Study of recently captured Japanese clothing indicates that
continued efforts are being made to make summer and tropical uniforms
more comfortable for the troops. By 1942, both summer and tropical
cotton twill coats had a flap under each armpit. This flap may be
buttoned open to give increased ventilation while working or
marching. See illustration on next page.
Uniform coats manufactured in 1943 are provided with an
additional ventilation feature in the form of moon-shaped openings in
the coat armpits. These openings lack any closure, since there is
little danger of mosquitoes attacking at these points. It appears
that the 1943 cotton twill coats are issued as both summer and tropical
coats, and that minor design differences between the two types will
no longer be incorporated.
It is significant that the addition of these features, together with
the introduction of a new extra-lightweight tropical uniform, provide
Japanese troops in the Pacific and CBI theaters with uniforms ill
adapted to impregnation against gas attack.
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Japanese tropical uniform coat with underarm vents. |