CHAPTER 9 - WWII JAPANESE ARTILLERY AND CHEMICAL



TABLE OF CONTENTS








SECTION V - WWII JAPANESE CHEMICAL WARFARE (PART 1).

1. WWII JAPANESE GAS MASKS

a. General. All the known models of gas masks used by Japanese military forces are of the air hose and separate canister type. Rubber stoppers are provided to permit sealing of the canister when it is in use to protect the contents against moisture. IN general the Japanese gas masks afford good protection against the common types of war gases; their facepieces, however, are uncomfortable when fitted to the average occidental face. The American canisters can be ftted to these masks for better protection aganist hydrocyanic acid (AC) and cyanogen chloride (CC) gas than the Japanese canister gives. The existence of horse gas masks of the damp mask type has been reported.

b. Japanese Army gas mask "Model 95".
It has a Khaki stockinette covered facepiece (figure 258) with molded tissot tube and circular eyepieces with removable threaded rims. The eyepieces ae made of glass. A total of 6 elastic straps secure the mask to the head. The Khaki colored canister is approximately 6 inches high, 5 inches wide and 2 3/4 inches thick. The carrier is a rectangular canvas bag. A rubberized hood is sometimes attached to this mask to protect head and shoulders.


Figure 258. Army gas mask Model 95.
Figure 258-a. Postcard of WWII Japanese soldiers wearing gas masks.




c. Japanese Army gas mask "Model 99".
Similar in appearance to the "Model 95" (figure 259), the gas mask is fitted with a rubber nosepiece held inside the facepiece by a stud, and has a short canister only about 4 1/2 inches high.


Figure 259. Army gas mask "Model 99".
Figure 259-a. Type 99 army gas mask with helmet. Manufactured by Fujikura. 1944.



d. Japanese Civilian gas mask type 1, Model A (improved).
This gas mask (figure 260), although originally designed for civilian use, also is issued to Army personnel. The facepiece is tan colored with molded tissot tube and circular, glass, eyepieces with fixed rims. The tan colored canister is approximately 4 3/4 inches high, 5 1/4 inches wide and 2 3/4 inches thick. The carrier is a small rectangular canvas bag with a 1 1/2 inch diameter hole in the bottom.

Figure 260. Civilian gas mask Type I, Model A (Improved).
Figure 260-a. Civilian gas mask with carrying case.


A second type of civilian gas mask is shown here (color picture). Of similar construction to the first type. Rubberized body (of inferior quality to the military mask). Dark brown/redish color. Glass circular lenses. The filter screws to the lower section of the main body. The original paper label is attached around the bottom section of the filter.

The carrying case is rectangular in shape. Semi-rigid construction. A single button secures the front flap. A shoulder strap is provided.




e. Japanese Navy gas mask Model 93 , No 2.
Grauy colored facepiece, with Aluminum rimmed eyepieces, (figure 261) and a tissot tube held by two metal studs. The gray canister, approximately 2 inches high, can be attache to the base of the main canister to give protection against carbon monoxide. A fabric carrier bag is provided for the facepiece only; the canister is carried on the back held in a fabric harness.

Figure 261. Navy gas mask Model 93 No 2.

f. Japanese Navy gas mask Model 93 , No 3.
The facepiece (figure 262) is practically identical with that of No. 2. However, the valve housing may be made of Brown platic instead of Aluminum. The canister is approximately 4 1/2 inches high, 5 3/4 inches wide and 3 inches thick. The carrier is a canvas bag tapered toward the bottom which is provided with 2 1/2 inch diameter hole. This model may be used with the auxiliary carbon monoxide canister provided for teh No. 2 model.

Figure 262. Navy gas mask Model 93, No. 3.
Figure 262-a. Navy gas mask Model 93 with all accessories.


The color photograph shows the entire ensemble wich includes; The mask itself. Rubber body with glass lenses. Complete with the filter. All painted battleship gray. The canvas carrying bag which is worn by the soldier in the field. Also included is the metal transport box. This box remained on the ship and kept the gas mask protected during travel.







2. WWII JAPANESE GAS MASK ACCESSORIES.
The carriers of most army gas masks are provided with a packet of antifog discs (Figure 263), a container for antifreeze liquid (Figure 264), a hinged metal clamp for closing the air hose, and a cleaning rag. In addition...

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b. Bleaching powder pouch. The pouch (Figure 270), measuring approximately 12 inches by 7 inches, is made of rubberized fabric and is provided with a tie string, carrying strap, and a pocket containing several pieces of cotton gauze. The pouch holds approximately 5 ounces of bleaching powder, presumably for use in decontamination of articles of individual equipment.


