Comments on: What was the standard WWII Japanese rifle? http://www.historynet.com/what-was-the-standard-wwii-japanese-rifle.htm From the World's Largest History Magazine Publisher Tue, 21 May 2013 05:57:29 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: Joe H. Camp,Jr., Ph.D. http://www.historynet.com/what-was-the-standard-wwii-japanese-rifle.htm#comment-835958 Joe H. Camp,Jr., Ph.D. Sun, 20 Jan 2013 17:33:37 +0000 http://www.historynet.com/?p=13685610#comment-835958 Adding the following: Another book that comes to mind, regarding WW2-era Japanese martial culture and their use of the bayonet vs. sword, is John Dower, War Without Mercy. Good luck and good hunting. Joe C. Adding the following: Another book that comes to mind, regarding WW2-era Japanese martial culture and their use of the bayonet vs. sword, is John Dower, War Without Mercy. Good luck and good hunting. Joe C.

]]> By: EmeraldPawn http://www.historynet.com/what-was-the-standard-wwii-japanese-rifle.htm#comment-831275 EmeraldPawn Thu, 10 Jan 2013 18:30:54 +0000 http://www.historynet.com/?p=13685610#comment-831275 Thank you for your reply Dr. Camp, a very precise description as to this particular weapon of war as well as to the Soldiers that used them in warfare. I will refer to Mr. Spectors book you recommended. In boot camp I remember physical training drills with the 1911 Enfield. The M16A1 was our issued service rifle but I used the M14 considerably in Vietnam. I think they do that to the the skinniest guy in the platoon:) Thanks again. . Thank you for your reply Dr. Camp, a very precise description as to this particular weapon of war as well as to the Soldiers that used them in warfare. I will refer to Mr. Spectors book you recommended. In boot camp I remember physical training drills with the 1911 Enfield. The M16A1 was
our issued service rifle but I used the M14 considerably in Vietnam. I think they do that to the the skinniest guy in the platoon:) Thanks again. .

]]> By: Joe Camp http://www.historynet.com/what-was-the-standard-wwii-japanese-rifle.htm#comment-830896 Joe Camp Mon, 07 Jan 2013 22:21:37 +0000 http://www.historynet.com/?p=13685610#comment-830896 The Japanese officer was well trained in swordsmanship but the average line soldier was not, as he was not from the same socio-economic tier as the officers. Their edged weapon of expertise instead was the bayonet, and early on, the long Arisaka Type 38 6.5mm gave them a decided reach advantage over the Allied soldiers. The Type 99 was more on par length-wise with the '03, M1 Garand, and Lee-Enfield. All Arisakas have very strong actions, as shown after the war when the Ordnance Corps tested them to failure. But none are as accurate as anything the Allies had in Theater. Even the early Arisakas are comparatively crudely made, and parts often do not interchange between rifles from the different arsenals. If you read Ronald Spector, Eagle Against the Sun, he bears out a lot of the bayonet training emphasis for the Japanese enlisted ranks, and its social "caste" significance. The old book, Small Arms of the World, contains info about the amazing overpressures sustained by the Arisakas in testing. Joe H. Camp, Jr., Ph. D., in South Carolina The Japanese officer was well trained in swordsmanship but the average line soldier was not, as he was not from the same socio-economic tier as the officers. Their edged weapon of expertise instead was the bayonet, and early on, the long Arisaka Type 38 6.5mm gave them a decided reach advantage over the Allied soldiers. The Type 99 was more on par length-wise with the '03, M1 Garand, and Lee-Enfield. All Arisakas have very strong actions, as shown after the war when the Ordnance Corps tested them to failure. But none are as accurate as anything the Allies had in Theater. Even the early Arisakas are comparatively crudely made, and parts often do not interchange between rifles from the different arsenals. If you read Ronald Spector, Eagle Against the Sun, he bears out a lot of the bayonet training emphasis for the Japanese enlisted ranks, and its social "caste" significance. The old book, Small Arms of the World, contains info about the amazing overpressures sustained by the Arisakas in testing. Joe H. Camp, Jr., Ph. D., in South Carolina

]]> By: Wholehawg http://www.historynet.com/what-was-the-standard-wwii-japanese-rifle.htm#comment-822431 Wholehawg Thu, 25 Oct 2012 13:22:43 +0000 http://www.historynet.com/?p=13685610#comment-822431 The AK-47 came out in 19"47" so it never saw action in WW2. The STG-44 is close though. The AK-47 came out in 19"47" so it never saw action in WW2. The STG-44 is close though.

]]> By: gun guy http://www.historynet.com/what-was-the-standard-wwii-japanese-rifle.htm#comment-822301 gun guy Thu, 25 Oct 2012 00:17:02 +0000 http://www.historynet.com/?p=13685610#comment-822301 i liked the AK-47 they were the best in ww2 i liked the AK-47 they were the best in ww2

]]> By: EmeraldPawn http://www.historynet.com/what-was-the-standard-wwii-japanese-rifle.htm#comment-820106 EmeraldPawn Fri, 05 Oct 2012 18:22:36 +0000 http://www.historynet.com/?p=13685610#comment-820106 In looking at the typical Japanese infantrymans height and then the length of their rifle it gives the appearance that it is too long and gangly compared to the standard US military issue rifle of that era. I am curious that since Japanese culture was rich in Martial skills that most men were very proficient in sword, bo staff and hand to hand combat. Would that have been considered in the design or would the length been for better accuracy at longer distances? In looking at the typical Japanese infantrymans height and then the length of their rifle it gives the appearance that it is too long and gangly compared to the standard US military issue rifle of that era.
I am curious that since Japanese culture was rich in Martial skills that most men were very proficient in sword, bo staff and hand to hand combat. Would that have been considered in the design or would the length been for better accuracy at longer distances?

]]> By: Larry C http://www.historynet.com/what-was-the-standard-wwii-japanese-rifle.htm#comment-815296 Larry C Wed, 08 Aug 2012 15:28:22 +0000 http://www.historynet.com/?p=13685610#comment-815296 The overall best combat rifle of WWII and the Korean conflict was the M1 Garand by Canadain designer, John Garand. Both the German and Japanese generals wanted something like the Garand. The cock on closing is not necessarily an improvement. The effort to close the bolt by a wounded soldier was sometimes too much. Also there was a problem if a cartridges had been banged slightly out of shape. A cock-on-opening left the additional effort to the tremendous camming action of the bolt. I have (professionally) used both and would never trade a cock-on-opening for the other. The overall best combat rifle of WWII and the Korean conflict was the M1 Garand by Canadain designer, John Garand. Both the German and Japanese generals wanted something like the Garand.

The cock on closing is not necessarily an improvement. The effort to close the bolt by a wounded soldier was sometimes too much. Also there was a problem if a cartridges had been banged slightly out of shape. A cock-on-opening left the additional effort to the tremendous camming action of the bolt. I have (professionally) used both and would never trade a cock-on-opening for the other.

]]>