Last-Ditch / Home Defense Display

[zachb]

“The sooner the Americans come, the better...One hundred million die proudly.”

A couple of years ago I posted some pictures of some last-ditch items. This is an update for my Kokumin Giyū Sentōtai (Volunteer Fighting Corps - conscript). In many ways these militia/home defense units were not unlike the German Volksstrum. This example I have put together is almost too well appointed, as many of those conscripted had nothing more than pole arms. I’m still working on the “neck plate” for the mannequin to display my civil defense helmet. Feel free to leave a comment or question. Thanks, Zach

Civilian Uniform
Civilian Puttees
IJA Barracks Shoes
Standard equipment belt
Last-ditch ammo pouch
Late War bayonet in wood scabbard w/ canvas frog
Civilian gas mask in box w/ sufu carrying strap
Last ditch haversack (almost burlap weave)
Old model canteen repurposed with cotton/sufu harness
Last ditch T99 with training rifle/last ditch sling

Last ditch Obv..jpg

Last ditch Rev..jpg

[zachb]

[ATTACH]4011851[/ATTACH]

[GeorgeP]

Interesting, thanks for sharing!


Tom

[Bill Grist]

Very Nice thanks for showing. BILL

[Geoff Ward]

Great looking display! Thanks for showing it!

Regards,G.

[Staldion]

Hi Zach,

I love your display ! Would you share more pictures of your breadbag please ? It does have some early features like leather straps, iron buckles, front shape. Could it be a 1914 pattern ?

Regards,
Mat.

[Gw43]

Amazing display with uncommon material
Thanks to share

[BRUNO FRANCK]

hoi Zach

thats a nice and intresting display with rare items,,

i like it

thanks for shearing

best regards Bruno

[zachb]

Gentlemen, thank you for the compliments.

Hi Mat (Staldion), here are some additional pictures of the bread bag. I have also included pictures of my model 1938, Model 1940, and a standard last-ditch model (’45).

I believe like the later bread bags, the model 1914 was made with cotton canvas. With the close-ups, of this presumed last-ditch model, you can see that the material here is more of a hemp and rayon weave. It seems like whatever material was at hand was used in the construction of these types of last-ditch articles. Though it does have leather straps the adjustment holes are not uniform and it appears that there is an assortment of materials used, maybe even different types of leather are utilized. The original color of the bag was greener in color (see pictures of the inside), the outside has now turned a sort of brownish grey shade with age.

Ersatz I - Copy.jpg

Ersatz II - Copy.jpg

[zachb]

[ATTACH]4012131[/ATTACH]

[ATTACH]4012132[/ATTACH]

[zachb]

Model 1938

Model 38 I - Copy.JPG

Model 38 IV - Copy.JPG

[zachb]

1940 & 1945

[ATTACH]4012137[/ATTACH]

[ATTACH]4012138[/ATTACH]

[GHP]

Model 1938

＊古賀勝三郎
* Koga Katsusaburō

I don't know that lead kanji, but I do not think it has to do with the surname Koga ... I did a name search and could not find any "＊古賀" ... but somebody will probably tell me it's a common name!


--Guy

[zachb]

Oh, wow, thanks Guy. Actually three of these four bread bags are named:

Close up of the Model 1938:

IMG_9015.JPG


The hemp Last-ditch on the strap:


IMG_9017.JPG

[zachb]

...and the last-ditch " '45":

IMG_9019.JPG