JAP. SOLDIER

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIII, Issue 117, 20 May 1942, Page 3

JAP. SOLDIER

RIGID TRAINING

WHAT U.S. OFFICER SAW

In 1934-35 Major Harold Doud, U.S.A., spent six months as a guest officer of the 2nd Company, 7th Regular Infantry of the Imperial Japanese Army. Here is an extract from his story to illustrate their preparation for war campaigning. At this time the regiment was having its "dog days' training." Although it was intensely hot, training was purposely intensified in order to accustom the men to great exertion in extreme heat. During the hottest part of the day a strenuous and lengthy bayonet practice was held. The officers were not exempt; from 11 to 12 noon thev fenced with the Japanese two-handed sword. . . .

The 12-day autumn manoeuvres were divided into three four-dav exercises . . . chiefly remarkable for the long distances marched and the long periods without rest or sleep. One day we marched 37 miles. Twice the troops went three days and two nights without sleep except what could be snatched during tenminute halts and brief lulls in the situation.

The last four-day period was the most strenuous. We started out at five in the morning and marched almost continuously until 10 the next morning. In that time we covered 56 miles.

The same night everybody was occupied with outpost duty and patrol

"Why not let some of them sleep?" I asked the captain. "Oh, no," he said. "That is not necessary. They already know how to sleep. They need training in how to stay awake."

"Still Have Lots Of Go"

At Johana we put in two days at firing platoon combat problems and then, at 5 a.m., we began the 25-mile hike back to Kanazawa. The march was completed in a burning heat at two in the afternoon.

The Ist Co. did not fall out when the battalion was dismissed. Instead, its company commander doubletimed it around the area barracks two or three times. When asked the reason, the company commander smiled and said:

"I'm just proving to my men that they still have lots of 'go' and are not nearly as tired as they may think they are." One of my minor trials had been the matter of food. In barracks. . .

I had learned to like the soldier's regular garrison ration, but the field ration was another matter. There are no field kitchens in the Japanese Army. Therefore, when in the field the Japanese soldier lives on his emergency ration of canned beef and hardtack plus an occasional meal of rice and barley. The rice and barley are cooked individually as opportunity permits. The beef is eaten uncooked just as it comes from the can. . .

A Military "Lunch"

(At barracks) lunch, served in an individual tray, consisted of five dishes. There was the usual bowl of rice. A one-eyed fish stared fixedly at me from the bowl of bodyless soup. At my luncheon the piece de resistance was an individual octopus for each officer. Boiled, but with legs and eyes still intact, it rested upon its back and glared at me. I couldn't quite stare it down. I had just made a good start on the meal when I sensed a silence. I glanced up to find that all hands had finished and were apparently waiting for me. I hastily laid down my chopsticks. Immediately an officer arose and launched into a talk on a technical military subject. . . I soon learned that this was standard procedure. Of the hour reserved for lunch only a few minutes were devoted to eating; the rest of the time to military education.