Japanese Army in World War II

Contrary to popular early-war perception, the Japanese were not trained for jungle warfare nor were they “natural” jungle fighters. Japan had no place in which to conduct such training and most troops were farmers, fisherman, and urban workers. Most units that fought in the Pacific and Southeast Asia deployed directly from the chilly fall climates of China, Manchuria, or Japan. What their previous experience did provide was the ability to operate in varied terrain and climate conditions against enemy forces of equally varied quality and capabilities. Their own self-inflicted austere field conditions were a major factor and prepared them well. With such experience behind them the Japanese were able to study the conditions of the expected areas of operation and adapt their tactics, equipment levels, task organization, and logistics accordingly. They were not always successful in this, for example on New Guinea, where they greatly underestimated the conditions. Their equipment was already comparatively light and much of it designed to be man- or animal-packed. Their logistics tail was less burdensome than any Western army’s, although this meant it was fragile and easily disrupted. Japanese tactical doctrine focused on attack, surprise, rapid movement, commanders operating well forward, and relatively simple plans. Offensive actions were the norm.