eastern China before emptying into the East China Sea at Shanghai. It is also one of the...
. On 7 December 1941 there were 16 SNLF units, this increased to 21 units during the war. The strengths of each SNLF ranged from the prewar peak of 1,200 to a later 650 personnel. There was also a special detachment in the Kwantung area, garrisoning the ports of Dairen and Ryojun.
In 1941, the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Yokosuka SNLF were converted to parachute units
Japanese marine paratroopers of World War II
The Imperial Japanese Navy fielded naval paratroopers during World War II. The troops were officially part of the Special Naval Landing Forces . They came from the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Yokosuka SNLFs. The 2nd Yokosuka took no part in any airborne operations and became an island defensive base unit...
. They conducted more combat drops than Japanese Army parachute units
Teishin Shudan
was a Japanese special forces/airborne unit during World War II. The unit was a division-level force, and was part of the Imperial Japanese Army Air Force...
during World War II. The SNLF paratroopers were used during the attack on Celebes
Sulawesi
Sulawesi is one of the four larger Sunda Islands of Indonesia and is situated between Borneo and the Maluku Islands. In Indonesia, only Sumatra, Borneo, and Papua are larger in territory, and only Java and Sumatra have larger Indonesian populations.- Etymology :The Portuguese were the first to...
, to much lauded success by the Imperial government.
The original SNLF personnel were well-trained, high quality troops with good morale and they performed well against unprepared and unorganized opposition across Southeast Asia
Southeast Asia
Southeast Asia, South-East Asia, South East Asia or Southeastern Asia is a subregion of Asia, consisting of the countries that are geographically south of China, east of India, west of New Guinea and north of Australia. The region lies on the intersection of geological plates, with heavy seismic...
. However, when faced with determined resistance, such as at the invasion of Timor and the Battle of Milne Bay
Battle of Milne Bay
The Battle of Milne Bay, also known as Operation RE by the Japanese, was a battle of the Pacific campaign of World War II. Japanese marines attacked the Australian base at Milne Bay on the eastern tip of New Guinea on 25 August 1942, and fighting continued until the Japanese retreated on 5...
in 1942, they often experienced heavy casualties due to their unwillingness to surrender. When completely out of ammunition, they would often resort to hand-to-hand fighting with their swords. They were also responsible for the Manila massacre
Manila massacre
The Manila massacre refers to the February 1945 atrocities conducted against Filipino civilians in Manila, Philippines by Japanese troops during World War II.-Description:...
during the Allied invasion of the Philippines
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
in February 1945, were 10,000 SNLF troops under the command of Vice Admiral Sanji Iwabuchi disobeyed orders and stayed behind to fight the Americans.
In a well known last stand in 1943, 2,619 men of the 7th Sasebo SNLF and 2,000 base personnel at the Battle of Tarawa
Battle of Tarawa
The Battle of Tarawa, code named Operation Galvanic, was a battle in the Pacific Theater of World War II, largely fought from November 20 to November 23, 1943. It was the first American offensive in the critical central Pacific region....
accounted for over 3,000 U.S. Marine Corps
United States Marine Corps
The United States Marine Corps is a branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for providing power projection from the sea, using the mobility of the United States Navy to deliver combined-arms task forces rapidly. It is one of seven uniformed services of the United States...
casualties.
(Note: the Imperial Japanese Army
Imperial Japanese Army
-Foundation:During the Meiji Restoration, the military forces loyal to the Emperor were samurai drawn primarily from the loyalist feudal domains of Satsuma and Chōshū...
also raised amphibious units called Sea Landing Brigades(:ja:海上機動旅団). These 3,500-strong brigade
Brigade
A brigade is a major tactical military formation that is typically composed of two to five battalions, plus supporting elements depending on the era and nationality of a given army and could be perceived as an enlarged/reinforced regiment...
s were used to assault and then garrison islands.)
Infantry Units
- KureKure, Hiroshimais a city in Hiroshima prefecture, Japan.As of October 1, 2010, the city has an estimated population of 240,820 and a population density of 681 persons per km². The total area is 353.74 km².- History :...
