Japanese Cavalryman
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Pat Holscher
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Donation 3rd
Apparently the Japanese also used cavalry in French Indochina, as today's history thread entry recalls.
I just got the link to this very nice video, showing Japanese Cavalry probably in China.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w8auO5yDrDs
Horrido!
Nicole
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w8auO5yDrDs
Horrido!
Nicole
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Pat Holscher
- Society Member
- Posts: 7545
- Joined: Thu Nov 30, 2000 6:51 pm
- Last Name: Holscher
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Society Member
Donation 3rd
Interesting. Do you know the year of the photo?Reiter wrote:Here I got a new photograph for my collection. I am not sure if it shows pure Japanese cavalry, but maybe just mounted officers?
Horrido!
Nicole
Hi Pat,Pat Holscher wrote:
Interesting. Do you know the year of the photo?
sadly I don't know the date when the photo was taken - but here I have bought a photo of a Japanese cavalryman that was taken in December 1943 in China.
- In China.jpg (88.66 KiB) Viewed 5851 times
- photo.jpg (105.79 KiB) Viewed 5851 times
Nicole
JAPANESE CAVALRY IN THE WAR WITH CHINA
[Condensed from an article in Krasnaya Konitza, No. 2, 1939.]
BY LtCol. M. BENITEZ, Coast Artillery Corps.
Among the armed land forces of Japan, cavalry—both independent cavalry and army cavalry, and particularly the latter—is not the arm of least importance. The independent cavalry is organized int five separate cavalry brigades, three of which are stationed in Manchuria, and two in North China. The army cavalry consists of separate cavalry regiments and “battalions“ units of two squadrons-which form part of the infantry division.
The comparative weakness in cavalry resources-particularly as regards horses suitable for cavalry purposes—does not permit Japan to develop independent cavalry, in spite of the fact that the Japanese command has made such efforts. The lack of horses was one of the causes for the station assignment of the new cavalry units. The Japanese command is trying to keep independent cavalry in Manchuria and North China so as to mass it for a war against Soviet Russia.
The separate Japanese cavalry brigade consists of two regiments, an artillery detachment, tank detachment, antiaircraft detachment, gas detachment and train. The strength of the brigade is 2300 men and about 3,000 horses.
The armament of the flrigade consists of ahout 1200 carbines, 32 light machine guns, 16 heavy machine guns, 4 light 75s, 6—37-mm antitank guns, 10 light tanks and 9 armored cars. In addition, there are means for antiaircraft and gas defense.
The cavalry regiment , of the first line infantry division consists of two saber squadrons and one machine-gun squadron with a total of 460 men and 460 horses. The armament of the regiment consists of about 380 rifles, 8 light and 8 heavy machine guns, In the second line division there is a cavalry “battalion” (unit of two squadrons) instead of a cavalry regiment. The training of the tactical unit of Japanese cavalry in peace time aims at the protection of the action of the infantry division.
The training of th independent cavalry stationed in Manchuria of late year. has been carried out with the following aims in view:
(a) Mastery of tbe new materiel introduced into Japanese cavalry (tanks, armored cars and antitank cannon) and the working out of methods of cooperation with units equipped with this materiel.
(b) Covering the eployment of the armies from the enemy cavalry.
(c) Offensive oper tions of the cavalry groups against the enemy’s infantry an artillery.
During the last six or seven years, the cavalry maneuvers have b een carried out in Manchuria with the enemy side having an organization very similar to that of the Soviet Army.
At the beginning o the military operations in China, the Japanese command sent to North China two cavalry brigades which subsequently participated in the battles near Kalghan and Suiyang.
There is no detaile reformation concerning the action of independent Japanes cavalry in China.
According to foreign press reports the cavalry units were used in the area north of Paoting. Here when the fields were sown and the roads were bad and it was difficult for the infantry and moto-mechanized units to operate, cavalry was used extensively for encircling Operations and distant reconnaissance for the army. Foreign military observers, in summing up the preparation of Japanese cavalry and its use in China, have expressed their conclusions as follows:
large cavalry formation, in conjunction wit motorized-mechanized formations can be used effective for pursuit and encircling operations.
