Japanese Soldier For From Being Invincible

Manawatu Times, Volume 68, Issue 211, 6 September 1943, Page 4

Japanese Soldier For From Being Invincible

SYDNEY, Sept. 4. Patience and encircling tactics are required to overcome the Japanese in jungle fighting, according to MajorGeneral S. G. Kavige, who has been in command of the operation war in tho S&lamaua areas. “For five months the enemy lias been taught that encirclement is allimportant and soou becomes defeatist when this method is turned against him,” he said. “The invincibility of the Japanese soldier is a myth. Hi* screaming iu battle is intended not so much to frighten the opponent as to keep up liis own courage. He has jao desire whatever to join his ancestors, but when ho gets into a foxhole he docs not know’ what to do and acta ras.hlv, “The Japanese soldier is a slow thinker and even if ho had a lifle to his shoulder when an Australian spotted him, the Australian would probably shoot him first,” he added. “Our men are better bu-hmen than the JapanIn the Wau-S&lamaua campaign our troops had the utmost contempt for the enemy. As an example of Japanese stupidity, Major-General Savige said that once, W'hen tho Australians mischievously set up a din with tins, it startled the Japanese on the neighbouring hillside so much that they stood up and fired in all directions, exposing their position. On another occasion, in an ambush near Mt. Tambu, two Japanese were found skulking in foxholes withiu ten yards of bitter hand-to-hand fighting. One was munching a biscuit and the other .was whittling a stick. Neither appeared to be greatly concerned in ti* outcome of the