Naval Base- 1st Kure SNLF-At Hainan Naval District, 3rd China Fleet
- 2nd Kure SNLF
- 3rd Kure SNLF
- 5th Kure SNLF
- 6th Kure SNLF
- 7th Kure SNLF
- Maizuru Naval Base
- 1st Maizuru SNLF
- 2nd Maizuru SNLF
- 4th Maizuru SNLF
- 5th Maizuru SNLF
- Sasebo Naval Base
- 1st Sasebo SNLF
- 2nd Sasebo SNLF-Under 32nd Special Base Force, 3rd Fleet
- 5th Sasebo SNLF
- 6th Sasebo SNLF
- 7th Sasebo SNLF
- 8th Sasebo SNLF Shanghai Naval Base (Operated along the Yangtze river, China)
- Sasebo Combined SNLF (Combined 1st and 2nd Sasebo SNLF)
- Yokosuka Naval Base
- 1st Yokosuka SNLF (Originally an SNLF Para formation)
- 2nd Yokosuka SNLF
- 3rd Yokosuka SNLF (Originally an SNLF Para formation)
- 4th Yokosuka SNLF
- 5th Yokosuka SNLF
- 6th Yokosuka SNLF
- 7th Yokosuka SNLF
Special Guard Detachments
- Ryojun SNLF: special naval guard detached in Ryojun port, Kwantung belonged in Ryojun Guard District.
- ShanghaiShanghaiShanghai is the largest city by population in China and the largest city proper in the world. It is one of the four province-level municipalities in the People's Republic of China, with a total population of over 23 million as of 2010...
SNLF (746 units): special naval guard based in ShanghaiShanghaiShanghai is the largest city by population in China and the largest city proper in the world. It is one of the four province-level municipalities in the People's Republic of China, with a total population of over 23 million as of 2010...
port, ChinaChinaChinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
belonged in China Theater Fleet. Later merged into Canton Special Base Force based in GuangzhouGuangzhouGuangzhou , known historically as Canton or Kwangchow, is the capital and largest city of the Guangdong province in the People's Republic of China. Located in southern China on the Pearl River, about north-northwest of Hong Kong, Guangzhou is a key national transportation hub and trading port...
area. - Yangtze SNLF: special river squadron detached along the Yangtze river area inside of 1st China Fleet.
- Hankow SNLF: special naval guard based in Hankow and Wuchang ports,belonged to Middle River Division,inside Yangtze River Fleet and 1st China Fleet.
- CantonGuangzhouGuangzhou , known historically as Canton or Kwangchow, is the capital and largest city of the Guangdong province in the People's Republic of China. Located in southern China on the Pearl River, about north-northwest of Hong Kong, Guangzhou is a key national transportation hub and trading port...
SNLF: special naval guard detached in GuangzhouGuangzhouGuangzhou , known historically as Canton or Kwangchow, is the capital and largest city of the Guangdong province in the People's Republic of China. Located in southern China on the Pearl River, about north-northwest of Hong Kong, Guangzhou is a key national transportation hub and trading port...
port, KwangtungGuangdongGuangdong is a province on the South China Sea coast of the People's Republic of China. The province was previously often written with the alternative English name Kwangtung Province...
belonged inside of Canton Special Base Force.
Paratroopers of the SNLF
See article:Japanese marine paratroopers of World War IIJapanese marine paratroopers of World War II
The Imperial Japanese Navy fielded naval paratroopers during World War II. The troops were officially part of the Special Naval Landing Forces . They came from the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Yokosuka SNLFs. The 2nd Yokosuka took no part in any airborne operations and became an island defensive base unit...
- Yokosuka Naval Base
- 1st Yokosuka SNLF (Parachute trained) the 1st was disbanded after its operations in Celebes were completed.
- 3rd Yokosuka SNLF (Parachute trained) Made a drop on Timor. Later taken into the 1st Yokosuko SNLF.
