Special Sub-Topic: Japanese Parachute Troops Click Here To Play: Japanese Parachute Troops

What year did training of Japanese paratroopers begin?

1940. German paratroop instructors arrived in the summer of 1940. An estimated 100 German instructors were in Japan in 1941. This does not mean that the Germans were the only instructors. The paratroops were trained for the Japanese Army and Navy.

On December 7, 1941 were the Japanese paratroopers ready for combat?

Yes. At the begining there were two battalions in the Japanese Navy. They were the 1st Yokusuka and 3rd Yokusuka Special Landing Forces.

What was the age requirement for the paratroopers?

20-25. The trainees had to be between the age of 20 and 25, with a maximum age of 28 for an officer. Exceptions were made for battalion commanders.

What was the maximum weight (in lbs) in order to start training?

165. Along with sight and hearing requirements there was also a maximum weight requirement - 165lbs. There were different requirments varied between Army and Navy.

Prior to an parachute drop on a target what did the Japanese emphasis?

Reconnaissance. Surprise was the most important element in parachute operations. Japanese planes were very careful doing reconnaissance not to alert the enemy to future plans.

According to Japanese doctrine what had to precede a drop?

Aerial bombardment. According to the doctrine the jump had to be at the same time bombs started to explode over the objective, or defenses. This was not always the case but that is what was intended. After the troops landed bombing and low level strafing by planes would continue.

Only when _______ was achieved could the parachutists be used.

Air superiority. Air superiority had to be won in order to allow the troops to land safely and anti-aircraft guns had to be eliminated.

Where did the first Japanese combat parachute drop occured?

Sumatra. Althought their training was imcomplete the Japanese 'aratroops were the only hope in taking the oil refineries in Palemband. The British and the Dutch were planning to blow them up. Sumatra is an island entirely in Indonesia but at that time a colony of the Netherlands, and Palemband is a city in the south of the island. Took place 14-16 February, 1942.

In Palemband what was the objective of the paratroopers?

Seize airfield and oil refineries. The plan called for the capture of an airfield and more important the oil refineries.

What planes did the Japanese use to drop paratroops over Palembang?

Lockheed Hudsons. On 14 February an estimated 70 Lockheed Hodsons were used by the Japanese over Palembang, they were painted with RAF markings in order to surprise and mislead. In the brackets are the Allied codenames for the Japanese aircraft.

In which month and year did the Japanese attack on Timor take place?

February, 1942. The attack occured about a week after the attack on Palembang. The Japanese learned much from the first parachute attack. Low level stafing was used unlike in the attack on Palembang which bolstered the firepower of the Paratroops.

On which island did the Navy parachutists first fight?

Celebes. Celebes was the first place navy parachutists fought, the army parachutists first fought on Sumatra. Izu Islands and Iwo Jima are Japanese islands.

On December 6, 1944 where did Japanese paratroops conduct an airborne operation?

Philippines. In Leyte (in the Philippines) Japanese Navy paratroopers were to take three airfields from the Americans which have been harassing Japanese shipping. Leyte is a province of the Philippines. Unfortinetly for the Japanese there was only a small amount of planes at the airfields. The destruction of American planes was one of the main objectives.

The mission on Leyte turned out to be what for the Japanese?

Defeat. The battle was a disaster, despite all the preperations. Most of the Japanese paratroops were killed and little damage was done to American planes, which were a key objective. The Japanese also ended up losing the battle for Leyte which was being waged for a couple months before the paratroopers involvement.

What type of plane was used most commonly for the transport of Japanese parachutists?

Topsey. The most common was the "Topsey" a.k.a. Mitsubishi Ki-57. ("Topsey" was the Allied codename). The other three planes are Allied but there are claims that they were used as well. According to "Special Series No. 32" named "Japanese Parachute Troops" the Japanese had versions of the DC-2 and the DC-3.

What was the Allied designation for the Japanese version of the DC-3?

Tabby. The Japanese designation was Type 0 Transport Place Model 22. It had two engines and could carry up to 28 paratroopers. In 1938 a license to build DC-3 planes was signed. Also reffered to as Showa/Nakajima L2D. Codenames from above: Rob - Kawasaki Ki-64 Toby - Lockheed 14

What did the Allied designation for the Japanese version of the DC-2?

Tess. The Japanese designation was Type 0 Transport Plance Model 11. It had the capacity to carry 22 paratroopers. Was again a copy built under license. It was believed to be in widespread use by the Japanese Navy but that was not true. Codenames from above: Zeke - Mitsubishi A6M Reisen (Zero Fighter) Louise - Mitsubishi Ki-2 Pine - Mitsubishi K3M

Which of these was a Japanese sidearm?

Type 14. The Japanese had 2 main sidearms, the Type 14 and Type 94 . Both were semi-automatic pistols with interchangable bullets. Kijiro Nambu who was a Japanese General designed the Type 14. Type 99 and Type 2 are Japanese rifle while the Type 100 is a sub machine-gun.

What was the standard Japanese rifle round?

7.7mm. 7.7mm is approximately .303 of an inch. 7.92 is the typical Mauser round, and althought 7.7mm is close to .30 cal it is the specific name. The 8mm was used on the Japanese SMG.

What was the standard weapon of a Japanese paratrooper?

Type 2. Type 2 was designed specifically for the Paratroops. Strangly enought the Japanese had 2 weapons deignated Type 99, a rifle and a machinegun.