Figure 270. WWII Japanese army bleaching powder pouch.


c. Decontamination agent, No 1. A cylindrical sheet metal container, 2 1/2 inches high and 2 1/2 inches diameter, with one blue band around the casing (figure 271) contains approximately 0.33 pounds crystalline potassium permanganate.


Figure 271. Decontaminating agents (1) No1. (2) No2. (3) No3. (4) No4.



d. Decontamination agent, No 2. A rectangular sheet metal box, 4 1/2 inches high and 4 3/16 inches square (see above figure 271) with two blue bands around the casing, contains approximately 2.25 pounds of flaked sodium hydroxide.

e. Decontamination agent, No 3. A rectangular sheet metal box, 13 1/4 inches high, 7 3/4 inches wide and 5 3/4 inches thick, with three green bands around the casing (see above figure 271) contains approximately 15 pounds of chloride of lime.

f. Decontamination agent, No 4. A cylindrical sheet of metal can, 2 3/4 inches high, 2 7/16 inches in diameter, with four blue bands around the casing (see above figure 271) contains a spherical glass ampule wrapped in cotton gauze. The ampule holds approximately 1.8 ounces of a yellow liquid consisting of a 20 percent solution of chlorine in carbon tetrachloride.

g. Uses. These decontamination agents are used as follows:

AGENT FUNCTION
No. 1 and No. 2. For decontamination of tear gases and vomiting gases.
No. 3. For decontamination of blister gases. Used to refill the pouch.
No. 4. For decontamination of blister and vomiting gases.


The effectiveness of these agents is not known, but is considered comparable with similar Allied agents.



5. WWII JAPANESE GAS DETECTORS.
a. Blister gas detection satchel. The square satchel, 6 inches x 6 inches, with a carrying strap, contains detector papers, a small box of calcium hypochlorite, a box containing 16 glass ampulets of detector material, and a supply of small flags for marking contaminated areas. The white detector material contained in the ampules turns red in contact with blister gases.

b. gas detector kit. The kit (figure 272) comprises a light metal cylindrical barrel, 10 1/4 inches long and 2 1/2 inches in diameter; a rubber bulb and tubbing; and a set of five detector tubes. When testing for war gases the five detector tubes are placed inside the barrel and held in the holes of a rubber stopper provided for this purpose. Air is then drawn through the tubes by means of the rubber bulb. The kit is contained in a wooden carrying case.


Figure 272. Gas detector.


c. Gas detector kit (Navy model). The kit (figure 273) comprises a rubber, bulb-actuated, metal air pump and set of three detector tubes. Air is drawn through the detector tubes. It is said that the presence of blister gases, and carbon monoxide can be determined by color changes of the indicator materials contained in the detector tubes. The kit is carried in a grey metal case.


Figure 273. Navy model gas detector kit.







SECTION V - WWII JAPANESE CHEMICAL WARFARE (PART 2).

OFFENSIVE EQUIPMENT.

1. WWII JAPANESE MARKING OF CHEMICAL MUNITIONS.
Indications are that the Japanese attention to war gases has been confined largely to the well known blister, tear, vomiting, etc., gases. In addition, agents for the production of screening smokes are manufactured. The Japanese distinguish between ordinary smoke and toxic, ot tear, clouds by referring to the latter as "special smoke". The type of agent contained in a chemical munition is usually identified by a color band according to the following scheme:

GAS TYPE COLOR BAND
Choking gases Blue
Tear gases Green
Blister gases Yellow
Vomiting gases Red
Blood and nerve poisons Brown
Screening smoke White


Chemical projectiles and most chemical aerial bombs are generally grey in color. Filled shells have a red hand at the nose, followed by a blue band to indicate special handling because of the chemical filling. According to the best evidence available, the type of war gas filling is indicated by a colored band in accordance with the above scheme. This band is about twice as wide as any other band on the shell. A narrow yellow band is believed to indicate a HE burster change, while a white band indicates that the projectile is constructed of steel.

2. WWII JAPANESE GAS SHELLS AND BOMBS.

a. General.
The 90-mm mortar and the 81-mm mortar are believed to have chemical munitions, as is a reported 150-mm mortar, but shells containing these fillings have not been captured. Likewise, the 105-mm gun and 150-mm howitzer shells probably have a chemical filling. The following shells and bomb are definetely known to be filled with war gases,

b. Japanese 50 kg aerial gas bomb.
Overall length 45 inches, body diameter 7.5 inches. Total weight 110 pounds, filling 50:50 lewsite mustard mixture, gray colored with one yellow and one white band between nose and lug and one yellow band between tail and lug.

c. Japanese 75-mm blister gas shell.
Weight 12.5 pounds. Filling 1.4 pounds 50:50 lewsite mustard mixture. Markings; red band followed by blue band (indicating CW filling) on nose, one white and one wide yellow band on body, which indicates blister gas filling.

d. Japanese 75-mm vomiting gas shell.
Weight 13.25 pounds. Filling 0.4 pounds diphenylcyanarsine. Markings, red band followed by blue band on nose. Yellow band below burrelet indicating HE filling, then a wide red band indicating vomiting gas and finally a white band indicating a steel shell.

