JAPANESE SOLDIER’S EQUIPMENT

Southland Times, Issue 24841, 5 September 1942, Page 5

JAPANESE SOLDIER’S EQUIPMENT

(Special Australian Correspondent, N.ZJP.A.) (Rec. 8 p.m.) SYDNEY, September 4. Japanese war equipment captured at Milne Bay is now being studied by Allied military technicians in Australia. It bears the anchor symbol of the Japanese Navy, indicating that it was used by marine assault troops. Technicians say die equipment is comprehensive but some is of poor quality. The items flown from Milne Bay to Australia include a gasmask, rifles, sub-machineguns, a flamethrower and grenades. The gasmask is much inferior to the standard British and American types. The automatic rifles are old models, limited to about 130 rounds a minute of sustained fire. The flamethrower is capable of throwing a flame 30 feet. It would weigh 70 pounds, when ready for use. Other automatic weapons captured included a light gun similar to the Bren but of smaller calibre, and a tank gun with telescopic sighting attached. The Japanese tommygun is a replica of the German Steyr-Dolothurn. It is a short-barrelled weapon with a 500yards range. The thoroughness with which the Japanese troops are fitted out is shown in the assortment of articles found in a soldier’s haversack. It contained a phial of anti-mosquito grease, a small camouflage net, field dressings, and a tin containing concentrated food. One of the most interesting articles was a water purifier. It consisted of a long, narrow tube with a composition box end. The box was perforated presumably for sucking water through. This apparatus ensured its purification. Accompanying the purifier was a box of chemicd tablets. . It has also been revealed that Japanese planes shot down at Port Moresby are being brought back to Australia for salvage purposes. The aluminium and other metals will be used in the building of Australian made planes.