The Japanese Soldier in WWII Trivia Quiz

Answer: helmet

The tetsu-bo was the mushroom shaped helmet worn by the Japanese soldier. The five pointed star denoted the Imperial Japanese Army and the anchor the Imperial Japanese Navy.

Answer: they believed Westerners disliked it

Combat at night, especially close combat in inclement weather was stressed because the Japanese military believed that Westerners had no desire to engage after nightfall. Although this view was flawed, it never changed.

Answer: Attack #1 Condom

The standard issue IJA condom was called Attack #1 Condoms. I have no idea how this name came about and really doubt they used them much while they were terrorizing women. It is of interest to note that the Japanese Army fined and reduced soliers in rank for going down with VD just like armies everywhere else.

Answer: it was an aid in close combat

The hook guard quillion was an aid in close combat. The Japanese soldier could lock the blade of an adversary with the hook guard in combat and with a twist of his wrist, disarm his opponent. This drill was fundamental in close combat in the IJA.

Answer: a mess kit

During WWII, a han-gou was the Japanese soldier's messkit. The three piece brown painted aluminum mess kit could accomodate two pints of boiled rice, the infantryman's meal.

Answer: they refused to surrender

Few Japanese soldiers were taken prisoner because they refused to surrender. The doctrine of fighting to last round was taken seriously because the Code of Bushido forbade surrender or allowing oneself to be captured even if wounded.

Answer: actually, they were not

The early victories in the Philippines and Malaysia duped the Allies into believing the Japanese were superior jungle fighters. Actually bad planning and bad strategy by the Allies were the biggest contributors to those victories. Japanese soldiers got lost in unfamiliar jungle surroundings and were just as susceptible to tropical diseases as the Allied soldiers if they did not take precautions. Japan does not have any jungles and therefore the skill for jungle fighting is not acquired there. Neither is it an Oriental skill. Only intense training and capable leadership will produce a soldier who is able to adapt and thrive in that environment.

Answer: they lived off the land

The Japanese Army was notorious for living off the land. In other words, they confiscated from the populace whatever goods they needed. The worst example of this policy is seen in China. This doctrine backfired on them while fighting in remote locations that lacked a civilian populace. New Guinea and the Solomons are major examples.

Answer: $19.14 per year

The base pay for a private soldier in the Imperial Japanese Army was $19.14 per year. US servicemen earned much,much more than that and without the worry of brutal and sadistic NCOs, and officers who could summarily execute you. Life in the Emperor's army was no picnic; poor rations, intense training, and deployment to a foreign field were the soldier's lot. 'Death is lighter than a feather, but duty heavier than a mountain', was their saying.

Answer: a bayonet attached to a pole

An idiot stick was a bayonet attached to a bamboo pole. This unusal weapon was first seen on Saipan during a last ditch Banzai Charge. What made the weapon unusal during that charge is that plenty of Arisaka rifles were available.