Tank and Armor Units
See srticle:Imperial Japanese Navy Armor UnitsImperial Japanese Navy Armor Units
This is a list of Imperial Japanese Navy armored units that were equipped with Type 89 Chi-Ro Medium Tank, Type 95 Ha-Go Light Tank, Type 97 Chi-Ha Medium Tank and the Type 2 Ka-Mi Amphibious Tank.*Shanghai SNLF Tank Company...
- Shanghai SNLF Tank Company
- Milne Tank Platoon of Kure 5th SNLF
- Tarawa Tank Unit of Sasebo 7th SNLF
- Kwajalein Armor Unit of Sasebo 7th SNLF
- Navy tank unit of 55th Guard Unit,Yokosuka 1st SNLF
- Itoh Armored Detachment SNLF
- Makin Armor SNLF Detachment of Navy 3rd Special Base Force
SNLF Training Units
- SNLF infantry training centers:
ubiqued in main bases of Kure, Maizuru, Sasebo, Yokosuka along special training centers of Ryojun and Dairen in Kantogun.
- SNLF paratrooper school:
recruits were trained at the army/navy paratrooper training base on Kanto Plain.
- SNLF land armor school:
created in the Tateyama IJN Ordnance School that was across from Tokyo on the Boso Peninsula.
- SNLF amphibious armor school:
established in the IJN aquatic armour unit at Q-Base on Nasakejima in 1943 and your first trained units were sent to Rabaul (New Guinea) and the Marshall Islands in October of same year.
Service dress
On board ship the sailors of the SNLF wore their standard IJN blue or white uniforms. On land the SNLF wore a uniform similar to that of the Imperial Japanese ArmyImperial Japanese Army
-Foundation:During the Meiji Restoration, the military forces loyal to the Emperor were samurai drawn primarily from the loyalist feudal domains of Satsuma and Chōshū...
. The land uniform consisted of a green single breasted tunic with a stand and fall collar with three buttons which ran down the front. The SNLF usually wore this uniform with the collar open and officers wore it with a shirt and tie. The tie was originally dark blue but was later changed to green. Green long trousers or pantaloons were worn as standard along with the wool puttees or leather gaitors. All except mounted troops (who wore breeches and high leather boots) wore this uniform with horsehide, pigskin or leather ankle-boots.
SNLF Paratroopers wore two types of green uniform made from rip stop parachute silk with built in bandoleers and cargo pockets, being better designed than other paratrooper models of the time.
Originally green rank insignia was used for SNLF officers. These were worn on either shoulder boards or collar tabs. Enlisted men wore red on green round ratings on the upper sleeves. Later the standard black Japanese Naval collar rank was adopted and worn by officers. The enlisted men went to red on blue round ratings.
The ankle boots had either a hobnail
Hobnail
A hobnail is a short nail with a thick head: used to increase the durability of boot soles.Hobnail may also refer to:* A pattern of glassware: where the body of the piece has a regular array of bumps, as if finished with glass hobnails* A popular song from 1907, performed by Billy Williams*...
ed hard leather sole with metal heel J-cleat or a rubber sole with rubber cleats. When off duty, Sailors could wear tabi
Tabi
are traditional Japanese socks. Ankle-high and with a separation between the big toe and other toes, they are worn by both men and women with zori, geta, and other traditional thonged footwear. Tabi are also essential with traditional clothing—kimono and other wafuku as well as being worn by...
s. A collarless wool or cotton white, gray or light green under shirt was worn under the tunic. This had one or two patch breast pockets with buttoned flaps, most had only a single pocket on the left breast. A khaki cotton shirt with stand and fall collar and two breast pockets could be worn in warm climates, with or without the tunic. The flat-topped peaked cap was replaced by a cloth field cap with a short leather or (more usually) cloth peak.
SNLF officers were not usually issued uniforms so they had to procure their own, thus there was a wide variety in the details, color and texture of their uniforms, with uniform colors ranging from pale to dark green. Collars were stiffer and materials were of a higher quality. All ranks later wore a single breasted version of the IJA M98. Officers could wear straight trousers with their M98 uniforms as a walking out uniform and later they could also wear the tunic with the collar open over a white or gray green shirt.
