Chapter X: Equipment

Section II: Infantry Equipment

1. GENERAL. Details of infantry equipment have not been shown in this section when it has been possible to place them under specific headings. For example, personal items issued to the individual soldier have been described, where possible, under chapter 11, while weapons are treated in chapter 9.

2. OBSERVATION EQUIPMENT. All reported specimens of Japanese optical instruments have been of good quality and have been found to resemble German designs. A particularly wide range of patterns has been developed, and specimens examined have been characterized by sturdy construction. In all cases definition in the central part of the field of view was good. There are no indications that the Japanese have attempted to tropic-proof these instruments.

a. Binoculars. Details of binoculars, having a magnification in excess of 8 X, are shown in the Artillery Equipment section of this chapter. Tabulated below are the characteristics of some Japanese binoculars, of 8 X magnification or less.

Magnification		Field of view		Size of objective lens
		°		mm
8 X		6.25		56
7 X		7.1		50
6 X		9.3		24

Figure 283. Japanese binoculars, filters, and carrying case. These binoculars have a 7 X magnification and a 7.1° field of view. Special color filters may be fitted over the eyepieces.

Figure 284. Periscope binocular, weighing 1.9 pounds, has a 10 X magnification and a 3° field of view.

Figure 285. The hand held periscope, weighing 2.3 pounds, has a 5 X magnification and 10° field of view.

3. INFANTRY FIRE CONTROL EQUIPMENT. a. Range finders.

Figure 286. Model 92 (1932) 40-cm base range finder is calibrated for measuring ranges up to 1,500 meters (1,640 yards). It is a coincidence type of range finder with a 4 X magnification.

b. Aiming and laying devices.

Figure 287. Collimator sight for model 97 (1937) infantry mortar.

Figure 288. Panoramic sight for model 94 (1934) mortar has a 3 X magnification and a 13° field of view. Micrometer drums enable readings to be made to the nearest mil.

Figure 289. Telescopic sight for model 96 (1936) 6.5-mm light machine gun. The magnification is 2.5 X, the field of view is 13°, and the weight is 20 oz. The reticle (Graticule) pattern provides for drift and windage, and is calibrated for a maximum range of 1,500 meters (1,640 yards).

Figure 290. Telescopic sight for model 92 (1932) 7.7-mm machine gun has a 4 X magnification, a 10° field of view, and a weight of 3 lbs., 6 ozs.

Figure 291. Telescopic sight for the model 94 (1934) 37-mm gun.

4. PERSONAL ARMOR. a. Model 99 (1939) armor shields, portable.

(1) General. While these shields are suitable for use in the open, specimens, constructed from what appears to be face-hardened plate, have been found built into the weapon ports of pillboxes. Two sizes have been recovered, the larger measuring 14 by 20 by 1/4 inches (fig. 293) and the smaller 12 by 16 by 1/4 inches.

Figure 292. Model 99 (1939) armor shield, size 12 in. x 16 in., with the model 96 (1936) 6.5-mm light machine gun.

Figure 293. Rear of armor shield, size 14 in. x 20 in., showing penetration made with .30 cal. AP ammunition at 100 yards range and 30° angle of impact from normal.

(2) Penetration. Tests have shown that these shields will resist penetration by .30 caliber ball ammunition at 100 feet. However, some damage may be caused by flaking (chipping). These shields have been penetrated readily by .30 caliber AP ammunition as indicated below:

Range (yards)		Angle of impact from normal		Results
33		10°-15°		Clean penetration and heavy flaking.
100		30°		Do.
200		Normal		Clean penetration.
500		Normal		No penetration.

b. Body armor. (1) Bullet-proof vest. The vest (fig. 294) is made from olive-green drill cloth, with 3 pockets on each side to accommodate armor plates arranged in fish-scale fashion. Characteristics are as follows:

Weight complete		9 pounds.
Thickness of plates		0.08 inch.
Plate overlap		0.05 inch.

It is believed that the weight of this vest would preclude its general use by infantry and probably would tend to confine its use to special troops. Tests have shown that the plates are penetrated easily by .303 ball ammunition at 100 yards range, with a 30° angle of impact from normal.

Figure 294. Bullet-proof vest.

(2) Body protector. No details are available concerning this body protector (fig. 295), but it is reasonable to assume that it is made from an armor plate of thickness approximating that of the bullet-proof vest. It is possible that the armor plate is in 3 sections for purposes of flexibility.

Figure 295. Unidentified body protector.

c. Steel helmets. See chapter 11.

Back to Table of Contents