German 'chinese M35's captured/used by japanese

[Jan B]

Hello to all,


I have posted this before in the headgear-section, but thought I would re-post it here.

I found this picture in Ivor Mantale's 'Second World War'. It shows a parade of japanese soldiers just after the capitulation of the chinese city of Nanking.

Now, I don't know much about those chinese issued M35's, but it looks like one of the japanse soldiers on the first row has a chinese issued M35 with sun-decal attached to his combatpack?

There seems to be other M35's further down the first line-up, although the one I'm talking is obviously the clearest.

If a war-souvenir? Was it common for japanese soldiers to carry them on their backpack during an official parade?

Could it be that these soldiers actually used them during combat?

Cheers

Jan

[Peter Wiking]

Check this: http://www.ngensis.com/jap4-e.htm
Dont know if it is of any help. I can understand why the Japanese soldier wanted a German helmet. Take a look at a Samurai helmet and you get the idea. The German helmet has nearly the same neck protection and shape as those Samurai helmets.

Cheers.
Peter Wiking

[Eric Doody]

Jan,

Thanks for posting the photo.

Insofar as why some of the Japanese soldiers have Chinese helmets on their backpacks, my guess is that the Chinese helmets are souvenirs. However, this is only a guess.

Eric

[Jan B]

Thanks Peter and Eric for you input.

Indeed we'll never be sure what the real reason was, but the "souvenir-story" sounds the most logical one. Anyway, it stays a rare picture IMO.

ps : Eric, welcome and good luck with your section!

Cheers

Jan

[blinky]

Japanese soldiers wearing Chinese helmets in combat would have to be pretty darn nervous.

I knew of a very nice Chinese M35 that was a souviner of the China campaign, maybe it was from one of the fellows in the picture.

[Eric Doody]

Thanks Peter and Eric for you input.

Indeed we'll never be sure what the real reason was, but the "souvenir-story" sounds the most logical one. Anyway, it stays a rare picture IMO.

ps : Eric, welcome and good luck with your section!

Cheers

Jan

Jan,

Thanks for the welcome and thanks for posting the photo. "A picture is worth a thousand words" isn't it.

Eric

[RCE]

I have a photo of a Japanese soldier wearing one these M35's in a after the battle group victory pose others amongst are wearing the British style helmets Tommy helmets aswell, and the rest Type 90's my guess is that they were worn.

[RonR]

Another "German Style" Helmet worn by the Forces?

[RonR]

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[RonR]