Headgear
The Adrian helmetAdrian helmet
The M15 Adrian helmet was a combat helmet issued to the French Army during World War I. It was the first standard helmet of the French Army and was designed when millions of French troops were engaged in trench warfare, and head wounds became a frequent cause of battlefield casualties...
was replaced by the Navy Type 2 and later the Type 3. Both were variants of the IJA Type 92 (1932). It was officially called tetsubo (steel cap) but was called tetsukabuto (Steel Helmet) by troops. It was made in the shape of a dome with a short protruding rim all the way around it the IJN's Type 2 had a less flared rim. This helmet was made of a thin inferior chrome-molybdenum
Molybdenum
Molybdenum , is a Group 6 chemical element with the symbol Mo and atomic number 42. The name is from Neo-Latin Molybdaenum, from Ancient Greek , meaning lead, itself proposed as a loanword from Anatolian Luvian and Lydian languages, since its ores were confused with lead ores...
steel with many proving to be very fragile, being easily pierced by shrapnel and/or gunfire. The IJN Type 3 was even thinner and made cheaper than the Type 2. An anchor for the IJN was fixed to the front with two bendable prongs attached to the back of the badge. They passed through a slit in the front of the shell and were then bent over to secure the badge to the helmet. The helmet and anchor were then painted one of many shades of green. They were sometimes whitewashed in the winter. A tan cover known as a first pattern was a two layer, fiber reinforced linen cover with a wool/felt two piece anchor sewn on the front. The second pattern cover was a shade of green. It had a one piece bevo woven anchor insignia sewn onto its front. Nets were then used to add a camo effect. The helmet was secured to the head by an elaborate set of straps descended from those of the Kabuto
Kabuto
A kabuto is a helmet used with traditional Japanese armour as worn by the samurai class and their retainers in feudal Japan....
samurai
Samurai
is the term for the military nobility of pre-industrial Japan. According to translator William Scott Wilson: "In Chinese, the character 侍 was originally a verb meaning to wait upon or accompany a person in the upper ranks of society, and this is also true of the original term in Japanese, saburau...
helmet, although IJN helmet tapes were tied differently from the way the IJA tied them. It was also able to be worn over a field cap. Camouflage nets were widely worn over the helmet especially in the Southern theatre and Pacific island campaign.
- Tropical helmetPith helmetThe pith helmet is a lightweight cloth-covered helmet made of cork or pith...
-- Type 90 - was like the cork helmet issued by the European imperial powers. It had a metal ventilator at the top, a couple of ventilation eyelets on either side and a brown leather chinstrap. It was mostly worn by officers.
- Type 92 - This was a cork version of the Type 92 steel helmet. It was covered with six segments of cloth, and several versions were available. It was issued to all ranks. Officers usually wore a white cover on theirs. A similar helmet was worn by the Viet Cong.
Other Items
- SenninbariSenninbariA or Thousand stitch belt is a strip of cloth, approximately one meter in length, decorated with 1000 stitches, given as an amulet by women to soldiers on their way to war as a part of the Shinto culture of Imperial Japan.-Construction, and types:...
were a red-sash 1,000 stich belt worn around the waist of their uniforms. They were supposed to bring good luck, confer courage, and make the wearer immune from bullets. - HachimakiHachimakiA hachimaki is a stylized headband in Japanese culture, usually made of red or white cloth, worn as a symbol of perseverance or effort by the wearer. These are worn on many occasions, for example, by sports spectators, by women giving birth, students in cram school, office workers, expert...
(鉢巻) is a stylized headbandHeadbandA headband is a clothing accessory worn in the hair or around the forehead, usually to hold hair away from the face or eyes. Headbands generally consist of a loop of elastic material or a horseshoe-shaped piece of flexible plastic or metal...
(bandanaBandanaBandana can refer to:*Another name for a kerchief*Bandana *Bandana *Bandana, Kentucky, a small town in the United States*Y Bandana, a Welsh alternative rock band.**Y Bandana , their self-titled debut album....
) in the Japanese cultureCulture of JapanThe culture of Japan has evolved greatly over the millennia, from the country's prehistoric Jōmon period to its contemporary hybrid culture, which combines influences from Asia, Europe and North America...
