Need help with Japanese inscription inside helmet

[NARVIK1940]

This is potentially a souvenir from the Battle of Attu, and were looking for translation of the inscription prior to going through the roster of soldiers in that battle. Assistance appreciated!






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[GHP]

Looks like
北七号ヤマガ
Hoku Nana-go Yamaga
North #7 Yamaga

I have no idea as to what that means. Yamaga is a surname/place name.


— Guy

[NARVIK1940]

Thanks, Guy!


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[NARVIK1940]

Any chance the name is Yamada and not Yamaga?


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[GHP]

Any chance the name is Yamada and not Yamaga?


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Check it and let me know:

Yamada: ヤマダ
Yamaga: ヤマガ

It looks like ヤマガ to me — but that scratch is at a critical location. To be safe one could say either name is possible. Perhaps you can better tell with the helment in hand.


— Guy

[GHP]

After looking closer, the shape of that long stroke is more at an angle consistant with ダ ; whereas a ガ would be more at a right angle.

So, I think you are correct and that the name is ヤマダ Yamada.

Thank you for bringing up the possibility of a different name.

Cheers,
— Guy

[NARVIK1940]

Thanks, Guy. This is significant. We are searching the rolls for Attu, where I think this helmet was possibly from, and there are no Yamagas but a few Yamadas.


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[GHP]

Attu, eh? If you find one with the name フナヤ let me know — my father-in-law was on both Attu and Kisa.

(^___^)


— Guy

P.S. What sort of rolls? Dead or unit rolls? If you come across an officer named Funaya 船谷 please let me know. He was first on Attu then moved to Kiska; he was evacuated from Kiska with the remainder before US troops landed on Kiska. He said, “Attsu to kisuka wa taihen desu-yo!” Attu and Kiska were very severe.

[NARVIK1940]

It’s a memorial book for those lost on Attu. (1944). Pictures of every man with brief details (rank, hometown, picture).


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[NARVIK1940]

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[GHP]

Thanks for sharing!!
山崎軍神部隊

Yamasaki Gun-Shin Butai
Yamasaki Military God Unit

Published by

朝日新聞社
Asahi Shinbun Sha
Asahi Newspaper Co.

Commander, Yamasaki Yasuyo

Here's a song on YouTube .... don't know if you've seen it or not:
アッツの雄叫び
Attsu no otakebi
"The War Cry of Attu" ... of course in Japanese


Cheers,
--Guy

[NARVIK1940]

Thanks, Guy!


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