In a theater of operations uch as North China, where the character of the region an the large number of rivers make it difficult for other kind of troops to operate, the use of cavalry is highly advantageous. For maneuvering operations
on the offensive against important objectives and also in missions which require the holding of an important line, the fire power of Japanese cavalry proved insufficient, hence the Japanese have tried to strengthen its fire means. The
general opinion seems to be that Japanese independent cavalry today lacks in fire and striking power. As it can be seen, even the limited experience of the war in China has revealed these deficiencies.
Japanese army cavalry has been put to more extensive use in the war in China. In this war the cavalry regiments and the squadrons of infantry divisions have been used for the execution of the following basic missions:
(1) Protecting the flank and the “junction” units of the division.
(2) Tactical reconnaissance for the division.
(3) Security on the march.
Sometimes the division cavalry has been used for operations against the enemy’s rear. For example, in September 1937, near Faoting, one cavalry regiment of the infantry division, reinforced by a company of infantry, was ordered to move out on the flanks, to establish communications and make possible joint action with the neighboring unit, to press the enemy and, during the general offensive of the division, to strike the enemy’s rear. The depth of the action of the cavalry regiment was about 120 miles.
Army cavalry has also been used in pursuit of the Chinese forces. However-—in the first period of the war-cavalry, in the performance of this mission, met with serious difficulties because the Chines troops took advantage of the lack of artillery and weak fire power of the Japanese cavalry by taking shelter behind the villages, walls where the japanese could not dislodge them with the fire of small arms and machine guns only. Later on the Japanese division commanders on sending out cavalry regiments to pursue the Chinese units, attached to them separate cannon and small tanks in order to reinforce the fire power.
Cavalry units also performed missions of distant reconnaissance. Division cavalry was used for this purpose in covered terrain when the air forces were unable to furnish information concerning tbe enemy. For example, in the operations on the left bank of the Huto River (to the northeast of Taiyuan) Japanese aviation reconnaissance could not discover the presence or absence of Chinese forces.
A distant reconnaissance mission was assigned to one of the divisional cavalry regiments.
However, cavalry regiments are not, as a rule, sent out on distant reconnaissance missions, due to the fact that the extensive operations of Chinese units in the rear of the Japanese lines hinder the use of separate cavalry regiments and threaten them with destruction.
It is interesting to note the efforts of the Japanese to strengthen the marching capacity of the cavalry when they are Passing Over marshy regions, Japanese Cavalry began to practice marching at a walk. By doing this they decreased the number of halts and the duration of them, but at the same time they maintained the normal length of the day’s march. Moving at a trot or a gallop was used only
on the field of battle.
In the disposition cf their forces during halts, the Japanese have tried to protect them behind the walls of the villages so as to secure them in some degree from surprise attacks by Chinese guerrilla.
The use of army cavalry by the Japanese in China has not differed from the provisions of their regulations. The war in China has shown the Japanese the shortcomings of the organization of the army cavalry and particularly its
weakness in fire power. There is no doubt that the High Command of the Japanese Army will make every effort to devise a better cavalry organization and will correct in the future the deficiencies shown in the war in China.
The following item has been taken from the April, 1939 edition of the Tokyo Gazette, Tokyo, Japan, The Tokyo Gazette is a monthly report of current policies, official statements, and statistics of the Japanese Government:
“Many things hitherto unnoticed even by the thinking public have been brought to light, frequently with new emphasis and implications, through experiences
undergone on the China awl home fronts in connection with the present conflict. The usefulness of the horse in modern warfare is one of such discoveries. In reality, without the services of this dumb, faithful animal, Japanese troops would not have been able to camy out successful, daring attacks upon enemy positions, particularly in battles an the rugged steeps and in the narrow
passes of the Chinese mountains. Contrary to popular expectations, the increasing mechanization of the Army has by no means diminished the utility of army horses.