, usually made of red or white cloth, worn as a symbol of perseverance or effort by the wearer. - FatiguesBattledressBattledress, or fatigues in the general sense, is the type of uniform used as combat uniforms, as opposed to 'display' dress or formal uniform worn at parades and functions. It may be either monochrome or in a camouflage pattern...
- White cotton fatigues were initially issued as a tropical uniform but then when a light-khaki(tan) was adopted as a hot weather uniform colour, the fatigues were originally worn over the standard uniform to keep it clean while doing dirty-work. Later an olive green version of the white fatigues was issued. - Bousyo-i/Tropical - The tropical cotton uniform, designed similar to the M98, were initially available in tan or light khaki, but were superseded later in the war by versions in medium to dark green. They had open collars, buttoned side vent flaps below the armpits, pleated patch or internal pockets with flaps. Trousers could be full-length, 3/4 length, or a loose fitting breechesBreechesBreeches are an item of clothing covering the body from the waist down, with separate coverings for each leg, usually stopping just below the knee, though in some cases reaching to the ankles...
style pantaloonTrousersTrousers are an item of clothing worn on the lower part of the body from the waist to the ankles, covering both legs separately...
. The usual uniform worn in the Pacific islands was knee length shorts worn with a lightweight cotton shirt, which had three front buttons, 3/4 length sleeves and patch breast pockets with flaps. Officers wore a short or long sleeved lightweight white (or off-white) tropical shirt with the green trousers. When they wore the green tropical tunic they usually wore the shirt collar outside and over the tunic collar. - Kessenfuku/Battle Dress - A waist length jacket with two hidden slash breast pockets, and two internal pockets with flaps. It also had a fold-down collar and reinforced elbows. Cheaper materials were used in fabrication with many variations in material and color.
Weapons of the SNLF
Heavy weapons
- 75mm regimental guns
- 70mm Type 92 GunType 92 Battalion GunThe was a light howitzer used by the Imperial Japanese Army during the Second Sino-Japanese War and World War II. Each infantry battalion included two Type 92 guns; therefore, the Type 92 was referred to as .-History and development:...
- 3-inch (76mm) naval guns mounted on wheeled carriages
- Type 97 81mm Infantry Mortar
- Type 11 37 mm Infantry GunType 11 37 mm Infantry GunThe was an infantry support gun used by the Imperial Japanese Army in the Second Sino-Japanese War and World War II.-History and development:The Type 11 infantry gun entered service in 1922...
- Type 94 37 mm Anti-Tank GunType 94 37 mm Anti-Tank GunThe was an anti-tank gun developed by the Imperial Japanese Army, and used in combat during the Second Sino-Japanese War and World War II.-History and development:...
- Type 1 37 mm Anti-Tank GunType 1 37 mm Anti-Tank GunThe was an anti-tank gun developed by the Imperial Japanese Army, and used in combat during World War II.-History and development:After the Nomonhan Incident, the shortcomings of the Type 94 37 mm Anti-Tank Gun had become obvious, and the Imperial Japanese Army started the development of a new...
- Type 1 47 mm Anti-Tank GunType 1 47 mm Anti-Tank GunThe was an anti-tank gun developed by the Imperial Japanese Army, and used in combat during World War II.-History and development:The Type 1 47 mm Anti-Tank gun was accepted into service in 1942. The design originated as an improvement to the prototype “Experimental Type 97 47 mm Anti-Tank Gun” ,...
- 13.2mm AA machinegun13.2 mm Hotchkiss machine gunThe 13.2 mm Hotchkiss machine gun was a heavy machine gun designed and manufactured by Hotchkiss et Cie from the late 1920s until World War II where it saw service with various nation's forces, including Japan where the gun was built under licence....
on a twin mount - 25mm shipboard AA gun adapted for land use25 mm Hotchkiss anti-aircraft gunThe Hotchkiss 25 mm anti-aircraft gun was an anti-aircraft autocannon designed by the French firm of Hotchkiss. It served in World War II with French, Japanese and other nations' forces...
