The enemy they faced

Type 92 machine gun

Type 99 rifle

Pierre Lagace of Lest We Forget, sent me a link that I feel pretty much explains what the American G.I. was up against in the Pacific, at least what the government perceived it to be. The article is long, but well worth the time. I have taken his suggestion of allowing the reader to try and visualize what was transpiring on the Aga defile in Luzon and all around the Pacific.
http://www.allworldwars.com/japanese-in-battle

By the time Japan and the U.S. went to war, the Asians had already had a long history of honoring their warriors, their rulers and religion and forefathers. Their government was developed over centuries. Americans, on the other hand, were young. We appeared to have no history or pride. I remember my father telling me that the Japanese had considered the American soldier a mercenary, a paid soldier with no righteous need to fight – only money.

Japanese tactics were considered deceptive and rapid. They always tried to remain on the defensive. The enemy soldier was tough and tenacious; he can dig in and remain quiet and concealed until the G.I. is up close and personal and he is very active at night

Type 41 howitzer

Type 94 howitzer

Type 38 howitzer

Type 38 howitzer had a range of 12,400 yards and a maximum fire of 10 -12 rounds per minute.
Type 94 was a 75mm mountain gun that could be broken down into eleven pieces for easy shipment.
Type 41, also a 75mm was a regimental gun. It was of an old design, but could be supplied with a shaped charge to use as an antitank gun.
The type 92 heavy machine gun was an air-cooled weapon called a “woodpecker” by the Americans.
Also shown is a typical Japanese soldier with an Arisaka Type 99 7.7 mm rifle. This became the standard rifle of the Japanese Army.

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Personal note – Stop in at greatestgenerationlessons.wordpress.com to take a peek Monday at my second guest post and then stay awhile to check out Judy’s family history; really some wonderful letters and stories.
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This post was possible by the courtesy of WW2 Database, On-Line Pacific War Encyclopedia, allaboutworldwars.com and my loyal reader, Pierre Lagace. Thank you all!