Japanese Aircrew

Ad: This forum contains affiliate links to products on Amazon and eBay. More information in Terms and rules

What a great thread, thanks all...Here´s a 2.WW watch that Longines dilivered to Kintaro Hattori,
Kintaro Hattori was of course none other than the founder of Seikosha (Seiko) watch company and, according to public literature, was Longines agent in Japan since 1912.
 
Last edited:
Very cool! I have in the past worked with some of Seiko's engineering vernier measuring calipers..

Incedently I have notice over my years the common appearance of occurring numbers in dates, history and re-currant cycles- maybe because my birthday is also on a twelve, but 12's do seem important as yet again seen above 1912.
 
I didn't really know where to put this one but for now it will go here. It's on the exploitations of Japanese documents during WWII.

Enjoy
 

Attachments

  • The exploitation of Japanese Docuemnts.pdf
    24.4 MB · Views: 132
  • Restoration of Captured Documents.pdf
    3.4 MB · Views: 137
Was Japanese Air crew given pistols?
Was there a difference in sidearm use between army and navy?
 
The Basket said:
Was Japanese Air crew given pistols?
Was there a difference in sidearm use between army and navy?
Click to expand...

I know some Japanese airmen carried pistols and shot themselves before being captured. Some also carried hand grenades and blew themselves up before capture. There are few video's showing this from WWII. Shinpachi would be the best one to explain this.

Below is a link to video with hand grenade going off before capture. Warning graphic content
 
Last edited:
Couple of documents on what the US thought of the Japanese fighting man. These are from WWII and have no reference to todays
The Basket said:
Wow
Hard core.
Was this a kamikaze or regular pilot?
Scary stuff.
Click to expand...

Off hand I would say regular pilot as kamikaze pilots where usually locked in the cockpit to make sure they sacrificed themselves as it was a dishonor to be captured or surrender. Usually regular pilots where used to escort the kamikaze planes to target to take care of any who would divert and to take care of any enemy fighters. The kamikaze pilots also where not issued parachutes as again it was to die for the emperor.
 
Last edited:

There are plenty of pictures and films of the final ceremonies performed before the Kamikaze took off, a lot seem to be in full flying kit including parachutes, and they take off with open canopies, as is standard.
There are also plenty of pictures of them entering the cockpit, and almost all are seen to be wearing parachutes at that time.


I'm sure some probably did leave their parachutes behind, because they had no intention of using them. And that was true even before the Kamikaze came about.
As for them being locked in the cockpits, ever seen any provision on any Japanese aircraft ( including the Ohka) for locking the cockpit access from the outside ?
And the various films and pictures of the Kamikaze taking off with their canopies open seem to put doubt on the theory that they were locked in.

I think those rumors are just the result of propaganda put out by the Allies to try and explain what was really unexplainable to most western minds.
 


I agree with you tyrodtom. I have seen these as well, but also wonder if some of it true as some rumors during the war have been found to be true as well
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Users who are viewing this thread

Total: 1 (members: 0, guests: 1)

Similar threads

M
Aircrew Parachute Landing Manual including Parachute Manuals and IPC
Replies
1
Views
2K
m13katyusa2020
M
M
Aircrew life saving and escape systems manuals
Replies
0
Views
1K
m13katyusa2020
M
RAF aircrew equipment manuals/notes.
Replies
3
Views
1K
MiTasol
M
Martin Baker MK5 1950s ejection seat operator and maintenance manuals
Replies
2
Views
2K
m13katyusa2020
M
What weapons were issued to pilots, whether it be American, Japanese, or German?
2
Replies
20
Views
12K
special ed
S
Menu
Log in
Register