The present hostilities have certainly established their distinct place modern war fare.”
[Condensed from an article in Krasnaya Konitza, No. 2, 1939.]
BY LtCol. M. BENITEZ, Coast Artillery Corps.
Among the armed land forces of Japan, cavalry—both independent cavalry and army cavalry, and particularly the latter—is not the arm of least importance. The independent cavalry is organized int five separate cavalry brigades, three of which are stationed in Manchuria, and two in North China. The army cavalry consists of separate cavalry regiments and “battalions“ units of two squadrons-which form part of the infantry division.
The comparative weakness in cavalry resources-particularly as regards horses suitable for cavalry purposes—does not permit Japan to develop independent cavalry, in spite of the fact that the Japanese command has made such efforts. The lack of horses was one of the causes for the station assignment of the new cavalry units. The Japanese command is trying to keep independent cavalry in Manchuria and North China so as to mass it for a war against Soviet Russia.
The separate Japanese cavalry brigade consists of two regiments, an artillery detachment, tank detachment, antiaircraft detachment, gas detachment and train. The strength of the brigade is 2300 men and about 3,000 horses.
The armament of the flrigade consists of ahout 1200 carbines, 32 light machine guns, 16 heavy machine guns, 4 light 75s, 6—37-mm antitank guns, 10 light tanks and 9 armored cars. In addition, there are means for antiaircraft and gas defense.
The cavalry regiment , of the first line infantry division consists of two saber squadrons and one machine-gun squadron with a total of 460 men and 460 horses. The armament of the regiment consists of about 380 rifles, 8 light and 8 heavy machine guns, In the second line division there is a cavalry “battalion” (unit of two squadrons) instead of a cavalry regiment. The training of the tactical unit of Japanese cavalry in peace time aims at the protection of the action of the infantry division.
The training of th independent cavalry stationed in Manchuria of late year. has been carried out with the following aims in view:
(a) Mastery of tbe new materiel introduced into Japanese cavalry (tanks, armored cars and antitank cannon) and the working out of methods of cooperation with units equipped with this materiel.
(b) Covering the eployment of the armies from the enemy cavalry.
(c) Offensive oper tions of the cavalry groups against the enemy’s infantry an artillery.
During the last six or seven years, the cavalry maneuvers have b een carried out in Manchuria with the enemy side having an organization very similar to that of the Soviet Army.
At the beginning o the military operations in China, the Japanese command sent to North China two cavalry brigades which subsequently participated in the battles near Kalghan and Suiyang.
There is no detaile reformation concerning the action of independent Japanes cavalry in China.
According to foreign press reports the cavalry units were used in the area north of Paoting. Here when the fields were sown and the roads were bad and it was difficult for the infantry and moto-mechanized units to operate, cavalry was used extensively for encircling Operations and distant reconnaissance for the army. Foreign military observers, in summing up the preparation of Japanese cavalry and its use in China, have expressed their conclusions as follows:
large cavalry formation, in conjunction wit motorized-mechanized formations can be used effective for pursuit and encircling operations.
In a theater of operations uch as North China, where the character of the region an the large number of rivers make it difficult for other kind of troops to operate, the use of cavalry is highly advantageous. For maneuvering operations
on the offensive against important objectives and also in missions which require the holding of an important line, the fire power of Japanese cavalry proved insufficient, hence the Japanese have tried to strengthen its fire means. The
general opinion seems to be that Japanese independent cavalry today lacks in fire and striking power. As it can be seen, even the limited experience of the war in China has revealed these deficiencies.
Japanese army cavalry has been put to more extensive use in the war in China. In this war the cavalry regiments and the squadrons of infantry divisions have been used for the execution of the following basic missions:
(1) Protecting the flank and the “junction” units of the division.
