Browning chief. [volume] (Browning, Mont.) 1941-1953, 1945-01-26

afternoon, marching constantly with
out rest periods. An entire battalion
can march more than 20 miles a
day. The principle of mo retreat"
is part of this training and small
detachment, caught in tight place,
cannot appeal for reinforcements.
The officer in charge may make a
report of his predicament, but the
matter of insisting upon reinforce
ment is beyond his prerogatives.
The unwritten law of the Jap
anese army is that any soldier
captured by the enemy must
''atone" for his disgrace later
by committing suicide.
Rigid training of commissioned
and noncommissioned officers is car
ried out at several army schools
and although the system is narrow
and arbitrary and infiexible in its
system of indoctrination, it is pro-
gressive, thorough and modern.
However, its rigidity often has in
hibited originality in thought and &C.
ton. The schools include the Mill
tary Academy, six military prepara-
WY oSllOOlS dIlu lOuT QOTlCOIQIQlS-
stoned officers schools.
The Japanese constitution pro-
vides that the emperor is command
er-in-chief of the army and navy;
that he determines their organiza-
ton; and that he declares war,
makes peace and concludes treaties.
He is advised by two military coun.
ellis, the board of marshals and ad-
mirals, and the supreme military
council.
To date major Japanese
weakness has been in artillery,
especially in variety, concentra-
tion and craftsmanship. Weap-
ons over 47-mm. captured to
date bear model numbers ear
lier than 1886. Japan has had
access to German designed
weapons for some years and it
may be assumed that guns en-
bodying German features may
soon be encountered.
Japanese engineers are well
equipped and have shown outstand-
ing ability both in construction and
demolition of bridges. On the other
hand. airfields and roads so far en-
countered have not been up to Allied
standards in speed of construction
or serviceability. Construction of
field Notifications has been highly
developed and even at remote
points, Jap engineers have been sue
cessful in constructing first class de-
tense positions from material i'm.
mediately available.
Weight of the ration for Japanese
soldiers as compared with Ameri-
cans is about two-thirds, or slightly
over four pounds. The average ra-
ton in active theaters is about 31s
pounds and, because of supply fail
ure, this ration has often been re-
duced to half or third of that
amount. The standard or normal
ration consists largely of rice and
barley, fresh meat and fish, fresh
vegetables, and various condiments
and favorings.
Every American soldier has
learned by experience that the Japs
are hard, fanatical fighters and in
defensive action will often hold out
to the last man. They place a low
value on human life and do not count
the loss in taking an objective. Our
war with the Japs has further taught
us that the Japs know of no such
thing as impossible terrain, that
speed is one of their cardinal tao
teal principles. They take full ad-
vantage of natural cover and I'm
derstand thoroughly the importance
of camoufage.
One thing, however, although they
believe strongly in sudden offensive
action they often attack premature
ly, and despite their extensive train
ing and confidence in the bayonet,
they have not been outstanding in
close combat.