3. WWII JAPANESE FRANGIBLE HYDROCYANIC ACID (AC) GRENADES.
See Section II, Chapter 9, for description.



4. WWII JAPANESE GAS CANDLES.
Most Japanese gas and smoke candles of the stationary or hand thrown type are fired by means of a matchhead fuze and scratcher block. All Japanese self projecting gas and smoke candles (Figures 274, 275, 276, and table) are composed of an outer container equipped with a



Figure 275. Medium vomiting gas candle.


Tear gas candle table
Num Description Length Diameter Body color Markings Weight (Lbs) Filling Notes
1 Tear gas candle 7.2 2.2 Grey Green band 0.5 CN mixture Main filling nitrocellulose wafers containing CN.
2 Small tear gas candle 5.5 2.5 do do .4 do Believed to be obsolete.




Vomiting gas candle table
Num Description Length Diameter Body color Markings Weight (Lbs) Filling Notes
1 Light vomiting gas candle. 7.2 2.2 Grey Red band 0.6 DC Metal ring handle at bottom.
2 Heavy vomiting gas candle 9.8 4.4 Brown do 4.4 do Metal ring hand;e at bottom. Under cover 16 taped vent holes. Separate compartments for fuel mixture under smoke charge.
3 Medium vomiting gas candle 8.8 4.4 do do 3.3 do Metal ring handle at bottom. Fixed hinged metal prong at side.
4 Light self projecting vomiting gas candle 7.9 2.0 do do 1.5 do Projectile has carboard casing.
5 Heavy self projecting vomiting gas candle 8.2 2.0 do do 2.2
2.6 		do Projectile has sheet metal casing and wooden bottom



5. WWII JAPANESE SMOKE GRENADES.

a. 50-mm small shells for grenade discharger type 89.
See Section II, Chapter 9, for description.

b. WWII Japanese Rifle smoke grenade.
See Section II, Chapter 9, for description.

c. Frangile smoke grenade white.
See Section II, Chapter 9, for description.



6. WWII JAPANESE SMOKE CANDLES.


Figure 277. "Type 94" small smoke candle (white label).


Figure 278. "Type 99" self projecting smoke candle.




SMOKE CANDLE TABLE

Num Designation Length (inches) Diameter (inches) Body color Markings Weight (approx) Smoke mixture Notes
1 Type 94 small smoke candle A 6.9 2.2 Grey White label 2.2 Berger type Metal ring handle at bottom probably an early model.
2 Do 6.9 3.2 Green or Brown do 2.2 do No handle. may be wrapped in paper with printed instructions. Probably a later model.
3 Type 94 large smoke candle A 18 6 Grey do 44 do Hinged wooden handle at top, attached to metal band around casing. Small screw cap lid.
4 Type 94 floating smoke candle B 31.2 3.1 Grey or Brown White label or white band 15.4 HC type Metal ring bracket for float around upper part. "10 year pattern" hand grenade time fuze fits opening on top closed by wing screw plug.
5 1 Kilogram smoke candle "Revision 4" 8.3 2.1 Tinplate White labels top and side * 2.2 Berger type Naval smoke candle.
6 1 Kilogram smoke candle "Revision n7" 8.3 2.1 Do White labels top and side * 2.2 HC type Naval smoke candle. Igniter removable.
7 10 Kilogram smoke candle 9.5 6 Grey Labels on top and side * 22 Berger type Naval smoke candle. Igniter well fitted with wooden plug. Igniters packed separately.
8 30 Kilogram smoke candle 9.5 10.5 Do do * 64 do Naval smoke candle. Igniter well closed by wooden plug. Igniters are packed separately. The candle may be fitted with a float.
9 Experimental self projecting smoke candle 8.2 2.1 Grey or Brown May have white band 1.5 HC type Sometimes wrapped in paper. Projectile has cardboard casing and short igniter tube.
10 Type 99 self projecting smoke candle 8.2 2.1 Do White Japanese characters on side 2.9 do Projectile has sheet metal casing. Igniter tube extends whole length of projectile. Under bottom cover metch board exposed through slot.

* As weight varies considerably, figures shown are merely the conversion of the indicated kilogram weight to pounds.