(2) Tactical reconnaissance for the division.
(3) Security on the march.
Sometimes the division cavalry has been used for operations against the enemy’s rear. For example, in September 1937, near Faoting, one cavalry regiment of the infantry division, reinforced by a company of infantry, was ordered to move out on the flanks, to establish communications and make possible joint action with the neighboring unit, to press the enemy and, during the general offensive of the division, to strike the enemy’s rear. The depth of the action of the cavalry regiment was about 120 miles.
Army cavalry has also been used in pursuit of the Chinese forces. However-—in the first period of the war-cavalry, in the performance of this mission, met with serious difficulties because the Chines troops took advantage of the lack of artillery and weak fire power of the Japanese cavalry by taking shelter behind the villages, walls where the japanese could not dislodge them with the fire of small arms and machine guns only. Later on the Japanese division commanders on sending out cavalry regiments to pursue the Chinese units, attached to them separate cannon and small tanks in order to reinforce the fire power.
Cavalry units also performed missions of distant reconnaissance. Division cavalry was used for this purpose in covered terrain when the air forces were unable to furnish information concerning tbe enemy. For example, in the operations on the left bank of the Huto River (to the northeast of Taiyuan) Japanese aviation reconnaissance could not discover the presence or absence of Chinese forces.
A distant reconnaissance mission was assigned to one of the divisional cavalry regiments.
However, cavalry regiments are not, as a rule, sent out on distant reconnaissance missions, due to the fact that the extensive operations of Chinese units in the rear of the Japanese lines hinder the use of separate cavalry regiments and threaten them with destruction.
It is interesting to note the efforts of the Japanese to strengthen the marching capacity of the cavalry when they are Passing Over marshy regions, Japanese Cavalry began to practice marching at a walk. By doing this they decreased the number of halts and the duration of them, but at the same time they maintained the normal length of the day’s march. Moving at a trot or a gallop was used only
on the field of battle.
In the disposition cf their forces during halts, the Japanese have tried to protect them behind the walls of the villages so as to secure them in some degree from surprise attacks by Chinese guerrilla.
The use of army cavalry by the Japanese in China has not differed from the provisions of their regulations. The war in China has shown the Japanese the shortcomings of the organization of the army cavalry and particularly its
weakness in fire power. There is no doubt that the High Command of the Japanese Army will make every effort to devise a better cavalry organization and will correct in the future the deficiencies shown in the war in China.
The following item has been taken from the April, 1939 edition of the Tokyo Gazette, Tokyo, Japan, The Tokyo Gazette is a monthly report of current policies, official statements, and statistics of the Japanese Government:
“Many things hitherto unnoticed even by the thinking public have been brought to light, frequently with new emphasis and implications, through experiences
undergone on the China awl home fronts in connection with the present conflict. The usefulness of the horse in modern warfare is one of such discoveries. In reality, without the services of this dumb, faithful animal, Japanese troops would not have been able to camy out successful, daring attacks upon enemy positions, particularly in battles an the rugged steeps and in the narrow
passes of the Chinese mountains. Contrary to popular expectations, the increasing mechanization of the Army has by no means diminished the utility of army horses.
The present hostilities have certainly established their distinct place modern war fare.”
-
Pat Holscher
- Society Member
- Posts: 7545
- Joined: Thu Nov 30, 2000 6:51 pm
- Last Name: Holscher
-
Society Member
Donation 3rd
Interesting photograph of Japanese cavalry:
https://fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.net/ ... 3093_n.jpg
From:
https://www.facebook.com/Www.valecnikone.cz?fref=photo
https://fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.net/ ... 3093_n.jpg
From:
https://www.facebook.com/Www.valecnikone.cz?fref=photo
Are all of the horses wearing hats?Pat Holscher wrote:Interesting photograph of Japanese cavalry:
https://fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.net/ ... 3093_n.jpg
From:
https://www.facebook.com/Www.valecnikone.cz?fref=photo