Osprey Men-at-Arms 369 : The Japanese Army (2) 1931-1945 : 1942-1945

This second book begins at the high point of Japanese success, when their Pacific empire was at its widest extent following the lightning victories over the USA and Britain. Within months of its greatest triumph in 1942, the Japanese Imperial Army began to face the difficulties which would eventually destroy it - overstretched supply lines, and inadequate industrial support. Yet as the Allies grew steadily stronger and more skilful, the Japanese Army and Naval Landing Forces dug in to defend their conquests with a determination which shocked all who fought them. In this second book the author describes the deployments, organisation, uniforms and equipment of the Army - including the dreaded Kempei-tai military police - the naval infantry, paratroopers, special raiding units, and foreign auxiliaries during the long and savage war in Burma and the Pacific. As well as the forces raised in Japan to resist the planned Allied invasion of the Home Islands, which never happened due to the dropping of the atom bombs. The text is illustrated with many rare photographs, three insignia charts, and eight highly detailed colour plates. Text by Philip S. Jowett with illustrations by Stephen Andrew.

Contents

• Uniforms of Imperial Army Occupation Forces in Asia 1942-45
• Naval Landing Forces
• Air Force Paratroops
• Guadalcanal 1942-43
• The China-Burma-India Front 1944
• Pacific Island Defence Forces 1943-45
• Defence Forces in the Home Islands 1945