Announcement

**Rod G** · 05-14-2014, 04:12 PM

They had call signs.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/10th_Di...Japanese_Army)

Smaller units were often known by their commander's name and had field made symbols sewn or pinned to their uniforms as can often be seen in period photos. I'm sure someone can give you a more direct answer.

Rod

**fenderkicker** · 05-14-2014, 04:42 PM

Hi Rod, and thanks for your answer.

I'm familiar with the call signs – but how were those call-signs used ? I mean, were there somewhere on a flag, or on the uniform ? Does anyone know ?

**Walter Schmidt** · 05-15-2014, 01:27 AM

Originally posted by fenderkicker View Post

Hi Rod, and thanks for your answer.

I'm familiar with the call signs – but how were those call-signs used ? I mean, were there somewhere on a flag, or on the uniform ? Does anyone know ?

They were stamped on the dogtags along with a numerical code that indicated regiment
勇1301
勇=Yuu (brave); code for 2nd Div
1301=4th infantry regiment

http://hamatetsu.sakura.ne.jp/wp-con...6571e3f9c2.jpg
山3475
山=Mountain, 24th Div
3475=3nd infantry regiment

(The stuff after it is Chutai or shotai number and individual code)

You can look up some but not all units here at veteran org database, by entering in the kanji+number into the 通称号 field.
http://www.senyuken.jp/database/sear...party_cont%5D=

**fenderkicker** · 05-15-2014, 08:31 PM

Walter, this is amazing – thanks a lot for your answer.

I'm aware of the call-signs like "勇" (brave), but I'm still wondering whether the call signs were somehow used in insignias like standards, flags or banderoles. For instance in the German Wehrmacht divisions had signs like 2nd Infantry division: a yellow circle with a yellow "Y" centered – and you could find this emblem on vehicles and uniforms.

Maybe the IJA division had something like a unit shoulder strap cipher (in german "Truppenkennzeichen") ?

I wonder whether the IJA soldiers were wearing any empblems which related them to their division?

**Rod G** · 05-15-2014, 11:29 PM

Hi fender kicker,

The short answer is no. There were no divisional patches or signifiers for Imperial Japanese divisions, or regiments for that matter.

When you collect Japanese army militaria you can collect by period or arm of service. If you acquire a Type 5, Type 98 or Type 3 uniform you are covered for that category. There are no sub groupings that relate to specific histories such as a badge would provide.

Best, Rod

**Walter Schmidt** · 05-17-2014, 02:56 PM

Originally posted by Rod G View Post

Hi fender kicker,

The short answer is no. There were no divisional patches or signifiers for Imperial Japanese divisions, or regiments for that matter.

When you collect Japanese army militaria you can collect by period or arm of service. If you acquire a Type 5, Type 98 or Type 3 uniform you are covered for that category. There are no sub groupings that relate to specific histories such as a badge would provide.

Best, Rod

They did have unit insignia with bevo numerals/letters and unit-made patches but the latter was not very standardized.
http://ameblo.jp/momomomospring/entry-11714160823.html
"White tiger" insignia for the "White Tiger Unit" in 214th regiment
http://ameblo.jp/momomomospring/entry-11494135326.html
Eastern 111 Air Unit patch
http://cb1100f.b10.coreserver.jp/10084.gif
Eastern 38th Unit (115th regiment reserves)
http://ameblo.jp/momomomospring/entry-11746657037.html
Eastern 24th Unit (29th regiment reserves)

http://warfarehistorian.blogspot.com...d-history.html
Famous "death's head unit" during the Manchurian incident

**Rod G** · 05-17-2014, 04:01 PM

Originally posted by Walter Schmidt View Post

They did have unit insignia with bevo numerals/letters and unit-made patches but the latter was not very standardized.
http://ameblo.jp/momomomospring/entry-11714160823.html
"White tiger" insignia for the "White Tiger Unit" in 214th regiment
http://ameblo.jp/momomomospring/entry-11494135326.html
Eastern 111 Air Unit patch
http://cb1100f.b10.coreserver.jp/10084.gif
Eastern 38th Unit (115th regiment reserves)
http://ameblo.jp/momomomospring/entry-11746657037.html
Eastern 24th Unit (29th regiment reserves)

http://warfarehistorian.blogspot.com...d-history.html
Famous "death's head unit" during the Manchurian incident

You are absolutely correct Walter, thank you. I'd forgotten that Type 3 uniforms had metal regimental numbers affixed to the collars. I'm not going to speculate that the bevo numbers (which seem to be showing up in minty profusion these days) may be a continuation of that as I don't remember any photos of them being used in practice by front line troops. They may refer to reserve units or training schools.

The link to the Death's Head unit is great, thanks there too. I think those units you refer to are less than regimental in size, i.e.; back to the small unit identifiers we started this discussion with.

As the war progressed the Imperial Japanese Army did do away with visible identification like the wavy branch of service breast badge. By the end of the war of course the ultimate in military minimalism... to hang one's rank tab from a pocket button or safety pin. I've read somewhere that the Japanese military expressly eradicated unit identifiers to keep its enemies in the dark regarding any useful intelligence that might be gleaned from it.

Best wishes, Rod

**Rod G** · 05-17-2014, 05:13 PM

I'd forgotten that Type 3 uniforms had metal regimental numbers affixed to the collars.

That should be Type 5 uniforms.

**fenderkicker** · 06-02-2014, 02:20 PM

Thanks again to everyone helping me out with this.

@Walter
the links are amazing.

I'm writing dozens of articles on Wikepedia about the Russo-Japanese War, especially in german, but also in english. As I'm creating the articles about IJA divisions – I have already finished 8 IJA divisions articles – I thought I could upload a divisional insignia to the top of the infobox there – something like 第6師団 (6th division) or 明兵団 ("Akari-heidan"/"Bright Division"). But as far as I can see only regimental units were using insignias and flags resp. like:
http://ameblo.jp/momomomospring/entry-11714160823.html
"White tiger" insignia for the "White Tiger Unit" in 214th regiment

In nower days each division has its own insignia but it seems there was nothing like this back in the days?

**zachb** · 06-02-2014, 11:25 PM

"I'm writing dozens of articles on Wikepedia...."

Hi, was curios to see some of your articles. Could you link a few?

**fenderkicker** · 06-03-2014, 10:02 AM

**zachb** · 06-03-2014, 08:45 PM

Thanks and good luck with your articles.

Announcement

Are there insignias of IJA divisions ?

Are there insignias of IJA divisions ?

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Users Viewing this Thread