Armor and Tanks
- Naval Type 88 Tankette (Carden Loyd tanketteCarden Loyd tanketteThe Carden Loyd tankettes were a series of British pre-World War II tankettes, the most successful of which was the Mark VI, the only version built in significant numbers...
) - Type 89 "Chi-Ro" Medium Tank
- Type 95 "Ha-Go"Type 95 Ha-GoThe was a light tank used by the Imperial Japanese Army in combat operations of the Second Sino-Japanese War, at Nomonhan against the Soviet Union, and in the Second World War. It proved sufficient against infantry, however, like the American M3 Stuart, it was not designed to fight other tanks...
Light Tank - Type 97 "Chi-Ha"Type 97 Chi-HaThe was a medium tank used by the Imperial Japanese Army during the Second Sino-Japanese War, at Nomonhan against the Soviet Union, and in the Second World War. It was the most widely produced Japanese medium tank of World War II, although the armor protection was considered as average in the 1930s...
/"Shinhoto Chi-Ha" Medium Tank - Short Barrel 120mm Gun Tank
- Type 2 Amphibious Tank "Ka-Mi"Type 2 Ka-MiThe was the Imperial Japanese Navy's first amphibious tank. The Type 2 Ka-Mi was based on the Imperial Japanese Army's Type 95 Ha-Go light tank with major modifications, and was a capable armoured fighting vehicle on both land and at sea...
- Type 3 Amphibious Tank "Ka-Chi"Type 3 Ka-ChiThe was an amphibious medium tank developed by the Imperial Japanese Navy in World War II. The Type 3 Ka-Chi was based on an extensively modified Imperial Japanese Army Type 1 Chi-He tank and was a larger and more capable version of the earlier Type 2 Ka-Mi amphibious tank.-History and...
- Type 5 Amphibious Tank "To-Ku"Type 5 To-KuThe was a Japanese amphibious tank.The To-Ku was large and heavy; it boasted extensive armor protection and a turret fitted with a 47 mm Type 1 gun and 25 mm Type 1 gun. Only one model was built of this tank....
APCs and Armored Cars
- Type 92 Armored Car
- Hokoku Armored Car
- Type 2592 Osaka HoKoKu-Go Armored Car
- Type 4 Amphibious APC Vehicle "Ka-Tsu"
Infantry Weapons
- Lewis bipod-mounted MGLewis GunThe Lewis Gun is a World War I–era light machine gun of American design that was perfected and widely used by the British Empire. It was first used in combat in World War I, and continued in service with a number of armed forces through to the end of the Korean War...
s - 13.2 mm Hotchkiss machine gun13.2 mm Hotchkiss machine gunThe 13.2 mm Hotchkiss machine gun was a heavy machine gun designed and manufactured by Hotchkiss et Cie from the late 1920s until World War II where it saw service with various nation's forces, including Japan where the gun was built under licence....
- 6.5mm MGs tripod-mounted types
- 7.7mm MGs tripod-mounted types
- ArisakaArisakaArisaka is a family of Japanese military bolt action rifles, in production from approximately 1898, when it replaced the Murata rifle, until the end of World War II in 1945...
Rifles - Nambu pistolNambu pistolwas a semi-automatic pistol used by the Imperial Japanese Army and Navy during the First and Second World Wars. The pistol had two variants, the Type A , and the Type 14 .-History:...
s and Revolvers - Submachine guns
- Light Mortars
- Handgrenades
- Grenade launchers
- Grenade launcher rifle
- Light AT weapons
- FlamethrowerFlamethrowerA flamethrower is a mechanical device designed to project a long controllable stream of fire.Some flamethrowers project a stream of ignited flammable liquid; some project a long gas flame. Most military flamethrowers use liquids, but commercial flamethrowers tend to use high-pressure propane and...
s - Military swords
- BayonetBayonetA bayonet is a knife, dagger, sword, or spike-shaped weapon designed to fit in, on, over or underneath the muzzle of a rifle, musket or similar weapon, effectively turning the gun into a spear...
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