7. WWII JAPANESE AERIAL INCENDIARY BOMBS.
Army incendiary ombs are painted grey whereas the HE bombs are black. Navy type bombs , both HE and incendiary, are painted grey. Red and silver tail struts designate an incendiary filling.

a. 1 KG smoke incendiary/antipersonnel bomb, Army type.
Characterized as follows:

1. Overall length --------- 10.25 inches.
2. Body diameter --------- 3 inches.
3. Color and markings --------- White rubber nose, black body, white tail cone and fins.
4. Main charge --------- Red phosohorus.


Used in conjunction with demolition bombs as a marker. On explosion antipersonnel effect by fragmentation of case iron body. b. Japanese 32 kg incendiary bomb.
Characteristics are as follows:
1. Overall length --------- 24.4 inches.
2. Body diameter --------- 5.75 inches.
3. Total weight --------- Approximately 70 pounds.
4. Filling --------- Phosphorus filled steel pellets.
5. Color --------- Grey.
6. Markings --------- Silver band on nose and silver tail fin tips.


c. Japanese 50 kg incendiary bomb.
Characteristics are as follows:
1. Overall length --------- 3 feet 9 inches.
2. Body diameter --------- 7.75 inches.
3. Weight --------- Approximately 101 pounds.
4. Filling --------- Rubber pellets and phosphorus in carbon disulfide.
5. Color --------- Grey
6. Markings --------- One yellow and one white namd.


d. Japanese 50 kg incendiary bomb, Army type 100.
Characteristics are as follows:
1. Overall length --------- 3 feet 4 inches.
2. Body diameter --------- 7 inches.
3. Filling --------- Rubber pellets and phosphorus in carbon disulfide.
4. Color and markings --------- Grey body and tail, yellow and white bands just forward of suspension lug.


This bomb is differentiated from the 50 kg incendiary bomb described in "c" above by a longer tail cone with a rounded apex.



e. Japanese 60 kg solid oil bomb, Navy type.
Characteristics are as follows:
1. Overall length --------- 3 feet 6 1/2 inches.
2. Filling --------- Normal filling mixture of paraffin wax and kerosene but a filling consisting of pellets made of rubber-like incendiary material also exists.
3. Color and markings --------- Grey body and tail, red tail struts.


f. Japanese 60 kg incendiary thermite bomb, Navy type.
Characteristics are as follows:
1. Overall length --------- 3 feet 4 inches.
2. Body diameter --------- 8 inches.
3. Filling --------- Electron containers filled with thermite.
4. Color and markings --------- Grey body and tail, red tail struts.


g. Japanese 250 kg HE/incendiary bomb.

1. Overall length --------- 5 feet 9 inches.
2. Body diameter --------- 12 inches.
3. Weight --------- Approximately 550 pounds.
4. Filling --------- HE and about 750 small metal cylinders filled with incendiary substance.
5. Color and markings --------- Painted grey with a red band on tail and a silver band on end of nose.





8. OTHER INCENDIARIES.
a. one half kilogram incendiary grenade.
See Section II, chapter 9, for description.

b. Japanese Incendiary grenade "Molotov cocktail".
See Section II, chapter 6 for illustration and complete description.

c. Japanese 90-mm mortar projectile.
Characteristics are as follows:

1. Weight --------- Approximate 11.5 pounds.
2. Filling --------- Approximate 2.2 pounds phosphorus in carbon disulfide and rubber pellets.
3. Markings --------- Red band followed by blue band on nose, one yellow and one white band on body.


d. Japanese 50-mm grenade discharger projectile, incendiary.
See Section II, Chapter 0, for description.

e. Japanese 75-mm incendiary shell, for Model 41 (1908) infantry gun.

1. Weight --------- Approximately 14.5 pounds.
2. Filling --------- 22 oz., rubber pellets impregnated with a solution of phosphorus in carbon disulfide.
3. Markings --------- Blue - Grey projectile, red band below fuze.




f. Japanese Incendiary stick grenade.
See Section II, Chapter 0, for description.









9. WWII JAPANESE FLAME THROWERS.
a. Flame thrower Type 93.
The fuel unit comprises 2 fuel tanks and a nitrogen pressure cylinder. Ignitionof fuel jet is effected by flash from a blank cartridge. ten of which are loaded in the revolving cylinder located at nozzle end of flame gun (See figure 282). The firing mechanism is actuated by operating handle which controls fuel ejection valve. Characteristics are as follows:



b. WWII Japanese Flame thrower Type 100.
Very similar to type 93 flame thrower. The fuel units of the two types are identical as are range and duration of flame. The differences are found in the flame guns as follows:

Japanese WWII flame thrower comparison table
TYPE 93 TYPE 100
Over-all length 47 1/8 inches 35 1/2 inches
Weight 10 pounds 8 1/2 pounds
Nozzel outlet tip Fixed Removable
Diameter of cartridge 0.44 inch 0.484 inch
Chambers of revolving cylinder 10 10


c. Pyrotechnichs See Chapter 10.